Reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy during initial stages of Ge growth on Si by molecular beam epitaxy

Using a conventional reflection high-energy electron diffraction gun together with an electron energy loss spectrometer, we have combined in situ measurements of inelastic scattering intensities from Si L2,3 and Ge L2,3 core losses with reflection electron diffraction data in order to analyze the initial stages of Ge heteroepitaxy on Si(001). Diffraction data indicate an initial layer-by-layer growth mode followed by island formation for Ge thicknesses greater than 0.8–1.1 nm. The electron energy core loss data are consistent with a simple model of grazing incidence electron scattering from the growing Ge film. Reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy is found to be highly surface sensitive, and the energy resolution and data rate are also sufficiently high to suggest that reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy may be a useful real-time, in situ surface chemical probe during growth by molecular beam epitaxy

Local order measurement in SnGe alloys and monolayer Sn films on Si with reflection electron energy loss spectrometry

Measurements of local order are demonstrated in Sn-containing alloys and epitaxial monolayer thickness films by analysis of extended-edge energy loss fine structure (EXELFS) data obtained by reflection electron energy loss spectrometry (REELS). These measurements of short-range order provide a complement to the chemical information obtained with REELS and long-range order obtained using reflection high energy electron diffraction. The results suggest that EXELFS measurements are practical for samples mounted on the growth manipulator in a molecular beam epitaxy chamber. Advantages and limitations of reflection EXELFS are discussed

Hollow core Bragg fiber with antiresonant intermediate layer

By means of the transfer matrix method, the optical properties of fibers with a distinct intermediate layer between a hol-low core and periodic cladding are calculated. The periodic cladding consists of two types of the alternating layers. The intermediate layer has distinct thickness and refractive index. Depending on these parameters, the fiber can work in the single-mode or multi-mode regimes. In the multi-mode regime, the optical loss of the smallest loss mode can be de-creased by increasing the thickness of the layer. In the single-mode regime, the optical loss falls with a rise in the refrac-tive index of the intermediate layer. The optical properties of the fiber are determined by the antiresonance reflection from the intermediate layer and the Bragg reflection from the periodic cladding. Selecting the parameters of the interme-diate layer, the optical loss of the fiber in the single-mode regime can be reduced by an order of magnitude over the loss of the traditional Bragg fiber.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

Engineering transverse Bragg resonance waveguides for large modal volume lasers

We recently analyzed a new class of laser amplifier based on transverse Bragg reflection. We show that the unique properties of Bragg confinement make it possible through modal loss discrimination to achieve single-transverse-mode operation with transverse modal size that is an order of magnitude larger than in lasers that depend on total internal reflection for transverse confinement

Transmission enhancement in loss-gain multilayers by resonant suppression of reflection

Using the transfer-matrix approach and solving time-domain differential equations, we analyze the loss compensation mechanism in multilayer systems composed of an absorbing transparent conductive oxide and dielectric doped with an active material. We reveal also another regime with the possibility of enhanced transmission with suppressed reflection originating from the resonant properties of the multilayers. For obliquely incident and evanescent waves, such enhanced transmission under suppressed reflection turns into the reflectionless regime, which is similar to that observed in the PT-symmetric structures, but does not require PT symmetry. We infer that the reflectionless transmission is due to the full loss compensation at the resonant wavelengths of the multilayers.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figure

PT\mathcal{PT}-breaking threshold in spatially asymmetric Aubry-Andre Harper models: hidden symmetry and topological states

Aubry-Andre Harper (AAH) lattice models, characterized by reflection-asymmetric, sinusoidally varying nearest-neighbor tunneling profile, are well-known for their topological properties. We consider the fate of such models in the presence of balanced gain and loss potentials $\pm i\gamma$ located at reflection-symmetric sites. We predict that these models have a finite $\mathcal{PT}$ breaking threshold only for {\it specific locations} of the gain-loss potential, and uncover a hidden symmetry that is instrumental to the finite threshold strength. We also show that the topological edge-states remain robust in the $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry broken phase. Our predictions substantially broaden the possible realizations of a $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric system.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

In situ reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy measurements of low temperature surface cleaning for Si molecular beam epitaxy

In situ analysis of hydrocarbon desorption from hydrogen terminated Si(100) surfaces was performed in a silicon molecular beam epitaxy system, using reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy, in conjunction with conventional reflection high energy electron diffraction analysis. Measurements of C K edge core loss intensities demonstrate that this method is sufficiently sensitive to enable in situ analysis of hydrocarbon desorption at fractional monolayer coverages during low-temperature isothermal anneals. Hydrocarbon desorption was found to begin at 115 °C, and at 200 °C complete desorption occurred within 10 min. Hydrocarbon coverage was not measurably affected by operation of ionization gauge filaments during low temperature anneals, but was increased by transient outgassing of the sample holder, and its environs

Supersymmetry generated one-way invisible PT-symmetric optical crystals

We use supersymmetry transformations to design transparent and one-way reflectionless (thus unidirectionally invisible) complex crystals with balanced gain and loss profiles. The scattering coefficients are investigated using the transfer matrix approach. It is shown that the amount of reflection from the left can be made arbitrarily close to zero whereas the reflection from the right is enhanced arbitrarily (or vice versa).Comment: Final versio