Resonant acousto-optics in the terahertz range: TO-phonon polaritons driven by an ultrasonic wave

The resonant acousto-optic effect is studied both analytically and numerically in the terahertz range where the transverse-optical (TO) phonons play the role of a mediator which strongly couples the ultrasound and light fields. A propagating acoustic wave interacts with the TO phonons via anharmonic channels and opens band gaps in the TO-phonon polariton energy dispersion that results in pronounced Bragg scattering and reflection of the incoming light. The separation in frequency of different Bragg replicas, which is at the heart of acousto-optics, allows us to study the resonant acousto-optic effect in the most simple and efficient geometry of collinear propagation of electromagnetic and ultrasonic waves. The acoustically induced energy gaps, Bragg reflection spectra, and the spatial distribution of the electric field and polarization are calculated for CuCl parameters, in a wide range of frequencies and intensities of the pumping acoustic wave. Our results show drastic changes in terahertz spectra of semiconductor crystals that opens the way for efficient and accessible manipulation of their infrared properties, by tuning the parameters of the acoustic wave.Comment: 20 pages, 14 figure

Acousto-optical multiple interference devices

We present a new concept for waveguide acousto-optical devices based on coupled MachZehnder interferometers driven by acoustic waves. These acousto-optical multiple interference devices use the periodic refractive index modulation induced by the acoustic wave to realize functionalities such as ON/OFF switching for an arbitrary time interval, as well as for efficient light modulation at high harmonics of the acoustic frequency and pulse shaping for, e.g., integrated Q-switches. We also discuss application of the concepts to light modulation by very high acoustic frequencies, where the acoustic wavelengths become much shorter than the optical ones

Strict Forest Reserve Research in the Margin of the Carpathians, the Vár-hegy Case-Study

Sixteen forest reserves are situated in the northern part of Hungary which belongs to the Carpathian region according to EURAC delimitation (Ruffini et al. 2006). These Hungarian forest reserves expand the natural forest remnant/forest reserve net of the Carpathians towards the lower hilly region, representing the deciduous beech and oak forest belts near their lower (xeric) distribution limits. This paper outlines the Hungarian forest reserves belonging to the Carpathian region and the preliminary results of current projects in the Vár-hegy Forest Reserve (Bükk Mts., Hungary) as a case study. The alteration of tree species composition was investigated here based on the reconstruction of forest history in the previous 130 years (management period) and analyses of forest stand inventory. In another project CO2 sequestration changes of these forest stands were modeled since the clear-cutting in the 1880th and carbon stored in the forest ecosystem compartments was estimated. Our results show that the forest reserve stands are presently in a transition state from the managed forest towards a more natural mixed forest with several age-classes

Acousto-optical multiple interference switches

The authors introduce an alternative approach for acousto-optical light control based on the interference of light propagating through several waveguides, each subjected to a periodic refractive index modulation induced by a surface acoustic wave. The feasibility of the concept is demonstrated by the realization of an optical switch for arbitrary time intervals with an on/off contrast ratio of 20

All-linear time reversal by a dynamic artificial crystal

The time reversal of pulsed signals or propagating wave packets has long been recognized to have profound scientific and technological significance. Until now, all experimentally verified time-reversal mechanisms have been reliant upon nonlinear phenomena such as four-wave mixing. In this paper, we report the experimental realization of all-linear time reversal. The time-reversal mechanism we propose is based on the dynamic control of an artificial crystal structure, and is demonstrated in a spin-wave system using a dynamic magnonic crystal. The crystal is switched from an homogeneous state to one in which its properties vary with spatial period a, while a propagating wave packet is inside. As a result, a linear coupling between wave components with wave vectors k≈π/a and k′=k−2ππ/a≈−π/a is produced, which leads to spectral inversion, and thus to the formation of a time-reversed wave packet. The reversal mechanism is entirely general and so applicable to artificial crystal systems of any physical nature

Exact and approximate nonlinear waves generated by the periodic superposition of solitons

Toda [1], Boyd [2], Zaitsev [3], Korpel & Banerjee [4], and Whitham [5] have proved that many species of solitons may be cloned and superposed with even spacing to generate exact nonlinear, spatially periodic solutions (“cnoidal waves”). The equations solved by such “imbricate” series of solitary waves include the Korteweg-deVries, Cubic Schroedinger, Benjamin-Ono, and resonant triad equations. However, all existing theorems apply only when the solitons are rational or meromorphic functions and the cnoidal waves are elliptic functions. In this note, we ask: does the exact soliton-superposition apply to non-elliptic solitons and cnoidal waves?Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43442/1/33_2004_Article_BF00945815.pd