Project-based assessment for graduate coursework in physics

Project-based assessment, in the form of take-home exams, was trialed in an honours/masters level electromagnetic theory course. This assessment formed an integral part of the learning experience of the students, and students felt that this was effective method of learning.Comment: 5 pages, no figures, presented at 17th AIP Congress, Brisbane, 200

Double-resonant extremely asymmetrical scattering of electromagnetic waves in periodic arrays separated by a gap

Two strong simultaneous resonances of scattering--double-resonant extremely asymmetrical scattering (DEAS)--are predicted in two parallel, oblique, periodic Bragg arrays separated by a gap, when the scattered wave propagates parallel to the arrays. One of these resonances is with respect to frequency (which is common to all types of Bragg scattering), and another is with respect to phase variation between the arrays. The diffractional divergence of the scattered wave is shown to be the main physical reason for DEAS in the considered structure. Although the arrays are separated, they are shown to interact by means of the diffractional divergence of the scattered wave across the gap from one array into the other. It is also shown that increasing separation between the two arrays results in a broader and weaker resonance with respect to phase shift. The analysis is based on a recently developed new approach allowing for the diffractional divergence of the scattered wave inside and outside the arrays. Physical interpretations of the predicted features of DEAS in separated arrays are also presented. Applicability conditions for the developed theory are derived.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Extremely asymmetrical scattering of electromagnetic waves in gradually varying periodic arrays

This paper analyses theoretically and numerically the effect of varying grating amplitude on the extremely asymmetrical scattering (EAS) of bulk and guided optical modes in non-uniform strip-like periodic Bragg arrays with stepwise and gradual variations in the grating amplitude across the array. A recently developed new approach based on allowance for the diffractional divergence of the scattered wave is used for this analysis. It is demonstrated that gradual variations in magnitude of the grating amplitude may change the pattern of EAS noticeably but not radically. On the other hand, phase variations in the grating may result in a radically new type of Bragg scattering - double-resonant EAS (DEAS). In this case, a combination of two strong simultaneous resonances (one with respect to frequency, and another with respect to the phase variation) is predicted to take place in non-uniform arrays with a step-like phase and gradual magnitude variations of the grating amplitude. The tolerances of EAS and DEAS to small gradual variations in the grating amplitude are determined. The main features of these types of scattering in non-uniform arrays are explained by the diffractional divergence of the scattered wave inside and outside the array.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figure

Non-steady-state extremely asymmetrical scattering of waves in periodic gratings

Extremely asymmetrical scattering (EAS) is a highly resonant type of Bragg scattering with a strong resonant increase of the scattered wave amplitude inside and outside the grating. EAS is realized when the scattered wave propagates parallel to the grating boundaries. We present a rigorous algorithm for the analysis of non-steady-state EAS, and investigate the relaxation of the incident and scattered wave amplitudes to their steady-state values. Non-steady-state EAS of bulk TE electromagnetic waves is analyzed in narrow and wide, slanted, holographic gratings. Typical relaxation times are determined and compared with previous rough estimations. Physical explanation of the predicted effects is presented.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures. This paper is freely available online at http://www.opticsexpress.org/abstract.cfm?URI=OPEX-10-6-268 which includes multimedia files not included in this preprint versio

Role of interactions in the far-infrared spectrum of a lateral quantum dot molecule

We study the effects of electron-electron correlations and confinement potential on the far-infrared spectrum of a lateral two-electron quantum dot molecule by exact diagonalization. The calculated spectra directly reflect the lowered symmetry of the external confinement potential. Surprisingly, we find interactions to drive the spectrum towards that of a high-symmetry parabolic quantum dot. We conclude that far-infrared spectroscopy is suitable for probing effective confinement of the electrons in a quantum dot system, even if interaction effects cannot be resolved in a direct fashion.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Visualisation of Cherenkov Radiation and the Fields of a Moving Charge

For some physics students, the concept of a particle travelling faster than the speed of light holds endless fascination, and Cherenkov radiation is a visible consequence of a charged particle travelling through a medium at locally superluminal velocities. The Heaviside--Feynman equations for calculating the magnetic and electric fields of a moving charge have been known for many decades, but it is only recently that the computing power to plot the fields of such a particle has become readily available for student use. This article investigates and illustrates the calculation of Maxwell's D field in homogeneous isotropic media for arbitrary, including superluminal, constant velocity, and uses the results as a basis for discussing energy transfer in the electromagnetic field.Comment: 18 pages, 8 figures, 2 MATLAB listings. Version 2: Corrected display for letter paper format. Added publication info. Version 3: Corrected typos in Eqs. 5, 8, 1

Dynamics of Spreading of Small Droplets of Chainlike Molecules on Surfaces

Dynamics of spreading of small droplets on surfaces has been studied by the molecular dynamics method. Simulations have been performed for mixtures of solvent and dimer, and solvent and tetramer droplets. For solvent particles and dimers, layering occurs leading to stepped droplet shapes. For tetramers such shapes occur for relatively deep and strong surface potentials only. For wider and more shallow potentials, more rapid spreading and rounded droplet shapes occur. These results are in accordance with experimental data on small non - volatile polymer droplets. PACS numbers: 68.10Gw, 05.70.Ln, 61.20.Ja, 68.45GdComment: to appear in Europhys. Letters (1994), Latex, 12 page

Grazing-angle scattering of electromagnetic waves in gratings with varying mean parameters: grating eigenmodes

A highly unusual pattern of strong multiple resonances for bulk electromagnetic waves is predicted and analysed numerically in thick periodic holographic gratings in a slab with the mean permittivity that is larger than that of the surrounding media. This pattern is shown to exist in the geometry of grazing-angle scattering (GAS), that is when the scattered wave (+1 diffracted order) in the slab propagates almost parallel to the slab (grating) boundaries. The predicted resonances are demonstrated to be unrelated to resonant generation of the conventional guided modes of the slab. Their physical explanation is associated with resonant generation of a completely new type of eigenmodes in a thick slab with a periodic grating. These new slab eigenmodes are generically related to the grating; they do not exist if the grating amplitude is zero. The field structure of these eigenmodes and their dependence on structural and wave parameters is analysed. The results are extended to the case of GAS of guided modes in a slab with a periodic groove array of small corrugation amplitude and small variations in the mean thickness of the slab at the array boundaries.Comment: 16 pages, 6 figure