Optical properties of photonic crystal slabs with asymmetrical unit cell

Using the unitarity and reciprocity properties of the scattering matrix, we analyse the symmetry and resonant optical properties of the photonic crystal slabs (PCS) with complicated unit cell. We show that the reflectivity is not changed upon the 180deg-rotation of the sample around the normal axis, even in PCS with asymmetrical unit cell. Whereas the transmissivity becomes asymmetrical if the diffraction or absorption are present. The PCS reflectivity peaks to unity near the quasiguided mode resonance for normal light incidence in the absence of diffraction, depolarisation, and absorptive losses. For the oblique incidence the full reflectivity is reached only in symmetrical PCS.Comment: 5 pages, 2 Postscript figure

Gravitational Cherenkov losses in MOND theories

Survival of high-energy cosmic rays (HECRs) against gravitational Cherenkov losses is shown not to cast strong constraints on MOND theories that are compatible with general relativity (GR): theories that coincide with GR in the high-acceleration limit. The energy-loss rate, L, is shown to be many orders smaller than those derived in the literature for theories with no extra scale. The gravitational acceleration produced by a HECR in its vicinity is much higher than the MOND acceleration a0. So, modification to GR, which underlies L, enters only beyond the MOND radius of the particle, within which GR holds sway: r_M=sqrt(Gp/c a0). The spectral cutoff, which enters L quadratically, is thus 1/r_M, not the particle's, much larger, de Broglie wavenumber: k_{dB}= p/hbar. Thus, L is smaller than published rates, which use k_{dB}, by a factor (r_M k_{dB})^2~10^{39}(cp/3.10^{11}Gev)^3. With 1/r_M as cutoff, the distance a HECR can travel without major losses is q l_M, where l_M=c^2/a0 is the MOND length, and q is a dimensionless function of parameters of the problem. Since l_M is ~2 pi times the Hubble distance, survival of HECRs does not strongly constrain GR-compatible, MOND theories. Such theories also easily satisfy existing preferred-frame limits, inasmuch as these limits are gotten in high-acceleration systems. I exemplify the results with MOND adaptations of Einstein-Aether theories.Comment: Phys. Rev. Lett.; 4 pages; added some clarifications and reference

Diffraction radiation from a screen of finite conductivity

An exact solution has been found for the problem of diffraction radiation appearing when a charged particle moves perpendicularly to a thin finite screen having arbitrary conductivity and frequency dispersion. Expressions describing the Diffraction and Cherenkov emission mechanisms have been obtained for the spectral-angular forward and backward radiation densities.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Mechanism of generation of the emission bands in the dynamic spectrum of the Crab pulsar

We show that the proportionately spaced emission bands in the dynamic spectrum of the Crab pulsar (Hankins T. H. & Eilek J. A., 2007, ApJ, 670, 693) fit the oscillations of the square of a Bessel function whose argument exceeds its order. This function has already been encountered in the analysis of the emission from a polarization current with a superluminal distribution pattern: a current whose distribution pattern rotates (with an angular frequency $\omega$) and oscillates (with a frequency $\Omega>\omega$ differing from an integral multiple of $\omega$) at the same time (Ardavan H., Ardavan A. & Singleton J., 2003, J Opt Soc Am A, 20, 2137). Using the results of our earlier analysis, we find that the dependence on frequency of the spacing and width of the observed emission bands can be quantitatively accounted for by an appropriate choice of the value of the single free parameter $\Omega/\omega$. In addition, the value of this parameter, thus implied by Hankins & Eilek's data, places the last peak in the amplitude of the oscillating Bessel function in question at a frequency ($\sim\Omega^3/\omega^2$) that agrees with the position of the observed ultraviolet peak in the spectrum of the Crab pulsar. We also show how the suppression of the emission bands by the interference of the contributions from differring polarizations can account for the differences in the time and frequency signatures of the interpulse and the main pulse in the Crab pulsar. Finally, we put the emission bands in the context of the observed continuum spectrum of the Crab pulsar by fitting this broadband spectrum (over 16 orders of magnitude of frequency) with that generated by an electric current with a superluminally rotating distribution pattern

Gravitational diffraction radiation

We show that if the visible universe is a membrane embedded in a higher-dimensional space, particles in uniform motion radiate gravitational waves because of spacetime lumpiness. This phenomenon is analogous to the electromagnetic diffraction radiation of a charge moving near to a metallic grating. In the gravitational case, the role of the metallic grating is played by the inhomogeneities of the extra-dimensional space, such as a hidden brane. We derive a general formula for gravitational diffraction radiation and apply it to a higher-dimensional scenario with flat compact extra dimensions. Gravitational diffraction radiation may carry away a significant portion of the particle's initial energy. This allows to set stringent limits on the scale of brane perturbations. Physical effects of gravitational diffraction radiation are briefly discussed.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, RevTeX4. v2: References added. Version to appear in Phys. Rev.

Fermat's principle of least time in the presence of uniformly moving boundaries and media

The refraction of a light ray by a homogeneous, isotropic and non-dispersive transparent material half-space in uniform rectilinear motion is investigated theoretically. The approach is an amalgamation of the original Fermat's principle and the fact that an isotropic optical medium at rest becomes optically anisotropic in a frame where the medium is moving at a constant velocity. Two cases of motion are considered: a) the material half-space is moving parallel to the interface; b) the material half-space is moving perpendicular to the interface. In each case, a detailed analysis of the obtained refraction formula is provided, and in the latter case, an intriguing backward refraction of light is noticed and thoroughly discussed. The results confirm the validity of Fermat's principle when the optical media and the boundaries between them are moving at relativistic speeds.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures, RevTeX 4, comments welcome; V2: revised, Fig. 7 added; V3: several typos corrected, accepted for publication in European Journal of Physics (online at: http://stacks.iop.org/EJP/28/933

Experimental Research of the Diffraction and Vavilov-Cherenkov Radiation Generation in a Teflon Target

Geometry of Vavilov-Cherekov (VChR) radiation when an electron moves close to a dielectric target is in analogy to diffraction radiation (DR) geometry. In this case we may expect DR generation from the upstream face of the target besides that VChR. The joint observation of these booth types of radiation is very interesting from the pseudo-photon viewpoint, which is applicable for relativistic electrons. Unexpected results obtained in our experiment insist on reflection about nature both DR and VChR. The experiment was performed on the relativistic electron beam of the microtron of Tomsk Polytechnic University.Comment: This article will be published in Journal of Physic

Space-Time Evolution of Ultrarelativistic Quantum Dipoles in Quantum Electrodynamics

We discuss space-time evolution of ultrarelativistic quantum dipole in QED. We show that the space-time evolution can be described, in a certain approximation, by means of a regularized wave function, whose parameters are determined by the process of the dipole creation by a local current. We derive using these wave functions the dipole expansion law, that is found to coincide parametrically in the leading order with the one suggested by Farrar, Frankfurt,Liu and Strikman.Comment: 15 page

Vacuum Cherenkov effect in logarithmic nonlinear quantum theory

We describe the radiation phenomena which can take place in the physical vacuum such as Cherenkov-type shock waves. Their macroscopical characteristics - cone angle, flash duration, radiation yield and spectral distribution - are computed. It turns out that the radiation yield is proportional to the square of the proper energy scale of the vacuum which serves also as the vacuum instability threshold and the natural ultraviolet cutoff. While the analysis is mainly based on the theory engaging the logarithmic nonlinear quantum wave equation, some of the obtained results must be valid for any Lorentz-invariance-violating theory describing the vacuum by (effectively) continuous medium in the long-wavelength approximation.Comment: Updates: v2: changed title, added comments about vacuum instability and Hawking radiation, added some refs previously missed due to certain linguistic subtlety, v3 [pub]: removed comments about Hawking radiation (requested by referees as it requires a separate study), changed title, added more ref