Dependence of nonlinear refractive index of ZnSe on Be and Mg content

The values of the nonlinear refractive index n(2) and the two-photon absorption coefficient beta of ternary and quaternary ZnSe-based mixed crystals were extracted from the standard backward degenerate four wave mixing (DFWM) and nonlinear transmission measurements at 532 nm, respectively. Studied crystals were grown by the modified high-pressure Bridgman method. We found that the value of the nonlinear refractive index n(2) for Zn(0.79)Be(0.21)Se is higher than that for Zn(0.80)Mg(0.20)Se. However, the opposite behaviour was found in the case of two-photon absorption coefficient beta for these compounds. We also found that the values of the nonlinear refractive index n(2) and the two-photon absorption coefficient beta for Zn(0.83)Be(0.04)Mg(0.13)Se are about five times lower and three times higher than that for Zn(0.80)Mg(0.13)Se, respectively. In the case of ternary ZnSe-based crystals we noticed that the value of the nonlinear refractive index n2 decreases with increasing Mg or Be content. However, the value of the two-photon absorption coefficient beta increases with increasing Mg or Be content

Study of the third order nonlinear optical properties of Zn1−xMgxSe and Cd1−xMgxSe crystals

Third order nonlinear optical susceptibilities χ<3> of ternary Zn1−xMgxSe and Cd1−xMgxSe crystals have been measured using standard degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) method at 532 nm. The nonlinear transmission technique has been applied to check if our crystals exhibit two-photon absorption. The studied Zn1−xMgxSe and Cd1−xMgxSe solid solutions were grown from the melt by the modified high-pressure Bridgman method. For both crystals the energy gap increases with increasing Mg content. In the case of Zn1−xMgxSe, it was found that the value of third order nonlinear optical susceptibility χ<3> decreases with increasing Mg content. An explanation of this behaviour results from the dependence of optical nonlinearities on the energy band gap Eg of the studied crystals. In the case of Cd1txMgxSe with low content of Mg, no response was observed for the studied wavelength since the energy gap in such crystals is smaller than the photon energy of the used laser radiation. It was also found that the value of third order nonlinear optical susceptibility χ<3> for Cd0.70Mg0.30Se is higher than for Zn0.67Mg0.33Se. This behaviour can be understood if one take into consideration that the free carrier concentration in Cd1−xMgxSe samples is about four orders of magnitude higher than that in Zn1txMgxSe ones with comparable Mg content respectively. It is commonly known that when the electric conductivity increases, the values of nonlinear optical properties increase. From the performed measurements one can conclude that the incorporation of Mg as constituent into ZnSe and CdSe crystals leads to a change of the third order nonlinear optical susceptibilities

Near-forward Raman scattering by bulk and surface phonon-polaritons in the model percolation-type ZnBeSe alloy

We study the bulk and surface phonon-polaritons of the Zn0.67Be0.33Se zincblende alloy by near-forward Raman scattering. The short (Be-Se) bond exhibits a distinct percolation doublet in the conventional backscattering Raman spectra, corresponding to a three-mode behavior in total [1(Zn-Se),2(Be-Se)] for Zn0.67Be0.33Se. This offers an opportunity to achieve a refined understanding of the phonon-polariton modes of a zincblende alloy beyond the current two-mode approximation, corresponding to a [1(Zn-Se),1(Be-Se)] description in the present case. The discussion is supported by contour modeling of the Raman signals of the multi-mode bulk and surface phonon-polaritons within the formalism of the linear dielectric response

Near-forward Raman selection rules of the phonon-polariton created by alloying in (Zn,Be)Se

The Raman selection rules of the (ZnSe, BeSe) mixed phonon polariton created by alloying in the three mode (1ZnSe, 2BeSe) ZnBeSe system, whose dramatic S like dispersion covers the large frequency gap between the ZnSe and BeSe spectral ranges, is studied in its wave vector dependence by near forward scattering. Both the collapse regime away from the Brillouin zone centre and the reinforcement regime near the Brillouin zone centre are addressed, using appropriate laser lines and Be contents. We find that in both regimes the considered phonon polariton, in fact a transverse mode with mixed mechanical and electrical character, obeys the same nominal Raman selection rules as its purely mechanical variant commonly observed in the backscattering geometry. Besides, marked differences in the phonon polariton Raman lineshapes in the two regimes give a hint about how the phonon polariton electrical field E develops while descending the S like dispersion towards the Brillouin zone centre. In the reinforcement regime E is large, leading to intramode on top of intermode transfers of oscillator strength mediated by E between the two BeSe modes, that both exhibit a fine structure on account of the alloy disorder. In contrast, in the collapse regime E remains weak, as testified by the absence of intramode transfer. The discussion is supported by contour modeling of the multi phonon polariton Raman lineshapes in their wave vector dependence within the linear dielectric approach.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figure

Nonlinear optical properties of Zn1−xMgxSe and Cd1−xMgxSe crystals

Nonlinear optical properties of Zn1−xMgxSe and Cd1−xMgxSe crystals have been studied using degenerate four wave mixing (DFWM), nonlinear transmission (NLT), second harmonic generation (SHG) and third harmonic generation (THG) methods by Nd:YAG laser operating at 532 nm and 1064 nm, respectively. The studied Zn1−xMgxSe and Cd1−xMgxSe crystals were grown from the melt by the modified high-pressure Bridgman method. The quadratic nonlinear optical properties of ternary crystals were investigated by second harmonic generation (SHG) technique. We found that the highest value of the second order nonlinear optical susceptibility was obtained for Cd0.7Mg0.3Se. In the case of cubic nonlinear optical properties we used third harmonic generation (THG) and degenerate four wave mixing (DFWM) methods. We found that the values of third order nonlinear optical susceptibility for Cd1−xMgxSe crystals are higher than for Zn1−xMgxSe ones

Pressure-induced phonon-freezing in the ZnBeSe alloy: a study via the percolation mesoscope

We use the 1-bond -> 2-phonon percolation doublet of zincblende alloys as a mesoscope for an unusual insight into their phonon behavior under pressure. We focus on (Zn,Be)Se and show by Raman scattering that the original Be-Se doublet at ambient pressure, of the stretching-bending type, turns into a pure-bending singlet at the approach of the high-pressure ZnSe-like rocksalt phase, an unnatural one for the Be-Se bonds. The freezing of the Be-Se stretching mode is discussed within the scope of the percolation model (mesoscopic scale), with ab initio calculations in support (microscopic scale).Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure

Thermal diffusivity, effusivity and conductivity of CdMnTe mixed crystals

Cd1-xMnxTe mixed crystals belong to a class of materials called ‘‘semimagnetic semiconductor’’ or diluted magnetic semiconductor (DMS) with addition of magnetic ions like Mn2+ implemented into crystal structure. The crystals under investigation were grown from the melt by the high pressure high temperature modified Bridgman method in the range of composition 0 < x < 0.7. Thermal properties of these compounds have been investigated by means of photopyroelectric (PPE) calorimetry in both, back and front detection configuration. The values of the thermal diffusivity and effusivity were derived from experimental data. Thermal conductivity of the specimens was calculated from the simple theoretical dependencies between thermal parameters. The influence of Mn concentration on thermal properties of Cd1-xMnxTe crystals have been presented and discussed

Comparison of the benefits of cochlear implantation versus contra-lateral routing of signal hearing aids in adult patients with single-sided deafness: study protocol for a prospective within-subject longitudinal trial

Background Individuals with a unilateral severe-to-profound hearing loss, or single-sided deafness, report difficulty with listening in many everyday situations despite having access to well-preserved acoustic hearing in one ear. The standard of care for single-sided deafness available on the UK National Health Service is a contra-lateral routing of signals hearing aid which transfers sounds from the impaired ear to the non-impaired ear. This hearing aid has been found to improve speech understanding in noise when the signal-to-noise ratio is more favourable at the impaired ear than the non-impaired ear. However, the indiscriminate routing of signals to a single ear can have detrimental effects when interfering sounds are located on the side of the impaired ear. Recent published evidence has suggested that cochlear implantation in individuals with a single-sided deafness can restore access to the binaural cues which underpin the ability to localise sounds and segregate speech from other interfering sounds. Methods/Design The current trial was designed to assess the efficacy of cochlear implantation compared to a contra-lateral routing of signals hearing aid in restoring binaural hearing in adults with acquired single-sided deafness. Patients are assessed at baseline and after receiving a contra-lateral routing of signals hearing aid. A cochlear implant is then provided to those patients who do not receive sufficient benefit from the hearing aid. This within-subject longitudinal design reflects the expected care pathway should cochlear implantation be provided for single-sided deafness on the UK National Health Service. The primary endpoints are measures of binaural hearing at baseline, after provision of a contra-lateral routing of signals hearing aid, and after cochlear implantation. Binaural hearing is assessed in terms of the accuracy with which sounds are localised and speech is perceived in background noise. The trial is also designed to measure the impact of the interventions on hearing- and health-related quality of life. Discussion This multi-centre trial was designed to provide evidence for the efficacy of cochlear implantation compared to the contra-lateral routing of signals. A purpose-built sound presentation system and established measurement techniques will provide reliable and precise measures of binaural hearing. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN33301739 (05/JUL/2013