Experimental quantum cosmology in time-dependent optical media

It is possible to construct artificial spacetime geometries for light by using intense laser pulses that modify the spatiotemporal properties of an optical medium. Here we theoretically investigate experimental possibilities for studying spacetime metrics of the form $\textrm{d}s^2=c^2\textrm{d}t^2-\eta(t)^2\textrm{d}x^2$. By tailoring the laser pulse shape and medium properties, it is possible to create a refractive index variation $n=n(t)$ that can be identified with $\eta(t)$. Starting from a perturbative solution to a generalised Hopfield model for the medium described by an $n=n(t)$ we provide estimates for the number of photons generated by the time-dependent spacetime. The simplest example is that of a uniformly varying $\eta(t)$ that therefore describes the Robertson-Walker metric, i.e. a cosmological expansion. The number of photon pairs generated in experimentally feasible conditions appears to be extremely small. However, large photon production can be obtained by periodically modulating the medium and thus resorting to a resonant enhancement similar to that observed in the dynamical Casimir effect. Curiously, the spacetime metric in this case closely resembles that of a gravitational wave. Motivated by this analogy we show that a periodic gravitational wave can indeed act as an amplifier for photons. The emission for an actual gravitational wave will be very weak but should be readily observable in the laboratory analogue.Comment: Version accepted fro publication in New Journal of Physic

Design of Wireless Sensor Nodes for Structural Health Monitoring applications

Enabling low-cost distributed monitoring, wireless sensor networks represents an interesting solution for the implementation of structural health monitoring systems. This work deals with the design of wireless sensor networks for health monitoring of civil structures, specifically focusing on node design in relation to the requirements of different structural monitoring application classes. Design problems are analysed with specific reference to a large-scale experimental setup (the long-term structural monitoring of the Basilica S. Maria di Collemaggio, L’Aquila, Italy). Main limitations emerged are highlighted, and adopted solution strategies are outlined, both in the case of commercial sensing platform and of full custom solutions

Radiation-induced edge effects in deep submicron CMOS transistors

The study of the TID response of transistors and isolation test structures in a 130 nm commercial CMOS technology has demonstrated its increased radiation tolerance with respect to older technology nodes. While the thin gate oxide of the transistors is extremely tolerant to dose, charge trapping at the edge of the transistor still leads to leakage currents and, for the narrow channel transistors, to significant threshold voltage shift-an effect that we call Radiation Induced Narrow Channel Effect (RINCE)

Non-collinear interaction of photons with orbital angular momentum

We elucidate the consequences of a phase-matching theory that describes second-harmonic generation of two non-collinear incident light beams that carry orbital angular momentum (OAM). More specifically, the two incident beams generate a third that, depending on the incident OAM, may experience a significantly smaller conversion efficiency in comparison to that based on the conventional phase-matching theory. This is the case even for incident angles substantially less than those required for non-conservation of OAM in the nonlinear interaction. Experiments are performed under different conditions and are in excellent agreement with the theory. Our results have implications beyond the specific case studied here of second-harmonic generation, in particular for parametric down-conversion of photons.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Quantum radiation from superluminal refractive index perturbations

We analyze in detail photon production induced by a superluminal refractive index perturbation in realistic experimental operating conditions. The interaction between the refractive index perturbation and the quantum vacuum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field leads to the production of photon pairs.Comment: 4 page

High-energy, shock-front assisted resonant radiation in the normal dispersion regime

We present a simple yet effective theory that predicts the existence of resonant radiation bands in the deep normal group velocity dispersion region of a medium, even in absence of a zero-group velocity dispersion point. This radiation is evident when the medium is pumped with high-energy ultrashort pulses, and it is driven by the interplay between the Kerr and the shock terms in the NLSE. Accurate experiments performed in bulk silica fully support the theoretical phase-matching condition found by our theory.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Coherent control of light interaction with graphene

We report the experimental observation of all-optical modulation of light in a graphene film. The graphene film is scanned across a standing wave formed by two counter-propagating laser beams in a Sagnac interferometer. Through a coherent absorption process the on-axis transmission is modulated with close to 80% efficiency. Furthermore we observe modulation of the scattered energy by mapping the off-axis scattered optical signal: scattering is minimized at a node of the standing wave pattern and maximized at an antinode. The results highlight the possibility to switch and modulate any given optical interaction with deeply sub-wavelength films.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

An 80 Mbit/s radiation-tolerant optical receiver for the CMS digital optical link

The CMS tracker slow control system will use approximately 1000 digital optical links for the transmission of timing, trigger and control signals. In this system, the 80 Mbit/s optical receiver at the detector end of each optical link has to be radiation hard since it will operate in the severe radiation environment of the CMS tracker (10 Mrad in 10 years). We have developed a prototype circuit in a 0.25 mu m commercial CMOS process using radiation tolerant layout practices to achieve the required radiation tolerance. This effective technique consists in the systematic use of enclosed (edgeless) NMOS transistors and guardrings, and relies in the natural total dose hardness of the thin gate oxide of deep submicron processes. The circuit features an automatic gain control loop allowing detection of wide dynamic range input signals (-20 to -3 d Bm) with minimum noise, compatible with the maximum expected radiation-induced drop in quantum efficiency of the PIN photodiode. A second feedback loop compensates a photodiode leakage current up to 100 mu A, and the circuit outputs an LVDS signal. Four receiver channels were integrated in a 2*2 mm/sup 2/ chip, out of which two were simultaneously bonded to two PIN photodiodes, and their BER performance was measured before and after an irradiation with 10 keV X-rays up to 20 Mrad (SiO/sub 2/). (11 refs)

A Radiation Tolerant 4.8 Gb/s Serializer for the Giga-Bit Transceiver

This paper describes the design of a full-custom 120:1 data serializer for the GigaBit Transceiver (GBT) which has been under development for the LHC upgrade (SLHC). The circuit operates at 4.8 Gb=s and is implemented in a commercial 130 nm CMOS technology. The serializer occupies an area of 0.6 mm2 and its power consumption is 300 mW. The paper focuses on the techniques used to achieve radiation tolerance and on the simulation method used to estimate the sensitivity to single event transient