34 research outputs found
Realization of broadband index-near-zero modes in nonreciprocal magneto-optical heterostructures
Epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) metamaterial with the relative permittivity
approaching zero has been a hot research subject in the past decades. The wave
in the ENZ region has infinite phase velocity (),
whereas it cannot efficiently travel into the other devices or air due to the
impedance mismatch or near-zero group velocity. In this paper, we demonstrate
that the tunable index-near-zero (INZ) modes with vanishing wavenumbers ()
and nonzero group velocities () can be achieved in
nonreciprocal magneto-optical systems. This kind of INZ modes has been
experimentally demonstrated in the photonic crystals at Dirac point frequencies
and that impedance-matching effect has been observed as well. Our theoretical
analysis reveals that the INZ modes exhibit tunability when changing the
parameter of the one-way (nonreciprocal) waveguides. Moreover, owing to the
zero-phase-shift characteristic and decreasing of the INZ modes,
several perfect optical buffers (POBs) are proposed in the microwave and
terahertz regimes. The theoretical results are further verified by the
numerical simulations performed by the finite element method. Our findings may
open the new avenues for research in the areas of ultra -strong or -fast
nonlinearity, perfect cloaking, high-resolution holographic imaging and
wireless communications
Synthesizing gas-filled fiber Raman lines enables access to the molecular fingerprint region
The synthesis of multiple narrow optical spectral lines, precisely and
independently tuned across the near- to mid-infrared (IR) region, is a pivotal
research area that enables selective and real-time detection of trace gas
species within complex gas mixtures. However, existing methods for developing
such light sources suffer from limited flexibility and very low pulse energy,
particularly in the mid-IR domain. Here, we introduce a new concept based on
the gas-filled anti-resonant hollow-core fiber (ARHCF) technology that enables
the synthesis of multiple independently tunable spectral lines with high pulse
energy of >1 {\mu}J and a few nanoseconds pulse width in the near- and mid-IR
region. The number and wavelengths of the generated spectral lines can be
dynamically reconfigured. A proof-of-concept laser beam synthesized of two
narrow spectral lines at 3.99 {\mu}m and 4.25 {\mu}m wavelengths is
demonstrated and combined with photoacoustic (PA) modality for real-time SO2
and CO2 detection. The proposed concept also constitutes a promising way for IR
multispectral microscopic imaging.Comment: 39 page
Completely stopping microwaves with extremely enhanced magnetic fields
Abstract A microwave one-way waveguide of three-dimensional configuration is proposed and investigated theoretically. In this waveguide there exists a complete one-way propagation band, where the mode propagates only in one direction and can be immune to backscattering. By terminating the one-way waveguide with metal slab, one-way propagating waves in this waveguide system can be stopped at the terminal end without any backscattering. Meanwhile, a hotspot with extremely enhanced magnetic-field amplitude is generated in this 3D waveguide system. For an incident microwave pulse, the trapped wave packet can be compressed to deep subwavelength scale besides the magnetic field enhancement. Moreover, the magnetic field enhancement of trapped waves can be further largely increased by tapering laterally the waveguide system. The approach for trapping microwaves has promising applications in magnetic sensing and magnetic non-linearity
Negativity of the Casimir self-entropy in spherical geometries
It has been recognized for some time that even for perfect conductors, the
interaction Casimir entropy, due to quantum/thermal fluctuations, can be
negative. This result was not considered problematic because it was thought
that the self-entropies of the bodies would cancel this negative interaction
entropy, yielding a total entropy that was positive. In fact, this cancellation
seems not to occur. The positive self-entropy of a perfectly conducting sphere
does indeed just cancel the negative interaction entropy of a system consisting
of a perfectly conducting sphere and plate, but a model with weaker coupling in
general possesses a regime where negative self-entropy appears. The physical
meaning of this surprising result remains obscure. In this paper we re-examine
these issues, using improved physical and mathematical techniques, partly based
on the Abel-Plana formula, and present numerical results for arbitrary
temperatures and couplings, which exhibit the same remarkable features.Comment: 10 pages, 11 figure
A systematic review and meta-analysis of glucocorticoids treatment in severe COVID-19: methylprednisolone versus dexamethasone
Abstract Objective The preferred agent of glucocorticoids in the treatment of patients with severe COVID-19 is still controversial. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of methylprednisolone and dexamethasone in the treatment of patients with severe COVID-19. Methods By searching the electronic literature database including PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science, the clinical studies comparing methylprednisolone and dexamethasone in the treatment of severe COVID-19 were selected according to the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. Relevant data were extracted and literature quality was assessed. The primary outcome was short-term mortality. The secondary outcomes were the rates of ICU admission and mechanical ventilation, PaO2/FiO2 ratio, plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, hospital stay, and the incidence of severe adverse events. Statistical pooling applied the fixed or random effects model and reported as risk ratio (RR) or mean difference (MD) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.1.0. Results Twelve clinical studies were eligible, including three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and nine non-RCTs. A total of 2506 patients with COVID-19 were analyzed, of which 1242 (49.6%) received methylprednisolone and 1264 (50.4%) received dexamethasone treatment. In general, the heterogeneity across studies was significant, and the equivalent doses of methylprednisolone were higher than that of dexamethasone. Our meta-analysis showed that methylprednisolone treatment in severe COVID-19 patients was related to significantly reduced plasma ferritin and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio compared with dexamethasone, and that no significant difference in other clinical outcomes between the two groups was found. However, subgroup analyses of RCTs demonstrated that methylprednisolone treatment was associated with reduced short-term mortality, and decreased CRP level compared with dexamethasone. Moreover, subgroup analyses observed that severe COVID-19 patients treated with a moderate dose (2Â mg/kg/day) of methylprednisolone were related to a better prognosis than those treated with dexamethasone. Conclusions This study showed that compared with dexamethasone, methylprednisolone could reduce the systemic inflammatory response in severe COVID-19, and its effect was equivalent to that of dexamethasone on other clinical outcomes. It should be noted that the equivalent dose of methylprednisolone used was higher. Based on the evidence of subgroup analyses of RCTs, methylprednisolone, preferably at a moderate dose, has an advantage over dexamethasone in the treatment of patients with severe COVID-19