Ultrafast spatio-temporal dynamics of terahertz generation by ionizing two-color femtosecond pulses in gases

We present a combined theoretical and experimental study of spatio-temporal propagation effects in terahertz (THz) generation in gases using two-color ionizing laser pulses. The observed strong broadening of the THz spectra with increasing gas pressure reveals the prominent role of spatio-temporal reshaping and of a plasma-induced blue-shift of the pump pulses in the generation process. Results obtained from (3+1)-dimensional simulations are in good agreement with experimental findings and clarify the mechanisms responsible for THz emission

Infrared spectroscopy of diatomic molecules - a fractional calculus approach

The eigenvalue spectrum of the fractional quantum harmonic oscillator is calculated numerically solving the fractional Schr\"odinger equation based on the Riemann and Caputo definition of a fractional derivative. The fractional approach allows a smooth transition between vibrational and rotational type spectra, which is shown to be an appropriate tool to analyze IR spectra of diatomic molecules.Comment: revised + extended version, 9 pages, 6 figure

A direct D-bar reconstruction algorithm for recovering a complex conductivity in 2-D

A direct reconstruction algorithm for complex conductivities in $W^{2,\infty}(\Omega)$, where $\Omega$ is a bounded, simply connected Lipschitz domain in $\mathbb{R}^2$, is presented. The framework is based on the uniqueness proof by Francini [Inverse Problems 20 2000], but equations relating the Dirichlet-to-Neumann to the scattering transform and the exponentially growing solutions are not present in that work, and are derived here. The algorithm constitutes the first D-bar method for the reconstruction of conductivities and permittivities in two dimensions. Reconstructions of numerically simulated chest phantoms with discontinuities at the organ boundaries are included.Comment: This is an author-created, un-copyedited version of an article accepted for publication in [insert name of journal]. IOP Publishing Ltd is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this version of the manuscript or any version derived from it. The Version of Record is available online at 10.1088/0266-5611/28/9/09500

Risk assessment and mapping of extreme floods in non-dyked communities along the Elbe and Mulde Rivers

International audienceAssessing and mapping damage risk of floods for large river basins is still in its infancy. Damage risk is understood to be the combination of flood hazard and the vulnerability of communities to a flood of a particular return period. Risk is calculated and mapped for two communities in which dykes are not located for flood protection: Meissen on the Elbe River and Döbeln in the Mulde catchment. Different methodologies for the computation of flood depth and inundation extent of varying flood return periods (hazard) are compared. Exposure and relative damage to the flooding (vulnerability) based on land-use coverages of different scale are also compared and discussed. A property asset coverage completes the data requirements for the construction of the risk maps. Recommendations for continued research on risk assessments of large river basins conclude the study

Saltation transport on Mars

We present the first calculation of saltation transport and dune formation on Mars and compare it to real dunes. We find that the rate at which grains are entrained into saltation on Mars is one order of magnitude higher than on Earth. With this fundamental novel ingredient, we reproduce the size and different shapes of Mars dunes, and give an estimate for the wind velocity on Mars.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Proton-proton bremsstrahlung below and above pion-threshold: the influence of the Δ\Delta-isobar

The proton-proton bremsstrahlung is investigated within a coupled-channel model with the $\Delta$ degree of freedom. The model is consistent with the $NN$ scattering up to 1 GeV and the $\gamma N\Delta$ vertex determined in the study of pion photoproduction reactions. It is found that the $\Delta$ excitation can significantly improve the agreements with the $pp \rightarrow pp\gamma$ at $E_{lab}=280$ MeV. Predictions at $E_{lab}=550$ and $800$ MeV are presented for future experimental tests.Comment: 26 pages Revtex, 12 figures are available from the authors upon request ([email protected]

Generic Sandpile Models Have Directed Percolation Exponents

We study sandpile models with stochastic toppling rules and having sticky grains so that with a non-zero probability no toppling occurs, even if the local height of pile exceeds the threshold value. Dissipation is introduced by adding a small probability of particle loss at each toppling. Generically, for models with a preferred direction, the avalanche exponents are those of critical directed percolation clusters. For undirected models, avalanche exponents are those of directed percolation clusters in one higher dimension.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, minor change

Polarization entangled photon-pair source based on a type-II PPLN waveguide emitting at a telecom wavelength

We report the realization of a fiber coupled polarization entangled photon-pair source at 1310 nm based on a birefringent titanium in-diffused waveguide integrated on periodically poled lithium niobate. By taking advantage of a dedicated and high-performance setup, we characterized the quantum properties of the pairs by measuring two-photon interference in both Hong-Ou-Mandel and standard Bell inequality configurations. We obtained, for the two sets of measurements, interference net visibilities reaching nearly 100%, which represent important and competitive results compared to similar waveguide-based configurations already reported. These results prove the relevance of our approach as an enabling technology for long-distance quantum communication.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures, to appear in New Journal of Physic