324 research outputs found
Resonant, broadband and highly efficient optical frequency conversion in semiconductor nanowire gratings at visible and UV wavelengths
Using a hydrodynamic approach we examine bulk- and surface-induced second and
third harmonic generation from semiconductor nanowire gratings having a
resonant nonlinearity in the absorption region. We demonstrate resonant,
broadband and highly efficient optical frequency conversion: contrary to
conventional wisdom, we show that harmonic generation can take full advantage
of resonant nonlinearities in a spectral range where nonlinear optical
coefficients are boosted well beyond what is achievable in the transparent,
long-wavelength, non-resonant regime. Using femtosecond pulses with
approximately 500 MW/cm2 peak power density, we predict third harmonic
conversion efficiencies of approximately 1% in a silicon nanowire array, at
nearly any desired UV or visible wavelength, including the range of negative
dielectric constant. We also predict surface second harmonic conversion
efficiencies of order 0.01%, depending on the electronic effective mass,
bistable behavior of the signals as a result of a reshaped resonance, and the
onset fifth order nonlinear effects. These remarkable findings, arising from
the combined effects of nonlinear resonance dispersion, field localization, and
phase-locking, could significantly extend the operational spectral bandwidth of
silicon photonics, and strongly suggest that neither linear absorption nor skin
depth should be motivating factors to exclude either semiconductors or metals
from the list of useful or practical nonlinear materials in any spectral range.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figure
Parametric localized modes in quadratic nonlinear photonic structures
We analyze two-color spatially localized modes formed by parametrically
coupled fundamental and second-harmonic fields excited at quadratic (or chi-2)
nonlinear interfaces embedded into a linear layered structure --- a
quasi-one-dimensional quadratic nonlinear photonic crystal. For a periodic
lattice of nonlinear interfaces, we derive an effective discrete model for the
amplitudes of the fundamental and second-harmonic waves at the interfaces (the
so-called discrete chi-2 equations), and find, numerically and analytically,
the spatially localized solutions --- discrete gap solitons. For a single
nonlinear interface in a linear superlattice, we study the properties of
two-color localized modes, and describe both similarities and differences with
quadratic solitons in homogeneous media.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figure
Reevaluation of radiation reaction and consequences for light-matter interactions at the nanoscale
In the context of electromagnetism and nonlinear optical interactions damping
is generally introduced as a phenomenological, viscous term that dissipates
energy, proportional to the temporal derivative of the polarization. Here, we
follow the radiation reaction method presented in [G. W. Ford and R. F.
O'Connell, Phys. Lett. A, 157, 217 (1991)], which applies to non-relativistic
electrons of finite size, to introduce an explicit reaction force in the
Newtonian equation of motion, and derive a hydrodynamic equation that offers
new insight on the influence of damping in generic plasmas, metal-based and/or
dielectric structures. In these settings, we find new damping-dependent linear
and nonlinear source terms that suggest the damping coefficient is proportional
to the local charge density, and nonlocal contributions that stem from the
spatial derivative of the magnetic field and discuss the conditions that could
modify both linear and nonlinear electromagnetic responses.Comment: 11 pages, 1 figure, 19 reference
Reevaluation of radiation reaction and consequences for light-matter interactions at the nanoscale
In the context of electromagnetism and nonlinear optical interactions damping
is generally introduced as a phenomenological, viscous term that dissipates
energy, proportional to the temporal derivative of the polarization. Here, we
follow the radiation reaction method presented in [G. W. Ford and R. F.
O'Connell, Phys. Lett. A, 157, 217 (1991)], which applies to non-relativistic
electrons of finite size, to introduce an explicit reaction force in the
Newtonian equation of motion, and derive a hydrodynamic equation that offers
new insight on the influence of damping in generic plasmas, metal-based and/or
dielectric structures. In these settings, we find new damping-dependent linear
and nonlinear source terms that suggest the damping coefficient is proportional
to the local charge density, and nonlocal contributions that stem from the
spatial derivative of the magnetic field and discuss the conditions that could
modify both linear and nonlinear electromagnetic responses.Comment: 11 pages, 1 figure, 19 reference
emiT: an apparatus to test time reversal invariance in polarized neutron decay
We describe an apparatus used to measure the triple-correlation term (\D
\hat{\sigma}_n\cdot p_e\times p_\nu) in the beta-decay of polarized neutrons.
The \D-coefficient is sensitive to possible violations of time reversal
invariance. The detector has an octagonal symmetry that optimizes
electron-proton coincidence rates and reduces systematic effects. A beam of
longitudinally polarized cold neutrons passes through the detector chamber,
where a small fraction beta-decay. The final-state protons are accelerated and
focused onto arrays of cooled semiconductor diodes, while the coincident
electrons are detected using panels of plastic scintillator. Details regarding
the design and performance of the proton detectors, beta detectors and the
electronics used in the data collection system are presented. The neutron beam
characteristics, the spin-transport magnetic fields, and polarization
measurements are also described.Comment: 15 pages, 13 figure
Phytoplankton calcification as an effective mechanism to prevent cellular calcium poisoning
Marine phytoplankton have developed the remarkable ability to tightly regulate the concentration of free calcium ions in the intracellular cytosol at a level of ~ 0.1 ÎŒmol Lâ1 in the presence of seawater Ca2+ concentrations of 10 mmol Lâ1. The low cytosolic calcium ion concentration is of utmost importance for proper cell signalling function. While the regulatory mechanisms responsible for the tight control of intracellular Ca2+ concentration are not completely understood, phytoplankton taxonomic groups appear to have evolved different strategies, which may affect their ability to cope with changes in seawater Ca2+ concentrations in their environment on geological timescales. For example, the Cretaceous (145 to 66 Ma), an era known for the high abundance of coccolithophores and the production of enormous calcium carbonate deposits, exhibited seawater calcium concentrations up to 4 times present-day levels. We show that calcifying coccolithophore species (Emiliania huxleyi, Gephyrocapsa oceanica and Coccolithus braarudii) are able to maintain their relative fitness (in terms of growth rate and photosynthesis) at simulated Cretaceous seawater calcium concentrations, whereas these rates are severely reduced under these conditions in some non-calcareous phytoplankton species (Chaetoceros sp., Ceratoneis closterium and Heterosigma akashiwo). Most notably, this also applies to a non-calcifying strain of E. huxleyi which displays a calcium sensitivity similar to the non-calcareous species. We hypothesize that the process of calcification in coccolithophores provides an efficient mechanism to alleviate cellular calcium poisoning and thereby offered a potential key evolutionary advantage, responsible for the proliferation of coccolithophores during times of high seawater calcium concentrations. The exact function of calcification and the reason behind the highly ornate physical structures of coccoliths remain elusive
Single-shot d-scan technique for ultrashort laser pulse characterization using transverse second-harmonic generation in random nonlinear crystals
We demonstrate a novel dispersion-scan (d-scan) scheme for single-shot temporal characterization of ultrashort laser pulses. The novelty of this method relies on the use of a highly dispersive crystal featuring antiparallel nonlinear domains with a random distribution and size. This crystal, capable of generating a transverse second-harmonic signal, acts simultaneously as the dispersive element and the nonlinear medium of the d-scan device. The resulting in-line architecture makes the technique very simple and robust, allowing the acquisition of single-shot d-scan traces in real time. The retrieved pulses are in very good agreement with independent frequency-resolved optical grating measurements. We also apply the new single-shot d-scan to a terawatt-class laser equipped with a programmable pulse shaper, obtaining an excellent agreement between the applied and the d-scan retrieved dispersions
Mooring design using wave-state estimate from the Southern Ocean
Author Posting. © American Meteorological Society, 2011. This article is posted here by permission of American Meteorological Society for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology 28 (2011): 1351â1360, doi:10.1175/JTECH-D-10-05033.1.The Southern Ocean Flux Station was deployed near 47°S, 140°E. The extreme wind and wave conditions at this location require appropriate mooring design, which includes dynamic fatigue analysis and static analysis. An accurate estimate of the wave conditions was essential. A motion reference unit was deployed in a nearby test mooring for 6 months. The motion data provided estimates of significant wave height that agreed well with the Australian Bureau of Meteorology wave model, increasing confidence in the model performance in the Southern Ocean. The results of the dynamic fatigue analysis using three input wave datasets and implications for the mooring design are described. The design analysis predicts the fatigue life for critical mooring components and guided the final selection of links and chain shackles. The three input wave climatologies do not differ greatly, and this is reflected in minimal changes to mooring components for each of the fatigue analyses.Many years of logistic support
for these deployments have been provided by the
Australian Marine National Facility and the Australian
Antarctic Sciences program (Award 1156). IMOS is
funded through the Federal Governmentâs National
Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy and the
Super Science Initiative
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