Constrained pre-equalization accounting for multi-path fading emulated using large RC networks: applications to wireless and photonics communications

Multi-path propagation is modelled assuming a multi-layer RC network with randomly allocated resistors and capacitors to represent the transmission medium. Due to frequency-selective attenuation, the waveforms associated with each propagation path incur path-dependent distortion. A pre-equalization procedure that takes into account the capabilities of the transmission source as well as the transmission properties of the medium is developed. The problem is cast within a Mixed Integer Linear Programming optimization framework that uses the developed nominal RC network model, with the excitation waveform customized to optimize signal fidelity from the transmitter to the receiver. The objective is to match a Gaussian pulse input accounting for frequency regions where there would be pronounced fading. Simulations are carried out with different network realizations in order to evaluate the sensitivity of the solution with respect to changes in the transmission medium mimicking the multi-path propagation. The proposed approach is of relevance where equalization techniques are difficult to implement. Applications are discussed within the context of emergent communication modalities across the EM spectrum such as light percolation as well as emergent indoor communications assuming various modulation protocols or UWB schemes as well as within the context of space division multiplexing

Titanium oxynitride thin films with tuneable double epsilon-near-zero behaviour for nanophotonic applications

Titanium oxynitride (TiOxNy) thin films are fabricated using reactive magnetron sputtering. The mechanism of their growth formation is explained, and their optical properties are presented. The films grown when the level of residual oxygen in the background vacuum was between 5 nTorr to 20 nTorr exhibit double epsilon-near-Zero (2-ENZ) behavior with ENZ1 and ENZ2 wavelengths tunable in the 700–850 and 1100–1350 nm spectral ranges, respectively. Samples fabricated when the level of residual oxygen in the background vacuum was above 2 × 10–8 Torr exhibit nonmetallic behavior, while the layers deposited when the level of residual oxygen in the background vacuum was below 5 × 10–9 Torr show metallic behavior with a single ENZ value. The double ENZ phenomenon is related to the level of residual oxygen in the background vacuum and is attributed to the mixture of TiN and TiOxNy and TiOx phases in the films. Varying the partial pressure of nitrogen during the deposition can further control the amount of TiN, TiOx, and TiOxNy compounds in the films and, therefore, tune the screened plasma wavelengths. A good approximation of the ellipsometric behavior is achieved with Maxwell–Garnett theory for a composite film formed by a mixture of TiO2 and TiN phases suggesting that double ENZ TiOxNy films are formed by inclusions of TiN within a TiO2 matrix. These oxynitride compounds could be considered as new materials exhibiting double ENZ in the visible and near-IR spectral ranges. Materials with ENZ properties are advantageous for designing the enhanced nonlinear optical response, metasurfaces, and nonreciprocal behavior

Non local effects in cone-shaped metamaterials

Light-matter interactions in a material may be dramatically influenced by the features of the medium. Moreover, the electromagnetic characteristics of the material in the nearby areas may make a dramatic impact as well. Following the first scenario, the medium is considered to be local, whereas in the other case, it is nonlocal. It has been demonstrated by the current works on light-matter interactions in composites that novel optical phenomena is enabled by nonlocal effects. The former can not be treated in case of local effective medium description