45 research outputs found
Dynamic gain and frequency comb formation in exceptional-point lasers
Exceptional points (EPs)--singularities in the parameter space of
non-Hermitian systems where two nearby eigenmodes coalesce--feature unique
properties with applications for microcavity lasers such as sensitivity
enhancement and chiral emission. Present EP lasers operate with static
populations in the gain medium. Here, we show theoretically that a laser
operating sufficiently close to an EP will spontaneously induce a
multi-spectral multi-modal instability that creates an oscillating population
inversion and generates a frequency comb. The comb formation is enhanced by the
non-orthogonality of modes via the Petermann factor. Such an "EP comb" features
an ultra-compact size and a widely tunable repetition rate, without requiring
external modulators or a continuous-wave pump. We develop an exact ab initio
dynamic solution of the space-dependent Maxwell-Bloch equations, describing all
steady-state properties of the EP comb. We illustrate this phenomenon in a
realistic parity-time-symmetric 5-{\mu}m-long AlGaAs cavity and validate our
prediction with finite-difference time-domain simulations. This work reveals
the rich physics that connect non-Hermitian degeneracies and the nonlinear
dynamics of gain media to fundamentally alter the laser behavior
A global picture of the S-1/S-0 conical intersection seam of benzene
A global picture of the S1/S0intersection seam of benzene is presented. Eleven new conical intersection critical points were located at the CASSCF level, the connectivity was mapped and the energies refined with CASPT 2. There are two seam branches related with pairs of degenerate A1g/B2uand Egstates at D6hsymmetry, respectively, and the two branches are connected by a seam segment of Cssymmetry. The global energy minimum of the seam is the half-boat shaped intersection that leads to a pre-fulvenic intermediate [I.J. Palmer, I.N. Ragazos, F. Bernardi, M. Olivucci, M.A. Robb, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 115 (1993) 673]. Several other intersections that can lead to the same intermediate or vibrationally hot benzene lie in a range of 3.7 eV above the global seam minimum. There is a recurrent connectivity pattern where permutationally isomeric seam segments are connected by intersections of a higher symmetry point groupThis work has been supported by Grant CTQ2008-06696 from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN
Products liability.
The goal of this Products Liability IQP is to learn the basic concepts of products liability law. First, to gain this fundamental understanding, we watched nine videos and read two books pertaining to products liability. Using this solid foundation, we analyzed two liability cases and performed one accident reconstruction. This experience expanded our knowledge of safety, ethics, and good engineering practice
Implementation and evaluation of speaker testing techniques
This project completed in conjunction with Bruel & Kjaer of Naerum, Denmark evaluates speaker testing techniques for measuring frequency and phase response in reverberant environments. The techniques investigated were maximum length sequence, gating, dual channel fast Fourier transform and complex cepstrum. The project team developed an application in C++ integrated with Bruel & Kjaer's PULSE platform. The application emulates the anechoic environment and successfully measure the frequency and phase response of a speaker using the four techniques