Mapping the local density of optical states of a photonic crystal with single quantum dots

We use single self-assembled InGaAs quantum dots as internal probes to map the local density of optical states of photonic crystal membranes. The employed technique separates contributions from non-radiative recombination and spin-flip processes by properly accounting for the role of the exciton fine structure. We observe inhibition factors as high as 55 and compare our results to local density of optical states calculations available from the literature, thereby establishing a quantitative understanding of photon emission in photonic crystal membranes.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Switched Linear Model Predictive Controllers for Periodic Exogenous Signals

This paper develops linear switched controllers for periodic exogenous signals using the framework of a continuous-time model predictive control. In this framework, the control signal is generated by an algorithm that uses receding horizon control principle with an on-line optimization scheme that permits inclusion of operational constraints. Unlike traditional repetitive controllers, applying this method in the form of switched linear controllers ensures rumpless transfer from one controller to another. Simulation studies are included to demonstrate the efficacy of the design with or without hard constraints

On the Origin and Survival of UHE Cosmic-Ray Nuclei in GRBs and Hypernovae

The chemical composition of the ultra-high-energy (UHE) cosmic rays serves as an important clue for their origin. Recent measurements of the elongation rates by the Pierre Auger Observatory hint at the possible presence of heavy or intermediate mass nuclei in the UHE cosmic rays. Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and hypernovae have been suggested as possible sources of the UHE cosmic rays. Here we derive the constraints on the physical conditions under which UHE heavy nuclei, if they are accelerated in these sources, can survive in their intense photon fields. We find that in the GRB external shock and in the hypernova scenarios, UHE nuclei can easily survive photo-disintegration. In the GRB internal shock scenario, UHE nuclei can also survive, provided the dissipation radius and/or the bulk Lorentz factor of the relativistic outflow are relatively large, or if the low-energy self-absorption break in the photon spectrum of the prompt emission occurs above several KeV. In internal shocks and in the other scenarios, intermediate-mass UHE nuclei have a higher probability of survival against photo-disintegration than UHE heavy nuclei such as Fe.Comment: accepted by ApJ, references added, 12 pages, 4 figures, emulateapj styl

Shuttling heat across 1D homogenous nonlinear lattices with a Brownian heat motor

We investigate directed thermal heat flux across 1D homogenous nonlinear lattices when no net thermal bias is present on average. A nonlinear lattice of Fermi-Pasta-Ulam-type or Lennard-Jones-type system is connected at both ends to thermal baths which are held at the same temperature on temporal average. We study two different modulations of the heat bath temperatures, namely: (i) a symmetric, harmonic ac-driving of temperature of one heat bath only and (ii) a harmonic mixing drive of temperature acting on both heat baths. While for case (i) an adiabatic result for the net heat transport can be derived in terms of the temperature dependent heat conductivity of the nonlinear lattice a similar such transport approach fails for the harmonic mixing case (ii). Then, for case (ii), not even the sign of the resulting Brownian motion induced heat flux can be predicted a priori. A non-vanishing heat flux (including a non-adiabatic reversal of flux) is detected which is the result of an induced dynamical symmetry breaking mechanism in conjunction with the nonlinearity of the lattice dynamics. Computer simulations demonstrate that the heat flux is robust against an increase of lattice sizes. The observed ratchet effect for such directed heat currents is quite sizable for our studied class of homogenous nonlinear lattice structures, thereby making this setup accessible for experimental implementation and verification.Comment: 9 pages, 10 figures. Phys. Rev. E (in press

Valley Dependent Optoelectronics from Inversion Symmetry Breaking

Inversion symmetry breaking allows contrasted circular dichroism in different k-space regions, which takes the extreme form of optical selection rules for interband transitions at high symmetry points. In materials where band-edges occur at noncentral valleys, this enables valley dependent interplay of electrons with light of different circular polarizations, in analogy to spin dependent optical activities in semiconductors. This discovery is in perfect harmony with the previous finding of valley contrasted Bloch band features of orbital magnetic moment and Berry curvatures from inversion symmetry breaking [Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 236809 (2007)]. A universal connection is revealed between the k-resolved optical oscillator strength of interband transitions, the orbital magnetic moment and the Berry curvatures, which also provides a principle for optical measurement of orbital magnetization and intrinsic anomalous Hall conductivity in ferromagnetic systems. The general physics is demonstrated in graphene where inversion symmetry breaking leads to valley contrasted optical selection rule for interband transitions. We discuss graphene based valley optoelectronics applications where light polarization information can be interconverted with electronic information.Comment: Expanded version, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Compression-compression fatigue of Pd_(43)Ni_(10)Cu_(27)P_(20) metallic glass foam

Compression-compression fatigue testing of metallic-glass foam is performed. A stress-life curve is constructed, which reveals an endurance limit at a fatigue ratio of about 0.1. The origin of fatigue resistance of this foam is identified to be the tendency of intracellular struts to undergo elastic and reversible buckling, while the fatigue process is understood to advance by anelastic strut buckling leading to localized plasticity (shear banding) and ultimate strut fracture. Curves of peak and valley strain versus number of cycles coupled with plots of hysteresis loops and estimates of energy dissipation at various loading cycles confirm the four stages of foam-fatigue

Incident-energy and system-size dependence of directed flow

We present STAR's measurements of directed flow for charged hadrons in Au+Au and Cu+Cu collisions at $\sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}} = 200$ GeV and 62.4 GeV, as a function of pseudorapidity, transverse momentum and centrality. We find that directed flow depends on the incident energy, but not on the system size. We extend the validity of limiting fragmentation hypothesis to different collision systems.Comment: Quark Matter 2006 proceedings, 4 pages, 4 figures, submitted to J. Phys.

Quantifying the Dynamics of Bacterial Secondary Metabolites by Spectral Multiphoton Microscopy

Phenazines, a group of fluorescent small molecules produced by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, play a role in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis. Phenazines have been challenging to study in vivo due to their redox activity, presence both intra- and extracellularly, and their diverse chemical properties. Here, we describe a noninvasive in vivo optical technique to monitor phenazine concentrations within bacterial cells using time-lapsed spectral multiphoton fluorescence microscopy. This technique enables simultaneous monitoring of multiple weakly fluorescent molecules (phenazines, siderophores, NAD(P)H) expressed by bacteria in culture. This work provides the first in vivo measurements of reduced phenazine concentration as well as the first description of the temporal dynamics of the phenazine-NAD(P)H redox system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, illuminating an unanticipated role for 1-hydroxyphenazine. Similar approaches could be used to study the abundance and redox dynamics of a wide range of small molecules within bacteria, both as single cells and in communities