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At least 541 records · Page 30

A Reconnection Switch to Trigger gamma-Ray Burst Jet Dissipation

Prompt gamma-ray burst (GRB) emission requires some mechanism to dissipate an ultrarelativistic jet. Internal shocks or some form of electromagnetic dissipation are candidate mechanisms. Any mechanism needs to answer basic questions, such as what is the origin of variability, what radius does dissipation occur at, and how does efficient prompt emission occur. These mechanisms also need to be consistent with how ultrarelativistic jets form and stay baryon pure despite turbulence and electromagnetic reconnection near the compact object and despite stellar entrainment within the collapsar model. We use the latest magnetohydrodynamical models of ultrarelativistic jets to explore some of these questions in the context of electromagnetic dissipation due to the slow collisional and fast collisionless reconnection mechanisms, as often associated with Sweet-Parker and Petschek reconnection, respectively. For a highly magnetized ultrarelativistic jet and typical collapsar parameters, we find that significant electromagnetic dissipation may be avoided until it proceeds catastrophically near the jet photosphere at large radii (r {approx} 10{sup 13}-10{sup 14}cm), by which the jet obtains a high Lorentz factor ({gamma} {approx} 100-1000), has a luminosity of L{sub j} {approx} 10{sup 50}-10{sup 51} erg s{sup -1}, has observer variability timescales of order 1s (ranging from 0.001-10s), achieves {gamma}{theta}{sub j} {approx} 10-20 (for opening half-angle {theta}{sub j}) and so is able to produce jet breaks, and has comparable energy available for both prompt and afterglow emission. A range of model parameters are investigated and simplified scaling laws are derived. This reconnection switch mechanism allows for highly efficient conversion of electromagnetic energy into prompt emission and associates the observed prompt GRB pulse temporal structure with dissipation timescales of some number of reconnecting current sheets embedded in the jet. We hope this work helps motivate the development of self-consistent radiative compressible relativistic reconnection models.

Astrophysics,ASTRO, COMP↗

Dynamics of a qubit in a high-impedance transmission line from a bath perspective

We investigate the quantum dynamics of a generic model of light-matter interaction in the context of high-impedance waveguides, focusing on the behavior of the photonic states generated in the waveguide. The model treated consists simply of a two-level system coupled to a bosonic bath (the Ohmic spin-boson model). Quantum quenches as well as scattering of an incident coherent pulse are studied using two complementary methods. First, we develop an approximate ansatz for the electromagnetic waves based on a single multimode coherent state wave function; formally, this approach combines in a single framework ideas from adiabatic renormalization, the Born-Markov approximation, and input-output theory. Second, we present numerically exact results for scattering of a weak intensity pulse by using numerical renormalization group (NRG) calculations. NRG provides a benchmark for any linear response property throughout the ultrastrong-coupling regime. We find that in a sudden quantum quench, the coherent state approach produces physical artifacts, such as improper relaxation to the steady state. These previously unnoticed problems are related to the simplified form of the ansatz that generates spurious correlations within the bath. In the scattering problem, NRG is used to find the transmission and reflection of a single photon, as well as the inelastic scattering of that single photon. Simple analytical formulas are established and tested against the NRG data that predict quantitatively the transport coefficients for up to moderate environmental impedance. These formulas resolve pending issues regarding the presence of inelastic losses in the spin-boson model near absorption resonances, and could be used for comparison to experiments in Josephson waveguide quantum electrodynamics. Finally, the scattering results using the coherent state wave-function approach are compared favorably to the NRG results for very weak incident intensity. Finally, we end our study by presenting results at higher power where the response of the system is nonlinear.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Inversionless amplification in semiconductor nanostructures: A way to create a frequency-tunable laser of far-infrared and terahertz radiation

A scheme of a far-infrared and terahertz amplifier or laser based on a semiconductor nanostructure, consisting of a superlattice of double quantum wells of a certain design placed into a planar metal waveguide and pumped by a CO{sub 2} laser, is suggested. The structure operation is based on the inversionless mechanism of electromagnetic field amplification, which allows passing to room-temperature operation (in the pulsed mode) and significant (by a factor of more than 1.7) variation in the output radiation frequency by simple variation in the pump intensity. A laser based on such a scheme can be a convenient and easily tunable source of infrared and terahertz radiation for both basic research and various applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Isolated short attosecond pulse generation in an orthogonally polarized multicycle chirped laser field

We theoretically demonstrate the generation of a high-order harmonic and isolated attosecond pulse in an orthogonally polarized laser field, which is synthesized by an 800-nm chirped laser pulse and an 800-nm chirp-free laser pulse. Owing to the instantaneous frequency increasingly reducing close to the center of the driving pulse, the extreme ultraviolet supercontinuum for the chirped synthesized field is even broader than that for an orthogonal chirp-free two-color laser field. It is found that the broadband supercontinuum spectrum can be achieved for the driving pulse with ten and above optical cycles. After phase compensation an isolated attosecond pulse with a duration of {approx}16 as is produced. Furthermore, the optimization of the chirping rate parameters is investigated to achieve cutoff extension and an isolated short attosecond pulse.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Nonlocal, diamagnetic electromagnetic effects in magnetically insulated transmission lines

We identify the time-dependent physics responsible for the critical reduction of current losses in magnetically insulated transmission lines (MITLs) due to uninsulated space charge-limited currents of electrons emitted by field stress. A drive current of sufficiently short pulse length introduces a strong enough time dependence that steady-state results alone become inadequate for the complete understanding of current losses. The time-dependent physics can be described as a nonlocal, diamagnetic electromagnetic response of space charge limited currents. As the pulse length is increased or equivalently, the MITL length reduced, these time-dependent effects diminish and current losses converge to those predicted by the well-known Child–Langmuir law in the external (vacuum) fields. We present a simple one-dimensional (1D) model that encapsulates the essence of this physics. We find excellent agreement with 2D particle-in-cell simulations for two MITL geometries, Cartesian parallel plate and azimuthally symmetric straight coaxial. Based on the 1D model, we explore various scaling dependencies of MITL losses with relevant parameters, e.g., peak current, pulse length, geometrical dimensions, etc. We propose an improved physics model of magnetic insulation in the form of a Hull curve, which could also help improve predictions of current losses by common circuit element codes, such as BERTHA. Finally, we describe how to calculate the temperature rise due to electron impact within the 1D model.

Computer simulation↗

Numerical simulation of the electromagnetic fields excited by loop antennas in plasma in the whistler frequency range

The electromagnetic fields excited by circular loop antennas in a magnetized plasma in the whistler frequency range are simulated by the finite-difference time-domain method. The spatial structure of quasi-monochromatic fields excited in the near- and far-field zones by an antenna with a harmonic current, as well as the dynamics of the electromagnetic field excited by an antenna with a current in the form of a single video pulse, is studied. Simulations performed for a uniform plasma and uniform ambient magnetic field agree well with the results of theoretical analysis and model laboratory experiments performed on large-scale plasma devices.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Comment on 'Dark pulse emission of a fiber laser'

A recent Brief Report [Zhang et al., Phys. Rev. A 80, 045803 (2009)] presents experimental results in which dark pulses are generated in a fiber laser. Contrary to what is presented, the data published in that Brief Report do not support the claim that the duration of the dark dips are in the 8 ps range and that these pulses are related to genuine dark solitons.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Current drive by high intensity, pulsed, electron cyclotron wave packets

The nonlinear interaction of electrons with a high intensity, spatially localized, Gaussian, electromagnetic wave packet, or beam, in the electron cyclotron range of frequencies is described by the relativistic Lorentz equation. There are two distinct sets of electrons that result from wave-particle interactions. One set of electrons is reflected by the ponderomotive force due to the spatial variation of the wave packet. The second set of electrons are energetic enough to traverse across the wave packet. Both sets of electrons can exchange energy and momentum with the wave packet. The trapping of electrons in plane waves, which are constituents of the Gaussian beam, leads to dynamics that is distinctly different from quasilinear modeling of wave-particle interactions. This paper illustrates the changes that occur in the electron motion as a result of the nonlinear interaction. The dynamical differences between electrons interacting with a wave packet composed of ordinary electromagnetic waves and electrons interacting with a wave packet composed of extraordinary waves are exemplified.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Spin and orbital angular momenta of electromagnetic waves in free space

We derive exact expressions, in the form of Fourier integrals over the (k,{omega}) domain, for the energy, momentum, and angular momentum of a light pulse propagating in free space. The angular momentum is seen to split naturally into two parts. The spin contribution of each plane-wave constituent of the pulse, representing the difference between its right- and left-circular polarization content, is aligned with the corresponding k-vector. In contrast, the orbital angular momentum associated with each plane-wave is orthogonal to its k-vector. In general, the orbital angular momentum content of the wavepacket is the sum of an intrinsic part, due, for example, to phase vorticity, and an extrinsic part, r{sub CM} x p, produced by the linear motion of the center-of-mass r{sub CM} of the light pulse in the direction of its linear momentum p.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Geophysical Monitoring Methods Evaluation for the FutureGen 2.0 Project

A comprehensive monitoring program will be needed in order to assess the effectiveness of carbon sequestration at the FutureGen 2.0 carbon capture and storage (CCS) field-site. Geophysical monitoring methods are sensitive to subsurface changes that result from injection of CO 2 and will be used for: (1) tracking the spatial extent of the free phase CO 2 plume, (2) monitoring advancement of the pressure front, (3) identifying or mapping areas where induced seismicity occurs, and (4) identifying and mapping regions of increased risk for brine or CO 2 leakage from the reservoir. Site-specific suitability and cost effectiveness were evaluated for a number of geophysical monitoring methods including: passive seismic monitoring, reflection seismic imaging, integrated surface deformation, time-lapse gravity, pulsed neutron capture logging, cross-borehole seismic, electrical resistivity tomography, magnetotellurics and controlled source electromagnetics. The results of this evaluation indicate that CO 2 injection monitoring using reflection seismic methods would likely be difficult at the FutureGen 2.0 site. Electrical methods also exhibited low sensitivity to the expected CO 2 saturation changes and would be affected by metallic infrastructure at the field site. Passive seismic, integrated surface deformation, time-lapse gravity, and pulsed neutron capture monitoring were selected for implementation as part of the FutureGen 2.0 storage site monitoring program.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Extension of harmonic cutoff in a multicycle chirped pulse combined with a chirp-free pulse

We demonstrate high-order harmonic generation in a wave form synthesized by a multicycle 800-nm chirped laser pulse and a chirp-free laser pulse. Compared with the case of using only a chirped pulse, both the harmonic cutoff and the extreme ultraviolet supercontinuum can be extended when a weak chirp-free pulse is combined with the chirped pulse. When chirp-free pulse intensity grows, the cutoff energy and bandwidth of the supercontinuum grow as well. It is found that the broad supercontinuum can be achieved for a driving pulse with long duration even though the driving pulse reaches 10 optical cycles. An isolated attosecond pulse with duration of about 59 as is obtained, and after appropriate phase compensation with a duration of about 11 as. In addition, by performing time-frequency analyses and the classical trajectory simulation, the difference in supercontinuum generation between the preceding wave form and a similar wave form synthesized by an 800-nm fundamental pulse and a 1600-nm subharmonic pulse is investigated.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Electro-optical measurement of intense electric field on a high energy pulsed power accelerator

We describe a direct electro-optical approach to measuring a strong 118 MV/m narrow pulse width (~ 33 ns) electric field in the magnetically insulated transmission line (MITL) of a pulsed power accelerator. To date, this is the highest direct external electric field measured electro-optically in a pulsed power accelerator, and it is between two to three orders of magnitude higher than values reported in comparable high energy scientific experiments. The MITL electric field is one of the most important operating parameters in an accelerator and is critical to understanding the properties of the radiation output. However, accurately measuring these high fields using conventional pulsed power diagnostics is difficult due to the strength of interfering particles and fields. Our approach uses a free-space laser beam with a dielectric crystal sensor that is highly immune to electromagnetic interference and does not require an external calibration. Here we focus on device theory, operating parameters, laboratory and pulsed power accelerator experiments as well as challenges that were overcome in the measurement environment.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Energy density in a collapsing electromagnetic wave

The relationship between the energy and the width of the spectrum of a collapsing electromagnetic wave and the maximum energy density at the focal point has been found. The solution method can be used to simulate the propagation of ultrashort pulses without using the slowly varying amplitude approximation. (isotope laser emission)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Particle-in-cell simulations of multi-MeV pulsed X-ray induced air plasmas at low pressures

A full kinetic modelling of the charge particles dynamics generated upon the irradiation of an air-filled cavity by a multi-MeV pulsed x-ray is performed. From the calculated radiative source generated by the ASTERIX generator, we calculated the electromagnetic fields generated by x-ray induced air plasmas in a metallic cavity at different pressures. Simulations are carried out based on a Particle-In-Cell interpolation method which uses 3D Maxwell-Vlasov calculations of the constitutive charged species densities of air plasmas at different pressures at equilibrium. The resulting electromagnetic fields within the cavity are calculated for different electron densities up to 4 × 10{sup 10 }cm{sup −3}. For each air pressure, we show electronic plasma waves formation followed by Landau damping. As electron density increases, the calculations exhibit space-charged neutralization and return current formation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Direct visualization of electromagnetic wave dynamics by laser-free ultrafast electron microscopy

Integrating femtosecond lasers with electron microscopies has enabled direct imaging of transient structures and morphologies of materials in real time and space. Here, we report the development of a laser-free ultrafast electron microscopy (UEM) offering the same capability but without requiring femtosecond lasers and intricate instrumental modifications. We create picosecond electron pulses for probing dynamic events by chopping a continuous beam with a radio frequency (RF)–driven pulser with the pulse repetition rate tunable from 100 MHz to 12 GHz. As a first application, we studied gigahertz electromagnetic wave propagation dynamics in an interdigitated comb structure. We reveal, on nanometer space and picosecond time scales, the transient oscillating electromagnetic field around the tines of the combs with time-resolved polarization, amplitude, and local field enhancement. This study demonstrates the feasibility of laser-free UEM in real-space visualization of dynamics for many research fields, especially the electrodynamics in devices associated with information processing technology.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Multidimensional effects on relativistic electrons in an oblique shock wave

Multidimensional effects on electron motion in a magnetosonic shock wave propagating obliquely to an external magnetic field are studied by means of a two-dimensional (two space coordinates and three velocities) relativistic, electromagnetic particle code. The simulations demonstrate that after trapping and energization in the main pulse of the shock wave, electrons can be detrapped from it keeping their ultrarelativistic energies. This detrapping is caused by magnetic fluctuations propagating along the wave front. Furthermore, some of the detrapped electrons can be accelerated to much higher energies by the shock wave because they can enter and exit the shock wave as a result of their gyromotions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Controlling field-free molecular orientation with combined single- and dual-color laser pulses

We propose a scheme to achieve the field-free molecular orientation around the half rotational periods with the combination of single- and dual-color laser pulses. We show that the molecular orientation can be obtained and controlled by precisely controlling the time delay between the two laser pulses. Furthermore, we discuss the effect of the laser intensity and pulse duration of the single-color laser pulse on the molecular orientation created by the dual-color laser pulse, and show that the molecular orientation depends on the change in the alignment degree between the odd and even rotational wave-packet contributions created by the single-color laser pulse.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Isolated-attosecond-pulse generation with infrared double optical gating

We propose and theoretically demonstrate an infrared two-color polarization gating scheme for generating an intense isolated attosecond pulse (IAP) in the multicycle regime. Our simulations show that an IAP can be produced using a multicycle two-color driving pulse with a duration up to 60 fs. Moreover, the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) of the driving laser is not required to be stabilized, although the IAP intensity changes with the CEP slip. Such a gating scheme significantly relaxes the requirements for driving lasers and opens the door to easily create intense IAPs with a high-power conventional multicycle laser pulse.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗