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At least 1,081 records · Page 60

Anomalous conductivity due to relativistic Landau quantization

Here we use a recently developed kinetic model derived from the Dirac equation, in order to study electromagnetic wave propagation in superstrong magnetic fields, such as in magnetars, where relativistic Landau quantization is prominent. The leading contribution to the conductivity tensor in such a plasma is calculated. It is found that the electron Hall current has an anomalous contribution, in the quantum relativistic regime, where the effective particle energy has a significant contribution from the diamagnetic and Zeeman energy. As a result, a new quantum resonance frequency appears, and the dispersion relation for the left- and right-hand polarized modes are strongly modified for long and moderate wavelengths. The implications for magnetar physics are discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Gigahertz Dielectric Polarization of Substitutional Single Niobium Atoms in Defective Graphitic Layers

In this work, we synthesize two Nb/C composites with an order of magnitude difference in the density of single niobium atoms substituted into defective graphitic layers. The concentration and sites of single Nb atoms are identified using aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy and density functional theory. Comparing the experimental complex permittivity spectra reveals that a representative dielectric resonance at ~16 GHz originates from the intrinsic polarization of single Nb atom sites, which is confirmed by theoretical simulations. The single-atom dielectric resonance represents the physical limit of the electromagnetic response of condensed matter, and thus might open up a new avenue for designing electromagnetic wave absorption materials. Single-atom resonance also has important implications in understanding the correlation between the macroscopic dielectric behaviors and the atomic-scale structural origin.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Ronchi shearing interferometry for wavefronts with circular symmetry

Ronchi testing of a focused electromagnetic wave has in the last few years been used extensively at X-ray free-electron laser (FEL) facilities to qualitatively evaluate the wavefront of the beam. It is a quick and straightforward test, is easy to interpret on the fly, and can be used to align phase plates that correct the focus of aberrated beams. In general, a single Ronchigram is not sufficient to gain complete quantitative knowledge of the wavefront. However the compound refractive lenses that are commonly used at X-ray FELs exhibit a strong circular symmetry in their aberration, and this can be exploited. Furthermore, a simple algorithm that uses a single recorded Ronchigram to recover the full wavefront of a nano-focused beam, assuming circular symmetry, is presented, and applied to experimental measurements at the Matter in Extreme Conditions instrument at the Linac Coherent Light Source.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

On the Performance of Tree-Based Antennas for SLF-VLF Signal Reception

A full-wave electromagnetic simulation and experimental study is carried out to explore the effects of tree-induced dielectric loading on the receiving properties of an electrically small, earth-grounded wire monopole. It is demonstrated that by connecting the upper end of the wire to the tree trunk, the input impedance of the monopole can be significantly transformed, leading to an enhancement in the received signal strength that becomes more noticeable as the frequency is decreased; for example, at the lowest frequency considered, it is seen that the tree-loaded antenna can increase the received load voltage by as much as ~40 dB, when compared to the case without tree loading. An application of the tree-based antenna for low-frequency power line signal monitoring is presented. Overall, simulation results for the input impedance and received signal response are in good agreement with measurement data.

Liao, DaHan↗

Ultrasonic Communication in Solid Channels using OFDM

Using an ultrasonic signal for communication is an alternate solution when electromagnetic waves are not feasible for carrying the information through the channel. We can use the ultrasonic signal to conduct communication in different types of media such as solid, liquid, and gas. In this study, we use ultrasound for communication through a metal plate channel. A metal plate is a highly dispersive and frequency selective channel with a severe multipath effect. The OFDM modulation method is customized for the ultrasonic communication channel to enhance communication reliability and reduce the bit error rate. With the channel frequency response, we adaptively map the transmitted information to optimize the selection of subcarriers frequency bands for the highest possible throughput.

OFDM↗

Catalyst Ammonia Storage Measurements Using Radio Frequency Sensing1

Motivated by increasingly strict nitrogen oxides (NOx) limits, engine manufacturers have adopted selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology to reduce engine-out NOx. In the SCR process, NOx react with ammonia (NH3) to form nitrogen and water vapor. The reaction is influenced by several variables, including stored ammonia on the catalyst, exhaust gas composition, and catalyst temperature. Currently, measurements from NOx and/or NH3 sensors upstream and downstream of the SCR are used with predictive models to estimate ammonia storage levels on the catalyst and control urea dosing. This study investigated a radio frequency (RF)-based method to directly monitor the ammonia storage state of the SCR. This approach utilizes the catalyst as a cavity resonator, in which an RF antenna excites electromagnetic waves within the cavity to monitor changes in the catalyst state. Ammonia storage causes changes in the dielectric properties of the catalyst, which directly impacts the RF signal. Changes in the RF signal relative to stored ammonia (NH3) were evaluated over a wide range of frequencies, temperatures, and exhaust conditions. The RF response to NH3 storage, desorption, and oxidation on the SCR was well correlated with changes in the catalyst state. Calibrated RF measurements demonstrate the ability to monitor the adsorption state of the SCR to within 10% of the sensor full scale. The results indicate direct measurement of SCR ammonia storage levels, and resulting catalyst feedback control, via RF sensing to have significant potential for optimizing the SCR system to improve NOx conversion and decrease urea consumption.

Engineering↗

CATALYST AMMONIA STORAGE MEASUREMENTS USING RADIO FREQUENCY SENSING

Motivated by increasingly strict NO x limits, engine manufactures have adopted selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology to reduce engine-out NO x below mandated levels. In the SCR process, nitrogen oxides (NO x ) react with ammonia (NH 3 ) to form nitrogen and water vapor. The reaction is influenced by several variables, including stored ammonia on the catalyst, exhaust gas composition, and catalyst temperature. Currently, measurements from NO x and/or NH 3 sensors upstream and downstream of the SCR are used with predictive models to estimate ammonia storage levels on the catalyst and control urea dosing. This study investigated a radio frequency (RF) -based method to directly monitor the ammonia storage state of the SCR catalyst. This approach utilizes the SCR catalyst as a cavity resonator, in which an RF antenna excites electromagnetic waves within the cavity to monitor changes in the catalyst state. Ammonia storage causes changes in the dielectric properties of the catalyst, which directly impacts the RF signal. Changes in the RF signal relative to stored ammonia (NH 3 ) were evaluated over a wide frequency range as well as temperature and exhaust conditions. The RF response to NH 3 storage, desorption, and oxidation on the SCR was observed to be well-correlated with changes in the catalyst state. Calibrated RF measurements demonstrate the ability to monitor the adsorption state of the SCR to within 10 % of the sensor full scale. The results indicate direct measurement of SCR ammonia storage levels, and resulting catalyst feedback control, via RF sensing to have significant potential for optimizing the SCR system to improve NO x conversion and decrease urea consumption.

Aguilar, Jonathan↗

Computational modeling study of the radial line slot antenna microwave plasma source with comparisons to experiments

The radial line slot antenna plasma source is a high-density microwave plasma source comprising a high electron temperature source region within the plasma skin depth from a coupling window and low electron temperature diffusion region far from the window. The plasma is typically comprised of inert gases like argon and mixtures of halogen or fluorocarbon gases for etching. Following the experimental study of Tian et al.[J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A 24, 1421 (2006)], a two-dimensional computational model is used to describe the essential features of the source. A high density argon plasma is described using the quasi-neutral approximation and coupled to a frequency-domain electromagnetic wave solver to describe the plasma-microwave interactions in the source. The plasma is described using a multispecies plasma chemistry mechanism developed specifically for microwave excitation conditions. The plasma is nonlocal by nature with locations of peak power deposition and peak plasma density being very different. The spatial distribution of microwave power coupling depends on whether the plasma is under- or over-dense and is described well by the model. The model predicts the experimentally observed low-order diffusion mode radial plasma profiles. The trends of spatial profiles of electron density and electron temperature over a wide range of power and pressure conditions compare well with experimental results.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Chiral flat-band optical cavity with atomically thin mirrors

A fundamental requirement for photonic technologies is the ability to control the confinement and propagation of light. Widely used platforms include two-dimensional (2D) optical microcavities in which electromagnetic waves are confined in either metallic or distributed Bragg reflectors. Recently, transition metal dichalcogenides hosting tightly bound excitons with high optical quality have emerged as promising atomically thin mirrors. In this work, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a subwavelength 2D nanocavity using two atomically thin mirrors with degenerate resonances. Angle-resolved measurements show a flat band, which sets this system apart from conventional photonic cavities. We demonstrate how the excitonic nature of the mirrors enables the formation of chiral and tunable optical modes upon the application of an external magnetic field. Moreover, we show the electrical tunability of the confined mode. Our work demonstrates a mechanism for confining light with high-quality excitonic materials, opening perspectives for spin-photon interfaces, and chiral cavity electrodynamics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Lithium niobate photonics: Unlocking the electromagnetic spectrum

Lithium niobate (LN), first synthesized 70 years ago, has been widely used in diverse applications ranging from communications to quantum optics. These high-volume commercial applications have provided the economic means to establish a mature manufacturing and processing industry for high-quality LN crystals and wafers. Breakthrough science demonstrations to commercial products have been achieved owing to the ability of LN to generate and manipulate electromagnetic waves across a broad spectrum, from microwave to ultraviolet frequencies. Here, we provide a high-level Review of the history of LN as an optical material, its different photonic platforms, engineering concepts, spectral coverage, and essential applications before providing an outlook for the future of LN.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Detection of global phenomena of technogenic ultraviolet and infrared nightglows onboard the Vernov satellite

The generation of transients in the Earth’s upper atmosphere under the action of electron fluxes and high- and low-frequency electromagnetic waves has been studied onboard the small Vernov spacecraft (solar synchronous orbit, 98° inclination, height 640–830 km). The studies were carried out with ultraviolet (UV, 240–380 nm), red–infrared (IR, 610–800 nm), gamma-ray (0.01–3 MeV), and electron (0.2–15 MeV) detectors as well as with high-frequency (0.05–15 MHz) and low-frequency (0.1 Hz–40 kHz) radio receivers. Artificial optical signals distributed along the meridian in an extended region of latitudes in the Earth’s Northern and Southern Hemispheres modulated by a low frequency were recorded during the nadir observations at nighttime. Examples of the oscillograms of such signals in the UV and IR spectral ranges and their global distribution are presented. The emission generation altitude and the atmospheric components that can be the sources of this emission are discussed. Particular attention is given to the technogenic causes of this glow in the ionosphere under the action of powerful low- and high-frequency radio stations on the ionosphere.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Passive mode locking and formation of dissipative solitons in electron oscillators with a bleaching absorber in the feedback loop

The mechanisms of passive mode locking and formation of ultrashort pulses in microwave electron oscillators with a bleaching absorber in the feedback loop have been analyzed. It is shown that in the group synchronism regime in which the translational velocity of particles coincides with the group velocity of the electromagnetic wave, the pulse formation can be described by the equations known in the theory of dissipative solitons. At the same time, the regimes in which the translational velocity of electrons differs from the group velocity and the soliton being formed and moving along the electron beam consecutively (cumulatively) receives energy from various electron fractions are optimal for generating pulses with the maximal peak amplitudes.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

On the Contribution of the Long-Range Scattering Potential in the Process of Multiphoton Above-Threshold Ionization of Atoms in the Laser Field

Using the quantum mechanical analysis of stimulated bremsstrahlung of an electron on an electrostatic potential in the field of a strong electromagnetic wave in the generalized eikonal approximation, the simplified formula for the probability of multiphoton above-threshold ionization of a hydrogen-like atom in the laser field is obtained, taking into account the interaction of the photoelectron with the long-range Coulomb field of the residual ion.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Modulational excitation of inhomogeneities in dusty ionospheric plasma

The mechanism for the formation of inhomogeneities of the electron and ion densities in dusty ionospheric plasma as a result of the modulational instability of a pump electromagnetic wave caused by the excitation of dust acoustic perturbations is considered. The inhomogeneities of the electron density produced by the monochromatic radiation of heating facilities at altitudes of 80 and 100 km are estimated numerically. The possibility of excitation of relatively large inhomogeneities of the electron and ion densities δn{sub e(i)}/n{sub e(i)} ≈ 0.05 at altitudes of 80–100 km as a result of modulational interaction is demonstrated. The applicability domains of the method presented in this work are determined.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Plasmon Enhancement of the Electric Field in Mid-Infrared Ge/Si Quantum-Dot Photodetectors with Different Thicknesses of the Active Region

The spatial distribution of the electric field in Ge/Si photodetector heterostructures coated with a gold film containing a regular two-dimensional array of subwavelength apertures is calculated by the finite-element method. The array period and aperture diameter are 1.2 and 0.7 μm, respectively. The efficiency of field enhancement is determined for different thicknesses of the active region occupied by quantum dots. It is demonstrated that the field-enhancement factor for an electromagnetic wave incident on the structure from the side of the substrate is ~3.5 times larger than that for a wave incident from the opposite side. In the first case, the field-enhancement factor varies nonmonotonically with the thickness of the active region.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Gas Electric Discharge with a Developed Streamer Structure in a Quasi-Optical Microwave Beam

Experiments on initiating an electrical discharge with a developed streamer structure in atmospheric pressure air are described. The discharge was initiated in a quasi-optical linearly polarized microwave beam with a subcritical field. Air breakdown was initiated by an electromagnetic vibrator placed in free space, on the surface of a dielectric plate, and on the outer or inner surface of a quartz tube. From experimental data, the velocity of the discharge front propagation toward the wavevector of the electromagnetic wave has been estimated.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Microwave Breakdown of Air Initiated by an Electromagnetic Vibrator Placed on a Dielectric Surface

The feasibility of air breakdown initiation by a quasi-optical subcritical-field microwave beam has been studied experimentally. Breakdown has been initiated by a linear electromagnetic vibrator, which was placed in a traveling electromagnetic wave (i) on the surface of a dielectric sheet that faces wavevector k of the wave, (ii) on the opposite surface of the sheet, and (iii) near the sheet. Fields induced at the ends of the vibrator have been calculated theoretically for all arrangements. Numerical estimates and experimental data have shown that when a vibrator is placed on a dielectric surface, electrical breakdown of air may be initiated in a much deeper subcritical field of the microwave beam than when it is placed in the field of a traveling microwave.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Scalable Preconditioners for Structure Preserving Discretizations of Maxwell Equations in First Order Form

Here, we report multiple physical time-scales can arise in electromagnetic simulations when dissipative effects are introduced through boundary conditions, when currents follow external time-scales, and when material parameters vary spatially. In such scenarios, the time-scales of interest may be much slower than the fastest time-scales supported by the Maxwell equations, therefore making implicit time integration an efficient approach. The use of implicit temporal discretizations results in linear systems in which fast time-scales, which severely constrain the stability of an explicit method, can manifest as so-called stiff modes. This study proposes a new block preconditioner for structure preserving (also termed physics compatible) discretizations of the Maxwell equations in first order form. The intent of the preconditioner is to enable the efficient solution of multiple-time-scale Maxwell type systems. An additional benefit of the developed preconditioner is that it requires only a traditional multigrid method for its subsolves and compares well against alternative approaches that rely on specialized edge-based multigrid routines that may not be readily available. Lastly, results demonstrate parallel scalability at large electromagnetic wave CFL numbers on a variety of test problems.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗