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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Optical phonons in PbTe/CdTe multilayer heterostructures

The infrared reflection spectra of PbTe/CdTe multilayer nanostructures grown by molecular-beam epitaxy are measured in the frequency range of 20–5000 cm{sup −1} at room temperature. The thicknesses and high-frequency dielectric constants of the PbTe and CdTe layers and the frequencies of the transverse optical (TO) phonons in these structures are determined from dispersion analysis of the spectra. It is found that the samples under study are characterized by two TO phonon frequencies, equal to 28 and 47 cm{sup −1}. The first frequency is close to that of TO phonons in bulk PbTe, and the second is assigned to the optical mode in structurally distorted interface layers. The Raman-scattering spectra upon excitation with the radiation of an Ar{sup +} laser at 514.5 nm are measured at room and liquid-nitrogen temperatures. The weak line at 106 cm{sup −1} observed in these spectra is attributed to longitudinal optical phonons in the interface layers.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Numerical investigation on a new designed hollow-core photonic crystal fiber with large modal separation

We investigate the characteristics of optical modes in a new designed hollow-core photonic crystal fiber (PCF) with large modal separation. The large effective refractive index difference between the adjacent second-order vector modes can be maintained higher than 0.001 within the wavelength range from 1 to 2 μm. The maximum value can arrive 0.01199 between HE{sub 21} and TM{sub 01} mode at 2 μm. The fundamental mode of the proposed PCF has flat dispersion in a wide spectral range, which can be applied on wideband supercontinuum generation. The influence on the characteristics by the PCF structure has also been investigated. The increase of the size of the central air hole and the duty cycle affects the flatness of the dispersion curve to some extent. Our simulated results could provide an optimized fiber structure for the experimental study on stable transmission of vector modes.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Ballistic vs. diffusive heat transfer across nanoscopic films of layered crystals

We use non-equilibrium molecular dynamics to study the heat transfer mechanism across sandwich interfacial structures of Si/n-atomic-layers/Si, with 1 ≤ n ≤ 20 and atomic layers composed of WSe{sub 2} and/or graphene. In the case of WSe{sub 2} sheets, we observe that the thermal resistance of the sandwich structure is increasing almost linearly with the number of WSe{sub 2} sheets, n, indicating a diffusive phonon transport mechanism. By contrast in the case of n graphene layers, the interfacial thermal resistance is more or less independent on the number of layers for 1 ≤ n ≤ 10, and is associated with ballistic phonon transport mechanism. We attribute the diffusive heat transfer mechanism across WSe{sub 2} sheets to abundant low frequency and low group velocity optical modes that carry most of the heat across the interface. By contrast, in graphene, acoustic modes dominate the thermal transport across the interface and render a ballistic heat flow mechanism.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Design for high-power, single-lobe, grating-surface-emitting quantum cascade lasers enabled by plasmon-enhanced absorption of antisymmetric modes

Resonant coupling of the transverse-magnetic polarized (guided) optical mode of a quantum-cascade laser (QCL) to the antisymmetric surface-plasmon modes of 2nd-order distributed-feedback (DFB) metal/semiconductor gratings results in strong antisymmetric-mode absorption. In turn, lasing in the symmetric mode, that is, surface emission in a single-lobe far-field beam pattern, is strongly favored over controllable ranges in grating duty cycle and tooth height. By using core-region characteristics of a published 4.6 μm-emitting QCL, grating-coupled surface-emitting (SE) QCLs are analyzed and optimized for highly efficient single-lobe operation. For infinite-length devices, it is found that when the antisymmetric mode is resonantly absorbed, the symmetric mode has negligible absorption loss (∼0.1 cm{sup −1}) while still being efficiently outcoupled, through the substrate, by the DFB grating. For finite-length devices, 2nd-order distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) gratings are used on both sides of the DFB grating to prevent uncontrolled reflections from cleaved facets. Equations for the threshold-current density and the differential quantum efficiency of SE DFB/DBR QCLs are derived. For 7 mm-long, 8.0 μm-wide, 4.6 μm-emitting devices, with an Ag/InP grating of ∼39% duty cycle, and ∼0.22 μm tooth height, threshold currents as low as 0.45 A are projected. Based on experimentally obtained internal efficiency values from high-performance QCLs, slope efficiencies as high as 3.4 W/A are projected; thus, offering a solution for watt-range, single-lobe CW operation from SE, mid-infrared QCLs.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS1981

Multiwavelength monolithic integrated fiber optics terminal - An update

This paper serves as an update for the Multiwavelength Monolithic Integrated Fiber Optic Terminal (MMIFOT) being developed by MDAC-St. Louis for NASA's Johnson Space Center. The program objective is to utilize guided wave optical technology to develop a passive optical wavelength multiplexing subsystem with a single mode optical fiber serving as the transmission medium.

Spear-Zino, J. D.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Overlapping double potential wells in a single optical microtube cavity with vernier-scale-like tuning effect

Spatially and temporally overlapping double potential wells are realized in a hybrid optical microtube cavity due to the coexistence of an aggregate of luminescent quantum dots embedded in the tube wall and the cone-shaped tube's geometry. The double potential wells produce two independent sets of optical modes with different sets of mode numbers, indicating phase velocity separation for the modes overlapping at the same frequency. The overlapping mode position can be tuned by modifying the tube cavity, where these mode sets shift with different magnitudes, allowing for a vernier-scale-like tuning effect.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2019

Thermal and Elastic Properties of Ce{sub x}Th{sub 1 –x}O{sub 2} Mixed Oxides: A Self-Consistent Thermodynamic Approach

A self-consistent thermodynamic model of thorium dioxide and its dilute alloy Ce{sub 0.05}Th{sub 0.95}O{sub 2}, which are of great importance for atomic power engineering, has been constructed based on generalized Debye and Einstein models. In terms of this model, the temperature dependences of the bulk modulus, density, and heat capacity of the systems have been obtained. The anharmonicity of the acoustical and optical modes of the crystal lattice and its change in passing from ThO{sub 2} to Ce{sub 0.05}Th{sub 0.95}O{sub 2} has been discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} optomechanical crystals in the resolved-sideband regime

We demonstrate sideband-resolved Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} optomechanical crystals supporting 10{sup 5} quality factor optical modes at 980 nm, coupled to ≈4 GHz frequency mechanical modes with quality factors of ≈3000. Optomechanical electromagnetically induced transparency and absorption are observed at room temperature and in atmosphere with intracavity photon numbers in excess of 10{sup 4}.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Exploring the effective photon management by InP nanoparticles: Broadband light absorption enhancement of InP/In{sub 0.53}Ga{sub 0.47}As/InP thin-film photodetectors

High-index dielectric and semiconductor nanoparticles with the characteristics of low absorption loss and strong scattering have attracted more and more attention for improving performance of thin-film photovoltaic devices. In this paper, we focus our attention on InP nanoparticles and study the influence of the substrate and the geometrical configurations on their scattering properties. We demonstrate that, compared with the InP sphere, the InP cylinder has higher coupling efficiency due to the stronger interactions between the optical mode in the nanoparticle and its induced mirror image in the substrate. Moreover, we propose novel thin-film InGaAs photodetectors integrated with the periodically arranged InP nanoparticles on the substrate. Broadband light absorption enhancement is achieved over the wavelength range between 1.0 μm and 1.7 μm. The highest average absorption enhancement of 59.7% is realized for the photodetector with the optimized cylinder InP nanoparticles. These outstanding characteristics attribute to the preferentially forward scattering of single InP nanoparticle along with the effective coupling of incident light into the guided modes through the collective diffraction effect of InP nanoparticles array.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Radiation from laser-microplasma-waveguide interactions in the ultra-intense regime

When a high-contrast ultra-relativistic (>10{sup 20} W/cm{sup 2}) laser beam enters a micro-sized plasma waveguide, the pulse energy is coupled into waveguide modes, which significantly modifies the interaction between the electrons and electromagnetic wave. Electrons pulled out from the walls of the waveguide form a dense helical bunch inside the channel and are efficiently accelerated by the transverse magnetic modes to hundreds of MeV. The asymmetry in the transverse electric and magnetic fields drives strong oscillations, which lead to the emission of bright, well-collimated, hard X-rays. In this paper, we present our study on the underlying physics in the aforementioned process using 3D particle-in-cell simulations. The mechanism of electron acceleration and the dependence of radiation properties on different laser plasma parameters are addressed. An analytic model and basic scalings for X-ray emission are also presented by considering the lowest optical modes in the waveguide, which is adequate to describe the basic phenomenon. In addition, the effects of high-order modes as well as laser polarization are also qualitatively discussed. The considered X-ray source has promising features, potentially making it a competitive candidate for a future tabletop synchrotron source.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Multi-mode interference revealed by two photon absorption in silicon rich SiO{sub 2} waveguides

Photoluminescence (PL) from Si nanocrystals (NCs) excited by two-photon absorption (TPA) has been observed in Si nanocrystal-based waveguides fabricated by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The TPA excited photoluminescence emission resembles the one-photon excited photoluminescence arising from inter-band transitions in the quantum confined Si nanocrystals. By measuring the non-linear transmission of waveguides, a large TPA coefficient of β up to 10{sup −8 }cm/W has been measured at 1550 nm. These values of β depend on the Si NCs size and are two orders of magnitude larger than the bulk silicon value. Here, we propose to use the TPA excited visible PL emission as a tool to map the spatial intensity profile of the 1550 nm propagating optical modes in multimode waveguides. In this way, multimode interference has been revealed experimentally and confirmed through a finite element simulation.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Photonic confinement in laterally structured metal-organic microcavities

We investigate the formation of optical modes in organic microcavities with an incorporated perforated silver layer. The metal leads to a formation of Tamm-plasmon-polaritons and thus separates the sample into metal-free or metal-containing areas, supporting different resonances. This mode splitting is exploited to confine photons in elliptic holes and triangular cuts, forming distinctive standing wave patterns showing the strong lateral confinement. A comparison with a Maxwell-Bloch based rate equation model clearly shows the nonlinear transition into the lasing regime. The concentration of the electric field density and inhibition of lateral loss channels in turn decreases the lasing threshold by up to one order of magnitude, to 0.1 nJ. By spectroscopic investigation of such a triangular wedge, we observe the transition from the unperturbed cavity state to a strongly confined complex transversal mode. Such a structured silver layer can be utilized in future for charge carrier injection in an electrically driven organic solid state laser.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Controlling the interaction between optical solitons using periodic dispersion variations in an optical fibre

This paper considers interaction between two fundamental optical solitons in an optical fibre with a periodically varying dispersion. Numerical simulation results indicate that, by properly adjusting the modulation period, one can change the type of interaction between solitons. We consider three particular cases: the fission of a soliton pair into two separate pulses, the generation of an intense pulse as a result of the fusion of two solitons and the formation of a coupled state of two solitons (soliton molecule). The present findings demonstrate the possibility of controlling the number and group velocity of solitons using passive single-mode optical fibres. (nonlinear optical phenomena)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

Tailoring the photoluminescence polarization anisotropy of a single InAs quantum dash by a post-growth modification of its dielectric environment

Excitonic emission from single InAs/InGaAlAs/InP quantum dashes has been investigated in terms of controlling the polarization anisotropy by altering the shape of the processed sub-micrometer mesa structures. Photoluminescence has been measured from exemplary single quantum dashes emitting around 1.3 and 1.55 μm and placed inside rectangular mesas of various orientation, asymmetry, and sizes. The detected degree of linear polarization of bright exciton emission ranges from −0.1 to ca. 0.55, compared to 0.25 for dashes in unaltered or isotropic in-plane dielectric surrounding. These results are interpreted by numerical simulations using an emitter coupled with a single optical mode in such a mesa and outgoing in the direction normal to the sample surface.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2019

Bridging scales in multiphysics VCSEL modeling

On our way to develop a comprehensive simulator of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers including carrier transport, optical modes, light-matter interaction and heat conduction, we address some critical multiscale aspects of the adopted coupling strategy. The quantum corrections to the semiclassical carrier transport framework are the bridge from nanometer to micrometer scales. In this paper, such corrections are shown to be fundamental in view of predicting the mode competition ruling VCSEL operation. Nevertheless, they can generate unforeseen features such as swirling electron flows in the active region, which are discussed here in detail. The simulation approach has been finally tested through a successful comparison with a large set of experimental results.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS2000

Optical Sensors Based on Single on Arm Thin Film Waveguide Interferometer

Single-arm dual-mode optical waveguide interferometer utilizes interference between two modes of different order. Sensing effect results from the change in propagation conditions of the modes caused by the environment. The waveguide is made as an open asymmetric structure containing a dye-doped polymer film onto a quartz substrate. It is more sensitive to the change of environment than its conventional polarimetric analog using orthogonal modes (TE and TM) of the same order. The sensor still preserves the option of operating in polarimetric regime using a variety of mode combinations such as TE(sub 0)/TM(sub 0) (conventional) TE(sub 0)/TM(sub 1), TE(sub 1)/TM(sub 0), or TE(sub 1)/TM(sub 1) but can also work in nonpolarimetric regime using combinations TE(sub 0)/TE(sub 1) or TM(sub 0)/TM(sub 1). Utilization of different mode combinations simultaneously makes the device more versatile. Application of the sensor to gas sensing is based on doping polymer film with an organic indicator dye targeting a particular gaseous reagent. Change of the optical absorption spectrum of the dye caused by the gaseous pollutant results in change of the reactive index of the dye-doped polymer film that can be detected by the sensor. As indicator dyes we utilize Bromocresol Purple doped into polymer poly(methyl) methacrylate that is sensitive to small concentrations of ammonia. The indicator dye demonstrated an irreversible increase in optical absorption near the peak at 350 nm being exposed to 5% ammonia in pure nitrogen at 600 Torr. The dye also showed reversible growth of the absorption peak near 600 nm after exposure to a vapor of standard medical ammonia spirit (65% alcohol). We have built a breadboard prototype of the sensor with He-Ne laser as a light source and with a single mode fiber input and a multimode fiber output. The prototype showed a sensitivity to temperature change of the order of 2 C per 2pi phase shift. The sensitivity of the sensor to the presence of dTy ammonia is not less than 300 ppm per 2pi phase shift. The proposed sensor can be used as a robust stand-alone instrument for continuous environment pollution monitoring.

Sarkisov, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Calculated coupling efficiency between an elliptical-core optical fiber and an optical waveguide over temperature

To determine the feasibility of coupling the output of a single-mode optical fiber into a single-mode rib waveguide in a temperature varying environment, a theoretical calculation of the coupling efficiency between the two was investigated. Due to the complex geometry of the rib guide, there is no analytical solution to the wave equation for the guided modes, thus, approximation and/or numerical techniques must be utilized to determine the field patterns of the guide. In this study, three solution methods were used for both the fiber and guide fields; the effective-index method (EIM), Marcatili's approximation, and a Fourier method. These methods were utilized independently to calculate the electric field profile of each component at two temperatures, 20 C and 300 C, representing a nominal and high temperature. Using the electric field profile calculated from each method, the theoretical coupling efficiency between an elliptical-core optical fiber and a rib waveguide was calculated using the overlap integral and the results were compared. It was determined that a high coupling efficiency can be achieved when the two components are aligned. The coupling efficiency was more sensitive to alignment offsets in the y direction than the x, due to the elliptical modal field profile of both components. Changes in the coupling efficiency over temperature were found to be minimal.

Tuma, Margaret L.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Localized tip enhanced Raman spectroscopic study of impurity incorporated single GaN nanowire in the sub-diffraction limit

The localized effect of impurities in single GaN nanowires in the sub-diffraction limit is reported using the study of lattice vibrational modes in the evanescent field of Au nanoparticle assisted tip enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS). GaN nanowires with the O impurity and the Mg dopants were grown by the chemical vapor deposition technique in the catalyst assisted vapor-liquid-solid process. Symmetry allowed Raman modes of wurtzite GaN are observed for undoped and doped nanowires. Unusually very strong intensity of the non-zone center zone boundary mode is observed for the TERS studies of both the undoped and the Mg doped GaN single nanowires. Surface optical mode of A{sub 1} symmetry is also observed for both the undoped and the Mg doped GaN samples. A strong coupling of longitudinal optical (LO) phonons with free electrons, however, is reported only in the O rich single nanowires with the asymmetric A{sub 1}(LO) mode. Study of the local vibration mode shows the presence of Mg as dopant in the single GaN nanowires.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗