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At least 1,747 records · Page 97

Exploring Ramsey-coherent population trapping atomic clock realized with pulsed microwave modulated laser

A scheme for a Ramsey-coherent population trapping (CPT) atomic clock that eliminates the acousto-optic modulator (AOM) is proposed and experimentally studied. Driven by a periodically microwave modulated current, the vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser emits a continuous beam that switches between monochromatic and multichromatic modes. Ramsey-CPT interference has been studied with this mode-switching beam. In eliminating the AOM, which is used to generate pulsed laser in conventional Ramsey-CPT atomic clock, the physics package of the proposed scheme is virtually the same as that of a conventional compact CPT atomic clock, although the resource budget for the electronics will slightly increase as a microwave switch should be added. By evaluating and comparing experimentally recorded signals from the two Ramsey-CPT schemes, the short-term frequency stability of the proposed scheme was found to be 46% better than the scheme with AOM. The experimental results suggest that the implementation of a compact Ramsey-CPT atomic clock promises better frequency stability.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Note: Laser beam scanning using a ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator

In this work we describe laser beam scanning using a ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator. Commercially available ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulators are capable of displaying 85 colored images in 1 s using a time dithering technique. Each colored image, in fact, comprises 24 single bit (black and white) images displayed sequentially. We have used each single bit image to write a binary phase hologram. For a collimated laser beam incident on the hologram, one of the diffracted beams can be made to travel along a user defined direction. We have constructed a beam scanner employing the above arrangement and demonstrated its use to scan a single laser beam in a laser scanning optical sectioning microscope setup.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Curvature and geometric modules of noncommutative spheres and tori

When considered as submanifolds of Euclidean space, the Riemannian geometry of the round sphere and the Clifford torus may be formulated in terms of Poisson algebraic expressions involving the embedding coordinates, and a central object is the projection operator, projecting tangent vectors in the ambient space onto the tangent space of the submanifold. In this note, we point out that there exist noncommutative analogues of these projection operators, which implies a very natural definition of noncommutative tangent spaces as particular projective modules. These modules carry an induced connection from Euclidean space, and we compute its scalar curvature.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Three dimensional electromagnetic wavepackets in a plasma: Spatiotemporal modulational instability

The nonlinear interaction of an intense electromagnetic beam with relativistic collisionless unmagnetized plasma is investigated by invoking the reductive perturbation technique, resting on the model of three-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation with cubic nonlinearity which incorporates the effects of self-focusing, self-phase modulation, and diffraction on wave propagation. Relying on the derived NLS equation, the occurrence of spatiotemporal modulational instability is investigated in detail.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Electronic confinement in modulation doped quantum dots

Modulation doping, an effective way to dope quantum dots (QDs), modifies the confinement energy levels in the QDs. We present a self-consistent full multi-grid solver to analyze the effect of modulation doping on the confinement energy levels in large-area structures containing Si QDs in SiO{sub 2} and Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} dielectrics. The confinement energy was found to be significantly lower when QDs were in close proximity to dopant ions in the dielectric. This effect was found to be smaller in Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}, while smaller QDs in SiO{sub 2} were highly susceptible to energy reduction. The energy reduction was found to follow a power law relationship with the QD size.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

New contactless method for thermal diffusivity measurements using modulated photothermal radiometry

Modulated photothermal radiometry is a non-destructive and contactless technique for the characterization of materials. It has two major advantages: a good signal-to-noise ratio through a synchronous detection and a low dependence on the heating power and the optical properties of the sample surface. This paper presents a new method for characterizing the thermal diffusivity of a material when the phase shift between a modulated laser power signal and the thermal signal of a plate sample is known at different frequencies. The method is based on a three-dimensional analytical model which is used to determine the temperature amplitude and the phase in the laser heating of the plate. A new simple formula was developed through multi-parametric analysis to determine the thermal diffusivity of the plate with knowledge of the frequency at the minimum phase shift, the laser beam radius r{sub 0} and the sample thickness L. This method was developed to control the variation of the thermal diffusivity of nuclear components and it was first applied to determine the thermal diffusivity of different metals: 304 L stainless steel, nickel, titanium, tungsten, molybdenum, zinc, and iron. The experimental results were obtained with 5%–10% accuracy and corresponded well with the reference values. The present paper also demonstrates the limit of application of this method for plate with thickness r{sub 0}/100 ≤ L ≤ r{sub 0}/2. The technique is deemed interesting for the characterization of barely accessible components that require a contactless measurement.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Development of horn antenna mixer array with internal local oscillator module for microwave imaging diagnostics

A new antenna array is proposed in order to improve the sensitivity and complexity of microwave imaging diagnostics systems such as a microwave imaging reflectometry, a microwave imaging interferometer, and an electron cyclotron emission imaging. The antenna array consists of five elements: a horn antenna, a waveguide-to-microstrip line transition, a mixer, a local oscillation (LO) module, and an intermediate frequency amplifier. By using an LO module, the LO optics can be removed, and the supplied LO power to each element can be equalized. We report details of the antenna array and characteristics of a prototype antenna array.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Time-gated single-photon detection module with 110 ps transition time and up to 80 MHz repetition rate

We present the design and characterization of a complete single-photon counting module capable of time-gating a silicon single-photon avalanche diode with ON and OFF transition times down to 110 ps, at repetition rates up to 80 MHz. Thanks to this sharp temporal filtering of incoming photons, it is possible to reject undesired strong light pulses preceding (or following) the signal of interest, allowing to increase the dynamic range of optical acquisitions up to 7 decades. A complete experimental characterization of the module highlights its very flat temporal response, with a time resolution of the order of 30 ps. The instrument is fully user-configurable via a PC interface and can be easily integrated in any optical setup, thanks to its small and compact form factor.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

A 32-channel photon counting module with embedded auto/cross-correlators for real-time parallel fluorescence correlation spectroscopy

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is a well-established technique to study binding interactions or the diffusion of fluorescently labeled biomolecules in vitro and in vivo. Fast FCS experiments require parallel data acquisition and analysis which can be achieved by exploiting a multi-channel Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) array and a corresponding multi-input correlator. This paper reports a 32-channel FPGA based correlator able to perform 32 auto/cross-correlations simultaneously over a lag-time ranging from 10 ns up to 150 ms. The correlator is included in a 32 × 1 SPAD array module, providing a compact and flexible instrument for high throughput FCS experiments. However, some inherent features of SPAD arrays, namely afterpulsing and optical crosstalk effects, may introduce distortions in the measurement of auto- and cross-correlation functions. We investigated these limitations to assess their impact on the module and evaluate possible workarounds.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Giant magnetoresistance modulated by magnetic field in graphene p-n junction

We investigate the tunneling transport across a graphene p-n junction under the influence of a perpendicular magnetic field (B field). We observe a sideway deflection of the transmission profile, which can be quantitatively explained by invoking the classical Lorentz force. By considering the trajectory of the Dirac fermions along their cyclotron orbits, we analytically derive the incident angles for transmission across the graphene junction under a B field, as well as the critical magnetic field for full suppression of tunneling across the junction. These analytical predictions are consistent with the numerical results obtained via the non-equilibrium Green's function method. A stronger B-field conductance modulation is obtained for a p-n as opposed to an n-n or p-p type graphene junction. The magnetic field also induces a forbidden region of almost zero transmission for electron energy close to the Dirac point, which can be utilized to achieve a giant magnetoresistance effect. Based on our analysis, we devise an optimal magneto-electrical transport modulation, which can potentially realize a giant magnetoresistance effect in graphene p-n junction systems.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Self-modulated nanostructures in super-large-period Bi{sub 11}(Fe{sub 5}CoTi{sub 3}){sub 10/9}O{sub 33} epitaxial thin films

Super-large-period Aurivillius thin films with a pseudo-period of ten were grown on (0 0 1) SrTiO{sub 3} substrates using the pulsed laser deposition method. The as-grown films are found to be coherently strained to the substrate and atomically smooth. X-ray diffraction indicates an average periodicity of ten, while analysis with the high resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy reveals a self-modulated nanostructure in which the periodicity changes as the film thickness increases. Finally, we discuss the magnetic and possible ferroelectric properties of the self-modulated large period Aurivillius films at the room temperature.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Electronic transitions and band offsets in C{sub 60}:SubPc and C{sub 60}:MgPc on MoO{sub 3} studied by modulated surface photovoltage spectroscopy

Electronic transitions at interfaces between MoO{sub 3} layers and organic layers of C{sub 60}, SubPc, MgPc, and nano-composite layers of SubPc:C{sub 60} and MgPc:C{sub 60} have been studied by modulated surface photovoltage (SPV) spectroscopy. For all systems, time dependent and modulated SPV signals pointed to dissociation of excitons at the MoO{sub 3}/organic layer interfaces with a separation of holes towards MoO{sub 3}. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) gaps (E{sub HL}) of C{sub 60}, SubPc, and MgPc and the effective E{sub HL} of SubPc:C{sub 60} and MgPc:C{sub 60} were measured. The offsets between the LUMO (ΔE{sub L}) or HOMO (ΔE{sub H}) bands were obtained with high precision and amounted to 0.33 or 0.73 eV for SubPc:C{sub 60}, respectively, and to −0.33 or 0.67 eV for MgPc:C{sub 60}, respectively. Exponential tails below E{sub HL} and most pronounced sub-bandgap transitions were characterized and ascribed to disorder and transitions from HOMO bands to unoccupied defect states.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Design of band pass filter in a modulated magnetic graphene superlattice

Electronic transport of graphene through a modulated magnetic superlattice where the barrier heights present Gaussian profile is studied. It is found that the incident electron could be completely transmitted in the miniband regions and be completely reflected in the bandgap regions. The results suggest an application of the structure as an effectively band pass filter, which can be controlled by the structural parameters. It is concluded that the positions of miniband and bandgap are robust to the Gaussian variation of barrier heights. The effect of this modulated magnetic superlattice is also available for the conventional electrons described by Schrödinger equation.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Threshold-voltage modulated phase change heterojunction for application of high density memory

Phase change random access memory is one of the most important candidates for the next generation non-volatile memory technology. However, the ability to reduce its memory size is compromised by the fundamental limitations inherent in the CMOS technology. While 0T1R configuration without any additional access transistor shows great advantages in improving the storage density, the leakage current and small operation window limit its application in large-scale arrays. In this work, phase change heterojunction based on GeTe and n-Si is fabricated to address those problems. The relationship between threshold voltage and doping concentration is investigated, and energy band diagrams and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements are provided to explain the results. The threshold voltage is modulated to provide a large operational window based on this relationship. The switching performance of the heterojunction is also tested, showing a good reverse characteristic, which could effectively decrease the leakage current. Furthermore, a reliable read-write-erase function is achieved during the tests. Phase change heterojunction is proposed for high-density memory, showing some notable advantages, such as modulated threshold voltage, large operational window, and low leakage current.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Generating single photons at gigahertz modulation-speed using electrically controlled quantum dot microlenses

We report on the generation of single-photon pulse trains at a repetition rate of up to 1 GHz. We achieve this speed by modulating the external voltage applied on an electrically contacted quantum dot microlens, which is optically excited by a continuous-wave laser. By modulating the photoluminescence of the quantum dot microlens using a square-wave voltage, single-photon emission is triggered with a response time as short as (281 ± 19) ps, being 6 times faster than the radiative lifetime of (1.75 ± 0.02) ns. This large reduction in the characteristic emission time is enabled by a rapid capacitive gating of emission from the quantum dot, which is placed in the intrinsic region of a p-i-n-junction biased below the onset of electroluminescence. Here, since our circuit acts as a rectifying differentiator, the rising edge of the applied voltage pulses triggers the emission of single photons from the optically excited quantum dot. The non-classical nature of the photon pulse train generated at GHz-speed is proven by intensity autocorrelation measurements with g{sup (2)}(0) = 0.3 ± 0.1. Our results combine optical excitation with fast electrical gating and thus show promise for the generation of indistinguishable single photons at rates exceeding the limitations set by the intrinsic radiative lifetime.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Simulink models for performance analysis of high speed DQPSK modulated optical link

This paper attempts to present the design approach for development of simulation models to study and analyze the transmission of 10 Gbps DQPSK signal over a single channel Peer to Peer link using Matlab Simulink. The simulation model considers the different optical components used in link design with their behavior represented initially by theoretical interpretation, including the transmitter topology, Mach Zehnder Modulator(MZM) module and, the propagation model for optical fibers etc. thus allowing scope for direct realization in experimental configurations. It provides the flexibility to incorporate the various photonic components as either user-defined or fixed and, can also be enhanced or removed from the model as per the design requirements. We describe the detailed operation and need of every component model and its representation in Simulink blocksets. Moreover the developed model can be extended in future to support Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) system, thereby allowing high speed transmission with N × 40 Gbps systems. The various compensation techniques and their influence on system performance can be easily investigated by using such models.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Modulating the spin transport behaviors in ZBNCNRs by edge hydrogenation and position of BN chain

Using the density functional theory and the nonequilibrium Green’s function method, we study the spin transport behaviors in zigzag boron-nitrogen-carbon nanoribbons (ZBNCNRs) by modulating the edge hydrogenation and the position of B-N nanoribbons (BNNRs) chain. The different edge hydrogenations of the ZBNCNRs and the different position relationships of the BNNRs have been considered systematically. Our results show that the metallic, semimetallic and semiconductive properties of the ZBNCNRs can be modulated by the different edge hydrogenations and different position relationships of BN chains. And our proposaled ZBNCNRs devices act as perfect spin-filters with nearly 100% spin polarization. These effects would have potential applications for boron-nitrogen-carbon-based nanomaterials in spintronics nano-devices.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗