Squeezing in the audio gravitational-wave detection band

We demonstrate the generation of broadband continuous-wave optical squeezing from 280 Hz-100 kHz using a below-threshold optical parametric oscillator (OPO). The squeezed state phase was controlled using a noise locking technique. We show that low frequency noise sources, such as seed noise, pump noise, and detuning fluctuations, present in optical parametric amplifiers, have negligible effect on squeezing produced by a below-threshold OPO. This low frequency squeezing is ideal for improving the sensitivity of audio frequency measuring devices such as gravitational-wave detectors.     

High-resolution GaP Terahertz Spectrometer and Its Application to Detect Defects in Gamma-irradiated Glucose Crystal

We developed high-resolution GaP THz signal generator using Cr:Forsterite lasers with gratings as both a pump and a signal beam for difference-frequency generation. A line width of less than 500 MHz and a wide tunable frequency range (0.6–6.2 THz) provide sufficient resolution for measuring materials with sharp absorption bands using the generator as the light source for a THz spectrometer. This is suitable for materials such as gases or solid samples at low temperatures. We demonstrated the detection of defects in organic materials, as they appear as slight deviations in the absorption frequency in the THz region.     

Omnidirectional reflection from a one-dimensional photonic crystal

We demonstrate that one-dimensional photonic crystal structures (such as multilayer films) can exhibit complete reflection of radiation in a given frequency range for all incident angles and polarizations. We derive a general criterion for this behavior that does not require materials with very large indices. We perform numerical studies that illustrate this effect.     

The Photon as a Soliton

Recently J. P. Vigier showed [1] that the photon can be reperesented as a solitary electromagnetic wave – a soliton. As a consequence one can ascribe to such a soliton effective volume, amplitude and frequency which coincide with the frequency of de Broglie's wave (measured by interference phenomena). In this paper we propose a soliton-like model for the photon. We show that the electromagnetic amplitude, the volume, the classical cross section and the photoeffect cross section of the photon-soliton can be estimated in an empirical as well as in an analytical way. In the framework of our model the relation between the electromagnetic amplitude of the soliton and its frequency that we found seams to be an universal one, in sense that it may not depend on the specific quantum system considered. We show that there are no essential contradictions between our photon-soliton and some well-known facts such as the interactions in the case of photoeffect and Compton effect.     

Modal propagation characteristics of EM waves in ternary one-dimensional plasma photonic crystals

We have theoretically studied the modal dispersion characteristics, group velocity, and effective group as well as phase index of refraction of ternary one-dimensional (1D) plasma photonic band gap (PBG) structure having periodic multilayers of three different materials in one unit cell. The dispersion characteristics related for such structure is derived by solving Maxwell wave equation based on principle of Kronig-Penny model. From the computed results we observe that the dispersion characteristics of such structure also show the frequency gap and cutoffs as found in (binary) one-dimensional plasma photonic crystal. The frequency gap is shown to become larger with the increase of plasma frequency as well as plasma width. It is seen that such structure provide additional degree of freedom to control dispersion characteristic, group velocity and effective index of refraction compared to conventional one-dimensional plasma photonic crystal.     

Nonequilibrium dynamics of parametrically excited cold atoms via magnetic field-gradient modulation

We propose that the driven cold atomic system whose trap potential is periodically perturbed via parametric modulation of the magnetic field-gradien is a novel system to investigate the complex dynamics in nonlinear dynamical systems. We calculate the atomic trajectories and basins of attraction by varying the modulation amplitude and the modulation frequency. The calculation results show parametric resonance similar to those in Kim et. al.'s work [Opt. Commun. 236 (2004) 349] on cold atoms under parametric modulation of trap laser intensities in the case of small modulation amplitude or low modulation frequency. As the modulation amplitude or the modulation frequency is increased, the nonlinear effects are enhanced so that the dynamics of the system shows a wide variety of nonlinear behaviors, such as period doubling and chaos. We experimentally demonstrate the parametric resonance when the magnetic field gradient is parametrically modulated, which evidences the realization of the proposed system. We expect that this system is useful for understanding the stochastic phenomena occurring between complex basins of attraction, such as fluctuation induced transitions across the complex basin boundaries.     

Optimization of frequency modulation transfer spectroscopy on the calcium 41S0 to 41P1 transition

We present experimental results of frequency modulation transfer spectroscopy in a vapor of neutral atomic calcium. The observed line shapes agree well with the theoretical model. We use numerical calculations in order to improve the signal shape such that its magnitude and its slope at the zero-crossing is maximized. When optimized this way, the frequency modulation transfer signal can be used for the sensitive optical detection of rare species or isotopes, Doppler-free frequency measurements or as a sensitive error signal for laser frequency stabilization. PACS 42.62.Fi; 32.70.Jz; 39.30.+w     

Broad bandwidth optical and mechanical rheometry of wormlike micelle solutions

We characterize the linear viscoelastic shear properties of an aqueous wormlike micellar solution using diffusing wave spectroscopy (DWS) based tracer microrheology as well as various mechanical techniques such as rotational rheometry, oscillatory squeeze flow, and torsional resonance oscillation covering the frequency range from 10(-1) to 10(6) rad/s. Since DWS as well as mechanical oscillatory squeeze flow and torsional resonance oscillation cover a sufficiently high frequency range, the persistence length of wormlike micelles could be determined directly from rheological measurements for the first time.     

Granular species segregation under vertical tapping: effects of size, density, friction, and shaking amplitude

We present extensive molecular dynamics simulations on species segregation in a granular mixture subject to vertical taps. We discuss how grain properties, e.g., size, density, friction, as well as shaking properties, e.g., amplitude and frequency, affect such a phenomenon. Both the Brazil nut effect (larger particles on the top, BN) and the reverse Brazil nut effect (larger particles on the bottom, RBN) are found and we derive the system comprehensive "segregation diagram" and the BN to RBN crossover line. We also discuss the role of friction and show that particles which differ only for their frictional properties segregate in states depending on the tapping acceleration and frequency.     

Optically detected electrophonon resonance effects in quantum wells

Optical detected electrophonon resonance (ODEPR) effects in quantum wells of n-GaAs materials are investigated for square potential and parabolic potential, respectively. We also obtain the ODEPR conditions as functions of confinement frequency in parabolic potential and well-width in square potential for the various photon frequencies, respectively. In particular, anomalous behaviors of the ODEPR lineshape such as the splitting of ODEPR peaks for incident photon frequency are discussed. Furthermore, we obtain the selection rules for transition in quantum wells of two different potentials, respectively.     

Effects of disorder on the frequency and field of photonic-crystal cavity resonators

In recent years the application of 2-Dimensional (2D) metallic Photonic-Crystal (PC) structures to high-power microwave devices, such as particle accelerators and gyrotrons, has gained increased interest. In this paper we focus on the effect disorder has on the resonant frequency and peak electric field in the defect site of a 2D PC structure. For disorders up to a maximum of 15% variation in position and radius, we found that disorder applied to the innermost rods surrounding the defect site dominates in determining the peak field and resonant frequency of the structure. We also show that small disorder (∼1%) can lead to an increase in peak field in certain cases due to structure optimization. We find that increasing levels of disorder lead to a decreasing average peak field for all structures. Whereas the mean resonant frequency remains constant for increasing disorder while the standard deviation increases. We then develop an understanding for this behaviour in terms of frequency detuning and mode confinement.     

Properties of the band gap of two-dimensional plasma photonic crystals

Employing the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, we study the filtering properties of twodimensional plasma photonic crystals. We show that the transmission spectra of the defects in the plasma photonic crystals vary with change in the defect location, its radius, the plasma frequency, and the frequency of electron–ion collisions in the plasma. We demonstrate that the two-dimensional defect structure from the viewpoint of its frequency characteristic (such as an adjustable filter characteristic) is similar to the one-dimensional structure. We find that by changing the parameters of the defect location, the plasma frequency, and the frequency of electron–ion collisions in the plasma, one can obtain different ranges of transmission peaks at different frequencies, which fully reflects the adjustable filter characteristics of the structure. Therefore, the two-dimensional structure is more important than the one-dimensional structure, and it can be used to produce actual microwave devices.     

A theoretical study on effects of electron spin relaxation in pulsed nutation experiments for a quartet state in liquid solution

An effect of spin relaxation on electron spin nutation was analyzed theoretically for a quartet state in liquid solution. Modulation of zero-field interactions by random rotational motion is considered as a source of electron spin relaxation under an assumption of a short correlation time. We solved the quantum mechanical equation of motion under a nutation pulse and calculated a nutation spectrum. The results showed that the nutation frequency was strongly affected by spin relaxation. We discuss dependencies of several parameters, such as a rotational correlation time, a microwave field intensity and frequency, and a zero-field interaction on nutation frequency.     

Coherent THz synchrotron radiation from a storage ring with high-frequency RF system

The generation of brilliant, stable, and broadband coherent synchrotron radiation (CSR) in electron storage rings depends strongly on ring rf system properties such as frequency and gap voltage. We have observed intense coherent radiation at frequencies approaching the THz regime produced by the MIT-Bates South Hall Ring, which employs a high-frequency S-band rf system. The measured CSR spectral intensity enhancement with 2 mA stored current was up to 10,000 times above background for wave numbers near 3 cm(-1). The measurements also uncovered strong beam instabilities that must be suppressed if such a very high rf frequency electron storage ring is to become a viable coherent THz source.     

Optical bistability in a triple semiconductor quantum well structure with tunnelling-induced interference

We study the behavior of optical bistability (OB) in a triple semiconductor quantum well structure with tunnelling-induced interference, where the system is driven coherently by the probe laser inside the unidirectional ring cavity. The results show that we are able to control efficiently the bistable threshold intensity and the hysteresis loop by tuning the parameters of the system such as laser frequency and tunnelling-induced frequency splitting. This investigation can be used for the development of new types of nanoelectronic devices for realizing switching process.     

Time—dependent Theory of Raman Scattering with Pulses—Application to Continuum Raman Spectroscopy

A theory of real-time dependence of Raman scattering for a pulse-mode laser is developed within second-order perturbation theory and using the wavepacket terminology.We apply the theory to continuum Raman scattering for short and long pulses and varying pulse carrier frequency,For an initial ground virational state,it is shown that the rate of Raman emission as a funcition of time and pulse carrier frequency is structureless for all pulses,and for pulses that are longer than the dissociation time the rate also decays with the pulses.This is contrary to recently reported resonance fluorescence type structures at long times (M.Shapiro,J.Chem.Phys.99,2453(1993),We explain why such structures are unphysical for continuum Raman scattering.     

Influence of the Raman effect on dispersion-managed solitons and their interchannel collisions

We calculate the self-frequency shift experienced by a soliton in a dispersion-managed fiber that is due to the Raman effect, as well as the energy and frequency shifts that result from a collision of such solitons with different wavelengths. We find that dispersion management suppresses both types of frequency shift but does not significantly affect the energy shift that is accumulated over a large propagation distance. The latter shift may represent a potential problem for wavelength-division-multiplexed systems with several gigabits per second in a single channel.     

A synthesis technique of single square loop frequency selective surface at terahertz frequency

In this paper, we have explored and extended the use of frequency selective surface towards the terahertz regime of the electromagnetic spectrum where interesting applications such as imaging, sensing and communication exist. We have discussed a synthesis technique to design the single square loop frequency selective surface (SSLFSS) at 150 and 300 GHz which have found suitable application in the fast analysis and fabrication of the frequency selective surface. Moreover, the analytical results have been supported by the CST Microwave Studio and Ansoft HFSS commercial simulators. We have discussed the angular insensitivity of the SSLFSS at 150 GHz as well as 300 GHz. However, the specific problems arise at terahertz frequencies as compared to the radio and microwave frequencies are the ohmic losses. The proposed analysis has been extended from 100 GHz to 350 GHz to discuss the ohmic and dielectric losses. We have also discussed the other important issues which are very much significant in the terahertz regime of the spectrum such as skin depth and surface roughness.     

Nonequilibrium spin dynamics in a trapped fermi gas with effective spin-orbit interactions

We consider a trapped atomic system in the presence of spatially varying laser fields. The laser-atom interaction generates a pseudospin degree of freedom (referred to simply as spin) and leads to an effective spin-orbit coupling for the fermions in the trap. Reflections of the fermions from the trap boundaries provide a physical mechanism for effective momentum relaxation and nontrivial spin dynamics due to the emergent spin-orbit coupling. We explicitly consider evolution of an initially spin-polarized Fermi gas in a two-dimensional harmonic trap and derive nonequilibrium behavior of the spin polarization. It shows periodic echoes with a frequency equal to the harmonic trapping frequency. Perturbations, such as an asymmetry of the trap, lead to the suppression of the spin echo amplitudes. We discuss a possible experimental setup to observe spin dynamics and provide numerical estimates of relevant parameters.     

Continuous-wave frequency tripling and quadrupling by simultaneous three-wave mixings in periodically poled crystals: application to a two-step 1.19-10.71-microm frequency bridge

We observed cw third-harmonic generation in a periodically poled LiNbO(3) crystal by cascading optimally phase-matched second-harmonic and sum-frequency generation. Other processes, such as fourth-harmonic generation, are allowed by the flexibility of quasi-phase matching. We demonstrate a divide-by-nine (1.19- 10.71-microm) frequency chain that uses only two lasers.