Impulsive fracture of silicon by elastic surface pulses with shocks

During nonlinear evolution of surface acoustic waves (SAWs) stress increases with propagation, and may cause fracture of brittle materials. This effect was used to evaluate the strength of crystalline silicon with respect to impulsive load in the nanosecond time scale without using seed cracks. Short SAW pulses propagating in the [11(macro)2] direction on the Si(111) plane induce fracture at significantly lower SAW amplitudes than the mirror symmetric wave propagating in the [112(macro)] direction. This effect is explained by the differences in elastic nonlinearity of the two propagation directions.     

Observation of solitary elastic surface pulses

The formation of solitary elastic surface pulses from laser-generated pulselike initial conditions is reported. The nonlinearity of the medium is compensated by both normal dispersion and anomalous dispersion, which were realized by coating isotropic fused silica by a metal and titanium nitride film, respectively. As an anisotropic material, silicon covered with an oxide layer was studied. The experimental results agree with numerical simulations carried out with a nonlocal evolution equation, which describes nonlinear propagation of surface acoustic waves in a dispersive medium.     

Nonlinear surface acoustic waves: silicon strength in phonon-focusing directions

The anisotropy of the elastic properties of single-crystal silicon manifests itself in features of both the linear and nonlinear surface acoustic wave (SAW) propagation. Directions showing the phonon-focusing effect and strong nonlinearity were employed in contact-free and notch-free laser-based fracture experiments, yielding the intrinsic strength of silicon. The critical tensile stress values vary between 2.5 GPa and 7 GPa for the different crystallographic planes and directions of SAW propagation investigated.     

Solitary waves in a binary nonlinear waveguide array

Based on the coupled-mode theory, the propagation of light pulses is studied analytically for a system of an infinite number of tunnel-coupled parallel equidistant waveguides of optically nonlinear materials; in the considered system, waveguides with a positive refractive index alternate with waveguides with a negative refractive index. Partial solutions to a system of nonlinear equations describing the evolution of these pulses are found in the case in which fields in adjacent waveguides differ only in the phase factor. For a solitary wave formed by coupled wave packets localized each in its own waveguide, these solutions describe the stationary propagation in a definite direction. It is shown that the coupling strength between waveguides has an effect on the propagation rate of the obtained stationary pulses.     

An equation of state for anisotropic solids under shock loading

An anisotropic equation of state is proposed for accurate extrapolation of high-pressure shock Hugoniot states to other thermodynamics states for shocked single crystals and polycrystalline alloys. The proposed equation of state represents mathematical and physical generalization of the Mie-Grüneisen equation of state for isotropic material and reduces to this equation in the limit of isotropy. Using an anisotropic nonlinear continuum framework and generalized decomposition of a stress tensor [Int. J. Plasticity 24, 140 (2008)], the shock waves propagation along arbitrary directions in anisotropic solids of any symmetry can be examined. The non-associated strength model includes the distortion effect of the yield surface which can be used to describe the anisotropic strength differential effect. A numerical calculation showed that the general pulse shape, Hugoniot Elastic Limits (HELs), and Hugoniot stress levels for aluminum alloy 7010-T6 agree with the experimental data. The results are presented and discussed, and future studies are outlined.     

Quasi-soliton propagation in dispersion-engineered silicon nanowires

Soliton-like propagation of ultra-short pulses in dispersion-engineered silicon photonic wires is theoretically investigated via the nonlinear Schrödinger equation. It is shown that by proper patterning of silicon waveguides, the engineering of group velocity dispersion can effectively compensate for both linear and two-photon absorption-induced nonlinear losses. Quasi-soliton propagation is demonstrated for 100-fs pulses over large propagation lengths for a realistic silicon wire of optimally patterned waveguide width.     

Nonlinear compression of giant surface acoustic wave pulses

The nonlinear propagation of very high-amplitude surface acoustic wave (SAW) pulses in polycrystalline aluminum and copper was studied. A nonlinear compression and an increase of the SAW pulse amplitude have been observed. SAW pulses were numerically simulated with a nonlinear evolution equation including local and nonlocal nonlinear terms.     

Watching ripples on crystals

We present a new method for imaging surface phonon focusing and dispersion at frequencies up to 1 GHz that makes use of ultrafast optical excitation and detection. Animations of coherent surface phonon wave packets emanating from a point source on isotropic and anisotropic solids are obtained with micron lateral resolution. We resolve rounded-square shaped wave fronts on the (100) plane of LiF and discover isolated pockets of pseudosurface wave propagation with exceptionally high group velocity in the (001) plane of TeO(2). Surface phonon refraction and concentration in a minute gold pyramid is also revealed.     

Intrinsic strength of silicon crystals in pure- and combined-mode fracture without precrack

Measurement of the critical fracture strength of single-crystal silicon was carried out by contact-free laser-based excitation and detection of nonlinear surface acoustic wave (SAW) pulses. The three crystallographic geometries Si(112)111[over ], Si(112)1[over ]1[over ]1, and Si(110)11[over ]1 were examined. A comparison of the optically detected SAW transients and numerically calculated stress-strain fields allowed an estimate of the intrinsic mechanical strength without using an artificial precrack. Depending on the geometry, the critical strength varied between 5 and 7 GPa.     

Nonlinear regimes of ultrashort pulse propagation in an array of anisotropic tunneling states

Dynamics of an ultrashort electromagnetic pulse in a system with an array of anisotropic tunneling states spanned by the pulse spectrum are analyzed. A system of nonlinear wave equations is derived for the ordinary and extraordinary components of the pulse propagating at an arbitrary angle to the anisotropy axis. Different regimes of ultrashort pulse propagation parallel and perpendicular to the anisotropy axis are examined. Ultrashort-pulse propagation regimes analogous to self-induced transparency and extraordinary transparency are identified. The properties of rational soliton-like pulses having no quasi-monochromatic analogs are analyzed. A longitudinal electric field component is generated in each regime, whereas off-resonance quasi-monochromatic pulses propagating under similar conditions (parallel and perpendicular to the anisotropy axis) have no longitudinal components. Stability of the solutions obtained and the effect of diffraction on ultrashort pulse dynamics are analyzed. The values of pulse parameters for which defocusing dominates over self-focusing are calculated.     

On reconstructing photon statistics by on/off detectors: Toward the multi-partite case

The propagation of pulses of the pump and its second harmonic in a quadratically nonlinear medium whose linear properties are characterized by a negative refractive index at the pump frequency and by a positive refractive index at the harmonic frequency is considered theoretically. In the case of a low intensity of the interacting waves, the pump and second-harmonic pulses propagate in the opposite directions, but sufficiently powerful pulses can form a simulton—a solitary two-frequency wave propagating in a certain direction as a single whole. Solutions to a set of equations are found which describe the steady-state propagation of a solitary wave and of a nonlinear periodic (cnoidal) wave.     

Nonlinear wave propagation in constrained solids subjected to thermal loads

The classical mathematical treatment governing nonlinear wave propagation in solids relies on finite strain theory. In this scenario, a system of nonlinear partial differential equations can be derived to mathematically describe nonlinear phenomena such as acoustoelasticity (wave speed dependency on quasi-static stress), wave interaction, wave distortion, and higher-harmonic generation. The present work expands the topic of nonlinear wave propagation to the case of a constrained solid subjected to thermal loads. The origin of nonlinear effects in this case is explained on the basis of the anharmonicity of interatomic potentials, and the absorption of the potential energy corresponding to the (prevented) thermal expansion. Such “residual” energy is, at least, cubic as a function of strain, hence leading to a nonlinear wave equation and higher-harmonic generation. Closed-form solutions are given for the longitudinal wave speed and the second-harmonic nonlinear parameter as a function of interatomic potential parameters and temperature increase. The model predicts a decrease in longitudinal wave speed and a corresponding increase in nonlinear parameter with increasing temperature, as a result of the thermal stresses caused by the prevented thermal expansion of the solid. Experimental measurements of the ultrasonic nonlinear parameter on a steel block under constrained thermal expansion confirm this trend. These results suggest the potential of a nonlinear ultrasonic measurement to quantify thermal stresses from prevented thermal expansion. This knowledge can be extremely useful to prevent thermal buckling of various structures, such as continuous-welded rails in hot weather.     

Space- and time-resolved Brillouin light scattering from nonlinear spin-wave packets

We have constructed a new Brillouin light scattering apparatus, based on the Sandercock multipass tandem interferometer design, for space- and time-resolved investigations of nonlinear wave packets in thin films. We have applied the method to studies of nonlinear spin-wave pulse propagation in yttrium iron garnet (YIG) films. Spatial resolution is achieved by scanning the laser spot across the YIG film surface, and temporal resolution is obtained by measuring the elapsed time between the launch of spin-wave pulses by an applied microwave pulse and the arrival of the respective inelastically scattered photons at the detector. We report the observation of nonlinear self-focusing of wave beams and pulses in one and two dimensions, the formation of one-dimensional envelope solitons, and of strongly localized, two-dimensional wave packets, 'spin-wave bullets', analogous to 'light bullets' predicted in nonlinear optics. By generating two counter-propagating wave pulses, pulse collision experiments were performed. We show that quasi-one-dimensional envelope solitons formed in narrow film stripes ('waveguides') retain their shapes after collision, while two-dimensional spin-wave packets formed in wide YIG films are destroyed in collision.     

Laser-based linear and nonlinear guided elastic waves at surfaces (2D) and wedges (1D)

The characteristic features and applications of linear and nonlinear guided elastic waves propagating along surfaces (2D) and wedges (1D) are discussed. Laser-based excitation, detection, or contact-free analysis of these guided waves with pump–probe methods are reviewed. Determination of material parameters by broadband surface acoustic waves (SAWs) and other applications in nondestructive evaluation (NDE) are considered. The realization of nonlinear SAWs in the form of solitary waves and as shock waves, used for the determination of the fracture strength, is described. The unique properties of dispersion-free wedge waves (WWs) propagating along homogeneous wedges and of dispersive wedge waves observed in the presence of wedge modifications such as tip truncation or coatings are outlined. Theoretical and experimental results on nonlinear wedge waves in isotropic and anisotropic solids are presented.     

Imaging of surface acoustic waves

A new experimental method has been devised that directly determines the group velocities of surface acoustic waves. A point source and a point detector are employed to measure the ultrasonic transmission across a solid surface as a continuous function of the propagation direction. Results for single pulses give the times-of-flight for both Rayleigh surface waves (RSW's) and pseudo-surface-waves (PSW's). Calculations and measurements of the group velocities of the surface waves on silicon show some unanticipated behavior: fluid loading qualitiatively changes the group velocity curves for both RSW and PSW. In particular, the RSW branch gains an additional component which we denote here as an induced Rayleigh wave (IRW). If a wave train is employed in the experiment, the analog of phonon focusing is observed for the ultrasonic waves, modified by internal-diffraction effects. Systematic measurements of the wave intensities on silicon as a function of propagation distance are consistent with expected acoustic losses into the surrounding water: the attenuation length of a wave depends on the mode and frequency. A survey of surface-wave images on other crystals is included in this study.     

Phase-coupling-induced ultraslow light propagation in solids at room temperature

We show that the group velocities of light pulses can be decelerated dramatically by the use of a dispersive phase-coupling effect through a wave mixing process. We have observed experimentally such a phase-coupling-induced ultraslow light propagation with a group velocity as low as 0.05 m/s in a photorefractive Bi12SiO20 crystal at room temperature. Moreover, the ultraslow light is amplified in the Bi12SiO20 crystal because of the unidirectional energy transfer from a coupling beam to the ultraslow light. This technique to produce ultraslow light propagation is valid for all nonlinear wave mixing processes with a dispersive phase-coupling effect.     

Nonlinear surface waves and solitons

First a general introduction on the notion of surface waves on solids (types of different waves), a reminder on the simplest familiar nonlinear dispersive model equations, and another on the basic equations of nonlinear elasticity are given. Then attention is focused on the linear surface wave problem. The main properties of nonlinear surface waves in the absence of dispersion are studied next by use of several asymptotic techniques. The additional effects of dispersion are then considered and combined with those of nonlinearity with an emphasis on the case of so-called shear-horizontal surface waves and solitary-wave solutions for envelope signals. Finally, typical nonlocality is introduced for nonlinear Rayleigh surface waves, and general comments on more general two-dimensional (in propagation space) nonlinear strain waves on structures are evoked by way of conclusion.     

Rogue wave solutions of the vector Lakshmanan–Porsezian–Daniel equation

We use a nonrecursive Darboux transformation method to obtain a special hierarchy of rogue wave solutions of the vector Lakshmanan–Porsezian–Daniel equation, which can govern the propagation of ultrashort optical pulses in a long-haul telecommunication fiber. In terms of the exact rational solutions, we demonstrate several interesting rogue wave dynamics such as rogue wave doublets, quartets and sextets. The modulation instability responsible for the excitation of rogue waves from an unstable continuous background in such a complex nonlinear system is also discussed.     

Generation of RF oscillations in the interaction of an electromagnetic shock with a synchronous backward wave

A new mechanism for the transformation of video pulses into radio pulses during their propagation along a nonlinear transmission line with spatial dispersion—synchronism with a backward wave—is considered. Numerical simulations demonstrate that a substantial advantage of this mechanism over the interaction with a forward wave is the possibility of generating longer radio pulses at higher frequencies.