Numerical study of random lasing in three dimensional amplifying disordered media

In this paper, the lasing action in three-dimensional active random systems has been numerically investigated. Here, random systems of spherical dielectric particles imbedded in an active medium are considered. The quasi steady state approximation for the population inversion of the active medium is applied to solve three dimensional governing equations. Results show that when the density of particles increases to an upper limit, the intensity of lasing modes is enhanced. Also, the effects of pumping rate and particle size on the number of lasing modes and their intensity are studied. Lasing threshold of laser modes in different disordered systems is calculated and it is shown that by an appropriate selection of the central frequency of gain line-shape, the output power intensity of random lasers increases. These results are in agreement with the experimental results observed by others.     

The spectroscopic properties of Yb3+ doped α-BBO crystal

2.0 mol% (relative to Ba²⁺) Yb³⁺ doped α-BaB₂O₄ (α-BBO) crystal was obtained by the Czochralski method. The doped crystal structure was determined by means of an X-ray diffraction analysis. The absorption, near-infrared (NIR) luminescence spectra and fluorescence decay curve of Yb³⁺ doped α-BBO crystal were investigated. NIR emission under 940 nm and 980 nm LDs (laser diodes) excitation was observed in the Yb doped α-BBO crystal.     

Simultaneous chromatic dispersion monitoring,extinction ratio enhancement and wavelength conversion using four-wave mixing

This paper presents a multi-functional all-optical device performs simultaneous chromatic dispersion (CD) monitoring, extinction ratio (ER) improvement and tunable wavelength conversion using four-wave mixing (FWM) in a single piece of highly nonlinear optical fiber (HNLF). The multi-functional ability arises from the nonlinear power transfer function (PTF) between the input signal and the output idler wave, which not only maps the CD information of the signal onto the average power of idler wave, but also transfers the data information to the idler wave with ER enhancement, making the device compact and cost effective. Furthermore within the wavelength tuning range the monitoring sensitivity and output ER can be much higher compared to all optical monitors and regenerators proposed before. Numerical simulations are then used to demonstrate the efficiency of this method.     

Simultaneous all-optical digital comparator and dual-directional half-subtractor for two-input 40 Gbit/s DPSK signals employing SOAs

A module of simultaneous implementation of all-optical digital comparator and dual-directional half-subtractor is proposed. Proof-of-concept experiment is performed at 40 Gbit/s employing the four-wave mixing and cross gain modulation in three parallel semiconductor optical amplifiers. All output results with over 10 dB extinction ratios, clear and wide open eye diagrams, are obtained without using assistant/holding light beam. All-optical half-adder can also be obtained by adjusting the phase shifter of delay interferometer in the proposed module because of its inherent reconfigurability and flexibility. The module would be a promising digital logic elementary circuit in all-optical networks and computing systems.     

Domain,dielectric and optical studies in antiferroelectric (Pb,La) (Zr,Sn, Ti)O3 single crystals

Antiferroelectric (Pb, La) (Zr, Sn, Ti)O₃ (PLZST) single crystals have been successfully grown by flux method using PbO–PbF₂–B₂O₃ as the flux. The obtained crystals are pale yellow in color and translucent. Domain structures, dielectric constants and optical transmission measurements have been performed on the 〈001〉-oriented PLZST single crystals. Two types of domains, namely, 90° and 180° domains, are observed. The extinction of 90° domains at P/A: 0° reveals a tetragonal structure in the crystal. The sequence of phase transitions from antiferroelectric to ferroelectric and then paraelectric has been established with increasing temperature. According to the modified Curie–Weiss relationship, the PLZST crystal is in an intermediate state between normal and relaxor antiferroelectrics. The broad optical transparent region (from 0.4 to 7.0 μm) and high optical transmittance (up to 65%) indicate that PLZST crystals are promising for optical uses.     

Significant correlation between macroscopic and microscopic parameters for the description of localized plastic flow auto-waves in deforming alloys

Understanding of mechanical properties of materials and a possibility to predicting them from ab initio calculations have fundamental importance for solid state theory. In this work we establish a significant correlation between the product of the macroscopic parameters of localized plastic flow auto-waves in deforming alloys, their length and propagation rate and the product of the microscopic (lattice) parameters of these materials, the spacing between close-packed planes of the lattice and the rate of transverse elastic waves. Thus, these products can be regard as invariants of plastic and elastic deformation processes, respectively. Moreover, the established regularity suggests that the elastic and the plastic processes simultaneously involved in the deformation are closely related. Our work also demonstrates that ab initio simulations can be used for the prediction of parameters of localized plastic flow auto-waves in deforming alloys.     

The negative electromagnetic attractive forces arising from kinetic energy of conduction electrons in double-layer metallic nanowire arrays

The coupled-nanowire plasmatic resonances and very strong negative electromagnetic force between the double-layer metallic nanowire arrays is investigated theoretically. The negative electromagnetic force indicates attractive interaction between the metallic nanowires with the air-gap cavity local resonance effect. Plasmon resonances lead to extremely large localized ?eld, thereby resulting in large mutual coupling forces between the double-layer metallic nanowire arrays. The light coupling into metallic microcavity can stimulate collective electron oscillations of plasmatic resonance, and cause the contraction of the negative pressure in metallic cavity wall. The electromagnetic field of the plasmatic resonance mode is mainly localized inside the air-gap region between the two wires.     

Production of doubly charged clusters (H2O)n · Ba2+ and (H2O)n · Ca2+ under low temperature fast atom bombardment conditions

Production of doubly charged ions of alkaline earth metals Ba²⁺ and Ca²⁺ and their doubly charged clusters with water molecules (H₂O)_n · Ba²⁺, (H₂O)_n · Ca²⁺ (n = 1, 2, 3) by means of low temperature fast atom bombardment technique is observed in the case of crystalline hydrates of BaCl₂ and CaCl₂ salts, formed during freezing of water-salt solutions. Reasons for a possibility of production of the doubly charged species in the case of the two indicated salts and their absence in the case of chlorides of some other divalent metals (Mg, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn) are discussed. As to singly charged secondary ions Me⁺, MeCl⁺, MeOH⁺, [(H₂O)_n · MeCl]⁺, [(H₂O)_n · MeOH]⁺ (where Me is metal), high efficiency of their production from crystalline hydrates was observed and possible explanation of the phenomenon is suggested.     

The origin of the high performance of tungsten carbides/carbon nanotubes supported Pt catalysts for methanol electrooxidation

The Pt supported on WC modified MWCNT catalysts (PtWC/MWCNT) were synthesized by the combination of organic colloidal and intermittent microwave heating (IMH) methods for the first. The results proved the better performance of the PtWC/MWCNT catalyst than that of Pt/C for methanol oxidation in terms of the onset potential and peak current density. The synergistic effect between Pt nanoparticles and WC and the structure effect of the MWCNTs could be the reasons to result in the high activity. The CO stripping test provided the evidence that the onset potential shift for methanol oxidation is consistent with the reduction in the overpotential for the CO oxidation on PtWC/MWCNT catalyst. Therefore, the mechanism of the high performance for methanol oxidation on PtWC/MWCNT catalyst is probably the easier oxidation of CO-like species which cause high overpotential for further oxidation of methanol.     

Study on diffraction characteristics of a planar diamond waveguide

A numerical simulation is performed to study the far-field diffraction properties of planar diamond waveguides.The far-field intensity distributions of a planar air waveguide and a diamond waveguide with different distances are given by numerical calculations.In the experiment,the diffraction patterns on the screen with different distances are recorded using a He-Ne laser as the light source,wherein the laser beam is coupled with and propagates in the diamond waveguide.The simulation results are found to be consistent with the experimental ones.