Efficient wireless non-radiative mid-range energy transfer

We investigate whether, and to what extent, the physical phenomenon of long-lifetime resonant electromagnetic states with localized slowly-evanescent field patterns can be used to transfer energy efficiently over non-negligible distances, even in the presence of extraneous environmental objects. Via detailed theoretical and numerical analyses of typical real-world model-situations and realistic material parameters, we establish that such a non-radiative scheme can lead to “strong coupling” between two medium-range distant such states and thus could indeed be practical for efficient medium-range wireless energy transfer.     

Total energies of structural defects in glassy Se

The effective Hubbard U is calculated for the interconversion of 1-fold and 3-fold bonding coordination defects in glassy Se. This is accomplished by applying local density total energy calculations directly to charged defects in a superlattice configuration. It is found that the defect remains 1-fold coordinated in the D^? and D⁰ charge states, but spontaneously forms a 3-fold center in the D⁺ charge state. The structural relaxation energy involved in the bond switching gives rise to a sizable negative contribution to U, but a still larger Coulomb repulsion gives rise to an overall positiveU. This result is not, however, inconsistent with a negative U in the compound chalcogenide glasses.     

The structural nature of amorphous Se and Te

We present new photoemission measurements on amorphous and trigonal Te. These results and other recent photoemission experiments on amorphous and trigonal Se are interpreted using density of states and charge density calculations. These studies result in new insights into the possible structural nature of the amorphous phase.     

Electrons and phonons in amorphous pyramidally bonded solids

Electronic and phonon state densities of amorphous pyramidally bonded solids are calculated with As as a prototype. Using a Bethe-lattice, the Greaves-Davis random network model and the Cluster-Bethe-lattice method, the results show: (1) the phonon states are isomorphic to, and $\text{obtained}$ from, the p-like electron states, (2) the photoemission and infrared measurements are easily interpreted, and (3) the electronic and phonon state densities are $\text{extremely}$ sensitive to the local topology.     

The superprism effect using large area 2D-periodic photonic crystal slabs

The “superprism effect” is an effect observed in photonic crystal structures whereby the direction of light propagation is extremely sensitive to the wavelength and angle of incidence. To realize the superprism effect, new structures are presented which rely on the sensitivity of the phase velocity in a two-dimensional (2D) photonic crystal slab to observe angular magnification outside the photonic crystal medium. Constant frequency contour calculations for a photonic crystal slab of finite thickness are used to predict the phase velocity superprism effect. Further analysis using 2D finite-difference time-domain simulations indicate that a large area photonic crystal and wide excitation beam are necessary for clear observation of the superprism effect. A fabrication technique is demonstrated to achieve the structure's required nanometer-sized features over centimeter-scale areas.     

Quantitative analysis of bending efficiency in photonic-crystal waveguide bends at lambda = 1.55 mum wavelengths

Based on a photonic-crystal slab structure, a 60 degrees photonic-crystal waveguide bend is successfully fabricated. Its bending efficiency within the photonic bandgap is measured, and near 100% efficiency is observed at certain frequencies near the valence band edge. The bending radius is ~1mum at a wavelength of lambda~1.55mum . The measured eta spectrum also agrees well with a finite-difference time-domain simulation.     

Optical bistability in axially modulated OmniGuide fibers

We demonstrate the feasibility of optical bistability in an axially modulated nonlinear OmniGuide fiber through analytical theory and detailed numerical experiments. At 1.55-microm carrier wavelength, the in-fiber devices that we propose can operate with only a few tens of milliwatts of power, can have a nearly instantaneous response and recovery time, and can be shorter than 100 microm.     

All-optical transistor action with bistable switching in a photonic crystal cross-waveguide geometry

We demonstrate all-optical switching action in a nonlinear photonic crystal cross-waveguide geometry with instantaneous Kerr nonlinearity, in which the transmission of a signal can be reversibly switched on and off by a control input. Our geometry accomplishes both spatial and spectral separation between the signal and the control in the nonlinear regime. The device occupies a small footprint of a few micrometers squared and requires only a few milliwatts of power at a 10-Gbit/s switching rate by use of Kerr nonlinearity in AlGaAs below half the electronic bandgap. We also show that the switching dynamics, as revealed by both coupled-mode theory and finite-difference time domain simulations, exhibits collective behavior that can be exploited to generate high-contrast logic levels and all-optical memory.     

Field expulsion and reconfiguration in polaritonic photonic crystals

We uncover a rich set of optical phenomena stemming from the incorporation of polar materials exhibiting transverse phonon polariton excitations into a photonic crystal structure. We identify in the frequency spectrum two regimes in which the dielectric response of the polaritonic medium can induce extreme localization of the electromagnetic energy. Our analysis of the effect of polarization and the interaction between the polariton and photonic band gaps on the Bloch states leads to a pair of mechanisms for sensitive frequency-controlled relocation and/or reconfiguration of the fields.