一种通过梯形PPMgLN波导倍频实现带宽可调谐光源的理论研究

本文设计了一种梯形的周期极化掺镁铌酸锂(PPMgLN)波导,并通过在传播方向上引入温度梯度来拓宽其倍频(SHG)过程的泵浦光源可接收带宽。通过有限差分的光束传输法,计算波导的有效折射率,并进行波导尺寸的设计。结果表明,通过改变梯形波导不同位置的温度,使其形成一个温度梯度,可拓宽泵浦光源的波长可接收带宽。本文所设计的PPMgLN波导最大泵浦光源可接收带宽为C波段,即1 530~1 565 nm,该波导可倍频C波段,得到输出波段带宽为765~782.5 nm,温度调谐范围为30~150 ℃。     

Effect of thickness variations of lithium niobate on insulator waveguide on the frequency spectrum of spontaneous parametric down-conversion

We study the effect of waveguide thickness variations on the frequency spectrum of spontaneous parametric down-conversion in the periodically-poled lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) waveguide. We analyze several variation models and our simulation results show that thickness variations in several nanometers can induce distinct effects on the central peak of the spectrum, such as narrowing, broadening, and splitting. We also prove that the effects of positive and negative variations can be canceled and thus lead to a variation-robust feature and an ultra-broad bandwidth. Our study may promote the development of on-chip photon sources in the LNOI platform, as well as opens up a way to engineer photon frequency state.     

Asymmetric nonlinear-mode-conversion in an optical waveguide withPT symmetry

Asymmetric mode transformation in waveguide is of great significance for on-chip integrated devices with one-way effect, while it is challenging to achieve asymmetric nonlinear-mode-conversion (NMC) due to the limitations imposed by phase-matching. In this work, we theoretically proposed a new scheme for realizing asymmetric NMC by combining frequency-doubling process and periodic PT symmetric modulation in an optical waveguide. By engineering the one-way momentum from PT symmetric modulation, we have demonstrated the unidirectional conversion from pump to second harmonic with desired guided modes. Our findings offer new opportunities for manipulating nonlinear optical fields with PT symmetry, which could further boost more exploration on on-chip nonlinear devices assisted by non-Hermitian optics.     

Analysis,design and simulation of MIM plasmonic filters with different geometries for technical parameters improvement

In this paper, four optical filter topologies based on metal–insulator–metal waveguides are proposed and the designed structures are investigated numerically using finite-difference timedomain method. Triangular-shaped adjunctions have been added to the filter structures to improve their transmission spectrum. These improved structures consist of air as the insulator and silver as the metal. The relative permittivity of metal has been described via the Drude,Drude–Lorentz, and Palik models. The first filter's transmission spectrum shows an acceptable transmittance. In the second optimized filter, the transmission spectrum has been improved. The transmittance spectrum can be tuned through adjusting the edge of the triangle in these four optimized filters. As a result, the bandwidths of resonance spectra can be adjusted. The theory of such tapered structures will be investigated by the tapered transmission line and will be solved with the transfer matrix method. This method shows a better performance and higher transmission efficiency in comparison with the basic structures. On the other hand, the final filter has been chosen as the best one because of its hexagonal resonator. The main reason for having a better result is due to a longer interaction length in comparison with the circular resonator. This in turn creates much better energy coupling and results in higher transmission.     

Interplay of local resonances and Bragg band gaps in acoustic waveguides with periodic detuned resonators

This letter is concerned with acoustic wave propagation and transmission in acoustic waveguides with periodically grafted detuned Helmholtz resonators. The interplay of local resonances and Bragg band gaps in such periodic systems is examined. It is shown that, when the resonant frequencies of the resonators are tuned close to a Bragg band gap, the behavior of the Bragg band gap can be affected dramatically. Particularly, by introducing appropriately tuned resonators, the bandwidth of a Bragg band gap can be reduced to zero, leading to a very narrow pass band with great wave attenuation performance near both band edges. The band formation mechanisms of such periodic waveguides are further examined, providing explicit formulae to locate the band edge frequencies of all the band gaps, as well as the conditions to achieve very narrow pass bands in such periodic waveguides.     

Redox- and protonation-state driven substrate-protein dynamics in respiratory complex I

Respiratory complex I is a key enzyme in the electron transport chains of mitochondria and bacteria. It transfers two electrons to quinone and couples this redox reaction to proton pumping to electrically charge the membrane it is embedded in. The charge and pH gradient across the membrane drives the synthesis of ATP. The redox reaction and proton pumping in complex I are separated in space and time, which raises the question of how the two reactions are coupled so efficiently. Here, we focus on the unique ～35 Å long tunnel of complex I, which houses the binding site of quinone reduction. We discuss the redox and protonation reactions that occur in this tunnel and how they influence the dynamics of protein and substrate. On the basis of recent structural data and results from molecular simulations, we review how quinone reduction and dynamics may be coupled to proton pumping in complex I.     

Proton exchange membrane prepared by blending polybenzimidazole with poly (aminophosphonate ester)

In this article, we report a new amorphous-crystalline polymer blend system consisting of poly (4, 4′-diphenylether-5, 5′-bibenzimidazole) (OPBI) and poly (aminophosphonate ester) (PAPE) polymers, the membranes of which were fabricated using the solution blending route. A series of blend membranes at different ratios were prepared and systematically analysed for chemical interactions, morphological changes and their physico-chemical properties studied for use as proton exchange membrane. While FT-IR spectroscopy established the hydrogen bonding interactions between N–H of OPBI and phosphonate ester group of PAPE, X-ray diffraction studies revealed the development of crystallinity in the membrane matrix. Interestingly, the gradual induction of crystallinity in an amorphous OPBI matrix was found to influence the properties of the blend membranes favourably. For instance, the blend membrane containing 25 wt% PAPE in OPBI matrix displayed the maximum property enhancement in terms of storage modulus, glass transition temperature (T_g), phosphoric acid (PA) doping level (37 mol/OPBI repeat unit) and most importantly proton conductivity (0.135 S/cm at 180 °C) which is almost twice the value for pristine OPBI (0.05 S/cm at 180 °C) under identical conditions. Although improved properties were observed at other blend ratios as well, the studies ascertain that the membrane with 25 wt% PAPE was found to be the threshold ratio up to which properties increase and beyond which i.e. at >25 wt% PAPE, there is a decrement in properties like mechanical stability and proton conductivity. An important reason for this was attributed to the creation of a right balance of amorphous and crystalline domains and appropriate intra and inter-polymer hydrogen bonding interactions in the matrix of 75/25 (OPBI/PAPE) blend membrane.     

Generation of NOON States in Waveguide Arrays

A method to generate NOON states with three photons by injecting photons in an array of three waveguides is presented. Conditional measurements project the wave function in a given (desired) state. In passing, it is shown how the array of three waveguides, that effectively reproduces the interaction of three fields, may be reduced to the interaction of two fields.     

Proton transfer-assisted host–guest complexation between a difunctional pillar[5]arene and amine-based guests

Proton transfer from a difunctional pillar[5]arene containing two carboxylic acid moieties to amine-based guests occurs in the host–guest complexation. The binding affinities are enhanced effectively due to the existence of electrostatic interactions.     

Synthesis and characterization of BaGa2O4 and Ba3Co2O6(CO3)0.6 compounds in the search of alternative materials for Proton Ceramic Fuel Cell (PCFC)

BaGa₂O₄ and Ba₃Co₂O₆(CO₃)_0.6 compounds were studied as electrolyte and cathode materials for Proton Ceramic Fuel Cells (PCFC), respectively. Not only BaGa₂O₄ rapidly reacts with atmospheric H₂O and CO₂ and leads to a progressive material decomposition, but it does not present real hydration properties in normal conditions of pressure. On the other hand, the basic cobalt oxocarbonate Ba₃Co₂O₆(CO₃)_0.6 exhibits an interesting tendency for weight uptake and formation of hydrogencarbonate groups in moist heating/cooling conditions. This material was therefore considered for complementary studies in order to confirm its potential use as mixed proton-electron conductor, taking into account the ordered intergrowth of carbonates and face sharing Co-octahedra columns forming a pseudo-one-dimensional structure. Some preliminary results concerning electrochemical properties of the barium cobalt oxocarbonate as a PCFC cathode are also described and show at the moment modest performance, possibly related to a hydrated/carbonated surface layer contribution and/or the lack of electron percolation within the electrode layer.