Wave refraction and backward magnon–plasmon polaritons in left-handed antiferromagnet/semiconductor superlattices

Characteristics of the bulk electromagnetic waves in teraHertz frequency region are examined in a left-handed superlattice (SL) which consists of alternating layers of nonmagnetic semiconductor and nonconducting antiferromagnetic materials. General problem on the sign of the refractive index for anisotropic media is considered. It is shown that the phase refraction index is always positive while the group refractive index can be negative when some general conditions are fulfilled. Effective permittivity and permeability tensors of the SL are derived for perpendicular and parallel orientation of the magnetic anisotropy axis with respect to the plane of the layers. Problem of anomalous refraction for transverse electric and transverse magnetic-type polarized waves is examined in such media. Analytical expressions for both the phase and group refractive indices are obtained for various propagated modes. It is shown that, in general, three different types of the refracted waves with different relative orientation of the phase and group velocity vectors are possible in left-handed media. Unusual peculiarities of the backward modes corresponding to the coupled magnon–plasmon polaritons are considered. It is shown, in particular, that the number of the backward modes depends on the free charge carrier's density in semiconductor layers, variation of which allows to create different frequency regions for the wave propagation.     

Electromagnetic waves reflection,transmission and absorption by graphene–magnetic semiconductor–graphene sandwich-structure in magnetic field: Faraday geometry

Electrodynamic properties of the graphene–magnetic semiconductor–graphene sandwich-structure have been investigated theoretically with taking into account the dissipation processes. Influence of graphene layers on electromagnetic waves propagation in graphene–semi-infinte magnetic semiconductor and graphene–magnetic semiconductor–graphene sandwich-structure has been analyzed. Frequency and field dependences of the reflectance, transmittance and absorbtance of electromagnetic waves by such structure have been calculated. The size effects associated with the thickness of the structure have been analyzed. The possibility of efficient control of electrodynamic properties of graphene–magnetic semiconductor–graphene sandwich-structure by an external magnetic field has been shown.     

Plasmon modes of a superlattice — Classical vs quantum limits

The collective plasmon excitations of a superlattice are investigated in both the classical and quantum limits. Using a model that is applicable to superlattices whose constituent layers are either semiconductor- semiconductor, semiconductor-metal, or metal-metal, we show that the surface plasmon interface modes of each layer (slab) couple via the long range Coulomb interaction into two bands of plasmons with dispersion along the superlattice axis. Results for plasmon dispersion are presented for the classical limit (de Broglie wavelength less than the layer width) where the response is treated via a solution of Maxwell's equations using the bulk 3-D dielectric constant to describe each intervening layer. These results are compared to the plasmon dispersion in the quantum regime where the wave-vector frequency dependent dielectric constant of the superlattice is calculated taking into account quantization effects (subband structure). The relationship between the modes in both limits is derived.     

Electromagnetic Waves in Waveguide Partially Filled with Semiconductor Plasma

The dispersion of electromagnetic waves in waveguides partially filled with semiconductor plasma is investigated for unmagnetized and for strongly magnetized plasma. The effects which may be useful for the plasma electronics are found: In such waveguides there exist a large number of slow waves with typical frequencies ω ≈ ωP/√?_L. The filling at which the different modes at fixed phase velocity are maximum separated in wavelength is found. The thickness of the semiconductor layer at which this effect arises is about hundred micrometers and depends on the crystals' type. In addition to this, in strongly magnetized semiconductor plasma the maximum frequency separation of the typical plasma waves is found at fixed filling. Is it shown that in such systems there exist many surface waves which are of the slow wave type. In the case of strongly magnetized plasma coupling between nonsymmetrical EH- and HE- modes is shown to exist.     

Negative refraction of low‐frequency electromagnetic waves

Features of anomalous refraction of low‐frequency electromagnetic waves are investigated in all‐semiconductor nonmagnetic superlattices with a periodic array of two‐dimensional electron gas layers under quantum Hall effect conditions. We show that the structure exhibits negative refraction on the lateral surface for all angles of incidence, in the frequency region which has no limitation from the low‐frequency side, and that for such intriguing properties it requires no resonance frequency and no negative component of the permittivity tensor. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Spectral properties of a one-dimensional resonant photonic crystal

The eigenexcitation and transmission spectra of a one-dimensional resonant photonic crystal are studied for TM and TE polarized electromagnetic waves. The crystal considered is a layered structure consisting of alternating isotropic layers and layers of a resonantly absorbing gas. The performed calculations show that the band structure of the spectra of the resonant photonic crystal significantly changes as the angle of incidence and the density of the resonant gas are varied. The structure of the spectra of additional transmission in the bandgap of the resonant photonic crystal is studied taking into account the decay of electromagnetic modes. The possibilities of controlling the spectrum of electromagnetic modes are indicated.

     

Nonreciprocal scattering by stacked nonlinear magneto-active semiconductor layers

The combinatorial frequency generation by the periodic stacks of magnetically biased semiconductor layers has been modelled in a self-consistent problem formulation, taking into account the nonlinear dynamics of carriers. It is shown that magnetic bias not only renders nonreciprocity of the three-wave mixing process but also significantly enhances the nonlinear interactions in the stacks, especially at the frequencies close to the intrinsic magneto-plasma resonances of the constituent layers. The main mechanisms and properties of the combinatorial frequency generation and emission from the stacks are illustrated by the simulation results, and the effects of the individual layer parameters and the structure arrangement on the stack nonlinear and nonreciprocal response are discussed.     

Investigation of the propagation properties of terahertz waves through a semiconductor subwavelength slit

The propagation properties of terahertz (THz) waves through semiconductor conductor-dielectric-conductor (CDC) structure have been investigated. The influence of geometrical parameters, radiation frequencies and temperatures on the propagation properties have been shown and discussed. The contour results demonstrate that as the length of the dielectric filling materials increase, the effective indices of the propagation modes increase. Compared with the results of the metal structure, the effective indices of surface modes through semiconductor InSb slits increase, the propagation length decrease. The effective indices of the surface modes decrease, the propagation lengths increase with the increasing of the carrier concentration. It is expected that the numerical results may be very helpful to have better understand the propagation mechanism of THz waves through semiconductor subwavelength slit.     

Magnetic excitations in solids

This article presents a review of low to moderate frequency magnetic excitations, termed magnons or spin waves, in magnetically ordered materials. The emphasis is on intuitive behavior rather than analytical theory. Topics include spin waves, magnetostatic modes, dipole-exchange modes, surface anisotropy, dispersion properties, nonlinear effects, and relaxation. These phenomena are illustrated with experimental examples based on magnon light scattering results as well as conventional microwave techniques.     

Circular polarized coherent thermal radiation from semiconductor layers in an external magnetic field

We investigated, both theoretically and experimentally, the polarization properties of coherent thermal radiation from thin semiconductor planar layers in a weak external magnetic field. For the Faraday configuration, it is shown that the spectrum of thermal radiation is a superposition of two oscillating spectra which correspond to radiation of electromagnetic waves with right- and left-hand circular polarization.     

Study of self-similar fractal structures composed of lossy single-negative materials with multiple defect layers

Based on the transfer matrix method, we theoretically analyze the transmission spectra of electromagnetic waves through one-dimensional self-similar fractal structures composed of lossy and dispersive single-negative materials. Multiple double-positive defects layers are introduced into the proposed structure, and some interesting properties are obtained. We find that the loss factor decreases the transmission peaks of defect modes, but the main properties of transmission spectra do not destroy. We believe that the introduction of loss is essential in order to obtain correct results on the performance of the structures.     

Phonon polariton modes in semiconductor superlattices

Phonon polariton modes in semiconductor superlattices are studied. Polariton electric fields and the dispersion relation are derived by electromagnetic theory, and due to periodicity in the direction normal to the superlattice layers, Bloch's theorem is applied. Polariton modes are found to exist between the TO and LO phonon frequencies, and approach the surface polariton frequency in the limit of large tangential wave vectors. The frequencies are also strongly dependent on the ratio of the layer thicknesses. Results are illustrated by a GaAsGaP superlattice.     

Dispersion of bulk and surface electromagnetic waves in bigyrotropic finely stratified ferrite-semiconductor medium

Expressions for effective parameters are derived for a medium composed of alternating layers of a uniaxial ferromagnet and a semiconductor. The medium under investigation is a biaxial bigyrotropic crystal. In the case of a transverse magnetooptical configuration, bulk and surface waves at the vacuum-periodic structure interface are considered. Numerical analysis of dispersion relations for intrinsic TE and TM modes controlled in different frequency ranges is carried out.     

Guided waves in a stratified half-space

The dispersion and excitation mechanisms and the energy distribution of guided waves in a stratified half-space are studied. All possible guided waves excited by a symmetric point source in two or three-layer medium models and their relation to the medium parameters are analyzed in detail. The excitation and propagation characteristics, as well as the energy distribution along the depth direction, of all modes of the surface waves and trapped waves are numerically investigated and analyzed thoroughly not only in the case when the shear wave velocity increases from up to down layers but also when a low-velocity layer is contained in halfspace, especially when the shear wave velocity decreases from up to down layers. It is found that there exist many guided wave modes in the case where the shear wave velocity of each layer increases from up to down layers. However, there is less than one guided wave mode in the case where the shear wave velocity of each layer decreases from up to down layers. The trapped waves exist and propagate along the low-velocity structure in the stratified half-space. It is also found that the characteristic of a mode is related to the source frequency. It is possible that a surface wave at one value of frequency is like a trapped wave at another value of frequency. Finally, the relation of the characteristics of all guided waves (surface waves and trapped waves) to the parameters of media is studied.     

左手系材料界面上的非线性TE电磁波

针对电磁波在非线性左手系材料中的传播性质, 分别研究了左、右手系材料界面以及两左手系材料界面上非线性TE表面波的传播行为讨论了导波的频率特性、色散关系以及群速度随频率的变化规律分析表明,两种界面上的非线性TE表面波均存在频率通带和禁带,且带宽是传播功率的函数揭示了在一定条件下,左、右手系材料界面上既可以支持正向传播的非线性TE表面波,也可以支持反向传播的非线性TE表面波;两左手系材料界面上表面波的传播性质因材料参量的变化差异较大,一定参量条件下,该界面上仅支持反向传播的非线性TE表面波.     

Dispersion and instability of electromagnetic waves in layered periodic semiconductor structures

The effect of carrier drift on the dispersive properties and instability of electromagnetic waves and plasma polaritons in infinite layered periodic semiconductors are considered. It is assumed that in similar semiconductor layers, carriers drift parallel to the interfaces. Drift waves are shown to have a specific band structure of the spectrum. The dispersive properties of collective plasma polaritons under drift are considered, the instability of the polaritons and drift waves is studied, and the instability increments are determined.     

Long-term effect of inter-mode transitions in quantum Markovian process

The combinatorial frequency generation by periodic and quasiperiodic stacks of nonlinear semiconductor layers has been studied in the self-consistent problem formulation, taking into account mobility of carriers. The three-wave mixing technique is applied to study the nonlinear processes. It is shown that the mixing processes in passive semiconductor structures are driven by the competitive effects of the collision of charges and resonance interactions of carriers with pump waves. The effects of the pump wave dissipation, layer parameters and stack arrangements on the efficiency of the combinatorial frequency generation are discussed.     

Electrodynamics and dispersion properties of a magnetoplasma containing elongated and rotating dust grains

The electrodynamics and dispersion properties of a magnetized dusty plasma containing elongated and rotating charged dust grains are examined. Starting from an appropriate Lagrangian for dust grains, a kinetic equation for the dust grain and the corresponding equations of motion are derived. Expressions for the dust charge and dust current densities are obtained with the finite size (the dipole moment) of elongated and rotating dust grains taken into account. These charge and current densities are combined with the Maxwell-Vlasov system of equations to derive dispersion relations for the electromagnetic and electrostatic waves in a dusty magnetoplasma. The dispersion relations are analyzed to demonstrate that the dust grain rotation introduces new classes of instabilities involving various low-frequency waves in a dusty magnetoplasma. Examples of various unstable low-frequency waves include the electron whistler, the dust whistler, dust cyclotron waves, AlfvÉn waves, electromagnetic ion-cyclotron waves, as well as lower-hybrid, electrostatic ion cyclotron, modified dust ion-acoustic waves, etc. Also found is a new type of unstable waves whose frequency is close to the dust grain rotation frequency. The present results should be useful in understanding the properties of low-frequency waves in cosmic and laboratory plasmas that are embedded in an external magnetic field and contain elongated and rotating charged dust grains.     

Theoretical study of two-element array of equilateral triangular patch microstrip antenna on ferrite substrate

The radiation characteristics of a two-element array of equilateral triangular patch microstrip antenna on a ferrite substrate are studied theoretically by considering the presence of bias magnetic field in the direction of propagation of electromagnetic waves. It is found that the natural modes of propagation in the direction of magnetic field are left- and right-circularly polarized waves and these modes have different propagation constants. In loss-less isotropic warm plasma, this array antenna geometry excites both electromagnetic (EM) and electroacoustic plasma (P) waves in addition to a nonradiating surface wave. In the absence of an external magnetic field, the EM- and P-waves can be decoupled into two independent modes, the electroacoustic mode is longitudinal while the electromagnetic mode is transverse. The far-zone EM-mode and P-mode radiation fields are derived using vector wave function techniques and pattern multiplication approaches. The results are obtained in both plasma medium and free space. Some important antenna parameters such as radiation conductance, directivity and quality factor are plotted for different values of plasma-to-source frequency.     

Phonon-polariton density of states in semiconductor superlattices

An interesting property of modulated semiconductor materials is that their reflectance and absorption spectra can nearly be chosen at will by adjusting the layer geometry. Introducing the concept of phonon-polariton density of states, this paper is aimed at investigating spectral properties of multilayered materials in the infra-red frequency range. Using powerful analytical methods, we will successively consider the cases of infinite and semi-infinite superlattices. The local density of states of polariton modes is obtained using a Green's function technique. Complete information is then available on allowed radiative and non-radiative electromagnetic excitations, (as a function of frequency and wavelength), at any depth in the stratified material. This approach will depict the essential role played by the surface, which changes significantly the polariton density of states as compared to ideal unbounded materials. In multilayered materials, in addition to the effect induced by the surface, one can similarly investigate the influence of the internal interfaces on the polariton local density of states and, from these, on the optical properties of those systems. Electromagnetic eigenmodes arising from the accumulation of interfaces are crucial to assess the spectral properties involving TM-polarized radiations. Effects related to the TE-polarized radiations are explained from the macroscopic anisotropy due to the alternate growth of different semiconductors. These results will be used to discuss reflectance experiments and simulated ATR spectra.