Tunable Fano resonances in silver–silica–silver multilayer nanoshells

We study the plasmonic properties of silver–silica–silver multilayer nanoshells using finite-difference time-domain methods. Silver is a weakly dissipating metal and is able to support higher order resonances compared to strongly dissipating metals like gold. We show that Fano resonances occur even in symmetric cases. Symmetry breaking via the introduction of core offset further enhances these Fano resonance peaks and leads to the appearance of higher order resonances. The optical properties of the multilayer nanoshells are explained using the plasmon hybridization theory and the results are compared to similar multilayer nanoshells with gold core and outer shell.     

Tunable Fano resonances and plasmonic hybridization of gold triangle–rod dimer nanostructure

A gold dimer structure consisting of a notched triangle nanoslice and a rectangle nanorod is proposed to produce distinct Fano resonance. Owing to the coupling between the dipole plasmon mode of the nanorod and the dipole or quadrupole plasmon mode of the nanoslice, the extinction spectrum with a deep Fano dip is formed and can be well fitted by the Fano interference model for different geometry parameters. In addition, Fano resonance of the gold dimer nanostructure also intensely depends on the polarization direction of incident light. Moreover, Fano resonance of the triangle–rod trimer is also analyzed by adding another nanorod into the former dimer and exhibits the splitting of plasmonic resonant peak in high order coupling modes. The plasmonic hybridizations in these nanostructures have been analyzed for revealing the physical origin of the Fano resonance.     

Transmission gaps,trapped modes and Fano resonances in Aharonov–Bohm connected mesoscopic loops

A simple mesoscopic structure consisting of a double symmetric loops coupled by a segment of length $d_0$ in the presence of an Aharonov–Bohm flux is designed to obtain transmission band gaps and Fano resonances. A general analytical expression for the transmission coefficient and the density of states (DOS) are obtained for various systems of this kind within the framework of the Green's function method in the presence of the magnetic flux. In this work, the amplitude of the transmission and DOS are discussed as a function of the wave vector. We show that the transmission spectrum of the whole structure may exhibit a band gap and a resonance of Fano type without introducing any impurity in one arm of the loop. In particular, we show that for specific values of the magnetic flux and the lengths of the arms constituting the loops, the Fano resonance collapses giving rise to the so-called trapped states or bound in continuum (BIC) states. These states appear when the width of the Fano resonance vanishes in the transmission coefficient as well as in the density of states. Also, we show that the shape of the Fano resonances and the width of the band gaps are very sensitive to the value of the magnetic flux and the geometry of the structure. These results may have important applications for electronic transport in mesoscopic systems.     

Characteristics and mechanism analysis of Fano resonances in Π-shaped gold nano-trimer

Fano interference of metallic nanostructure is an effective way to reduce the irradiation loss and improve the spectral resolution. A Π-shaped gold nano-trimer, which is composed of a gold nanorod and two gold nanorices, is presented to investigate the properties of Fano resonances in the visible spectrum by using the finite element method(FEM). The theoretical analysis demonstrates that the Fano resonance of the Π-shaped gold nano-trimer is attributed to the near-field interaction between the bright mode of the nanorice pair and the dark quadrupole mode of the nanorod. Furthermore, by breaking the geometric symmetry of the nanostructure the line-shape spectrum with double Fano resonances of Π-shaped gold nano-trimer is obtained and exhibits structure-dependent and medium-dependent characteristics. It is a helpful strategy to design a plasmonic nanostructure for implementing multiple Fano resonances in practical applications.     

Multiple Fano resonances in metal–insulator–metal waveguide with umbrella resonator coupled with metal baffle for refractive index sensing

A single baffle metal–insulator–metal(MIM) waveguide coupled with a semi-circular cavity and a cross-shaped cavity is proposed based on the multiple Fano resonance characteristics of surface plasmon polaritons(SPPs) subwavelength structure. The isolated state formed by two resonators interferes with the wider continuous state mode formed by the metal baffle, forming Fano resonance that can independently be tuned into five different modes. The formation mechanism of Fano resonance is analyzed based on the multimode interference coupled mode theory(MICMT). The finite element method(FEM) and MICMT are used to simulate the transmission spectra of this structure and analyze the influence of structural parameters on the refractive index sensing characteristics. And the transmission responses calculated by the FEM simulation are consistent with the MICMT theoretical results very well. The results show that the figure of merit(FOM)can reach 193 and the ultra-high sensitivity is 1600 nm/RIU after the structure parameters have been optimized, and can provide theoretical basis for designing the high sensitive refractive index sensors based on SPPs waveguide for high-density photonic integration with excellent performance in the near future.     

Directional solidification of Al–Cu–Ag alloy

Al–Cu–Ag alloy was prepared in a graphite crucible under a vacuum atmosphere. The samples were directionally solidified upwards under an argon atmosphere with different temperature gradients (G=3.99–8.79 K/mm), at a constant growth rate (V=8.30 μm/s), and with different growth rates (V=1.83–498.25 μm/s), at a constant gradient (G=8.79 K/mm) by using the Bridgman type directional solidification apparatus. The microstructure of Al-12.80-at.%–Cu-18.10-at.%–Ag alloy seems to be two fibrous and one lamellar structure. The interlamellar spacings (λ) were measured from transverse sections of the samples. The dependence of interlamellar spacings (λ) on the temperature gradient (G) and the growth rate (V) were determined by using linear regression analysis. According to these results it has been found that the value of λ decreases with the increase of values of G and V. The values of λ ² V were also determined by using the measured values of λ and V. The experimental results were compared with two-phase growth from binary and ternary eutectic liquid.     

Electric-field-modified Feshbach resonances in ultracold atom–molecule collision

We present a detailed analysis of near zero-energy Feshbach resonances in ultracold collisions of atom and molecule,taking the He–PH system as an example, subject to superimposed electric and magnetic static fields. We find that the electric field can induce Feshbach resonance which cannot occur when only a magnetic field is applied, through couplings of the adjacent rotational states of different parities. We show that the electric field can shift the position of the magnetic Feshbach resonance, and change the amplitude of resonance significantly. Finally, we demonstrate that, for narrow magnetic Feshbach resonance as in most cases of ultracold atom–molecule collision, the electric field may be used to modulate the resonance, because the width of resonance in electric field scale is relatively larger than that in magnetic field scale.     

HAADF-STEM study of β′-type precipitates in an over-aged Al–Mg–Si–Ag alloy

Coarse, rod-shaped precipitates growing along ?100?Al directions in an Al–1.0?wt% Mg₂Si alloy with 0.5?wt% Ag additions were investigated by high-resolution high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM). All investigated precipitates had complex structures, being composed of domains separated by anti-phase resembling boundaries. The domains consist of a modified hexagonal β′-type structure that contains a considerable amount of Ag. Based on HAADF-STEM images, an average atomic model with space group P-62?m (189) and composition Al₃Mg₃Si₂Ag is proposed, having Al incorporation and Ag replacing certain Si atomic columns. Co-existence with the Ag-free β′-Mg₉Si₅ phase has been observed for some precipitates. The boundaries may be described as full or half units of the orthorhombic U2-AlMgSi precipitate phase. The HAADF-STEM images indicate partial replacements of Al atoms by Ag, in both the β′-type domains and the U2-type boundaries. Ag enrichment of the Al matrix near the precipitate/Al interface was observed for all the investigated precipitates     

Solute-second phase interaction for Mg,Ag and Zn in Al–Li alloys

ABSTRACT

Early experiments have shown the promises of alloying with Mg?+?Ag (or Mg?+?Zn) on the performance of Al–Li alloys. To better understand the interaction between solutes and second phases in Al–Li alloys, Mg, Ag and Zn segregation to Al/δ′ interface as well as their substitution in δ′ bulk were investigated at the atomic level using first principles modelling and calculations. Energetics results and local charge analyses revealed that Mg, Ag and Zn can segregate to Al/δ′ interface by different preference, but have no significant influence on the interface adhesion. Ag and Zn can also dissolve into δ′ bulk, and enhance the local metallic bonding with nearest-neighboring Al atoms. Based on these results, a multi-fold benefit mechanism was suggested for the combined alloying with Mg?+?Ag (or Mg?+?Zn) in Al–Li alloys.     

Interface mixing in Fe–B–Ag multilayers

Multilayers with Ag/Fe/B and Ag/B/Fe layer sequence were studied in order to reveal differences of top and bottom interfaces of Fe. The hyperfine field distribution depends on the layer sequence and the differences could be attributed to a different B concentration distribution at the top and bottom Fe–B interface.     

Capacitive coupling induced Kondo–Fano interference in side-coupled double quantum dots

We report capacitive coupling induced Kondo–Fano(K–F) interference in a double quantum dot(DQD) by systematically investigating its low-temperature properties on the basis of hierarchical equations of motion evaluations. We show that the interdot capacitive coupling U12 splits the singly-occupied(S-O) state in quantum dot 1(QD1) into three quasi-particle substates: the unshifted S-O0 substate, and elevated S-O1 and S-O2. As U12 increases, S-O2 and S-O1 successively cross through the Kondo resonance state at the Fermi level(ω = 0), resulting in the so-called Kondo-I(KI), K–F, and Kondo-II(KII) regimes. While both the KI and KII regimes have the conventional Kondo resonance properties, remarkable Kondo–Fano interference features are shown in the K–F regime. In the view of scattering, we propose that the phase shift η(ω)is suitable for analysis of the Kondo–Fano interference. We present a general approach for calculating η(ω) and applying it to the DQD in the K–F regime where the two maxima of η(ω = 0) characterize the interferences between the Kondo resonance state and S-O2 and S-O1 substates, respectively.     

Search for low-energy resonances in 27Al(p, α)24Mg

The known low-energy resonances in ²⁷Al(p, γ)²⁸Si at e_R = 203, 223, 293 and 327 keV have been searched for in the ²⁷Al(p, α)²⁴Mg reaction. The observed upper limits for the resonance strength together with the results from previous work show that the MgAl cycle is not closed at all stellar temperatures of interest and that in the important temperature range near T₉ = 0.1 the (p, γ) reaction proceeds at least 100 times faster than the (p, α) reaction. The results might be of importance for the explanation of extinct ²⁶Al in meteoritic samples as well as of the 4 solar masses of ²⁶Al found in the interstellar medium via γ-astronomy.     

Radiation-stimulated diffusion in Al–Si alloys

A di-vacancy low-temperature diffusion is proposed to explain diffusion-controlled processes in Al–Si alloys responsible for neutron-induced silicon precipitation. Ab initio calculations of potential barriers for Si atom hopping in aluminium lattice showed that in the case of di-vacancy diffusion, they are small compared with that of mono-vacancy diffusion. The low temperature diffusivity of mono-vacancies is too small to account for the measured Si diffusivities in aluminium. The dependencies of radiation-stimulated diffusion on the neutron flux and on the temperature are obtained and can be used for the experimental verification of the developed model.     

Tunable valley filter efficiency by spin–orbit coupling in silicene nanoconstrictions

Valley filter is a promising device for producing valley polarized current in graphene-like two-dimensional honeycomb lattice materials. The relatively large spin–orbit coupling in silicene contributes to remarkable quantum spin Hall effect, which leads to distinctive valley-dependent transport properties compared with intrinsic graphene. In this paper,quantized conductance and valley polarization in silicene nanoconstrictions are theoretically investigated in quantum spinHall insulator phase. Nearly perfect valley filter effect is found by aligning the gate voltage in the central constriction region. However, the valley polarization plateaus are shifted with the increase of spin–orbit coupling strength, accompanied by smooth variation of polarization reversal. Our findings provide new strategies to control the valley polarization in valleytronic devices.     

Tunable ground-state solitons in spin–orbit coupling Bose–Einstein condensates in the presence of optical lattices

Properties of the ground-state solitons, which exist in the spin–orbit coupling(SOC) Bose–Einstein condensates(BEC) in the presence of optical lattices, are presented. Results show that several system parameters, such as SOC strength,lattice depth, and lattice frequency, have important influences on properties of ground state solitons in SOC BEC. By controlling these parameters, structure and spin polarization of the ground-state solitons can be effectively tuned, so manipulation of atoms may be realized.     

Effects of minor additions of Mg and Ag on precipitation phenomena in Al–4 mass% Cu

Calorimetric measurements and transmission electron microscopy have been used to study the effects of minor additions of Mg and Ag on mechanism and kinetics of precipitation in Al–4 mass% Cu. Isothermal studies at 30°C show that the rate of Guinier–Preston (Cu) zone formation is progressively reduced by the presence of Mg, or Mg?+?Ag, which is attributed to preferential trapping of vacancies so that their ability to assist diffusion of Cu atoms is reduced. At elevated temperatures, Mg enhances precipitation of θ′, whereas Mg?+?Ag stimulates formation of the Ω phase. Precipitation of S′ follows θ′ if Mg or Mg?+?Ag are present and pre-ageing increases the quantity of θ′ precipitated at the expense of S′. It has been confirmed that secondary precipitation occurs at low temperatures if alloys are first aged at elevated temperatures.     

Evolution of the interfacial phases in Al2O3–Kovar® joints brazed using a Ag–Cu–Ti-based alloy

Abstract

A systematic investigation of the brazing of Al₂O₃ to Kovar^® (Fe–29Ni–17Co wt.%) using the active braze alloy (ABA) Ag–35.25Cu–1.75Ti wt.% has been undertaken to study the chemical reactions at the interfaces of the joints. The extent to which silica-based secondary phases in the Al₂O₃ participate in the reactions at the ABA/Al₂O₃ interface has been clarified. Another aspect of this work has been to determine the influence of various brazing parameters, such as the peak temperature, T_p, and time at T_p, τ, on the resultant microstructure. As a consequence, the microstructural evolution of the joints as a function of T_p and τ is discussed in some detail. The formation of a Fe₂Ti layer on the Kovar^® and its growth, along with adjacent Ni₃Ti particles in the ABA, dominate the microstructural developments at the ABA/Kovar^® interface. The presence of Kovar^® next to the ABA does not change the intrinsic chemical reactions occurring at the ABA/Al₂O₃ interface. However, the extent of these reactions is limited if the purity of the Al₂O₃ is high, and so it is necessary to have some silica-rich secondary phase in the Al₂O₃ to facilitate the formation of a Ti₃Cu₃O layer on the Al₂O₃. Breakdown of the Ti₃Cu₃O layer, together with fracture of the Fe₂Ti layer and separation of this layer from the Kovar^®, has been avoided by brazing at temperatures close to the liquidus temperature of the ABA for short periods of time, e.g., for T_p between 820 and 830 °C and τ between 2 and 8 min.     

Origin of tweed in Au–Cu–Al alloys

The premartensitic tweed in Au–Cu–Al alloys, contrary to previous thought that resort to defects, is confirmed to be associated with the coherent embryos of an intermediate phase (I phase) embedded in parent phase. The parent?→?I phase transformation temperature was measured by differential scanning calorimeter and dynamic mechanical analysers, which shifts from 82.3 to 557.6?°C depending on the alloy composition. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopes (TEM) results show that the parent?→?I phase transformation is a charge density wave transition that cannot be suppressed even by melt-spun method, which shows obvious compositional inhomogeneity between I phase and parent. The results imply that the parent?→?I phase transition is a fast displacive transformation coupled with diffusion. Moreover, accompanying the parent?→?I phase transformation, alloys demonstrate diversified microstructure revealed by TEM observation, from tweed to chessboard nanowires or twins. These findings provide the experimental evidence for that parent?→?I phase transformation in Au–Cu–Al alloys is originated from pseudospinodal decomposition as theoretically predicted.     

Tunable Bistability in the Goos–H?nchen Effect with Nonlinear Graphene

We present a planar model system of a silica covered with a monolayer of nonlinear graphene to achieve a tunable Goos–H?nchen(GH) shift in the terahertz range. It is theoretically found that the transition between a negative shift and a large positive one can be realized by altering the intensity of incident light. Moreover, by controlling the chemical potential of graphene and the incident angle of light, we can further control the tunable GH shift dynamically. Numerical simulations for GH shifts based on Gaussian waves are in good agreement with our theoretical calculations.     

Phonon- and phason-dynamics in Al–Cu–Fe quasicrystals

The lattice dynamics of quasicrystals includes local phason jumps as well as phonons. Phason dynamics is important for the understanding of both the structure and atomic motion in quasicrystals, leading to short-ranged atomic motion not involving vacancies in addition to diffusion. We have studied the phason and phonon dynamics of icosahedral i-Al₆₂Cu_25.5Fe_12.5. Quasielastic Mössbauer spectroscopy (QMS) was used to probe the iron phason dynamics. Inelastic nuclear-resonant absorption (INA) of synchrotron radiation and inelastic neutron scattering (INS) were used to study the iron-partial as well as the total vibrational DOS (VDOS). We find from preliminary QMS studies that iron atoms jump on a time scale about two orders of magnitude slower than that found for copper. The EFG shows an abrupt change in slope at ca. 825 K which may be related to a transition from simple (isolated) to more complicated (co-operative) phason jumps. From INA we find that the iron-partial VDOS differs radically from that of the total (neutron-weighted) generalised VDOS measured by INS. Both these properties are related to the specific local environments of Fe and Cu in i-AlCuFe.