Transverse spectra of waves in random media

We consider the statistics of the transverse spectra of forward-propagating waves in a stationary random medium. A short-range perturbation solution is used to derive the difference equations that govern the long-range evolution of the ensemble-averaged transverse wave spectrum and coherence. The conditions under which these equations may be approximated by differential and integro-differential equations are given, and it is shown that the approximation is valid for the treatment of beam propagation provided that the transverse dimension of the beam is sufficiently large, and at ranges where the transverse coherence length of the beam remains larger than a wavelength. The equations that are derived are not limited by the parabolic approximation, and are amenable to numerical solution by marching techniques. We use the equation that governs the spectral density of the total energy flux, and also the propagation of waves which are statistically homogeneous in transverse planes, to show the conditions under which previously studied approximations derive from the present formulation, and to illustrate the numerical solution of the problem.     

Transverse spectra of waves in random media

Abstract

We consider the statistics of the transverse spectra of forward-propagating waves in a stationary random medium. A short-range perturbation solution is used to derive the difference equations that govern the long-range evolution of the ensemble-averaged transverse wave spectrum and coherence. The conditions under which these equations may be approximated by differential and integro-differential equations are given, and it is shown that the approximation is valid for the treatment of beam propagation provided that the transverse dimension of the beam is sufficiently large, and at ranges where the transverse coherence length of the beam remains larger than a wavelength. The equations that are derived are not limited by the parabolic approximation, and are amenable to numerical solution by marching techniques. We use the equation that governs the spectral density of the total energy flux, and also the propagation of waves which are statistically homogeneous in transverse planes, to show the conditions under which previously studied approximations derive from the present formulation, and to illustrate the numerical solution of the problem.     

Transverse NMR relaxation in magnetically heterogeneous media

We consider the NMR signal from a permeable medium with a heterogeneous Larmor frequency component that varies on a scale comparable to the spin-carrier diffusion length. We focus on the mesoscopic part of the transverse relaxation, that occurs due to dispersion of precession phases of spins accumulated during diffusive motion. By relating the spectral lineshape to correlation functions of the spatially varying Larmor frequency, we demonstrate how the correlation length and the variance of the Larmor frequency distribution can be determined from the NMR spectrum. We corroborate our results by numerical simulations, and apply them to quantify human blood spectra.     

Transverse light guides in microstructured optical fibers

A novel class of microstructured optical fiber coupler is introduced that operates by resonant, rather than proximity, energy transfer by means of transverse light guides built into a fiber cross section. Such a design permits significant spatial separation between interacting fibers, which, in turn, eliminates intercore cross talk owing to proximity coupling. A controllable energy transfer between the cores is then achieved by localized and highly directional transmission through a transverse light guide. The main advantage of this coupling scheme is its inherent scalability, as one can integrate additional fiber cores into the existing fiber cross section simply by placing the cores far enough from the existing optical circuitry to prevent proximity cross talk and then making the necessary intercore connections with transverse light wires, in direct analogy with on-chip electronics integration.     

Transverse instability of optical spatiotemporal solitons in quadratic media

We present experimental and numerical observations of transverse instability in quadratic media under conditions that emphasize the inherently spatiotemporal and multidimensional nature of the wave propagation. Intensity-dependent beam filamentation is shown to be closely connected to the periodic evolution of quadratic solitons, and implications for the generation of three-dimensional spatiotemporal solitons are discussed.     

Refraction of light in media

The roles of the magnetic field and electric field of the light are investigated when the light is refracted in the medium. The model of the electron cloud conductor is presented. Electron cloud in a molecule is treated as a conductor and the Faraday’s Law is applied to this conductor that is in the alternating magnetic field of the light. dB _M/dt of the light gives rise to an alternating induced current on the electron cloud conductor, and the light exchanges energy, i.e. the refractive energy, with the electron cloud conductor. Formulas of refractive index, which is the ratio of light speed in vacuum to that in the medium, are derived with this model. These formulas are tested with several mediums and Langevin’s diamagnetic susceptibility of helium gas, and the results are in good agreement with the measured data. The anisotropy and the nonlinearity of the refractive index are explained with the theory described in this work. Supported by Beijing Science and Technology New Star Program (Grant No. 952870400), the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education and the Excellent Young Teachers Program of Ministry of Education of China     

Driving light pulses with light in two-level media

A two-level medium, described by the Maxwell-Bloch system, is engraved by establishing a standing cavity wave with a linearly polarized electromagnetic field that drives the medium on both ends. A light pulse, polarized along the other direction, then scatters the medium and couples to the cavity standing wave by means of the population inversion density variations. We demonstrate that control of the applied amplitudes of the grating field allows one to stop the light pulse and to make it move backward (eventually to drive it freely). A simplified limit model of the Maxwell-Bloch system with variable boundary driving is obtained as a discrete nonlinear Schr?dinger equation with tunable external potential. It reproduces qualitatively the dynamics of the driven light pulse.     

Classical diffusion in strong random media

We study classical diffusion of particles in random media. Although many of our results are general, we focus on the case of an ion in a three-dimensional medium with random, quenched charge centers obeying bulk charge neutrality. Within a functional-integral framework, we calculate the effective diffusion coefficients by first-order and second-order self-consistent perturbation theory (with a Gaussian reference in both cases). We also carry out a one-loop order momentum space renormalization group calculation. The self-consistent methods are complicated numerically and fail beyond intermediate disorder strengths. In contrast, the renormalization group calculation gives an analytical result that appears valid even to high disorder strengths. The methodology, generally applicable to a quantitative calculation of effective diffusion coefficients in disordered media, resolves deficiencies in self-consistent perturbation theory approaches to this class of problems.     

Transverse force on light refracted by matter

A motion of center-of-mass approach is used to calculate the transverse force on matter which accompanies its refraction of light. Usually this force is assumed to be zero.     

Transverse instability of one-dimensional transparent optical pulses in resonant media

It is shown analytically that a transparent optical pulse in a resonant medium, i.e the SIT soliton, is unstable with respect to long transverse perturbations. In this limit, the growth rate as a function of the amplitude and phase of the pulse is derived.     

Quantum diffusion of light interstitials

The diffusion rate of light interstitials is calculated avoiding the usual adiabatic and Condon approximations for the phonons. The method employed is a generalization of the standard small polaron theory taking explicitely account of the strongly coupled interstitial-host vibrations.     

Accumulation of dwell times in light diffusion

We discuss various speeds of propagation that are relevant for the dynamics of classical waves in random media: phase velocity, group velocity and transport velocity. The transport velocity can be much smaller than the phase velocity due to the long dwelling of classical waves inside resonant scatterers. We show that the transport velocity of light can be obtained experimentally by study both transient and steady-state diffusion of light.     

Quantum diffusion of light interstitials in metals

A quantum theory of diffusion of self-trapped light interstitials in metals is presented. The theory encompasses both coherent and incoherent tunneling, but the approximation used neglects the dependence of the interstitial transfer matrix element on the vibrational state of the crystal. The coherent tunneling contribution is estimated by fitting the incoherent diffusion rate to experimental data for hydrogen and muon diffusion. It is predicted that coherent diffusion should be dominant below ～ 80 K for H in Nb and below ～ 190 K for μ⁺ in Cu. Experimental verifications of these predictions would require high purity strain free samples and low concentrations of the diffusing species.