Acoustic phenomena in filled porous glasses by time-resolved spectroscopy

We studied the propagation of ultrasonic acoustic waves in two porous glasses characterized by different pore diameters (4 and 200 nm) filled with carbon tetrachloride. Using a time-resolved optical spectroscopic technique (Transient Grating) we can measure the acoustic dynamics of these systems. The sound velocities, measured in both the samples, show high values compared with the sound velocity of bulk carbon tetrachloride; they cannot be predicted by the simple effective medium model, but are in good agreement with the estimate obtained from the Biot theory.     

Acoustic phonon engineering in coated cylindrical nanowires

We have theoretically investigated the effect of a coating made of the elastically dissimilar material on the acoustic phonon properties of semiconductor nanowires. It is shown that the acoustic impedance mismatch at the interface between the nanowire and the barrier coating affects dramatically the phonon spectra and group velocities in the nanowires. Coatings made of materials with a small sound velocity lead to compression of the phonon energy spectrum and strong reduction of the phonon group velocities. The coatings made of materials with a high sound velocity have opposite effect. Our calculations reveal substantial re-distribution of the elastic deformations in coated nanowires, which results in modification of the phonon transport properties, and corresponding changes in thermal and electrical conduction. We argue that tuning of the coated nanowire material parameters and the barrier layer thickness can be used for engineering the transport properties in such nanostructures.     

利用VISAR测量LY12铝在冲击压缩下的声速

 介绍了利用VISAR技术测量受冲击压缩LY12铝的高压声速的方法。平板对称碰撞实验在冲击波物理与爆轰物理实验室的二级轻气炮上进行,峰值应力约为20、32、55和71 GPa。每发实验中,VISAR同时使用三种条纹常数测量LY12铝和单晶LiF窗口的界面粒子速度剖面。从三种条纹常数计算的界面粒子速度剖面相互符合,完全一致。实验信号具有很高的信噪比,表明样品与窗口之间的界面连结和处理技术非常成功。这种测量技术不仅能够得到初始加载应力下的纵波声速,而且能够得到声速沿着卸载路径的变化。将声速的塑性段外推到初始冲击加载压力即得到该压力下的体积声速。LY12铝的声速测量结果与假定ργ为常数条件下用Mie-Grüneisen状态方程计算的结果符合得很好。     

Sound velocity and absorption measurements under high pressure using picosecond ultrasonics in a diamond anvil cell: application to the stability study of AlPdMn

We report an innovative high pressure method combining the diamond anvil cell device with the technique of picosecond ultrasonics. Such an approach allows us to measure sound velocity and attenuation of solids and liquids under pressure of tens of GPa, overcoming all the drawbacks of traditional techniques. The power of this experimental technique is demonstrated in studies of lattice dynamics and relaxation processes in a metallic single grain of AlPdMn quasicrystal, and in rare gas solids neon and argon.     

Study of cerium phase transitions in shock wave experiments

Cerium has a complex phase diagram that is explained by the presence of structural phase transitions. Experiments to measure the sound velocities in cerium by two methods were carried out to determine the onset of cerium melting on the Hugoniot. In the pressure range 4–37 GPa, the sound velocity in cerium samples was measured by the counter release method using manganin-based piezoresistive gauges. In the pressure range 35–140 GPa, the sound velocity in cerium was measured by the overtaking release method using carbogal and tetrachloromethane indicator liquids. The samples were loaded with plane shock wave generators using powerful explosive charges. The onset of cerium melting on the Hugoniot at a pressure of about 13 GPa has been ascertained from the measured elastic longitudinal and bulk sound velocities.     

Vertical amplitude phase structure of a low-frequency acoustic field in shallow water

We obtain in integral and analytic form the relations for calculating the amplitude and phase characteristics of an interference structure of orthogonal projections of the oscillation velocity vector in shallow water. For different frequencies and receiver depths, we numerically study the source depth dependences of the effective phase velocities of an equivalent plane wave, the orthogonal projections of the sound pressure phase gradient, and the projections of the oscillation velocity vector. We establish that at low frequencies in zones of interference maxima, independently of source depth, weakly varying effective phase velocity values are observed, which exceed the sound velocity in water by 5–12%. We show that the angles of arrival of the equivalent plane wave and the oscillation velocity vector in the general case differ; however, they virtually coincide in the zone of the interference maximum of the sound pressure under the condition that the horizontal projections of the oscillation velocity appreciably exceed the value of the vertical projection. We give recommendations on using the sound field characteristics in zones with maximum values for solving rangefinding and signal-detection problems.     

Measurement of shock wave rise times in metal thin films

We have measured the rise time of laser-generated shock waves in vapor plated metal thin films using frequency-domain interferometry with subpicosecond time resolution. 10%- 90% rise times of <6.25 ps were found in targets ranging from 0.25 to 2.0 microm in thickness. Particle and average shock velocities were simultaneously determined. Shock velocities of approximately 5 nm/ps were inferred from the measured free surface velocity, corresponding to pressures of 30-50 kbar. Thus, the shock front extends only a few tens of lattice spacings.     

Realization of a sonic black hole analog in a Bose-Einstein condensate

We have created an analog of a black hole in a Bose-Einstein condensate. In this sonic black hole, sound waves, rather than light waves, cannot escape the event horizon. A steplike potential accelerates the flow of the condensate to velocities which cross and exceed the speed of sound by an order of magnitude. The Landau critical velocity is therefore surpassed. The point where the flow velocity equals the speed of sound is the sonic event horizon. The effective gravity is determined from the profiles of the velocity and speed of sound. A simulation finds negative energy excitations, by means of Bragg spectroscopy.     

Diffraction of picosecond bulk longitudinal and shear waves in micron thick films. Application to their nondestructive evaluation

In this paper, acute focusing of the laser pump beam ( approximately 0.5 microm) on the sample surface allows picosecond acoustic diffraction in thin metallic films. The resulting wavefronts propagate at a group velocity which differs from phase velocities in anisotropic films. Waveforms have been experimentally recorded in a gold layer (2.1 microm thick) for several distances between pump and probe on the sample surface. A specified signal processing based on a Synthetic Focalization Technique allows analyzing the space repartition of the acoustic wave vectors for both longitudinal and shear waves. Stiffness coefficients of the gold layer are then identified from wave arrival times.     

Spin polarized current controlled dynamics of domain walls in magnetic films with in-plane anisotropy

We study the dynamic properties of asymmetric vortex Bloch walls and classical 1D Néel walls controlled by a spin-polarized current in magnetic films with in-plane anisotropy. It is shown that fairly high velocities of domain walls (up to 100 m/s) can be obtained for the current density in the range j = 10⁶–10⁸ A/cm². The nonlinear dependence of the wall velocity on the film thickness and the linear dependence of the velocity on the current density and inverse damping parameter are found.     

Nonlinear theory of ionic sound waves in a hot quantum-degenerate electron-positron-ion plasma

A collisionless nonmagnetized e-p-i plasma consisting of quantum-degenerate gases of ions, electrons, and positrons at nonzero temperatures is considered. The dispersion equation for isothermal ionic sound waves is derived and analyzed, and an exact expression is obtained for the linear velocity of ionic sound. Analysis of the dispersion equation has made it possible to determine the ranges of parameters in which nonlinear solutions in the form of solitons should be sought. A nonlinear theory of isothermal ionic sound waves is developed and used for obtaining and analyzing the exact solution to the system of initial equations. Analysis has been carried out by the method of the Bernoulli pseudopotential. The ranges of phase velocities of periodic ionic sound waves and soliton velocities are determined. It is shown that in the plasma under investigation, these ranges do not overlap and that the soliton velocity cannot be lower than the linear velocity of ionic sound. The profiles of physical quantities in a periodic wave and in a soliton are constructed, as well as the dependences of the velocity of sound and the critical velocity on the ionic concentration in the plasma. It is shown that these velocities increase with the ion concentration.     

Inelastic neutron scattering study of low energy excitations in polymer thin films

We report inelastic neutron scattering measurements on polystyrene thin films in a glassy state in the meV region. We found in elastic scattering that the mean square displacement decreased with film thickness, and hence the corresponding force constant f increased. In inelastic and quasielastic scattering, we observed the so-called boson peak at around 1.5 meV and the picosecond fast process for the first time in thin films, both of which decreased in intensity with film thickness. These results were discussed in terms of the potential hardening due to the confinement of polymer chains and/or the interfacial dead layer.     

Introduction of Ag nanoparticles by picosecond LIFT to improve the photoelectric property of AZO films

The photoelectric properties of conductive films are improved by doping Ag on aluminum-doped zinc oxide(AZO) films by laser induced forward transfer(LIFT).Firstly,the picosecond laser induced transfer mechanism of Ag films was revealed by numerical simulation;then,different-thickness Ag films were deposited on the AZO films by picosecond LIFT.When the film thickness is 30 nm and,50 nm,we have successfully obtained some Ag-AZO films with better optoelectronic properties by adjusting the laser parameters.     

Measurement of acoustic particle velocities in enclosed sound field: Assessment of two Laser Doppler Velocimetry measuring systems

The performances of two Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV) systems adapted for measuring the acoustic particle velocities are assessed in enclosed sound field. This assessment is performed by comparing the acoustic velocities measured by means of LDV to reference acoustic velocities estimated from sound pressure measurements. The two LDV systems are based on a single optical bench which delivers an optical signal called Doppler signal. The Doppler signal, which is frequency modulated, is analyzed by means of two signal processing systems, the BSA (Burst Spectrum Analyser from Dantec) on the one hand, and a system specifically developed for the estimation of the acoustic velocity on the other hand. Once the experimental setup has been optimized for minimizing the errors made on the reference velocities, the assessment is performed and shows that both systems can measure the acoustic velocity in enclosed field in two the frequency ranges [0-4 kHz] and [0-2 kHz] respectively for acoustic velocity amplitudes of 10 mm/s and 1 mm/s.     

Thickness dependent magnetization dynamics of perpendicular anisotropy Co/Pd multilayer films

We present the measurements of the picosecond magnetization dynamics of Co/Pd multilayer films. The dynamic magnetization properties of sputtered multilayer films were analyzed as a function of Co layer thicknesses and applied bias field. Both the eigenfrequencies of the magnetization precession in the multilayers and the associated Gilbert damping exhibit extreme sensitivity to the magnetic layer thickness on an atomic monolayer scale. The eigenfrequency increases more than threefold when the Co thickness decreases from 7.5 to 2.8 Å, mainly due to the changes in effective saturation magnetization and perpendicular anisotropy constant. A concomitant 2.6-fold increase in the damping of the oscillations is observed and attributed to stronger interface dissipation in thinner Co layers. In addition, we introduce a quasi-1D micromagnetic model in which the multilayer stack is described as a one-dimensional chain of macrospins that represent each Co layer. This model yields excellent agreement with the observed resonance frequencies without any free parameters, while being much simpler and faster than full 3D micromagnetic modeling.     

Transmission of sound through pipe walls in the presence of flow

The transmission of sound through pipe walls was studied experimentally under no-flow conditions as well as with steady air flow velocities up to 120 m/s. The test specimens were commercial pipe and tube of diameter ranging from 0·07 to 0·3 m, and thickness-to-diameter ratios from 0·12 to 0·2. The technique involved two reverberant rooms, one traversed by the test pipe to measure externally radiated sound, and one in which the test pipe terminated to measure internally propagated sound. Vibration of the pipe wall was also monitored to determine radiation efficiency.The results show that no-flow transmission loss (TL) is higher than predicted by available theoretical expressions, but that TL decreases strongly with increasing flow velocity. A qualitative explanation for the latter is offered. Radiation efficiency was found to be independent of flow velocity. The scaling of results between “similar” specimens was moderately successful. The results are documented in sufficient detail to permit their use for forming empirical models as well as for testing future theoretical predictions.     

Cylinder wakes in flowing soap films

We present an experimental characterization of cylinder wakes in flowing soap films. From instantaneous velocity and thickness fields, we find the vortex-shedding frequency, mean-flow velocity, and mean-film thickness. Using the empirical relationship between the Reynolds and Strouhal numbers obtained for cylinder wakes in three dimensions, we estimate the effective soap-film viscosity and its dependence on film thickness. We also compare the decay of vorticity with that in a simple Rankine vortex model with a dissipative term to account for air drag.     

皮秒激光透射率法表征高分子薄膜双光子吸收截面

为了有效地测量有机薄膜的双光子吸收截面,针对较薄有机薄膜(约60μm)和有限激发光源功率,提出了基于非线性透过率测量法的皮秒激光脉冲激发等效多层膜非线性透过率法来实现双光子吸收截面的测量。首先在PC材料基板上旋涂偶氮染料薄膜,将带有偶氮薄膜的PC基板剪切成小块(20 mm×20 mm),并将5块叠加起来作为测量样品,然后采用LD泵浦的Nd∶YVO4皮秒锁模激光器(脉冲宽度为20 ps、重复频率为56.8 MHz、输出波长为1 064 nm)激发样品。在实验中,通过测量样品的非线性透过率,拟合偶氮样品的透过率曲线,最终得到了双光子吸收截面(634.2 GM)。与其他测量方法相比,此方法简单、有效。     

Ultrasound wave propagation in glass-bead packing under isotropic compression and uniaxial shear

The axial-stress dependence of sound wave velocity in granular packing is experimentally investigated with tri-axial and uni-axial devices. Preparing samples by repetitive loadings and unloadings in a range of 20 kPa–1000 kPa, we find that the axial-stress dependence of sound wave velocity approaches the Hertz scaling with an exponent of 1/6 for large axial stresses( 400 kPa). Weak deviation from the Hertz scaling is seen at low stresses. Repetitive axial loadings slightly reduce this deviation, and sound velocities increase nonlinearly approaching some saturated values. Velocities for uni-axial case are found slightly to be bigger than those for tri-axial isotropic compression case. These effects are discussed in the frameworks of granular solid hydrodynamics(GSH) and effective medium theory(EMT), which indicate that they cannot be explained with density nor Janssen ratio only. Dissipation occurring during wave propagation may be a non-negligible factor.     

On the existence of higher waves in a layer of superfluid helium

The two implicit equations that contain the dispersion laws of waves propagating in a He II layer of variable thickness are formally investigated for solutions that go beyond those associated with the layer modifications of first and second sound: A series of symmetric and antisymmetric layer modes are found to exist by calculating the distribution of roots of the dispersion equations in the complex wave number plane as a function of layer thickness and angular frequency. All these modes turn out to be strongly attenuated and can be regarded as layer modifications of the viscous wave. Phase velocities, attenuation coefficients, and velocity profiles of some of them are calculated numerically.