Photon echo generated at the transition 0–1 in ytterbium vapor

Photon echo generated at the inter-combination transition (6s ²) ¹ S ₀ ? (6s6p) ³ P ₁ of ¹⁷⁴Yb was investigated for pure ytterbium vapor and for its mixtures with atomic buffers. In pure ytterbium vapor, the polarization of photon echoes at this 0?C1 transition coincides with the polarization of the second exciting pulse for all combinations of linear and circular polarizations of exciting radiation pulses. Photon echo does not appear either for linear orthogonal or for opposite circular polarizations of exciting pulses in pure ytterbium. In mixtures of ytterbium with atomic buffers (Kr, Xe), collision induced photon echo arises only for exciting pulses of linear orthogonal polarizations, its power is essentially less than that of the ordinary echo generated by pulses with parallel polarizations in the same mixture. Polarization of collision induced echo is linear, and it coincides with polarization of the first exciting pulse. Experimental results agree with calculations, and they confirm that the collision induced photon echo at this transition arises exclusively due to anisotropy of depolarizing collisions.     

The appearance of gap solitons in a nonlinear Schrödinger lattice

We study the appearance of discrete gap solitons in a nonlinear Schrödinger model with a periodic on-site potential that possesses a gap evacuated of plane-wave solutions in the linear limit. For finite lattices supporting an anti-phase (q=π/2) gap edge phonon as an anharmonic standing wave in the nonlinear regime, gap solitons are numerically found to emerge via pitchfork bifurcations from the gap edge. Analytically, modulational instabilities between pairs of bifurcation points on this “nonlinear gap boundary” are found in terms of critical gap widths, turning to zero in the infinite-size limit, which are associated with the birth of the localized soliton as well as discrete multisolitons in the gap. Such tunable instabilities can be of relevance in exciting soliton states in modulated arrays of nonlinear optical waveguides or Bose-Einstein condensates in periodic potentials. For lattices whose gap edge phonon only asymptotically approaches the anti-phase solution, the nonlinear gap boundary splits in a bifurcation scenario leading to the birth of the discrete gap soliton as a continuable orbit to the gap edge in the linear limit. The instability-induced dynamics of the localized soliton in the gap regime is found to thermalize according to the Gibbsian equilibrium distribution, while the spontaneous formation of persisting intrinsically localized modes (discrete breathers) from the extended out-gap soliton reveals a phase transition of the solution.     

Crack as modulator,detector and amplifier in structural health monitoring

A model of a one-dimensional cracked cantilever bar subjected to longitudinal harmonic excitation is used to analyse a nonlinear response as a way to monitor structural health. The effect of the bilinear (nonlinear) character of the crack on the dynamics of the structure is studied. Simulation and experiments were performed to analyse the nonlinear behaviour of the cracked bar. In simulation the nonlinear information is obtained based on a combination of the analytical technique and the Matlab–Simulink computation. From analysis and experiment, it is found that the crack-induced nonlinearity leads to the generation of higher harmonics, whose intensity is a function of a distance from the crack. Side band frequencies were clearly revealed as well. The latter indicate modulation of exciting frequency due to systematic interaction of crack faces. The nonlinear transformation of modulated vibration by crack leads to generation of a low frequency periodic component. Its intensity is proportional to the forced response of the cracked bar at the exciting frequency. The phenomenology revealed can be effective for Structural Health Monitoring.     

Quasi-superradiant soliton state of matter in quantum metamaterials

Strong interaction of a system of quantum emitters (e.g., two-level atoms) with electromagnetic field induces specific correlations in the system accompanied by a drastic increase of emitted radiation (superradiation or superfluorescence). Despite the fact that since its prediction this phenomenon was subject to a vigorous experimental and theoretical research, there remain open question, in particular, concerning the possibility of a first order phase transition to the superradiant state from the vacuum state. In systems of natural and charge-based artificial atom this transition is prohibited by “no-go” theorems. Here we demonstrate numerically and confirm analytically a similar transition in a one-dimensional quantum metamaterial – a chain of artificial atoms (qubits) strongly interacting with classical electromagnetic fields in a transmission line. The system switches from vacuum state to the quasi-superradiant (QS) phase with one or several magnetic solitons and finite average occupation of qubit excited states along the transmission line. A quantum metamaterial in the QS phase circumvents the “no-go” restrictions by considerably decreasing its total energy relative to the vacuum state by exciting nonlinear electromagnetic solitons.     

Control of the vibrational dynamics of an atom in a parabolic potential of a trap with the help of a classical electromagnetic field

The model proposed by Blockley, Walls, and Risken for describing the interaction of the center of mass coordinate of an atom captured in a parabolic trap with an electron transition is generalized. This interaction occurs when the atom oscillates in the neighborhood of a node of a classical standing wave resonant with the first vibrational band of the intra-atomic transition. Two methods of controlling the vibrations are considered. In the first method, an exciting one-mode field resonant with the intra-atomic transition transforms the vibrational mode to a coherent state. In the second method, the electron transition is influenced by a two-mode field exciting the vibrational mode to a state squeezed with respect to the coordinate and, under a certain choice of the phase, with respect to the momentum. The transition to the squeezed state is possible if the control field is switched on slowly. The rate at which it is switched on is evaluated depending on the parameters of the problem.     

Generation of gravitational radiation in dusty plasmas and supernovae

We present a novel nonlinear mechanism for exciting a gravitational radiation pulse (or a gravitational wave) by dust magnetohydrodynamic (DMHD) waves in dusty astrophysical plasmas. We derive the relevant equations governing the dynamics of nonlinearly coupled DMHD waves and a gravitational wave (GW). The system of equations is used to investigate the generation of a GW by compressional Alfvén waves in a type II supernova. The growth rate of our nonlinear process is estimated, and the results are discussed in the context of the gravitational radiation accompanying supernova explosions.     

非线性磁式压电振动能量采集系统建模与分析

为便于评价、优化磁式压电振动能量采集系统的性能,系统研究了该类系统的建模与分析方法,建立了非线性的分布参数模型用于描述系统的非线性动力学行为,并采用谐波平衡法给出了谐波响应的解析解.随后利用仿真模型分析了磁铁间距、加速度幅值、负载阻抗对输出功率的影响,比较了不同激励频率和加速度幅值下的最优阻抗.结果表明:双稳态特性适用于低强度的振动环境,且愈接近临界区域,输出功率愈高,而单稳态渐硬特性适用于高强度振动环境,其最优间距并不靠近临界区域;阱间大幅运动和阱内小幅运动均存在高低能量态共存的现象,愈接近临界区域,现象愈明显;激振频率是影响最优负载阻抗的决定性因素.     

Anharmonic interactions of elastic and orientational waves in one-dimensional crystals

Planar oscillations of a chain of dumbbell-shaped particles possessing three degrees of freedom are studied. This system models the dynamics of quasi-one-dimensional crystals consisting of elongated anisotropic molecules. A system of nonlinear differential equations describing the anharmonic interaction of the elastic and orientational waves in the lattice, corresponding to different degrees of freedom of the particles, is constructed assuming a cubic interparticle interaction potential. It is shown that in the low-frequency approximation the system obtained is equivalent to the equations of the moment theory of elasticity, widely employed for describing nonlinear and dispersion properties of layered crystals and phase transformations in alloys. Some types of three-wave collinear interactions are investigated, suggesting the possibility of exciting orientational waves in organic crystals because of their nonlinear interaction with acoustic waves. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 137–144 (January 1997)     

703-to 731-nm FI laser excited by a transverse inductive discharge

It is proposed to use a pulsed transverse inductive discharge for exciting gas lasers operating on electron transitions in atoms and molecules. An electron transition laser on fluorine (FI) atoms pumped by a transverse inductive discharge is developed. Lasing at three wavelengths (703.75, 712.79, and 731.1 nm) is obtained by exciting He-F₂ (NF₃) gas mixtures in a pressure range from 20 to 350 Torr. The results of experimental investigation of the spectral, temporal, and energy characteristics of the inductive FI laser are presented.     

Photophysical processes stimulated in nanoporous silicon by high-power laser radiation

Photoprocesses initiated on the surface of porous silicon irradiated with laser radiation with wavelengths (λ = 266, 337, and 532 nm) in a wide range of intensities (up to 2 × 10⁷W/cm²) were investigated. Laser-induced luminescence and laser mass-spectrometry were used as experimental procedures. X-ray reflection was used to determine the parameters of the porous silicon films. The photoluminescence spectra obtained at different wavelengths and low intensities were analyzed. This analysis showed that for an optically thin layer of porous silicon the luminescence spectrum does not depend on the wavelength of the exciting radiation. This indicates the existence of a separate system of levels in porous silicon that are responsible for the luminescence. The behavior of the photoluminescence spectra as a function of the intensity q of the exciting radiation was investigated. It was shown that the luminescence intensity is a nonlinear function of q. At high intensities of the exciting radiation, the luminescence intensity saturates and a short-wavelength shift of the spectra is observed; this is due to the high concentrations of photoexcited carriers. This increases the probability of the experimentally observed nonequilibrium photodesorption of H₂ and Si from the surface of porous silicon.     

Initial-Condition Sensitivity and Nonlinear Relaxation in Photo-Induced Ionic-to-Neutral Phase Transition in Tetrathiafulvalen- p -Chloranil Crystals

Recent experimental results of the photoinduced ionic-to-neutral (NI) phase transition in tetrathiafulvalen- p -chloranil (TTF-CA) crystals are reviewed with emphasis on the state-sensitive features and nonlinear properties. Frenkel-type and charge transfer (CT)-type excited states can induce the NI transition but with different characteristics; the transition can be induced only above threshold-excitation intensities in the case of CT excitation, whereas it is induced without any threshold for Frenkel-type excitation. The threshold that implies nonlinear processes of CT excited states is strongly state-dependent and temperature-dependent. Femtosecond time-resolved studies have resolved three distinctive sequential steps in the dynamics; formation of the precursor of N-phase domains, the local proliferation of photoinduced changes, and the process of forming N-phase orders. Origin of the nonlinear processes and the mechanism of the NI transition have been discussed based on these results.     

Controlling the second harmonic in a phase-matched negative-index metamaterial

Nonlinear metamaterials have been predicted to support new and exciting domains in the manipulation of light, including novel phase-matching schemes for wave mixing. Most notable is the so-called nonlinear-optical mirror, in which a nonlinear negative-index medium emits the generated frequency towards the source of the pump. In this Letter, we experimentally demonstrate the nonlinear-optical mirror effect in a bulk negative-index nonlinear metamaterial, along with two other novel phase-matching configurations, utilizing periodic poling to switch between the three phase-matching domains.     

Nonlinear electromechanical response of the ferroelectret ultrasonic transducers

The ultrasonic transmission between two air-coupled polypropylene (PP) ferroelectret (FE) transducers in dependence on the amplitude of the high-voltage exciting pulse revealed a strongly nonlinear electromechanical response of the FE transmitter. This phenomenon is described by a linear increase of the inverse electromechanical transducer constant t₃₃⁽¹⁾t_{33}^{(1)} of the PP FE film with an increase of the exciting electrical pulse amplitude. Enlargement of t₃₃⁽¹⁾t_{33}^{(1)} by a factor of 4 was achieved by application of 3500 V exciting pulses. The electrostriction contribution to t₃₃⁽¹⁾t_{33}^{(1)} can be attributed to the electrostatic force between electrodes and the Maxwell stress effect. The nonlinear electromechanical properties of the PP FE result in a strong increase of its air-coupled ultrasonic (ACUS) figure of merit (FOM) under the high-voltage excitation, which exceeds results of the PP FE technological optimization. The FOM increase can be related to the increase of PP FE coupling factor and/or to the decrease of its acoustic impedance. A significant enhancement of the ACUS system transmission (12 dB) and signal-to-noise ratio (32 dB) was demonstrated by the increase of excitation voltage up to 3500 V. The nonlinear electromechanical properties of the PP FEs seem to be very important for their future applications.     

Modulation of the output of an XeCl* laser by the generation of electrical solitons

A new technique is reported for exciting an XeCl^* excimer laser to produce a sequence of high recurrence frequency output pulses. An electrical soliton array is generated within the pulsed power driving circuit using a discrete-component transmission line containing nonlinear ferroelectric capacitors. The method offers several advantages over alternative electrooptical means of laser output modulation.     

Excitation of terahertz surface polaritons in a cylindrical waveguide by femtosecond laser pulses

Generation of terahertz surface polaritons in homogeneous round cross-section plasma waveguides upon nonlinear optical rectification of femtosecond laser pulses is analyzed theoretically. It is assumed that nonlinear polarization inducing a surface electromagnetic wave is formed at the waveguide boundary in a thin layer of the nonlinear dielectric that surrounds the waveguide. The efficiency of the femtosecond radiation conversion into surface polaritons is studied as a function of the waveguide radius and duration of the exciting laser pulse.     

Population inversion on transitions to the ground state of atoms upon nonresonance absorption of laser radiation

Lasing at the resonance transitions (D _1? and D _2?lines) of sodium was observed in the superradiance mode upon nonresonance optical excitation in the presence of a buffer gas. The dependences of the lasing intensity on the exciting radiation intensity and on the detuning of its frequency from the frequencies of resonance transitions were studied. It is found that, under specific conditions of the experiment (high pressure of a buffer gas and a rather high radiation intensity), in the case of a large positive detuning of the exciting radiation frequency from the resonance (“working”) transition frequency, the population inversion is produced at the “ working” transition, which results in lasing.     

Excitation of surface polaritons by nondegenerate four-wave mixing of evanescent waves

We propose a method for exciting a surface polariton wave by nonlinear mixing of three evanescent waves. The nonlinear polarization and phase matching conditions are analyzed for diatomic cubic crystals and a numerical example is given for GaP showing that this scheme is possible. Furthermore, by consideration of the energy balance in the crystal, the gain coefficient for the surface wave and the intensity of the wave coupled to the vacuum are also calculated.     

On terahertz solitons in DNA

A nonlinear model of the DNA dynamics during interaction with terahertz radiation is considered. The possibility of exciting and supporting localized defects of DNA conformation in the form of dissipative solitons is shown in the field of a powerful terahertz wave.     

Nonlinear static susceptibility of the Ising spin glass in chaotic and transverse fields

The static volume (linear and nonlinear cubic) magnetic susceptibility is calculated for the Ising spin glass in random longitudinal and transverse magnetic fields. The phase transition from the paramagnetic state to the spin glass state is investigated. Divergence of the nonlinear susceptibility indicative of the phase transition is established. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 10, pp. 3–6, October, 2005.