Electron impact single and double ionization of argon

Stable two-mode, and three-mode oscillations due to the spatial hole burning effect were observed experimentally with the increase of the pump power ratio in a laser-diode pumped sub-nanosecond microchip Cr,Yb:YAG self-Q-switched multimode laser. The stability of the output pulse trains was attributed to the mode coupling through antiphase dynamics between different modes. Modified multimode rate equations including the spatial hole-burning effect in the active medium and the non-linear absorption of the saturable absorber were proposed. Numerical simulations of the antiphase dynamics of such a laser were in good agreement with the experimental data, and the antiphase dynamics were explained by the evolution of the inversion population and the bleaching and recovery of the inversion population of the saturable absorber.     

Spatiotemporal antiphase dynamics in coupled extended optical media

Experimental evidence of spatiotemporal antiphase dynamics is given for an extended system made of two liquid crystal slices that are optically coupled by two equal amplitude counterpropagating pumping beams. Theory and experiments carried out in a transverse one-dimensional configuration show that roll patterns are generated in each slice. These rolls are spatially in-phase or antiphase for a focusing or a defocusing nonlinearity type, respectively. These in-phase or antiphase dynamics remain robust even for complex spatiotemporal regimes such as dislocation regimes.     

Anisotropic domain growth of the axial next-nearest-neighbor Ising model at low temperatures

We investigate the ordering kinetics for the axial next-nearest-neighbor Ising (ANNNI) model in one and two dimensions by the multispin heat bath dynamical simulation. This dynamics enables us to overcome the pinning effect and to observe the dynamical scaling law for domain growth in the ANNNI model at zero temperature. The domain growth exponent is 1/2 isotropically both in the ferromagnetic and the dry (commensurate) antiphase. In the wet (commensurate) antiphase, however, it is approximately 1/3 in the modulated direction, whereas it remains 1/2 in the nonmodulated direction. We suggest that these exponent values are dictated by 3- and 4-body diffusion-reaction processes of domain walls.     

Locked localized states in a multimode semiconductor laser subject to optical injection

We study a multimode semiconductor laser subject to a multimode injection. Multimode output exhibits antiphase dynamics and coexisting attractors. When the output of the laser is only partially locked to the multimode optical injection, the multimode locking can be complete or localized.     

Thermodynamic evolution of antiphase boundaries in GaP/Si epilayers evidenced by advanced X-ray scattering

We have investigated quantitatively anti-phase domains (APD) structural properties in 20 nm GaP/Si epilayers grown by molecular beam epitaxy, using fast, robust and non-destructive analysis methods. These analyses, including atomic force microscopy and X-ray diffraction, are applied to samples grown by various molecular beam epitaxy growth modes. Roughness, lateral crystallite size of the epilayer, ratio of antiphase domains and their relationship are discussed. It is shown that both these analysis methods are useful to clarify the physical mechanisms occurring during the heterogeneous growth. Low temperature migration enhanced epitaxy is found to guarantee smoother surface than conventional molecular beam epitaxy. Effect of annealing temperature on antiphase boundaries (APBs) thermodynamics is discussed. The modification of the thermodynamic equilibrium through a thermal activation of APBs motion is expected to play an important role in the dynamic evolution of surfaces during thermal annealing and growth.     

Antiphase States in Coupled Oscillator Systems

Coupled identical oscillators with resistive couplings are investigated. Various antiphase states are observed. The bifurcation threshojds for the antiphase states of coupled van der Pol oscillators and the unstable modes of these systems at the bifurcation points are explicitly compu ted. The dependence of antiphase states on system size and coupling length is investigated in detail. General coupled limit cycle models are also investigated. The realizations of antiphase states can be explained, based on the global potential analysis.     

Phase synchronization between collective rhythms of globally coupled oscillator groups: noiseless nonidentical case

We theoretically study the synchronization between collective oscillations exhibited by two weakly interacting groups of nonidentical phase oscillators with internal and external global sinusoidal couplings of the groups. Coupled amplitude equations describing the collective oscillations of the oscillator groups are obtained by using the Ott-Antonsen ansatz, and then coupled phase equations for the collective oscillations are derived by phase reduction of the amplitude equations. The collective phase coupling function, which determines the dynamics of macroscopic phase differences between the groups, is calculated analytically. We demonstrate that the groups can exhibit effective antiphase collective synchronization even if the microscopic external coupling between individual oscillator pairs belonging to different groups is in-phase, and similarly effective in-phase collective synchronization in spite of microscopic antiphase external coupling between the groups.     

Stochastic phase dynamics and noise-induced mixed-mode oscillations in coupled oscillators

Synaptically coupled neurons show in-phase or antiphase synchrony depending on the chemical and dynamical nature of the synapse. Deterministic theory helps predict the phase differences between two phase-locked oscillators when the coupling is weak. In the presence of noise, however, deterministic theory faces difficulty when the coexistence of multiple stable oscillatory solutions occurs. We analyze the solution structure of two coupled neuronal oscillators for parameter values between a subcritical Hopf bifurcation point and a saddle node point of the periodic branch that bifurcates from the Hopf point, where a rich variety of coexisting solutions including asymmetric localized oscillations occurs. We construct these solutions via a multiscale analysis and explore the general bifurcation scenario using the lambda-omega model. We show for both excitatory and inhibitory synapses that noise causes important changes in the phase and amplitude dynamics of such coupled neuronal oscillators when multiple oscillatory solutions coexist. Mixed-mode oscillations occur when distinct bistable solutions are randomly visited. The phase difference between the coupled oscillators in the localized solution, coexisting with in-phase or antiphase solutions, is clearly represented in the stochastic phase dynamics.     

The role of antiphase boundaries during ion sputtering and solid phase epitaxy of Si(0 0 1)

The Si(0 0 1) surface morphology during ion sputtering at elevated temperatures and solid phase epitaxy (SPE) following ion sputtering at room temperature has been investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy. Two types of antiphase boundaries form on Si(0 0 1) surfaces during ion sputtering and SPE. One type of antiphase boundary, the AP2 antiphase boundary, contributes to the surface roughening. AP2 antiphase boundaries are stable up to 700 °C, and ion sputtering and SPE performed at 700 °C result in atomically flat Si(0 0 1) surfaces.     

Disappearance of relaxation oscillation frequencies in a multimode solid-state laser

We study analytically the Tang, Statz and deMars rate equations describing a solid-state Fabry-Perot laser. When the modes have equal gains, there is a critical number of lasing modes, above which the low-frequency relaxation oscillations responsible for antiphase dynamics disappear. These results are generalized to include unequal modal gains resulting from a Lorentzian gain profile.     

Poincaré maps for studying relaxation oscillations in periodically pumped solid-state lasers

We present an asymptotic analysis of relaxation oscillations in periodically pumped single- and multimode class-B lasers. Discrete maps which allow one to describe the hierarchy of coexisting periodic attractors are obtained and their bifurcations leading to period-doubling regimes and quasi-periodic and chaotic oscillations are studied analytically. For systems of coupled longitudinal modes, the maps determine conditions for antiphase dynamics.     

Improved J-compensated sequences based on short composite pulses

Efficient J-compensated sequences that are shorter in duration and use less RF pulses have been created from short but very efficient composite 90 degrees RF pulses. The improved J-compensation transforms in-phase into antiphase magnetization and can be incorporated in any pulse sequence that involves evolution of heteronuclear J-couplings. The compensated sequences were tested and incorporated into an HMBC sequence. J-compensated experiments referred to as HMBC-J45 + 90A and HMBC-J45 + 90B, were found to be effective over a wide range of J values.     

Low frequency fluctuations in a multimode semiconductor laser with optical feedback

We study a multimode semiconductor laser subject to a moderate optical feedback. The steady state is destabilized by either a simple Hopf bifurcation leading to in phase dynamics or by a degenerate Hopf bifurcation leading to antiphase dynamics. The degenerate bifurcation is also a source of multiple coexisting attractors. We show that a simple interpretation of the low frequency fluctuations in the multimode regime is provided by a chaotic itinerancy among the many coexisting unstable attractors produced by the degenerate Hopf bifurcation.     

Application of biselective refocusing soft pulses to the simplification of heteronuclear correlation spectra

The biselective spin echo technique allows the signals of coupled proton pairs to be extracted from crowded liquid state proton NMR spectra. Its use as a preparation sequence in heteronuclear chemical shift correlation experiments requires the removal of the heteronuclear coupling interaction during the biselective echo time. The discrimination between coupled and uncoupled protons signals is achieved by double quantum filtration, which delivers antiphase magnetization states. The latter are not directly compatible with the design of an HSQC-like pulse sequence. The conversion of antiphase to in-phase magnetization states by a second biselective echo sequence solves this problem. The optimization of spin echo delays is also discussed. Lastly, the article presents modified HSQC and HMBC pulses sequences in which information is obtained solely for the biselectively selected proton pairs. A peracetylated trisaccharide was used as a test molecule.     

Symmetry breaking and self-oscillations in intracavity vectorial second-harmonic generation

We show that, in vectorial intracavity second-harmonic generation, symmetry breaking occurs if the input amplitude exceeds a critical value. The resulting asymmetric stationary solutions are characterized by a second harmonic that is independent of the input amplitude. The solutions can destabilize through Hopf bifurcations, leading to self-oscillations with pronounced antiphase dynamics. We demonstrate that symmetry breaking can be exploited for flip-flop operation.     

The theory of equilibrium antiphase boundaries in ordered solid solutions of the AuCu3 type

The Gorsky-Bragg-Williams approximation gives expressions which determine the equilibrium values of the long-range-order parameter and the concentrations of components in the vicinity of the antiphase boundary 1/2 (110) {111} in an L1₂ super-structure of stoichiometric composition AB₃. On the assumption that the changes in the alloy due to the presence of an antiphase boundary are distributed over a great number of planes on both sides of the boundary, the long-range-order parameter and the concentration of components in these planes have been calculated. It is found that the long-range-order parameter at the antiphase boundary is considerably lower than it is in the matrix over a wide temperature range. The concentration of the components at the antiphase boundary under conditions of thermodynamic equilibrium is somewhat lower than the mean concentration in the alloy.Estimates are made of the critical stress for the start of superdislocations with equilibrium antiphase boundaries, the equilibrium width of the superdislocations, and the defect in the elastic modulus due to the reversible movement of the superparticle dislocations.     

Nonequilibrium potential for arbitrary-connected networks of FitzHugh-Nagumo elements

We study an array of N units with FitzHugh-Nagumo dynamics linearly coupled. The system is submitted to a subthreshold harmonic signal and independent Gaussian white noises with a common intensity η. In the limit of adiabatic driving, we analytically calculate the system’s nonequilibrium potential for arbitrary linear coupling. We illustrate its applicability by investigating noise-induced effects in an excitable regular network with extended antiphase coupling. In particular, the levels of noise for short-wavelength phase-instability, network’s synchronization and depinning of “defects” (groups of contiguous inhibited neurons on an antiphase background) are theoretically predicted and numerically confirmed. The origin of these collective effects and the dependence with parameters of the most probable length of defects are explained in terms of the system’s nonequilibrium potential.     

Low-frequency fluctuations in two-state quantum dot lasers

We study the feedback-induced instabilities in a quantum dot semiconductor laser emitting in both ground and excited states. Without optical feedback the device exhibits dynamics corresponding to antiphase fluctuations between ground and excited states, while the total output power remains constant. The introduction of feedback leads to power dropouts in the ground state and intensity bursts in the excited state, resulting in a practically constant total output power.     

T.E.M. study of Al2O3 metastable phases

Plasma spraying was employed to obtain rapidly solidified dense metastable alumina samples. They have been studied after being sprayed and in various annealed states by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray powder diffraction.

The so-called “γ” phase has been imaged by T.E.M. and exhibits a more or less ordered domain structure with quasi-periodic 1/4 <110> antiphase boundaries in the {100} planes of the defective spinel lattice.

Heating “γ” between 850 and 1050°C leads to more ordered intermediate phases. They are shown to appear through a two-dimensional antiphase periodic boundaries mechanism. Aluminum vacant sites are likely located along the antiphase planes and their concentration (Al_2.66□_0.33O₄) is consistent with the observed periodicities. The “δ” and “θ” forms are considered as variants of this structure.     

Controllable propagation of light pulses in Er-doped fibers with saturable absorption

We report controllable (slow or fast) propagation of low-intensity probe-light pulses through erbium-doped fiber periodically saturated by the synchronized master-pulse sequence. These two pulse sequences could have significantly different carrier wavelengths within the fundamental absorption spectrum 1470-1570 nm of Er(+3) ions. The effect of fractional delay or advancement grew with the fiber optical absorption at the probe wavelength and could be significantly stronger than that at the saturating wavelength. The probe-pulse advancement was observed in the case when the saturating and probe waves were modulated approximately in antiphase. The observed effects are explained in the framework of a simple model of a periodically saturated homogeneously broadened absorption line.