Ultrafast creation and annihilation of space-charge domains in a semiconductor superlattice observed by use of Terahertz fields

We report an experimental study indicating ultrafast creation and annihilation of space-charge domains in a semiconductor superlattice under the action of a THz field. Our experiment was performed for an InGaAs/InAlAs superlattice with the conduction electrons undergoing miniband transport. We applied to a superlattice a dc bias that was slightly smaller than a critical bias necessary for the formation of space-charge domains caused by a static negative differential conductivity. Additionally subjecting the superlattice to a strong THz field, resulted in a dc transport governed by the formation of domains if the frequency of the field was smaller than an upper frequency limit (~3 THz). From this frequency limit for the creation and annihilation of domains we determined the characteristic time of the domain buildup. Our analysis shows that the buildup time of domains in a wide miniband and heavily doped superlattice is limited by the relaxation time due to scattering of the miniband electrons at polar optic phonons. Our results are of importance for both an understanding of ultrafast dynamics of pattern formation in nanostructures and the development of THz electronic devices.Received: 25 March 2004, Published online: 23 July 2004PACS: 72.20.Ht High-field and nonlinear effects - 72.30. + q High-frequency effects; plasma effects - 73.21.Cd SuperlatticesK.N. Alekseev: Permanent address: Department of Physical Sciences, P.O. Box 3000, University of Oulu FIN-90014, Finland.     

Comparison of methods for processing acoustic intensity from orthogonal multimicrophone probes

One design for three-dimensional multimicrophone probes is the four-microphone orthogonal design consisting of one microphone at an origin position with the other three microphones equally spaced along the three coordinate axes. Several distinct processing methods have been suggested for the estimation of active acoustic intensity with the orthogonal probe; however, the relative merits of each method have not been thoroughly studied. This comparative study is an investigation of the errors associated with each method. Considered are orthogonal probes consisting of matched point sensor microphones both freely suspended and embedded on the surface of a rigid sphere. Results are given for propagating plane-wave fields for all angles of incidence. It is shown that the lowest error for intensity magnitude results from having the microphones in a sphere and using just one microphone for the pressure estimate. For intensity direction, the lowest error results from having the microphones in a sphere and using Taylor approximations to estimate the particle velocity and pressure.     

Computer experiment and global optimization of layered monocentric lens systems

In this paper we derive a general analytical solution for a monocentric lens system and present a global optimization method combining sequential design for global optimization and an expected improvement algorithm for global optimization for the design and analysis of a layered monocentric lens system, which provides an “intelligent” way to search the optimization space based on accumulated experience. We then apply these methods to an example of monocentric lens design, and explore the improvement in system performance obtained through increasing the system volume.     

Determination of line strengths for selected transitions in the v2 band relative to the v1 and v5 bands of H2CO

The spectral line strengths in the v₂ band of H₂CO (segments spanning 1720-) have been determined relative to two sets of spectral line groups in the v₁ and v₅ band, using tunable diode laser spectroscopy. Simultaneous detection using a dual-diode instrument with a absorption cell was employed to assure identical H₂CO column density for the two spectral regions. The results in the selected regions of this study are in good agreement with the line positions and the relative intensities specified in an unpublished complete line listing for the v₂ band prepared by Linda Brown (see full text for reference). Based upon measurements of individual groups of spectral lines in the P, Q and R branches, the absolute band strength has been determined to be .     

Hysteresis behavior in Raman intensities in YBa2Cu3O7-y -family superconductors between T c and T o = 234 K

The intensity of the 646 cm^-1 Raman line in YBa₂Cu_3-x V _x O_7-y has been measured for cooling and heating from 77 K to 234 K. The intensity exhibits intensity hysteresis of order 20% in the cooling versus heating values between T _c = 89 K and T _o = 234 K. This effect is unexplained but is extremely similar to that reported by Ledbetter et al. for the bulk modulus and C ₁₁ elastic coefficient. In each case the hysteresis vanishes below T _c , independent of the value of T _c , which may be adjusted from 60 K to 94 K by changing oxygen concentration y. Qualitative interpretation requires that the structural phase transition near 234 K be intimately related to the superconducting transition at T _c presumably through partial ordering of oxygens.     

The extracellular matrix is an important source of ultrasound backscatter from myocardium

Ultrasound tissue characterization with measurement of backscatter has been employed in numerous experimental and clinical studies of cardiac pathology, yet the cellular components responsible for scattering from cardiac tissues have not been unequivocally identified. This laboratory has proposed a mathematical model for myocardial backscatter that postulates the fibrous extracellular matrix (ECM) as a significant determinant of backscatter. To demonstrate the importance of ECM, this group sought to determine whether measurements of backscatter from the isolated ECM could reproduce the known directional dependence, or anisotropy of backscatter, from intact cardiac tissues in vitro. Segments of left ventricular free wall from ten formalin fixed porcine hearts were insonified at 50 MHz, traversing the heart wall from endo- to epicardium to measure the anisotropy of myocardial backscatter, defined as the difference between peak (perpendicular to fibers) and trough (parallel to fibers) backscatter amplitude. The tissue segments were then treated with 10% NaOH to dissolve all of the cellular components, leaving only the intact ECM. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) were obtained of tissue sections to reveal complete digestion of the cellular elements. The dimensions of the residual voids resulting from cell digestion were approximately the diameter of the intact myocytes (10-30 microm). These samples were reinsonified after seven days of treatment to compare the anisotropy of integrated backscatter. The magnitude of anisotropy of backscatter changed from 15.4 +/- 0.8 to 12.6 +/- 1.1dB for intact as compared with digested specimens. Because digestion of the myocardium leaves only extracellular sources of ultrasonic scattering, and because the isolated ECM exhibits similar ultrasonic anisotropy as does the intact myocardium, it is concluded that there is a direct association between the ECM and the anisotropy of backscatter within intact tissue. Thus, it is suggested that ultrasonic tissue characterization represents a potentially clinically applicable method for delineating the structure and function of the ECM.     

New measurements of Cabibbo-suppressed decays of mesons with the CLEO-c detector

Using of data collected with the CLEO-c detector, we report on first observations and measurements of Cabibbo-suppressed decays of D mesons in the following six decay modes: pi+ pi- pi0 pi0, pi+ pi+ pi- pi- pi0, pi+ pi0 pi0, pi+ pi+ pi- pi0, eta pi0, and omega pi+ pi-. Improved branching fraction measurements in eight other multipion decay modes are also presented. The measured D --> pi pi rates allow us to extract the ratio of isospin amplitudes A(DeltaI = (3/2) / A(DeltaI = (1/2)) = 0.420 +/- 0.014(stat) +/- 0.016(syst) and the strong phase shift of delta1 = (86.4 +/- 2.8 +/- 3.3) degrees, which is quite large and now more precisely determined.     

Electromagnetics via the Taylor-Galerkin Finite Element Method on Unstructured Grids

Traditional techniques for computing electromagnetic solutions in the time domain rely on finite differences. These so-called FDTD (finite-difference time-domain) methods are usually defined only on regular lattices of points and can be too restrictive for geometrically demanding problems. Great geometric flexibility can be achieved by abandoning the regular latticework of sample points and adopting an unstructured grid. An unstructured grid allows one to place the grid points anywhere one chooses, so that curved boundaries can be fit with ease and local regions in which the field gradients are steep can be selectively resolved with a fine mesh. In this paper we present a technique for solving Maxwell's equations on an unstructured grid based on the Taylor-Galerkin finite-element method. We present several numerical examples which reveal the fundamental accuracy and adaptability of the method. Although our examples are in two dimensions, the techniques and results generalize readily to 3D.     

Ultralow phase noise microwave generation with an Er:fiber-based optical frequency divider

We present an optical frequency divider based on a 200 MHz repetition rate Er:fiber mode-locked laser that, when locked to a stable optical frequency reference, generates microwave signals with absolute phase noise that is equal to or better than cryogenic microwave oscillators. At 1 Hz offset from a 10 GHz carrier, the phase noise is below -100 dBc/Hz, limited by the optical reference. For offset frequencies >10 kHz, the phase noise is shot noise limited at -145 dBc/Hz. An analysis of the contribution of the residual noise from the Er:fiber optical frequency divider is also presented.     

Beat-to-beat respiratory motion correction with near 100% efficiency: a quantitative assessment using high-resolution coronary artery imaging

This study quantitatively assesses the effectiveness of retrospective beat-to-beat respiratory motion correction (B2B-RMC) at near 100% efficiency using high-resolution coronary artery imaging. Three-dimensional (3D) spiral images were obtained in a coronary respiratory motion phantom with B2B-RMC and navigator gating. In vivo, targeted 3D coronary imaging was performed in 10 healthy subjects using B2B-RMC spiral and navigator gated balanced steady-state free-precession (nav-bSSFP) techniques. Vessel diameter and sharpness in proximal and mid arteries were used as a measure of respiratory motion compensation effectiveness and compared between techniques. Phantom acquisitions with B2B-RMC were sharper than those acquired with navigator gating (B2B-RMC vs. navigator gating: 1.01±0.02 mm⁻¹ vs. 0.86±0.08 mm⁻¹, P<.05). In vivo B2B-RMC respiratory efficiency was significantly and substantially higher (99.7%±0.5%) than nav-bSSFP (44.0%±8.9%, P<.0001). Proximal and mid vessel sharpnesses were similar (B2B-RMC vs. nav-bSSFP, proximal: 1.00±0.14 mm⁻¹ vs. 1.08±0.11 mm⁻¹, mid: 1.01±0.11 mm⁻¹ vs. 1.05±0.12 mm⁻¹; both P=not significant [ns]). Mid vessel diameters were not significantly different (2.85±0.39 mm vs. 2.80±0.35 mm, P=ns), but proximal B2B-RMC diameters were slightly higher (2.85±0.38 mm vs. 2.70±0.34 mm, P<.05), possibly due to contrast differences. The respiratory efficiency of B2B-RMC is less variable and significantly higher than navigator gating. Phantom and in vivo vessel sharpness and diameter values suggest that respiratory motion compensation is equally effective.