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At least 343 records · Page 19

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DOE OSTI2018

Coherent addition of high power broad-area laser diodes with a compact VBG V-shaped external Talbot cavity

In this paper, we introduced a compact V-shaped external Talbot cavity for phase locking of high power broad-area laser diodes. The length of compact cavity is ~25 mm. Near diffraction-limit coherent addition of 10 broad-area laser diodes indicated that high quality phase locking was achieved. We measured the near-field emission mode of each individual broad-area laser diode with different feedback, such as a volume Bragg grating and a high reflection mirror. Finally, we found out that the best result of phase locking broad-area laser diodes was achieved by the compact V-shaped external Talbot cavity with volume Bragg grating feedback.

42 ENGINEERING↗

NASA NTRS1977

Radar backscattering from a sea having an anisotropic large-scale surface, part 2

A two scale scattering model was derived that combines specular reflections from sea waves and Bragg scattering in a manner consistent with energy conservation. The effect of the tilting of the small scale roughness by the large scale roughness was included, which accounted for the reduction of reflected power. The special case of backscattering for which the transmitted polarization equaled the received polarization was considered. An anisotropic large scale surface was used to specify the probability density function of the large scale surface normal. In order to isolate the azimuthal variation of the normalized radar cross section produced by the anisotropic probability density function, an isotropical small scale spectrum was assumed.

Wentz, F. J.↗

DOE OSTI2018

Multijunction Solar Cells With Graded Buffer Bragg Reflectors

Metamorphic solar cells can have optimal bandgap combinations through the use of compositionally graded buffers, where the lattice constant is slowly varied over several microns of growth. Bragg reflectors consist of several microns of alternating layers with refractive index contrast and provide a useful internal reflection to multijunction solar cells with optically thin subcells. In this work, we implement distributed Bragg reflectors within the compositionally graded buffers of inverted metamorphic solar cells to add functionality to the buffer. The reflectance of this AlGaInAs 'graded buffer Bragg reflector' is very similar to the reflectance of a similar AlGaAs Bragg reflector external to a buffer as well as the reflectance predicted by the transfer matrix model, indicating that the roughness of the buffer does not drastically reduce the reflection. Reflectance of 72%, 91%, and 98% is achieved in 2, 4, and 8 um buffers using AlGaInAs layers that alternate between 30% and 70% aluminum content. Using a 2 um graded buffer Bragg reflector, the 1.0-eV mismatched subcell of a GaAs/GaInAs tandem has a minor increase in threading dislocation density compared to a standard graded buffer and a small, 20 mV, loss in voltage. As the buffer is thickened, the voltage loss is recuperated and excellent subcell voltages are achieved, indicating that the Bragg reflector is not severely hindering dislocation glide. We demonstrate that the benefits of the graded buffer Bragg reflector for optically thin subcells and subcells containing quantum wells, and conclude that Bragg reflectors can effectively be implemented within graded buffers, adding functionality without adding cost.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2014

Misfit strain of oxygen precipitates in Czochralski silicon studied with energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction

Annealed Czochralski Silicon wafers containing SiO{sub x} precipitates have been studied by high energy X-ray diffraction in a defocused Laue setup using a laboratory tungsten tube. The energy dispersive evaluation of the diffracted Bragg intensity of the 220 reflection within the framework of the statistical dynamical theory yields the static Debye-Waller factor E of the crystal, which gives access to the strain induced by the SiO{sub x} precipitates. The results are correlated with precipitate densities and sizes determined from transmission electron microscopy measurements of equivalent wafers. This allows for the determination of the constrained linear misfit ε between precipitate and crystal lattice. For samples with octahedral precipitates the values ranging from ε = 0.39 (+0.28/−0.12) to ε = 0.48 (+0.34/−0.16) indicate that self-interstitials emitted into the matrix during precipitate growth contribute to the lattice strain. In this case, the expected value calculated from literature values is ε = 0.26 ± 0.05. Further, the precise evaluation of Pendellösung oscillations in the diffracted Bragg intensity of as-grown wafers reveals a thermal Debye-Waller parameter for the 220 reflection B{sup 220}(293 K) of 0.5582 ± 0.0039 Å{sup 2} for a structure factor based on spherically symmetric scattering contributions.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2016

Coherent acoustic phonons in YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7}/La{sub 1/3}Ca{sub 2/3}MnO{sub 3} superlattices

We investigate photo-induced coherent acoustic phonons in complex oxide superlattices consisting of high-Tc superconductor YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7−x} and ferromagnetic manganite La{sub 1/3}Ca{sub 2/3}MnO{sub 3} epitaxial layers with broadband pump-probe spectroscopy. Two oscillatory components have been observed in time-resolved differential reflectivity spectra. Based on the analysis, the slow oscillation mode with a frequency sensitive to the probe wavelength is ascribed to the stimulated Brillouin scattering due to the photon reflection by propagating train of coherent phonons. The fast oscillation mode with a probe-wavelength-insensitive frequency is attributed to the Bragg oscillations caused by specular phonon reflections at oxide interfaces or the electron-coupling induced modulation due to free carrier absorption in the metallic superlattices. Our findings suggest that oxide superlattice is an ideal system to tailor the coherent behaviors of acoustic phonons and to manipulate the thermal and acoustic properties.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2017

Multicell model of La{sub 3}Ga{sub 5}GeO{sub 14} crystal: A new approach to the description of the short-range order of atoms

The multicell model alternative to the model of mixed atomic sites used now is proposed for a single crystal of La{sub 3}Ga{sub 5}GeO{sub 14} belonging to the langasite family. The multicell consists of four unit cells. In three identical cells of the structure, atoms adapt to the Ge atom occupying one of the two 2d positions on the threefold symmetry axis. In the fourth cell, atoms surround the Ge atom located at the 1a position. The multicell model allows one to study the short-range order of atoms by the methods of classical structure analysis based on Bragg scattering. Four high-resolution data sets measured at 295 and 111.5 K are used in the study. The results are obtained with high relative precision (space group P321, Z = 1; at 295 K a = 8.2020(6) Å and c = 5.1065(6) Å, R/wR = 0.81/0.73% for 3829 unique ref lections; at 111.5 K a = 8.1939(1) Å and c = 5.1022(4) Å, R/wR = 0.85/0.76% for 3880 reflections).

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

NASA NTRS1973

Conical focusing crystal spectrometers for cosmic X-ray astronomy

A crystal spectrometer for rocket and satellite experiments is described. Parallel X rays from a stellar object are reflected at constant angle by Bragg crystals arranged around the sector of a cone so that a single wavelength is brought to a focus onto the axis of the cone. The aberrations produced when this array is tilted to change the wavelength are considered. It is shown that these are minimized by moving cone and detector in a nearly theta to two-theta motion and by using a small-angle sector. In a specific design for a satellite instrument using LiF crystal to observe a spectral region including the iron lines at 1.9 A, a spectral resolution of 3 mA over a spectral range of 1.6-2.1 A can be obtained, with the cosmic-ray background rate, and hence the time to detect a weak line decreased by a factor 80 compared to a flat crystal spectrometer. Examples of performance for a low energy rocket experiment are also given.

Woodgate, B. E.↗

NASA NTRS1986

A two-scale Bragg scattering model for microwave backscatter from wind generated waves

A model for the wavenumber spectrum for fully developed seas is derived as a function of the mean wind gradient. The high wavenumber part of the spectrum, which defines the Bragg wavenumbers, is an equilibrium spectrum in balance by a wind forcing term determined by viscous dissipation, which is a strong function of water temperature, and dissipation by breaking and microbreaking. The low wavenumber spectrum, constructed from surface elevation observations of gravity waves, is merged with the high wavenumber spectrum. Parameters are adjusted to fit circle flight data for Ku-band. The full spectrum is used in the two-scale Bragg scattering theory, plus specular reflection, to compute backscatter as a function of wind speed, direction, incidence angle, and water temperature (which determines viscosity) for Ku-band.

Donelan, M. A.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Improved Phase-Mask Fabrication of Fiber Bragg Gratings

An improved method of fabrication of Bragg gratings in optical fibers combines the best features of two prior methods: one that involves the use of a phase mask and one that involves interference between the two coherent laser beams. The improved method affords flexibility for tailoring Bragg wavelengths and bandwidths over wide ranges. A Bragg grating in an optical fiber is a periodic longitudinal variation in the index of refraction of the fiber core. The spatial period (Bragg wavelength) is chosen to obtain enhanced reflection of light of a given wavelength that would otherwise propagate relatively unimpeded along the core. Optionally, the spatial period of the index modulation can be made to vary gradually along the grating (such a grating is said to be chirped ) in order to obtain enhanced reflection across a wavelength band, the width of which is determined by the difference between the maximum and minimum Bragg wavelengths. In the present method as in both prior methods, a Bragg grating is formed by exposing an optical fiber to an ultraviolet-light interference field. The Bragg grating coincides with the pattern of exposure of the fiber core to ultraviolet light; in other words, the Bragg grating coincides with the interference fringes. Hence, the problem of tailoring the Bragg wavelength and bandwidth is largely one of tailoring the interference pattern and the placement of the fiber in the interference pattern. In the prior two-beam interferometric method, a single laser beam is split into two beams, which are subsequently recombined to produce an interference pattern at the location of an optical fiber. In the prior phase-mask method, a phase mask is used to diffract a laser beam mainly into two first orders, the interference between which creates the pattern to which an optical fiber is exposed. The prior two-beam interferometric method offers the advantage that the period of the interference pattern can be adjusted to produce gratings over a wide range of Bragg wavelengths, but offers the disadvantage that success depends on precise alignment and high mechanical stability. The prior phase-mask method affords the advantages of compactness of equipment and relative insensitivity to both misalignment and vibration, but does not afford adjustability of the Bragg wavelength. The present method affords both the flexibility of the prior two-beam interferometric method and the compactness and stability of the prior phase-mask method. In this method (see figure), a laser beam propagating along the x axis is normally incident on a phase mask that lies in the (y,z) plane. The phase of light propagating through the mask is modulated with a spatial periodicity, p, along the y axis chosen to diffract the laser light primarily to first order at the angle . (The zero-order laser light propagating along the x axis can be used for alignment and thereafter suppressed during exposure of the fiber.) The diffracted light passes through a concave cylindrical lens, which converts the flat diffracted wave fronts to cylindrical ones, as though the light emanated from a line source. Then two parallel flat mirrors recombine the diffracted beams to form an interference field equivalent to that of two coherent line sources at positions A and B (virtual sources). The interference pattern is a known function of the parameters of the apparatus and of position (x,y) in the interference field. Hence, the tilt, wavelength, and chirp of the Bragg grating can be chosen through suitable adjustments of the apparatus and/or of the position and orientation of the optical fiber. In particular, the Bragg wavelength can be adjusted by moving the fiber along the x axis, and the bandwidth can be modified over a wide range by changing the fiber tilt angle or by moving the phase mask and/or the fiber. Alignment is easy because the zero-order beam defines the x axis. The interference is relatively stable and insensitive to the mechanical vibration because of the gh symmetry and compactness of the apparatus, the fixed positions of the mirrors and lens, and the consequent fixed positions of the two virtual line sources, which are independent of the translations of the phase mask and the laser relative to the lens.

Grant, Joseph↗

DOE OSTI2023

Polarization-independent photonic Bragg grating filter with cladding asymmetry

A photonic Bragg grating is a fundamental building block that reflects the direction of wave propagation through spatial phase modulation and can be implemented using sidewall corrugation. However, due to the asymmetric aspect ratio of a waveguide cross section, typical Bragg gratings exhibit a strong polarization sensitivity. Here, we show that photonic Bragg gratings with cladding asymmetry can enable polarization-independent notch filters by rotating input polarizations. Such Bragg gratings strongly couple transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes propagating in opposite directions, filtering the input signal and reflecting the rotated mode. We analyzed this polarization-rotating Bragg grating using the coupled-mode theory and experimentally demonstrated it on a silicon-on-insulator platform. Our device concept is simple to implement and compatible with other platforms, readily available as polarization transparent Bragg components.

Pimbi, Daniel (ORCID:000000025933203X)↗

DOE OSTI2018

Spectroscopy of Plasmon-Excitons in Semiconductor-Metal Nanostructures

The results of the theory considering mixed plasmon-excitonic modes and their spectroscopy are presented. The plasmon-excitons are formed owing to strong Coulomb coupling between quasi-two-dimensional excitons of a quantum well and dipole plasmons of nanoparticles. The effective polarizability associated with a nanoparticle is calculated in a self-consistent approximation taking into account the local field determined by in-layer dipole plasmons and their image charges due to the excitonic polarization of a near quantum well. The spectra of elastic scattering and specular reflection of light are investigated in cases of a single silver nanoparticle and a monolayer of such particles situated in close proximity to a quantum well GaAs/AlGaAs. The optical spectra show a two-peak structure with a deep and narrow dip in the resonant range of plasmon-excitons. Propagation of plasmon-excitonic polaritons is discussed for periodic superlattices whose unit cell consists of a quantum well and a layer of metal nanoparticles. The superradiance regime originating in the Bragg diffraction of plasmon-excitonic polaritons by the superlattice is investigated. It is shown that the broad spectrum of plasmonic reflection depending on the number of unit cells in a superlattice also has a narrow dip at the exciton frequency.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

NASA NTRS1990

Bragg crystal polarimeters

A Bragg crystal oriented at 45 deg to an incoming beam of X-rays acts as a polarization analyzer. This crystal geometry preferentially reflects those X-rays that satisfy the Bragg condition and whose electric vectors are perpendicular to the plane defined by the incident and reflected photons. X-rays with electric vectors parallel to this plane of incidence are photoelectrically absorbed. The energy bandwidth of nearly perfect crystals is extremely small, which makes them very inefficient X-ray polarimeters. This limitation is particularly acute for observations of the relatively weak X-ray continuum of stellar sources. The bandwidth can be greatly increased by employing mosaic or ideally imperfect crystals. Mosaic crystals possess a high integrated reflectivity, which results in a large increase in the reflection of continuum radiation. A review of the theory and performance characteristics of crystal polarimeters designed for observations of cosmic X-ray sources is presented.

Silver, E.↗

NASA NTRS1984

On the detection of underwater bottom topography by imaging radars

A theoretical model which explains basic properties of radar imaging of underwater bottom topography in tidal channels is presented. The surface roughness modulation is described by weak hydrodynamic interaction theory in the relaxation time approximation. In contrast to previous theories on short wave modulation by long ocean waves, a different approximation is used to describe short wave modulation by tidal flow over underwater bottom topography. The modulation depth is proportional to the relaxation time of the Bragg waves. The large modulation of radar reflectivity observed in SEASAT-SAR imagery of sand banks in the Southern Bight of the North Sea are explained by assuming that the relaxation time of 34 cm Bragg waves is of the order of 30-40 seconds.

Alpers, W.↗

DOE OSTI2012

Suppression of side lobes in a spectrum of fibre Bragg gratings due to the transverse displacement of phase mask with respect to the optical fibre

The possibility of apodisation of fibre Bragg gratings (FBGs) recorded in the interference region of two Gaussian beams in the phase-mask scheme is considered. The FBG reflection spectra are numerically simulated for different values of recordingbeam parameters and the distance between the axes of interfering beams diffracted into different orders, which is varied by transverse displacement of the phase mask with respect to the optical fibre. Suppression of side lobes and smoothing out of the FBG spectrum with an increase in the transverse displacement of the phase mask is experimentally demonstrated. It is shown that this effect is caused by the equalisation of the mean induced refractive index in the FBG region. (optical fibres, lasers and amplifiers. properties and applications)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2014

Boron-doped superlattices and Bragg mirrors in diamond

A periodic modulation of the boron doping level of single crystal diamond multilayers over more than three orders of magnitude during epitaxial growth by microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition is shown to yield Bragg mirrors in the visible. The thicknesses and doping level of the individual layers were controlled by in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry, enabling to tune the reflectance peak to the wavelength range of diamond color centers, such as NV{sup 0} or NV{sup −}. The crystalline quality, periodicity, and sharpness of the doping transitions in these doping superlattices over tens of periods were confirmed by high resolution X-ray diffraction.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

NASA NTRS2001

Fiber Bragg Grating Filter High Temperature Sensors

We present a scaled-down method for determining high temperatures using fiber-based Bragg gratings. Bragg gratings are distributed along the length of the optical fiber, and have high reflectivities whenever the optical wavelength is twice the grating spacing. These spatially distinct Bragg regions (located in the core of a fiber) are sensitive to local temperature changes. Since these fibers are silica-based they are easily affected by localized changes in temperature, which results in changes to both the grating spacing and the wavelength reflectivity. We exploit the shift in wavelength reflectivity to measure the change in the local temperature. Note that the Bragg region (sensing area) is some distance away from where the temperature is being measured. This is done so that we can measure temperatures that are much higher than the damage threshold of the fiber. We do this by affixing the fiber with the Bragg sensor to a material with a well-known coefficient of thermal expansion, and model the heat gradient from the region of interest to the actual sensor. The research described in this paper will culminate in a working device as well as be the second portion of a publication pending submission to Optics Letters.

Lyons, Donald R.↗

DOE OSTI2014

Optimal design of one-dimensional photonic crystal back reflectors for thin-film silicon solar cells

For thin-film silicon solar cells (TFSC), a one-dimensional photonic crystal (1D PC) is a good back reflector (BR) because it increases the total internal reflection at the back surface. We used the plane-wave expansion method and the finite difference time domain (FDTD) algorithm to simulate and analyze the photonic bandgap (PBG), the reflection and the absorption properties of a 1D PC and to further explore the optimal 1D PC design for use in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) solar cells. With identified refractive index contrast and period thickness, we found that the PBG and the reflection of a 1D PC are strongly influenced by the contrast in bilayer thickness. Additionally, light coupled to the top three periods of the 1D PC and was absorbed if one of the bilayers was absorptive. By decreasing the thickness contrast of the absorptive layer relative to the non-absorptive layer, an average reflectivity of 96.7% was achieved for a 1D PC alternatively stacked with a-Si:H and SiO{sub 2} in five periods. This reflectivity was superior to a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) structure with 93.5% and an Ag film with 93.4%. n-i-p a-Si:H solar cells with an optimal 1D PC-based BR offer a higher short-circuit current density than those with a DBR-based BR or an AZO/Ag-based BR. These results provide new design rules for photonic structures in TFSC.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2026

Polariton Control of Molecular Charge Transfer in Perylene Diimide Semiconductors

We report the modulation of molecular charge transfer in a bay-substituted perylene diimide derivative embedded in a planar distributed Bragg reflector microcavity. Angle-resolved reflectance spectra confirm the formation of upper and lower polaritons with clear Rabi splitting, indicating strong coupling between the cavity mode and molecular excitons. Using broadband transient absorption spectroscopy, we compare the ultrafast dynamics of cavity and non-cavity films. While excited-state absorption and stimulated emission pathways remain largely unchanged, kinetic modeling reveals a moderate increase in the charge transfer rate and yield under strong coupling. This enhancement is attributed to a reduction in the effective driving force via the formation of the lower polariton, placing the system deeper into the Marcus inverted regime. Our results demonstrate a promising non-chemical method leveraging cavity quantum electrodynamics to modulate charge separation processes in molecular semiconductors.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗