Terahertz Pulse Generation from GaAs Metasurfaces
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The balance of hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions underlies emergent phenomena in complex multicomponent chemical systems. Here, we show that a supposedly ‘non–interacting’ nonpolar phase can be used to competitively solvate amphiphilic molecules at an oil/aqueous interface. This solvation, as probed by surface specific nonlinear spectroscopy and simulations, results in a molecularly thin corrugated phase boundary featuring metastable assemblies that alter the hydrogen bonding networks of water and the apparent ‘hard/soft’ descriptors used to describe ionic interactions. We show that competitive solvation enhances amphiphile mobility, opening up otherwise energetically inaccessible complexes that transiently interact with aqueous phase ions. These transient species impact ensemble binding affinities and may represent the molecular agents responsible for aspects of ionic transport and function. In conclusion, the result of this work highlights how seemingly unrelated nonpolar interactions feedback onto aqueous phase chemical phenomena, providing a pathway to tune phase separation and self-assembly to access new reaction pathways using interfaces for a range of chemical and biological systems.
The adsorption of ions to water-hydrophobe interfaces influences a wide range of phenomena, including chemical reaction rates, ion transport across biological membranes, and electrochemical and many catalytic processes; hence, developing a detailed understanding of the behavior of ions at water-hydrophobe interfaces is of central interest. Here, we characterize the adsorption of the chaotropic thiocyanate anion (SCN − ) to two prototypical liquid hydrophobic surfaces, water-toluene and water-decane, by surface-sensitive nonlinear spectroscopy and compare the results against our previous studies of SCN − adsorption to the air-water interface. For these systems, we observe no spectral shift in the charge transfer to solvent spectrum of SCN − , and the Gibb’s free energies of adsorption for these three different interfaces all agree within error. We employed molecular dynamics simulations to develop a molecular-level understanding of the adsorption mechanism and found that the adsorption for SCN − to both water-toluene and water-decane interfaces is driven by an increase in entropy, with very little enthalpic contribution. This is a qualitatively different mechanism than reported for SCN − adsorption to the air-water and graphene-water interfaces, wherein a favorable enthalpy change was the main driving force, against an unfavorable entropy change.
The major goal of the project was to explore the properties of magnetic order driven far out of equilibrium by optical excitations. These include fundamental questions related to the interplay of magnetic, structural and electronic degrees of freedom in materials that are optically excited. These problems break down in short term quenching of the magnetization as a results of the energy of the optical pulse studying how the energy of the optical pulse and the angular momentum of the magnetization flow between the different degrees of freedom. This is followed by the longer time re-emergence of the magnetism as the system cools. Within this goal we explored the formation of solitons, both with and without non-trivial topology, via rapid re-magnetization processes after optical-driven ultrafast demagnetization. Guided by theory, we predict that turbulence and modulational instabilities will drive the formation of solitons, including dispersive shock waves, magnon droplets, and skyrmions. In the case of topological defect formation, i.e. skyrmion generation, related processes have long been predicted based on general principles of symmetry-breaking phase transitions; the density of topological defects in a long-range-ordered phase can be controlled by varying the quench rate through the second-order phase transition, i.e. the Kibble-Zurek (KZ) mechanism. We, more broadly, had the goal to study a range of other emergent magnetic behaviors after optical excitation. While great attention has been given to ultrafast demagnetization, less is known of the subsequent spin dynamics and coupling to the lattice. What is increasingly appreciated is that ultrafast demagnetization leads to spin currents that can carry angular momentum from the rapidly demagnetized sample. These spin currents appear in many ways but fundamentally controls demagnetization, drives interactions between regions of the material, and control the spin resulting structure. They can be probed many ways including THz emission which, in turn, gives insight into the demagnetization processes. Simultaneously if there is magneto-elastic coupling ultrafast demagnetization can drive structural excitations that are not expected from thermal energy added to the lattice. We explored a range of complex phenomena that arise from photo-excitation of magnetic systems with the coupling of electronic, magnetic and structural degrees of freedom. We have made a number of fundamental discoveries that are reflected in our publications list with additional work still being prepared for publication. Highlights of this work include (i) ultra-efficient, nonlinear THz surface acoustics (ii) spin-current-mediated rapid magnon localization and coalescence, (iii) spin-wave soliton formation in ferromagnetic FePt nanoparticles, (iv) dynamic phonon coupling in elemental antiferromagnetic Cr, (v) THz emission from Co/Pt bilayers and FeRh/Pt bilayers, (vi) theoretical investigation of spin hydrodynamics, solitons and shock waves, and (vii) ultrafast perturbation of magnetic domains by optical pumping.
The problem of steady incompressible flow for lifting surfaces is considered. An integral equation is solved relating the values of the potential discontinuity on the lifting surface and its wake to the values of the normal derivative of the potential which are known from the boundary conditions. The lifting surface and the wake are divided into small quadrilateral surface elements. The values of the potential discontinuity and the normal derivative of the potential are assumed to be constant within each lifting surface element and equal to their values at the centroids of the lifting surface elements. This yields a set of linear algebraic equations. An iteration procedure is used to obtain the wake geometry: the velocities at the corner points of the wake elements are calculated and the wake streamlines are aligned to be parallel to the velocity vector. The procedure is repeated until convergence is attained.
The problem of lifting surfaces in steady incompressible flow is considered in terms of an integral equation relating the potential discontinuity on wing and wake to the normal derivative of the potential (normal wash) on the lifting surface. The integral equation is approximated by a system of linear algebraic equations obtained by dividing the surfaces into small quadrilateral elements and by assuming the potential discontinuity and the normal wash to be constant within each element. The wake geometry is obtained through iteration by satisfying the condition that the velocity be tangent to the surface of the wake and that the potential discontinuity be constant along the streamlines. Numerical results are in good agreement with existing ones
Gradient projection is a powerful algorithm for minimization of a function subject to constraints. Constraint nonlinearities hamper projection computations. The constraints must then be restored before another projection cycle. The restoration steps taken in the process of following nonlinear constraint surfaces can be used as a guide to the construction of a curve which more nearly follows the constraints than does the straight line in the projected gradient direction. This scheme, termed 'curvilinear projection', was explored in earlier research. The study presently reported carries out some computational experiments using a related version of the technique. Some other details of projection computations which turn out to be practically important are taken up: rules for updating the variable metric in projection when early termination of the one-dimensional search on constraint violation occurs, and active-constraint logic for screening inequalities that makes use of the Kuhn-Tucker necessary conditions.
A Variable Structure Control (VSC) approach is presented for multi-axial spacecraft reorientation maneuvers. A nonlinear sliding surface is proposed which results in an asymptotically stable, ideal linear sliding motion of Cayley-Rodriques attitude parameters. By imposing a desired equivalent dynamics on the attitude parameters, the approach is devoid of optimal control considerations. The single axis case provides a design scheme for the multiple axes design problem. Illustrative examples are presented.
A variable-structure control approach is presented for multiaxial spacecraft attitude maneuvers. Nonlinear sliding surfaces are proposed that result in asymptotically stable, ideal linear decoupled sliding motions of Cayley-Rodrigues attitude parameters, as well as of angular velocities. The resulting control laws are interpreted as more easily implemented and more robust versions of those previously obtained by feedback linearization.
It is shown how multiaxial spacecraft tracking and pointing maneuvers with known control bandwidth and given tracking error bounds can be implemented by variable-structure control in the presence of uncertain vehicle and target dynamics. It is shown how to select a nonlinear sliding surface relating attitude and rate variables, as well as a Lyapunov function in the surface variables that absorbs multiplicative model undertainties, thereby simplifying the computation of control corrections. It is then shown how a boundary layer envelope can be designed, within which the components of the surface error dynamics can be modeled as the outputs of designer-selected decoupled low-pass filters. Closed-loop stability conditions accounting for the coupling between the attitude error dynamics and the surface error dynamics are then obtained.
A method for studying the influence of thermal effects on the inelastic response of metal matrix composites is reviewed. A micromechanics approach based upon the method of cells is shown to be quite versatile for studying a variety of materials response phenomena. Yielding and inelastic response of the composite are predicted as functions of thermal stresses, yielding of the matrix, and imperfect fiber/matrix bonding. Results are presented in the form of yield surfaces and nonlinear stress-strain curves for unidirectional and laminated boron/aluminum and silicon-carbide/titanium.
We demonstrate the stabilization of an isolated unstable periodic orbit in a liquid bridge convection experiment. A model independent, nonlinear control algorithm uses temperature measurements near the liquid interface to compute control perturbations which are applied by a thermoelectric element. The algorithm employs a time series reconstruction of a nonlinear control surface in a high dimensional phase space to alter the system dynamics.
Within this NASA Grant, the following points should be emphasized: 1) All the objectives stated in the proposal of the grant have been accomplished. Moreover, the activity within the project has addressed additional issues, of the linear and nonlinear aeroelasticity, not included in the objectives of the grant. 2) During the activities within the grant, we have been in a permanent contact with Dr. Walter A. Silva, the monitor of the NASA Project, to whom we have reported continuously our achievements. 3) As a result of the activities within the grant a number of papers: a. have been submitted for publication to the AIAA Journals, namely the AIAA Journal and the Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, b. have been presented at the specialized National Conferences and an International Congress, and have appeared in the proceedings of these Conferences, 4) A list of papers submitted for publication and presented at Conferences is appended herewith. 5) In all these papers, an acknowledgment to NASA Langley Research Center was included.
Within this NASA Grant, the following points should be emphasized: 1) All the objectives stated in the proposal of the grant have been accomplished. Moreover. the activity within the project has addressed additional issues, of the linear and nonlinear aeroelasticity, not included in the objectives of the grant. 2) During the activities within the grant, we have been in a permanent contact with Dr. Walter A. Silva, the monitor of the NASA Project, to whom we have reported continuously our achievements. 3) As a result of the activities within the grant a number of papers: a. have been submitted for publication to the AIAA Journals, namely the AIAA Journal and the Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, and b. have been presented at the specialized National Conferences and an International Congress, and have appeared in the proceedings of these Conferences. 4) A list of papers submitted for publication and presented at Conferences is appended herewith. 5) In all these papers, an acknowledgment to NASA Langley Research Center was included.
Abstract not provided.
Nanostructured optical surfaces allow exquisite control over linear and nonlinear light interactions, where the surface actively creates new frequencies up to high-order harmonics of an intense infrared driving laser field. The function and performance of these surfaces depend sensitively on the distribution of the high-harmonic fields in and between the nanostructured elements, as the high-harmonic wavelength becomes comparable to the nanoscale features of the surface. Imaging the nonlinear response at the active surface with nanometer resolution would greatly benefit the optimization of the metasurface's function. Here we demonstrate an approach to lensless imaging of extreme ultraviolet high harmonics that resolves the amplitude and phase of nonlinear polarization at the active nanostructured surface of an MgO crystal. Imaging the near-field distribution of high harmonics is the gateway to optimized functional high-harmonic metasurfaces and the integration of high harmonics on a chip.
Nonlinear Electromagnetic (EM) wave interactions with the upper atmosphere were investigated during the period 15 December 1985 to 15 June 1986. Topics discussed include: the simultaneous excitation of ionospheric density irregularities and Earth's magnetic field fluctuations; the electron acceleration by Langmuir wave turbulence; and the occurrence of artificial spread F. The role of thermal effects in generating ionospheric irregularities by Whistler waves, intense Quasi-DC electric fields, atmospheric gravity waves, and electrojets was investigated. A model was developed to explain the discrete spectrum of the resonant ultralow frequency (ULF) waves that are commonly observed in the magnetosphere.
A new nonlinear, nonplanar lifting surface theory is presented. The method is regarded as a lifting surface theory in that the effects of wing thickness are neglected, but none of the usual small perturbation assumptions inherent in most other lifting surface theories are made. The method represents nonplanar lifting systems by distributed vorticity, including the leading edge singular behavior characteristic of thin wings. The method is well suited to the computation of induced drag of nonplanar systems because leading edge suction is calculated from the leading edge singularity. The method has been used to compute the induced drag benefit of winglets (vortex diffusers), and the agreement with NASA experimental data is excellent.