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At least 1,009 records · Page 56

Subbarrier absorption in a stationary superlattice

The calculation of the interband absorption coefficient was carried out in the classical case, when the frequency of light was assumed to bind two miniband subbarrier states of different bands. The influence of two dimensional Mott excitons on this absorption was studied and a comparison was made with the experiment. All of these considerations were done taking into account the photon wave vector (the phase spatial heterogeneity). The basic traits of the energy spectra of superlattice semiconductors, their kinetic and optical properties, and possible means of electromagnetic wave intensification were examined. By the density matrix method, a theory of electrical and electromagnetic properties of superlattices was suggested.

Arutyunyan, G. M.↗

Complex time dependent wave packet technique for thermal equilibrium systems - Electronic spectra

A time dependent wave packet method is presented for the rapid calculation of the properties of systems in thermal equilibrium and is applied, as an illustration, to electronic spectra. The thawed Gaussian approximation to quantum wave packet dynamics combined with evaluation of the density matrix operator by imaginary time propagation is shown to give exact electronic spectra for harmonic potentials and excellent results for both a Morse potential and for the band contours of the three transitions of the visible electronic absorption spectrum of the iodine molecule. The method, in principle, can be extended to many atoms (e.g., condensed phases) and to other properties (e.g., infrared and Raman spectra and thermodynamic variables).

Reimers, J. R.↗

Theoretical studies of Resonance Enhanced Stimulated Raman Scattering (RESRS) of frequency doubled Alexandrite laser wavelength in cesium vapor

The third phase of research will focus on the propagation and energy extraction of the pump and SERS beams in a variety of configurations including oscillator structures. In order to address these questions a numerical code capable of allowing for saturation and full transverse beam evolution is required. The method proposed is based on a discretized propagation energy extraction model which uses a Kirchoff integral propagator coupled to the three level Raman model already developed. The model will have the resolution required by diffraction limits and will use the previous density matrix results in the adiabatic following limit. Owing to its large computational requirements, such a code must be implemented on a vector array processor. One code on the Cyber is being tested by using previously understood two-level laser models as guidelines for interpreting the results. Two tests were implemented: the evolution of modes in a passive resonator and the evolution of a stable state of the adiabatically eliminated laser equations. These results show mode shapes and diffraction losses for the first case and relaxation oscillations for the second one. Finally, in order to clarify the computing methodology used to exploit the speed of the Cyber's computational speed, the time it takes to perform both of the computations previously mentioned to run on the Cyber and VAX 730 must be measured. Also included is a short description of the current laser model (CAVITY.FOR) and a flow chart of the test computations.

Lawandy, Nabil M.↗

Nonlinear intersubband optical absorption in a semiconductor quantum well

The third-order nonlinear intersubband absorption in a semiconductor quantum well is studied theoretically using the density matrix formalism including intrasubband relaxation. It is shown that the peak absorption is reduced by half for an optical intensity 1 MW/sq cm for the well size L = 126.5 A with 3.0 x 10 to the 16th/cu cm electrons.

Ahn, D.↗

Invariant criteria for bound states, degree of ionization, and plasma phase transition

Basis invariant characterizations of bound states and bound fraction of a partially ionized hydrogen plasma are given in terms of properties of the spectrum of eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the equilibrium quantum statistical one-proton-one-electron reduced density matrix. It is suggested that these can be used to place theories of a proposed plasma-ionization phase transition on a firm foundation. This general approach may be relevant to cosmological questions such as the quark deconfinement-confinement transition.

Girardeau, M. D.↗

Investigating decoherence in a simple system

The results of some simple calculations designed to study quantum decoherence are presented. The physics of quantum decoherence are briefly reviewed, and a very simple 'toy' model is analyzed. Exact solutions are found using numerical techniques. The type of incoherence exhibited by the model can be changed by varying a coupling strength. The author explains why the conventional approach to studying decoherence by checking the diagonality of the density matrix is not always adequate. Two other approaches, the decoherence functional and the Schmidt paths approach, are applied to the toy model and contrasted to each other. Possible problems with each are discussed.

Albrecht, Andreas↗

Coherent laser excitation of Ba-137 and Ba-138

Computations are carried out for the 1S(6s2)-1P(6s,6p) coherent laser excitation of Ba-137 and Ba-138 in a magnetic field. Results are presented for both the steady-state and time-dependent excited-state populations of the Zeeman-split magnetic sublevels. The quantum-statistical Liouville-equation approach (for the reduced density matrix) is compared to the rate-equations approach. Significant differences are found between these, due to the interference between strongly overlapping lines (especially for Ba-137). The time-evolution profiles indicate that the Ba-137 transient time is much longer than that of Ba-138.

Lam, Kai-Shue↗

Electron impact polarization of atomic spectral lines. I - A general theoretical scheme

A suitable theoretical scheme able to describe, in a wide variety of astrophysical situations, the phenomenon of atomic line polarization by electron impact is developed. Starting from the general principles of quantum mechanics and assuming the Born approximation, the rate equations for the density matrix elements of a multilevel atomic system, interacting with a nonrelativistic electron beam having any kind of angular distribution, are derived in full generality. The resulting theory generalizes the previous ones by accounting for the collisional rates and the cross sections concerning both inelastic and superelastic collisions (in any geometrical situation), and, moreover, by taking into account the coherences among Zeeman sublevels split by a magnetic field. As an example of particular relevance, the general formulas derived in the first sections of the paper are subsequently particularized to the case of the electric dipole interaction.

Fineschi, Silvano↗

On the theory of quantum measurement

Many so called paradoxes of quantum mechanics are clarified when the measurement equipment is treated as a quantized system. Every measurement involves nonlinear processes. Self consistent formulations of nonlinear quantum optics are relatively simple. Hence optical measurements, such as the quantum nondemolition (QND) measurement of photon number, are particularly well suited for such a treatment. It shows that the so called 'collapse of the wave function' is not needed for the interpretation of the measurement process. Coherence of the density matrix of the signal is progressively reduced with increasing accuracy of the photon number determination. If the QND measurement is incorporated into the double slit experiment, the contrast ratio of the fringes is found to decrease with increasing information on the photon number in one of the two paths.

Haus, Hermann A.↗

Pseudomaster equation for the no-count process in a continuous photodetection

The detection of cavity radiation with the detector placed outside the cavity is studied. Each leaked photon has a certain probability of propagating away without being detected. It is viewed as a continuous quantum measurement in which the density matrix is continuously revised according to the readout of the detector. The concept of pseudomaster equation for the no-count process is introduced; its solution leads to the discovery of the superoperator for the same process. It has the potential to become the key equation for continuous measurement process.

Lee, Ching-Tsung↗

Multiple-scattering model for inclusive proton production in heavy ion collisions

A formalism is developed for evaluating the momentum distribution for proton production in nuclear abrasion during heavy ion collisions using the Glauber multiple-scattering series. Several models for the one-body density matrix of nuclei are considered for performing numerical calculations. Calculations for the momentum distribution of protons in abrasion are compared with experimental data for inclusive proton production.

Cucinotta, Francis A.↗

Phase Diagram of the Two-Chain Hubbard Model

We have calculated the charge gap and spin gap for the two-chain Hubbard model as a function of the on-site Coulomb interaction and the interchain hopping amplitude. We used the density matrix renormalization group method and developed a method to calculate separately the gaps numerically for the symmetric and antisymmetric modes with respect to the exchange of the chain indices. We have found very different behaviors for the weak and strong interaction cases. Our calculated phase diagram is compared to the one obtained by Balents and Fisher using the weak coupling renormalization group technique.

Park, Youngho↗

Charge and Spin Dynamics of the Hubbard Chains

We calculate the local correlation functions of charge and spin for the one-chain and two-chain Hubbard model using density matrix renormalization group method and the recursion technique. Keeping only finite number of states we get good accuracy for the low energy excitations. We study the charge and spin gaps, bandwidths and weights of the spectra for various values of the on-site Coulomb interaction U and the electron filling. In the low energy part, the local correlation functions are different for the charge and spin. The bandwidths are proportional to t for the charge and J for the spin respectively.

Park, Youngho↗

Mechanical Properties of Continuous Fiber Reinforced Zirconium Diboride Matrix Composites

Continuous fiber reinforced zirconium diboride matrix composites, SCS-9a-(RBSiCZrB2)matrix, are being developed for leading edge, rocket nozzle and turbine engine applications. Recently, the composite materials have been characterized for tensile properties to 1250 C, the highest temperature tested. The tensile properties are fiber dominated as the matrix is microcracked on fabrication, but favorable failure characteristic are observed. Compression and shear mechanical testing results will be reported if completed. The effects of fiber volume fraction and matrix density on mechanical properties will be discussed. The target applications of the materials will be discussed. Specific testing being performed towards qualification for these applications will be included.

Stuffle, Kevin↗

Predictive Models for Semiconductor Device Design and Processing

The device feature size continues to be on a downward trend with a simultaneous upward trend in wafer size to 300 mm. Predictive models are needed more than ever before for this reason. At NASA Ames, a Device and Process Modeling effort has been initiated recently with a view to address these issues. Our activities cover sub-micron device physics, process and equipment modeling, computational chemistry and material science. This talk would outline these efforts and emphasize the interaction among various components. The device physics component is largely based on integrating quantum effects into device simulators. We have two parallel efforts, one based on a quantum mechanics approach and the second, a semiclassical hydrodynamics approach with quantum correction terms. Under the first approach, three different quantum simulators are being developed and compared: a nonequlibrium Green's function (NEGF) approach, Wigner function approach, and a density matrix approach. In this talk, results using various codes will be presented. Our process modeling work focuses primarily on epitaxy and etching using first-principles models coupling reactor level and wafer level features. For the latter, we are using a novel approach based on Level Set theory. Sample results from this effort will also be presented.

Meyyappan, Meyya↗

Many-Body Effects in Quantum-Well Intersubband Transitions

Intersubband polarization couples to collective excitations of the interacting electron gas confined in a semiconductor quantum well (Qw) structure. Such excitations include correlated pair excitations (repellons) and intersubband plasmons (ISPs). The oscillator strength of intersubband transitions (ISBTs) strongly varies with QW parameters and electron density because of this coupling. We have developed a set of kinetic equations, termed the intersubband semiconductor Bloch equations (ISBEs), from density matrix theory with the Hartree-Fock approximation, that enables a consistent description of these many-body effects. Using the ISBEs for a two-conduction-subband model, various many-body effects in intersubband transitions are studied in this work. We find interesting spectral changes of intersubband absorption coefficient due to interplay of the Fermi-edge singularity, subband renormalization, intersubband plasmon oscillation, and nonparabolicity of bandstructure. Our results uncover a new perspective for ISBTs and indicate the necessity of proper many-body theoretical treatment in order for modeling and prediction of ISBT line shape.

Li, Jian-Zhong↗

Optimization of an oligonucleotide microchip for microbial identification studies: a non-equilibrium dissociation approach

The utility of a high-density oligonucleotide microarray (microchip) for identifying strains of five closely related bacilli (Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus medusa and Bacillus subtilis) was demonstrated using an approach that compares the non-equilibrium dissociation rates ('melting curves') of all probe-target duplexes simultaneously. For this study, a hierarchical set of 30 oligonucleotide probes targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA of these bacilli at multiple levels of specificity (approximate taxonomic ranks of domain, kingdom, order, genus and species) was designed and immobilized in a high-density matrix of gel pads on a glass slide. Reproducible melting curves for probes with different levels of specificity were obtained using an optimized salt concentration. Clear discrimination between perfect match (PM) and mismatch (MM) duplexes was achieved. By normalizing the signals to an internal standard (a universal probe), a more than twofold discrimination (> 2.4x) was achieved between PM and 1-MM duplexes at the dissociation temperature at which 50% of the probe-target duplexes remained intact. This provided excellent differentiation among representatives of different Bacillus species, both individually and in mixtures of two or three. The overall pattern of hybridization derived from this hierarchical probe set also provided a clear 'chip fingerprint' for each of these closely related Bacillus species.

Non-NASA Center↗

Bidirectional Classical Stochastic Processes with Measurements and Feedback

A measurement on a quantum system is said to cause the "collapse" of the quantum state vector or density matrix. An analogous collapse occurs with measurements on a classical stochastic process. This paper addresses the question of describing the response of a classical stochastic process when there is feedback from the output of a measurement to the input, and is intended to give a model for quantum-mechanical processes that occur along a space-like reaction coordinate. The classical system can be thought of in physical terms as two counterflowing probability streams, which stochastically exchange probability currents in a way that the net probability current, and hence the overall probability, suitably interpreted, is conserved. The proposed formalism extends the . mathematics of those stochastic processes describable with linear, single-step, unidirectional transition probabilities, known as Markov chains and stochastic matrices. It is shown that a certain rearrangement and combination of the input and output of two stochastic matrices of the same order yields another matrix of the same type. Each measurement causes the partial collapse of the probability current distribution in the midst of such a process, giving rise to calculable, but non-Markov, values for the ensuing modification of the system's output probability distribution. The paper concludes with an analysis of a classical probabilistic version of the so-called grandfather paradox.

Hahne, G. E.↗