Terahertz chiral metamaterials with giant and dynamically tunable optical activity
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Abstract Optically active quantum defects play an important role in quantum sensing, computing and communication. The electronic structure and the single-particle energy levels of these quantum defects in the semiconducting host have been used to understand their optoelectronic properties. Optical excitations that are central for their initialization and readout are linked to transitions between occupied and unoccupied single-particle states. It is commonly assumed that only quantum defects introducing levels well within the band gap and far from the band edges are of interest for quantum technologies as they mimic an isolated atom embedded in the host. In this perspective, we contradict this common assumption and show that optically active defects with energy levels close to the band edges can display similar properties. We highlight quantum defects that are excited through transitions to or from a band-like level (bound exciton) such as the T center and Se S i + in silicon. We also present how defects such as the silicon split-vacancy in diamond can involve transitions between localized levels that are above the conduction band or below the valence band. Loosening the commonly assumed requirement on the electronic structure of quantum defects offers opportunities in quantum defects design and discovery especially in smaller band gap hosts such as silicon. We discuss the challenges in terms of operating temperature for photoluminescence or radiative lifetime in this regime. We also highlight how these alternative type of defects bring their own needs in terms of theoretical developments and fundamental understanding. This perspective clarifies the electronic structure requirement for quantum defects and will facilitate the identification and design of new color centers for quantum applications especially driven by first principles computations.
Optical ignition of solid energetic materials, which can rapidly release heat, gas, and thrust, is still challenging due to the limited light absorption and high ignition energy of typical energetic materials ( e.g., aluminum, Al). Here, we demonstrated that the optical ignition and combustion properties of micron-sized Al particles were greatly enhanced by adding only 20 wt % of graphene oxide (GO). These enhancements are attributed to the optically activated disproportionation and oxidation reactions of GO, which release heat to initiate the oxidization of Al by air and generate gaseous products to reduce the agglomeration of the composites and promote the pressure rise during combustion. More importantly, compared to conventional additives such as metal oxides nanoparticles ( e.g., WO 3 and Bi 2 O 3 ), GO has much lower density and therefore could improve energetic properties without sacrificing Al content. Finally, the results from Xe flash ignition and laser-based excitation experiments demonstrate that GO is an efficient additive to improve the energetic performance of micron-sized Al particles, enabling micron-sized Al to be ignited by optical activation and promoting the combustion of Al in air.
Active optics apparatus and method for aligning active optics are provided for a high-resolution, active optic fluorescence analyzer combining a large acceptance solid angle with wide energy tunability. A plurality of rows of correctors selectively controlled to bend an elongated strip of single crystal material like Si (400) into substantially any precisely defined shape. A pair of pushers engages opposite ends of the silicon crystal strip exert only a force along the long axis of the crystal strip, and does not induce additional bending moments which would result in a torsion of the crystal.
Optically active substituted polyacetylene@multiwalled carbon nanotubes (SPA@MWCNTs) nanohybrids were fabricated by wrapping helical SPA copolymers onto the surface of modified nanotubes through ester bonding linkage. SPA copolymer based on chiral phenylalanine and serine was pre-polymerized by a rhodium zwitterion catalyst in THF, and evidently proved to possess strong optical activity and adopt a predominately one-handed helical conformation. Various characterizations including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) demonstrated that the SPA had been covalently grafted onto the nanotubes without destroying their original graphite structure. The wrapped SPA was found to exhibit an enhancement in thermal stability and still maintained considerable optical activity after grafting. The infrared emissivity property of the nanohybrids at 8–14 μm was investigated in addition. The results indicated that the SPA@MWCNTs hybrid matrix could possess a much lower infrared emissivity value (ε=0.707) than raw MWCNTs, which might be due to synergistic effect of the unique helical conformation of optically active SPA and strengthened interfacial interaction between the organic polymers and inorganic nanoparticles. - Graphical abstract: Optically active SPA@MWCNTs nanohybrids with low infrared emissivity. - Highlights: • Synthesis of optically active SPA copolymer derived from serine and phenylalanine. • Preparation and characterization of optically active SPA@MWCNTs nanohybrids. • Application study of the SPA@MWCNTs nanohybrids (ε=0.707) in lowering the infrared emissivity.
Active optical (Laser/Lidar) measurement techniques are critical for the future National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Earth, Planetary Science, Exploration, and Aeronautics measurements. The latest science decadal surveys recommend a number of missions requiring active optical systems to meet the science measurement objectives and the aeronautics community continues to use Laser/Lidar technologies to meet the aeronautics measurement objectives. With these drivers, the NASA Agency Program Management Council (APMC), chaired by the NASA Associate Administrator, has tasked the NASA Sensors and Instrumentation (S&I) Capability Leadership Team (CLT) Leader to determine if the Agency has the necessary expertise and capabilities to execute successfully the active optical-based systems necessary to make the required measurements for Science, Exploration, and Aeronautics. This NASA Technical Interchange Meeting (TIM) was a forum to exchange perspectives on the current state of the discipline’s technologies and the direction NASA needs to take in the future to raise the Technical Readiness Level (TRL) of the measurement technologies to meet these measurement needs in the applications domains. The information developed at this TIM was used in formulating the Agency-level strategy and solutions for advancing high-risk Laser/Lidar technologies that are not currently being sufficiently planned, developed, or risk-reduced to meet NASA’s mission requirements. Given the crosscutting synergies in critical Active Optical measurements for NASA Science, Exploration, and Aeronautics, a strategic approach is needed to identify areas where NASA should “lead, leverage or collaborate” with existing national and international industries to meet its future needs. The TIM aimed at focusing NASA’s directions to attain the necessary TRLs to meet the Agency-level priority Active Optical measurements in Space and Aeronautics. The TIM presentations and strategic inputs were synthesized by the NASA Active Optical Tiger Team for presentation to the NASA APMC with a suggested strategy to address the Agency’s needs in a crosscutting, synergistic and cost-effective manner.
Optically active polyurethane/titania/silica (LPU/TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2}) multilayered core-shell composite microspheres were prepared by the combination of titania deposition on the surface of silica spheres and subsequent polymer grafting. LPU/TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} was characterized by FT-IR, UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), SEM and TEM, and the infrared emissivity value (8-14 {mu}m) was investigated in addition. The results indicated that titania and polyurethane had been successfully coated onto the surfaces of silica microspheres. LPU/TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} exhibited clearly multilayered core-shell construction. The infrared emissivity values reduced along with the increase of covering layers thus proved that the interfacial interactions had direct influence on the infrared emissivity. Besides, LPU/TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} multilayered microspheres based on the optically active polyurethane took advantages of the orderly secondary structure and strengthened interfacial synergistic actions. Consequently, it possessed the lowest infrared emissivity value. - Graphical Abstract: Optically active polyurethane/titania/silica (LPU/TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2}) multilayered core-shell composite microspheres were prepared by the combination of titania deposition on the surface of silica spheres and subsequent polymer grafting. Highlights: > Optically active polyurethane based on tyrosine was used for the modification of nanoparticles. > LPU/TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} multilayered core-shell microspheres were prepared and characterized. > Interfacial interactions and secondary structure affected the infrared emissivity of composite.
Optical activity in organic matter contamination of meteorites
Optical activity in meteorite organic matter, recording observation of low amplitude
Optically activated data storage medium visually and electromagnetically reproduces a recorded signal. In an electric field, particles in heat-fluidized thermoplastic layer form a visible image of the recorded signal. Refluidizing the thermoplastic layer erases the signals. Very high data packing densities are achieved.
The active optics concept using a thin deformable mirror has been successfully demonstrated using a 30 in. diameter, 1/2 in. thick mirror and a 61 point matrix of forces for alignment. Many of the problems associated with the design, fabrication, and launch of large aperture diffraction-limited astronomical telescopes have been resolved and experimental data created that can provide accurate predictions of performance in orbit.
The active optics simulation system (AOSS) is a set of computer programs and associated software to be used in the development, design, and evaluation of a primary mirror control system for a large space telescope, (e.g., the tentatively proposed 3-meter telescope). The mathematical models of component subsystems and the solution of the physical processes that occur within the mirror surface control system were obtained, and based on these models AOSS simulates the behavior of the entire mirror surface control system as well as the behavior of the component subsystems. The program has a modular structure so that any subsystem module can be replaced or modified with minimum disruption of the rest of the simulation program.
We develop a general theory of optical activity of semiconductor nanocrystals whose chirality is induced by a small perturbation of their otherwise achiral electronic subsystems. The optical activity is described using the quantum-mechanical expressions for the rotatory strengths and dissymmetry factors introduced by Rosenfeld. We show that the rotatory strengths of optically active transitions are decomposed on electric dipole and magnetic dipole contributions, which correspond to the electric dipole and magnetic dipole transitions between the unperturbed quantum states. Remarkably, while the two kinds of rotatory strengths are of the same order of magnitude, the corresponding dissymmetry factors can differ by a factor of 10{sup 5}. By maximizing the dissymmetry of magnetic dipole absorption one can significantly enhance the enantioselectivity in the interaction of semiconductor nanocrystals with circularly polarized light. This feature may advance chiral and analytical methods, which will benefit biophysics, chemistry, and pharmaceutical science. The developed theory is illustrated by an example of intraband transitions inside a semiconductor nanocuboid, whose rotatory strengths and dissymmetry factors are calculated analytically.
The effects of annealing on the optical properties and defect/dopant evolution in wurtzite (0001) ZnO single crystals implanted with Er ions are studied using a combination of Rutherford backscattering/channeling spectrometry and photoluminescence measurements. The results suggest a lattice recovery behavior dependent on ion dose and involving formation/evolution of an anomalous multipeak defect distribution, thermal stability of optically active Er complexes, and Er outdiffusion. An intermediate defect band occurring between the surface and ion-induced defects in the bulk is stable up to 900 °C and has a photoluminescence signature around 420 nm well corresponding to Zn interstitials. The optical activity of the Er atoms reaches a maximum after annealing at 700 °C but is not directly associated to the ideal Zn site configuration, since the Er substitutional fraction is maximal already in the as-implanted state. In its turn, annealing at temperatures above 700 °C leads to dissociation of the optically active Er complexes with subsequent outdiffusion of Er accompanied by the efficient lattice recovery.
Within the framework of independent particle approximation, the optical activity tensor of solids is formulated as from different contributions: the magnetic dipole, electric quadrupole, and band dispersion terms. The first two terms have similar counterparts in the theory of finite systems, whereas the last term is unique for crystals. Further, the magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole transition moments are calculated with a sum-over-states formulation. We apply the formulation to calculate and analyze the optical rotation of elemental tellurium and the circular dichroism of the (6,4) carbon nanotube. Decomposed optical activity into different contributions is discussed. The calculated spectra agree well with experiments. As a showcase of achiral crystals, we calculate the optical activity of wurtzite GaN.
STRIVES Entry: 20230013683, Abstract—Active optical (Laser/Lidar) measurement techniques are critical for the future National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Earth, Planetary Science, Exploration, and Aeronautics measurements. The latest science decadal surveys recommend several missions requiring active optical systems to meet the science measurement objectives and the aeronautics community continues to use Laser/Lidar technologies to meet the aeronautics measurement objectives. This presentation will provide an overview of NASA efforts in developing and maturing state-of-the-art advanced solid-state flight laser/lidar systems for airborne and space-borne remote sensing measurements. The presentation will also provide details of a strategic approach for active optical technologies and techniques to meet the NASA’s future Earth and Space Science measurements/missions needs and requirements for space-based applications.