Bistability Effect Research Articles

Thermo‐Optical Bistability Enabled by Bound States in The Continuum in Silicon Metasurfaces

AbstractThe control of light through all‐optical means is a fundamental challenge in nanophotonics and a key effect in optical switching and logic. The optical bistability effect enables this control and can be observed in various planar photonic systems such as microdisk and photonic crystal cavities and waveguides. However, the recent advancements in flat optics with wavelength‐thin optical elements require nonlinear elements based on metastructures and metasurfaces. The performance of these systems can be enhanced with high‐Q bound states in the continuum (BIC), which leads to intense harmonic generation, improved light‐matter coupling, and pushes forward sensing limits. This study reports enhanced thermo‐optical nonlinearity and the observation of optical bistability in an all‐dielectric metasurface membrane with BIC. Unlike many other nanophotonic platforms, metasurfaces allow for fine control of the quality factor of the BIC resonance by managing the radiative losses. This provides an opportunity to control the parameters of the observed hysteresis loop and even switch from bistability to optical discrimination by varying the angle of incidence. Additionally, this work proposes a mechanism of nonlinear critical coupling that establishes the conditions for maximal hysteresis width and minimal switching power, which has not been reported before. The study suggests that all‐dielectric metasurfaces supporting BICs can serve as a flat‐optics platform for optical switching and modulation based on strong thermo‐optical nonlinearity.

Effect of exceptional point on the performance of a bistable all-optical switch.

Microring cavities based on whispering-gallery modes (WGMs) have a very high-quality factor (Q) and a small mode volume, greatly improving the interaction between light and matter, which has attracted great attention in microlaser, nonlinear, and sensing fields. Plasmonics in the microcavity further enhance compression of the optical field. Recently, research on enhanced optical sensing sensitivity and low threshold laser based on exceptional points (EPs) is quite impressive. In this work, we propose a new, to our knowledge, all-optical switch by using the bistable effect under the EP of an ultra-compact plasmonic racetrack resonator and perform numerical simulations using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. The introduction of EPs further enhances the localization of the light field and thus improves the Kerr nonlinear effect of the microcavity; low threshold optical bistability is achieved. The results show that the device under an EP has a relatively lower threshold (input optical power threshold of 2.2 MW/cm2), shorter switching time (1.725 ps), and significantly improved switching contrast (17.16 dB) compared with those without EP. Our research lays the groundwork for optical switches that are chip-integrated, have low power consumption, and exhibit short switching times.

Annular impinging jets controlled by synthetic jets inducing a swirling flow character

Experimental research was conducted on an annular air jet. The active flow control was introduced by means of tangentially arranged synthetic jets. Flow visualization and measurements of the flow velocity and stagnation pressure on an impingement wall were performed. Tests were carried out with Reynolds numbers ranging from 4000 to 10,000 (evaluated from the outer exit diameter of the annular nozzle). Bistability and hysteretic effects were revealed, because two alternative flow field patterns (A and B) were identified under the same boundary conditions. In the A pattern, a small recirculation area (bubble) of separated flow was attached to the nozzle centerbody. In the B pattern, a large recirculation area of separated flow bridged the entire nozzle-to-wall distance. The effect of the Reynolds number was evaluated: the hysteresis and bistability were not observed for Re ≥ 9000. Concerning the effect of flow control, it was concluded that a moderate swirling effect can effectively suppress the hysteresis and bistability.Graphical abstract

Nonlinear dynamics of cavity optomechanical-thermal systems.

Cavity optomechanics is concerned with the interaction between optical cavities and mechanical resonators. Here, we present systematic research on the dynamic behaviors of cavity optomechanical systems incorporating the influence of thermal nonlinearity. A dimensionless theoretical model was established to describe the system and numerical simulations were performed to study the dynamic behaviors. We theoretically identify the staircase effect, which can abruptly alter the system parameters when adiabatically sweeping the pump laser frequency across the optical cavity resonance and driving the mechanical resonator into oscillation. Moreover, we found bistability effects in several detuning intervals when sweeping the laser forward and backward. Both effects are analyzed theoretically and the roots lie in the thermal instability between averaged cavity energy and laser detuning. Our study shows the dynamic behaviors in an optomechanical-thermal system and provides guidance in leveraging the systems for applications in optical frequency comb, phonon laser, etc.

Bistable dual cantilever flutter for potential wind energy harvesting applications

This paper examines the potential of bistable dual cantilever flutter (DCF) for wind energy harvesting applications. Two cantilever beams were placed side by side and perpendicular to the direction of the wind flow to create a unique phenomenon known as the DCF. Similar pole magnets were then attached to the free end of each beam to establish a bistable condition. A theoretical model was presented and was shown to agree well with the experimental measurement. The mass of the magnets caused the frequency of the beams to drop by approximately 4.5 times compared to the monostable DCF. When the two beams were placed 21.0 mm apart, the bistable beams achieved a stable state at a critical flutter speed of 5.3 ms−1 and displayed significantly large, anti-phase oscillations that is approximately three times larger than the monostable DCF. Further increase in this distance showed a decreasing trend with the critical flutter speed, which opposes the expected trend of the monostable DCF. Due to the bistable effect, significant flutter amplitudes were also obtained during a backward sweep when the wind speeds were incrementally reduced from high to low, recording a 73.2 % increase in bandwidth for one of the tested cases. This suggests the possibility of an ultra-wide bandwidth energy harvester. Finally, it was shown that the piezoelectric conversion method is more favourable for the bistable DCF whereas electromagnetic induction is preferred for the monostable DCF.

Peredacha spinovogo momenta i nelineynyy kvantovyy elektronnyy transport v kiral'nykh gelimagnetikakh

We construct a nonlinear theory of electric resistance of chiral helimagnets, in which the shape changes and the magnetization spiral starts rotating during the passage of electric current due to the spin transfer torque effect. It is shown that the rotation of the spin spiral under the action of the passing current, the electric resistance of the helimagnet is always lower than the resistance of a helimagnet in which the spin spiral is stationary. It is found that the current–voltage characteristic of the helimagnet in the presence of the spin transfer torque from the conduction electron system to the system of localized electrons can be essentially nonlinear. The possibility of the spin electric bistability effect in helimagnets is predicted for the situation when the spin contribution to electric resistance of a helimagnet can take two different values for the same value of the current passing through it. The possibility of realization of states with a negative differential resistance in helimagnets is demonstrated.

Modular Design of Multistable Pneumatic Structures from a Flat Pattern of Air Pouches

We introduce a novel family of structures that can be inflated from a plane to form a three-dimensional surface using articulated straight pouches with inextensible membranes. Specifically, we propose a modular design using a quadrangle surrounded by four slender pouches, whose inflation causes the surface to form a saddle shape. Then we show a fabrication method using heated nylon films with heat adhesives separated by paper mask patterns inside. We first show a geometric model to explain and predict the out-of-plane deformation and the bi-stability effect inherited in this structure. Through a geometric analysis and an elastic simulation of a pouch, we show that lowering the width-length ratio of pouches reduces the imperfection of shapes. We further propose a method for controlling the height of saddles using concentric patterns. We then extend structural modules into multiple-grid systems and identify the multistable behaviors of the overall structure.

Modulating Kerr nonlinearity and optical bistability in a monolayer graphene nanoribbon nanoresonator coupled to a metallic nanoshell

A scheme for modulating Kerr nonlinearity and optical bistability (OB) based on a monolayer graphene nanoribbon nanoresonator (NR) and a metallic nanoshell (MNS) is proposed. The MNS is made of an Au nanoshell and a dielectric core. Here, we not only demonstrate that the spectrum of the Kerr coefficient can switch from a four-peaked structure to a two-peaked structure by increasing the shell thickness of the MNS, but also plot bistability phase diagrams in the system’s parameter subspace, revealing that the bistable effect can be controlled via zero-channel, one-channel or two-channels by only changing the shell thickness in a strong exciton-phonon coupling regime. Additionally, the calculated results also show that the material of the core of MNS plays an essential role in tuning OB when the shell thickness is fixed. The findings pave a new way for developing optical Kerr switches and high-flexible bistable nanodevices.

Bistability effects in mechanics and its experimental demonstration

"We report examples of obtaining the bistability effect in mechanics and the experimental demonstration of this effect. We propose to use the graphical method of solving physics problems. The method explains qualitatively the theoretical results. We investigate the influence of different parameters on bistability properties. Finally, the experiment shows a clear evidence of bistability in a mechanical system"

Numerical investigation of optical bistability in a nonlinear plasmonic structure containing a phase change material

In this paper, a controllable nonlinear plasmonic structure is proposed based on a phase change material (PCM) layer to achieve tunable bistability characteristics. To this end, the Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) layer (as a PCM) is sandwiched between a thin film of Ag and a Kerr material substrate. Then, this multilayered structure is used as a substrate for the ZnSiAs2 grating whose grooves are filled with the Kerr nonlinear material. Next, the grating is covered with a layer of CaF2. In this structure, we first calculate the reflection spectrum for different crystallization fractions using the finite element method (FEM) in the linear regime. The reflectance spectrum shows a dip in the near-infrared region, which is redshifted with increasing the crystallization fraction of the GST layer. This effect results from the movement of surface plasmon resonance to longer wavelengths with increasing the crystallization fraction. Then, we find that the dip in the reflectance spectrum is redshifted with enhancing the input intensity of the incident wave for different crystallization fractions in the nonlinear regime. This behavior confirms the existence of optical bistability through the proposed structure. So, we calculate the bistability curves at a fixed operating wavelength of 1550 nm for different crystallization fractions. Our results demonstrate that as the phase transition from the amorphous to the crystalline state occurs at a fixed operating wavelength, the bistability thresholds reduce while the hysteresis width also decreases and the bistability effect eventually disappears. Therefore, for each crystallization fraction of the GST layer we find a special wavelength at which a reasonable bistability curve with a reasonable hysteresis width is obtained. This operating wavelength is shifted by 33 nm as the crystallization fraction varies from 0.2 to 0.8. Finally, the effects of increasing the thickness of the GST layer on the bistability characteristics are examined. Our results show that stronger tunability of the operating wavelength by 50 nm with variation of crystallization degree from 0.2 to 0.8 is achieved when a thicker GST layer is used instead of a thinner one.

Prestrain-induced bistability in the design of tensegrity units for mechanical metamaterials

Tensegrity metamaterials are a type of artificial materials that can exploit the tunable nonlinear mechanical behavior of the constituent tensegrity units. Here, we present reduced-order analytical models describing the prestrain-induced bistable effect of two particular tensegrity units. Closed-form expressions of the critical prestrain at which a unit transitions into a bistable regime are derived. Such expressions depend only on the geometry of the units. The predictions of the reduced-order model are verified by numerical simulations and by the realization of physical models. The present results can be generalized to analogous units with polygonal base, and the proposed tensegrity units can be assembled together to form one-dimensional metamaterials with tailorable nonlinear features such as multistability and solitary wave propagation.

Optical bistability in a heterodimer composed of a quantum dot and a metallic nanoshell.

We theoretically explore the conditions for generating optical bistability (OB) in a heterodimer comprised of a semiconductor quantum dot (SQD) and a metallic nanoshell (MNS). The MNS is made of a metallic nanosphere as a core and a dielectric material as a shell. For the specific hybrid system considered, the bistable effect appears only if the frequency of the pump field is equal to (or slightly less than) the exciton frequency for a proper shell thickness. Bistability phase diagrams, when plotted, show that the dipole-induced bistable region can be greatly broadened by changing the shell thickness of the MNS in a strong exciton-plasmon coupling regime. In particular, we demonstrate that the multipole polarization not only narrows the bistable zone but also enlarges the corresponding thresholds for a given intermediate scaled pumping intensity. On the other hand, when the SQD couples strongly with the MNS, the multipole polarization can also significantly broaden the bistable region and induce a great suppression of the FWM (four-wave mixing) signal for a fixed shell thickness. These interesting findings offer a fresh understanding of the bistability conditions in an SQD/MNS heterodimer, and may be useful in the fabrication of high-performance and low-threshold optical bistable nanodevices.

Dynamic modelling and analysis of a biological circular membrane

This paper presents the nonlinear dynamics of a biological circular membrane subjected to an electrically-induced mechanical loading condition. A continuum mechanics-based analytical model is developed to predict the dynamic response of the membrane for an applied electro-mechanical load. A crucial bi-stability feature is studied using the snap-through instability. The effect of bi-stability on the dynamics of a particular membrane system is characterised. The free and forced vibrations, including chaos for the critical conditions, are illustrated using the Poincaré map and Lyapunov stability criteria. Parametric studies are subsequently performed for varying sinusoidal voltages to determine the membrane multi-frequency resonance activity and stability parameters. As a result, the perturbation of the membrane exhibits two natural frequencies. Also, the system response transits from a soft duffing oscillator to a hard duffing oscillator with increased perturbation energy. The parametric study is also extended to varying sinusoidal pressure.

Reconstructing a disambiguation sequence that forms perceptual memory of multistable displays via reverse correlation method: Bias onset perception but gently.

When multistable displays are presented intermittently with long blank intervals, their onset perception is determined by perceptual memory of multistable displays. We investigated when and how it is formed using a reverse correlation method and bistable kinetic depth effect displays. Each experimental block consisted of interleaved fully ambiguous probe and exogenously disambiguated prime displays. The purpose of the former was to "read out" the perceptual memory, whereas the latter contained purely random disambiguation sequences that were presented at the beginning of the prime display, throughout the entire presentation, or at the beginning and the end of the presentation. For each experiment and condition, we selected a subset of trials with disambiguation sequences that led to a change in perception of either the prime itself (sequences that modified perception) or the following fully ambiguous probe (sequences that modified perceptual memory). We estimated average disambiguation sequences for each participant using additive linear models. We found that an optimal sequence started at the onset with a moderate disambiguation against the previously dominant state (dominant perception for the previous probe) that gradually reduced until the display is fully ambiguous. We also show that the same sequence leads to an altered perception of the prime, indicating that perception and perceptual memory form at the same time. We suggest that perceptual memory is a consequence of an earlier evidence accumulation process and is informative about how the visual system treated ambiguity in the past rather than how it anticipates an uncertain future.

Enhanced sensing of optomechanically induced nonlinearity by linewidth suppression and optical bistability in cavity-waveguide systems.

We study the enhanced sensing of optomechanically induced nonlinearity (OMIN) in a cavity-waveguide coupled system. The Hamiltonian of the system is anti-PT symmetric, with the two involved cavities being dissipatively coupled via the waveguide. The anti-PT symmetry may break down when a weak waveguide-mediated coherent coupling is introduced. However, we find a strong bistable response of the cavity intensity to the OMIN near the cavity resonance, benefiting from linewidth suppression caused by the vacuum induced coherence. The joint effect of optical bistability and the linewidth suppression is inaccessible by the anti-PT symmetric system involving only dissipative coupling. Due to that, the sensitivity measured by an enhancement factor is greatly enhanced by two orders of magnitude compared to that for the anti-PT symmetric model. Moreover, the enhancement factor shows resistance to a reasonably large cavity decay and robustness to fluctuations in the cavity-waveguide detuning. Based on the integrated optomechanical cavity-waveguide systems, the scheme can be used for sensing different physical quantities related to the single-photon coupling strength and has potential applications in high-precision measurements with systems involving Kerr-type nonlinearity.

Nonlinear operation of an FP laser with PT symmetry active medium.

In this paper, an analysis of the nonlinear laser operation in an active medium made of a parity time (PT) symmetric structure placed in a Fabry-Perot (FP) resonator is demonstrated for the first time. The FP mirrors' reflection coefficients and phases, the PT symmetric structure period, primitive cell number, and the gain and loss saturation effects are taken into account in a presented theoretical model. The modified transfer matrix method is used to obtain characteristics of laser output intensity. Numerical results show that the selection of the appropriate phase of the FP resonator's mirrors makes it possible to obtain different levels of the output intensity. Moreover, for certain value of a ratio of the grating period to the operating wavelength, it is possible to obtain the bistability effect.

Stapes vibrations induced by piezoelectric floating mass transducer

The paper presents a problem of nonlinear vibrations in the human middle ear stimulated by a piezoelectric floating mass transducer. The transducer is connected to the malleus by means of a coupler that is nonlinear. This nonlinearity together with the transducer has a key meaning for the middle ear behaviour because the improved model of piezoelectric transducer is used compared to previous papers. Nonlinear coupler stiffness and the applied voltage to the transducer produce a change of middle ear natural frequency. Moreover, a bistability effect of periodic solution and irregular vibrations are observed as well. The chaotic motion can exist in the hearing range that is especially harmful for patients who use implants with piezoelectric floating mass transducer.

Magnetic field-induced asymmetric mechanical metamaterials

We propose a magnetic field-induced asymmetric mechanical metamaterial. The tunable metamaterial integrates hard-Magnetic Active Elastomers (hMAEs) into the microstructural design combining snap-through, bi-stability, and local resonant effects. The proposed metamaterial design comprises resonating units made out of hMAE, and these units are supported by highly deformable curved beams connected with an elastomeric matrix. Activated by a magnetic field, the resonating units attain an unstable regime with dramatic configuration and stiffness variation. These controlled transformations significantly affect the elastic wave propagation. We illustrate that the proposed magnetoactive metamaterial enables bandgap tunability over a broadband low-frequency range. Thus, the proposed design allows remote and reversible control of the metamaterial performance. Moreover, the hMAE-based systems can incorporate the polarity and chirality stemming from the interaction of external magnetic fields and hMAE phases, giving rise to the unusual behavior of the metamaterial, and potentially enabling elastic cloaking.

Electron transport through supercrystals of atomically precise gold nanoclusters: a thermal bi-stability effect.

Nanoparticles (NPs) may behave like atoms or molecules in the self-assembly into artificial solids with stimuli-responsive properties. However, the functionality engineering of nanoparticle-assembled solids is still far behind the aesthetic approaches for molecules, with a major problem arising from the lack of atomic-precision in the NPs, which leads to incoherence in superlattices. Here we exploit coherent superlattices (or supercrystals) that are assembled from atomically precise Au103S2(SR)41 NPs (core dia. = 1.6 nm, SR = thiolate) for controlling the charge transport properties with atomic-level structural insights. The resolved interparticle ligand packing in Au103S2(SR)41-assembled solids reveals the mechanism behind the thermally-induced sharp transition in charge transport through the macroscopic crystal. Specifically, the response to temperature induces the conformational change to the R groups of surface ligands, as revealed by variable temperature X-ray crystallography with atomic resolution. Overall, this approach leads to an atomic-level correlation between the interparticle structure and a bi-stability functionality of self-assembled supercrystals, and the strategy may enable control over such materials with other novel functionalities.

Slow–Fast Dynamics Behaviors under the Comprehensive Effect of Rest Spike Bistability and Timescale Difference in a Filippov Slow–Fast Modified Chua’s Circuit Model

Since the famous slow–fast dynamical system referred to as the Hodgkin–Huxley model was proposed to describe the threshold behaviors of neuronal axons, the study of various slow–fast dynamical behaviors and their generation mechanisms has remained a popular topic in modern nonlinear science. The primary purpose of this paper is to introduce a novel transition route induced by the comprehensive effect of special rest spike bistability and timescale difference rather than a common bifurcation via a modified Chua’s circuit model with an external low-frequency excitation. In this paper, we attempt to explain the dynamical mechanism behind this novel transition route through quantitative calculations and qualitative analyses of the nonsmooth dynamics on the discontinuity boundary. Our work shows that the whole system responses may tend to be various and complicated when this transition route is triggered, exhibiting rich slow–fast dynamics behaviors even with a very slight change in excitation frequency, which is described well by using Poincaré maps in numerical simulations.