Nonlocal Regime Research Articles

Dual-switching behavior of nonlocal interfaces

Nonlinear interfaces separating two diffusive Kerr-type media exhibit dual switching between total internal reflection and transmission. This property is found within a weakly nonlocal regime when both a nonparaxial treatment of the problem and a full two-dimensional model for carrier diffusion are assumed. The theoretical model is shown to predict an effective cubic-quintic nonlinearity with competing terms that produces such property. The validity of the analysis is contrasted with a full set of numerical simulations.

Theoretical description of electron–phonon Fock space for gapless and gapped nanowires**Project supported by the Iranian Nanotechnology Initiative. This work has also been supported by Shahrekord University through a research fund.

We study the effect of electron–phonon (e–ph) interaction on the elastic and inelastic electronic transport of a nanowire connected to two simple rigid leads within the tight-binding and harmonic approximations. The model is constructed using Green’s function and multi-channel techniques, taking into account the local and nonlocal e–ph interactions. Then, we examine the model for the gapless (simple chain) and gapped (PA-like nanowire) systems. The results show that the tunneling conductance is improved by the e–ph interaction in both local and nonlocal regimes, while for the resonance conductance, the coherent part mainly decreases and the incoherent part increases. At the corresponding energies which depend on the phonon frequency, two dips in the elastic and two peaks in the inelastic conductance spectra appear. The reason is the absorption of the phonon by the electron in transition into inelastic channels.

Dynamic homogenization in the Nonlocal and Local regimes for a phononic superlattice: Resonant elastic metamaterial

In this paper, we shall propose an elastic metamaterial based on a specific rubber/aluminum superlattice. We will calculate the frequency-dependent effective mass density and transverse elastic constant in the Local and Nonlocal homogenization regimes. Using the effective dynamic parameters, the phononic dispersion calculations of the homogenized elastic crystal show a second pass band for transverse modes where the superlattice behaves as a double-negative elastic metamaterial having simultaneously negative effective mass density and shear modulus. Which is very useful for designing resonant elastic metamaterials.

Extension of a reduced entropic model of electron transport to magnetized nonlocal regimes of high-energy-density plasmas

AbstractLaser-produced high-energy-density plasmas may contain strong magnetic fields that affect the energy transport, which can be nonlocal. Models which describe the magnetized nonlocal transport are formally complicated and based on many approximations. This paper presents a more straightforward approach to the description of the electron transport in this regime, based on the extension of a reduced entropic model. The calculated magnetized heat fluxes are compared with the known asymptotic limits and applied for studying of a magnetized nonlocal plasma thermalization.

Exocometary gas in the HD 181327 debris ring

An increasing number of observations have shown that gaseous debris discs are not an exception. However, until now, we only knew of cases around A stars. Here we present the first detection of 12CO (2–1) disc emission around an F star, HD 181327, obtained with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations at 1.3 mm. The continuum and CO emission are resolved into an axisymmetric disc with ring-like morphology. Using a Markov chain Monte Carlo method coupled with radiative transfer calculations, we study the dust and CO mass distribution. We find the dust is distributed in a ring with a radius of 86.0 ± 0.4 au and a radial width of 23.2 ± 1.0 au. At this frequency, the ring radius is smaller than in the optical, revealing grain size segregation expected due to radiation pressure. We also report on the detection of low-level continuum emission beyond the main ring out to ∼200 au. We model the CO emission in the non-local thermodynamic equilibrium regime and we find that the CO is co-located with the dust, with a total CO gas mass ranging between 1.2 × 10−6 M⊕ and 2.9 × 10−6 M⊕, depending on the gas kinetic temperature and collisional partners densities. The CO densities and location suggest a secondary origin, i.e. released from icy planetesimals in the ring. We derive a CO+CO2 cometary composition that is consistent with Solar system comets. Due to the low gas densities, it is unlikely that the gas is shaping the dust distribution.

Graphene electrodynamics in the presence of the extrinsic spin Hall effect

We extend the electrodynamics of two dimensional electron gases to account for the extrinsic spin Hall effect (SHE). The theory is applied to doped graphene decorated with a random distribution of absorbates that induce spin-orbit coupling (SOC) by proximity. The formalism extends previous semiclassical treatments of the SHE to the non-local dynamical regime. Within a particle-number conserving approximation, we compute the conductivity, dielectric function, and spin Hall angle in the small frequency and wave vector limit. The spin Hall angle is found to decrease with frequency and wave number, but it remains comparable to its zero-frequency value around the frequency corresponding to the Drude peak. The plasmon dispersion and linewidth are also obtained. The extrinsic SHE affects the plasmon dispersion in the long wavelength limit, but not at large values of the wave number. This result suggests an explanation for the rather similar plasmonic response measured in exfoliated graphene, which does not exhibit the SHE, and graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition, for which a large SHE has been recently reported. Our theory also lays the foundation for future experimental searches of SOC effects in the electrodynamic response of two-dimensional electron gases with SOC disorder.

Helmholtz solitons in diffusive Kerr-type media

Soliton evolution at diffusive Kerr-type media is analyzed within the framework of the Helmholtz theory. The angular limitations of previous paraxial studies are overcome when both soliton propagation and diffusion of carriers are allowed to occur along any arbitrary direction. A model including two-dimensional carrier diffusion is proposed and its exact soliton solutions within the weakly nonlocal regime are presented. The restriction of carrier diffusion to a single transverse coordinate leads to the breakdown of the rotational symmetry of the Helmholtz framework and soliton behavior becomes angular dependent. We study the impact of this limitation in an intrinsic angular scenario, such as a nonlinear interface.

Characterization of electron kinetics regime with electron energy probability functions in inductively coupled hydrogen plasmas

Electron kinetics regime is characterized with the evolution of electron energy probability functions (EEPFs) in inductively coupled hydrogen plasmas. Measurements on EEPFs are carried out with a radio-frequency-compensated single Langmuir probe at the center of a planar-type hydrogen plasma driven by 13.56 MHz wave frequency. Measured EEPFs deviate considerably from the Maxwellian distribution only at relatively high pressures (15–40 mTorr), and the effective electron temperature steeply decreases as the gas pressure increases. Such evolution of the EEPF shapes with pressures is discussed in the consideration of the electron energy relaxation length and various characteristic frequencies. It is found that the EEPFs show locally depleted electron energy distribution where the electron-molecule vibrational collision frequency exceeds the electron-electron collision frequency at the local kinetics regime, while the measured EEPF is not dependent on the vibrational collision frequency at the non-local kinetics regime. Variation of the EEPF shape with distance from the heating region at the local kinetics regime is also well explained in the context of the energy relaxation length and electron-molecule collision frequencies. This study indicates that the control of electron energy distribution should be carried out in the consideration of electron kinetic regime depending on the energy relaxation length for various hydrogen plasma sources.

Nonlocal transistor based on pure crossed Andreev reflection in a EuO-graphene/superconductor hybrid structure

We study the interband transport in a superconducting device composed of graphene with EuO-induced exchange interaction. We show that pure crossed Andreev reflection can be generated exclusively without the parasitic local Andreev reflection and elastic cotunnelling over a wide range of bias and Fermi levels in an EuO-graphene/superconductor/EuO-graphene device. The pure non-local conductance exhibits rapid on/off switching and oscillatory behavior when the Fermi levels in the normal and the superconducting leads are varied. The oscillation reflects the quasiparticle propagation in the superconducting lead and can be used as a tool to probe the subgap quasiparticle mode in superconducting graphene, which is inaccessible from the current-voltage characteristics. Our results suggest that the device can be used as a highly tunable transistor that operates purely in the non-local and spin-polarized transport regime.

Renormalization group analysis of a turbulent compressible fluid neard= 4: Crossover between local and non-local scaling regimes

We study scaling properties of the model of fully developed turbulence for a compressible fluid, based on the stochastic Navier-Stokes equation, by means of the field theoretic renormalization group (RG). The scaling properties in this approach are related to fixed points of the RG equation. Here we study a possible existence of other scaling regimes and an opportunity of a crossover between them. This may take place in some other space dimensions, particularly at $d = 4$. A new regime may there arise and then by continuity moves into $d = 3$. Our calculations have shown that there really exists an additional fixed point, that may govern scaling behaviour.

Bridging the Nanogap with Light: Continuous Tuning of Plasmon Coupling between Gold Nanoparticles.

The control of nanogaps lies at the heart of plasmonics for nanoassemblies. The plasmon coupling sensitively depends on the size and the shape of the nanogaps between nanoparticles, permitting fine-tuning of the resonance wavelength and near-field enhancement at the gap. Previously reported methods of molecular or lithographic control of the gap distance are limited to producing discrete values and encounter difficulty in achieving subnanometer gap distances. For these reasons, the study of the plasmon coupling for varying degrees of interaction remains a challenge. Here, we report that by using light, the interparticle distance for gold nanoparticle (AuNP) dimers can be continuously tuned from a few nanometers to negative values (i.e., merged particles). Accordingly, the plasmon coupling between the AuNPs transitions from the classical electromagnetic regime to the contact regime via the nonlocal and quantum regimes in the subnanometer gap region. We find that photooxidative desorption of alkanedithiol linkers induced by UV irradiation causes the two AuNPs in a dimer to approach each other and eventually merge. Light-driven control of the interparticle distance offers a novel means of exploring the fundamental nature of plasmon coupling as well as the possibility of fabricating nanoassemblies with any desired gap distance in a spatially controlled manner.

Evidence of enhanced self-organized criticality (SOC) dynamics during the radially non-local transient transport in the HL-2A tokamak

Self-organized criticality (SOC) dynamics have been investigated in non-local transport regimes induced by the supersonic molecular beam injection in the HL-2A tokamak. Experimental evidence shows that the SOC or avalanche behaviors, such as the Hurst parameter, self-similarity and large-scale radial correlations in turbulence, are remarkably enhanced during the prompt non-local phase, together with an increase of inward propagation of turbulent events. These results highlight the importance of SOC paradigm during the transient non-local thermal transport in magnetically confined plasmas.

Electron heating via self-excited plasma series resonance in geometrically symmetric multi-frequency capacitive plasmas

The self-excitation of plasma series resonance (PSR) oscillations plays an important role in the electron heating dynamics in capacitively coupled radio-frequency (CCRF) plasmas. In a combined approach of PIC/MCC simulations and a theoretical model based on an equivalent circuit, we investigate the self-excitation of PSR oscillations and their effect on the electron heating in geometrically symmetric CCRF plasmas driven by multiple consecutive harmonics. The discharge symmetry is controlled via the electrical asymmetry effect (EAE), i.e. by varying the total number of harmonics and tuning the phase shifts between them. It is demonstrated that PSR oscillations will be self-excited under both symmetric and asymmetric conditions, if (i) the charge–voltage relation of the plasma sheaths deviates from a simple quadratic behavior and (ii) the inductance of the plasma bulk exhibits a temporal modulation. These two effects have been neglected up to now, but we show that they must be included in the model in order to properly describe the nonlinear series resonance circuit and reproduce the self-excitation of PSR oscillations, which are observed in the electron current density resulting from simulations of geometrically symmetric CCRF plasmas. Furthermore, the effect of PSR self-excitation on the discharge current and the plasma properties, such as the potential profile, is illustrated by applying Fourier analysis. High-frequency oscillations in the entire spectrum between the applied frequencies and the local electron plasma frequency are observed. As a consequence, the electron heating is strongly enhanced by the presence of PSR oscillations. A complex electron heating dynamics is found during the expansion phase of the sheath, which is fully collapsed, when the PSR is initially self-excited. The nonlinear electron resonance heating (NERH) associated with the PSR oscillations causes a spatial asymmetry in the electron heating. By discussing the resulting ionization profile in the nonlocal regime of low-pressure CCRF plasmas, we examine why the ion flux at both electrodes remains approximately constant, independently of the phase shifts.

Localized solutions for a nonlocal discrete NLS equation

We study spatially localized time-periodic solutions of breather type for a cubic discrete NLS equation with a nonlocal nonlinearity that models light propagation in a liquid crystal waveguide array. We show the existence of breather solutions in the limit where both linear and nonlinear intersite couplings vanish, and in the limit where the linear coupling vanishes with arbitrary nonlinear intersite coupling. Breathers of this nonlocal regime exhibit some interesting features that depart from what is seen in the NLS breathers with power nonlinearity. One property we see theoretically is the presence of higher amplitude at interfaces between sites with zero and nonzero amplitude in the vanishing linear coupling limit. A numerical study also suggests the presence of internal modes of orbitally stable localized modes.

The effect of the driving frequency on the confinement of beam electrons and plasma density in low-pressure capacitive discharges

The effect of changing the driving frequency on the plasma density and the electron dynamics in a capacitive radio-frequency argon plasma operated at low pressures of a few Pa is investigated by particle-in-cell/Monte-Carlo collision simulations and analytical modeling. In contrast to previous assumptions, the plasma density does not follow a quadratic dependence on the driving frequency in this non-local collisionless regime. Instead, a step-like increase at a distinct driving frequency is observed. Based on an analytical power balance model, in combination with a detailed analysis of the electron kinetics, the density jump is found to be caused by an electron heating mode transition from the classical α-mode into a low-density resonant heating mode characterized by the generation of two energetic electron beams at each electrode per sheath expansion phase. These electron beams propagate through the bulk without collisions and interact with the opposing sheath. In the low-density mode, the second beam is found to hit the opposing sheath during its collapse. Consequently, a large number of energetic electrons is lost at the electrodes resulting in a poor confinement of beam electrons in contrast to the classical α-mode observed at higher driving frequencies. Based on the analytical model this modulated confinement quality and the related modulation of the energy lost per electron lost at the electrodes is demonstrated to cause the step-like change of the plasma density. The effects of a variation of the electrode gap, the neutral gas pressure, the electron sticking and secondary electron emission coefficients of the electrodes on this step-like increase of the plasma density are analyzed based on the simulation results.

A classical treatment of optical tunneling in plasmonic gaps: extending the quantum corrected model to practical situations.

The optical response of plasmonic nanogaps is challenging to address when the separation between the two nanoparticles forming the gap is reduced to a few nanometers or even subnanometer distances. We have compared results of the plasmon response within different levels of approximation, and identified a classical local regime, a nonlocal regime and a quantum regime of interaction. For separations of a few Ångstroms, in the quantum regime, optical tunneling can occur, strongly modifying the optics of the nanogap. We have considered a classical effective model, so called Quantum Corrected Model (QCM), that has been introduced to correctly describe the main features of optical transport in plasmonic nanogaps. The basics of this model are explained in detail, and its implementation is extended to include nonlocal effects and address practical situations involving different materials and temperatures of operation.

On the possibility of determining the energy-distribution function of nonlocal penning electrons by measuring the current to wall electrode in afterglow plasma

The results of numerical simulation of the afterglow plasma of pulsed discharge in a nonlocal regime confirm the possibility of determining the energy-distribution function (EDF) of nonlocal penning electrons by measuring their current to a wall electrode. It is shown that the EDF of nonlocal Penning electrons is proportional to the first derivative of the electron-current density with respect to potential on the wall electrode.

Quenching of the Photoisomerization of Azobenzene Self-Assembled Monolayers by the Metal Substrate

In this study, we aim at investigating the role played by the metal surface as a possible dissipative channel in the photoisomerization process of azobenzene-derivative-based self-assembled monolayers (azo-SAMs). In particular we compare the cases of gold and platinum. We study the excitonic transfer phenomena of two azo-derivatives (both in trans and in cis conformation) chemisorbed on Au{111} and Pt{111} to the metal surfaces. The metal effects are evaluated within the local and nonlocal regimes, showing that nonlocality in the metal response plays an important role and nonlocal accounting quenching rates are one order of magnitude smaller than the corresponding local results. The couplings are stronger for Au{111} than for Pt{111}, but for both cases the energy transfer between the molecule and the metal turns out not to be able to suppress photoisomerization.

Vlasov’s kinetic theory of the collective charged particle beam transport through a magnetized plasma in the strongly nonlocal regime

Within the Vlasov’s kinetic theory, describing the plasma wake field interaction, the collective transport of a warm nonlaminar relativistic charged particle beam is analyzed in the strongly nonlocal regime, where the beam spot-size is much less than the plasma wavelength. This is done in the overdense regime, i.e., the beam density is much less than the plasma density. The beam is supposed to be sufficiently long to experience the adiabatic shielding by the plasma. In these conditions, we neglect the longitudinal beam dynamics and focus on the transverse one only. We derive the virial description (envelope description) from the 2D Vlasov-Poisson-type system of equations that governs the transverse self-consistent plasma wake field excitation. The resulting envelope equation is then reduced, in the aberration-less approximation, to a differential equation for the beam spot size, where the role of the ambient magnetic field is evaluated in both laboratory and astrophysical environments. An analysis of the beam envelope self-modulation is then carried out and the criteria for the occurrence of the instability are found.

Effect of surface roughness on self-assembled monolayer plasmonic ruler in nonlocal regime.

Recently, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have been used for plasmonic rulers to measure the nonlocal influence on the Au nanoparticle - metal film resonance wavelength shift and probe the ultimate field enhancement. Here we examine the influence of surface roughness on this plasmonic ruler in the nonlocal regime by comparing plasmonic resonance shifts for as-deposited and for ultra-flat Au films. It is shown that the resonance shift is larger for ultra-flat films, suggesting that there is not the saturation from nonlocal effects previously reported for the spacer range from 0.7 nm to 1.6 nm. We attribute the previously reported saturation to the planarization of the as-deposited films by thinner SAMs, as measured here by atomic-force microscopy. This work is of interest both in probing the ultimate limits of plasmonic enhancement with SAMs for applications in Raman and nonlinear optics, but also in the study of SAMs planarization as a function surface roughness.