Nonreciprocal Behavior Research Articles

Magnetic-field controlled on-off switchable non-reciprocal negative refractive index in non-Hermitian photon-magnon hybrid systems

Photon-magnon coupling, where electromagnetic waves interact with spin waves, and negative refraction, which bends the direction of electromagnetic waves unnaturally, constitute critical foundations and advancements in the realms of optics, spintronics, and quantum information technology. Here, we explore a magnetic-field-controlled, on-off switchable, non-reciprocal negative refractive index within a non-Hermitian photon-magnon hybrid system. By integrating an yttrium iron garnet film with an inverted split-ring resonator, we discover pronounced negative refractive index driven by the system’s non-Hermitian properties. This phenomenon exhibits unique non-reciprocal behavior dependent on the signal’s propagation direction. Our analytical model sheds light on the crucial interplay between coherent and dissipative coupling, significantly altering permittivity and permeability’s imaginary components, crucial for negative refractive index’s emergence. This work pioneers new avenues for employing negative refractive index in photon-magnon hybrid systems, signaling substantial advancements in quantum hybrid systems.

Tunable thermoelectric superconducting heat pipe and diode

Abstract Efficient heat management at cryogenic temperatures is crucial for superconducting quantum technologies. This study demonstrates the controlled manipulation of the heat flow and heat rectification through an asymmetric superconducting tunnel junction. The system exhibits a non-reciprocal behavior, developing a thermoelectric regime exclusively when the electrode with the larger gap is heated. This feature significantly boosts thermal rectification effectively classifying the device as a heat diode. At the same time when operating as a thermoelectric engine, the same device also functions as a heat pipe, expelling heat from the cryogenic environment, minimizing losses at the cold terminal. This dual functionality is inherently passive, and the performance of the heat pipe and the heat diode can be finely adjusted by modifying the external electrical load.

Dynamic protected states in the non-Hermitian system

The non-Hermitian skin effect and nonreciprocal behavior are sensitive to the boundary conditions, which are unique features of non-Hermitian systems. In such systems, eigenenergies can become complex, and all eigenstates tend to localize at the boundary, a phenomenon that contrasts with Hermitian topologies. In this work, we theoretically study the dynamic behavior of the propagation of Gaussian wavepackets inside a non-Hermitian lattice and analyze the self-acceleration process of bulk state or Gaussian wavepackets toward the system’s boundary. The initial wavepackets will not only propagate toward the side where the eigenstates are localized, but also their momentum will approach to a specific value. This value corresponds to the maximum imaginary components of the energy dispersion. In addition, if the wavepackets in the momentum space cover this specific momentum, they will eventually exhibit exponentially increasing amplitudes with time evolution, maintaining the dynamic protected condition for an extended period of time until they approach the boundary. We also take two widely used toy models as examples in one and two dimensions to verify the correspondence of the non-Hermitian skin effect and the dynamic protected state.

Engineering static non-reciprocity in mechanical metamaterials

Non-reciprocity has recently been achieved in static fields by mechanical metamaterial that combines large non-linearity and asymmetric geometry. Novel devices are then designed to obtain one-way mechanical functionalities. Non-linearity is the fundamental part that regulates static non-reciprocity, but the influential path remains difficult to quantify. In this work, we employ the geometrically exact beam model to obtain the nonlinear deformation profile of mechanical metamaterials, and build nonlinear equations that govern the deformation behavior. A new two-step method is proposed to solve the nonlinear governing equations, which avoids Jacobi matrix singularity. We establish an accurate model that predicts the non-reciprocal mechanical behavior and verify its accuracy by finite element method. To gain further insight into non-linearity’s influences on mechanical non-reciprocity, we investigate mechanical metamaterials with curved beams, explore the effects of initial curvature on non-reciprocity, and engineer their non-reciprocity to obtain different non-reciprocal force–displacement responses. Our work offers beneficial vehicles to realize static direction-selective functionalities, contributing to shock absorption, vibration damping, and mechanical energy manipulation.

Realisation of broadband two-dimensional nonreciprocal acoustics using an active acoustic metasurface.

Nonreciprocal acoustic devices have been shown to be able to control incident waves propagating in one direction whilst allowing incident waves propagating in the opposite direction to be transmitted without modification. Nonreciprocal sound transmission, typically, has been achieved by introducing nonlinearities or directional biasing through fluid motion or spatiotemporal modulation of resonant cavities. However, the spatial arrangement of these approaches creates preferential characteristics in one direction such that the direction of the nonreciprocal behaviour is fixed and, thus, they are not straightforwardly reconfigurable. To address this issue, it has previously been revealed that feedforward wave-based active controllers can be employed to drive a single subwavelength active unit cell to achieve broadband nonreciprocal sound transmission or absorption in a one-dimensional linear acoustic system. Extending this concept, this paper investigates how the feedforward wave-based active controller can be used to drive an array of subwavelength active unit cells forming a metasurface to achieve broadband nonreciprocal sound absorption over a two-dimensional plane. Through simulation and experimental studies, this paper shows that active wave-based absorption control systems can achieve broadband nonreciprocal sound absorption when the incident waves are generated by normally and obliquely positioned primary sources.

Kerr nonlinearity induced nonreciprocity in dissipatively coupled resonators

Nonlinearity-induced nonreciprocity is studied in a system comprising two resonators coupled to a one-dimensional waveguide when the linear system does not exhibit nonreciprocity. The analysis is based on the Hamiltonian of the coupled system and includes the dissipative coupling between the waveguide and resonators, along with the input-output relations. We consider a large number of scenarios which can lead to nonreciprocity. We pay special attention to the case when the linear system does not exhibit nonreciprocal behavior. In this case, we show how very significant nonreciprocal behavior can result from Kerr nonlinearities. We find that the bistability of the nonlinear system can aid in achieving large nonreciprocity. Additionally, we bring out nonreciprocity in the excitation of each resonator, which can be monitored independently. Our results highlight the profound influence of nonlinearity on nonreciprocal behavior, offering an avenue for controlling light propagation in integrated photonic circuits. Nonlinearity-induced nonreciprocity would lead to significant nonreciprocity in quantum fluctuations when our system is treated quantum mechanically. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Non-reciprocal characteristics of dual defect modes in a one-dimensional photonic crystal based on Weyl semimetal

The non-reciprocal behavior of defect modes of a one-dimensional photonic crystal with two Weyl-semimetal-based defects is investigate by applying the transfer matrix method. The transmission spectrum of the structure exhibits two distinct defect modes. The study shows that these defect modes can be adjusted by altering the thickness of the Weyl semimetal layers and the modulus of the axial vector b → for both forward- and backward-impinging cases. The peak transmission and frequency of the defect modes are found to be dependent on the thickness of the Weyl semimetal layers, the magnitude of the axial vector b → , and the impinging direction of the incoming beam. Additionally, the quality factor of the defect modes changes with the thickness of the Weyl semimetal layers and the magnitude of the axial vector b → but is largely unaffected by reversing the impinging direction of the incoming beam.

Second-order charge and spin transport in LaO/STO system in the presence of cubic Rashba spin orbit couplings

Under an applied electric field, certain non-centrosymmetric materials with broken time-reversal symmetry may exhibit non-reciprocal transport behavior in which the charge and spin currents contain components that are second order in the electric field. In this study, we investigate the second-order spin accumulation and charge and spin responses in the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 (LaO/STO) system with magnetic dopants under the influence of linear and cubic Rashba spin–orbit coupling (RSOC) terms. We explain the physical origin of the second-order response and perform a symmetry analysis of the first- and second-order responses for different dopant magnetization directions relative to the applied electric field. We then numerically solve the Boltzmann transport equation by extending the approach of Schliemann and Loss (2003 Phys. Rev. B 68 165311) to higher orders in the electric field. We show that the sign of the second-order responses can be switched by varying the magnetization direction of the magnetic dopants or relative strengths of the two cubic RSOC terms and explain these trends by considering the Fermi surfaces of the respective systems. These findings provide insights into the interplay of multiple SOC effects in the LaO/STO system and how the resulting first- and second-order charge and spin responses can be engineered by exploiting the symmetries of the system.

Hexagonal ferrites for self-biasing circulators integrated in LTCC microwave modules

Next-generation microwave LTCC modules for satellite communication systems require the integration of passive components including circulators to manipulate electromagnetic signals at high frequency. Substituted M-type hexagonal ferrites (Ba/Sr)ScxFe12−xO19 are applied as self-biasing microwave magnetic materials at frequencies of about 30 GHz. The ferrites are integrated into LTCC multilayer devices as sintered drop-in bulk samples. Sintered ferrites with preferential orientation of grains were fabricated by compaction of powders in a magnetic field and sintering at 1300 °C. Alternatively, screen-printed ferrite films were dried in an external magnetic field, and cofired at 900 °C. The magnetic texture of the ferrites is characterized using XRD, EBSD, and magnetic measurements. Integrated Y-type circulators were tested and exhibit non-reciprocal behavior. This indicates that hexagonal ferrites are promising candidates for self-biasing circulators embedded in LTCC microwave modules operating at Ka-band frequencies at around 30 GHz.

Optical Nonreciprocity in a Multimode Cavity Optomechanical System Controlled by Dynamic Casimir Force

AbstractThe phenomenon of nonreciprocity arises from the disruption of time reversal symmetry, enabling the one‐way transfer of signals through specific channels. In the framework of cavity optomechanics, this symmetry breaking is attributed to a nonuniform radiation pressure force resulting from the interaction between light and matter. This study investigates a hybrid cavity optomechanical system (COMS) comprising two optical modes, directly coupled to each other via photon hopping interaction and indirectly via a common mechanical excitation in the form of a movable mirror, and an additional parallel metallic plate that induces a dynamical Casimir force (DCF) interaction between the plates. The two optical cavities are driven by two strong laser fields, accompanied by two weak probe classical fields from each port. The primary focus lies in exploring the nonreciprocal behavior of the light field across ports one and two, strongly manipulated by the DCF. The DCF plays a pivotal role in providing extra degrees of flexibility and manipulation in controlling the nonreciprocal signal transmission by modifying the resonance conditions of the fields within the hybrid COMS and is responsible for the amplification and swapping of information between the two ports.

Current-induced nonreciprocal transmittance in graphene-embedded photonic multilayers comprising the Octonacci sequence

In this work, we have studied the nonreciprocal properties of quasi-periodic Octonacci multilayer incorporating current-induced drifted graphene monolayers at the interfaces. We have analyzed the transmittance of the structure and compared it with that of regular periodic photonic crystals. Our investigation has revealed that the transmission of light is significantly improved through configurations comprising dielectric layers and graphene monolayers. The proposed structures exhibit nonreciprocal optical responses across a broad range of frequencies. The coupling of surface plasmon polaritons in the quasi-periodic structure exceeds that of periodic structures. We have examined nonreciprocal behaviors versus the drift velocity of electrons and the Fermi energy of graphene layers. It has been demonstrated that the reciprocity of the system can be adjusted by manipulating the Fermi energy and the drift velocity of the graphene layers. Moreover, the direction of nonreciprocity is dictated by the sign of the drift velocity. Nonreciprocal behavior is absent under zero DC bias and can be tuned up to 4.5 THz with bias. These distinctive properties suggest potential applications of these structures in optoelectronic devices.

Influence of sex hormones on the aggressive behavior during peck order establishment and stabilization in meat and egg type chickens

In the poultry industry, broiler and layer strains are genetically selected for different purposes (e.g., high meat-yield and high egg-production). Genetic selection for productivity can have unintended consequences on the behavioral repertoire of the birds, including aggression. Alongside the increasing societal concern regarding the welfare of animal in agriculture, the number of countries that are advocating the prohibition of using battery cages for laying hens has resulted in the transition and adoption of cage-free or free-range systems. Thus, both broiler and layer chickens are housed in large flocks rather than housed individually in cages. Housing birds in groups increases the opportunity for birds to engage in social behaviors, including aggression, that are used to establish social status. Aggressive interactions are associated with the risk of injury and the potential for a subordinate animal to have unmet needs (e.g., access to feed). The aim of this study was to characterize the relationships among aggressive behavior, neurobiology, and hormones during peck order establishment and social hierarchy stabilization of 2 divergently selected strains (meat- and egg-type chicken). Meat-type strains performed more male on male (P < 0.001), male on female (P < 0.0001), and female on female (P < 0.0001) non-reciprocal aggression behavior (NRA) than egg-type strains. Greater serum testosterone and estradiol concentrations in the weeks after the peck order establishment were observed in meat-type birds compared those in egg-type birds for both males and females (all P < 0.05). Greater (P < 0.05) cellular densities of androgen receptors, but not estrogen receptors, were observed in the hypothalamus of meat-type birds compared to egg-type birds. These findings suggest that greater sex hormone concentrations in the meat-type birds may be a consequence of genetic selection for rapid growth resulting in more sex hormones-induced aggressive behavior.

Shape-influenced non-reciprocal transport of magnetic skyrmions in nanoscale channel

Abstract Skyrmions, with their vortex-like structures and inherent topological protection, play a pivotal role in developing innovative low-power memory and logic devices. The efficient generation and control of skyrmions in geometrically confined systems are of paramount importance for the advancement of skyrmion-based spintronic devices. In this study, we focus on investigating the non-reciprocal transport behavior of skyrmions and their interactions with boundaries of various shapes. The shape of the notch structure in the nanotrack significantly impacts the dynamic behavior of magnetic skyrmions. Through micromagnetic simulation, we explore the non-reciprocal transport properties of skyrmions in nanowires with different notch structure.

Implementation of Unilateral thermal nonreciprocity and front and rear electromagnetic nonreciprocity based on Weyl semimetal

The Weyl semimetal-dielectric multi-layer structure (WDMS) is proposed in this work to achieve nonreciprocal thermal absorption and emission in the mid-infrared wavelength range from both structural orientations. Employing the transfer matrix method (TMM), we effectively calculate emissivity and absorptivity. From both directions of the WDMS, it is observed that non-reciprocity originates at an incident angle of around 30°, with a larger incident angle consistently enhancing this characteristic. Upon increasing the incident angle to 45°, thermal absorption peaks at λ = 3.08 μm from the forward direction, showcasing a stronger non-reciprocity phenomenon as the angle increases. Similarly, from the backward direction, the absorption peak is situated at λ = 3.02 μm. Concurrently, we engage in a thorough discussion of pertinent factors, including the thickness of the unit structure. Furthermore, we delve into the specifics of the Weyl semimetal thickness and the number of periods in the dielectric unit layer. Utilizing simulation software, we observe their collective impacts on non-reciprocity, inducing variations in absorption and emission bands across diverse wavelengths (λ) and angular perspectives (θ). Our research underscores the influence of these factors on non-reciprocity and its impact on absorption and emission bands across varying wavelengths and angles. This work not only contributes to a deeper understanding of nonreciprocal thermal behavior but also offers valuable insights for the innovative design and manufacturing of thermal conversion devices and thermal radiation emitters.

Nonreciprocity in cavity magnonics at millikelvin temperature

Incorporating cavity magnonics has opened up a new avenue in controlling non-reciprocity. This work examines a yttrium iron garnet sphere coupled to a planar microwave cavity at millikelvin temperature. Non-reciprocal device behavior results from the cooperation of coherent and dissipative coupling between the Kittel mode and a microwave cavity mode. The device’s bi-directional transmission was measured and compared to the theory derived previously in the room temperature experiment. Investigations are also conducted into key performance metrics such as isolation, bandwidth, and insertion loss. The findings point to the coexistence of coherent and dissipative interactions at cryogenic conditions, and one can leverage their cooperation to achieve directional isolation. This work foreshadows the application of a cavity magnonic isolator for on-chip readout and signal processing in superconducting circuitry.

Non-Magnetic Non-reciprocal Bandpass Filter with Quasi-Elliptic Response and Tunable Center Frequency

This paper presents a detailed analytical numerical design methodology and experimental validation of non-magnetic non-reciprocal bandpass filter (NBPF) that exhibits a highly selective quasi-elliptic response in forward direction of propagation. By modulating resonators with progressive phase shift AC modulation signal, unidirectional RF signal propagation (|S21| ≠ |S12|) is achieved. Analytical spectral S-parameters of the proposed quasi-elliptic NBPF have been derived to gain insight nonreciprocal response. Furthermore, empirical relationships between modulation parameters and filter specifications have also been established through numerical simulations, allowing for simplified design process of the NBPF. By varying the resonant frequency of the resonators, a frequency reconfigurable transfer function can be achieved, providing center frequency tunability of NBPF. For experimental validation purposes, a prototype of microstrip line NBPF is designed and manufactured using three time-modulated resonators, which are implemented using transmission line loaded with varactor diodes. The passband frequency can be continuously tuned by changing DC-bias voltage of varactor diodes. The measurement results revealed that passband center frequency is tuned from 1.65 GHz to 1.95 GHz achieving at tuning ratio of 1.182:1, while maintaining the nonreciprocal behavior with two transmission zeros. For all tuning states, in-band minimum insertion loss in forward direction was measured between 3.20 and 4.8 dB, whereas isolation in reverse direction was measured up to 34.5 dB.

Efficient optical nonreciprocity based on four-wave mixing effect in semiconductor quantum well

Optical nonreciprocity has been a popular research topic in recent years. Semiconductor quantum wells (SQWs) play a key role in many high-performance optoelectronic devices. In this paper, we propose a theoretical scheme to achieve nonmagnetic optical nonreciprocity based on the four-wave mixing effect in SQW nanostructures. Using the experimentally available parameters, the nonreciprocal behavior of the probe field in forward direction and backward direction is achieved through this SQW, where both nonreciprocal transmission and nonreciprocal phase shift have high transmission rates. Furthermore, by embedding this SQW nanostructure into a Mach-Zender interferometer, a reconfigurable nonreciprocal device based on high transmission nonreciprocal phase shift that can be used as an isolator or a circulator, is designed and analyzed. The device can be realized as a two-port optical isolator with an isolation ratio of 92.39 dB and an insertion loss of 0.25 dB, and as a four-port optical circulator with a fidelity of 0.9993, a photon survival probability of 0.9518 and a low insertion loss with suitable parameters. Semiconductor media have the advantages of easier integration and tunable parameters, and this scheme can provide theoretical guidance for implementing nonreciprocal and nonreciprocal photonic devices based on semiconductor solid-state media.

Inertia Modulated Meta-Structure With Time-Varying Inertia Amplification

Abstract In this work, a new inertia modulated meta-structure is proposed to enable time-dependent inertia parameters, and thereby realize non-reciprocal wave propagation via spatiotemporal modulation. The designed cell structure is composed of an oscillatory disk and a mass that slides in a guide embedded in the disk frictionlessly with prescribed motion. Effective moment of inertia and damping coefficients of the rocking motion of the cell structure are rendered time-dependent due to the inertia and Coriolis forces of the periodically sliding mass, which allows us to implement the expected spatiotemporal modulation upon a super-cell. Non-reciprocal propagation behavior of the proposed meta-structure is verified via the theoretical solution of the dispersion relation as well as the dynamic response of a finite array. Effects of modulation parameters, including the frequency, amplitude, and phase, on the unidirectional propagation characteristic are thoroughly investigated.

Giant enhancement of nonreciprocity in gyrotropic heterostructures

Nonreciprocity is a highly desirable feature in photonic media since it allows for control over the traveling electromagnetic waves, in a way that goes far beyond ordinary filtering. One of the most conventional ways to achieve nonreciprocity is via employing gyrotropic materials; however, their time-reversal-symmetry-breaking effects are very weak and, hence, large, bulky setups combined with very strong magnetic biases are required for technologically useful devices. In this work, artificial heterostructures are introduced to enhance the effective nonreciprocal behavior by reducing the contribution of the diagonal susceptibilities in the collective response; in this way, the off-diagonal ones, that are responsible for nonreciprocity, seem bigger. In particular, alternating gyrotropic and metallic or plasmonic films make an epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) effective-medium by averaging the diagonal permittivities of opposite sign, representing the consecutive layers. The homogenization process leaves unaltered the nonzero off-diagonal permittivities of the original gyrotropic substance, which become dominant and ignite strong nonreciprocal response. Realistic material examples that could be implemented experimentally in the mid-infrared spectrum are provided while the robustness of the enhanced nonreciprocity in the presence of actual media losses is discussed and bandwidth limitations due to the unavoidable frequency dispersion are elaborated. The proposed concept can be extensively utilized in designing optical devices that serve a wide range of applications from signal isolation and wave circulation to unidirectional propagation and asymmetric power amplification.

Nonreciprocal Elasticity and Nonuniform Thickness of Curved Spokes on the Top-Loading Ratio, Vertical Stiffness, and Local Stress of Nonpneumatic Wheels

&lt;div&gt;The nonreciprocal elastic behavior of flexible spokes is essential for designing a top-loading condition of nonpneumatic wheels to distribute the vehicle load throughout the upper circumferential region of a wheel to replicate the loading mode of their pneumatic counterparts. However, most ad hoc spoke designs had been conducted without considering the top-loading mechanics. Moreover, minimizing the stress concentration on the spokes is also significant for preventing potential failures; however, modification of the geometry to reduce the local stress on the spokes has not yet been studied. In this work, we investigate the effect of nonreciprocal elastic behaviors of curved spokes on the top-loading distribution of nonpneumatic wheels. We also study the geometric effect of nonuniform curved spokes on reducing the local stress concentration. Curved beam spokes with greater curvature can contribute to a high top-loading ratio of nonpneumatic wheels. The nonuniform thickness of curved spokes with the spoke’s ends and center regions can reduce the local stress level by up to 24%. Our design method with varying curvature and nonuniformity of the curved spokes can provide significant design guidelines for nonpneumatic wheels for determining the top-loading ratio, tuning the vertical stiffness, and minimizing local stress on the spokes.&lt;/div&gt;