Rayleigh-Jeans Distribution Research Articles

Dissipative Soliton Resonance: Adiabatic Theory and Thermodynamics

We present the adiabatic theory of dissipative solitons (DS) of complex cubic-quintic nonlinear Ginzburg–Landau equation (CQGLE). Solutions in the closed analytical form in the spectral domain have the shape of Rayleigh–Jeans distribution for a positive (normal) dispersion. The DS parametric space forms a two-dimensional (or three-dimensional for the complex quintic nonlinearity) master diagram connecting the DS energy and a universal parameter formed by the ratio of four real and imaginary coefficients for dissipative and non-dissipative terms in CQGLE. The concept of dissipative soliton resonance (DSR) is formulated in terms of the master diagram, and the main signatures of transition to DSR are demonstrated and experimentally verified. We show a close analogy between DS and incoherent (semicoherent) solitons with an ensemble of quasi-particles confined by a collective potential. It allows applying the thermodynamical approach to DS and deriving the conditions for the DS energy scalability.

Calorimetry of Photon Gases in Nonlinear Multimode Optical Fibers

Recent studies have shown that light propagating in a nonlinear, highly multimode system can thermalize in a manner totally analogous to that encountered in traditional statistical mechanics. At thermal equilibrium, the system’s entropy is at a maximum, in full accord with the second law of thermodynamics. In such arrangements, the entropy is extremized once the statistical power allocation among modes associated with this photon gas attains a Rayleigh-Jeans distribution that is fully characterized by an optical temperature T and a chemical potential μ. However, it has been theoretically argued that the variables T and μ represent actual thermodynamic forces that control the exchange of the respective conjugate quantities between two subsystems. In this work, we report, for the first time, optical calorimetric measurements in nonlinear multimode fibers, which unambiguously demonstrate that both the temperature T and the chemical potential μ dictate the flow of their associated extensive quantities, i.e., the energy and the optical power. Specifically, we study the process of light thermalization associated with two orthogonally polarized laser beams. Our observations are enabled by recently developed techniques that allow one to judiciously multiplex/demultiplex the optical power within various mode groups. Our results indicate that because of photon-photon collisions, “heat” only flows from a hot to a cold photon gas subsystem—thus providing an unequivocal demonstration of the second law in such all-optical thermodynamic arrangements. In addition to being fundamental, our findings provide a new approach to manipulate laser beams using thermodynamic principles. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Slowdown of thermalization and the emergence of prethermal dynamics in disordered optical lattices

By utilizing the theoretical tools of optical thermodynamics, we investigate thermalization in nonlinear disordered lattices beyond the diffusion regime. Even under extreme levels of disorder, we analytically predict the expected thermal value of entropy and the associated Rayleigh-Jeans distribution, once thermalization ensues. In this context, we reveal a crossover point of disorder beyond which we observe a pronounced slowdown of thermalization in a regime characterized by a logarithmic scaling of equilibration times. By employing the same analytical and numerical tools, we investigate the scaling of thermalization times with respect to both the number of sites and optical temperatures. By exploring the physics of the underlying nonequilibrium response, we unveil a multitude of emerging thermal phenomena, including the development of prethermal Rayleigh-Jeans states in the presence of an optical heat bath and the deceleration of self-heating in Floquet photonic lattices. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Rayleigh-Jeans prethermalization and wave condensation in a nonlinear disordered Floquet system

Periodically driven quantum systems make it possible to reach stationary states with new emerging properties. However, this process is notoriously difficult in the presence of interactions because continuous energy exchanges generally boil the system to an infinite temperature featureless state. Here, we describe how to reach nontrivial states in a periodically kicked nonlinear disordered system. One ingredient is crucial: both disorder and kick strengths should be weak enough to induce sufficiently narrow and well-separated Floquet bands. In this case, inter-band heating processes are strongly suppressed and the system can reach an exponentially long-lived prethermal plateau described by the Rayleigh-Jeans distribution. Saliently, the system can even undergo a wave condensation process when its initial state has a sufficiently low total quasi-energy.

Thermalization of the Ablowitz-Ladik lattice in the presence of non-integrable perturbations.

We investigate the statistical mechanics of the photonic Ablowitz-Ladik lattice, the integrable version of the discrete nonlinear Schrödinger equation. In this regard, we demonstrate that in the presence of perturbations, the complex response of this system can be accurately captured within the framework of optical thermodynamics. Along these lines, we shed light on the true relevance of chaos in the thermalization of the Ablowitz-Ladik system. Our results indicate that when linear and nonlinear perturbations are incorporated, this weakly nonlinear lattice will thermalize into a proper Rayleigh-Jeans distribution with a well-defined temperature and chemical potential, in spite of the fact that the underlying nonlinearity is non-local and hence does not have a multi-wave mixing representation. This result illustrates that in the supermode basis, a non-local and non-Hermitian nonlinearity can in fact properly thermalize this periodic array in the presence of two quasi-conserved quantities.

Interplay of Thermalization and Strong Disorder: Wave Turbulence Theory, Numerical Simulations, and Experiments in Multimode Optical Fibers.

We address the problem of thermalization in the presence of a time-dependent disorder in the framework of the nonlinear Schrödinger (or Gross-Pitaevskii) equation with a random potential. The thermalization to the Rayleigh-Jeans distribution is driven by the nonlinearity. On the other hand, the structural disorder is responsible for a relaxation toward the homogeneous equilibrium distribution (particle equipartition), which thus inhibits thermalization (energy equipartition). On the basis of the wave turbulence theory, we derive a kinetic equation that accounts for the presence of strong disorder. The theory unveils the interplay of disorder and nonlinearity. It unexpectedly reveals that a nonequilibrium process of condensation and thermalization can take place in the regime where disorder effects dominate over nonlinear effects. We validate the theory by numerical simulations of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation and the derived kinetic equation, which are found in quantitative agreement without using any adjustable parameter. Experiments realized in multimode optical fibers with an applied external stress evidence the process of thermalization in the presence of strong disorder.

Thermalization of Orbital Angular Momentum Beams in Multimode Optical Fibers.

We report on the thermalization of light carrying orbital angular momentum in multimode optical fibers, induced by nonlinear intermodal interactions. A generalized Rayleigh-Jeans distribution of asymptotic mode composition is obtained, based on the conservation of the angular momentum. We confirm our predictions by numerical simulations and experiments based on holographic mode decomposition of multimode beams. Our work establishes new constraints for the achievement of spatial beam self-cleaning, giving previously unforeseen insights into the underlying physical mechanisms.

Direct observations of thermalization to a Rayleigh–Jeans distribution in multimode optical fibres

Direct observations of thermalization to a Rayleigh–Jeans distribution in multimode optical fibres

Thermalization of Light's Orbital Angular Momentum in Nonlinear Multimode Waveguide Systems.

We show that the orbital angular momentum (OAM) of a light field can be thermalized in a nonlinear cylindrical multimode optical waveguide. We find that upon thermal equilibrium, the maximization of the optical entropy leads to a generalized Rayleigh-Jeans distribution that governs the power modal occupancies with respect to the discrete OAM charge numbers. This distribution is characterized by a temperature that is by nature different from that associated with the longitudinal electromagnetic momentum flow of the optical field. Counterintuitively and in contrast to previous results, we demonstrate that even under positive temperatures, the ground state of the fiber is not always the most populated in terms of power. Instead, because of OAM, the thermalization processes may favor higher-order modes. A new equation of state is derived along with an extended Euler equation resulting from the extensivity of the entropy itself. By monitoring the nonlinear interaction between two multimode optical wave fronts with opposite spins, we show that the exchange of angular momentum is dictated by the difference in OAM temperatures, in full accord with the second law of thermodynamics. The theoretical analysis presented here is corroborated by numerical simulations that take into account the complex nonlinear dynamics of hundreds of modes. Our results may pave the way toward high-power optical sources with controllable orbital angular momenta, and at a more fundamental level, they may open up opportunities in drawing parallels with other complex multimode nonlinear systems like rotating atomic clouds.

Thermalization of an Oscillating Bose Condensate in a Disordered Trap

Previously, we numerically showed that thermalization can occur in an oscillating Bose–Einstein condensate with a disordered harmonic trap when the healing length $$\xi $$ of the condensate is shorter than the correlation length $$\sigma _{D}$$ of the Gaussian disorder [see, for example, the experiment reported in Dries et al. (Phys Rev A 82:033603, 2010)]. In this work, we investigate and show that in the $$\xi >\sigma _{D}$$ (Anderson localization) regime, the system can also exhibit a relaxation process from nonequilibrium to equilibrium. In such an isolated quantum system, energy and particle number are conserved and the irreversible evolution toward thermodynamic equilibrium is induced by the disorder. The thermodynamic equilibrium is evidenced by the maximized entropy $$S\left[ n_{k}\right] $$ in which the waveaction spectrum $$n_{k}$$ follows the Rayleigh–Jeans distribution. Besides, unlike a monotonic irreversible process of thermalization to equilibrium, the Fermi–Pasta–Ulam–Tsingou recurrence arises in this system, manifested by the oscillation of the nonequilibrium entropy.

Dramatic Acceleration of Wave Condensation Mediated by Disorder in Multimode Fibers.

Classical nonlinear waves exhibit a phenomenon of condensation that results from the natural irreversible process of thermalization, in analogy with the quantum Bose-Einstein condensation. Wave condensation originates in the divergence of the thermodynamic equilibrium Rayleigh-Jeans distribution, which is responsible for the macroscopic population of the fundamental mode of the system. However, achieving complete thermalization and condensation of incoherent waves through nonlinear optical propagation is known to require prohibitive large interaction lengths. Here, we derive a discrete kinetic equation describing the nonequilibrium evolution of the random wave in the presence of a structural disorder of the medium. Our theory reveals that a weak disorder accelerates the rate of thermalization and condensation by several order of magnitudes. Such a counterintuitive dramatic acceleration of condensation can provide a natural explanation for the recently discovered phenomenon of optical beam self-cleaning. Our experiments in multimode optical fibers report the observation of the transition from an incoherent thermal distribution to wave condensation, with a condensate fraction of up to 60% in the fundamental mode of the waveguide trapping potential.

Wave-turbulence theory of four-wave nonlinear interactions.

The Sagdeev-Zaslavski (SZ) equation for wave turbulence is analytically derived, both in terms of a generating function and of a multipoint probability density function (PDF), for weakly interacting waves with initial random phases. When the initial amplitudes are also random, a one-point PDF equation is derived. Such analytical calculations remarkably agree with results obtained in totally different fashions. Numerical investigations of the two-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) and of a vibrating plate prove the following: (i) Generic Hamiltonian four-wave systems rapidly attain a random distribution of phases independently of the slower dynamics of the amplitudes, vindicating the hypothesis of initially random phases. (ii) Relaxation of the Fourier amplitudes to the predicted stationary distribution (exponential) happens on a faster time scale than relaxation of the spectrum (Rayleigh-Jeans distribution). (iii) The PDF equation correctly describes dynamics under different forcings: The NLSE has an exponential PDF corresponding to a quasi-Gaussian solution, as the vibrating plates, that also shows some intermittency at very strong forcings.

Wave turbulence theory of elastic plates

This article presents the complete study of the long-time evolution of random waves of a vibrating thin elastic plate in the limit of small plate deformation so that modes of oscillations interact weakly. According to the wave turbulence theory a nonlinear wave system evolves in longtime creating a slow redistribution of the spectral energy from one mode to another. We derive step by step, following the method of cumulants expansion and multiscale asymptotic perturbations, the kinetic equation for the second order cumulants as well as the second and fourth order renormalization of the dispersion relation of the waves. We characterize the non-equilibrium evolution to an equilibrium wave spectrum, which happens to be the well known Rayleigh–Jeans distribution. Moreover we show the existence of an energy cascade, often called the Kolmogorov–Zakharov spectrum, which happens to be not simply a power law, but a logarithmic correction to the Rayleigh–Jeans distribution. We perform numerical simulations confirming these scenarii, namely the equilibrium relaxation for closed systems and the existence of an energy cascade wave spectrum. Both show a good agreement between theoretical predictions and numerics. We show also some other relevant features of vibrating elastic plates, such as the existence of a self-similar wave action inverse cascade which happens to blow-up in finite time. We discuss the mechanism of the wave breakdown phenomena in elastic plates as well as the limit of strong turbulence which arises as the thickness of the plate vanishes. Finally, we discuss the role of dissipation and the connection with experiments, and the generalization of the wave turbulence theory to elastic shells.

Quantum Character of Electromagnetic Langmuir Oscillations in Conventional Electron-Ion Plasma

It is shown that the low-temperature plasma near-thermodynamic equilibrium cannot be classical because of a quantum nature of the longitudinal electromagnetic field and electron interaction with Rayleigh-Jeans distribution of Langmuir waves. The theory requires introduction of a dimensionless quantum charge whose value is greater than unity leading to a liquid-like behavior of the plasma.

Renormalized Resonance Quartets in Dispersive Wave Turbulence

Using the (1+1)D Majda-McLaughlin-Tabak model as an example, we present an extension of the wave turbulence (WT) theory to systems with strong nonlinearities. We demonstrate that nonlinear wave interactions renormalize the dynamics, leading to (i) a possible destruction of scaling structures in the bare wave systems and a drastic deformation of the resonant manifold even at weak nonlinearities, and (ii) creation of nonlinear resonance quartets in wave systems for which there would be no resonances as predicted by the linear dispersion relation. Finally, we derive an effective WT kinetic equation and show that our prediction of the renormalized Rayleigh-Jeans distribution is in excellent agreement with the simulation of the full wave system in equilibrium.

Instability of the Rayleigh-Jeans spectrum in weak wave turbulence theory

We study the four-wave kinetic equation of weak turbulence linearized around the Rayleigh-Jeans spectrum when the collision integral is associated with short-range interactions between nonrelativistic bosonic quasiparticles. The technique used for the analysis of the stability is based on the properties of the Mellin transform of the kernel in the integral equation. We find that any perturbation of the Rayleigh-Jeans distribution evolves toward low-momentum scales in such a form that when t-->infinity, all the particles occupy a sphere of radius arbitrary small.

FUBINI VACUA AS A CLASSICAL DE SITTER VACUA

The Fubini's idea to introduce a fundamental scale of hadron phenomena by means of dilatation non-invariant vacuum state in the framework of a scale invariant Lagrangian field theory is recalled. The Fubini vacua is invariant under the de Sitter subgroup of the full conformal group. We obtain a finite entropy for the quantum state corresponding to the classical Fubini vacua in Euclidean spacetime resembling the entropy of the de Sitter vacua. In Minkowski spacetime it is shown that the Fubini vacua is mainly a bath of radiation with Rayleigh–Jeans distribution for the low energy radiation. In four dimensions, the critical scalar theory is shown to be equivalent to the Einstein field equation in the ansatz of conformally flat metrics and to the SU(2) Yang–Mills theory in the 't Hooft ansatz. In D dimensions, the Hitchin formula for the information geometry metric of the moduli space of instantons is used to obtain the information geometry of the free-parameter space of the Fubini vacua which is shown to be a (D+1)-dimensional AdS space. Considering the Fubini vacua as a de Sitter vacua, the corresponding cosmological constant is shown to be given by the coupling constant of the critical scalar theory. In Minkowski spacetime it is shown that the Fubini vacua are equivalent to an open FRW universe.

Interactions of renormalized waves in thermalized Fermi-Pasta-Ulam chains

The dispersive interacting waves in Fermi-Pasta-Ulam (FPU) chains of particles in thermal equilibrium are studied from both statistical and wave resonance perspectives. It is shown that, even in a strongly nonlinear regime, the chain in thermal equilibrium can be effectively described by a system of weakly interacting renormalized nonlinear waves that possess (i) the Rayleigh-Jeans distribution and (ii) zero correlations between waves, just as noninteracting free waves would. This renormalization is achieved through a set of canonical transformations. The renormalized linear dispersion of these renormalized waves is obtained and shown to be in excellent agreement with numerical experiments. Moreover, a dynamical interpretation of the renormalization of the dispersion relation is provided via a self-consistency, mean-field argument. It turns out that this renormalization arises mainly from the trivial resonant wave interactions, i.e., interactions with no momentum exchange. Furthermore, using a multiple time-scale, statistical averaging method, we show that the interactions of near-resonant waves give rise to the broadening of the resonance peaks in the frequency spectrum of renormalized modes. The theoretical prediction for the resonance width for the thermalized beta -FPU chain is found to be in very good agreement with its numerically measured value.

Large-scale properties of wave turbulence.

Wave turbulence for systems with only direct (small-scale) turbulent cascades is analyzed at scales much larger than the scale of the pumping. At such scales, the turbulence spectrum is shown to turn into an equilibrium Rayleigh-Jeans distribution with the temperature determined by the pumping scale and energy dissipation rate (the turbulent flux). The behavior of the damping of the waves changes drastically at a scale determined by the mean free path of turbulent waves. Two particular examples of acoustic and capillary-wave turbulence are considered. We also carried out numerics which confirm the theoretical predictions.

Statistical properties of a one-dimensional radiant cavity

The statistical properties of a classical electromagnetic field in interaction with matter are investigated. To this end a nonlinear extension of a model proposed elsewhere is studied by numerically solving the Newton-Maxwell equations of motion. The time-average energy distribution of the electromagnetic normal modes is also computed. It is shown that nonlinearity, no matter how large, does not completely destroy the dependence of the final energy distribution on initial conditions. One is therefore led to the conclusion that, as far as one is concerned with electrodynamical systems of finite total energy, no statistical behavior is to be expected. In particular, the Rayleigh-Jeans distribution law is not a general consequence of classical physics. The dependence on initial conditions can be removed, however, by the introduction of white noise delivering an infinite amount of energy to the radiation field. In this case equipartition of energy is reached, but in accordance with an old conjecture by Jeans, this process takes place at a nonuniform rate, the energy transfer being slower at higher frequencies.