Ultraviolet Regime Research Articles

Fractional quantum mechanics meets quantum gravity phenomenology

This letter extends previous findings on the modified Schrödinger evolution inspired by quantum gravity phenomenology. By establishing a connection between this approach and fractional quantum mechanics, we provide insights into a potential deep infrared regime of quantum gravity, characterized by the emergence of fractal dimensions, similar to behaviors observed in the deep ultraviolet regime. Additionally, we explore the experimental investigations of this regime using Bose-Einstein condensates. Notably, our analysis reveals a direct implication of this analogy: general experiments probing fractional quantum mechanics may serve as equivalent models of quantum gravity. We identify instances of nonlocal behavior in such systems, suggesting an analogous phenomenon of nonlocality in quantum gravity.

Ultra-wideband polarization-independent nano-metamaterial-based solar energy absorber in infrared, visible and ultraviolet regimes

Ultra-wideband polarization-independent nano-metamaterial-based solar energy absorber in infrared, visible and ultraviolet regimes

Chern-Simons gravity and PT symmetry

This paper considers the possibility that, starting from a relativistic Hermitian quantum field theory in the ultraviolet (UV) regime, and applying a nonperturbative renormalization-group (RG) flow, we arrive at a situation where there are infrared (IR) singularities in the RG flow of couplings. The latter can be resolved by assuming that the theory can have a phase described by a related non-Hermitian PT-symmetric modification in the IR. The UV-to-IR (Hermitian-to-PT-symmetric) transition can occur in a single renormalization-group flow of the pertinent couplings, as demonstrated in concrete examples. When embedded in a gravitational setting such a transition can lead to a repulsive gravity phase. If there is a RG flow to a repulsive PT -symmetric gravity, then this would be an alternative to dark energy. The discussion here is presented in the context of a string-inspired Chern-Simons gravitational effective action, which involves a pseudoscalar (axionlike) field coupled to Abelian gauge fields and gravity; it may also hold more generally in gravity with torsion. The validity of such a scenario in realistic theories might alleviate the need for de Sitter phases in the current epoch of cosmological evolution, thus avoiding their associated conceptual and technical complications. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Electroweak scattering at the muon shot

It has long been recognized that the scattering of electroweak particles at very high energies is dominated by vector boson fusion, which probes the origin of electroweak symmetry breaking and offers a unique window into the ultraviolet regime of the Standard Model (SM). Previous studies assume SM-like couplings and rely on the effective W approximation (or electroweak parton distribution), whose validity is well established within the SM but not yet studied in the presence of anomalous Higgs couplings. In this work, we critically examine the electroweak production of two Higgs bosons in the presence of anomalous VVh and VVhh couplings. We compute the corresponding helicity amplitudes and compare the cross section results in the effective W approximation with the full fixed-order calculation. In particular, we identify two distinct classes of anomalous Higgs couplings, whose effects are not captured by vector boson fusion and effective W approximation. Such very-high-energy electroweak scatterings can be probed at the muon shot, a multi-TeV muon collider upon which we base our study, although similar considerations apply to other high-energy colliders. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Staggered band alignment of n-Er2O3/p-Si heterostructure for the fabrication of a high-performance broadband photodetector

The low responsivity of conventional Silicon photodiodes in ultraviolet and near-infrared regimes restricts their utility as broadband photodetectors (BBPDs). Despite ongoing investigations into various p-n heterostructures for Silicon-based BBPDs, challenges such as high dark current (Idark), low collection efficiency, low detectivity, and compatibility issues with large-scale Silicon-based devices persist. In this context, we have fabricated relatively unexplored n-Er2O3/p-Si heterojunction-based BBPDs. Polycrystalline Er2O3 thin films (∼110 nm) were deposited on p-Si 〈100〉 substrates by radio frequency magnetron sputtering. Although this process induces a microstrain of approximately 0.022 and a dislocation density of about 0.00303/nm2, the presence of optically active defects is minimal, indicated by a low Urbach energy (∼0.35 eV). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirms staggered band alignment at the heterointerface, facilitating efficient charge carrier separation and transport. Consequently, the In/p-Si/n-Er2O3/In device demonstrated significant BBPD properties– low Idark ∼0.15 μA (at +5 V), photo-to-dark current ratio (PDCR) ∼6.5 (at +5 V, 700 nm) with a maximum photoresponsivity ∼22.3 A W−1, and impressive detectivity (∼1013 Jones) even in UV-C region where traditional silicon-based photodetectors respond feebly. The device also demonstrates transient photo-response across an ultrawide spectrum (254 nm–1200 nm) with a fast rise time/fall time ∼79 ms/∼86 ms (at −5 V for 600 nm illumination). This work establishes a straightforward and reliable method for proper material engineering, surface texturing, staggered heterojunction formation, and high-performance BBPD fabrication with prominent broad-spectrum responsivity, sizeable detectivity, and fast response. The integration of these BBPDs with Silicon opens possibilities for their use in electronic devices containing optical switches for communications and broadband image sensors, enhancing their utility in various applications.

Bunching enhancement for coherent harmonic generation by using phase merging effects

In this paper, promising but simple schemes are investigated to enhance the micro-bunching of relativistic electron beams for coherent harmonic generation (CHG) by using phase merging effects. In contrast to the standard CHG scheme, two specially designed dispersion sections (DSs) are adopted with the DS-modulator–DS configuration. The phase space of the e beam is appropriately coupled in the first DS, and the electrons within one seed wavelength can merge to the same phase with a matched second DS. Micro-bunching of the e beam can thus be enhanced by a large margin with much higher-harmonic components. Taking e beams from laser wakefield accelerators (LWFAs) as an example, start-to-end simulations are performed to show the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed schemes with several configurations. The beam current can be optimized to several tens to hundreds of kiloamperes, and the radiation power reaches hundreds of megawatts in the extreme ultraviolet regime within a 3.5 m-long beamline. The proposed schemes offer new opportunities for future compact free-electron lasers driven by LWFAs and provides prospects for truly compact and widely applicable systems.

Confirming the theoretical foundation of steady-state microbunching

Steady-State Microbunching (SSMB) has been proposed as a concept to generate coherent synchrotron radiation at an electron storage ring. SSMB promises to supply kilowatt level average power radiation in the extreme ultraviolet regime, meeting the power level demands for lithography applications that presently cannot be fulfilled by established accelerator technologies. SSMB is under theoretical and experimental study, building on a proof-of-principle (PoP) experiment at the Metrology Light Source which previously showed the viability of the idea. Here we report experimental findings from systematic studies in the ongoing SSMB PoP experiment, where microbunching is generated from an energy modulation imposed by a laser of wavelength 1064 nm. The results confirm the expected dependence of the microbunching process on modulation amplitude and show that the influence of transverse-longitudinal coupling dynamics is as predicted. This confirmation of key parts of the SSMB theory establishes a solid footing for continuing the proof-of-principle efforts towards the goal of constructing a prototype SSMB light source facility.

Faraday rotation stimulated optical-rotation quasi-phase-matching technique to radiate a highly efficient elliptically polarized second harmonic

Faraday rotation has been employed to ensure efficient frequency conversion in the ultraviolet regime. The reported 36% efficiency of the radiated 372 nm, continuous-wave second harmonic of this paper has been numerically analyzed in the presence of a magnetic field in a thin-film-coated magneto-optic crystal using the total-internal-reflection-based optical-rotation quasi-phase-matching approach, considering the influence of surface roughness, absorption loss, and the nonlinear law of reflection.

DFT assessments of optical and thermoelectric characteristics of (III/V)-doped elements into graphene sheets

First-principles simulations are conducted to explore the structural stability, electronic properties, and optical responses of pristine and boron- or nitrogen-doped monolayers graphene. The computed electronic density of states revealed that the substitutional doping of boron impurity atoms on monolayer graphene (MLG) shifts the Dirac point upward, although the substitution of nitrogen impurity atoms in graphene pushes the Dirac point downward the Fermi level. This could exhibit that upon the doping of MLG with boron or nitrogen, respectively, p-type or n-type semimetal is acquired. The overall optical spectral properties of the substituted graphene with boron or nitrogen atoms are simulated and compared with the optical spectra results of pure graphene. The optical features of pristine and doped MLG are determined by taking the interband and intra-band transitions into account ranging from the far-infrared to the ultraviolet regime of the electromagnetic radiation. A remarkable red shift in the optical spectra of the doped MLG towards the visible regime of radiation is established. An enhanced reflectivity illustrated that concentration-dependent optical properties of boron and nitrogen-doped MLG happen at lower electromagnetic radiation regimes. In addition, we explored the thermoelectric behaviors of the pristine/doped graphene monolayers with [Formula: see text] supercells. We found a significant improvement in the electrical conductivity of graphene when doped with boron or nitrogen impurities. However, an increase in the electrical conductivity has textured a decrease in the Seebeck coefficients. Improvement in the electrical conductivity is attributed to an interesting effect on the graphene monolayers’ power factor (PF). These findings indicate a positive impact of the dopants on the thermoelectric properties of graphene monolayers and reveal that they are potential materials for thermoelectric applications and nanodevices.

Raman Spectroscopy of Conical Intersections Using Entangled Photons.

Ultrafast Raman spectroscopy with attosecond pulses in the extreme ultraviolet and X-ray regime has been proposed theoretically for tracking the non-adiabatic dynamics of molecules in great detail. The large bandwidth of these pulses, which span several electronvolts within a couple of femtoseconds, provides a unique tool for tracking non-adiabatic phenomena. However, spectroscopy with classical light is limited by the time-bandwidth product of the probe laser pulse. In this work, we theoretically investigate an ultrafast Raman spectroscopy scheme that utilizes pairs of entangled photons. Our model simulations demonstrate that the dynamics in the vicinity of a conical intersection can be resolved with unprecedented resolution in the time and frequency domain.

Attosecond Probing of Nuclear Vibrations in the D2+ and HeH+ Molecular Ions.

We study the ultrafast photodissociation of small diatomic molecules using attosecond laser pulses of moderate intensity in the (extreme) ultraviolet regime. The simultaneous application of subfemtosecond laser pulses with different photon energies─resonant in the region of the molecular motion─allows one to monitor the vibrational dynamics of simple diatomics, like the D2+ and HeH+ molecular ions. In our real-time wave packet simulations, the nuclear dynamics is initiated either by sudden ionization (D2+) or by explicit pump pulses (HeH+) via distortion of the potential energy of the molecule. The application of time-delayed attosecond pulses leads to the breakup of the molecules, and the information on the underlying bound-state dynamics is imprinted in the kinetic energy release (KER) spectra of the outgoing fragments. We show that the KER-delay spectrograms generated in our ultrafast pump-probe schemes are able to reconstruct the most important features of the molecular motion within a given electronic state, such as the time period or amplitude of oscillations, interference patterns, or the revival and splitting of the nuclear wave packet. The impact of probe pulse duration, which is key to the applicability of the presented mapping scheme, is investigated in detail.

Unraveling femtosecond spin and charge dynamics with extreme ultraviolet transverse MOKE spectroscopy

The magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) regime has helped to elucidate some of the key processes that lead to the manipulation of magnetism on ultrafast timescales. However, as we show in this paper, the recently introduced spectrally resolved analysis of such data can lead to surprising experimental observations, which might cause misinterpretations. Therefore, an extended analysis of the EUV magneto-optics is necessary. Via experimental determination of the dielectric tensor, we find here that the nonequilibrium excitation in an ultrafast magnetization experiment can cause a rotation of the off-diagonal element of the dielectric tensor in the complex plane. In direct consequence, the commonly analyzed magneto-optic asymmetry may show time-dependent behavior that is not directly connected to the magnetic properties of the sample. We showcase such critical observations for the case of ultrafast magnetization dynamics in Ni, and give guidelines for the future analysis of spectrally resolved magneto-optical data and its comparison with theory. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Gaseous argon time projection chamber with electroluminescence enhanced optical readout

Systematic uncertainties in accelerator oscillation neutrino experiments arise from nuclear models describing neutrino-nucleus interactions. To mitigate these uncertainties, we can study neutrino-nuclei interactions with detectors possessing enhanced hadron detection capabilities at energies below the nuclear Fermi level. Gaseous detectors not only lower the particle detection threshold but also enable the investigation of nuclear effects on various nuclei by allowing for changes in the gas composition. This approach provides valuable insights into the modelling of neutrino-nucleus interactions and significantly reduces associated uncertainties. Here, we discuss the design and first operation of a gaseous argon time projection chamber optically read. The detector operates at atmospheric pressure and features a single stage of electron amplification based on a thick GEM. Here, photons are produced with wavelengths in the vacuum ultraviolet regime. In an optical detector, the primary constraint is the light yield. This study explores the possibility of increasing the light by applying a low electric field downstream of the ThGEM. In this region, called the electroluminescence gap, electrons propagate and excite the argon atoms, leading to the subsequent emission of photons. This process occurs without any further electron amplification, and it is demonstrated that the total light yield increases up to three times by applying moderate electric fields of the order of 3 kV/cm. Finally, an indirect method is discussed for determining the photon yield/charge gain of a ThGEM, giving a value of 18.3 photons detected per secondary electron.

Analysis of the optical response of reptile tissues in the visible and UV applying the KKR method.

Structural colors in nature are frequently produced by the ordered arrangement of nanoparticles. Interesting examples include reptiles and birds utilizing lattice-like formation of nanoparticles to produce a variety of colors. A famous example is the panther chameleon which is even able to change its color by actively varying the distance between guanine nanocrystals in its skin. Here, we demonstrate that the application of rigorous electromagnetic methods is important to determine the actual optical response of such biological systems. By applying the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker (KKR) method we calculate the efficiencies of the reflected diffraction orders that can be viewed from directions other than the specular. Our results reveal that important characteristics of the reflectance spectra, especially within the ultraviolet (UV) and short visible wavelengths region, cannot be predicted by approximate models like the often-applied Maxwell-Garnett approach. Additionally, we show that the KKR method can be employed for the design of multi-layer structures with a desired optical response in the UV regime.

Refractive indices and extinction coefficients of p-type doped Germanium wafers for photovoltaic and thermophotovoltaic devices

Our work is primarily driven by the absence of optical parameters for p-type Ge wafers, adaptable to any specific doping value, and, at the same time, able to cover any application from infrared to ultraviolet regime. To address this, we have determined the complex refractive indices of p-type commercial Ge wafers through a wide spectral range (200–25000 nm) employing spectroscopic ellipsometry and transmittance measurements. The doping levels in these wafers vary between 1015 and 1018 cm−3, which are most commonly used in photovoltaic, thermophotovoltaic and optoelectronic applications. Our data fitting procedure resulted in a dielectric function that successfully reproduces not only the critical points associated with interband transitions above the bandgap, but also absorption features below the bandgap connected to intraband processes. Consequently, we obtained the complex refraction indices of these Ge wafers as a function of dopant concentration, and these have been corroborated through experimental reflectance and transmittance measurements. Additionally, we achieved a successful validation of these refractive indices by simulating the external quantum efficiency of Ge single-junction solar cell with two different thickness fabricated on a Ge wafer with a different doping level than those analyzed in this study.

Spectroscopic modeling and measurements of the CN Violet and Red systems for the development of nonequilibrium temperature and speciation diagnostics

The uniquely strong radiative properties of the cyano-radical (CN) make it an important species to model in high-enthalpy, nonequilibrium flows containing carbon and nitrogen. In this work, spectroscopic models for the Violet and Red systems of CN have been developed and validated at wavelengths in both the ultraviolet (UV) and near-infrared (NIR) regimes that would provide quantitative CN rovibrational temperature and concentration. The ultraviolet wavelengths chosen probe high-lying (J′′=30.5−40.5) and low-lying (J′′=0.5−5.5) rotational states in the ground vibrational level (v′′=0) of CN along with high-lying rotational states in the third excited vibrational level (v′′=3) of CN. Meanwhile, the NIR wavelengths cover a range of lower rovibrational content, including high-lying and low-lying rotational levels from the ground up to the fourth excited vibrational level of CN. Dilute cyanogen (C2N2) in argon (Ar) mixtures were shock heated to produce stable quantities of CN that could be spectroscopically studied. In the UV, fixed-temperature absorption cross-section measurements at different wavelengths and a fixed-wavelength temperature sweep for the chosen diagnostic wavelengths enabled an evaluation of the different spectroscopic models and their ability to correctly infer the post-shock temperature in mixtures with high Ar dilution. In the NIR, the lasers were scanned at 100 kHz to probe multiple transitions over different rovibrational states over a wide range of temperatures, and both Einstein A’s and relative line positions of observed Red transitions of CN were experimentally quantified.

Anisotropic optical conductivity induced by magnetic atoms embedded in honeycomb lattices

We investigate the optical properties of a hexagonal lattice with spin-spin interaction. Transition metal atoms with 3d-orbitals, for example Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, can be embedded in the lattice, exhibiting a strong magnetic moment. Spin polarization controls the magnetic phases, which can be ferromagnetic (FM), ferrimagnetic (FR), or antiferromagnetic (AFM). The behavior of electrons can resemble both massless and massive particles when varying the angle between spin-spin interactions. This leads to the investigation of the electronic properties of alternative materials, such as MXenes, for optoelectronic devices with stable transmission across a wide range of light frequencies from near-infrared to the ultraviolet regime. Furthermore, anisotropic optical conductivity and transmittance could be used to identify the spin orientation and atomic arrangement in magnetic materials.

The stability, electronic, thermal, and optical properties of silver halide (AgX: X = F, Cl, Br, and I) semiconductors: Ab-initio study

The structural properties, mechanical and dynamic stability, electronic, thermal and optical properties of silver halide AgX (X = F, Cl, Br, and I) compounds in the rock-salt phase within GGA and HSE approximations have been studied. The calculations are performed using the QUANTUM-ESPRESSO package which is based on the density functional theory (DFT) and the pseudo-potential method. The calculated elasticity parameters illustrated that the rock-salt phase complies with the mechanical stability conditions at ambient pressure. Based on the results of the mechanical calculations, it can be concluded that AgI is more rigid than other silver halide compounds, while the AgF compound is more malleable than other silver halide compounds. Also, against other examined silver halides, the AgI compound has an isotropic nature. The phonon scattering diagram has proved the dynamic stability of silver halide compounds in the studied rock-salt phase. Evaluation of the electronic results indicates that silver halide compounds in both GGA and HSE approximations have an indirect bandgap in the L−Γ path. In comparison to GGA, the HSE calculation improves the amount of bandgap toward a better agreement with experimental results. At room temperature, the hole mobility of silver halides is much less than the electron mobility. The decreasing trend of the effective mass of electrons in silver halides with the atomic radius of halide in the rock-salt phase leads to a faster carrier transfer rate in AgI, AgBr, AgCl, and AgF compounds, respectively. Moreover, by increasing the atomic radius of halide atom X, the Debye temperature θD and stiffness decrease, and inversely the heat capacity Cv increases. The increasing entropy relative to temperature refers to the endothermic properties of silver halide compounds. In both GGA and HSE approximations, the AgF compound has the highest absorption coefficient peak with the maximum optical absorption in the ultraviolet regime of the electromagnetic spectrum. The absorption coefficients of the silver halide compounds are of the order of 105 cm−1 which is comparable to the absorption coefficient of silicon crystals. The latter property along with a high stability and high electron mobility, makes silver halides attractive photocatalytic materials in the NaCl structure.

Hyperbolic plasmons on natural biphenylene surface

Meta-surfaces constructed of patterned graphene nanoribbons on dielectric substrates have enabled in-plane propagation of surface plasmons with hyperbolic dispersion. However, the current size limitations of these meta-surface result in a restricted ceiling for the plasmon wave vector, highlighting the importance of exploring natural hyperbolic surfaces that do not require structuring. Here, we unveil a promising natural hyperbolic surface: the newly-synthesized graphene allotrope – biphenylene (BPN) [Fan et al., Science 372, 852–856 (2021)]. We demonstrate the anisotropic framework of π orbitals of BPN endows broadband hyperbolic plasmons on the BPN surface. Undamped plasmons emerge along the x-direction with a broadband spectrum from THz to the ultraviolet regime, whereas those along the y-direction are restricted to a low frequency region (<0.74 eV). Notably, hyperbolic regimes are observed within specific energy ranges, 1.21–2.44 eV and 3.35–3.51 eV, which facilitate the directional propagation of surface plasmons with hyperbolic dispersion relations. These results open an avenue for the use of graphene technique in advanced optics and offer a promising strategy for designing hyperbolic natural surfaces.

Dynamic ultraviolet harmonic beam pattern control by programmable spatial wavefront modulation of near-infrared fundamental beam

Abstract The ultraviolet (UV) wavelength regime is attracting increasing attention because of its growing demand in semiconductor lithography, spectroscopy, and imaging applications owing to its high spatial resolution and high photon energy. However, beam shape control, beam delivery, and wavefront manipulation of UV laser beams usually require highly dedicated optics because of the strong UV absorption of most optical materials and the high surface precision required for tailoring short wavelengths, thus limiting a broader application of UV wavelengths. Here, we demonstrate a novel dynamic UV harmonic beam pattern control by manipulating the near-infrared (NIR) wavefront of the fundamental wavelength of a femtosecond pulse laser. The temporal and spatial coherences in an optical harmonic generation are known to be well preserved. Therefore, the spatial beam distribution of UV harmonic beams (λ = 400 and 266 nm for second and third harmonics, respectively) could be readily controlled by tailoring the wavefront of the driving infrared (IR) beam, and this approach can be expanded to higher-order harmonics in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) or extreme ultraviolet (EUV) regimes. Moreover, this enables fast polarization-sensitive UV beam switching at a speed of 6.7 frames/s in a depth-resolving manner. To efficiently separate the UV beam from the strong fundamental IR background beam, a non-collinear harmonic generation configuration is introduced. This facile dynamic UV beam control technique enables arbitrary wavefront control of UV laser beams for high-precision laser patterning, polarization-sensitive encryption, and 3D holograms.