A comb spectrum generating device based on Bragg grating superstructures with gain and loss is suggested in this paper. It includes a comprehensive analysis of the device formulation, generation and manipulation of the comb spectrum with a number of
degrees of freedom such as duty cycle, sampling period and gain-loss parameter. For applications such as RF traversal filters and tunable multi-wavelength laser sources, the reflected intensities of the comb resulting from the superstructures should have uniform intensities, and this is guaranteed by optimizing the physical length of the device, gain and loss in the unbroken $mathcal{PT}$-symmetric regime. Alternatively, it can be accomplished by reducing the duty cycle ratio of the superstructure to extremely small values in the broken $mathcal{PT}$-symmetric regime. Such a customization will degrade the reflectivity of the conventional grating superstructures, while it gives rise to narrow spectral lines with high reflectivity in the proposed system. Remarkably, combs with an inverted envelope are generated for larger values of gain and loss.
We report the spectral features of a phase-shifted parity and time ($mathcal{PT}$)-symmetric fiber Bragg grating (PPTFBG) and demonstrate its functionality as a demultiplexer in the unbroken $mathcal{PT}$-symmetric regime. The length of the proposed
system is of the order of millimeters and the lasing spectra in the broken $mathcal{PT}$-symmetric regime can be easily tuned in terms of intensity, bandwidth and wavelength by varying the magnitude of the phase shift in the middle of the structure. Surprisingly, the multi-modal lasing spectra are suppressed by virtue of judiciously selected phase and the gain-loss value. Also, it is possible to obtain sidelobe-less spectra in the broken $mathcal{PT}$-symmetric regime, without a need for an apodization profile, which is a traditional way to tame the unwanted sidelobes. The system is found to show narrow band single-mode lasing behavior for a wide range of phase shift values for given values of gain and loss. Moreover, we report the intensity tunable reflection and transmission characteristics in the unbroken regime via variation in gain and loss. At the exceptional point, the system shows unidirectional wave transport phenomenon independent of the presence of phase shift in the middle of the grating. For the right light incidence direction, the system exhibits zero reflection wavelengths within the stopband at the exceptional point. We also investigate the role of multiple phase shifts placed at fixed locations along the length of the FBG and the variations in the spectra when the phase shift and gain-loss values are tuned. In the broken $mathcal{PT}$-symmetric regime, the presence of multiple phase shifts aids in controlling the number of reflectivity peaks besides controlling their magnitude.
The unique spectral behavior exhibited by a class of non-uniform Bragg periodic structures, namely chirped and apodized fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) influenced by parity and time reversal ($mathcal{PT}$) symmetry, is presented. The interplay between t
he $mathcal{PT}$-symmetry and nonuniformities brings exceptional functionalities in the broken $mathcal{PT}$-symmetric phase such as wavelength selective amplification and single-mode lasing for a wide range of variations in gain-loss. We observe that the device is no more passive and it undergoes a series of transitions from asymmetric reflection to unidirectional invisibility and multi-mode amplification as a consequence of variation in the imaginary part of the strength of modulation in different apodization profiles, namely Gaussian and raised cosine, at the given value of chirping. The chirping affords bandwidth control as well as control over the magnitude of the reflected (transmitted) light. Likewise, apodization offers additional functionality in the form of suppression of uncontrolled lasing behavior in the broken $mathcal{PT}$-symmetric regime besides moderating the reflected signals outside the band edges of the spectra.
We explore the consequences of incorporating parity and time reversal ($mathcal{PT}$) symmetries on the dynamics of nonreciprocal light propagation exhibited by a class of nonuniform periodic structures known as chirped $mathcal{PT}$-symmetric fiber
Bragg gratings (FBGs). The interplay among various grating parameters such as chirping, detuning, nonlinearities, and gain/loss gives rise to unique bi- and multi-stable states in the unbroken as well as broken $mathcal{PT}$-symmetric regimes. The role of chirping on the steering dynamics of the hysteresis curve is influenced by the type of nonlinearities and the nature of detuning parameter. Also, incident directions of the input light robustly impact the steering dynamics of bistable and multistable states both in the unbroken and broken $mathcal{PT}$-symmetric regimes. When the light launching direction is reversed, critical stable states are found to occur at very low intensities which opens up a new avenue for an additional way of controlling light with light. We also analyze the phenomenon of unidirectional wave transport and the reflective bi- and multi-stable characteristics at the so-called $mathcal{PT}$-symmetry breaking point.
We report the role of $mathcal{PT}$-symmetry in switching characteristics of a highly nonlinear fiber Bragg grating (FBG) with cubic-quintic-septic nonlinearities. We demonstrate that the device shows novel bi-(multi-) stable states in the broken reg
ime as a direct consequence of the shift in the photonic band gap influenced by both $mathcal{PT}$-symmetry and higher-order nonlinearities. We also numerically depict that such FBGs provide a productive test bed where the broken $mathcal{PT}$-symmetric regime can be exploited to set up all-optical applications such as binary switches, multi-level signal processing and optical computing. Unlike optical bistability (OB) in the traditional and unbroken $mathcal{PT}$-symmetric FBG, it exhibits many peculiar features such as flat-top stable states and ramp like input-output characteristics before the onset of OB phenomenon in the broken regime. The gain/loss parameter plays a dual role in controlling the switching intensities between the stable states which is facilitated by reversing the direction of light incidence. We also find that the gain/loss parameter tailors the formation of gap solitons pertaining to transmission resonances which clearly indicates that it can be employed to set up optical storage devices. Moreover, the interplay between gain/loss and higher order nonlinearities brings notable changes in the nonlinear reflection spectra of the system under constant pump powers. The influence of each control parameters on the switching operation is also presented in a nutshell to validate that FBG offers more degrees of freedom in controlling light with light.
A central mystery in high temperature superconductivity is the origin of the so-called strange metal, i.e., the anomalous conductor from which superconductivity emerges at low temperature. Measuring the dynamic charge response of the copper-oxides, $
chi(q,omega)$, would directly reveal the collective properties of the strange metal, but it has never been possible to measure this quantity with meV resolution. Here, we present the first measurement of $chi(q,omega)$ for a cuprate, optimally doped Bi$_2$Sr$_2$CaCu$_2$O$_{8+x}$ ($T_c=91$ K), using momentum-resolved inelastic electron scattering. In the medium energy range 0.1-2 eV relevant to the strange metal, the spectra are dominated by a featureless, temperature- and momentum-independent continuum persisting to the eV energy scale. This continuum displays a simple power law form, exhibiting $q^2$ behavior at low energy and $q^2/omega^2$ behavior at high energy. Measurements of an overdoped crystal ($T_c=50$ K) showed the emergence of a gap-like feature at low temperature, indicating deviation from power law form outside the strange metal regime. Our study suggests the strange metal exhibits a new type of charge dynamics in which excitations are local to such a degree that space and time axes are decoupled.
IRAS 18511+0146 is a young embedded (proto)cluster located at 3.5 kpc surrounding what appears to be an intermediate mass protostar. In this paper, we investigate the nature of cluster members (two of which are believed to be the most massive and lum
inous) using imaging and spectroscopy in the near and mid-infrared. The brightest point-like object associated with IRAS 18511+0146 is referred to as S7 in the present work (designated UGPS J185337.88+015030.5 in the UKIRT Galactic Plane survey). Seven of the nine objects show rising spectral energy distributions (SED) in the near-infrared, with four objects showing Br-gamma emission. Three members: S7, S10 (also UGPS J185338.37+015015.3) and S11 (also UGPS J185338.72+015013.5) are bright in mid-infrared with diffuse emission being detected in the vicinity of S11 in PAH bands. Silicate absorption is detected towards these three objects, with an absorption maximum between 9.6 and 9.7 um, large optical depths (1.8-3.2), and profile widths of 1.6-2.1 um. The silicate profiles of S7 and S10 are similar, in contrast to S11 (which has the largest width and optical depth). The cold dust emission investigated using Herschel HiGal peaks at S7, with temperature at 26 K and column density N(H2) ~ 7 x 10^(22) cm^(-2). The bolometric luminosity of IRAS 18511 region is L ~ 1.8 x 10^4 L_sun. S7 is the main contributor to the bolometric luminosity, with L (S7) > 10^4 L_sun. S7 is a high mass protostellar object with ionised stellar winds, evident from the correlation between radio and bolometric luminosity as well as the asymmetric Br-gamma profile. The differences in silicate profiles of S7 and S11 could be due to different radiation environment as we believe the former to be more massive and in an earlier phase than the latter.
Stars and planetary systems are formed out of molecular clouds in the interstellar medium. Although the sequence of steps involved in star formation are generally known, a comprehensive theory which describes the details of the processes that drive f
ormation of stars is still missing. The Square Kilometre Array (SKA), with its unprecedented sensitivity and angular resolution, will play a major role in filling these gaps in our understanding. In this article, we present a few science cases that the Indian star formation community is interested in pursuing with SKA, which include investigation of AU-sized structures in the neutral ISM, the origin of thermal and non-thermal radio jets from protostars and the accretion history of protostars, and formation of massive stars and their effect on the surrounding medium.
IRAS 17256-3631 is a southern Galactic massive star forming region located at a distance of 2 kpc. In this paper, we present a multiwavelength investigation of the embedded cluster, the HII region, as well as the parent cloud. Radio images at 325, 61
0 and 1372 MHz were obtained using GMRT, India while the near-infrared imaging and spectroscopy were carried out using UKIRT and Mt. Abu Infrared Telescope, India. The near-infrared K-band image reveals the presence of a partially embedded infrared cluster. The spectral features of the brightest star in the cluster, IRS-1, spectroscopically agrees with a late O or early B star and could be the driving source of this region. Filamentary H_2 emission detected towards the outer envelope indicates presence of highly excited gas. The parent cloud is investigated at far-infrared to millimeter wavelengths and eighteen dust clumps have been identified. The spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of these clumps have been fitted as modified blackbodies and the best-fit peak temperatures are found to range from 14-33 K, while the column densities vary from 0.7-8.5x10^22 cm^-2. The radio maps show a cometary morphology for the distribution of ionized gas that is density bounded towards the north-west and ionization bounded towards the south-east. This morphology is better explained with the champagne flow model as compared to the bow shock model. Using observations at near, mid and far-infrared, submillimeter and radio wavelengths, we examine the evolutionary stages of various clumps.
We used low-energy, momentum-resolved inelastic electron scattering to study surface collective modes of the three-dimensional topological insulators Bi$_2$Se$_3$ and Bi$_{0.5}$Sb$_{1.5}$Te$_{3-x}$Se$_{x}$. Our goal was to identify the spin plasmon p
redicted by Raghu and co-workers [S. Raghu, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 116401 (2010)]. Instead, we found that the primary collective mode is a surface plasmon arising from the bulk, free carrers in these materials. This excitation dominates the spectral weight in the bosonic function of the surface, $chi (textbf{q},omega)$, at THz energy scales, and is the most likely origin of a quasiparticle dispersion kink observed in previous photoemission experiments. Our study suggests that the spin plasmon may mix with this other surface mode, calling for a more nuanced understanding of optical experiments in which the spin plasmon is reported to play a role.
