Showing papers by "David R. Smith published in 2013"

Metamaterial Apertures for Computational Imaging

Abstract: By leveraging metamaterials and compressive imaging, a low-profile aperture capable of microwave imaging without lenses, moving parts, or phase shifters is demonstrated. This designer aperture allows image compression to be performed on the physical hardware layer rather than in the postprocessing stage, thus averting the detector, storage, and transmission costs associated with full diffraction-limited sampling of a scene. A guided-wave metamaterial aperture is used to perform compressive image reconstruction at 10 frames per second of two-dimensional (range and angle) sparse still and video scenes at K-band (18 to 26 gigahertz) frequencies, using frequency diversity to avoid mechanical scanning. Image acquisition is accomplished with a 40:1 compression ratio.

A full-parameter unidirectional metamaterial cloak for microwaves

Abstract: Invisibility is a notion that has long captivated the popular imagination. However, in 2006, invisibility became a practical matter for the scientific community as well, with the suggestion that artificially structured metamaterials could enable a new electromagnetic design paradigm, now termed transformation optics. Since the advent of transformation optics and subsequent initial demonstration of the microwave cloak, the field has grown rapidly. However, the complexity of the transformation optics material prescription has continually forced researchers to make simplifying approximations to achieve even a subset of the desired functionality. These approximations place profound limitations on the performance of transformation optics devices in general, and cloaks especially. Here, we design and experimentally characterize a two-dimensional, unidirectional cloak that makes no approximations to the underlying transformation optics formulation, yet is capable of reducing the scattering of an object ten wavelengths in size. We demonstrate that this approximation-free design regains the performance characteristics promised by transformation optics.

Plasmonic Waveguide Modes of Film-Coupled Metallic Nanocubes

Abstract: A metallic nanoparticle positioned over a metal film offers great advantages as a highly controllable system relevant for probing field-enhancement and other plasmonic effects. Because the size and shape of the gap between the nanoparticle and film can be controlled to subnanometer precision using relatively simple, bottom-up fabrication approaches, the film-coupled nanoparticle geometry has recently been applied to enhancing optical fields, accessing the quantum regime of plasmonics, and the design of surfaces with controlled reflectance. In the present work, we examine the plasmon modes associated with a silver nanocube positioned above a silver or gold film, separated by an organic, dielectric spacer layer. The film-coupled nanocube is of particular interest due to the formation of waveguide cavity-like modes between the nanocube and film. These modes impart distinctive scattering characteristics to the system that can be used in the creation of controlled reflectance surfaces and other applications. We perform both experimental spectroscopy and numerical simulations of individual nanocubes positioned over a metal film, finding excellent agreement between experiment and simulation. The waveguide mode description serves as a starting point to explain the optical properties observed.

Metamaterial apertures for coherent computational imaging on the physical layer.

Abstract: We introduce the concept of a metamaterial aperture, in which an underlying reference mode interacts with a designed metamaterial surface to produce a series of complex field patterns. The resonant frequencies of the metamaterial elements are randomly distributed over a large bandwidth (18-26 GHz), such that the aperture produces a rapidly varying sequence of field patterns as a function of the input frequency. As the frequency of operation is scanned, different subsets of metamaterial elements become active, in turn varying the field patterns at the scene. Scene information can thus be indexed by frequency, with the overall effectiveness of the imaging scheme tied to the diversity of the generated field patterns. As the quality (Q-) factor of the metamaterial resonators increases, the number of distinct field patterns that can be generated increases-improving scene estimation. In this work we provide the foundation for computational imaging with metamaterial apertures based on frequency diversity, and establish that for resonators with physically relevant Q-factors, there are potentially enough distinct measurements of a typical scene within a reasonable bandwidth to achieve diffraction-limited reconstructions of physical scenes.

Hydrodynamic Model for Plasmonics: A Macroscopic Approach to a Microscopic Problem

Abstract: In this concept, we present the basic assumptions and techniques underlying the hydrodynamic model of electron response in metals and demonstrate that the model can be easily incorporated into computational models. We discuss the role of the additional boundary conditions that arise due to nonlocal terms in the modified equation of motion and the ultimate impact on nanoplasmonic systems. The hydrodynamic model captures much of the microscopic dynamics relating to the fundamental quantum mechanical nature of the electrons and reveals intrinsic limitations to the confinement and enhancement of light around nanoscale features. The presence of such limits is investigated numerically for different configurations of plasmonic nanostructures.

Molecular and pathologic insights from latent HIV-1 infection in the human brain

Abstract: Objective: We aimed to investigate whether HIV latency in the CNS might have adverse molecular, pathologic, and clinical consequences. Methods: This was a case-control comparison of HIV-1 seropositive (HIV+) patients with clinical and neuropathologic examination. Based on the levels of HIV-1 DNA, RNA, and p24 in the brain, cases were classified as controls, latent HIV CNS infection, and HIV encephalitis (HIVE). Analysis of epigenetic markers including BCL11B, neurodegeneration, and neuroinflammation was performed utilizing immunoblot, confocal microscopy, immunochemistry/image analysis, and qPCR. Detailed antemortem neurocognitive data were available for 23 out of the 32 cases. Results: HIV+ controls (n = 12) had no detectable HIV-1 DNA, RNA, or p24 in the CNS; latent HIV+ cases (n = 10) showed high levels of HIV-1 DNA but no HIV RNA or p24; and HIVE cases (n = 10) had high levels of HIV-1 DNA, RNA, and p24. Compared to HIV+ controls, the HIV+ latent cases displayed moderate cognitive impairment with neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory alterations, although to a lesser extent than HIVE cases. Remarkably, HIV+ latent cases showed higher levels of BCL11B and other chromatin modifiers involved in silencing. Increased BCL11B was associated with deregulation of proinflammatory genes like interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor–α, and CD74. Conclusion: Persistence of latent HIV-1 infection in the CNS was associated with increased levels of chromatin modifiers, including BCL11B. Alteration of these epigenetic factors might result in abnormal transcriptomes, leading to inflammation, neurodegeneration, and neurocognitive impairment. BCL11B and other epigenetic factors involved in silencing might represent potential targets for HIV-1 involvement of the CNS.

Impact of nonlocal response on metallodielectric multilayers and optical patch antennas

Abstract: We analyze the impact of nonlocality on the waveguide modes of metallodielectric multilayers and optical patch antennas, the latter formed from metal strips closely spaced above a metallic plane. We model both the nonlocal effects associated with the conduction electrons of the metal and the previously overlooked response of bound electrons. We show that the fundamental mode of a metal-dielectric-metal waveguide, sometimes called the gap plasmon, is very sensitive to nonlocality when the insulating, dielectric layers are thinner than 5 nm. We suggest that optical patch antennas, which can easily be fabricated with controlled dielectric spacer layers and can be interrogated using far-field scattering, can enable the measurement of nonlocality in metals with good accuracy.

Evaluating ecosystem goods and services after restoration of marginal upland peatlands in South-West England

Abstract: Summary In the UK, drainage for agricultural reclamation during the 19th and 20th centuries is responsible for an alteration of the ecological and hydrological functioning of peatlands, in turn, affecting a whole suite of ecosystem services. Today, initiatives are in place throughout the UK to reinstate this eco-hydrological functioning by blocking drainage ditches. Effects on ecosystem services remain unclear, as does the overlapping impact of climate change on peatland recovery. This article uses a conceptual model to present the effects of restoration on ecosystem services, that is, water provision and quality, carbon storage, biodiversity, food and fibre provision and cultural services, both immediately after ditch blocking and in the few years post-restoration. The model is then applied in the context of Exmoor National Park, in South West England and used to perform a cost–benefit analysis of the restoration and monitoring programme, as these shallow peatlands are located in geographically marginal areas, and therefore more sensitive to climate change. Past research indicates that some processes tend to return progressively to their predisturbance state, but whether the complete recovery of peatlands to functioning mires occurs after restoration remains unclear, partly due to the difference between the temporal and spatial scale at which processes occur (i.e. up to decadal) and are monitored (typically a few years). Overall, on Exmoor, the long-term benefit of peatland restoration to some ecosystem services, such as a reduction in carbon losses and improvement of water storage and quality, has the potential to balance high financial investment. Synthesis and applications. Gaining a better understanding of the effects of peatland restoration on ecosystem services provided is essential to assess the potential value of restoration projects. Using the case of the shallow peatlands of Exmoor National Park, located in geographically marginal areas in the UK and therefore more vulnerable to the effects of climate change, we find that there is potential for both the value of carbon storage and water provision to offset the costs of restoration in the long-term. Our results from Exmoor can provide ecological analogues of impending change further north.

Metamaterial devices and methods of using the same

Abstract: Compressive imaging captures images in compressed form, where each sensor does not directly correspond with a pixel, as opposed to standard image capture techniques. This can lead to faster image capture rates due to lower I/O bandwidth requirements, and avoids the need for image compression hardware, as the image is captured in compressed form. Measuring the transformation of an emitted multimodal signal is one method of compressive imaging. Metamaterial antennas and transceivers are well suited for both emitting and receiving multimodal signals, and are thus prime candidates for compressive imaging.

Thin low-loss dielectric coatings for free-space cloaking

Abstract: We report stereolithographic polymer-based fabrication and experimental operation of a microwave X-band cloaking device. The device is a relatively thin (about one wavelength thick) shell of an air-dielectric composite, in which the dielectric component has negligible loss and dispersion. In a finite band (9.7–10.1 GHz), the shell eliminates the shadow and strongly suppresses scattering from a conducting cylinder of six-wavelength diameter for TE-polarized free-space plane waves. The device does not require an immersion liquid or conducting ground planes for its operation. The dielectric constant of the polymer is low enough (ϵ=2.45) to suggest that this cloaking technique would be suitable for higher frequency radiation, including visible light.

nuSTORM - Neutrinos from STORed Muons: Proposal to the Fermilab PAC

Abstract: The nuSTORM facility has been designed to deliver beams of electron neutrinos and muon neutrinos (and their anti-particles) from the decay of a stored muon beam with a central momentum of 3.8 GeV/c and a momentum acceptance of 10%. The facility is unique in that it will: 1. Allow searches for sterile neutrinos of exquisite sensitivity to be carried out; 2. Serve future long- and short-baseline neutrino-oscillation programs by providing definitive measurements of electron neutrino and muon neutrino scattering cross sections off nuclei with percent-level precision; and 3. Constitutes the crucial first step in the development of muon accelerators as a powerful new technique for particle physics. The document describes the facility in detail and demonstrates its physics capabilities. This document was submitted to the Fermilab Physics Advisory Committee in consideration for Stage I approval.

Overview of physics results from the conclusive operation of the National Spherical Torus Experiment

Abstract: Research on the National Spherical Torus Experiment, NSTX, targets physics understanding needed for extrapolation to a steady-state ST Fusion Nuclear Science Facility, pilot plant, or DEMO. The unique ST operational space is leveraged to test physics theories for next-step tokamak operation, including ITER. Present research also examines implications for the coming device upgrade, NSTX-U. An energy confinement time, ?E, scaling unified for varied wall conditions exhibits a strong improvement of BT?E with decreased electron collisionality, accentuated by lithium (Li) wall conditioning. This result is consistent with nonlinear microtearing simulations that match the experimental electron diffusivity quantitatively and predict reduced electron heat transport at lower collisionality. Beam-emission spectroscopy measurements in the steep gradient region of the pedestal indicate the poloidal correlation length of turbulence of about ten ion gyroradii increases at higher electron density gradient and lower Ti gradient, consistent with turbulence caused by trapped electron instabilities. Density fluctuations in the pedestal top region indicate ion-scale microturbulence compatible with ion temperature gradient and/or kinetic ballooning mode instabilities. Plasma characteristics change nearly continuously with increasing Li evaporation and edge localized modes (ELMs) stabilize due to edge density gradient alteration. Global mode stability studies show stabilizing resonant kinetic effects are enhanced at lower collisionality, but in stark contrast have almost no dependence on collisionality when the plasma is off-resonance. Combined resistive wall mode radial and poloidal field sensor feedback was used to control n?=?1 perturbations and improve stability. The disruption probability due to unstable resistive wall modes (RWMs) was surprisingly reduced at very high ?N/li?>?10 consistent with low frequency magnetohydrodynamic spectroscopy measurements of mode stability. Greater instability seen at intermediate ?N is consistent with decreased kinetic RWM stabilization. A model-based RWM state-space controller produced long-pulse discharges exceeding ?N?=?6.4 and ?N/li?=?13. Precursor analysis shows 96.3% of disruptions can be predicted with 10?ms warning and a false positive rate of only 2.8%. Disruption halo currents rotate toroidally and can have significant toroidal asymmetry. Global kinks cause measured fast ion redistribution, with full-orbit calculations showing redistribution from the core outward and towards V?/V?=?1 where destabilizing compressional Alfv?n eigenmode resonances are expected. Applied 3D fields altered global Alfv?n eigenmode characteristics. High-harmonic fast-wave (HHFW) power couples to field lines across the entire width of the scrape-off layer, showing the importance of the inclusion of this phenomenon in designing future RF systems. The snowflake divertor configuration enhanced by radiative detachment showed large reductions in both steady-state and ELM heat fluxes (ELMing peak values down from 19?MW?m?2 to less than 1.5?MW?m?2). Toroidal asymmetry of heat deposition was observed during ELMs or by 3D fields. The heating power required for accessing H-mode decreased by 30% as the triangularity was decreased by moving the X-point to larger radius, consistent with calculations of the dependence of E???B shear in the edge region on ion heat flux and X-point radius. Co-axial helicity injection reduced the inductive start-up flux, with plasmas ramped to 1?MA requiring 35% less inductive flux. Non-inductive current fraction (NICF) up to 65% is reached experimentally with neutral beam injection at plasma current Ip?=?0.7?MA and between 70?100% with HHFW application at Ip?=?0.3?MA. NSTX-U scenario development calculations project 100% NICF for a large range of 0.6?

Nonlinear interference and unidirectional wave mixing in metamaterials.

Abstract: When both electric and magnetic mechanisms contribute to a particular nonlinear optical process, there exists the possibility for nonlinear interference, often characterized by constructive or destructive interference in the radiation pattern of harmonics and mix waves. However, observation of a significant effect from nonlinear interference requires careful balancing of the various contributions. For this purpose, we propose an artificial metamaterial, using the formalism of nonlinear magnetoelectric coupling to simultaneously engineer the nonlinear polarization and magnetization. We confirm our predictions of nonlinear interference with both simulations and experiment, demonstrating unidirectional wave mixing in two microwave metamaterials. Our results point toward an ever wider range of nonlinear properties, in which nonlinear interference is just one of many potential applications.

Circular dichroism of four-wave mixing in nonlinear metamaterials

Abstract: Metamaterial engineering offers a route to combine unusual and interesting optical phenomena in ways that are rare or nonexistent in nature. As an exploration of this wide parameter space, we experimentally demonstrate strong cross-phase modulation and four-wave mixing in a chiral metamaterial, highlighting the interplay of nonlinearity and circular dichroism. Furthermore, we show that the magnitude of the nonlinear parametric interaction follows certain selection rules regarding the circular polarizations of the various interacting waves. Usingacoupled-modeanalysisandfiniteelementsimulations,werelatetheseselectionrulestothemetamaterial’s internal symmetries as well as its circular dichroism in the linear regime.

A Solar Cell Stacked Multi-Slot Quad-Band PIFA for GSM, WLAN and WiMAX Networks

Abstract: This letter presents a novel low-profile quad-bandsolar PIFA which has the potential to be employed in self-powered low-power GSM 1800, 2.4 GHz band WLAN and 2.3/3.3/5.8 GHz band WiMAX networks. The multi-slot loaded radiating PIFA element consisting of W-L shaped slots stacked with a polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) solar cell operating as a parasitic patch element enables the proposed solar PIFA to operate at the center frequency bands of 1.8, 2.4, 3.4, and 5.8 GHz with measured impedance bandwidths of 16.7%, 9.16%, 7.65%, and 3.45%, respectively. By incorporating a stacked poly-Si solar cell as a parasitic patch element an adequate solar efficiency of 14.5% can be achieved, generating a dc power output of 44 mW.

Printed Slot Loaded Bow-Tie Antenna With Super Wideband Radiation Characteristics for Imaging Applications

Abstract: A super wideband printed modified bow-tie antenna loaded with rounded-T shaped slots fed through a microstrip balun is proposed for microwave and millimeter-wave band imaging applications. The modified slot-loaded bow-tie pattern increases the electrical length of the bow-tie antenna reducing the lower band to 3.1 GHz. In addition, over the investigated frequency band up to 40 GHz, the proposed modified bow-tie pattern considerably flattens the input impedance response of the bow-tie resulting in a smooth impedance matching performance enhancing the reflection coefficient (S11) characteristics. The introduction of the modified ground plane printed underneath the bow-tie, on the other hand, yields to directional far-field radiation patterns with considerably enhanced gain performance. The S11 and E-plane/H-plane far-field radiation pattern measurements have been carried out and it is demonstrated that the fabricated bow-tie antenna operates across a measured frequency band of 3.1-40 GHz with an average broadband gain of 7.1 dBi.

Quasi-analytic study of scattering from optical plasmonic patch antennas

Abstract: We present an analytical treatment of the optical scattering from film-coupled nanocubes. Film-coupled nanoparticles are a convenient platform for the demonstration of a variety of fundamental plasmonic phenomena, including nonlocality and field enhancement, and can also serve as the basis for controlled reflectance surfaces. The nanocube geometry is particularly amenable to analysis, since the cubes behave in large part as plasmon resonant patch antennas, allowing the well-known patch antenna equations to be applied with some modifications. In particular, we make use of the plasmon dispersion relation to avoid direct calculation of the effective inductance per unit length—which would include kinetic inductance contributions—instead calculating the effective waveguide mode index to incorporate plasmonic contributions. We compare the analytically derived field enhancement and spectral characteristics of the film-coupled nanoparticles with those obtained from full-wave finite-element simulations.

Homogenization analysis of complementary waveguide metamaterials

Abstract: We analyze the properties of complementary metamaterials as effective inclusions patterned into the conducting walls of metal waveguide structures. We show that guided wave metamaterials can be homogenized using the same retrieval techniques used for volumetric metamaterials, leading to a description in which a given complementary element is conceptually replaced by a block of material within the waveguide whose effective permittivity and permeability result in equivalent scattering characteristics. The use of effective constitutive parameters for waveguide materials provides an alternative point-of-view for the design of waveguide and microstrip based components, including planar lenses and filters, as well as devices with derived from a bulk material response. In addition to imparting effective constitutive properties to the waveguide, complementary metamaterials also couple energy from waveguide modes into radiation. Thus, complementary waveguide metamaterials can be used to modify and optimize a variety of antenna structures.

Forward and backward unidirectional scattering from plasmonic coupled wires

Abstract: We analyze the resonant electromagnetic response of sub-wavelength plasmonic dimers formed by two silver strips separated by a thin dielectric spacer and embedded in a uniform dielectric media. We demonstrate that the off-resonant electric and resonant, geometric shape-leveraged, magnetic polarizabilities of the dimer element can be designed to have close absolute values in a certain spectral range, resulting in a predominantly unidirectional scattering of the incident field due to pronounced magneto-electric interference. Switching between forward and backward directionality can be achieved with a single element by changing the excitation wavelength, with the scattering direction defined by the relative phases of the polarizabilities. We extend the analysis to some periodic configurations, including the specific case of a perforated metal film, and discuss the differences between the observed unidirectional scattering and the extraordinary transmission effect. The unidirectional response can be preserved and enhanced with periodic arrays of dimers and can find applications in nanoantenna devices, integrated optic circuits, sensors with nanoparticles, photovoltaic systems, or perfect absorbers; while the option of switching between forward and backward unidirectional scattering may create interesting possibilities for manipulating optical pressure forces.

Progress in characterization of the pedestal stability and turbulence during the edge-localized-mode cycle on National Spherical Torus Experiment

Abstract: Progress in characterizing the edge stability and properties of the microinstabilities responsible for enhanced transport in the pedestal region is reported. The stability of the pedestal is characterized in high performance discharges on National Spherical Torus Experiment. These high performance plasmas are found to be ideal kink-peeling and ideal infinite-n ballooning unstable prior to the onset of edge-localized modes (ELM). The spatial structure of turbulence present during an ELM cycle in the pedestal region indicates poloidal spatial scales propagating in the ion diamagnetic drift direction at the pedestal top, and radial spatial scales . These propagating spatial scales are found to be poloidally elongated and consistent with ion-scale microturbulence. Both global and local gyrokinetic simulations have been performed to identify the microturbulence structure. The local gyrokinetic analysis indicates the presence of a linearly unstable hybrid kinetic ballooning mode and trapped electron mode with spatial scale and propagation direction consistent with experimental observations. In the global gyrokinetic analysis, the nonlinearly saturated potential fluctuations show radial and poloidal correlation lengths in agreement with experimental density fluctuation correlation length measurements.

Effects of classical nonlocality on the optical response of three-dimensional plasmonic nanodimers

Abstract: We examine the optical scattering from a variety of axially symmetric plasmonic nanoparticle dimers separated by nanoscale gaps, quantifying the role of classical nonlocality on their optical properties. Due to the rotational symmetry of the analyzed structures, a high degree of accuracy is achieved using a computational approach termed 2.5D modeling, in which a small number of simulations on a two-dimensional domain can replace a memory- and time-intensive simulation on a three-dimensional domain. We find that scattered light from dimers consisting of nanoparticles with flat surfaces, such as nanodisks, exhibits pronounced spectral shifts due to the nonlocality of the electron fluid; these significant shifts persist even at relatively large (>1 nm) gap dimensions, where quantum tunneling effects are believed to be negligible. The 2.5D modeling technique accurately incorporates all responses due to any nonaxially symmetric eigenmodes of the system, such as dipolar and quadrupolar modes, thereby providing a complete characterization of the system for any excitation.

Neutrinos from Stored Muons nuSTORM: Expression of Interest

Abstract: The nuSTORM facility has been designed to deliver beams of electron and muon neutrinos from the decay of a stored muon beam with a central momentum of 3.8 GeV/c and a momentum spread of 10%. The facility is unique in that it will: serve the future long- and short-baseline neutrino-oscillation programmes by providing definitive measurements of electron-neutrino- and muon-neutrino-nucleus cross sections with percent-level precision; allow searches for sterile neutrinos of exquisite sensitivity to be carried out; and constitute the essential first step in the incremental development of muon accelerators as a powerful new technique for particle physics. Of the world's proton-accelerator laboratories, only CERN and FNAL have the infrastructure required to mount nuSTORM. Since no siting decision has yet been taken, the purpose of this Expression of Interest (EoI) is to request the resources required to: investigate in detail how nuSTORM could be implemented at CERN; and develop options for decisive European contributions to the nuSTORM facility and experimental programme wherever the facility is sited. The EoI defines a two-year programme culminating in the delivery of a Technical Design Report.

Far-field analysis of axially symmetric three-dimensional directional cloaks

Abstract: Axisymmetric radiating and scattering structures whose rotational invariance is broken by non-axisymmetric excitations present an important class of problems in electromagnetics. For such problems, a cylindrical wave decomposition formalism can be used to efficiently obtain numerical solutions to the full-wave frequency-domain problem. Often, the far-field, or Fraunhofer region is of particular interest in scattering cross-section and radiation pattern calculations; yet, it is usually impractical to compute full-wave solutions for this region. Here, we propose a generalization of the Stratton-Chu far-field integral adapted for 2.5D formalism. The integration over a closed, axially symmetric surface is analytically reduced to a line integral on a meridional plane. We benchmark this computational technique by comparing it with analytical Mie solutions for a plasmonic nanoparticle, and apply it to the design of a three-dimensional polarization-insensitive cloak.

Electron-scale turbulence spectra and plasma thermal transport responding to continuous E × B shear ramp-up in a spherical tokamak

Abstract: Microturbulence is considered to be a major candidate in driving anomalous transport in fusion plasmas, and the equilibrium E × B shear generated by externally driven flow can be a powerful tool to control microturbulence in future fusion devices such as FNSF and ITER. Here we present the first observation of the change in electron-scale turbulence wavenumber spectrum (measured by a high-k scattering system) and thermal transport responding to continuous E × B shear ramp-up in an NSTX centre-stack limited and neutral beam injection-heated L-mode plasma. It is found that while linear stability analysis shows that the maximum electron temperature gradient mode linear growth rate far exceeds the observed E × B shearing rate in the measurement region of the high-k scattering system, the unstable ion temperature gradient (ITG) modes are susceptible to E × B shear stabilization. We observed that as the E × B shearing rate is continuously ramped up in the high-k measurement region, the ratio between the E × B shearing rate and maximum ITG mode growth rate continuously increases (from about 0.2 to 0.7) and the maximum power of the measured electron-scale turbulence wavenumber spectra decreases. Meanwhile, electron and ion thermal transport is also reduced in the outer half of the plasmas as long as magnetohydrodynamic activities are not important and the L-mode plasmas eventually reach H-mode-like confinement. Linear and nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations are presented to address the experimental observations.

Characterization and parametric dependencies of low wavenumber pedestal turbulence in the National Spherical Torus Experimenta)

Abstract: The spherical torus edge region is among the most challenging regimes for plasma turbulence simulations. Here, we measure the spatial and temporal properties of ion-scale turbulence in the steep gradient region of H-mode pedestals during edge localized mode-free, MHD quiescent periods in the National Spherical Torus Experiment. Poloidal correlation lengths are about 10 ρi, and decorrelation times are about 5 a/cs. Next, we introduce a model aggregation technique to identify parametric dependencies among turbulence quantities and transport-relevant plasma parameters. The parametric dependencies show the most agreement with transport driven by trapped-electron mode, kinetic ballooning mode, and microtearing mode turbulence, and the least agreement with ion temperature gradient turbulence. In addition, the parametric dependencies are consistent with turbulence regulation by flow shear and the empirical relationship between wider pedestals and larger turbulent structures.

A SOLAR CELL STACKED SLOT-LOADED SUSPENDED MICROSTRIP PATCH ANTENNA WITH MULTIBAND RESONANCE CHARACTERISTICS FOR WLAN AND WiMAX SYSTEMS

Abstract: In this paper, a novel self-complementary shaped multiple- L slot loaded suspended microstrip patch antenna stacked with a polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) solar cell is presented for 2.4/5.2 GHz band WLAN and 2.5/3.3/5.8 GHz band WiMAX networks. While the proposed self-complementary shaped multiple-L slot loaded suspended patch enables the propagation of multiple TMmn modes to be present, the poly-Si solar cell works as an RF parasitic patch element in addition to its photovoltaic function. The proposed stacked solar antenna combination topology enables the radiating patch to be easily modified by slot-loading to achieve multiband resonance characteristics and the poly-Si solar cell to operate without being shaded by any RF components of the antenna ensuring an optimum solar operation performance.

Observation of ion scale fluctuations in the pedestal region during the edge-localized-mode cycle on the National Spherical Torus Experimenta)

Abstract: Characterization of the spatial structure of turbulence fluctuations during the edge localized mode cycle in the pedestal region is reported. Using the beam emission spectroscopy and the correlation reflectometry systems, measurements show spatial structure—k⊥ρiped—ranging from 0.2 to 0.7 propagating in the ion diamagnetic drift direction at the pedestal top. These propagating spatial scales are found to be anisotropic and consistent with ion-scale microturbulence of the type ion temperature gradient and/or kinetic ballooning modes.

Subwavelength plasmonics for graded-index optics on a chip.

Abstract: Planar plasmonic devices are becoming attractive for myriad applications, owing to their potential compatibility with standard microelectronics technology and the capability for densely integrating a large variety of plasmonic devices on a chip. Mitigating the challenges of using plasmonics in on-chip configurations requires precise control over the properties of plasmonic modes, in particular their shape and size. Here we achieve this goal by demonstrating a planar plasmonic graded-index lens focusing surface plasmons propagating along the device. The plasmonic mode is manipulated by carving subwavelength features into a dielectric layer positioned on top of a uniform metal film, allowing the local effective index of the plasmonic mode to be controlled using a single binary lithographic step. Focusing and divergence of surface plasmons is demonstrated experimentally. The demonstrated approach can be used for manipulating the propagation of surface plasmons, e.g., for beam steering, splitting, cloaking, mode matching, and beam shaping applications.

Measurements and simulations of low-wavenumber pedestal turbulence in the National Spherical Torus Experiment

Abstract: Previous pedestal turbulence measurements in the National Spherical Torus Experiment assessed the spatial and temporal properties of turbulence in the steep gradient region of H-mode pedestals during edge localized mode (ELM)-free, MHD-quiescent periods. Here, we extend the analysis to fluctuation amplitudes and compare observations to pedestal turbulence simulations. Measurements indicate normalized fluctuation amplitudes are about 1–5% in the steep gradient region. Regression analysis indicates fluctuation amplitudes scale positively with electron density gradient, collisionality, and poloidal beta, and scale negatively with magnetic shear, electron density, ion temperature gradient (ITG), toroidal flow and radial electric field. The scalings are most consistent with trapped electron mode, kinetic ballooning mode, or microtearing instabilities, but, notably, least consistent with ITG turbulence. Gyrokinetic simulations of pedestal turbulence with realistic pedestal profiles show collisional instabilities with growth rates that increase at higher density gradient and decrease at higher ITG, in qualitative agreement with observed scalings. Finally, Braginskii fluid simulations of pedestal turbulence do not reproduce scalings from measurements and gyrokinetic simulations, and suggest electron dynamics can be a critical factor for accurate pedestal turbulence simulations.

Simulations of 2D metamaterial apertures for coherent computational imaging

Abstract: A metamaterial aperture operating as a leaky waveguide with resonating metamaterial irises can sweep its operation frequency to modify its complex field pattern with no moving parts. By randomly distributing the metamaterials' resonance frequencies, we show the aperture can generate random illumination patterns well suited for compressive sensing. In this way the aperture utilizes the physical layer to avoid redundant measurements in the image reconstruction process.