Whispering-gallery microcavity semiconductor lasers suitable for photonic integrated circuits and optical interconnects

The characteristics of whispering-gallery-like modes in the equilateral triangle and square microresonators are introduced, including directional emission triangle and square microlasers connected to an output waveguide. We propose a photonic interconnect scheme by connecting two directional emission microlasers with an optical waveguide on silicon integrated circuit chip. The measurement indicates that the triangle microlasers can work as a resonance enhanced photodetector for optical interconnect.

AlGaInAs-InPMicrocylinder Lasers Connected With an Output Waveguide

AlGaInAs-InPmicrocylinder lasers connected with an output waveguide are fabricated by planar technology. Room-temperature continuous-wave operation with a threshold current of 8 mA is realized for a microcylinder laser with the radius of 10 mu m and the output waveguide width of 2 mu m. The mode Q-factor of 1.2 x 10(4) is measured from the laser spectrum at the threshold. Coupled mode characteristics are analyzed by 2-D finite-difference time-domain simulation and the analytical solution of whispering-gallery modes. The calculated mode Q-factors of coupled modes are in the same order as the measured value.

A semiconductor laser suitably fabricated by planar technology

The semiconductor microlasers with an equilateral triangle resonator which can be fabricated by dry etching technique from the laser wafer of the edge emitting laser, are analyzed by FDTD technique and rate equations. The results show that ETR microlaser is suitable to realize single mode operation. By connecting an output waveguide to one of the vertices of the ETR, we still can get the confined modes with high quality factors. The EM microlasers are potential light sources for photonic integrated circuits.

Structural stability and electronic state of transition metal trimers

Ground state geometries were searched for transition metal trimers Sc-3, Y-3, La-3, Lu-3, Ti-3, Zr-3, and Hf-3 by density functional methods. For all the studied trimers, our calculation indicates that the ground state geometries are either equilateral triangle (Zr-3 and Hf-3) or near equilateral triangle (Ti-3, Sc-3, Y-3, La-3, and Lu-3). For rare earth trimers Sc-3, Y-3, La-3, and Lu-3, isosceles triangle (near equilateral triangle) at quartet state is the ground state. Isosceles triangle at doublet state is the competitive candidate for the ground state. For Zr-3 and Hf-3, equilateral triangle at singlet state is the most stable. For Ti-3, isosceles triangle (near equilateral triangle) at quintet state gives the ground state. For Sc-3, Zr-3, and Hf-3, where experimental results are available, the predicted geometries are in agreement with experiment in which the ground state is equilateral triangle (Zr-3) or fluxional (Sc-3 and Hf-3). For Y-3, the calculated geometry is in agreement with experimental observation and previous theoretical study that Y-3 is a bent molecule for the ground state.

Electronic structures of hafnium dimer and trimer by density functional theory

Equilibrium geometries, vibrational frequencies and dissociation energies of hafnium dimer and trimer were studied by density functional methods B3LYP, BLYP, B3PW91, BHLYP, BP86, B3P86, mPW1PW91 and PBE1PBE. The results indicate that singlet is the ground state both for hafnium dimer and for trimer. For hafnium dimer, the calculated bond distance is less sensitive to the methods used. Except at BHLYP level, the calculated vibrational frequency is comparable to the experimental value. For hafnium trimer, equilateral triangle with D-3h symmetry is slightly favored compared with isosceles triangle with C-2v, symmetry except at BHLYP level. This conclusion is in agreement with experiment in which the ground state of Hf-3 is fluxional and low-spin or closed shell is preferred.

Geometries and electronic properties of Ta-n, TanO and TaOn (n=1-3) clusters

Geometries, vibrational frequencies, electron affinities, ionization potentials and dissociation energies of the title clusters in both neutral and positively and negatively charged states were studied by use of density functional theory. For both neutral and charged species, different initial isomers were studied in order to determine the structure with the lowest energy. Vibrational analysis was also performed in order to characterize these isomers. For Ta-2, Ta-Ta metallic bond is strengthened by adding or removing an electron, i.e. the charged species are much more stable than the neutral counterpart. For Ta-3, equilateral triangle with D-3h symmetry has the lowest energy for both neutral and charged species (near equilateral triangle for cation). TaO and its charged species have much larger dissociation energy compared with other tantalum oxides. For Ta2O and TaO2. structure with C-2v symmetry is much more stable than linear chains. For Ta3O, planar structure with doubly bridging oxygen atoms of C-2v, symmetry is the global minimum for both neutral and charged species. While for TaO3, three-dimensional structures are favored for both neutral (C-1 symmetry) and charged species (C-3v symmetry).

A very rare hydrogen-bridged hexanuclear CuII complex containing a triangular Cu3O core capped by an unusual triply coordinated perchlorate anion

An unusual hexanuclear Cu-II complex, [{[Cu(NHDEPO)](3)(mu(3)-O)(O3ClO)}(2)(mu-H)]center dot 7ClO(4)center dot 4H(2)O (1) was prepared starting from Cu(ClO4)(2)center dot 6H(2)O and the oxime-based Schiff base ligand NHDEPO (= 3-[3-(diethylamino)propylimino]butan-2-one oxime). Structural characterization of the complex reveals that it consists of two triangular Cu3O units, the copper ions being at the corners of an equilateral triangle, separated by an O center dot center dot center dot O distance of 2,447(5) angstrom, held together solely by a proton. In each triangle, the copper atoms are in square-pyramid environments. The equatorial plane consists of the bridging oxygen of the central OH-(O2-) group together with three atoms (N, N, O) of the Schiff base. All Unusual triply coordinated perchlorate ion (mu(3)-kappa O:kappa O':kappa O '') interacts in axial position with the three copper ions, Variable-temperature (2-300 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements show that complex 1 is antiferromagnetically Coupled (J = -148 cm(1-)). The EPR data at low temperature clearly indicates the presence of spin frustration phenomenon in the complex.

Optimal low cost transfer to L4 and L5 lagrangian points

Lagrangian points L4 and L5 lie at 60 degrees ahead of and behind Moon in its orbit with respect to the Earth. Each one of them is a third point of an equilateral triangle with the base of the line defined by those two bodies. These Lagrangian points are stable for the Earth-Moon mass ratio. Because of their distance electromagnetic radiations from the Earth arrive on them substantially attenuated. As so, these Lagrangian points represent remarkable positions to host astronomical observatories. However, this same distance characteristic may be a challenge for periodic servicing mission. In this work, we introduce a new low-cost orbital transfer strategy that opportunistically combine chaotic and swing-by transfers to get a very efficient strategy that can be used for servicing mission on astronomical mission placed on Lagrangian points L4 or L5. This strategy is not only efficient with respect to thrust requirement, but also its time transfer is comparable to others known transfer techniques based on time optimization. Copyright ©2010 by the International Astronautical Federation. All rights reserved.

Alternative transfer to the Earth-Moon Lagrangian points L4 and L5 using lunar gravity assist

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Wedges and plate-bandes: mechanical theories after De la Hire

Plate-bandes are straight masonry arches (they are called, also, flat arches or lintel arches). Ideally they have the surfaces of extrados and intrados plane and horizontal. The stones or bricks have radial joints converging usually in one centre. The voussoirs have the form of wedges and in French they are called "claveaux". A plate-bande is, in fact, a lintel made of several stones and the proportions of lintels and plate-bandes are similar. Proportions of plate-bandes, that is the relationship between the thickness t and the span s (t/s)varies, typically between 1/4–1/3 in thick plate-bandes, and is less than 1/20 in the most slender ones. A ratio of circa 1/8 was usual in the 18th Century and follows a simple geometrical rule: the centre form with the intrados an equilateral triangle and the plate-bande should contain an arc of circle. The joints are usually plane, but in some cases present a «rebated» or «stepped» form. Plate-bandes exert an inclined thrust as any masonry arch. This thrust is usually very high and it requires either massive buttresses, or to be built in the middle of thick walls. Master builders and architects have tried since antiquity to calculate the abutment necessary for any arch. A modern architect or engineer will measure the arch thrust in units of force, kN or tons. Traditionally, the thrust has been measured as the size of the buttresses to resist it safely. Old structural rules, then, addressed the design problem establishing a relationship between the span and the depth of the buttress. These were empirical rules, particular for every type of arch or structure in every epoch. Thus, the typical gothic buttress is 1/4 of the vault span, but a Renaissance or baroque barrel vault will need more than 1/3 of the span. A plate-bande would require more than one half of the span; this is precisely the rule cited by the French engineer Gautier, who tried unsuccessfully to justify it by static reasons. They were used, typically, to form the lintels of windows or doors (1-2 m, typically); in Antiquity they were used, also, though rarely, at the gates of city walls or in niches (ca. 2 m, reaching 5.2 m). Plate-bandes may show particular problems: it is not unusual that some sliding of the voussoirs can be observed, particularly in thick plate-bandes. The stepped joints on Fig. 1, left, were used to avoid this problem. There are other «hidden» methods, like iron cramps or the use of stone wedges, etc. In seismic zones these devices were usual. Another problem relates to the deformation; a slight yielding of the abutments, or even the compression of the mortar joints, may lead to some cracking and the descent of the central keystone. Even a tiny descent will convert the original straight line of the intrados in a broken line with a visible «kink» or angle in the middle. Of course, both problems should be avoided. Finally, the wedge form of the voussoirs lead to acute angles in the stones and this can produce partial fractures; this occurs usually at the inferior border of the springers at the abutments. It follows, that to build a successful plate-bande is not an easy matter. Also, the structural study of plate-bandes is far from simple, and mechanics and geometry are related in a particular way. In the present paper we will concentrate on the structural aspects and their constructive consequences, with a historical approach. We will outline the development of structural analysis of plate-bandes from ca. 1700 until today. This brief history has a more than purely academic interest. Different approaches and theories pointed to particular problem, and though the solution given may have been incorrect, the question posed was often pertinent. The paper ends with the application of modern Limit Analysis of Masonry Structures, developed mainly by professor Heyman in the last fifty years. The work aims, also, to give some clues for the actual architect and engineer involved in the analysis or restoration of masonry buildings.

Evoluções nas modelagens de substratos artificiais (metamateriais) com práticas experimentais em antenas de microfita

Esse trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar configurações de substratos dielétricos inovadores projetados e fabricados a partir de estruturas metamateriais. Para isso, são avaliados diversos fatores que podem influenciar no seu desempenho. A princípio, foi feito um levantamento bibliográfico a respeito dos temas, que estão relacionados com as pesquisas sobre: materiais dielétricos, metamateriais e interferometria óptica. São estudados, pesquisados e desenvolvidos dois projetos experimentais propostos, que comprovam a eficiência de métodos, para se alcançar a permeabilidade magnética negativa na formação de metamateriais. O primeiro projeto é a produção de uma nova estrutura, com u anel ressoador triangular equilateral (Split Equilateral Triangle Resonator - SETR). O segundo projeto: aplica os princípios da interferometria óptica, especialmente, com o interferômetro de Fabry-Perot. Técnicas para obtenção dos dispositivos que complementam a placa metamaterial como substrato foram pesquisadas na literatura e exemplificadas principalmente por meio de simulações e medições. Foram feitas comparações, simulações e medições de estruturas convencionais e especiais. As experiências se concentram nas evoluções e modelagens de substratos metamateriais com aplicações em antenas de microfita. As melhorias de alguns parâmetros de desempenho de antenas também são relatadas. As simulações das antenas foram feitas nos programas computacionais comerciais. Os resultados medidos foram obtidos com um analisador vetorial de redes da Rhode and Schwarz modelo ZVB 14.

Evoluções nas modelagens de substratos artificiais (metamateriais) com práticas experimentais em antenas de microfita

Esse trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar configurações de substratos dielétricos inovadores projetados e fabricados a partir de estruturas metamateriais. Para isso, são avaliados diversos fatores que podem influenciar no seu desempenho. A princípio, foi feito um levantamento bibliográfico a respeito dos temas, que estão relacionados com as pesquisas sobre: materiais dielétricos, metamateriais e interferometria óptica. São estudados, pesquisados e desenvolvidos dois projetos experimentais propostos, que comprovam a eficiência de métodos, para se alcançar a permeabilidade magnética negativa na formação de metamateriais. O primeiro projeto é a produção de uma nova estrutura, com u anel ressoador triangular equilateral (Split Equilateral Triangle Resonator - SETR). O segundo projeto: aplica os princípios da interferometria óptica, especialmente, com o interferômetro de Fabry-Perot. Técnicas para obtenção dos dispositivos que complementam a placa metamaterial como substrato foram pesquisadas na literatura e exemplificadas principalmente por meio de simulações e medições. Foram feitas comparações, simulações e medições de estruturas convencionais e especiais. As experiências se concentram nas evoluções e modelagens de substratos metamateriais com aplicações em antenas de microfita. As melhorias de alguns parâmetros de desempenho de antenas também são relatadas. As simulações das antenas foram feitas nos programas computacionais comerciais. Os resultados medidos foram obtidos com um analisador vetorial de redes da Rhode and Schwarz modelo ZVB 14.

Seabed photographs taken along OFOS profiles during POLARSTERN cruise PS96 (ANT-XXXI/2 FROSN)

Within the context of the overall ecological working programme Dynamics of Antarctic Marine Shelf Ecosystems (DynAMo) of the PS96 (ANT-XXXI/2) cruise of RV "Polarstern" to the Weddell Sea (Dec 2015 to Feb 2016), seabed imaging surveys were carried out along drift profiles by means of the Ocean Floor Observation System (OFOS) of the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) Bremerhaven. The setup and mode of deployment of the OFOS was similar to that described by Bergmann and Klages (2012, doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.09.018). OFOS is a surface-powered gear equipped with two downward-looking cameras installed side-by-side: one high-resolution, wide-angle still camera (CANON® EOS 5D Mark III; lens: Canon EF 24 f/1.4L II, f stop: 13, exposure time: 1/125 sec; in-air view angles: 74° (horizontal), 53° (vertical), 84° (diagonal); image size: 5760 x 3840 px = 21 MPix; front of pressure resistant camera housing consisting of plexiglass dome port) and one high-definition color video camera (SONY® FCB-H11). The system was vertically lowered over the stern of the ship with a broadband fibre-optic cable, until it hovers approximately 1.5 m above the seabed. It was then towed after the slowly sailing ship at a speed of approximately 0.5 kn (0.25 m/s). The ship's Global Acoustic Positioning System (GAPS), combining Ultra Short Base Line (USBL), Inertial Navigation System (INS) and satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies, was used to gain highly precise underwater position data of the OFOS. During the profile, OFOS was kept hanging at the preferred height above the seafloor by means of the live video feed and occasional minor cable-length adjustments with the winch to compensate small-scale bathymetric variations in seabed morphology. Information on water depth and height above the seafloor were continuously recorded by means of OFOS-mounted sensors (GAPS transponder, Tritech altimeter). Three lasers, which are placed beside the still camera, emit parallel beams and project red light points, arranged as an equilateral triangle with a side length of 50 cm, in each photo, thus providing a scale that can be used to calculate the seabed area depicted in each image and/or measure the size of organisms or seabed features visible in the image. In addition, the seabed area depicted was estimated using altimeter-derived height above seafloor and optical characteristics of the OFOS still camera. In automatic mode, a seabed photo, depicting an area of approximately 3.45 m**2 (= 2.3 m x 1.5 m; with variations depending on the actual height above ground), was taken every 30 seconds to obtain series of "TIMER" stills distributed at regular distances along the profiles that vary in length depending on duration of the cast. At a ship speed of 0.5 kn, the average distance between seabed images was approximately 5 m. Additional "HOTKEY" photos were taken from interesting objects (organisms, seabed features, such as putative iceberg scours) when they appeared in the live video feed (which was also recorded, in addition to the stills, for documentation and possible later analysis). If any image from this collection is used, please cite the reference as given above.

3-body energy terms in a quartet state of H3

Calculations of the 3-body energy term in a quartet (4A2 ) state of H3 (equilateral triangle nuclear-configurations) show a minimum in the 3-body energy for a side length of about 1.3 bohrs.