Publications

Abstract not provided.

This report explores the coupling between EIGER simulations and a transmission line analytical model to enable end-to-end simulations to translate an exterior electromagnetic environment to assess effects on electronic system performance.

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

This report explores the potential for reducing the fields and the quality factor within a system cavity by introducing microwave absorbing materials. Although the concept of introducing absorbing (lossy) materials within a cavity to drive the interior field levels down is well known, increasing the loading into a complex weapon cavity specifically for improved electromagnetic performance has not, in general, been considered, and this will be the subject of this work. We compare full-wave simulations to experimental results, demonstrating the applicability of the proposed method.

Abstract not provided.

Improving the sensitivity of infrared detectors is an essential step for future applications, including satellite- and terrestrial-based systems. We investigate nanoantenna-enabled detectors (NEDs) in the infrared, where the nanoantenna arrays play a fundamental role in enhancing the level of absorption within the active material of a photodetector. The design and optimization of nanoantenna-enabled detectors via full-wave simulations is a challenging task given the large parameter space to be explored. Here, we present a fast and accurate fully analytic circuit model of patch-based NEDs. This model allows for the inclusion of real metals, realistic patch thicknesses, non-absorbing spacer layers, the active detector layer, and absorption due to higher-order evanescent modes of the metallic array. We apply the circuit model to the design of NED devices based on Type II superlattice absorbers, and show that we can achieve absorption of ∼70% of the incoming energy in subwavelength (∼λ∕5) absorber layers. The accuracy of the circuit model is verified against full-wave simulations, establishing this model as an efficient design tool to quickly and accurately optimize NED structures.

In this paper, we analyze a compact silicon photonic phase modulator at 1.55 μm using epsilon-near-zero transparent conducting oxide (TCO) films. The operating principle of the non-resonant phase modulator is field-effect carrier density modulation in a thin TCO film deposited on top of a passive silicon waveguide with a CMOS-compatible fabrication process. We compare phase modulator performance using both indium oxide (In2O3) and cadmium oxide (CdO) TCO materials. Our findings show that practical phase modulation can be achieved only when using high-mobility (i.e. low-loss) epsilon-near-zero materials such as CdO. The CdO-based phase modulator has a figure of merit of 17.1°/dB in a compact 5 μm length. This figure of merit can be increased further through the proper selection of high-mobility TCOs, opening a path for device miniaturization and increased phase shifts.

Considering the power constrained scaling of silicon complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor technology, the use of high mobility III-V compound semiconductors such as In0.53Ga0.47As in conjunction with high-κ dielectrics is becoming a promising option for future n-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistors. Development of low dissipation field-effect tunable III-V based photonic devices integrated with high-κ dielectrics is therefore very appealing from a technological perspective. In this work, we present an experimental realization of a monolithically integrable, field-effect-tunable, III-V hybrid metasurface operating at long-wave-infrared spectral bands. Our device relies on strong light-matter coupling between epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) modes of an ultra-thin In0.53Ga0.47As layer and the dipole resonances of a complementary plasmonic metasurface. The tuning mechanism of our device is based on field-effect modulation, where we modulate the coupling between the ENZ mode and the metasurface by modifying the carrier density in the ENZ layer using an external bias voltage. Modulating the bias voltage between ±2 V, we deplete and accumulate carriers in the ENZ layer, which result in spectrally tuning the eigenfrequency of the upper polariton branch at 13 μm by 480 nm and modulating the reflectance by 15%, all with leakage current densities less than 1 μA/cm2. Our wavelength scalable approach demonstrates the possibility of designing on-chip voltage-tunable filters compatible with III-V based focal plane arrays at mid- and long-wave-infrared wavelengths.

This report compares ATLOG modeling results for the response of a finite-length dissipative buried conductor interacting with a conducting ground to a measurement taken November 2016 at the High-Energy Radiation Megavolt Electron Source (HERMES) facility. We use the ATLOG frequency-domain method based on transmission line theory. Estimates of the impedance per unit length and admittance per unit length for a cable laying in a PVC pipe embedded in a concrete block are reported. Current wave shapes from both a single conductor and composite differential mode and antenna mode arrangements are close to those observed in the experiments. Intentionally Left Blank

Abstract not provided.

This report considers plane wave coupling to a transmission line consisting of a wire above a conducting ground. Comparisons are made for the two types of available source models, along with a discussion about the decomposition of the line currents. Simple circuit models are constructed for the terminating impedances at the ends of the line including radiation effects. Results from the transmission line with these loads show good agreement with full wave simulations. Intentionally Left Blank

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

In this paper, we report our recent findings about a first principles, multipole-based model of electric and magnetic cable braid penetrations. We consider for brevity a one-dimensional array of wires, but the model can be readily applied to realistic cable geometries. Comparisons between the first principles method and analytical formulas will be provided for both electric and magnetic penetration cases. These comparisons confirm that our first principles model works within the geometric characteristics of many commercial cables.

This paper provides an overview of the electromagnetic frequency domain simulation capabilities of the Electromagnetic Theory department at Sandia National Laboratories via a description of two of its codes. EIGER is a Method of Moments code for electromagnetic simulations, but it only runs on traditional CPUs, not on new architectures. Gemma is in development to replace EIGER and will run on many architectures, including CPUs, GPUs, and MICs, by leveraging the Kokkos library.

Control and manipulation of polarisation is an important topic for imaging and light matter interactions. In the infrared regime, the large wavelengths make wire grid polarisers (WGPs) a viable option, as it is possible to create periodic arrays of metallic wires at that scale. The recent advent of metamaterials has spurred an increase in non-traditional polariser motifs centred around more complicated repeat units, which potentially provide more functionality. The authors explore the use of 2D arrays of single and back-to-back vertically oriented cross dipoles arranged in a cubic in-plane silicon matrix. They show that both single and back-to-back versions have higher rejection ratios and larger bandwidths than either WGPs or 2D arrays of linear dipoles.

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

Optical communication systems increasingly require electrooptical modulators that deliver high modulation speeds across a large optical bandwidth with a small device footprint and a CMOS-compatible fabrication process. Although silicon photonic modulators based on transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) have shown promise for delivering on these requirements, modulation speeds to date have been limited. Here, we describe the design, fabrication, and performance of a fast, compact electroabsorption modulator based on TCOs. The modulator works by using bias voltage to increase the carrier density in the conducting oxide, which changes the permittivity and hence optical attenuation by almost 10 dB. Under bias, light is tightly confined to the conducting oxide layer through nonresonant epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) effects, which enable modulation over a broad range of wavelengths in the telecommunications band. Our approach features simple integration with passive silicon waveguides, the use of stable inorganic materials, and the ability to modulate both transverse electric and magnetic polarizations with the same device design. Using a 4-μm-long modulator and a drive voltage of 2 Vpp, we demonstrate digital modulation at rates of 2.5 Gb/s. We report broadband operation with a 6.5 dB extinction ratio across the 1530–1590 nm band and a 10 dB insertion loss. This work verifies that high-speed ENZ devices can be created using conducting oxide materials and paves the way for additional technology development that could have a broad impact on future optical communications systems.

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

Metamaterials provide a means to tailor the spectral response of a surface. Given the periodic nature of the metamaterial, proper design of the unit cell requires intimate knowledge of the parameter space for each design variable. We present a detailed study of the parameter space surrounding vertical split-ring resonators and planar split-ring resonators, and demonstrate widening of the perfect absorption bandwidth based on the understanding of its parameter space.

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

In this paper, we report the formulation to account for dielectrics in a first principles multipole-based cable braid electromagnetic penetration model. To validate our first principles model, we consider a one-dimensional array of wires, which can be modeled analytically with a multipole-conformal mapping expansion for the wire charges; however, the first principles model can be readily applied to realistic cable geometries. We compare the elastance (i.e., the inverse of the capacitance) results from the first principles cable braid electromagnetic penetration model to those obtained using the analytical model. The results are found in good agreement up to a radius to half spacing ratio of 0.5–0.6, depending on the permittivity of the dielectric used, within the characteristics of many commercial cables. We observe that for typical relative permittivities encountered in braided cables, the transfer elastance values are essentially the same as those of free space; the self-elastance values are also approximated by the free space solution as long as the dielectric discontinuity is taken into account for the planar mode.

We demonstrate active tuning of high-Q dielectric metasurfaces by embedding asymmetric silicon meta-atoms in liquid crystals, thus controlling the relative refractive index by heating. Spectral tuning of more than three resonance widths is achieved.

This paper investigates three-dimensional cut wire pair (CWP) behavior in vertically oriented meta-atoms. We first analyze CWP metamaterial inclusions using full-wave electromagnetic simulations. The scattering behavior of the vertical CWP differs substantially from that of the planar version of the same structure. In particular, we show that the vertical CWP supports a magnetic resonance that is solely excited by the incident magnetic field. This is in stark contrast to the bianisotropic resonant excitation of in-plane CWPs. We further show that this CWP behavior can occur in other vertical metamaterial resonators, such as back-to-back linear dipoles and back-to-back split ring resonators (SRRs), due to the strong coupling between the closely spaced metallic elements in the back-to-back configuration. In the case of SRRs, the vertical CWP mode (unexplored in previous literature) can be excited with a magnetic field that is parallel to both SRR loops, and exists in addition to the familiar fundamental resonances of the individual SRRs. In order to fully describe the scattering behavior from such dense arrays of three-dimensional structures, coupling effects between the close-packed inclusions must be included. The new flexibility afforded by using vertical resonators allows us to controllably create purely electric inclusions, purely magnetic inclusions, as well as bianisotropic inclusions, and vastly increases the degrees of freedom for the design of metafilms.

Abstract not provided.

Optical nonlinearities are intimately related to the spatial symmetry of the nonlinear media. For example, the second order susceptibility vanishes for centrosymmetric materials under the dipole approximation. The latter concept has been naturally extended to the metamaterials' realm, sometimes leading to the (erroneous) hypothesis that second harmonic (SH) generation is negligible in highly symmetric meta-atoms. In this work we aim to show that such symmetric meta-atoms can radiate SH light efficiently. In particular, we investigate in-plane centrosymmetric meta-atom designs where the approximation for meta-atoms breaks down. In a periodic array this building block allows us to control the directionality of the SH radiation. We conclude by showing that the use of symmetry considerations alone allows for the manipulation of the nonlinear multipolar response of a meta-atom, resulting in e.g. dipolar, quadrupolar, or multipolar emission on demand. This is because the size of the meta-atom is comparable with the free-space wavelength, thus invalidating the dipolar approximation for meta-atoms.

In this paper we investigate full-wave simulations of realistic implementations of multifunctional nanoantenna enabled detectors (NEDs). We focus on a 2x2 pixelated array structure that supports two wavelengths of operation. We design each resonating structure independently using full-wave simulations with periodic boundary conditions mimicking the whole infinite array. We then construct a supercell made of a 2x2 pixelated array with periodic boundary conditions mimicking the full NED; in this case, however, each pixel comprises 10-20 antennas per side. In this way, the cross-talk between contiguous pixels is accounted for in our simulations. We observe that, even though there are finite extent effects, the pixels work as designed, each responding at the respective wavelength of operation. This allows us to stress that realistic simulations of multifunctional NEDs need to be performed to verify the design functionality by taking into account finite extent and cross-talk effects.

We report a frequency-domain method based on transmission line theory that we name ATLOG-Analytic Transmission Line Over Ground-to model finite or infinite wires interacting with a conducting ground excited by an electromagnetic pulse. This method allows for the treatment of finite or infinite lossy, coated wires above a lossy ground, as well as resting on or buried beneath the ground. Comparisons with full-wave simulations strengthen the validity of the proposed method.

We propose a cable braid electromagnetic penetration model that is based on first-principles and is derived strictly from the geometrical parameters of the cable in question. We apply this formulation to the case of a one-dimensional array of wires, which can also be modeled analytically via a multipole-conformal mapping expansion for the wire charges and is extended by means of Laplace solutions in bipolar coordinates. Both electric and magnetic penetrations are analyzed, and comparisons are performed between results from the first principles cable braid electromagnetic penetration model and those obtained using the multipole-conformal mapping expansion method. We find results in very good agreement when using up to the octopole moment (for the first principles model), covering a dynamic range of radius-to-half-spacing ratio up to 0.6. These results give us the confidence that our first principles model is applicable to the geometric characteristics of many commercial cables.

Abstract not provided.

In this report we overview the fundamental concepts for a pair of techniques which together greatly hasten computational predictions of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) excitation of finite-length dissipative conductors over a ground plane. In a time- domain, transmission line (TL) model implementation, predictions are computationally bottlenecked time-wise, either for late-time predictions (about 100ns-10000ns range) or predictions concerning EMP excitation of long TLs (order of kilometers or more ). This is because the method requires a temporal convolution to account for the losses in the ground. Addressing this to facilitate practical simulation of EMP excitation of TLs, we first apply a technique to extract an (approximate) complex exponential function basis-fit to the ground/Earth's impedance function, followed by incorporating this into a recursion-based convolution acceleration technique. Because the recursion-based method only requires the evaluation of the most recent voltage history data (versus the entire history in a "brute-force" convolution evaluation), we achieve necessary time speed- ups across a variety of TL/Earth geometry/material scenarios. Intentionally Left Blank

We examine integration of a patterned metal nanoantenna (or metasurface) directly onto long-wave infrared detectors. These structures show significantly improved external quantum efficiency compared to their traditional counterparts. We will show simulation and experimental results.

Abstract not provided.

This report details the modeling results for the response of a finite-length dissipative conductor interacting with a conducting ground to a hypothetical nuclear device with the same output energy spectrum as the Fat Man device. We use a frequency-domain method based on transmission line theory and implemented it in a code we call ATLOG - Analytic Transmission Line Over Ground. Select results are compared to ones computed using the circuit simulator Xyce. Intentionally Left Blank

This report details the modeling results for the response of a finite-length dissipative conductor interacting with a conducting ground to a hypothetical nuclear device with the same output energy spectrum as the Fat Man device. We use a time-domain method based on transmission line theory that allows accounting for time-varying air conductivities. We implemented such method in a code we call ATLOG - Analytic Transmission Line Over Ground. Results are compared the frequency-domain version of ATLOG previously developed and to the circuit simulator Xyce in some instances. Intentionally Left Blank

This report details the modeling results for the response of a finite-length dissipative conductor interacting with a conducting ground to the Bell Labs electromagnetic pulse excitation. We use both a frequency-domain and a time-domain method based on transmission line theory through a code we call ATLOG - Analytic Transmission Line Over Ground. Results are compared to the circuit simulator Xyce for selected cases. Intentionally Left Blank

This report details the comparison of ATLOG modeling results for the response of a finite-length dissipative aerial conductor interacting with a conducting ground to a measurement taken November 2016 at the High-Energy Radiation Megavolt Electron Source (HERMES) facility. We use the ATLOG time-domain method based on transmission line theory. Good agreement is observed between simulations and experiments. Intentionally Left Blank

Abstract not provided.