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A. G. Barriuso

Publications and source records attributed to A. G. Barriuso.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

The transfer matrix: a geometrical perspective

We present a comprehensive and self-contained discussion of the use of the transfer matrix to study propagation in one-dimensional lossless systems, including a variety of examples, such as superlattices, photonic crystals, and optical resonators. In all these cases, the transfer matrix has the same algebraic properties as the Lorentz group in a (2+1)-dimensional spacetime, as well as the group of unimodular real matrices underlying the structure of the abcd law, which explains many subtle details. We elaborate on the geometrical interpretation of the transfer-matrix action as a mapping on the unit disk and apply a simple trace criterion to classify the systems into three types with very different geometrical and physical properties. This approach is applied to some practical examples and, in particular, an alternative framework to deal with periodic (and quasiperiodic) systems is proposed.

cond-mat.stat-mech

Escherlike quasiperiodic heterostructures

We propose quasiperiodic heterostructures associated with the tessellations of the unit disk by regular hyperbolic triangles. We present explicit construction rules and explore some of the properties exhibited by these geometric-based systems.

cond-mat.stat-mech

Integral estimator of broadband omnidirectionality

By using the notion of wavelength- and angle-averaged reflectance, we assess in a systematic way the performance of finite omnidirectional reflectors. We put forward how this concept can be employed to optimize omnidirectional capabilities. We also apply it to give an alternate meaningful characterization of the bandwidth of these systems.

physics.optics

Perfect antireflection via negative refraction

We suggest a geometrical framework to discuss the action of slabs of negatively refracting materials. We show that these slabs generate the same orbits as normal materials, but traced out in opposite directions. This property allows us to confirm that the action of any lossless multilayer can be optically cancelled by putting it together with the multilayer constructed as the inverted mirror image, with $ε$ and $μ$ reversed in sign.

physics.optics

Geometrical aspects of first-order optical systems

We reconsider the basic properties of ray-transfer matrices for first-order optical systems from a geometrical viewpoint. In the paraxial regime of scalar wave optics, there is a wide family of beams for which the action of a ray-transfer matrix can be fully represented as a bilinear transformation on the upper complex half-plane, which is the hyperbolic plane. Alternatively, this action can be also viewed in the unit disc. In both cases, we use a simple trace criterion that arranges all first-order systems in three classes with a clear geometrical meaning: they represent rotations, translations, or parallel displacements. We analyze in detail the relevant example of an optical resonator.

physics.optics

Vectorlike representation of one-dimensional scattering

We present a self-contained discussion of the use of the transfer-matrix formalism to study one-dimensional scattering. We elaborate on the geometrical interpretation of this transfer matrix as a conformal mapping on the unit disk. By generalizing to the unit disk the idea of turns, introduced by Hamilton to represent rotations on the sphere, we develop a method to represent transfer matrices by hyperbolic turns, which can be composed by a simple parallelogramlike rule.

quant-ph

A vectorlike representation of multilayers

We resort to the concept of turns to provide a geometrical representation of the action of any lossless multilayer, which can be considered as the analogous in the unit disk to the sliding vectors in Euclidean geometry. This construction clearly shows the peculiar effects arising in the composition of multilayers. A simple optical experiment revealing the appearance of the Wigner angle is analyzed in this framework.

physics.optics

Hyperbolic reflections as fundamental building blocks for multilayer optics

We reelaborate on the basic properties of lossless multilayers by using bilinear transformations. We study some interesting properties of the multilayer transfer function in the unit disk, showing that hyperbolic geometry turns out to be an essential tool for understanding multilayer action. We use a simple trace criterion to classify multilayers into three classes that represent rotations, translations, or parallel displacements. Moreover, we show that these three actions can be decomposed as a product of two reflections in hyperbolic lines. Therefore, we conclude that hyperbolic reflections can be considered as the basic pieces for a deeper understanding of multilayer optics.

physics.optics