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Akhlesh Lakhtakia

Publications and source records attributed to Akhlesh Lakhtakia.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
arXiv2005

Classification of dispersion equations for homogeneous dielectric-magnetic uniaxial materials

The geometric representation at a fixed frequency of the wavevector (or dispersion) surface $ω(\vec k)$ for lossless, homogeneous dielectric--magnetic uniaxial materials is explored, when the elements of the relative permittivity and permeability tensors of the material can have any sign. Electromagnetic plane waves propagating inside the material can exhibit dispersion surfaces in the form of ellipsoids of revolution, hyperboloids of one sheet, or hyperboloids of two sheets. Furthermore, depending on the relative orientation of the optic axis, the intersections of these surfaces with fixed planes of propagation can be circles, ellipses, hyperbolas, or straight lines. The obtained understanding is used to study the reflection and refraction of electromagnetic plane waves due to a planar interface with an isotropic medium.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2005

Mapping of electromagnetic negative-phase-velocity propagation in the ergosphere of a rotating black hole

We report on the occurrence of negative-phase-velocity (NPV) planewave propagation in the ergosphere of a rotating black hole. By implementing the Kerr metric, it is demonstrated that regions of NPV propagation are concentrated at the equator of the ergosphere, while NPV propagation is less common towards the polar regions. Increasing the angular velocity of the black hole exaggerates the NPV concentration at the equator. NPV propagation is not observed outside the stationary limit surface.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2005

Electromagnetic waves with negative phase velocity in Schwarzschild-de Sitter spacetime

The propagation of electromagnetic plane waves with negative phase velocity (NPV) is considered in Schwarzschild-(anti-)de Sitter spacetime. It is demonstrated that NPV propagation occurs in Schwarzschild-de Sitter spacetime at lower values of the cosmological constant than is the case for de Sitter spacetime. Furthermore, we report that neither is NPV propagation observed in Schwarzschild-anti-de Sitter spacetime, nor is it possible outside the event horizon of a Schwarzschild blackhole.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2005

Anisotropic enhancement of group velocity in a homogenized dielectric composite medium

Under certain circumstances, the group velocity in a homogenized composite medium (HCM) can exceed the group velocity in its component material phases. We explore this phenomenon for a uniaxial dielectric HCM comprising isotropic component material phases distributed as oriented spheroidal particles. The theoretical approach is based upon the Bruggeman homogenization formalism. Enhancement in group velocity in the HCM with respect to the component material phases is shown to be sensitively dependent upon the shape of the component spheroids and their alignment relative to the direction of propagation.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2005

Boundary value problems and the validity of the Post constraint in modern electromagnetism

When a (frequency-domain) boundary value problem involving a homogeneous linear material is solved to assess the validity of the Post constraint, a conflict arises between the fundamental differential equations of electromagnetism in the chosen material and a naive application of the usual boundary conditions. It is shown here that the conflict vanishes when the boundary conditions are properly derived from the fundamental equations, and the validity of the Post constraint in modern macroscopic electromagnetism is thereby reaffirmed.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2005

Uniaxial dielectric mediums with hyperbolic dispersion relations

The dispersion relations for conventional uniaxial dielectric mediums may be characterized as elliptical or elliptical-like, according to whether the medium is nondissipative or dissipative, respectively. However, under certain constitutive parameter regimes, the dispersion relations may be hyperbolic or hyperbolic-like. We investigate planewave propagation in a hyperbolic/hyperbolic-like uniaxial dielectric medium. For both evanescent and nonevanescent propagation, the phase velocity is found to be positive with respect to the time-averaged Poynting vector. A conceptualization of a hyperbolic--like uniaxial medium as a homogenized composite medium is presented.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2005

Taking nanotechnology to schools

After a primer on nanotechnology and a review of current educational practices in secondary schools, the concept of just-in-time education is proposed to integrate technosciences and humanities so that both future technoscientists and non-technoscientists develop a common understanding, possibly even a common language, to deal with social, ethical, legal, and political issues that arise from the development of nanotechnology and its convergence with other technoscientific developments.

physics.soc-ph↗
arXiv2005

Negative phase velocity in isotropic dielectric-magnetic mediums via homogenization

We report on a strategy for achieving negative phase velocity (NPV) in a homogenized composite medium (HCM) conceptualized using the Bruggeman formalism. The constituent material phases of the HCM do not support NPV propagation. The HCM and its constituent phases are isotropic dielectric-magnetic mediums; the real parts of their permittivities/permeabilities are negative-valued whereas the real parts of their permeabilities/permittivities are positive-valued.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2005

Negative phase velocity of electromagnetic waves and the cosmological constant

Examining the propagation of electromagnetic plane waves with the wavevector directed in opposition to the time-averaged Poynting vector in cosmological spacetime with piecewise uniform metric, we show that such negative-phase-velocity (NPV) propagation is possible in certain de Sitter spacetimes but not in anti-de Sitter spacetimes. This difference suggests the possibility of an optical/electromagnetic experiment to discern the cosmological constant of a four-dimensional universe stemming from a five-dimensional brane universe.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2005

Gravitation and Electromagnetic Wave Propagation with Negative Phase Velocity

Gravitation has interesting consequences for plane wave propagation in a vacuum. The propagation of plane waves with phase velocity directed opposite to the the time-averaged Poynting vector is investigated for a generally curved spacetime. Conditions for such negative-phase-velocity (NPV) propagation are established in terms of the metric components for general and special cases. The negative energy density implications of NPV propagation are discussed.

physics.space-ph↗
arXiv2004

Enhanced diffraction by a rectangular grating made of a negative phase--velocity (or negative index) material

The diffraction of electromagnetic plane waves by a rectangular grating formed by discrete steps in the interface of a homogeneous, isotropic, linear, negative phase--velocity (negative index) material with free space is studied using the semi--analytic C method. When a nonspecular diffracted order is of the propagating type, coupling to that order is significantly larger for a negative index material than for conventional material. The computed coupling strengths reported here are in agreement with recent experiments, and illustrate the role of evanescent fields localized at the grating interface in producing this enhanced coupling.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2004

Global and local perspectives of gravitationally assisted negative-phase-velocity propagation of electromagnetic waves in vacuum

Consistently with the Einstein equivalence principle and using an electromagnetic formulation first suggested by Tamm, we show that a local observer cannot observe negative-phase-velocity (NPV) propagation of electromagnetic waves in vacuum, whereas a global observer can appreciate that phenomenon. Using the specific example of the Kerr metric, we also demonstrate the possibility of NPV propagation within the ergosphere of a rotating black hole.

physics.class-ph↗
arXiv2004

Towards gravitationally assisted negative refraction of light by vacuum

Propagation of electromagnetic plane waves in some directions in gravitationally affected vacuum over limited ranges of spacetime can be such that the phase velocity vector casts a negative projection on the time-averaged Poynting vector. This conclusion suggests, inter alia, gravitationally assisted negative refraction by vacuum.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2004

Diffraction gratings of isotropic negative phase-velocity materials

Diffraction of electromagnetic plane waves by the gratings made by periodically corrugating the exposed planar boundaries of homogeneous, isotropic, linear dielectric--magnetic half--spaces is examined. The phase velocity vector in the diffracting material can be either co-parallel or anti-parallel to the time-averaged Poynting vector, thereby allowing for the material to be classified as of either the positive or the negative negative phase-velocity (PPV or NPV) type. Three methods used for analyzing dielectric gratings - the Rayleigh-hypothesis method, a perturbative approach, and the C formalism - are extended here to encompass NPV gratings by a careful consideration of field representation inside the refracting half--space. Corrugations of both symmetric as well as asymmetric shapes are studied, as also the diversity of grating response to the linear polarization states of the incident plane wave. The replacement of PPV grating by its NPV analog affects only nonspecular diffraction efficiencies when the corrugations are shallow, and the effect on specular diffraction efficiencies intensifies as the corrugations deepen. Whether the type of the refracting material is NPV or PPV is shown to affect surface wave propagation as well as resonant excitation of surface waves.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2004

Negative refraction in outer space?

Mediums which do not support the propagation of plane waves with negative phase velocity (NPV) when viewed at rest can support NPV propagation when they are viewed in a reference frame which is uniformly translated at sufficiently high velocity. Thus, relativistic negative refraction may be exploited in astronomical scenarios.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2004

On the genesis of Post constraint in modern electromagnetism

The genesis of the Post constraint is premised on two attributes of modern electromagnetism: (i) its microscopic nature, and (ii) the status of e and b as the primitive electromagnetic fields. This constraint can therefore not arise in EH--electromagnetism, wherein the primitive electromagnetic fields are the macroscopic fields E and H.

physics.class-ph↗
arXiv2003

Blending of nanoscale and microscale in uniform large-area sculptured thin-film architectures

The combination of large thickness ($>3$ $μ$m), large--area uniformity (75 mm diameter), high growth rate (up to 0.4 $μ$m/min) in assemblies of complex--shaped nanowires on lithographically defined patterns has been achieved for the first time. The nanoscale and the microscale have thus been blended together in sculptured thin films with transverse architectures. SiO$_x$ ($x\approx 2$) nanowires were grown by electron--beam evaporation onto silicon substrates both with and without photoresist lines (1--D arrays) and checkerboard (2--D arrays) patterns. Atomic self--shadowing due to oblique--angle deposition enables the nanowires to grow continuously, to change direction abruptly, and to maintain constant cross--sectional diameter. The selective growth of nanowire assemblies on the top surfaces of both 1--D and 2--D arrays can be understood and predicted using simple geometrical shadowing equations.

physics.optics↗