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Andrey Babichev

Publications and source records attributed to Andrey Babichev.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Room-temperature, continuous wave lasing in planar microcavities with quantum dots

High-quality planar cavities with low-absorption mirrors based on $Al_{0.2}Ga_{0.8}As/Al_{0.9}Ga_{0.1}As$ layers demonstrate continuous wave lasing at a wavelength of 956 nm. At 300 K, the threshold power density and quality-factor at the threshold are (4.2$\pm$0.3) $kW/cm^2$ and (6800$\pm$220). Increasing the pump level above two thresholds lead to an enlargement in the quality-factor to at least 19000. Efficient lateral heat dissipation in the planar semiconductor microcavity is confirmed by a low mode-energy shift of approximately 400 $\mu$eV at two lasing thresholds.

physics.optics

Advanced micropillar cavities: room-temperature operation of microlasers

High-quality micropillar cavities were grown using molecular-beam epitaxy. Stable continuous-wave lasing at room-temperature was demonstrated for microlasers with semiconductor and hybrid output mirrors. At 300 K, single-mode lasing was demonstrated for micropillars with a diameter of 5 $\mu$m at a wavelength of 960 nm, with a minimum lasing threshold of 1.2 mW and a bare quality-factor exceeding 8000.

physics.optics

Spaces and sequences in the hippocampus: a homological perspective

Topological techniques have become a popular tool for studying information flows in neural networks. In particular, simplicial homology theory is used to analyze how cognitive representations of space emerge from large conglomerates of independent neuronal contributions. Meanwhile, a growing number of studies suggest that many cognitive functions are sustained by serial patterns of activity. Here, we investigate stashes of such patterns using path homology theory -- an impartial, universal approach that does not require a priori assumptions about the sequences' nature, functionality, underlying mechanisms, or other contexts. We focus on the hippocampus -- a key enabler of learning and memory in mammalian brains -- and quantify the ordinal arrangement of its activity similarly to how its topology has previously been studied in terms of simplicial homologies. The results reveal that the vast majority of sequences produced during spatial navigation are structurally equivalent to one another. Only a few classes of distinct sequences form an ordinal schema of serial activity that remains stable as the pool of sequences consolidates. Importantly, the structure of both maps is upheld by combinations of short sequences, suggesting that brief activity motifs dominate physiological computations. This ordinal organization emerges and stabilizes on timescales characteristic of spatial learning, displaying similar dynamics. Yet, the ordinal maps generally do not reflect topological affinities -- spatial and sequential analyses address qualitatively different aspects of spike flows, representing two complementary formats of information processing.

q-bio.NC

Gain and Threshold Improvements of 1300 nm Lasers based on InGaAs/InAlGaAs Superlattice Active Regions

A detailed experimental analysis of the impact of active region design on the performance of 1300 nm lasers based on InGaAs/InAlGaAs superlattices is presented. Three different types of superlattice active regions and waveguide layer compositions were grown. Using a superlattice allows to downshift the energy position of the miniband, as compared to thin InGaAs quantum wells, having the same composition, being beneficial for high-temperature operation. Very low internal loss (~6$cm^{-1}$), low transparency current density of ~500$ A/cm^2$, together with 46$ cm^{-1}$ modal gain and 53 % internal efficiency were observed for broad-area lasers with an active region based on a highly strained $In_{0.74}Ga_{0.26}As/In_{0.53}Al_{0.25}Ga_{0.22}As$ superlattice. Characteristic temperatures $T_0$ and $T_1$ were improved up to 76 K and 100 K, respectively. These data suggest that such superlattices have also the potential to much improve VCSEL properties at this wavelength.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Lasing of Quantum-Dot Micropillar Lasers under Elevated Temperatures

A comprehensive numerical modelling of microcavity parameters for micropillar lasers with optical pumping was presented. The structure with a hybrid dielectric-semiconductor top mirror has a significantly higher calculated quality-factor (~65000 for 5 $\mu$m pillar) due to better vertical mode confinement. The minimum laser threshold (~370 $\mu$W for 5 $\mu$m pillar) coincided with a temperature of 130 K, which is close to zero gain to cavity detuning. Lasing up to 220 K was demonstrated with a laser threshold of about 2.2 mW.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Low-Threshold Surface-Emitting Whispering-Gallery Mode Microlasers

We report on microlasers based on high-quality micropillars with lasing on whispering-gallery modes. Usage of low-absorbing Al$\scriptsize 0.2$Ga$\scriptsize 0.8$As\Al$\scriptsize 0.9$Ga$\scriptsize 0.1$As distributed Bragg reflectors as well as the smooth pillar sidewalls allows us to realize whispering-gallery modes lasing by excitation and collection of emission in the pillar axis direction. As a result, simultaneous whispering gallery modes lasing (comb-like structure) in the wavelength range of 930-970 nm is observed for 3-7 $\mu$m pillar diameters. Increase the temperature up to 130 K results single-mode lasing for 5 $\mu$m pillars with about 8000 cold cavity quality-factor and 240 $\mu$W estimated threshold excitation power.

cond-mat.mes-hall

A 5.7 THz GaN/AlGaN quantum cascade detector based on polar step quantum wells

We report on a GaN/AlGaN quantum cascade detector operating in the terahertz spectral range. The device was grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition on a c-sapphire substrate and relies on polar GaN/AlGaN step quantum wells. The active region thickness is in micrometer range. The structural, electrical and optical investigations attest of high structural quality of the synthetized nitride material. The detector exhibits a peak photocurrent at 5.7 THz (23.6 meV) with a responsivity of 0.1 mA/W at 10 K under surface normal irradiation through a 10 um period grating. The photocurrent persists up to 20 K.

physics.optics

Replays of spatial memories suppress topological fluctuations in cognitive map

The spiking activity of the hippocampal place cells plays a key role in producing and sustaining an internalized representation of the ambient space---a cognitive map. These cells do not only exhibit location-specific spiking during navigation, but also may rapidly replay the navigated routs through endogenous dynamics of the hippocampal network. Physiologically, such reactivations are viewed as manifestations of "memory replays" that help to learn new information and to consolidate previously acquired memories by reinforcing synapses in the parahippocampal networks. Below we propose a computational model of these processes that allows assessing the effect of replays on acquiring a robust topological map of the environment and demonstrate that replays may play a key role in stabilizing the hippocampal representation of space.

q-bio.NC

Topological Schemas of Memory Spaces

Hippocampal cognitive map---a neuronal representation of the spatial environment---is broadly discussed in the computational neuroscience literature for decades. More recent studies point out that hippocampus plays a major role in producing yet another cognitive framework that incorporates not only spatial, but also nonspatial memories---the memory space. However, unlike cognitive maps, memory spaces have been barely studied from a theoretical perspective. Here we propose an approach for modeling hippocampal memory spaces as an epiphenomenon of neuronal spiking activity. First, we suggest that the memory space may be viewed as a finite topological space---a hypothesis that allows treating both spatial and nonspatial aspects of hippocampal function on equal footing. We then model the topological properties of the memory space to demonstrate that this concept naturally incorporates the notion of a cognitive map. Lastly, we suggest a formal description of the memory consolidation process and point out a connection between the proposed model of the memory spaces to the so-called Morris' schemas, which emerge as the most compact representation of the memory structure.

q-bio.NC

Robust spatial memory maps encoded in networks with transient connections

The spiking activity of principal cells in mammalian hippocampus encodes an internalized neuronal representation of the ambient space---a cognitive map. Once learned, such a map enables the animal to navigate a given environment for a long period. However, the neuronal substrate that produces this map remains transient: the synaptic connections in the hippocampus and in the downstream neuronal networks never cease to form and to deteriorate at a rapid rate. How can the brain maintain a robust, reliable representation of space using a network that constantly changes its architecture? Here, we demonstrate, using novel Algebraic Topology techniques, that cognitive map's stability is a generic, emergent phenomenon. The model allows evaluating the effect produced by specific physiological parameters, e.g., the distribution of connections' decay times, on the properties of the cognitive map as a whole. It also points out that spatial memory deterioration caused by weakening or excessive loss of the synaptic connections may be compensated by simulating the neuronal activity. Lastly, the model explicates functional importance of the complementary learning systems for processing spatial information at different levels of spatiotemporal granularity, by establishing three complementary timescales at which spatial information unfolds. Thus, the model provides a principal insight into how can the brain develop a reliable representation of the world, learn and retain memories despite complex plasticity of the underlying networks and allows studying how instabilities and memory deterioration mechanisms may affect learning process.

q-bio.NC

Transient cell assembly networks encode persistent spatial memories

While cognitive representations of an environment can last for days and even months, the synaptic architecture of the neuronal networks that underlie these representations constantly changes due to various forms of synaptic and structural plasticity at a much faster timescale. This raises an immediate question: how can a transient network maintain a stable representation of space? In the following, we propose a computational model for describing emergence of the hippocampal cognitive map in a network of transient place cell assemblies and demonstrate, using methods of algebraic topology, that such a network can maintain a robust map of the environment.

q-bio.NC

Persistent memories in transient networks

Spatial awareness in mammals is based on an internalized representation of the environment, encoded by large networks of spiking neurons. While such representations can last for a long time, the underlying neuronal network is transient: neuronal cells die every day, synaptic connections appear and disappear, the networks constantly change their architecture due to various forms of synaptic and structural plasticity. How can a network with a dynamic architecture encode a stable map of space? We address this question using a physiological model of a "flickering" neuronal network and demonstrate that it can maintain a robust topological representation of space.

q-bio.NC

Topological mapping of space in bat hippocampus

Mammalian hippocampus plays a key role in spatial learning and memory, but the exact nature of the hippocampal representation of space is still being explored. Recently, there has been a fair amount of success in modeling hippocampal spatial maps in rats, assuming a topological perspective on spatial information processing. In this paper, we use the topological model to study $3D$ learning in bats, which produces several insights into neurophysiological mechanisms of the hippocampal spatial mapping. First, we demonstrate functional importance of the cell assemblies for producing accurate maps of the $3D$ environments. Second, the model suggests that the readout neurons in these cell assemblies should function as integrators of synaptic inputs, rather than detectors of place cells' coactivity and allows estimating the integration time window. Lastly, the model suggests that, in contrast with relatively slow moving rats, suppressing $θ$-precession in bats improves the place cells capacity to encode spatial maps, which is consistent with the experimental observations.

q-bio.NC

Speedups of ergodic group extensions

We prove that for all ergodic extensions S_1 of a transformation by a locally compact second countable group G, and for all G-extensions S_2 of an aperiodic transformation, there is a relative speedup of S_1 that is relatively isomorphic to S_2. We apply this result to give necessary and sufficient conditions for two ergodic n-point or countable extensions to be related in this way.

math.DS

Speedups of compact group extensions

Let S_1 and S_2 be ergodic extensions of finite measure preserving transformations T_1 and T_2, where the extensions are by rotations of a compact group G. Then there is an N-valued function k, measurable with respect to the factor T_1, so that S_1^{k} is isomorphic to S_2 by an isomorphism that respects the action of G on fibers.

math.DS