Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

D. R. Smith

Publications and source records attributed to D. R. Smith.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2025

Metamaterials and Negative Refractive Index

Recently, artificially constructed metamaterials have become of considerable interest, as these materials can exhibit electromagnetic characteristics unlike any conventional materials. Artificial magnetism and negative refractive index are two specific types of behavior that have been demonstrated over the past few years, illustrating the new physics and new applications possible when we expand our view as to what constitutes a material. In this review, we describe recent advances in metamaterials research, and discuss the potential that these materials may hold for realizing new and seemingly exotic electromagnetic phenomena.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2025

Controlling Electromagnetic Fields

Using the freedom of design which metamaterials provide, we show how electromagnetic fields can be redirected at will and propose a design strategy. The conserved fields: electric displacement field, D, magnetic induction field, B, and Poynting vector, S, are all displaced in a consistent manner. A simple illustration is given of the cloaking of a proscribed volume of space to exclude completely all electromagnetic fields. Our work has relevance to exotic lens design and to the cloaking of objects from electromagnetic fields

physics.optics↗
arXiv2025

Demonstration of a Metamaterial Electromagnetic Cloak at Microwave Frequencies

Combining the tools for transforming space-time developed for General Relativity with the capabilities of artificially structured metamaterials, an entirely new means of controlling electromagnetic fields has emerged. Here, we utilize a coordinate transformation in which a hole is opened up in space. The transformation provides a complete prescription for an electromagnetic cloak which, although complex, can be readily constructed with metamaterials

physics.optics↗
arXiv2021

Perturbative Determination of Plasma Microinstabilities in Tokamaks

Recently, theoretical analysis has identified plasma microinstabilities as the primary mechanism responsible for anomalous heat transport in tokamaks. In particular, the microtearing mode (MTM) has been credited with the production of intense electron heat fluxes, most notably through a thin self-organized boundary layer called the pedestal. Here we exploit a novel, time-dependent analysis to compile explicit experimental evidence that MTMs are active in the pedestal region. The expected frequency of pedestal MTMs, calculated as a function of time from plasma profile measurements, is shown in a dedicated experiment to be in excellent agreement with observed magnetic turbulence fluctuations. Further, fast perturbations of the plasma equilibrium are introduced to decouple the instability drive and resonant location, providing a compelling validation of the analytical model. This analysis offers strong evidence of edge MTMs, validating the existing theoretical work and highlighting the important role of MTMs in regulating electron heat flow in tokamaks.

physics.plasm-ph↗
arXiv2020

Effect of magnetic perturbations on turbulence-flow dynamics at the L-H transition on DIII-D

Detailed 2D turbulence measurements from the DIII-D tokamak provide an explanation for how resonant magnetic perturbations (RMPs) raise the L-H power threshold $P_\textrm{LH}$ [P. Gohil et al., Nucl. Fusion 51, 103020 (2011)] in ITER-relevant, low rotation, ITER-similar-shape plasmas with favorable ion $\nabla B$ direction. RMPs simultaneously raise the turbulence decorrelation rate $Δω_D$ and reduce the flow shear rate $ω_\textrm{shear}$ in the stationary L-mode state preceding the L-H transition, thereby disrupting the turbulence shear suppression mechanism. RMPs also reduce the Reynolds stress drive for poloidal flow, contributing to the reduction of $ω_\textrm{shear}$ On the ~100 μs timescale of the L-H transition, RMPs reduce Reynolds-stress-driven energy transfer from turbulence to flows by an order of magnitude, challenging the energy depletion theory for the L-H trigger mechanism. In contrast, non-resonant magnetic perturbations, which do not significantly affect $P_\textrm{LH}$, do not affect $Δω_D$ and only slightly reduce $ω_\textrm{shear}$ and Reynolds-stress-driven energy transfer.

physics.plasm-ph↗
arXiv2014

Light sterile neutrino sensitivity at the nuSTORM facility

A facility that can deliver beams of electron and muon neutrinos from the decay of a stored muon beam has the potential to unambiguously resolve the issue of the evidence for light sterile neutrinos that arises in short-baseline neutrino oscillation experiments and from estimates of the effective number of neutrino flavors from fits to cosmological data. In this paper, we show that the nuSTORM facility, with stored muons of 3.8 GeV/c $\pm$ 10%, will be able to carry out a conclusive muon neutrino appearance search for sterile neutrinos and test the LSND and MiniBooNE experimental signals with 10$σ$ sensitivity, even assuming conservative estimates for the systematic uncertainties. This experiment would add greatly to our knowledge of the contribution of light sterile neutrinos to the number of effective neutrino flavors from the abundance of primordial helium production and from constraints on neutrino energy density from the cosmic microwave background. The appearance search is complemented by a simultaneous muon neutrino disappearance analysis that will facilitate tests of various sterile neutrino models.

hep-ex↗
arXiv2013

nuSTORM - Neutrinos from STORed Muons: Proposal to the Fermilab PAC

The nuSTORM facility has been designed to deliver beams of electron neutrinos and muon neutrinos (and their anti-particles) from the decay of a stored muon beam with a central momentum of 3.8 GeV/c and a momentum acceptance of 10%. The facility is unique in that it will: 1. Allow searches for sterile neutrinos of exquisite sensitivity to be carried out; 2. Serve future long- and short-baseline neutrino-oscillation programs by providing definitive measurements of electron neutrino and muon neutrino scattering cross sections off nuclei with percent-level precision; and 3. Constitutes the crucial first step in the development of muon accelerators as a powerful new technique for particle physics. The document describes the facility in detail and demonstrates its physics capabilities. This document was submitted to the Fermilab Physics Advisory Committee in consideration for Stage I approval.

physics.acc-ph↗
arXiv2013

Neutrinos from Stored Muons nuSTORM: Expression of Interest

The nuSTORM facility has been designed to deliver beams of electron and muon neutrinos from the decay of a stored muon beam with a central momentum of 3.8 GeV/c and a momentum spread of 10%. The facility is unique in that it will: serve the future long- and short-baseline neutrino-oscillation programmes by providing definitive measurements of electron-neutrino- and muon-neutrino-nucleus cross sections with percent-level precision; allow searches for sterile neutrinos of exquisite sensitivity to be carried out; and constitute the essential first step in the incremental development of muon accelerators as a powerful new technique for particle physics. Of the world's proton-accelerator laboratories, only CERN and FNAL have the infrastructure required to mount nuSTORM. Since no siting decision has yet been taken, the purpose of this Expression of Interest (EoI) is to request the resources required to: investigate in detail how nuSTORM could be implemented at CERN; and develop options for decisive European contributions to the nuSTORM facility and experimental programme wherever the facility is sited. The EoI defines a two-year programme culminating in the delivery of a Technical Design Report.

physics.acc-ph↗
arXiv2012

nuSTORM: Neutrinos from STORed Muons

The results of LSND and MiniBooNE, along with the recent papers on a possible reactor neutrino flux anomaly give tantalizing hints of new physics. Models beyond the neutrino-SM have been developed to explain these results and involve one or more additional neutrinos that are non-interacting or "sterile." Neutrino beams produced from the decay of muons in a racetrack-like decay ring provide a powerful way to study this potential new physics. In this Letter of Intent, we describe a facility, nuSTORM, "Neutrinos from STORed Muons," and an appropriate far detector for neutrino oscillation searches at short baseline. We present sensitivity plots that indicated that this experimental approach can provide over 10 sigma confirmation or rejection of the LSND/MinBooNE results. In addition we indicate how the facility can be used to make precision neutrino interaction cross section measurements important to the next generation of long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiments.

hep-ex↗
arXiv2011

Reconfigurable Gradient Index using VO2 Memory Metamaterials

We demonstrate tuning of a metamaterial device that incorporates a form of spatial gradient control. Electrical tuning of the metamaterial is achieved through a vanadium dioxide layer which interacts with an array of split ring resonators. We achieved a spatial gradient in the magnitude of permittivity, writeable using a single transient electrical pulse. This induced gradient in our device is observed on spatial sc ales on the order of one wavelength at 1 THz. Thus, we show the viability of elements for use in future devices with potential applications in beamforming and communications

cond-mat.mes-hall↗
arXiv2010

Approaches to Three-Dimensional Transformation Optical Media Using Quasi-Conformal Coordinate Transformations

We introduce an approach to the design of three-dimensional transformation optical (TO) media based on a generalized quasi-conformal mapping approach. The generalized quasi-conformal TO (QCTO) approach enables the design of media that can, in principle, be broadband and low-loss, while controlling the propagation of waves with arbitrary angles of incidence and polarization. We illustrate the method in the design of a three-dimensional "carpet" ground plane cloak and of a flattened Luneburg lens. Ray-trace studies provide a confirmation of the performance of the QCTO media, while also revealing the limited performance of index-only versions of these devices.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2008

A Perfect Metamaterial Absorber

We present the design for an absorbing metamaterial element with near unity absorbance. Our structure consists of two metamaterial resonators that couple separately to electric and magnetic fields so as to absorb all incident radiation within a single unit cell layer. We fabricate, characterize, and analyze a metamaterial absorber with a slightly lower predicted absorbance of 96%. This achieves a simulated full width at half maximum (FWHM) absorbance of 4% thus making this material ideal for imaging purposes. Unlike conventional absorbers, our metamaterial consists solely of metallic elements. The underlying substrate can therefore be chosen independently of the substrate's absorptive qualities and optimized for other parameters of interest. We detail the design and simulation process that led to our metamaterial, and our experiments demonstrate a peak absorbance greater than 88% at 11.5 GHz.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗
arXiv2006

Calculation of material properties and ray tracing in transformation media

Complex and interesting electromagnetic behavior can be found in spaces with non-flat topology. When considering the properties of an electromagnetic medium under an arbitrary coordinate transformation an alternative interpretation presents itself. The transformed material property tensors may be interpreted as a different set of material properties in a flat, Cartesian space. We describe the calculation of these material properties for coordinate transformations that describe spaces with spherical or cylindrical holes in them. The resulting material properties can then implement invisibility cloaks in flat space. We also describe a method for performing geometric ray tracing in these materials which are both inhomogeneous and anisotropic in their electric permittivity and magnetic permeability.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2004

Impact of the inherent periodic structure on the effective medium description of left-handed and related meta-materials

We study the frequency dependence of the effective electromagnetic parameters of left-handed and related meta-materials of the split ring resonator and wire type. We show that the reduced translational symmetry (periodic structure) inherent to these meta-materials influences their effective electromagnetic response. To anticipate this periodicity, we formulate a periodic effective medium model which enables us to distinguish the resonant behavior of electromagnetic parameters from effects of the periodicity of the structure. We use this model for the analysis of numerical data for the transmission and reflection of periodic arrays of split ring resonators, thin metallic wires, cut wires as well as the left-handed structures. The present method enables us to identify the origin of the previously observed resonance/anti-resonance coupling as well as the occurrence of negative imaginary parts in the effective permittivities and permeabilities of those materials. Our analysis shows that the periodicity of the structure can be neglected only for the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave larger than 30 space periods of the investigated structure.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗
arXiv2004

A gradient index metamaterial

Metamaterials--artificially structured materials with tailored electromagnetic response--can be designed to have properties difficult to achieve with existing materials. Here we present a structured metamaterial, based on conducting split ring resonators (SRRs), which has an effective index-of-refraction with a constant spatial gradient. We experimentally confirm the gradient by measuring the deflection of a microwave beam by a planar slab of the composite metamaterial over a broad range of frequencies. The gradient index metamaterial represents an alternative approach to the development of gradient index lenses and similar optics that may be advantageous, especially at higher frequencies. In particular, the gradient index material we propose may be suited for terahertz applications, where the magnetic resonant response of SRRs has recently been demonstrated.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2004

Negative Index Lens Aberrations

We examine the Seidel aberrations of thin spherical lenses composed of media with refractive index not restricted to be positive. We find that consideration of this expanded parameter space allows reduction or elimination of more aberrations than is possible with only positive index media. In particular we find that spherical lenses possessing real aplanatic focal points are possible only with negative index. We perform ray tracing, using custom code that relies only on Maxwell's equations and conservation of energy, that confirms the results of the aberration calculations.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2003

Universal Description of Spherical Aberration Free Lenses Composed of Positive or Negative Index Media

We find that the function that describes the surface of spherical aberration free lenses can be used for both positive and negative refractive index media. With the inclusion of negative index, this function assumes the form of all the conic sections and expands the theory of aplanatic optical surfaces. There are two different symmetry centers with respect to the index that create an asymmetric relationship between positive and negative index lens profiles. In the thin lens limit the familiar formulas for image position and magnification hold for any index.

physics.optics↗