arXiv subjects

Filippo Capolino

Publications and source records attributed to Filippo Capolino.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2025

Array oscillator in coupled waveguides with nonlinear gain and radiation resistances saturating at exceptional point

A periodically loaded waveguide composed of periodic discrete nonlinear gain and radiating elements supports a stable oscillation regime related to the presence of an exceptional point of degeneracy (EPD). After reaching saturation, the EPD in the system establishes the oscillation frequency. We demonstrate a synchronization regime at a stable oscillation frequency, resulting in uniform saturated gain across the array and uniform radiating power. Unlike conventional one-dimensional cavity resonances, the oscillation frequency is independent of the array length. Our investigations further show that when small-signal gain is non-uniformly distributed across the array, the saturated gain results in having a uniform distribution at a gain value that generates an EPD. Experimental validation using the measured board confirmed that the system saturates at an EPD, with a measured spectrum exhibiting very low phase noise. This low noise allows for operation at a clean oscillation frequency. Additionally, the measured uniform power across the array corresponds to the simulation results. The proposed scheme can pave the way for a new generation of high-power radiating arrays with distributed active elements.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2024

Exceptional Points in Gyrator-Based Circuit and Nonlinear High-Sensitivity Oscillator

We present a scheme for high-sensitive oscillators based on an exceptional point of degeneracy (EPD) in a circuit made of two LC resonators coupled by a gyrator. The frequency of oscillation is very sensitive to perturbations of a circuit element, like a capacitor. We show conditions that lead to an EPD, assuming one of the two resonators is composed of an inductor and a capacitor of negative values. The EPD occurrence and sensitivity to perturbations in the linear case are demonstrated by showing that the eigenfrequency bifurcation around the EPD is described by the relevant Puiseux (fractional power) series expansion. We also investigate the effect of small losses in the system and show that they lead to instability. We fabricate the circuit, and exploit its instability and nonlinearity, observing experimentally stable self-oscillations under the saturated regime. We measure the circuit's sensitivity to a small capacitor perturbation. A shift in frequency of oscillation after saturation is well detectable with very distinct spectral peaks with 10 Hz linewidth, clean until -70 dB from the peak value. The sensitivity is (i) higher than the one of a comparable simple LC linear resonator, (ii) comparable or better than other published EPD circuits, and (iii) applicable to both negative and positive values of the capacitance perturbation, contrary to what happens in PT-symmetric circuits. The proposed scheme can pave the way for a new generation of high-sensitive sensors to measure slight variations in physical, chemical or biological quantities.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2024

Small-Signal Model for Inhomogeneous Helix Traveling-Wave Tubes using Transfer Matrices

Abstract We introduce a practical method for modeling the small-signal behavior of frequency-dispersive and inhomogeneous helix-type traveling-wave tube (TWT) amplifiers based on a generalization of the one-dimensional Pierce model. Our model is applicable to both single-stage and multi-stage TWTs. Like the Pierce model, we assume that electrons flow linearly in one direction, parallel and in proximity to a slow-wave structure (SWS) which guides a single dominant electromagnetic mode. Realistic helix TWTs are modeled with position-dependent and frequency-dependent SWS characteristics, such as loss, phase velocity, plasma frequency reduction factor, interaction impedance, and the coupling factor that relates the SWS modal characteristic impedance to the interaction impedance. For the multi-stage helix TWT, we provide a simple lumped element circuit model for combining the stages separated by a sever, or gap, which attenuates the guided circuit mode while allowing the space-charge wave on the beam to pass freely to the next stage. The dispersive SWS characteristics are accounted for using full-wave eigenmode simulations for a realistic helix SWS supported by dielectric rods in a metal barrel, all of which contribute to the distributed circuit loss. We compare our computed gain vs frequency, computed using transfer matrices, to results found through particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations and the 1D TWT code LATTE to demonstrate the accuracy of our model. Furthermore, we demonstrate the ability of our model to reproduce gain ripple due to mismatches at the input and output ports of the TWT.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2024

Wideband Glide-Symmetric Double-Corrugated Gap-Waveguide Traveling-Wave Tube for Millimeter Waves

We explore the use of glide symmetry (GS) and electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) technology in a glide-symmetric double corrugated gap waveguide (GSDC-GW) slow wave structure (SWS) for traveling wave tube (TWT) applications. Notably, this GS structure provides the advantage of wide-band operation and the EBG eliminates the need for a conductive connection between the top and bottom waveguide plates. The TWT performance is evaluated via particle-in-cell simulations that reveal a 3-dB bandwidth of approximately 12 GHz spanning from 54.5 GHz to 66.3 GHz, accompanied by a maximum gain of 23 dB. Because of GS, the backward wave in the first spatial harmonic is not longitudinally polarized, leading to a low risk of backward wave oscillations in the TWT. This work places the GSDC-EBG structure within the arena of potential SWS topologies for TWTs operating under similar conditions.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2024

Design and Operation Principles of a Wave-Controlled Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface

A Reflective Intelligent Surface (RIS) consists of many small reflective elements whose reflection properties can be adjusted to change the wireless propagation environment. Envisioned implementations require that each RIS element be connected to a controller, and as the number of RIS elements on a surface may be on the order of hundreds or more, the number of required electrical connectors creates a difficult wiring problem, especially at high frequencies where the physical space between the elements is limited. A potential solution to this problem was previously proposed by the authors in which "biasing transmission lines" carrying standing waves are sampled at each RIS location to produce the desired bias voltage for each RIS element. This solution has the potential to substantially reduce the complexity of the RIS control. This paper presents models for the RIS elements that account for mutual coupling and realistic varactor characteristics, as well as circuit models for sampling the transmission line to generate the RIS control signals. For the latter case, the paper investigates two techniques for conversion of the transmission line standing wave voltage to the varactor bias voltage, namely an envelope detector and a sample-and-hold circuit. The paper also develops a modal decomposition approach for generating standing waves that are able to generate beams and nulls in the resulting RIS radiation pattern that maximize either the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) or the Signal-to-Leakage-plus-Noise Ratio (SLNR). Extensive simulation results are provided for the two techniques, together with a discussion of computational complexity.

eess.SY↗

arXiv2024

Parametric Modeling of Serpentine Waveguide Traveling Wave Tubes

A simple and fast model for numerically calculating small-signal gain in serpentine waveguide traveling-wave tubes (TWTs) is described. In the framework of the Pierce model, we consider one-dimensional electron flow along a dispersive single-mode slow-wave structure (SWS), accounting for the space-charge effect. The analytical model accounts for the frequency-dependent phase velocity and characteristic impedance obtained using various equivalent circuit models from the literature, validated by comparison with full-wave eigenmode simulation. The model includes a relation between the modal characteristic impedance and the interaction (Pierce) impedance of the SWS, including also an extra correction factor that accounts for the variation of the electric field distribution and hence of the interaction impedance over the beam cross section. By applying boundary conditions to our generalized Pierce model, we compute both the theoretical gain of a TWT and all the complex-valued wavenumbers of the hot modes versus frequency and compare our results with numerically intensive particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations; the good agreement in the comparison demonstrates the accuracy and simplicity of our generalized model. For various examples where we vary the average electron beam (e-beam) phase velocity, average e-beam current, number of unit cells, and input radio frequency (RF) power, we demonstrate that our model is robust in the small-signal regime.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2023

Chiral terahertz lasing with Berry curvature dipoles

Materials with Berry curvature dipoles (BDs) support a non-Hermitian electro-optic (EO) effect that is investigated here for lasing at terahertz (THz) frequencies. Such a system is here conceived as a stack of low-symmetry 2D materials. We show that a cavity made of such a material supports a nonreciprocal growing mode with elliptical polarization that generates an unstable resonance leading to self-sustained oscillations. Notably, we demonstrate that the chiral nature of the gain derived from the Berry dipole allows for the manipulation of the laser light's handedness by a simple reversal of the electric field bias.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2023

Simple Reciprocal Electric Circuit Exhibiting Exceptional Point of Degeneracy

An exceptional point of degeneracy (EPD) occurs when both the eigenvalues and the corresponding eigenvectors of a square matrix coincide and the matrix has a nontrivial Jordan block structure. It is not easy to achieve an EPD exactly. In our prior studies, we synthesized simple conservative (lossless) circuits with evolution matrices featuring EPDs by using two LC loops coupled by a gyrator. In this paper, we advance even a simpler circuit with an EPD consisting of only two LC loops with one capacitor shared. Consequently, this circuit involves only four elements and it is perfectly reciprocal. The shared capacitance and parallel inductance are negative with values determined by explicit formulas which lead to EPD. This circuit can have the same Jordan canonical form as the nonreciprocal circuit we introduced before. This implies that the Jordan canonical form does not necessarily manifest systems' nonreciprocity. It is natural to ask how nonreciprocity is manifested in the system's spectral data. Our analysis of this issue shows that nonreciprocity is manifested explicitly in: (i) the circuit Lagrangian and (ii) the breakdown of certain symmetries in the set of eigenmodes. All our significant theoretical findings were thoroughly tested and confirmed by extensive numerical simulations using commercial circuit simulator software.

physics.class-ph↗

arXiv2023

Wide Band Interaction Impedance and Mode Excitation in Glide Symmetric Double Corrugated Waveguides for mm-wave TWTs

Focusing on traveling wave tube (TWT) applications, the interaction impedance between an electron beam and electromagnetic modes in three distinct, but related, corrugated waveguides that operate at millimeter waves is investigated together with the role of glide symmetry. Two waveguide structures have glide symmetry, and the irreducible Brillouin zone is related to half of the period, leading to a wide band linearity, i.e., nondispersive, property of the dispersion diagram. The investigation on the modes with longitudinal electric field that can be excited shows that the bottom-top glide (BT Glide) symmetric corrugated waveguide has a wide band interaction impedance, hence it is a good candidate for millimeter wave TWT amplifiers. Furthermore, the backward electromagnetic mode in such BT Glide slow wave structure is not $z$ polarized, eliminating the {risk} of backward wave oscillations.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2023

Exceptional Point Degeneracy as Desirable Operation Point of Oscillator Array with Discrete Nonlinear Gain and Radiating Elements

An oscillator array prefers to operate at an exceptional point of degeneracy (EPD) occurring in a waveguide periodically loaded with discrete nonlinear gain and radiating elements. The system maintains a steady-state degenerate mode of oscillation at a frequency of 3 GHz, even when the small-signal nonlinear gain values are nonuniform along the array. Contrarily to the original expectation of zero phase shift associated to the designed EPD using small-signal gain, after reaching saturation, the time domain signal in consecutive unit cells displays a $π$ phase shift. Hence, we demonstrate that the saturated system oscillates at a distinct EPD, associated to a $π$ phase shift between consecutive cells, than the one at which the system was originally designed using small-signal gain. This new EPD at which the nonlinear system is landing is associated to higher power efficiency. Finally, we demonstrate that the oscillation frequency is independent of the length of the array, contrarily to what happens ordinary oscillating systems based on one-dimensional cavity resonances. These findings may have a high impact on high-power radiating arrays with distributed active elements.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2023

Low-Threshold Lasing with Frozen Mode Regime and Stationary Inflection Point in Three Coupled Waveguide Structure

The frozen mode regime is a unique slow-light scenario in periodic structures, where the flat-bands (zero group velocity) are associated with the formation of high-order stationary points (aka exceptional points). The formation of exceptional points is accompanied by enhancement of various optical properties such as gain, Q-factor and absorption, which are key properties for the realization of wide variety of devices such as switches, modulators and lasers. Here we present and study a new integrated optical periodic structure consisting of three waveguides coupled via micro-cavities and directional coupler. We study this design theoretically, demonstrating that a proper choice of parameters yields a third order stationary inflection point (SIP). We also show that the structure can be designed to exhibit two almost-overlapping SIPs at the center of the Brillouin Zone. We study the transmission and reflection of light propagating through realistic devices comprising a finite number of unit-cells and investigate their spectral properties in the vicinity of the stationary points. Finally, we analyze the lasing frequencies and threshold level of finite structures (as a function of the number of unit-cells) and show that it outperforms conventional lasers utilizing regular band edge lasing (such as DFB lasers).

physics.optics↗

arXiv2023

The Azimuthally-Radially Polarized Beam: Helicity and Momentum Densities, Generation and Optimal Chiral Light

We investigate the optical properties of the azimuthally-radially polarized beam (ARPB), a superposition of an azimuthally polarized beam and a radially polarized beam, which can be tuned to exhibit maximum chirality at a given energy density. This condition is called "optimal chiral light" (OCL) since it represents the maximum local chirality at a given energy density. The transverse fields of an ARPB dominate in the transverse plane but vanish on the beam axis, where the magnetic and electric fields are purely longitudinal. This spatial separation between transverse and longitudinal components leads to vanishing linear and angular momentum densities on the axis, where only the energy and helicity densities associated with the longitudinal fields persist. The ARPB does not have a phase variation around the beam axis and nonetheless exhibits a power flow around the beam axis that causes a longitudinal orbital momentum density. We introduce a concise notation for the ARPB and provide field quantities, especially for the optimally chiral configuration. The ARPB shows promise for precise one-dimensional chirality probing and enantioseparation of chiral particles along the beam axis. We propose a setup to generate ARPBs with controlled chirality and orbital angular momentum.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2023

Lasing at a Stationary Inflection Point

The concept of lasers based on the frozen mode regime in active periodic optical waveguides with a 3rd-order exceptional point of degeneracy (EPD) is advanced. The frozen mode regime in a lossless and gainless waveguide is associated with a stationary inflection point (SIP) in the Bloch dispersion relation, where three Bloch eigenmodes coalesce forming the frozen mode. As a practical example, we consider an asymmetric serpentine optical waveguide (ASOW). An ASOW operating near the SIP frequency displays a large group delay of a non-resonant nature that scales as the cube of the waveguide length, leading to a strong gain enhancement when active material is included. Therefore, a laser operating in the close vicinity of an SIP has a gain threshold that scales as a negative cube of the waveguide length. We determine that this scaling law is maintained in the presence of small distributed losses, such as radiation associated with waveguide bends and roughness. In addition, we show that although gain causes a distortion in the modes coalescing at the SIP, the properties of the frozen mode are relatively resistant to such small perturbations and we still observe a large degree of exceptional degeneracy for gain values that bring the system above threshold. Finally, our study also reveals that lasing near an SIP is favored over lasing near a photonic band edge located in close proximity to the SIP. In particular, we observe that an SIP-induced lasing in an ASOW displays lower gain threshold compared to lasing near the photonic regular band edge (RBE), even though the SIP resonance has a lower quality factor than the RBE resonance.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2023

Time Modulation to Manage and Increase the Power Harvested From External Vibrations

We investigate how a single resonator with a time-modulated component extracts power from an external ambient source. However, the collected power is largely dependent on the precise choice of the modulation signal frequency. We focus on the power absorbed from external vibration using a one degree-of-freedom mechanical resonator where the damper has a time-varying component. We show that time modulation can make a significant difference in the amount of harvested power, leading to more than 10 times enhancement with respect to an analogous system without time modulation. We also find that a narrow band pair of peak and dip in the spectrum of the absorbed power occurs because of the presence of an exceptional point of degeneracy (EPD). In this narrow frequency range, the delay between the damper modulating signal and the external vibrating signal largely affects the collected power. The high frequency-selectivity of EPD-induced power management could potentially be used in sensing and spectrometer applications.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2023

Frozen Mode Regime in an Optical Waveguide With Distributed Bragg Reflector

We introduce a glide symmetric optical waveguide exhibiting a stationary inflection point (SIP) in the Bloch wavenumber dispersion relation. An SIP is a third order exceptional point of degeneracy (EPD) where three Bloch eigenmodes coalesce to form a so-called frozen mode with vanishing group velocity and diverging amplitude. We show that the incorporation of chirped distributed Bragg reflectors and distributed coupling between waveguides in the periodic structure facilitates the SIP formation and greatly enhances the characteristics of the frozen mode regime. We confirm the existence of an SIP in two ways: by observing the flatness of the dispersion diagram and also by using a coalescence parameter describing the separation of the three eigenvectors collapsing on each other. We find that in the absence of losses, both the quality factor and the group delay at the SIP grow with the cubic power of the cavity length. The frozen mode regime can be very attractive for light amplification and lasing, in optical delay lines, sensors, and modulators.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2022

Design of a Modified Coupled Resonators Optical Waveguide Supporting a Frozen Mode

We design a three-way silicon optical waveguide with the Bloch dispersion relation supporting a stationary inflection point (SIP). The SIP is a third order exceptional point of degeneracy (EPD) where three Bloch modes coalesce forming the frozen mode with greatly enhanced amplitude. The proposed design consists of a coupled resonators optical waveguide (CROW) coupled to a parallel straight waveguide. At any given frequency, this structure supports three pairs of reciprocal Bloch eigenmodes, propagating and/or evanescent. In addition to full-wave simulations, we also employ a so-called ''hybrid model'' that uses transfer matrices obtained from full-wave simulations of sub-blocks of the unit cell. This allows us to account for radiation losses and enables a design procedure based on minimizing the eigenmodes' coalescence parameter. The proposed finite-length CROW displays almost unitary transfer function at the SIP frequency, implying a nearly perfect conversion of the input light into the frozen mode. The group delay and the effective quality factor at the SIP frequency show an $N^{3}$ scaling, where $N$ is the number of unit cells in the cavity. The frozen mode in the CROW can be utilized in various applications like sensors, lasers and optical delay lines.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2022

Analytical Solution for Space-Charge Waves in a Two-Stream Cylindrical Electron Beam

We present an analytical method to compute the wavenumbers and electric fields of the space-charge-wave eigenmodes supported by a two-stream electron beam, consisting of a solid inner cylindrical stream and a coaxial outer annular stream, both contained within a cylindrical metallic tunnel.We extend the analytical model developed by Ramo to the case of two streams. The method accounts for the interaction between the two streams with the presence of the beam-tunnel wall; it can be used to model the complex wavenumbers associated with the two-stream instability and the plasma frequency reduction effects in vacuum electronic amplifiers and other vacuum electronic devices.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2022

Pulse Generation Based on a Microstrip Circuit with Fourth Order Degenerate Band Edge

A pulse generation scheme is proposed based on a structured resonance in a cavity where the non-conventional energy distribution is concentrated in its middle part. The cavity is first used as an oscillator during the energy charging step and when a switch is activated the signal is extracted from its center. The key component of the proposed scheme is the periodic microstrip waveguide with a fourth-order degenerate band edge (DBE) of its wavenumber-frequency dispersion diagram. The DBE is an exceptional point degeneracy condition that is responsible for the energy to be localized at the cavity center and that can also have the quality factor easily destroyed by a perturbation. The waveguide is designed to have a DBE frequency of 2.86 GHz and produces pulses of approximately 0.1 V peak and 1.1 ns width.

physics.app-ph↗