arXiv subjects

Kasra Rouhi

Publications and source records attributed to Kasra Rouhi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Super-exponential Amplification of Wavepacket Propagation in Traveling Wave Tubes

We analyze wavepacket propagation in traveling wave tubes (TWTs) analytically and numerically. TWT design in essence comprises a pencil-like electron beam in vacuum interacting with an electromagnetic wave guided by a slow-wave structure (SWS). In our study, the electron beam is represented by a one-dimensional electron flow and the SWS is represented by an equivalent transmission line model. The analytical considerations are based on the Lagrangian field theory for TWTs. Mathematical analysis of wavepacket propagation in one-dimensional space is based on the relevant Euler-Lagrange equations which are second-order differential equations in both time and space. Wavepacket propagation analysis is not simple and we develop a numerically efficient algorithm to perform the analysis efficiently. In particular, when the initial pulse has a Gaussian shape at the input port, it acquires non-Gaussian features as it propagates through the TWT. These features include: (i) super-exponential (faster than exponential) amplification, (ii) shift of the pulse frequency spectrum toward higher frequencies, and (iii) change in the shape of the pulse that becomes particularly pronounced when the pulse frequency band contains a transitional point from stability to instability.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2024

Multi-channel OOK Communication by Using Frequency-multiplexed Switchable Metasurface

Programmable metasurfaces have recently attracted considerable interest for their versatile applications in areas such as beam steering, holography, and wireless communications, utilizing either phase or amplitude modulation. Despite this, programmable amplitude coding modulation has seen limited exploration, primarily due to the difficulties involved in achieving real-time dynamic amplitude control. Here, we propose a reprogrammable amplitude-coding metasurface utilizing the on-off Keying (OOK) method combined with frequency modulation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time we will address both the design of the metasurface and the theoretical investigation of OOK simultaneously, considering all parameters present in the design, channel, and on-off ratio. The proposed metasurface comprises two layers of graphene with separate biasing voltages. By controlling the chemical potential of each layer, we can modulate the amplitude in two states at two frequencies through a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). In addition, we employ an information encryption method using the substitution cipher method and transmit it at two amplitude levels at distinct frequencies of f1 = 0.98 THz and f2 = 1.46 THz to safeguard transmission information against eavesdropping. Simulation and numerical results convincingly demonstrate that the proposed reprogrammable metasurface facilitates secure communication in multi-channel data encryption, terahertz (THz) data storage, information processing, and THz communication.

physics.optics↗

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

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

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↗

arXiv2022

Near-Field Optical MIMO Communication with Polarization-dependent Metasurfaces

The ability to control waves at the nanoscale has attracted considerable attention to ultrathin metasurface lenses (metalenses) in optical imaging and encryption systems. We propose an approach to active tuning metasurfaces by integrating an ultrathin layer of indium-tin-oxide (ITO) into a unit cell as an electro-optically tunable material. A proposed design features two orthogonal wings that can independently manipulate waves with corresponding orthogonal polarizations. The charge carrier concentration in the ITO accumulation layer is altered by modulating the applied bias voltage. This bias voltage generates phase variations at terahertz frequencies for the reflected transverse electric and transverse magnetic polarized waves. It is possible to move both focal points of a metalens without any physical movement by varying the bias voltage. In addition, this paper explores the application of virtually moving metalens for a novel multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) communication architecture. We demonstrate a communication system based on single-point binary data communication and hexadecimal orbital angular momentum (OAM) data communication. Then, orthogonal channels can be used for MIMO communication with high capacity. The proposed design paves the way for high-speed communications as well as polarization-controlled molecular imaging systems.

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↗

arXiv2021

Enhanced Sensitivity of Degenerate System Made of Two Unstable Resonators Coupled by Gyrator Operating at an Exceptional Point

We demonstrate that a circuit comprising two unstable LC resonators coupled via a gyrator supports an exceptional point of degeneracy (EPD) with purely real eigenfrequency. Each of the two resonators includes either a capacitor or an inductor with a negative value, showing purely imaginary resonance frequency when not coupled to the other via the gyrator. With external perturbation imposed on the system, we show analytically that the resonance frequency response of the circuit follows the square-root dependence on perturbation, leading to possible sensor applications. Furthermore, the effect of small losses in the resonators is investigated, and we show that losses lead to instability. In addition, the EPD occurrence and sensitivity are demonstrated by showing that the relevant Puiseux fractional power series expansion describes the eigenfrequency bifurcation near the EPD. The EPD has the great potential to enhance the sensitivity of a sensing system by orders of magnitude. Making use of the EPD in the gyrator-based circuit, our results pave the way to realize a new generation of high-sensitive sensors to measure small physical or chemical perturbations.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2021

Switchable and Simultaneous Spatiotemporal Analog Computing

Optical wave-based computing has enabled the realization of real-time information processing in both space and time domains. In the past few years, analog computing has experienced rapid development but mostly for a single function. Motivated by parallel space-time computing and miniaturization, we show that reconfigurable graphene-based metasurfaces offer a promising path towards spatiotemporal computing with integrated functionalities by properly engineering both spatial- and temporal-frequency responses. This paper employs a tunable graphene-based metasurface to enable analog signal and image processing in both space and time by tuning the electrostatic bias. In the first part of the paper, we propose a switchable analog computing paradigm in which the proposed metasurface can switch among defined performances by selecting a proper external voltage for graphene monolayers. Spatial isotropic differentiation and edge detection in the spatial channel and first-order temporal differentiation and metasurface-based phaser with linear group-delay response in the temporal channel are demonstrated. In the second section of the paper, simultaneous and parallel spatiotemporal analog computing is demonstrated. The proposed metasurface processor has almost no static power consumption due to its floating-gate configuration. The spatial- and temporal-frequency transfer functions (TFs) are engineered by using a transmission line (TL) model, and the obtained results are validated with full-wave simulations. Our proposal will enable real-time parallel spatiotemporal analog signal and image processing.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2021

Exceptional Degeneracies in Traveling Wave Tubes with Dispersive Slow-Wave Structure Including Space-Charge Effect

The interaction between a linear electron beam and a guided electromagnetic wave is studied in the contest of exceptional points of degeneracy (EPD) supported by such an interactive system. The study focuses on the case of a linear beam traveling wave tube (TWT) with a realistic helix waveguide slow-wave structure (SWS). The interaction is formulated by an analytical model that is a generalization of the Pierce model, assuming a one-dimensional electron flow along a dispersive single-mode guiding SWS and taking into account space-charge effects in the system. The augmented model using phase velocity and characteristic impedance obtained via full-wave simulations is validated by calculating gain versus frequency and comparing it with that from more complex electron beam simulators. This comparison also shows the accuracy of our new model compared with respect to the non-dispersive Pierce model. EPDs are then investigated using the augmented model, observing the coalescence of complex-valued wavenumbers and the system's eigenvectors. The point in the complex dispersion diagram at which the TWT-system starts/ceases to exhibit a convection instability, i.e., a mode starts/ceases to grow exponentially along the TWT, is the EPD. We also demonstrate the EPD existence by showing that the Puiseux fractional power series expansion well approximates the bifurcation of the dispersion diagram at the EPD. This latter concept also explains the "exceptional" sensitivity of the TWT-system to changes in the beam's electron velocity when operating near an EPD.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2020

Digital Metasurface Based on Graphene: An Application to Beam Steering in Terahertz Plasmonic Antennas

Metasurfaces, the two-dimensional counterpart of metamaterials, have caught great attention thanks to their powerful capabilities on manipulation of electromagnetic waves. Recent times have seen the emergence of a variety of metasurfaces exhibiting not only countless functionalities, but also a reconfigurable response. Additionally, digital or coding metasurfaces have revolutionized the field by describing the device as a matrix of discrete building block states, thus drawing clear parallelisms with information theory and opening new ways to model, compose, and (re)program advanced metasurfaces. This paper joins the reconfigurable and digital approaches, and presents a metasurface that leverages the tunability of graphene to perform beam steering at terahertz frequencies. A comprehensive design methodology is presented encompassing technological, unit cell design, digital metamaterial synthesis, and programmability aspects. By setting up and dynamically adjusting a phase gradient along the metasurface plane, the resulting device achieves beam steering at all practical directions. The proposed design is studied through analytical models and validated numerically, showing beam widths and steering errors well below 10 degrees and 5% in most cases. Finally, design guidelines are extracted through a scalability analysis involving the metasurface size and number of unit cell states.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2020

Multifocal Terahertz Lens with Adjustable Focal Points

The conventional lens's tunability drawback always restricts their application compared to the metasurface lens (metalens). On the other side, reconfigurable metalenses offer the benefits of ultrathin thickness and capable of tunability. Therefore achieving reconfigurable functionalities in a single metasurface has attracted significant research interest for potential terahertz (THz) applications. In this paper, an adjustable metasurface is presented using Vanadium dioxide (VO2) to manipulate the electromagnetic waves and provide the full reflection phase. The phase-change metasurface is composed of a VO2 nanofilm, a silicon spacer, and a gold layer embedded in the structure's bottom. By employing the reconfigurable metasurface with the specific phase distribution, the incident beam can converge to determined points in any arbitrary manner, including the number of the focal points, focal points location, and power intensity ratio. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the proposed reconfigurable metasurface can concentrate power on one or more than one focal point in reflection modes as expected. Additionally, the VO2-based metasurface can control concentration width in a real-time manner using a novel proposed method. The simulation and theoretical results are in good agreement to verify the validity and feasibility of 2-bit metalens design, which has considerable potential in wireless high-speed communication and super-resolution imaging.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2020

Exceptional Points of Degeneracy Directly Induced by Space-Time Modulation of a Single Transmission Line

We demonstrate how exceptional points of degeneracy (EPDs) are induced in a single transmission line (TL) directly by applying periodic space-time modulation to the per-unit-length distributed capacitance. In such space-time modulated (STM)-TL, two eigenmodes coalesce into a single degenerate one, in their eigenvalues (wavenumbers) and eigenvectors (voltage-current states) when the system approaches the EPD condition. The EPD condition is achieved by tuning a parameter in the space-time modulation, such as spatial or temporal modulation frequency, or the modulation depth. We unequivocally demonstrate the occurrence of the EPD by showing that the bifurcation of the wavenumber around the EPD is described by the Puiseux fractional power series expansion. We show that the first order expansion is sufficient to approximate well the dispersion diagram, and how this "exceptional" sensitivity of an STM-TL to tiny changes of any TL or modulation parameter enables a possible application as a highly sensitive TL sensor when operating at an EPD.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2020

Wideband THz Low-Scattering Surface Based on Combination of Diffusion and Absorption

In this paper, a wideband and low-scattering metasurface in terahertz (THz) is introduced. The proposed coding metasurface is composed of four different graphene square patches in one layer, which has a distinct bias voltage. By optimizing the chemical potential of each patch, the reflection phase and amplitude of a designed element can be controlled in a real-time manner. The chemical potential optimizing approach is a promising method to develop metasurfaces, which can tune the reflection phase, magnitude, or polarization dynamically at different frequencies spectrum. Indeed, by adjusting the metasurface reflection profile, the suggested device can manipulate the reflected wave. Also, this metasurface can reduce reflection energy in the wide-band spectrum. The programmable surface disperses reflected power in various directions in a first frequency band and converts incident electromagnetic waves into heat at second frequency band. The obtained results demonstrate that more than 10 dB reflection reduction can be realized over 1.02 to 2.82 THz under both TE and TM polarized wave incidences. Due to the conformal properties of the graphene monolayer, the stealth feature of the metasurface is well preserved while wrapping around a metallic curved object. This optimization method has an excellent aptitude for phase, magnitude, and polarization control in various beamforming applications at the THz spectrum for high-resolution imaging and stealth technology.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2019

Tunable Multifocal THz Metalens Based on Metal-Insulator Transition of VO2 Film

Recently, metalenses which consist of metasurface arrays, have attracted attention due to their more condensed size in comparison with conventional lenses. In this paper, we propose a reconfigurable coding metasurface hybridized with vanadium dioxide (VO2) for wavefront manipulation at terahertz (THz) frequencies. At room temperature, the unit-cell can reflect as a "1" bit under linearly y polarized illuminated waves. Besides, when the temperature is increased, VO2 would be in a fully metallic state; therefore, unit-cell can act as a "0" reflection phase. Furthermore, by changing the unit-cells arrangements on a metalens surface, the proposed device can focus the incident beam at any position according to a particular design. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the designed VO2-assisted metasurface can generate one and multi-focal spot in reflection mode as expected. Also, theoretical results depict an excellent agreement with obtained simulation results. The presented metalens has notable potential in THz high-resolution imaging and optical coding.

physics.optics↗