arXiv subjects

Louis J. Dubé

Publications and source records attributed to Louis J. Dubé.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

Constructive feedback for the growth of laser-induced periodic surface structures

We study the formation and growth of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSSs) with the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. We use a recently proposed inter-pulse feedback method to account for the evolution of the surface morphology between each laser pulse sent to the surface of the processed material. This method has been used with an ablation-like mechanism, by removing material exposed to a light intensity higher than a given threshold. We propose an inverse mechanism, an expansion-like mechanism, able to grow structures that the ablation-like process cannot. This allows us to introduce the notions of constructive and destructive feedback and explains a strong contradiction between the standard Sipe-Drude theory and the experimental observations, i. e. the formation on metals of structures usually linked to wide band gap dielectrics.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2015

Toward the formation of crossed laser-induced periodic surface structures

The formation of a new type of laser-induced periodic surface structures using a femtosecond pulsed laser is studied on the basis of the Sipe-Drude theory solved with a FDTD scheme. Our numerical results indicate the possibility of coexisting structures parallel and perpendicular to the polarization of the incident light for low reduced collision frequency ($γ/ω\lesssim 1/4$, where $ω$ is the laser frequency). Moreover, these structures have a periodicity of $Λ\sim λ$ in both orientations. To explain this behavior, light-matter interaction around a single surface inhomogeneity is also studied and confirms the simultaneous presence of surface plasmon polaritons and radiation remnants in orthogonal orientations at low $γ/ω$ values.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Optimization of integrated polarization filters

This study reports on the design of small footprint, integrated polarization filters based on engineered photonic lattices. Using a rods-in-air lattice as a basis for a TE filter and a holes-in-slab lattice for the analogous TM filter, we are able to maximize the degree of polarization of the output beams up to 98 % with a transmission efficiency greater than 75 %. The proposed designs allow not only for logical polarization filtering, but can also be tailored to output an arbitrary transverse beam profile. The lattice configurations are found using a recently proposed parallel tabu search algorithm for combinatorial optimization problems in integrated photonics.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Ab initio investigation of lasing thresholds in photonic molecules

We investigate lasing thresholds in a representative photonic molecule composed of two coupled active cylinders of slightly different radii. Specifically, we use the recently formulated steady-state ab initio laser theory (SALT) to assess the effect of the underlying gain transition on lasing frequencies and thresholds. We find that the order in which modes lase can be modified by choosing suitable combinations of the gain center frequency and linewidth, a result that cannot be obtained using the conventional approach of quasi-bound modes. The impact of the gain transition center on the lasing frequencies, the frequency pulling effect, is also quantified.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Adding SALT to Coupled Microcavities: the making of active photonic molecule lasers

A large body of work has accumulated over the years in the study of the optical properties of single and coupled microcavities for a variety of applications, ranging from filters to sensors and lasers. The focus has been mostly on the geometry of individual resonators and/or on their combination in arrangements often referred to as photonic molecules (PMs). Our primary concern will be the lasing properties of PMs as ideal candidates for the fabrication of integrated microlasers, photonic molecule lasers. Whereas most calculations on PM lasers have been based on cold-cavity (passive) modes, i.e. quasi-bound states, a recently formulated steady-state ab initio laser theory (SALT) offers the possibility to take into account the spectral properties of the underlying gain transition, its position and linewidth, as well as incorporating an arbitrary pump profile. We will combine two theoretical approaches to characterize the lasing properties of PM lasers: for two-dimensional systems, the generalized Lorenz-Mie theory will obtain the resonant modes of the coupled molecules in an active medium described by SALT. Not only is then the theoretical description more complete, the use of an active medium provides additional parameters to control, engineer and harness the lasing properties of PM lasers for ultra-low threshold and directional single-mode emission.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Coexistence of phases and the observability of random graphs

In a recent Letter, Yang et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 258701 (2012)] introduced the concept of observability transitions: the percolation-like emergence of a macroscopic observable component in graphs in which the state of a fraction of the nodes, and of their first neighbors, is monitored. We show how their concept of depth-L percolation---where the state of nodes up to a distance L of monitored nodes is known---can be mapped unto multitype random graphs, and use this mapping to exactly solve the observability problem for arbitrary L. We then demonstrate a non-trivial coexistence of an observable and of a non-observable extensive component. This coexistence suggests that monitoring a macroscopic portion of a graph does not prevent a macroscopic event to occur unbeknown to the observer. We also show that real complex systems behave quite differently with regard to observability depending on whether they are geographically-constrained or not.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2013

Percolation on random networks with arbitrary k-core structure

The k-core decomposition of a network has thus far mainly served as a powerful tool for the empirical study of complex networks. We now propose its explicit integration in a theoretical model. We introduce a Hard-core Random Network model that generates maximally random networks with arbitrary degree distribution and arbitrary k-core structure. We then solve exactly the bond percolation problem on the HRN model and produce fast and precise analytical estimates for the corresponding real networks. Extensive comparison with selected databases reveals that our approach performs better than existing models, while requiring less input information.

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2013

Multiobjective optimization in integrated photonics design

We propose the use of the parallel tabu search algorithm (PTS) to solve combinatorial inverse design problems in integrated photonics. To assess the potential of this algorithm, we consider the problem of beam shaping using a two-dimensional arrangement of dielectric scatterers. The performance of PTS is compared to one of the most widely used optimization algorithms in photonics design, the genetic algorithm (GA). We find that PTS can produce comparable or better solutions than the GA, while requiring less computation time and fewer adjustable parameters. For the coherent beam shaping problem as a case study, we demonstrate how PTS can tackle multiobjective optimization problems and represent a robust and efficient alternative to GA.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

S and Q Matrices Reloaded: applications to open, inhomogeneous, and complex cavities

We present a versatile numerical algorithm for computing resonances of open dielectric cavities. The emphasis is on the generality of the system's configuration, i.e. the geometry of the (main) cavity (and possible inclusions) and the internal and external dielectric media (homogeneous and inhomogeneous). The method is based on a scattering formalism to obtain the position and width of the (quasi)-eigenmodes. The core of the method lies in the scattering S-matrix and its associated delay Q-matrix which contain all the relevant information of the corresponding scattering experiment. For instance, the electromagnetic near- and far-fields are readily extracted. The flexibility of the propagation method is displayed for a selected system.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

Global efficiency of local immunization on complex networks

Epidemics occur in all shapes and forms: infections propagating in our sparse sexual networks, rumours and diseases spreading through our much denser social interactions, or viruses circulating on the Internet. With the advent of large databases and efficient analysis algorithms, these processes can be better predicted and controlled. In this study, we use different characteristics of network organization to identify the influential spreaders in 17 empirical networks of diverse nature using 2 epidemic models. We find that a judicious choice of local measures, based either on the network's connectivity at a microscopic scale or on its community structure at a mesoscopic scale, compares favorably to global measures, such as betweenness centrality, in terms of efficiency, practicality and robustness. We also develop an analytical framework that highlights a transition in the characteristic scale of different epidemic regimes. This allows to decide which local measure should govern immunization in a given scenario.

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2013

Coherent beam shaping using two-dimensional photonic crystals

Optical devices based on photonic crystals such as waveguides, lenses and beam-shapers, have received considerable theoretical and experimental attention in recent years. The production of these devices has been facilitated by the wide availability of silicon-on-insulator fabrication techniques. In this theoretical work, we show the possibility to design a coherent PhC-based beam-shaper. The basic photonic geometry used is a 2D square lattice of air holes in a high-index dielectric core. We formulate the beam shaping problem in terms of objective functions related to the amplitude and phase profile of the generated beam. We then use a parallel tabu search algorithm to minimize the two objectives simultaneously. Our results show that optimization of several attributes in integrated photonics design is well within reach of current algorithms.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2012

Beam shaping using genetically optimized two-dimensional photonic crystals

We propose the use of two-dimensional photonic crystals with engineered defects for the generation of an arbitrary-profile beam from a focused input beam. The cylindrical harmonics expansion of complex-source beams is derived and used to compute the scattered wavefunction of a 2D photonic crystal via the multiple scattering method. The beam shaping problem is then solved using a genetic algorithm. We illustrate our procedure by generating different orders of Hermite-Gauss profiles, while maintaining reasonable losses and tolerance to variations in the input beam and the slab refractive index.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2012

On the constrained growth of complex critical systems

Critical, or scale independent, systems are so ubiquitous, that gaining theoretical insights on their nature and properties has many direct repercussions in social and natural sciences. In this report, we start from the simplest possible growth model for critical systems and deduce constraints in their growth : the well-known preferential attachment principle, and, mainly, a new law of temporal scaling. We then support our scaling law with a number of calculations and simulations of more complex theoretical models : critical percolation, self-organized criticality and fractal growth. Perhaps more importantly, the scaling law is also observed in a number of empirical systems of quite different nature : prose samples, artistic and scientific productivity, citation networks, and the topology of the Internet. We believe that these observations pave the way towards a general and analytical framework for predicting the growth of complex systems.

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2012

Bond percolation on a class of correlated and clustered random graphs

We introduce a formalism for computing bond percolation properties of a class of correlated and clustered random graphs. This class of graphs is a generalization of the Configuration Model where nodes of different types are connected via different types of hyperedges, edges that can link more than 2 nodes. We argue that the multitype approach coupled with the use of clustered hyperedges can reproduce a wide spectrum of complex patterns, and thus enhances our capability to model real complex networks. As an illustration of this claim, we use our formalism to highlight unusual behaviors of the size and composition of the components (small and giant) in a synthetic, albeit realistic, social network.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2012

Exact solution of bond percolation on small arbitrary graphs

We introduce a set of iterative equations that exactly solves the size distribution of components on small arbitrary graphs after the random removal of edges. We also demonstrate how these equations can be used to predict the distribution of the node partitions (i.e., the constrained distribution of the size of each component) in undirected graphs. Besides opening the way to the theoretical prediction of percolation on arbitrary graphs of large but finite size, we show how our results find application in graph theory, epidemiology, percolation and fragmentation theory.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2012

Propagation on networks: an exact alternative perspective

By generating the specifics of a network structure only when needed (on-the-fly), we derive a simple stochastic process that exactly models the time evolution of susceptible-infectious dynamics on finite-size networks. The small number of dynamical variables of this birth-death Markov process greatly simplifies analytical calculations. We show how a dual analytical description, treating large scale epidemics with a Gaussian approximations and small outbreaks with a branching process, provides an accurate approximation of the distribution even for rather small networks. The approach also offers important computational advantages and generalizes to a vast class of systems.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2011

Epidemics on contact networks: a general stochastic approach

Dynamics on networks is considered from the perspective of Markov stochastic processes. We partially describe the state of the system through network motifs and infer any missing data using the available information. This versatile approach is especially well adapted for modelling spreading processes and/or population dynamics. In particular, the generality of our systematic framework and the fact that its assumptions are explicitly stated suggests that it could be used as a common ground for comparing existing epidemics models too complex for direct comparison, such as agent-based computer simulations. We provide many examples for the special cases of susceptible-infectious-susceptible (SIS) and susceptible-infectious-removed (SIR) dynamics (e.g., epidemics propagation) and we observe multiple situations where accurate results may be obtained at low computational cost. Our perspective reveals a subtle balance between the complex requirements of a realistic model and its basic assumptions.

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2011

Structural preferential attachment: Stochastic process for the growth of scale-free, modular and self-similar systems

Many complex systems have been shown to share universal properties of organization, such as scale independence, modularity and self-similarity. We borrow tools from statistical physics in order to study structural preferential attachment (SPA), a recently proposed growth principle for the emergence of the aforementioned properties. We study the corresponding stochastic process in terms of its time evolution, its asymptotic behavior and the scaling properties of its statistical steady state. Moreover, approximations are introduced to facilitate the modelling of real systems, mainly complex networks, using SPA. Finally, we investigate a particular behavior observed in the stochastic process, the peloton dynamics, and show how it predicts some features of real growing systems using prose samples as an example.

physics.soc-ph↗