Optical image edge detection by transmissive metal-dielectric-metal structures

The feasibility of an optical image edge detection based on metal-insulator-metal (MIM) resonance transmission structures is experimentally investigated. The structures are fabricated on a glass substrate and consist of thin aluminum layers separated by a quartz layer. The excitation of Fabry-Perot modes by an incident wave produces resonance line shapes in angular and wavelength transmission spectra. Resonance enhancement and suppression of beams using the MIM structures can be implemented for suppressing the illuminating beam and amplifying the field scattered by an object. By using the MIM structure under oblique incidence, we experimentally observe the efficient image edge detection for phase optical elements at a set of wavelengths. The obtained images of edges of the elements exhibit a directionality of image edge detection that depends on the direction of inhomogeneity gradient in the object plane, as suggested by the angular transmission spectra of the MIM structures. The results of the present work can find applications in optical information processing and optical filtering systems.

Resonance enhancement of neutrino oscillations due to transition magnetic moments

We prove that a resonance enhancement of neutrino oscillations in magnetic field is possible due to transition magnetic moments and demonstrate that this resonance is strictly connected to the neutrino polarization. To study the main properties of this resonance, we obtain the probabilities of transitions between neutrino states with definite flavor and helicity in inhomogeneous electromagnetic field in the adiabatic approximation. Since the resonance is present only when the adiabaticity condition is fulfilled, we also obtain and discuss this condition.

Reexamining Different Factors of the Resonance-Enhanced High-Order Harmonic Generation in Atomic and Nanoparticle Laser-Induced Tin Plasmas

We reexamine the resonance enhancement of a single harmonic emission during the propagation of ultrafast pulses through atomic and nanoparticle tin-containing laser-induced plasma (LIP). We compare the single atomic Sn and Sn nanoparticle plasmas to demonstrate a distinction in the enhancement factor of the single harmonic in the case of fixed and tunable near-infrared pulses. The analysis of the dynamics of Sn LIP shows the range of optimal delays between heating and driving pulses (130–180 ns), at which the maximal harmonic yield can be achieved. The enhancements of the 17th and 18th harmonics of 806 nm pulses were analyzed in the case of single-color and two-color pumps of LIP, showing up to a 12-fold enhancement of even harmonics in the two-color pump case. We show the enhancement of a single harmonic in the vicinity of the 4d105s25p2P3/2→4d95s25p2 transitions of Sn II ions and demonstrate how this process depends on the constituency of the plasma components at different conditions of target ablation. The application of tunable (1280–1440 nm) radiation allows for demonstrating the variations of single harmonic enhancement using a two-color pump of Sn-containing LIP.

High-Order Harmonics Generation in Atomic and Molecular Zinc Plasmas

We demonstrate the variations of single harmonic resonance enhancement during high-order harmonics generation in zinc-containing atomic and molecular species at the conditions of single-color and two-color pumps of laser-induced plasmas by applying different laser sources. We show how selenides of this metal notably modify the enhancement of single (9th, 15th or 16th) harmonic compared with purely atomic zinc plasmas. The variations of single harmonic enhancement are demonstrated using fixed (806 nm) and tunable (1280–1440 nm) radiation.

Vibrational resonance in a driven two-level quantum system, linear and nonlinear response

We consider a two-level quantum system interacting with two classical time-periodic electromagnetic fields. The frequency of one of the fields far exceeds that of the other. The effect of the high-frequency field can be averaged out of the dynamics to realize an effective transition frequency of the field-dressed two-level system. We examine the linear response, second harmonic response and Stokes and anti-Stokes Raman response of the dressed two-level system, to the weak frequency field. The vibrational resonance enhancement in each case is demonstrated for optimal strength of the high-frequency field. Our theoretical scheme is corroborated by full numerical simulation of the two-level, two-field dynamics governed by loss-free Bloch equations. We suggest that quantum optics can offer an interesting arena for the study of the vibrational resonance. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Vibrational and stochastic resonance in driven nonlinear systems (part 1)’.

A new allotrope of carbon - graphdiyne synthesis and application in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution with surface plasmon resonance enhancement

The graphdiyne (GDY, g-CnH2n-2) as a new type of carbon material was wonderfully promising materials for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. In this work, the graphdiyne was successfully synthesized to adopt...

Inelastic helium atom scattering from Sb2Te3(111): phonon dispersion, focusing effects and surfing

We report the surface phonon dispersion of the topological insulator Sb2Te3 together with a number of additional inelastic events, including resonance enhancement, kinematical focusing and surfing.

Charge-Transfer Resonance and Electromagnetic Enhancement Synergistically Enabling MXenes with Excellent SERS Sensitivity for SARS-CoV-2 S Protein Detection

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 has seriously threatened human health. Rapidly and sensitively detecting SARS-CoV-2 viruses can help control the spread of viruses. However, it is an arduous challenge to apply semiconductor-based substrates for virus SERS detection due to their poor sensitivity. Therefore, it is worthwhile to search novel semiconductor-based substrates with excellent SERS sensitivity. Herein we report, for the first time, Nb2C and Ta2C MXenes exhibit a remarkable SERS enhancement, which is synergistically enabled by the charge transfer resonance enhancement and electromagnetic enhancement. Their SERS sensitivity is optimized to 3.0 × 106 and 1.4 × 106 under the optimal resonance excitation wavelength of 532 nm. Additionally, remarkable SERS sensitivity endows Ta2C MXenes with capability to sensitively detect and accurately identify the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Moreover, its detection limit is as low as 5 × 10−9 M, which is beneficial to achieve real-time monitoring and early warning of novel coronavirus. This research not only provides helpful theoretical guidance for exploring other novel SERS-active semiconductor-based materials but also provides a potential candidate for the practical applications of SERS technology.