Phase Retrieval and Reconstruction of Coherent Synthesis by Genetic Algorithm

In the context of diffractive optics, phase retrieval is a heavily investigated process of recreating an entire complex electric field from partial amplitude-only information through iterative algorithms. However, existing methods can fall into local minima during reconstructions or struggle to recover unusual and novel electric field distributions. We present a numerical method based on a global-optimization genetic algorithm that reconstructs non-trivial electric field distributions from single diffracted intensity distributions. Diffraction and propagation of the optical fields over arbitrary distances is modeled through implementation of the angular spectrum technique. Additionally, a coherently-locked laser array system is used as an experimental case-study demonstrating $0.09 \pi$ phase reconstruction accuracy of initial laser parameters from single intensity images.

Can electric fields drive chemistry for an aqueous microdroplet?

Reaction rates of common organic reactions have been reported to increase by one to six orders of magnitude in aqueous microdroplets compared to bulk solution, but the reasons for the rate acceleration are poorly understood. Using a coarse-grained electron model that describes structural organization and electron densities for water droplets without the expense of ab initio methods, we investigate the electric field distributions at the air-water interface to understand the origin of surface reactivity. We find that electric field alignments along free O–H bonds at the surface are ~16 MV/cm larger on average than that found for O–H bonds in the interior of the water droplet. Furthermore, electric field distributions can be an order of magnitude larger than the average due to non-linear coupling of intramolecular solvent polarization with intermolecular solvent modes which may contribute to even greater surface reactivity for weakening or breaking chemical bonds at the droplet surface.

Continuous Particle Separation Driven by 3D Ag-PDMS Electrodes with Dielectric Electrophoretic Force Coupled with Inertia Force

Cell separation has become @important in biological and medical applications. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is widely used due to the advantages it offers, such as the lack of a requirement for biological markers and the fact that it involves no damage to cells or particles. This study aimed to report a novel approach combining 3D sidewall electrodes and contraction/expansion (CEA) structures to separate three kinds of particles with different sizes or dielectric properties continuously. The separation was achieved through the interaction between electrophoretic forces and inertia forces. The CEA channel was capable of sorting particles with different sizes due to inertial forces, and also enhanced the nonuniformity of the electric field. The 3D electrodes generated a non-uniform electric field at the same height as the channels, which increased the action range of the DEP force. Finite element simulations using the commercial software, COMSOL Multiphysics 5.4, were performed to determine the flow field distributions, electric field distributions, and particle trajectories. The separation experiments were assessed by separating 4 µm polystyrene (PS) particles from 20 µm PS particles at different flow rates by experiencing positive and negative DEP. Subsequently, the sorting performances of the 4 µm PS particles, 20 µm PS particles, and 4 µm silica particles with different solution conductivities were observed. Both the numerical simulations and the practical particle separation displayed high separating efficiency (separation of 4 µm PS particles, 94.2%; separation of 20 µm PS particles, 92.1%; separation of 4 µm Silica particles, 95.3%). The proposed approach is expected to open a new approach to cell sorting and separating.

Rationalizing Energy Level Alignment by Characterizing Lewis Acid/Base and Ionic Interactions at Printable Semiconductor/Ionic Liquid Interfaces

Charge transfer and energy conversion processes at semiconductor/electrolyte interfaces are controlled by local electric field distributions, which can be especially challenging to measure. Herein we leverage the low vapor pressure...

Analytical Subdomain Model for Double-Stator Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine with Surface-Mounted Radial Magnetization

This paper proposes an analytical subdomain model for predicting magnetic field distributions in a three-phase double-stator permanent magnet synchronous machine (DS-PMSM) during open-circuit and on-load conditions. The geometric structure of DS-PMSM is quite challenging since the stator cores are located in the outer and inner parts of the motor, while the rotor magnets are placed between these two stators. Parameters that influence the motor performance in DS-PMSM include stator outer radius, stator inner radius, magnet thickness, magnet arc, slot opening, outer and inner airgap thickness and the number of winding turns. The analytical subdomain model proposed in this paper, which can accurately predict the performances of DS-PMSM with less computational time, has an excellent advantage as a rapid design tool. The model is initially generated using the separation of variables technique in four subdomains, namely, outer airgap, outer magnet, inner magnet, and inner airgap, based on Laplace’s and Poisson’s equations in polar coordinates. The field solutions in each subdomain are derived by applying the appropriate boundary and interface conditions. Furthermore, finite element analysis (FEA) is used to validate the analytical results in fractional DS-PMSM with a different number of slots between outer and inner stators and a non-overlapping winding configuration. The electromagnetic performances that have been evaluated are the slotted airgap flux density, back-emf and output torque. The results demonstrate that the proposed analytical model is able to predict the magnetic field distributions accurately in DS-PMSM.

General 3D Analytical Method for Eddy-Current Coupling with Halbach Magnet Arrays Based on Magnetic Scalar Potential and H-Functions

Rapid and accurate eddy-current calculation is necessary to analyze eddy-current couplings (ECCs). This paper presents a general 3D analytical method for calculating the magnetic field distributions, eddy currents, and torques of ECCs with different Halbach magnet arrays. By using Fourier decomposition, the magnetization components of Halbach magnet arrays are determined. Then, with a group of H-formulations in the conductor region and Laplacian equations with magnetic scalar potential in the others, analytical magnetic field distributions are predicted and verified by 3D finite element models. Based on Ohm’s law for moving conductors, eddy-current distributions and torques are obtained at different speeds. Finally, the Halbach magnet arrays with different segments are optimized to enhance the fundamental amplitude and reduce the harmonic contents of air-gap flux densities. The proposed method shows its correctness and validation in analyzing and optimizing ECCs with Halbach magnet arrays.

Optimized Micro-Pattern Design and Fabrication of a Light Guide Plate Using Micro-Injection Molding

This study examined the uniformity of illuminance field distributions of light guide plates (LGPs). First, the authors designed microstructural patterns on the surface of an LGP. Then, a mold of the LGP with the optimal microstructural design was fabricated by a photolithography method. Micro-injection molding (μIM) was used to manufacture the molded LGPs. μIM technology can simultaneously manufacture large-sized wedge-shaped LGPs and micro-scale microstructures. Finally, illuminance values of the field distributions of the LGPs with various microstructures were obtained through optical field measurements. This study compared the illuminance field distributions of LGPs with various designs and structures, which included LGPs without and those with microstructure on the primary design and the optimal design. The average illuminance of the LGP with microstructures and the optimal design was roughly 196.1 cd/m2. Its average illuminance was 1.3 times that of the LGP without microstructures. This study also discusses illuminance field distributions of LGPs with microstructures that were influenced by various μIM process parameters. The mold temperature was found to be the most important processing parameter affecting the illuminance field distribution of molded LGPs fabricated by μIM. The molded LGP with microstructures and the optimal design had better uniformity than that with microstructures and the primary design and that without microstructures. The uniformity of the LGP with microstructures and the optimal design was roughly 86.4%. Its uniformity was nearly 1.65 times that of the LGP without microstructures. The optimized design and fabrication of LGPs with microstructure exhibited good uniformity of illuminance field distributions.