Generalized Kerker effect in PT-symmetric nanoantenna array

All-dielectric nanophotonics is a rapidly developing and practical alternative to plasmonics for nanoscale optics. The electric and magnetic Mie resonances in high-index low-loss dielectric nanoresonators can be engineered to exhibit unique scattering response. Recently, nanophotonic structures satisfying parity-time (PT) symmetry have been shown to exhibit novel scattering responses beyond what can be achieved from the conventional nanoresonators. The complex interference of the magnetic and electric Mie resonances and lattice modes excited in PT-symmetric nanoantenna arrays give rise to a scattering anomaly called lasing spectral singularity (SS), where the scattering coefficients tend to infinity. In our previous work [1], we demonstrated the existence of lasing spectral singularities in vertically stacked 2D GaInP PT-symmetric metasurface. In this paper, we analyze the direction-sensitive scattering response of the PT-symmetric GaInP metasurface by decomposing the total scattered field into the electric and magnetic multipoles. The far-field scattering response at the singularity is highly asymmetric for incidence from either the gain or loss side and can be tuned by changing the geometry. By analyzing the phase of even- and odd-parity higher order multipoles, we explain the observed scattering response over a broad parameter space in terms of generalized Kerker effect. The interference between the direction-dependent excitation of different order multipoles and the overall 2D-lattice resonance opens a route towards designing a special class of tunable sources exhibiting direction-sensitive emission properties.

Boundary and interface conditions in the relaxed micromorphic model: Exploring finite-size metastructures for elastic wave control

In this paper, we establish well-posed boundary and interface conditions for the relaxed micromorphic model that are able to unveil the scattering response of fully finite-size metamaterial samples. The resulting relaxed micromorphic boundary value problem is implemented in finite-element simulations describing the scattering of a square metamaterial sample whose side counts nine unit cells. The results are validated against a direct finite-element simulation encoding all the details of the underlying metamaterial’s microstructure. The relaxed micromorphic model can recover the scattering metamaterial’s behavior for a wide range of frequencies and for all possible angles of incidence, thus showing that it is suitable to describe dynamic anisotropy. Finally, thanks to the model’s computational performances, we can design a metastructure combining metamaterials and classical materials in such a way that it acts as a protection device while providing energy focusing in specific collection points. These results open important perspectives for the short-term design of sustainable structures that can control elastic waves and recover energy.

Propagation and scattering effects in temporal metastructures

Electromagnetic scattering typically occurs when a change in the material properties is perceived by the propagating wave, that inevitably splits into a reflected and refracted wave to maintain the continuity of the field components at the interface between the two media. However, such a scattering phenomenon occurs also when the entire media suddenly switches its properties to other values at a certain instant of time, realizing the so-called temporal interface. After a temporal interface, a couple of waves, one reflected and one transmitted, starts to propagate in the new media with the same wavelength but at a different frequency. Exploiting the analogies and differences between spatial and temporal interfaces, in this contribution we present the temporal counterparts of conventional electromagnetic devices based on dielectric slabs and a cascade of them, i.e., the multilayered structures. We discuss about the analysis and design strategies for synthetizing the desired scattering response in both transmission and reflection and present the possible families of devices based on multi-switched temporal metamaterials that can be conceived.

The Role of Symmetry in Non-Hermitian Scattering1

We review recent work on asymmetric scattering by Non-Hermitian (NH) Hamiltonians. Quantum devices with an asymmetric scattering response to particles incident from right or left in effective ID waveguides will be important to develop quantum technologies. They act as microscopic equivalents of familiar macroscopic devices such as diodes, rectifiers, or valves. The symmetry of the underlying NH Hamiltonian leads to selection rules which restrict or allow asymmetric response. NH-symmetry operations may be organized into group structures that determine equivalences among operations once a symmetry is satisfied. The NH Hamiltonian posseses a particular symmetry if it is invariant with respect to the corresponding symmetry operation, which can be conveniently expressed by a unitary or antiunitary superoperator. A simple group is formed by eight symmetry operations, which include the ones for Parity-Time symmetry and Hermiticity as specific cases. The symmetries also determine the structure of poles and zeros of the S matrix. The ground-state potentials for two-level atoms crossing properly designed laser beams realize different NH symmetries to achieve transmission or reflection asymmetries.

Inverse metacluster design using generative modeling for minimal scattering response

Metamaterials are subwavelength-sized artificial structures with the ability to manipulate incident waves in such a way that affects how the energy propagates throughout the medium. In acoustics, particularly placed scattering elements can reduce the total scattering cross section (TSCS) response. We propose a method to inversely design acoustic metamaterial configurations using deep learning and generative modeling. Using our proprietary multiple scattering solver with MATLAB optimization toolbox, we generate a dataset of optimal configurations with minimized TSCS within a discrete range of wavenumbers. We use this dataset to train a Conditional Wasserstein Generative Adversarial Network (cWGAN) to generate similar metacluster designs corresponding to specified input TSCS. To improve the coordinate recognition ability of the cWGAN, we include the novel CoordConv layer in the generator and critic. After training, the cWGAN can produce a variety of optimal configurations given an expected TSCS. Evaluating TSCS of generated configurations shows that the model is capable of proposing scatterer configurations that are comparable or better than the dataset within the optimized range.

Temporal interfaces and metamaterial response enabled by boundaries

In the last years, temporal metamaterials have been exploited as a novel platform for conceiving several electromagnetic and optical devices based on the anomalous scattering response achieved at a single or multiple sudden change of their medium properties, which however is difficult to carry out in a realistic scenario In this letter we investigate on the possibility to emulate the scattering response of a temporal metamaterial without acting on the medium properties, but on the effective refractive index and wave impedance perceived by the wave during the propagation within a guiding structure rather than the actual material, by acting on its boundaries. The work presents in closed form the scattering coefficients achieved when the boundary properties are suddenly modified for inducing an effective temporal interface. In this framework, temporally controlled metasurfaces can be used to implement the proposed concept, giving an easier path also to the design and realization of novel devices at microwave and optical frequencies.

Temporal interfaces and metamaterial response enabled by boundaries

In the last years, temporal metamaterials have been exploited as a novel platform for conceiving several electromagnetic and optical devices based on the anomalous scattering response achieved at a single or multiple sudden change of their medium properties, which however is difficult to carry out in a realistic scenario In this letter we investigate on the possibility to emulate the scattering response of a temporal metamaterial without acting on the medium properties, but on the effective refractive index and wave impedance perceived by the wave during the propagation within a guiding structure rather than the actual material, by acting on its boundaries. The work presents in closed form the scattering coefficients achieved when the boundary properties are suddenly modified for inducing an effective temporal interface. In this framework, temporally controlled metasurfaces can be used to implement the proposed concept, giving an easier path also to the design and realization of novel devices at microwave and optical frequencies.

Odd Willis coupling induced by broken time-reversal symmetry

When sound interacts with geometrically asymmetric structures, it experiences coupling between pressure and particle velocity, known as Willis coupling. While in most instances this phenomenon is perturbative in nature, tailored asymmetries combined with resonances can largely enhance it, enabling exotic acoustic phenomena. In these systems, Willis coupling obeys reciprocity, imposing an even symmetry of the Willis coefficients with respect to time reversal and the impinging wave vector, which translates into stringent constraints on the overall scattering response. In this work, we introduce and experimentally observe a dual form of acoustic Willis coupling, arising in geometrically symmetric structures when time-reversal symmetry is broken, for which the pressure-velocity coupling is purely odd-symmetric. We derive the conditions to maximize this effect, we experimentally verify it in a symmetric subwavelength scatterer biased by angular momentum, and we demonstrate the opportunities for sound scattering enabled by odd Willis coupling. Our study opens directions for acoustic metamaterials, with direct implications for sound control, non-reciprocal scattering, wavefront shaping and signal routing, of broad interest also for nano-optics, photonics, elasto-dynamics, and mechanics.

Sensitivity Analysis of Bistatic Scattering for Soil Moisture Retrieval

Soil moisture is one of the vital environmental variables in the land–atmosphere cycle. A study of the sensitivity analysis of bistatic scattering coefficients from bare soil at the Ku-band is presented, with the aim of deepening our understanding of the bistatic scattering features and exploring its potential in soil moisture retrieval. First, a well-established advanced integral method was adopted for simulating the bistatic scattering response of bare soil. Secondly, a sensitivity index and a normalized weight quality index were proposed to evaluate the effect of soil moisture on the bistatic scattering coefficient in terms of polarization and angular diversity, and the combinations thereof. The results of single-polarized VV data show that the regions with the maximum sensitivity and high quality index, simultaneously, to soil moisture are in the forward off-specular direction. However, due to the effect of surface roughness and surface autocorrelation function (ACF), the single-polarized data have some limitations for soil moisture inversion. By contrast, the results of two different polarization combinations, as well as a dual-angular simulation of one transmitter and two receivers, show significant estimation benefits. It can be seen that they all provide better ACF suppression capabilities, larger high-sensitivity area, and higher quality indices compared to single-polarized estimation. In addition, dual polarization or dual angular combined measurement provides the possibility of retrieving soil moisture in backward regions. These results are expected to contribute to the design of future bistatic observation systems.

The Autoregressive Moving Average with Exogenous Excitation Model for Acoustic Scattering from Underwater Objects

This study aims to identify and predict objects underwater using the autoregressive moving average with exogenous excitation (ARMX) model in such a way that the outcome of the model is similar to actual measurements. It is used for parameter estimation. This model is validated by comparing results in actual model with ARMX model, autoregressive with an exogenous variables, and Box Jenkins (BJ) model. The results are analyzed in frequency and time domain by using mean square error criterion. Initial results show that ARMX predicts the acoustic scattering response with an accuracy of 96%, while ARX provides an accuracy of 78%, and BJ model poorly estimates the signal with an accuracy of 35%. ARMX also provides higher accuracy of detection by 7-8% as compared to the existing techniques.