First Observation of Cyclotron Radiation from MeV-Scale e^{±} following Nuclear β Decay

We present an apparatus for detection of cyclotron radiation yielding a frequency-based β^{±} kinetic energy determination in the 5 keV to 2.1 MeV range, characteristic of nuclear β decays. The cyclotron frequency of the radiating β particles in a magnetic field is used to determine the β energy precisely. Our work establishes the foundation to apply the cyclotron radiation emission spectroscopy (CRES) technique, developed by the Project 8 Collaboration, far beyond the 18-keV tritium endpoint region. We report initial measurements of β^{-}'s from ^{6}He and β^{+}'s from ^{19}Ne decays to demonstrate the broadband response of our detection system and assess potential systematic uncertainties for β spectroscopy over the full (MeV) energy range. To our knowledge, this is the first direct observation of cyclotron radiation from individual highly relativistic β's in a waveguide. This work establishes the application of CRES to a variety of nuclei, opening its reach to searches for new physics beyond the TeV scale via precision β-decay measurements.

Optical field study of near-field optical recording with a solid immersion lens

The use of a solid immersion lens (SIL) is an important technique for increasing areal density in optical recording. Here an approximate method is presented for analyzing the optical fields in a SIL above a half-space and a SIL above a multilayer recording medium. Both propagating and evanescent components are included in the distribution of fields below the SIL. An approximate closed-form expression is given for the decay of the intensity away from the SIL surface above a half-space. In the case of a SIL above a recording medium the model describes the strong oscillations that are observed in the reflected Kerr rotation and ellipticity as the medium spacing is varied. These oscillations are attributed to standing waves in the propagating field component.

Integrated electro-optic lens/scanner in a LiTaO3 single crystal

We report what we believe to be the first stand-alone integrated electro-optic lens and scanner fabricated on a single crystal of Z-cut LiTaO(3). The independently controlled lens and scanner components consist of lithographically defined domain-inverted regions extending through the thickness of the crystal. A lens power of 0.233 cm(-1) kV(-1) and a deflection angle of 12.68 mrad kV(-1) were observed at the output of the device.

Kronig-Penney model for periodically segmented waveguides

Physical insight into the propagation characteristics of periodically segmented waveguides can be obtained by viewing the guiding layer as a thin slab of an idealized infinite medium with periodic layers along the direction of propagation. One can analyze the properties of this infinite medium using a formal analogy with the Kronig-Penney model used to describe the propagation of electron wave functions in a periodic crystal potential. The model correctly gives the effective refractive index of the layer, gives insight into the electric field profiles at different points on the dispersion curve, and leads to a qualitative explanation of why the optical loss diminishes at both large and small duty cycles.

Identification and quantitative characterization of antiparallel domains using an interferometric method

We present a method to identify antiparallel domains through the use of an optical interferometric technique. In contrast to etching techniques, this method is nondestructive and provides a quantitative measure of the linear electro-optic coefficient. Comparisons with the etching technique show that the two methods are in good agreement. This interferometric technique can be generalized to identify other types of domain structures as well.