Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Experimental Investigation And Computer Modeling Of Optical Switching In Distributed Bragg Reflector And Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser Structures, Richard J. Bagnell

Theses and Dissertations

The optical switching capabilities of Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) structures, including Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) are examined. Reflectivity switching is demonstrated using both thermal and carrier generated effects to alter the DBR/VCSEL layers' refractive indices. Optical bistability is demonstrated at room temperature, under CW photopumped excitation. The optical bistability hysteresis is controllable by spectral location of the pump on the stop band edge. In the VCSEL, reflective bistability is also evidenced; additionally, this bistability is accompanied by a bistability in the VCSEL lasing output intensity, spot size, and wavelength. Modeling of the DBR/VCSEL thermally induced bistability was accomplished …

Dynamic Phase Steepening In Alfven Waves, Stephen R. Granade

Honors Theses

Our solar system contains more activity and complexity than can be seen through a telescope. One such "invisible" phenomenon is the solar wind, created by a steady stream of particles blasted away from the sun in all directions. The sun's donut-shaped magnetic field lines channel this stream. Particles moving along the field lines perform an intricate helical dance, with ions winding one way and electrons the other.

The solar wind shapes and is shaped by the magnetic fields of the planets and the sun. If left undisturbed by outside influences, the earth's magnetic field, like the sun's, would resemble a …

A Delta-F Monte Carlo Method To Calculate Parameters In Plasmas, Maciek Sasinowski

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

A Monte Carlo code has been developed which very efficiently calculates plasma parameters, such as currents, potentials and transport coefficients for a fully three dimensional magnetic field configuration. The code computes the deviation, f, of the exact distribution function, f, from the Maxwellian, {dollar}F\sb{lcub}M{rcub},{dollar} with {dollar}\psi{dollar} the toroidal magnetic flux enclosed by a pressure surface and H the Hamiltonian. The particles in the simulation are followed with a traditional Monte Carlo scheme consisting of an orbit step in which new values for the positions and momenta are obtained and a collision step in which a Monte Carlo equivalent of the …