Parity-Time Synthetic Phononic Media.

Classical systems containing cleverly devised combinations of loss and gain elements constitute extremely rich building units that can mimic non-Hermitian properties, which conventionally are attainable in quantum mechanics only. Parity-time (PT) symmetric media, also referred to as synthetic media, have been devised in many optical systems with the ground breaking potential to create nonreciprocal structures and one-way cloaks of invisibility. Here we demonstrate a feasible approach for the case of sound where the most important ingredients within synthetic materials, loss and gain, are achieved through electrically biased piezoelectric semiconductors. We study first how wave attenuation and amplification can be tuned, and when combined, can give rise to a phononic PT synthetic media with unidirectional suppressed reflectance, a feature directly applicable to evading sonar detection.

Bulk and surface acoustic waves in solid-fluid Fibonacci layered materials.

We study theoretically the propagation and localization of acoustic waves in quasi-periodic structures made of solid and fluid layers arranged according to a Fibonacci sequence. We consider two types of structures: either a given Fibonacci sequence or a periodic repetition of a given sequence called Fibonacci superlattice. Various properties of these systems such as: the scaling law and the self-similarity of the transmission spectra or the power law behavior of the measure of the energy spectrum have been highlighted for waves of sagittal polarization in normal and oblique incidence. In addition to the allowed modes which propagate along the system, we study surface modes induced by the surface of the Fibonacci superlattice. In comparison with solid-solid layered structures, the solid-fluid systems exhibit transmission zeros which can break the self-similarity behavior in the transmission spectra for a given sequence or induce additional gaps other than Bragg gaps in a periodic structure.

Electromagnetic wave propagation in quasi-periodic photonic circuits.

We study theoretically and experimentally the properties of quasiperiodic one-dimensional serial loop structures made of segments and loops arranged according to a Fibonacci sequence (FS). Two systems are considered. (i) By inserting the FS horizontally between two waveguides, we give experimental evidence of the scaling behaviour of the amplitude and the phase of the transmission coefficient. (ii) By grafting the FS vertically along a guide, we obtain from the maxima of the transmission coefficient the eigenmodes of the finite structure (assuming the vanishing of the magnetic field at the boundaries of the FS). We show that these two systems (i) and (ii) exhibit the property of self-similarity of order three at certain frequencies where the quasiperiodicity is most effective. In addition, because of the different boundary conditions imposed on the ends of the FS, we show that horizontal and vertical structures give different information on the localization of the different modes inside the FS. Finally, we show that the eigenmodes of the finite FS coincide exactly with the surface modes of two semi-infinite superlattices obtained by the cleavage of an infinite superlattice formed by a periodic repetition of a given FS.

Propagation and localization of electromagnetic waves in quasiperiodic serial loop structures.

We study the propagation of electromagnetic waves in one-dimensional quasiperiodic photonic band gap structures made of serial loop structures separated by segments. Different quasiperiodic structures such as Fibonacci, Thue-Morse, Rudin-Shapiro, and double period are investigated with special focus on the Fibonacci structure. Depending on the lengths of the two arms constituting the loops, one can distinguish two particular cases. (i) There are symmetric loop structures, which are shown to be equivalent to impedance-modulated mediums. In this case, it is found that besides the existence of extended and forbidden modes, some narrow frequency bands appear as defect modes in the transmission spectrum inside the gaps. These modes are shown to be localized within only one of the two types of blocks constituting the structure. An analysis of the transmission phase time enables us to derive the group velocity as well as the density of states in these structures. In particular, the stop bands (localized modes) may give rise to unusual (strong normal) dispersion in the gaps, yielding fast (slow) group velocities above (below) the velocity of light. (ii) There are also asymmetric loop structures, where the loops play the role of resonators that may introduce transmission zeros and hence additional gaps unnoticed in the case of simple impedance-modulated mediums. A comparison of the transmission amplitude and phase time of Fibonacci systems with those of other quasiperiodic systems is also outlined. In particular, it was shown that these structures present similar behaviors in the transmission spectra inside the regions of extended modes, whereas they present different localized modes inside the gaps. Experiments and numerical calculations are in very good agreement.

Barley yellow rust in North America.

Yellow rust of barley is an invasive disease that was found in the past 10 years in North America. The causal agent, Puccinia striiformis f. sp. hordei, was introduced into Colombia, South America, from Europe in 1975. It spread to all major barley-producing areas in South America by 1982. In 1988 it was found in Mexico and in 1991 in Texas. Since then it has been found in all major barley-producing areas of the American West. Originally described as race (R) 24, barley yellow rust in North America is now known to be a very heterogeneous population. Resistance has been identified, evaluated, and is being introduced into commercial malting and other barley cultivars. Cultural and chemical controls are effective and available. An integrated approach using general field resistance and other tactics is described for sustainable management of barley yellow rust.