Isotropic single-photon sources.

Classical antenna theory establishes that there are no coherent isotropic radiators. Thermal radiators can be isotropic, but they lack temporal coherence. Here, we demonstrate that quantum interference processes enable the design of isotropic and unpolarized single-photon sources that preserve temporal coherence properties. We illustrate how this effect can be realized with relatively simple multilevel emitters with degenerate ground states, and we discuss potential implementations based on atomic and solid-state single-photon sources.

Abscisic Acid Regulation of Root Hydraulic Conductivity and Aquaporin Gene Expression Is Crucial to the Plant Shoot Growth Enhancement Caused by Rhizosphere Humic Acids.

The physiological and metabolic mechanisms behind the humic acid-mediated plant growth enhancement are discussed in detail. Experiments using cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plants show that the shoot growth enhancement caused by a structurally well-characterized humic acid with sedimentary origin is functionally associated with significant increases in abscisic acid (ABA) root concentration and root hydraulic conductivity. Complementary experiments involving a blocking agent of cell wall pores and water root transport (polyethylenglycol) show that increases in root hydraulic conductivity are essential in the shoot growth-promoting action of the model humic acid. Further experiments involving an inhibitor of ABA biosynthesis in root and shoot (fluridone) show that the humic acid-mediated enhancement of both root hydraulic conductivity and shoot growth depended on ABA signaling pathways. These experiments also show that a significant increase in the gene expression of the main root plasma membrane aquaporins is associated with the increase of root hydraulic conductivity caused by the model humic acid. Finally, experimental data suggest that all of these actions of model humic acid on root functionality, which are linked to its beneficial action on plant shoot growth, are likely related to the conformational structure of humic acid in solution and its interaction with the cell wall at the root surface.

Superbackscattering nanoparticle dimers.

The theory and design of superbackscattering nanoparticle dimers are presented. We analytically derive the optimal configurations and the upper bound of their backscattering cross-sections. In particular, it is demonstrated that electrically small nanoparticle dimers can enhance the backscattering by a factor of 6.25 with respect to single dipolar particles. We demonstrate that optimal designs approaching this theoretical limit can be found by using a simple circuit model. The study of practical implementations based on plasmonic and high-permittivity particles has been also addressed. Moreover, the numerical examples reveal that the dimers can attain close to a fourfold enhancement of the single nanoparticle response even in the presence of high losses.

Magnetic dipole super-resonances and their impact on mechanical forces at optical frequencies.

Artificial magnetism enables various transformative optical phenomena, including negative refraction, Fano resonances, and unconventional nanoantennas, beamshapers, polarization transformers and perfect absorbers, and enriches the collection of electromagnetic field control mechanisms at optical frequencies. We demonstrate that it is possible to excite a magnetic dipole super-resonance at optical frequencies by coating a silicon nanoparticle with a shell impregnated with active material. The resulting response is several orders of magnitude stronger than that generated by bare silicon nanoparticles and is comparable to electric dipole super-resonances excited in spaser-based nanolasers. Furthermore, this configuration enables an exceptional control over the optical forces exerted on the nanoparticle. It expedites huge pushing or pulling actions, as well as a total suppression of the force in both far-field and near-field scenarios. These effects empower advanced paradigms in electromagnetic manipulation and microscopy.

Magnetotunable left-handed FeSiB ferromagnetic microwires.

The magnetotunable left-handed characteristics of Fe(77.5)Si(12.5)B(10) glass-coated ferromagnetic microwires are analyzed in array and single microwire configuration, employing a rectangular waveguide working in X band. While the negative permeability is ascribed to the natural ferromagnetic resonance (NFMR) of the highly and positive magnetostrictive microwire, the negative permittivity features of the medium are attributed to the interaction of the microwires with the metallic rectangular waveguide. The dependence of the NFMR frequency on the applied external magnetic field enables the design of magnetotunable left-handed systems with wide-frequency band.