Search Results (3)

We explored spectral diversity in infrared (IR, 4–25 μm) imaginary (k) and real (n) indices of refraction (optical constants) for 26 surface soils that originated from global dust entrainment regions. The k spectra were derived from optical transmission spectra of KBr pellets containing dispersed dust and the n spectra were estimated with the subtractive Kramers–Kronig (SKK) method. We compared k and n obtained by this study with previously published values. Our optical constants from the KBr technique are comparable in magnitude and spectral shape to those from previous studies that used dust aerosols re-suspended in a chamber. This suggests that the SKK method can offer a reliable mechanism for measuring IR spectra of both optical constants for soils. The soils used here exhibit additional spectral variability compared with past studies. We note that the appearance and the shift in positions of the strongest absorption peaks are due to combinations of silicates with overlapping absorption, rather than being related to a single mineral. We note that all dust optical constants have substantially lower magnitudes compared to those of pure minerals. Our results can improve estimates of mineral dust radiative effects and support quantification of surface mineral estimates using satellite and ground-based remote sensing. Full article

The film casting method is implemented to synthesize a series of films consisting of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films and 4 wt%, 8 wt%, and 12 wt% lead sulfide (PbS) nanoparticles (NPs). X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy were used to ensure the impact of PbS loading on PVA properties, particularly optical ones. The FTIR results show a decrease in the intensity for all the bands and the XRD results show different features for the composites from that of the pure PVA. The optical properties, including optical transmission, surface reflection, and absorption, were investigated. Additionally, the significant optical parameters, for instance, the dielectric nature and refractive index of the films, were analyzed. The findings have shown that PbS NPs in the PVA films decrease UV and visible transmission through polymer composites and increase their ability to reflect the incident light. Tauc’s equation is applied to determine the optical bandgap energy (E_g) and verify whether it is direct or indirect. Using the relation between photon energy and optical dielectric loss, the E_g was measured and the type of electron transition was measured, which eases the exponent value (𝜸) specification from Tauc’s method. The E_g decreases from 6.3 eV to 5.25 eV when PbS NPs are added. The refractive index is improved from 1.27 to 2.16 for the polymer nanocomposite (NCPs) film with optimum PbS NPs. Then, the Wemple–DiDomenico model corresponding to a single oscillator is applied to the dispersive medium to determine the refractive index dispersion. Both the dispersive energy ($E_d$) and single-oscillator energy ($E_o$) are evaluated accurately. Moreover, the variation of both real and imaginary parts of the dielectric constant of polymer films were studied. Finally the optical parameters such as charge density, dielectric constant at high frequencies, optical mobility (µ), angular frequency (${\omega }_p$), optical resistivity (ρ), and relaxation time (τ) of electrons are shown quantitatively. The ${\omega }_p$ of the electron is increased from 1.06 × 10²⁹ to 81.5 × 10²⁹ Hz when the PbS NPs is added. The µ of the electrons is also increased from 4.85 to 6.22 cm²/(V·s) by adding the PbS NP. Full article

The pursuit of artificial structures exhibiting unusual acoustic properties is a major scientific endeavor, in which anti-parity-time ($\mathcal{PT}$) symmetry has been coming into view recent years. At the same time, with the emergence of new acoustic metamaterials, the classical Fabry–Perot resonance mode also exhibits fascinating scattering features similar to those of the anti-$\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric system. We derive the generalized relation for the scattering parameters of an acoustic anti-$\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric system with a transfer matrix, including conjugate bidirectional reflection coefficients and pure real feature of transmission coefficient. In the absence of the real or the imaginary (representing gain/loss) part of the refractive index, the anti-$\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric system degrades into a pair of complementary media, resulting in the bidirectional total transmission. Moreover, a Fabry–Perot resonance mode exhibiting conjugate bidirectional reflection coefficients and a pure imaginary transmission coefficient has been demonstrated. Our results are meaningful for guiding the experimental test of an acoustic anti-$\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric system and the design of associated bidirectional response prototype devices. Full article