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A unidirectional surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) generator with greatly enhanced generation efficiency is proposed. The SPPs generator consists of an asymmetric single nanoslit coated with a polyviny alcohol (PVA) film and a silver rectangle block. The generation efficiency of this SPPs generator is investigated using the finite difference time domain method. Due to the presence of the silver rectangle block, the SPPs generation efficiency of the asymmetric single nanoslit with PVA film can be greatly enhanced and the corresponding wavelength with the maximum enhancement factor can be tuned flexibly. The influence of the structural parameters on the generation efficiency is also investigated for the enhanced unidirectional SPPs generator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We systematically studied the thermoelectric properties of MoS2 with doping based on the Boltzmann transport theory and first-principles calculations. We obtained an optimal doping region (around 1019 cm−3) for thermoelectric properties along in-plane and cross-plane directions. MoS2 in the optimal doping region has a vanishingly small anisotropy of thermopower possibly due to the decoupling of in-plane and cross-plane conduction channels, but big anisotropies of electrical conductivity σ and electronic thermal conductivity κe arising from the anisotropic electronic scattering time. The κe is comparable to the lattice counterpart κ1 in the plane, while κ1 dominates over κe across the plane. The figure of merit ZT can reach 0.1 at around 700 K with in-plane direction preferred by doping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate how three-body interactions affect the elementary excitations and dynamic structure factor of a Bose—Einstein condensate trapped in a one-dimensional optical lattice. To this end, we numerically solve the Gross-Pitaevskii equation and then the corresponding Bogoliubov equations. Our results show that three-body interactions can change both the Bogoliubov band structure and the dynamical structure factor dramatically, especially in the case of the two-body interaction being relatively small. Furthermore, when the optical lattice is strong enough, the analytical results, combined with the sum-rule approach, help us to understand that: the effects of three-body interactions on the static structure factor can be significantly amplified by an optical lattice. Our predictions should be observable within the current Bragg spectroscopy experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using ab initio density functional theory calculations, we explore the three most stable structural phases, namely, α, β, and cubic (c) phases, of two-dimensional (2D) antimonene, as well as its isoelectronic counterparts SnTe and InI. We find that the band gap increases monotonically from Sb to SnTe to InI along with an increase in ionicity, independent of the structural phases. The band gaps of this material family cover the entire visible-light energy spectrum, ranging from 0.26 eV to 3.37 eV, rendering them promising candidates for optoelectronic applications. Meanwhile, band-edge positions of these materials are explored and all three types of band alignments can be achieved through properly combining antimonene with its isoelectronic counterparts to form heterostructures. The richness in electronic properties for this isoelectronic material family sheds light on possibilities to tailor the fundamental band gap of antimonene via lateral alloying or forming vertical heterostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review article, the recent experimental and theoretical research progress in Bi2Se3- and Bi2Te3-based topological insulators is presented, with a focus on the transport properties and modulation of the transport properties by doping with nonmagnetic and magnetic elements. The electrical transport properties are discussed for a few different types of topological insulator heterostructures, such as heterostructures formed by Bi2Se3- and Bi2Te3-based binary/ternary/quaternary compounds and superconductors, nonmagnetic and magnetic metals, or semiconductors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unusual quadratic dispersion of flexural vibrational mode and red-shift of Raman shift of in-plane mode with increasing layer-number are quite common and interesting in low-dimensional materials, but their physical origins still remain open questions. Combining ab initio density functional theory calculations with the empirical force-constant model, we study the lattice dynamics of two typical two-dimensional (2D) systems, few-layer h-BN and indium iodide (InI). We found that the unusual quadratic dispersion of flexural mode frequency on wave vector may be comprehended based on the competition between atomic interactions of different neighbors. Long-range interaction plays an essential role in determining the dynamic stability of the 2D systems. The frequency red-shift of in-plane Raman-active mode from monolayer to bulk arises mainly from the reduced long-range interaction due to the increasing screening effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on Landau–de Gennes theory and two-dimensional finite-difference iterative method, the spontaneous distortion in hybrid alignment nematic cells with M = ±1/2 disclination lines is investigated by establishing two models. The fine structures of defect cores are described in the order space S2/Z2. The joint action of elastic anisotropy (L2/L1) and biaxiality of defects induces the spontaneous twist distortion, accompanied by the movement of the defect center to the upper or lower plate. For each model, four mixed defect structures appear with the same energy, which are defined as energetically degenerated quadruple states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A plasmonic waveguide coupled system that is composed of a square ring cavity and a metal–insulator–metal (MIM) waveguide with two silver baffles is proposed. The transmission and reflection properties of the proposed plasmonic system are investigated numerically using the finite element method. The normalized Hz field distributions are calculated to analyze the transmission mode in the plasmonic system. The extreme destructive interference between light mode and dark mode causes plasmonically induced reflection (PIR) window in the transmission spectrum. The PIR window is fitted using the coupled mode theory. The analytical result agrees with the simulation result approximately. In addition, the PIR window can be controlled by adjusting structural parameters and filling different dielectric into the MIM waveguide and the square ring cavity. The results provide a new approach to designing plasmonic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid refrigeration technology based on the elastocaloric effect has a great potential alternative to the conventional vapor compression cooling. Here we report the large elastocaloric effect in Ti–Ni (50 at%) shape memory alloy below its austenite finish temperature Af under different strain. Both Maxwell’s and Clausius–Clapeyron equations are used to estimate the entropy change. The strain-induced entropy change increases with raising the strain and gets a maximum value at a few kelvins below Af. The maximum entropy changes ΔSmax are −20.44 and −53.70 J/kg·K, respectively for 1% and 2% strain changes. Large entropy change may be obtained down to 20 K below Af. The temperature of the maximum entropy change remains unchanged before the plastic deformation appears but moves towards low temperature when the plastic deformation happens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skyrmions are very promising for applications in spintronics and magnetic memory. It is desired to manipulate and operate a single skyrmion. Here we report on the thermal effect on the motion of current-driven magnetic Skyrmions in magnetic metal. The results show that the magnon current induced by the thermal gradient acts on Skyrmions via magnonic spin-transfer torque, an effect of the transverse and longitudinal Skyrmions drift velocities, thus leading to the effective manipulation of the Hall angle through the ratio of thermal gradient to electric current density, which can be used as a Skyrmion valve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the experimental phenomena of flexoelectric response at defect sites in nematic inversion walls conducted by Kumar et al., we gave the theoretical analysis using the Frank elastic theory. When a direct-current electric field normal to the plane of the substrate is applied to the parallel aligned nematic liquid crystal cell with weak anchoring, the rotation of ±1 defects in the narrow inversion walls can be exhibited. The free energy of liquid crystal molecules around the +1 and –1 defect sites in the nematic inversion walls under the electric field was formulated and the electric-field-driven structural changes at the defect site characterized by polar and azimuthal angles of the local director were simulated. The results reveal that the deviation of azimuthal angle induced by flexoelectric effect are consistent with the switching of extinction brushes at the +1 and −1 defects obtained in the experiment conducted by Kumar et al. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microstructures and magnetic properties of nanoparticles, each composed of an antiferromagnetic (AFM) manganese-oxide shell and a ferromagnetic-like core of manganese—gallium (MnGa) compounds, are studied. The core-shell structure is confirmed by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The ferromagnetic-like core contains three kinds of MnGa binary compounds, i.e., ferrimagnetic (FI) D022-type Mn3Ga, ferromagnetic (FM) Mn8Ga5, and AFM D019-type Mn3Ga, of which the first two correspond respectively to a hard magnetic phase and to a soft one. Decoupling effect between these two phases is found at low temperature, which weakens gradually with increasing temperature and disappears above 200 K. The exchange bias (EB) effect is observed simultaneously, which is caused by the exchange coupling between the AFM shell and FM-like core. A large coercivity of 6.96 kOe (1 Oe = 79.5775 A·m−1) and a maximum EB value of 0.45 kOe are achieved at 300 K and 200 K respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]