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Phason dynamics in nonlinear photonic quasicrystals
Barak Freedman1, Ron Lifshitz, Jason W Fleischer
1Physics Department and Solid State Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel.
Nature Materials
|August 19, 2007
Summary
We studied phason dynamics in nonlinear photonic quasicrystals. Controlled phason strain relaxation was observed, occurring slower than phonon strain relaxation, with individual phason flips identified.
Area of Science:
- Nonlinear optics
- Condensed matter physics
- Materials science
Background:
- Photonic quasicrystals exhibit unique wave-propagation properties.
- Understanding defect dynamics, such as phasons, is crucial for quasicrystal applications.
- Nonlinear interactions can influence defect behavior in engineered materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamics of phasons in a nonlinear photonic quasicrystal.
- To quantitatively analyze the relaxation of controlled phason strain.
- To compare phason strain relaxation rates with phonon strain relaxation rates.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of photonic quasicrystals via optical induction.
- Inducing nonlinear interactions among light waves.
- Controlled introduction and monitoring of phason strain.
- Experimental measurement of strain relaxation rates.
Main Results:
- Phason strain introduced into the photonic quasicrystal relaxes via nonlinear interactions.
- The relaxation rate of phason strain is significantly lower than that of phonon strain.
- Individual 'atomic-scale' phason flips and noise-induced fluctuations were observed during strain relaxation.
Conclusions:
- Nonlinear interactions provide a mechanism for phason strain relaxation in photonic quasicrystals.
- Experimental results align with theoretical predictions for quasicrystal defect dynamics.
- Direct observation of phason flips offers insights into quasicrystal behavior at the nanoscale.
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