Collective behavior of impedance matched plasmonic nanocavities.

Nanometer sized cavities arranged as a subwavelength metallic grating can provide omni-directional and complete absorption of light. We present an explanation of this extraordinary phenomenon as a collective resonant response of a system based on a surface impedance model. This model gives a straightforward way to design systems for optimum light trapping performance and as well gives fundamental insights into the interaction of light with metals at the nanoscale.

Proposal for a quantum-degenerate electron source.

We propose a pulsed electron source capable of 6D brightness orders-of-magnitude greater than that of existing sources. It could deliver average current up to 0.5 pA and achieve an emittance approaching the quantum limit in each spatial dimension.

Single-shot spectrometry for x-ray free-electron lasers.

An experimental scheme to realize single-shot spectrometry for the diagnostics of x-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) is presented. The combination of an ultraprecisely figured mirror and a perfect crystal form a simple, high-precision spectrometer that can cover an energy range from a few eV to a hundred eV with high resolution. The application of the spectrometer to determine XFEL pulse widths was investigated theoretically and experimentally.