Nir Gavish

Collapse dynamics of super-Gaussian Beams.

We investigate the self-focusing dynamics of super-Gaussian optical beams in a Kerr medium. We find that up to several times the critical power for self-focusing, super-Gaussian beams evolve towards a Townes profile. At higher powers the super-Gaussian beams form rings which break into filaments as a result of noise. Our results are consistent with the observed self-focusing dynamics of femtosecond laser pulses in air [1] in which filaments are formed along a ring about the axis of the initial beam where the initial beam did not form a ring.

Dependence of the dielectric constant of electrolyte solutions on ionic concentration: A microfield approach.

We present a microfield approach for studying the dependence of the orientational polarization of the water in aqueous electrolyte solutions upon the salt concentration and temperature. The model takes into account the orientation of the solvent dipoles due to the electric field created by ions, and the effect of thermal fluctuations. The model predicts a dielectric functional dependence of the form ɛ(c)=ɛ_{w}-βL(3αc/β),β=ɛ_{w}-ɛ_{ms}, where L is the Langevin function, c is the salt concentration, ɛ_{w} is the dielectric of pure water, ɛ_{ms} is the dielectric of the electrolyte solution at the molten salt limit, and α is the total excess polarization of the ions. The functional form gives a remarkably accurate description of the dielectric constant for a variety of salts and a wide range of concentrations.

Numerical simulations of asymmetric first-price auctions

The standard method for computing the equilibrium strategies of asymmetric first-price auctions is the backward-shooting method. In this study we show that the backward-shooting method is inherently unstable, and that this instability cannot be eliminated by changing the numerical methodology of the backward solver. Moreover, this instability becomes more severe as the number of players increases. We then present a novel boundary-value method for computing the equilibrium strategies of asymmetric first-price auctions. We demonstrate the robustness and stability of this method for auctions with any number of players, and for players with mixed types of distributions, including distributions with more than one crossing. Finally, we use the boundary-value method to study large auctions with hundreds of players, to compute the asymptotic rate at which large first-price and second-price auctions become revenue equivalent, and to study auctions in which the distributions cannot be ordered according to first-order stochastic dominance.

Singular standing-ring solutions of nonlinear partial differential equations

Abstract We present a general framework for constructing singular solutions of nonlinear evolution equations that become singular on a d -dimensional sphere, where d > 1 . The asymptotic profile and blowup rate of these solutions are the same as those of solutions of the corresponding one-dimensional equation that become singular at a point. We provide a detailed numerical investigation of these new singular solutions for the following equations: The nonlinear Schrodinger equation i ψ t ( t , x ) + Δ ψ + | ψ | 2 σ ψ = 0 with σ > 2 , the biharmonic nonlinear Schrodinger equation i ψ t ( t , x ) − Δ 2 ψ + | ψ | 2 σ ψ = 0 with σ > 4 , the nonlinear heat equation ψ t ( t , x ) − Δ ψ − | ψ | 2 σ ψ = 0 with σ > 0 , and the nonlinear biharmonic heat equation ψ t ( t , x ) + Δ 2 ψ − | ψ | 2 σ ψ = 0 with σ > 0 .

Theory of Phase Separation and Polarization for Pure Ionic Liquids.

Room temperature ionic liquids are attractive to numerous applications and particularly, to renewable energy devices. As solvent free electrolytes, they demonstrate a paramount connection between the material morphology and Coulombic interactions: the electrode/RTIL interface is believed to be a product of both polarization and spatiotemporal bulk properties. Yet, theoretical studies have dealt almost exclusively with independent models of morphology and electrokinetics. Introduction of a distinct Cahn-Hilliard-Poisson type mean-field framework for pure molten salts (i.e., in the absence of any neutral component), allows a systematic coupling between morphological evolution and the electrokinetic phenomena, such as transient currents. Specifically, linear analysis shows that spatially periodic patterns form via a finite wavenumber instability and numerical simulations demonstrate that while labyrinthine type patterns develop in the bulk, lamellar structures are favored near charged surfaces. The results demonstrate a qualitative phenomenology that is observed empirically and thus, provide a physically consistent methodology to incorporate phase separation properties into an electrochemical framework.

Critical power of collapsing vortices

We calculate the critical power for collapse of linearly-polarized phase vortices, and show that this expression is more accurate than previous results. Unlike the non-vortex case, deviations from radial symmetry do not increase the critical power for collapse, but rather lead to disintegration into collapsing non-vortex filaments. The cases of circular, radial and azimuthal polarizations are also considered.

On the structure of generalized Poisson–Boltzmann equations

In this work, we analyse a broad class of generalized Poisson–Boltzmann equations and reveal a common mathematical structure. In the limit of a wide electrode, we show that a broad class of generalized Poisson–Boltzmann equations admits a reduction that affords an explicit connection between the functional form of the corresponding free energy and the associated differential capacitance data. We exploit the relation to we show that differential capacitance curves generically undergo an inflection transition with increasing salt concentration, shifting from a local minimum near the point of zero charge for dilute solutions to a local maximum point near the point of zero charge for concentrated solutions. In addition, we develop a robust numerical method for solving generalized Poisson–Boltzmann equations which is easily applicable to the broad class of generalized Poisson–Boltzmann equations with very few code adjustments required for each model

A grid redistribution method for singular problems

Many physical phenomena develop singular, or nearly singular behavior in localized regions, e.g. boundary layers or blowup solutions. Using uniform grids for such problems becomes computationally prohibitive as the solution approaches singularity. Ren and Wang developed a semi-static adaptive grid method [W. Ren, X.P. Wang, An iterative grid redistribution method for singular problems in multiple dimensions, J. Comput. Phys. 159 (2000) 246-273] for the solution of these problems, known as the iterative grid redistribution (IGR) method. In this study we develop a theoretical basis for semi-static adaptive grid method for singular problems. Based on this theory, we obtain the key result of this study - a methodology for designing robust weight functionals which ensures grid resolution in the singular region, as well as control of the maximal grid spacing in the outer region. Using this methodology, we introduce a semi-static adaptive grid method, which does not involve an iterative procedure for grid redistribution, as in the IGR method. We demonstrate the efficacy of this method with numerical examples of solutions which localize by more than nine orders of magnitude.

From Solvent-Free to Dilute Electrolytes: Essential Components for a Continuum Theory

The increasing number of experimental observations on highly concentrated electrolytes and ionic liquids show qualitative features that are distinct from dilute or moderately concentrated electrolytes, such as self-assembly, multiple-time relaxation, and underscreening, which all impact the emergence of fluid/solid interfaces, and the transport in these systems. Because these phenomena are not captured by existing mean-field models of electrolytes, there is a paramount need for a continuum framework for highly concentrated electrolytes and ionic liquid mixtures. In this work, we present a self-consistent spatiotemporal framework for a ternary composition that comprises ions and solvent employing a free energy that consists of short- and long-range interactions, along with an energy dissipation mechanism obtained by Onsagers relations. We show that the model can describe multiple bulk and interfacial morphologies at steady-state. Thus, the dynamic processes in the emergence of distinct morphologies become equally as important as the interactions that are specified by the free energy. The model equations not only provide insights into transport mechanisms beyond the Stokes-Einstein-Smoluchowski relations but also enable qualitative recovery of three distinct regions in the full range of the nonmonotonic electrical screening length that has been recently observed in experiments in which organic solvent is used to dilute ionic liquids.

Spatially Localized Self-Assembly Driven by Electrically Charged Phase Separation

Self-assembly driven by phase separation coupled to Coulombic interactions is fundamental to a wide range of applications, examples of which include soft matter lithography via di-block copolymers, membrane design using polyelectrolytes, and renewable energy applications based on complex nano-materials, such as ionic liquids. The most common mean field framework for these problems is the non-local Cahn-Hilliard (a.k.a. Ohta-Kawasaki) framework. In this work, we study the emergence of spatially localized states in both the classical and the extended Ohta-Kawasaki model. The latter also accounts for: (i) asymmetries in long-range Coulomb interactions that are manifested by differences in the dielectric response, and (ii) asymmetric short-range interactions that correspond to differences in the chemical potential between two materials phases. It is shown that in one space dimension (1D) there is a multiplicity of coexisting localized solutions, which organize in the homoclinic snaking structure, bearing similarity to dissipative systems. In addition, an analysis of 2D extension is performed and distinct instability mechanisms (related to extended and localized modes) of localized stripes are discussed with respect to model parameters and domain size. Finally, implications to localized hexagonal patterns are also made. The insights provide an efficient mechanistic framework to design and control localized self-assembly that might be a plausible strategy for low cost of nano electronic applications, i.e., a rather simple nano scale fabrication of isolated morphologies.