Optimize IAS
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Courses
    • Prelims Test Series
      • LAQSHYA 2026 Prelims Mentorship
    • Mains Mentorship
      • Arjuna 2026 Mains Mentorship
  • Portal Login
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Courses
    • Prelims Test Series
      • LAQSHYA 2026 Prelims Mentorship
    • Mains Mentorship
      • Arjuna 2026 Mains Mentorship
  • Portal Login

The physics of letting waves go one way but not the other

  • September 12, 2023
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
No Comments

 

 

The physics of letting waves go one way but not the other

Subject: Science and technology

Section: Space technology

Introduction

  • Non-reciprocity is a phenomenon essential to many technological advancements, from quantum computing to autonomous vehicles.

Reciprocity Principle

  • Reciprocity is a fundamental physics principle where if a signal can be sent from Point A to Point B, it can also be sent from Point B to Point A by simply reversing the direction.
  • Everyday examples include shining a torchlight at someone; they can shine it back.
  • Counterintuitive examples like a one-way window in police interrogation.

Applications of Reciprocity

  • Engineers use reciprocity in testing antennas that receive signals from various directions.
  • Reciprocity is employed in the operation of radars, sonar, seismic surveys, and MRI scanners.
  • Reciprocity can create issues in scenarios like espionage and laser transmission.

One-Way Traffic

  • In non-reciprocal wave transmission, “One-Way Traffic” involves three components:
    • Component A: Selectively allows specific-direction waves.
    • Component B: Rotates the wave’s direction.
    • Component C: Permits waves of a particular angle.
  • When a wave goes left to right, it passes through all components.
  • In the reverse direction, it’s blocked because of polarization changes.

Magnet-Based Non-Reciprocity

  • This method uses magnetic materials and components A, B (wave plates), and C (Faraday rotator).
  • Component A allows specific polarization waves.
  • Component B adjusts polarization.
  • Component C (Faraday Rotator), with magnetic properties, lets waves pass in one direction, blocking them in reverse.

Applications in Technology

  • Quantum computing benefits from non-reciprocal devices, especially in low-temperature environments.
  • Qubits in quantum computers require non-reciprocal devices for signal amplification.
  • Other methods to break reciprocity include modulation and nonlinearity, each with unique advantages.
    • Modulation: Modulation is the process of altering a carrier signal’s properties to encode information for transmission, used in telecommunications and broadcasting.
    • Nonlinearity: Nonlinearity refers to systems where the output does not have a proportional relationship with the input, often leading to complex behaviors or interactions.
Science and tech The physics of letting waves go one way but not the other

Recent Posts

  • Daily Prelims Notes 23 March 2025 March 23, 2025
  • Challenges in Uploading Voting Data March 23, 2025
  • Fertilizers Committee Warns Against Under-Funding of Nutrient Subsidy Schemes March 23, 2025
  • Tavasya: The Fourth Krivak-Class Stealth Frigate Launched March 23, 2025
  • Indo-French Naval Exercise Varuna 2024 March 23, 2025
  • No Mismatch Between Circulating Influenza Strains and Vaccine Strains March 23, 2025
  • South Cascade Glacier March 22, 2025
  • Made-in-India Web Browser March 22, 2025
  • Charting a route for IORA under India’s chairship March 22, 2025
  • Mar-a-Lago Accord and dollar devaluation March 22, 2025

About

If IAS is your destination, begin your journey with Optimize IAS.

Hi There, I am Santosh I have the unique distinction of clearing all 6 UPSC CSE Prelims with huge margins.

I mastered the art of clearing UPSC CSE Prelims and in the process devised an unbeatable strategy to ace Prelims which many students struggle to do.

Contact us

moc.saiezimitpo@tcatnoc

For More Details

Work with Us

Connect With Me

Course Portal
Search