Phase-locking and coherent power combining of broadband linearly chirped optical waves.

PubMed

Satyan, Naresh; Vasilyev, Arseny; Rakuljic, George; White, Jeffrey O; Yariv, Amnon

2012-11-05

We propose, analyze and demonstrate the optoelectronic phase-locking of optical waves whose frequencies are chirped continuously and rapidly with time. The optical waves are derived from a common optoelectronic swept-frequency laser based on a semiconductor laser in a negative feedback loop, with a precisely linear frequency chirp of 400 GHz in 2 ms. In contrast to monochromatic waves, a differential delay between two linearly chirped optical waves results in a mutual frequency difference, and an acoustooptic frequency shifter is therefore used to phase-lock the two waves. We demonstrate and characterize homodyne and heterodyne optical phase-locked loops with rapidly chirped waves, and show the ability to precisely control the phase of the chirped optical waveform using a digital electronic oscillator. A loop bandwidth of ~ 60 kHz, and a residual phase error variance of < 0.01 rad(2) between the chirped waves is obtained. Further, we demonstrate the simultaneous phase-locking of two optical paths to a common master waveform, and the ability to electronically control the resultant two-element optical phased array. The results of this work enable coherent power combining of high-power fiber amplifiers-where a rapidly chirping seed laser reduces stimulated Brillouin scattering-and electronic beam steering of chirped optical waves.

Close-form expression of one-tap normalized LMS carrier phase recovery in optical communication systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Tianhua; Jacobsen, Gunnar; Popov, Sergei; Li, Jie; Liu, Tiegen; Zhang, Yimo

2016-10-01

The performance of long-haul high speed coherent optical fiber communication systems is significantly degraded by the laser phase noise and the equalization enhanced phase noise (EEPN). In this paper, the analysis of the one-tap normalized least-mean-square (LMS) carrier phase recovery (CPR) is carried out and the close-form expression is investigated for quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) coherent optical fiber communication systems, in compensating both laser phase noise and equalization enhanced phase noise. Numerical simulations have also been implemented to verify the theoretical analysis. It is found that the one-tap normalized least-mean-square algorithm gives the same analytical expression for predicting CPR bit-error-rate (BER) floors as the traditional differential carrier phase recovery, when both the laser phase noise and the equalization enhanced phase noise are taken into account.

Quantitative phase imaging for enhanced assessment of optomechanical cancer cell properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kastl, Lena; Kemper, Björn; Schnekenburger, Jürgen

2018-02-01

Optical cell stretching provides label-free investigations of cells by measuring their biomechanical properties based on deformability determination in a fiber optical two-beam trap. However, the stretching forces in this two-beam laser trap depend on the optical properties of the investigated specimen. Therefore, we characterized in parallel four cancer cell lines with varying degree of differentiation utilizing quantitative phase imaging (QPI) and optical cell stretching. The QPI data allowed enhanced assessment of the mechanical cell properties measured with the optical cell stretcher and demonstrates the high potential of cell phenotyping when both techniques are combined.

Noise tolerance in wavelength-selective switching of optical differential quadrature-phase-shift-keying pulse train by collinear acousto-optic devices.

PubMed

Goto, Nobuo; Miyazaki, Yasumitsu

2014-06-01

Optical switching of high-bit-rate quadrature-phase-shift-keying (QPSK) pulse trains using collinear acousto-optic (AO) devices is theoretically discussed. Since the collinear AO devices have wavelength selectivity, the switched optical pulse trains suffer from distortion when the bandwidth of the pulse train is comparable to the pass bandwidth of the AO device. As the AO device, a sidelobe-suppressed device with a tapered surface-acoustic-wave (SAW) waveguide and a Butterworth-type filter device with a lossy SAW directional coupler are considered. Phase distortion of optical pulse trains at 40 to 100  Gsymbols/s in QPSK format is numerically analyzed. Bit-error-rate performance with additive Gaussian noise is also evaluated by the Monte Carlo method.

First light for GRAVITY: Phase referencing optical interferometry for the Very Large Telescope Interferometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gravity Collaboration; Abuter, R.; Accardo, M.; Amorim, A.; Anugu, N.; Ávila, G.; Azouaoui, N.; Benisty, M.; Berger, J. P.; Blind, N.; Bonnet, H.; Bourget, P.; Brandner, W.; Brast, R.; Buron, A.; Burtscher, L.; Cassaing, F.; Chapron, F.; Choquet, É.; Clénet, Y.; Collin, C.; Coudé Du Foresto, V.; de Wit, W.; de Zeeuw, P. T.; Deen, C.; Delplancke-Ströbele, F.; Dembet, R.; Derie, F.; Dexter, J.; Duvert, G.; Ebert, M.; Eckart, A.; Eisenhauer, F.; Esselborn, M.; Fédou, P.; Finger, G.; Garcia, P.; Garcia Dabo, C. E.; Garcia Lopez, R.; Gendron, E.; Genzel, R.; Gillessen, S.; Gonte, F.; Gordo, P.; Grould, M.; Grözinger, U.; Guieu, S.; Haguenauer, P.; Hans, O.; Haubois, X.; Haug, M.; Haussmann, F.; Henning, Th.; Hippler, S.; Horrobin, M.; Huber, A.; Hubert, Z.; Hubin, N.; Hummel, C. A.; Jakob, G.; Janssen, A.; Jochum, L.; Jocou, L.; Kaufer, A.; Kellner, S.; Kendrew, S.; Kern, L.; Kervella, P.; Kiekebusch, M.; Klein, R.; Kok, Y.; Kolb, J.; Kulas, M.; Lacour, S.; Lapeyrère, V.; Lazareff, B.; Le Bouquin, J.-B.; Lèna, P.; Lenzen, R.; Lévêque, S.; Lippa, M.; Magnard, Y.; Mehrgan, L.; Mellein, M.; Mérand, A.; Moreno-Ventas, J.; Moulin, T.; Müller, E.; Müller, F.; Neumann, U.; Oberti, S.; Ott, T.; Pallanca, L.; Panduro, J.; Pasquini, L.; Paumard, T.; Percheron, I.; Perraut, K.; Perrin, G.; Pflüger, A.; Pfuhl, O.; Phan Duc, T.; Plewa, P. M.; Popovic, D.; Rabien, S.; Ramírez, A.; Ramos, J.; Rau, C.; Riquelme, M.; Rohloff, R.-R.; Rousset, G.; Sanchez-Bermudez, J.; Scheithauer, S.; Schöller, M.; Schuhler, N.; Spyromilio, J.; Straubmeier, C.; Sturm, E.; Suarez, M.; Tristram, K. R. W.; Ventura, N.; Vincent, F.; Waisberg, I.; Wank, I.; Weber, J.; Wieprecht, E.; Wiest, M.; Wiezorrek, E.; Wittkowski, M.; Woillez, J.; Wolff, B.; Yazici, S.; Ziegler, D.; Zins, G.

2017-06-01

GRAVITY is a new instrument to coherently combine the light of the European Southern Observatory Very Large Telescope Interferometer to form a telescope with an equivalent 130 m diameter angular resolution and a collecting area of 200 m2. The instrument comprises fiber fed integrated optics beam combination, high resolution spectroscopy, built-in beam analysis and control, near-infrared wavefront sensing, phase-tracking, dual-beam operation, and laser metrology. GRAVITY opens up to optical/infrared interferometry the techniques of phase referenced imaging and narrow angle astrometry, in many aspects following the concepts of radio interferometry. This article gives an overview of GRAVITY and reports on the performance and the first astronomical observations during commissioning in 2015/16. We demonstrate phase-tracking on stars as faint as mK ≈ 10 mag, phase-referenced interferometry of objects fainter than mK ≈ 15 mag with a limiting magnitude of mK ≈ 17 mag, minute long coherent integrations, a visibility accuracy of better than 0.25%, and spectro-differential phase and closure phase accuracy better than 0.5°, corresponding to a differential astrometric precision of better than ten microarcseconds (μas). The dual-beam astrometry, measuring the phase difference of two objects with laser metrology, is still under commissioning. First observations show residuals as low as 50 μas when following objects over several months. We illustrate the instrument performance with the observations of archetypical objects for the different instrument modes. Examples include the Galactic center supermassive black hole and its fast orbiting star S2 for phase referenced dual-beam observations and infrared wavefront sensing, the high mass X-ray binary BP Cru and the active galactic nucleus of PDS 456 for a few μas spectro-differential astrometry, the T Tauri star S CrA for a spectro-differential visibility analysis, ξ Tel and 24 Cap for high accuracy visibility observations, and η Car for interferometric imaging with GRAVITY.

Optomechanical properties of cancer cells revealed by light-induced deformation and quantitative phase microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kastl, Lena; Budde, Björn; Isbach, Michael; Rommel, Christina; Kemper, Björn; Schnekenburger, Jürgen

2015-05-01

There is a growing interest in cell biology and clinical diagnostics in label-free, optical techniques as the interaction with the sample is minimized and substances like dyes or fixatives do not affect the investigated cells. Such techniques include digital holographic microscopy (DHM) and the optical stretching by fiber optical two beam traps. DHM enables quantitative phase contrast imaging and thereby the determination of the cellular refractive index, dry mass and the volume, whereas optical cell stretching reveals the deformability of cells. Since optical stretching strongly depends on the optical properties and the shape of the investigated material we combined the usage of fiber optical stretching and DHM for the characterization of pancreatic tumor cells. The risk of tumors is their potential to metastasize, spread through the bloodstream and build distal tumors/metastases. The grade of dedifferentiation in which the cells lose their cell type specific properties is a measure for this metastatic potential. The less differentiated the cells are, the higher is their risk to metastasize. Our results demonstrate that pancreatic tumor cells, which are from the same tumor but vary in their grade of differentiation, show significant differences in their deformability. The retrieved data show that differentiated cells have a higher stiffness than less differentiated cells of the same tumor. Even cells that differ only in the expression of a single tumor suppressor gene which is responsible for cell-cell adhesions can be distinguished by their mechanical properties. Additionally, results from DHM measurements yield that the refractive index shows only few variations, indicating that it does not significantly influence optical cell stretching. The obtained results show a promising new approach for the phenotyping of different cell types, especially in tumor cell characterization and cancer diagnostics.

Application of Kalman filter in frequency offset estimation for coherent optical quadrature phase-shift keying communication system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Wen; Yang, Yanfu; Zhang, Qun; Sun, Yunxu; Zhong, Kangping; Zhou, Xian; Yao, Yong

2016-09-01

The frequency offset estimation (FOE) schemes based on Kalman filter are proposed and investigated in detail via numerical simulation and experiment. The schemes consist of a modulation phase removing stage and Kalman filter estimation stage. In the second stage, the Kalman filters are employed for tracking either differential angles or differential data between two successive symbols. Several implementations of the proposed FOE scheme are compared by employing different modulation removing methods and two Kalman algorithms. The optimal FOE implementation is suggested for different operating conditions including optical signal-to-noise ratio and the number of the available data symbols.

Mueller-matrix mapping of biological tissues in differential diagnosis of optical anisotropy mechanisms of protein networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ushenko, V. A.; Sidor, M. I.; Marchuk, Yu F.; Pashkovskaya, N. V.; Andreichuk, D. R.

2015-03-01

We report a model of Mueller-matrix description of optical anisotropy of protein networks in biological tissues with allowance for the linear birefringence and dichroism. The model is used to construct the reconstruction algorithms of coordinate distributions of phase shifts and the linear dichroism coefficient. In the statistical analysis of such distributions, we have found the objective criteria of differentiation between benign and malignant tissues of the female reproductive system. From the standpoint of evidence-based medicine, we have determined the operating characteristics (sensitivity, specificity and accuracy) of the Mueller-matrix reconstruction method of optical anisotropy parameters and demonstrated its effectiveness in the differentiation of benign and malignant tumours.

PLZT block data composers operated in differential phase mode. [lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate ceramic device for digital holographic memory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Drake, M. D.; Klingler, D. E.

1973-01-01

The use of PLZT ceramics with the 7/65/35 composition in block data composer (BDC) input devices for holographic memory systems has previously been described for operation in the strain biased, scattering, and edge effect modes. A new and promising mode of BDC operation is the differential phase mode in which each element of a matrix array BDC acts as a phase modulator. The phase modulation results from a phase difference in the optical path length between the electrically poled and depoled states of the PLZT. It is shown that a PLZT BDC can be used as a matrix-type phase modulator to record and process digital data by the differential phase mode in a holographic recording/processing system with readout contrast ratios of between 10:1 and 15:1. The differential phase mode has the advantages that strain bias is not required and that the thickness and strain variations in the PLZT are cancelled out.

Apparatus and method for performing two-frequency interferometry

DOEpatents

Johnston, Roger G.

1990-01-01

The present apparatus includes a two-frequency, Zeeman-effect laser and matched, doubly refracting crystals in the construction of an accurate interferometer. Unlike other interferometric devices, the subject invention exhibits excellent phase stability owing to the use of single piece means for producing parallel interferometer arms, making the interferometer relatively insensitive to thermal and mechanical instabilities. Interferometers respond to differences in optical path length between their two arms. Unlike many interferometric techniques, which require the measurement of the location of interference fringes in a brightly illuminated background, the present invention permits the determination of the optical path length difference by measuring the phase of an electronic sine wave. The present apparatus is demonstrated as a differential thermooptic spectrometer for measuring differential optical absorption simply and accurately which is but one of many applications therefor. The relative intensities of the heating beams along each arm of the interferometer can be easily adjusted by observing a zero phase difference with identical samples when this condition is obtained.

Apparatus and method for performing two-frequency interferometry

DOEpatents

Johnston, R.G.

1988-01-25

The present apparatus includes a two-frequency, Zeeman Effect laser and matched, doubly refracting crystals in the construction of an accurate interferometer. Unlike other interferometric devices, the subject invention exhibits excellent phase stability owing to the use of single piece means for producing parallel interferometer arms, making the interferometer relatively insensitive to thermal and mechanical instabilities. Interferometers respond to differences in optical path length between their two arms. Unlike many interferometric techniques, which require the measurement of the location of interference fringes in a brightly illuminated background, the present invention permits the determination of the optical path length difference by measuring the phase of an electronic sine wave. The present apparatus is demonstrated as a differential thermooptic spectrometer for measuring differential optical absorption simply and accurately which is but one of many applications therefor. The relative intensities of the heating beams along each arm of the interferometer can be easily adjusted by observing a zero phase difference with identical samples when this condition is obtained. 6 figs.

Optical determination of crystal phase in semiconductor nanocrystals

PubMed Central

Lim, Sung Jun; Schleife, André; Smith, Andrew M.

2017-01-01

Optical, electronic and structural properties of nanocrystals fundamentally derive from crystal phase. This is especially important for polymorphic II–VI, III–V and I-III-VI2 semiconductor materials such as cadmium selenide, which exist as two stable phases, cubic and hexagonal, each with distinct properties. However, standard crystallographic characterization through diffraction yields ambiguous phase signatures when nanocrystals are small or polytypic. Moreover, diffraction methods are low-throughput, incompatible with solution samples and require large sample quantities. Here we report the identification of unambiguous optical signatures of cubic and hexagonal phases in II–VI nanocrystals using absorption spectroscopy and first-principles electronic-structure theory. High-energy spectral features allow rapid identification of phase, even in small nanocrystals (∼2 nm), and may help predict polytypic nanocrystals from differential phase contributions. These theoretical and experimental insights provide simple and accurate optical crystallographic analysis for liquid-dispersed nanomaterials, to improve the precision of nanocrystal engineering and improve our understanding of nanocrystal reactions. PMID:28513577

Experimental investigation of polarization insensitivity and cascadability with semiconductor optical amplifier-based differential phase-shift keyed wavelength converter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mao, Yaya; Wu, Chongqing; Liu, Bo; Ullah, Rahat; Tian, Feng

2017-12-01

We experimentally investigate the polarization insensitivity and cascadability of an all-optical wavelength converter for differential phase-shift keyed (DPSK) signals for the first time. The proposed wavelength converter is composed of a one-bit delay interferometer demodulation stage followed by a single semiconductor optical amplifier. The impact of input DPSK signal polarization fluctuation on receiver sensitivity for the converted signal is carried out. It is found that this scheme is almost insensitive to the state of polarization of the input DPSK signal. Furthermore, the cascadability of the converter is demonstrated in a two-path recirculating loop. Error-free transmission is achieved with 20 stage cascaded wavelength conversions over 2800 km, where the power penalty is <3.4 dB at bit error rate of 10-9.

Detection of macrophages in atherosclerotic tissue using magnetic nanoparticles and differential phase optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Oh, Junghwan; Feldman, Marc D; Kim, Jihoon; Sanghi, Pramod; Do, Dat; Mancuso, J Jacob; Kemp, Nate; Cilingiroglu, Mehmet; Milner, Thomas E

2008-01-01

We demonstrate the detection of iron oxide nanoparticles taken up by macrophages in atherosclerotic plaque with differential phase optical coherence tomography (DP-OCT). Magneto mechanical detection of nanoparticles is demonstrated in hyperlipidemic Watanabe and balloon-injured fat-fed New Zealand white rabbits injected with monocrystalline iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONs) of < 40 nm diam. MIONs taken up by macrophages was excited by an oscillating magnetic flux density and resulting nanometer tissue surface displacement was detected by DP-OCT. Frequency response of tissue surface displacement in response to an externally applied magnetic flux density was twice the stimulus frequency as expected from the equations of motion for the nanoparticle cluster.

Mapping of polycrystalline films of biological fluids utilizing the Jones-matrix formalism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ushenko, Vladimir A.; Dubolazov, Alexander V.; Pidkamin, Leonid Y.; Sakchnovsky, Michael Yu; Bodnar, Anna B.; Ushenko, Yuriy A.; Ushenko, Alexander G.; Bykov, Alexander; Meglinski, Igor

2018-02-01

Utilizing a polarized light approach, we reconstruct the spatial distribution of birefringence and optical activity in polycrystalline films of biological fluids. The Jones-matrix formalism is used for an accessible quantitative description of these types of optical anisotropy. We demonstrate that differentiation of polycrystalline films of biological fluids can be performed based on a statistical analysis of the distribution of rotation angles and phase shifts associated with the optical activity and birefringence, respectively. Finally, practical operational characteristics, such as sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the Jones-matrix reconstruction of optical anisotropy, were identified with special emphasis on biomedical application, specifically for differentiation of bile films taken from healthy donors and from patients with cholelithiasis.

Quantitative phase measurement for wafer-level optics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qu, Weijuan; Wen, Yongfu; Wang, Zhaomin; Yang, Fang; Huang, Lei; Zuo, Chao

2015-07-01

Wafer-level-optics now is widely used in smart phone camera, mobile video conferencing or in medical equipment that require tiny cameras. Extracting quantitative phase information has received increased interest in order to quantify the quality of manufactured wafer-level-optics, detect defective devices before packaging, and provide feedback for manufacturing process control, all at the wafer-level for high-throughput microfabrication. We demonstrate two phase imaging methods, digital holographic microscopy (DHM) and Transport-of-Intensity Equation (TIE) to measure the phase of the wafer-level lenses. DHM is a laser-based interferometric method based on interference of two wavefronts. It can perform a phase measurement in a single shot. While a minimum of two measurements of the spatial intensity of the optical wave in closely spaced planes perpendicular to the direction of propagation are needed to do the direct phase retrieval by solving a second-order differential equation, i.e., with a non-iterative deterministic algorithm from intensity measurements using the Transport-of-Intensity Equation (TIE). But TIE is a non-interferometric method, thus can be applied to partial-coherence light. We demonstrated the capability and disability for the two phase measurement methods for wafer-level optics inspection.

Phase Imaging using Focusing Polycapillary Optics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bashir, Sajid

The interaction of X rays in diagnostic energy range with soft tissues can be described by Compton scattering and by the complex refractive index, which together characterize the attenuation properties of the tissue and the phase imparted to X rays passing through it. Many soft tissues exhibit extremely similar attenuation, so that their discrimination using conventional radiography, which generates contrast in an image through differential attenuation, is challenging. However, these tissues will impart phase differences significantly greater than attenuation differences to the X rays passing through them, so that phase-contrast imaging techniques can enable their discrimination. A major limitation to the widespread adoption of phase-contrast techniques is that phase contrast requires significant spatial coherence of the X-ray beam, which in turn requires specialized sources. For tabletop sources, this often requires a small (usually in the range of 10-50 micron) X-ray source. In this work, polycapillary optics were employed to create a small secondary source from a large spot rotating anode. Polycapillary optics consist of arrays of small hollow glass tubes through which X rays can be guided by total internal reflection from the tube walls. By tapering the tubes to guide the X rays to a point, they can be focused to a small spot which can be used as a secondary source. The polycapillary optic was first aligned with the X-ray source. The spot size was measured using a computed radiography image plate. Images were taken at a variety of optic-to-object and object-to-detector distances and phase-contrast edge enhancement was observed. Conventional absorption images were also acquired at a small object-to detector distances for comparison. Background division was performed to remove strong non-uniformity due to the optics. Differential phase contrast reconstruction demonstrates promising preliminary results. This manuscript is divided into six chapters. The second chapter describes the limitations of conventional imaging methods and benefits of the phase imaging. Chapter three covers different types of X-ray photon interactions with matter. Chapter four describes the experimental set-up and different types of images acquired along with their analysis. Chapter five summarizes the findings in this project and describes future work as well.

Mueller-matrix mapping of optically anisotropic fluorophores of molecular biological tissues in the diagnosis of death causes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ushenko, A. G.; Dubolazov, A. V.; Ushenko, V. A.; Ushenko, Yu. A.; Pidkamin, L. Y.; Soltys, I. V.; Zhytaryuk, V. G.; Pavlyukovich, N.

2016-09-01

A model of generalized optical anisotropy of polycrystalline networks of albumin and globulin of human brain liquor has been suggested. The polarization-phase method of spatial and frequency differentiation of linear and circular birefringence coordinate distributions have been analytically substantiated. A set of criteria of the dynamics of necrotic changes of polarization-phase images of liquor polycrystalline films for determination of death coming prescription has been detected and substantiated.

Isotropic differential phase contrast microscopy for quantitative phase bio-imaging.

PubMed

Chen, Hsi-Hsun; Lin, Yu-Zi; Luo, Yuan

2018-05-16

Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) has been investigated to retrieve optical phase information of an object and applied to biological microscopy and related medical studies. In recent examples, differential phase contrast (DPC) microscopy can recover phase image of thin sample under multi-axis intensity measurements in wide-field scheme. Unlike conventional DPC, based on theoretical approach under partially coherent condition, we propose a new method to achieve isotropic differential phase contrast (iDPC) with high accuracy and stability for phase recovery in simple and high-speed fashion. The iDPC is simply implemented with a partially coherent microscopy and a programmable thin-film transistor (TFT) shield to digitally modulate structured illumination patterns for QPI. In this article, simulation results show consistency of our theoretical approach for iDPC under partial coherence. In addition, we further demonstrate experiments of quantitative phase images of a standard micro-lens array, as well as label-free live human cell samples. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Recent Developments Related To An Optically Controlled Microwave Phased Array Antenna.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kittel, A.; Peinke, J.; Klein, M.; Baier, G.; Parisi, J.; Rössler, O. E.

1990-12-01

A generic 3-dimensional diffeomorphic map, with constant Jacobian determinant, is proposed and looked at numerically. It contains a lower-dimensional basin boundary along which a chaotic motion takes place. This boundary is nowhere differentiable in one direction. Therefore, nowhere differentiable limit sets exist generically in nature.

Phase contrast and DIC instrumentation and applications in cell, developmental, and marine biology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gundlach, Heinz

1994-05-01

Nomarski's differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy is discussed in comparison to Zernike's phase contrast (PhC) microscopy. The possibilities and limits of both are demonstrated by various applications. The high contrast and the use of the full numerical aperture of the DIC optics makes it possible to obtain a series of 'optical sections' through rather thick living specimens (e.g. head of water flea, salivary gland of Drosophila, Xenopus nucleolus, sea urchen egg, mouse embryo). PhC and DIC optics are today available for high resolution light microscopy until N.A. 1.4 Oil as well as for long working distance (LWD) optics, mainly combined with inverted biological microscopes.

160-Gb/s all-optical phase-transparent wavelength conversion through cascaded SFG-DFG in a broadband linear-chirped PPLN waveguide.

PubMed

Lu, Guo-Wei; Shinada, Satoshi; Furukawa, Hideaki; Wada, Naoya; Miyazaki, Tetsuya; Ito, Hiromasa

2010-03-15

We experimentally demonstrated ultra-fast phase-transparent wavelength conversion using cascaded sum- and difference-frequency generation (cSFG-DFG) in linear-chirped periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN). Error-free wavelength conversion of a 160-Gb/s return-to-zero differential phase-shift keying (RZ-DPSK) signal was successfully achieved. Thanks to the enhanced conversion bandwidth in the PPLN with linear-chirped periods, no optical equalizer was required to compensate the spectrum distortion after conversion, unlike a previous demonstration of 160-Gb/s RZ on-off keying (OOK) using fixed-period PPLN.

Optical signal monitoring in phase modulated optical fiber transmission systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Jian

Optical performance monitoring (OPM) is one of the essential functions for future high speed optical networks. Among the parameters to be monitored, chromatic dispersion (CD) is especially important since it has a significant impact on overall system performance. In this thesis effective CD monitoring approaches for phase-shift keying (PSK) based optical transmission systems are investigated. A number of monitoring schemes based on radio frequency (RF) spectrum analysis and delay-tap sampling are proposed and their performance evaluated. A method for dispersion monitoring of differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) signals based on RF power detection is studied. The RF power spectrum is found to increase with the increase of CD and decrease with polarization mode dispersion (PMD). The spectral power density dependence on CD is studied theoretically and then verified through simulations and experiments. The monitoring sensitivity for nonreturn-to-zero differential phase-shift keying (NRZ-DPSK) and return-to-zero differential phase-shift keying (RZ-DPSK) based systems can reach 80ps/nm/dB and 34ps/nm/dB respectively. The scheme enables the monitoring of differential group delay (DGD) and CD simultaneously. The monitoring sensitivity of CD and DGD can reach 56.7ps/nm/dB and 3.1ps/dB using a bandpass filter. The effects of optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR), DGD, fiber nonlinearity and chirp on the monitoring results are investigated. Two RF pilot tones are employed for CD monitoring of DPSK signals. Specially selected pilot tone frequencies enable good monitoring sensitivity with minimum influence on the received signals. The dynamic range exceeding 35dB and monitoring sensitivity up to 9.5ps/nm/dB are achieved. Asynchronous sampling technique is employed for CD monitoring. A signed CD monitoring method for 10Gb/s NRZ-DPSK and RZ-DPSK systems using asynchronous delay-tap sampling technique is studied. The demodulated signals suffer asymmetric waveform distortion if there is a phase error (Deltaphi) in the delay interferometer (DI) and in the presence of residual CD. Using delay-tap sampling the scatter plots can reflect this signal distortion through their asymmetric characteristics. A distance ratio (DR) is defined to represent the change of the scatter plots which is directly related to the accumulated CD. The monitoring range can be up to +/-400ps/nm and to +/-720ps/nm for 10Gb/s NRZ-DPSK and RZ-DPSK signals with 450 phase error in DI. The monitoring sensitivity reaches +/-8ps/nm and CD polarity discrimination is realized. It is found that the signal degradation is related to the increment of the absolute value of CD or phase mismatch. The effect of different polarities of phase error on CD monitoring is also analyzed. The shoulders location depends on the sign of the product DLDeltaphi. If DLDeltaphi > 0, the shoulder will appear on trailing edge else the shoulder will appear on leading edge when DLDeltaphi < 0. The analysis shows that the phase error is identical to the frequency offset of optical source so a signed frequency offset monitoring is also demonstrated. The monitoring results show that the monitoring range can reach +/-2.2GHz and the monitoring sensitivity is around 27MHz. The effect of nonlinearity, OSNR and bandwidth of the lowpass filter on the proposed monitoring method has also been studied. The signed CD monitoring for 100Gb/s carrier suppressed return-to-zero differential quadrature phase-shift keying (CSRZ-DQPSK) system based on the delay-tap sampling technology is demonstrated. The monitoring range and monitoring resolution can goes up to +/-32ps/nm and +/-8ps/nm, respectively. A signed CD and optical carrier wavelength monitoring scheme using cross-correlation method for on-off keying (00K) wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) system is proposed and demonstrated. CD monitoring sensitivity is high and can be less than 10% of the bit period. Wavelength monitoring is implemented using the proposed approach. The monitoring results show that the sensitivity can reach up to 1.37ps/GHz.

Electro-optic voltage sensor head

DOEpatents

Crawford, T.M.; Davidson, J.R.; Woods, G.K.

1999-08-17

The invention is an electro-optic voltage sensor head designed for integration with existing types of high voltage transmission and distribution apparatus. The sensor head contains a transducer, which comprises a transducing material in which the Pockels electro-optic effect is observed. In the practice of the invention at least one beam of electromagnetic radiation is routed into the transducing material of the transducer in the sensor head. The beam undergoes an electro-optic effect in the sensor head when the transducing material is subjected to an E-field. The electro-optic effect is observed as a differential phase a shift, also called differential phase modulation, of the beam components in orthogonal planes of the electromagnetic radiation. In the preferred embodiment the beam is routed through the transducer along an initial axis and then reflected by a retro-reflector back substantially parallel to the initial axis, making a double pass through the transducer for increased measurement sensitivity. The preferred embodiment of the sensor head also includes a polarization state rotator and at least one beam splitter for orienting the beam along major and minor axes and for splitting the beam components into two signals which are independent converse amplitude-modulated signals carrying E-field magnitude and hence voltage information from the sensor head by way of optic fibers. 6 figs.

Electro-optic voltage sensor head

DOEpatents

Crawford, Thomas M.; Davidson, James R.; Woods, Gregory K.

1999-01-01

The invention is an electro-optic voltage sensor head designed for integration with existing types of high voltage transmission and distribution apparatus. The sensor head contains a transducer, which comprises a transducing material in which the Pockels electro-optic effect is observed. In the practice of the invention at least one beam of electromagnetic radiation is routed into the transducing material of the transducer in the sensor head. The beam undergoes an electro-optic effect in the sensor head when the transducing material is subjected to an E-field. The electro-optic effect is observed as a differential phase a shift, also called differential phase modulation, of the beam components in orthogonal planes of the electromagnetic radiation. In the preferred embodiment the beam is routed through the transducer along an initial axis and then reflected by a retro-reflector back substantially parallel to the initial axis, making a double pass through the transducer for increased measurement sensitivity. The preferred embodiment of the sensor head also includes a polarization state rotator and at least one beam splitter for orienting the beam along major and minor axes and for splitting the beam components into two signals which are independent converse amplitude-modulated signals carrying E-field magnitude and hence voltage information from the sensor head by way of optic fibers.

Passive demodulation of miniature fiber-optic-based interferometric sensors using a time-multiplexing technique.

PubMed

Santos, J L; Jackson, D A

1991-08-01

A passive demodulation technique suitable for interferometric interrogation of short optical cavities is described. It is based on time multiplexing of two low-finesse Fabry-Perot interferometers subject to the same measurand and with a differential optical phase of pi/2 (modulo 2pi). Independently of the cavity length, two optical outputs in quadrature are generated, which permits signal reading free of fading. The concept is demonstrated for the measurement of vibration using a simple processing scheme.

Nondestructive measurement of an optical fiber refractive-index profile by a transmitted-light differential interference contact microscope.

PubMed

Liu, Zhongyao; Dong, Xiaoman; Chen, Qianghua; Yin, Chunyong; Xu, Yuxian; Zheng, Yingjun

2004-03-01

A novel transmitted-light differential interference contrast (DIC) system is used for nondestructive measurement of the refractive-index profile (RIP) of an optical fiber. By means of this system the phase of a measured light beam can be modulated with an analyzer, and the phase distribution of a fiber is obtained by calculation of the various interference patterns. The measurement theory and structure and some typical applications of this system are demonstrated. The results of measuring RIPs in graded-index fiber are presented. Both the experimental results and theoretical analysis show that the system takes the advantage of high index resolution and of sufficient measurement accuracy for measuring the refractive index of the optical fiber. The system has strong ability to overcome environmental disturbance because of its common-path design. Moreover, one can use the system to measure the RIP along the fiber axis and acquire an image of the three-dimensional RIP of the fiber.

Jones matrix polarization-correlation mapping of biological crystals networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ushenko, O. G.; Ushenko, Yu. O.; Pidkamin, L. Y.; Sidor, M. I.; Vanchuliak, O.; Motrich, A. V.; Gorsky, M. P.; Meglinskiy, I.; Marchuk, Yu. F.

2017-08-01

It has been proposed the optical model of Jones-matrix description of mechanisms of optical anisotropy of polycrystalline films of human bile, namely optical activity and birefringence. The algorithm of reconstruction of distributions of parameters - optical rotation angles and phase shifts of the indicated anisotropy types has been elaborated. The objective criteria of differentiation of bile films taken from healthy donors and patients with cholelithiasis by means of statistic analysis of such distributions have been determined. The operational characteristics (sensitivity, specificity and accuracy) of Jones-matrix reconstruction method of optical anisotropy parameters were defined.

Diffracting aperture based differential phase contrast for scanning X-ray microscopy.

PubMed

Kaulich, Burkhard; Polack, Francois; Neuhaeusler, Ulrich; Susini, Jean; di Fabrizio, Enzo; Wilhein, Thomas

2002-10-07

It is demonstrated that in a zone plate based scanning X-ray microscope, used to image low absorbing, heterogeneous matter at a mesoscopic scale, differential phase contrast (DPC) can be implemented without adding any additional optical component to the normal scheme of the microscope. The DPC mode is simply generated by an appropriate positioning and alignment of microscope apertures. Diffraction from the apertures produces a wave front with a non-uniform intensity. The signal recorded by a pinhole photo diode located in the intensity gradient is highly sensitive to phase changes introduced by the specimen to be recorded. The feasibility of this novel DPC technique was proven with the scanning X-ray microscope at the ID21 beamline of the European Synchrotron Radiation facility (ESRF) operated at 6 keV photon energy. We observe a differential phase contrast, similar to Nomarski's differential interference contrast for the light microscope, which results in a tremendous increase in image contrast of up to 20 % when imaging low absorbing specimen.

Quantitative DIC microscopy using an off-axis self-interference approach.

PubMed

Fu, Dan; Oh, Seungeun; Choi, Wonshik; Yamauchi, Toyohiko; Dorn, August; Yaqoob, Zahid; Dasari, Ramachandra R; Feld, Michael S

2010-07-15

Traditional Normarski differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy is a very powerful method for imaging nonstained biological samples. However, one of its major limitations is the nonquantitative nature of the imaging. To overcome this problem, we developed a quantitative DIC microscopy method based on off-axis sample self-interference. The digital holography algorithm is applied to obtain quantitative phase gradients in orthogonal directions, which leads to a quantitative phase image through a spiral integration of the phase gradients. This method is practically simple to implement on any standard microscope without stringent requirements on polarization optics. Optical sectioning can be obtained through enlarged illumination NA.

Real Time Metrology Using Heterodyne Interferometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Evans, Joseph T..., Jr.

1983-11-01

The Air Force Weapons Laboratory (AFWL) located at Albuquerque, NM has developed a digital heterodyne interferometer capable of real-time, closed loop analysis and control of adaptive optics. The device uses independent phase modulation of two orthogonal polarizations of an argon ion laser to produce a temporally phase modulated interferogram of the test object in a Twyman-Green interferometer. Differential phase detection under the control of a Data General minicomputer helps reconstruct the phase front without noise effects from amplitude modulation in the optical train. The system consists of the interferometer optics, phase detection circuitry, and the minicomputer, allowing for complete software control of the process. The software has been unified into a powerful package that performs automatic data acquisition, OPD reconstruction, and Zernike analysis of the resulting wavefront. The minicomputer has the capability to control external devices so that closed loop analysis and control is possible. New software under development will provide a framework of data acquisition, display, and storage packages which can be integrated with analysis and control packages customized to the user's needs. Preliminary measurements with the system show that it is noise limited by laser beam phase quality and vibration of the optics. Active measures are necessary to reduce the impact of these noise sources.

System of polarization correlometry of polycrystalline layers of urine in the differentiation stage of diabetes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ushenko, Yu. O.; Pashkovskaya, N. V.; Marchuk, Y. F.; Dubolazov, O. V.; Savich, V. O.

2015-08-01

The work consists of investigation results of diagnostic efficiency of a new azimuthally stable Muellermatrix method of analysis of laser autofluorescence coordinate distributions of biological liquid layers. A new model of generalized optical anisotropy of biological tissues protein networks is proposed in order to define the processes of laser autofluorescence. The influence of complex mechanisms of both phase anisotropy (linear birefringence and optical activity) and linear (circular) dichroism is taken into account. The interconnections between the azimuthally stable Mueller-matrix elements characterizing laser autofluorescence and different mechanisms of optical anisotropy are determined. The statistic analysis of coordinate distributions of such Mueller-matrix rotation invariants is proposed. Thereupon the quantitative criteria (statistic moments of the 1st to the 4th order) of differentiation of human urine polycrystalline layers for the sake of diagnosing and differentiating cholelithiasis with underlying chronic cholecystitis (group 1) and diabetes mellitus of degree II (group 2) are estimated.

Accurate cell counts in live mouse embryos using optical quadrature and differential interference contrast microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Warger, William C., II; Newmark, Judith A.; Zhao, Bing; Warner, Carol M.; DiMarzio, Charles A.

2006-02-01

Present imaging techniques used in in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics are unable to produce accurate cell counts in developing embryos past the eight-cell stage. We have developed a method that has produced accurate cell counts in live mouse embryos ranging from 13-25 cells by combining Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) and Optical Quadrature Microscopy. Optical Quadrature Microscopy is an interferometric imaging modality that measures the amplitude and phase of the signal beam that travels through the embryo. The phase is transformed into an image of optical path length difference, which is used to determine the maximum optical path length deviation of a single cell. DIC microscopy gives distinct cell boundaries for cells within the focal plane when other cells do not lie in the path to the objective. Fitting an ellipse to the boundary of a single cell in the DIC image and combining it with the maximum optical path length deviation of a single cell creates an ellipsoidal model cell of optical path length deviation. Subtracting the model cell from the Optical Quadrature image will either show the optical path length deviation of the culture medium or reveal another cell underneath. Once all the boundaries are used in the DIC image, the subtracted Optical Quadrature image is analyzed to determine the cell boundaries of the remaining cells. The final cell count is produced when no more cells can be subtracted. We have produced exact cell counts on 5 samples, which have been validated by Epi-Fluorescence images of Hoechst stained nuclei.

Magneto-motive detection of tissue-based macrophages by differential phase optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Oh, Junghwan; Feldman, Marc D; Kim, Jihoon; Kang, Hyun Wook; Sanghi, Pramod; Milner, Thomas E

2007-03-01

A novel method to detect tissue-based macrophages using a combination of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles and differential phase optical coherence tomography (DP-OCT) with an external oscillating magnetic field is reported. Magnetic force acting on iron-laden tissue-based macrophages was varied by applying a sinusoidal current to a solenoid containing a conical iron core that substantially focused and increased magnetic flux density. Nanoparticle motion was detected with DP-OCT, which can detect tissue movement with nanometer resolution. Frequency response of iron-laden tissue movement was twice the modulation frequency since the magnetic force is proportional to the product of magnetic flux density and gradient. Results of our experiments indicate that DP-OCT can be used to identify tissue-based macrophage when excited by an external focused oscillating magnetic field. (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc

Differential phase-shift keying and channel equalization in free space optical communication system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Dai; Hao, Shiqi; Zhao, Qingsong; Wan, Xiongfeng; Xu, Chenlu

2018-01-01

We present the performance benefits of differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) modulation in eliminating influence from atmospheric turbulence, especially for coherent free space optical (FSO) communication with a high communication rate. Analytic expression of detected signal is derived, based on which, homodyne detection efficiency is calculated to indicate the performance of wavefront compensation. Considered laser pulses always suffer from atmospheric scattering effect by clouds, intersymbol interference (ISI) in high-speed FSO communication link is analyzed. Correspondingly, the channel equalization method of a binormalized modified constant modulus algorithm based on set-membership filtering (SM-BNMCMA) is proposed to solve the ISI problem. Finally, through the comparison with existing channel equalization methods, its performance benefits of both ISI elimination and convergence speed are verified. The research findings have theoretical significance in a high-speed FSO communication system.

Natural motion of the optic nerve head revealed by high speed phase-sensitive OCT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

OHara, Keith; Schmoll, Tilman; Vass, Clemens; Leitgeb, Rainer A.

2013-03-01

We use phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography (OCT) to measure the deformation of the optic nerve head during the pulse cycle, motivated by the possibility that these deformations might be indicative of the progression of glaucoma. A spectral-domain OCT system acquired 100k A-scans per second, with measurements from a pulse-oximeter recorded simultaneously, correlating OCT data to the subject's pulse. Data acquisition lasted for 2 seconds, to cover at least two pulse cycles. A frame-rate of 200-400 B-scans per second results in a sufficient degree of correlated speckle between successive frames that the phase-differences between fames can be extracted. Bulk motion of the entire eye changes the phase by several full cycles between frames, but this does not severely hinder extracting the smaller phase-changes due to differential motion within a frame. The central cup moves about 5 μm/s relative to the retinal-pigment-epithelium edge, with tissue adjacent to blood vessels showing larger motion.

Thermal: Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Polarized Microscopy Instrumentation for the Analysis of Field-Controlled Anisotropic Nanomaterials

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-11-14

figure 1.2.1, right). The discovery TGA furnace design employs a silicon carbide ( SiC ) inner chamber. Four halogen lamps surrounded by a water...amplification,(13, 17) self-phase modulation (18, 19), and new nonlinear phenomena such as the nonlinear optical mirror ,(20) and the mirrorless optical

Single-shot optical recorder with sub-picosecond resolution and scalable record length on a semiconductor wafer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Muir, R.; Heebner, J.

In this study, we demonstrate a novel, single-shot recording technology for transient optical signals. A resolution of 0.4 ps over a record length of 54 ps was demonstrated. Here, a pump pulse crossing through a signal samples a diagonal “slice” of space–time, enabling a camera to record spatially the time content of the signal. Unlike related X (2)-based cross-correlation techniques, here the signal is sampled through optically pumped carriers that modify the refractive index of a silicon wafer. Surrounding the wafer with birefringent retarders enables two time-staggered, orthogonally polarized signal copies to probe the wafer. Recombining the copies at amore » final crossed polarizer destructively interferes with them, except during the brief stagger window, where a differential phase shift is incurred. This enables the integrating response of the rapidly excited but persistent carriers to be optically differentiated. Lastly, this sampling mechanism has several advantages that enable scaling to long record lengths, including making use of large, inexpensive semiconductor wafers, eliminating the need for phase matching, broad insensitivity to the spectral and angular properties of the pump, and overall hardware simplicity.« less

Single-shot optical recorder with sub-picosecond resolution and scalable record length on a semiconductor wafer

DOE PAGES

Muir, R.; Heebner, J.

2017-10-24

In this study, we demonstrate a novel, single-shot recording technology for transient optical signals. A resolution of 0.4 ps over a record length of 54 ps was demonstrated. Here, a pump pulse crossing through a signal samples a diagonal “slice” of space–time, enabling a camera to record spatially the time content of the signal. Unlike related X (2)-based cross-correlation techniques, here the signal is sampled through optically pumped carriers that modify the refractive index of a silicon wafer. Surrounding the wafer with birefringent retarders enables two time-staggered, orthogonally polarized signal copies to probe the wafer. Recombining the copies at amore » final crossed polarizer destructively interferes with them, except during the brief stagger window, where a differential phase shift is incurred. This enables the integrating response of the rapidly excited but persistent carriers to be optically differentiated. Lastly, this sampling mechanism has several advantages that enable scaling to long record lengths, including making use of large, inexpensive semiconductor wafers, eliminating the need for phase matching, broad insensitivity to the spectral and angular properties of the pump, and overall hardware simplicity.« less

Interrogation of miniature extrinsic Fabry-Pérot sensor using path matched differential interferometer and phase generated carrier scheme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Fuyin; Xie, Jiehui; Hu, Zhengliang; Xiong, Shuidong; Luo, Hong; Hu, Yongming

2014-05-01

Study of fiber optic extrinsic Fabry-Pérot sensors utilizing state-of-the-art MEMS technology mostly focus on sensor fabrication for various applications, while the signal interrogation is still insatiable to current application. In this paper, we propose a white light path matched differential interferometer dynamic sensing system utilizing phase generated carrier demodulation scheme. A step motor with a movable mirror and a fiber-wound piezoelectric transducer string are used to act path matching and phase modulation respectively. Experimental results show that the sensing signal could be correctly recovered with low distortion and the phase noise spectrum level is less than -100 dB re. rad/√Hz above 2.5 kHz.

Retinal pigment epithelium expansion around the neural retina occurs in two separate phases with distinct mechanisms.

PubMed

Cechmanek, Paula Bernice; McFarlane, Sarah

2017-08-01

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a specialized monolayer of epithelial cells that forms a tight barrier surrounding the neural retina. RPE cells are indispensable for mature photoreceptor renewal and survival, yet how the initial RPE cell population expands around the neural retina during eye development is poorly understood. Here we characterize the differentiation, proliferation, and movements of RPE progenitors in the Zebrafish embryo over the period of optic cup morphogenesis. RPE progenitors are present in the dorsomedial eye vesicle shortly after eye vesicle evagination. We define two separate phases that allow for full RPE expansion. The first phase involves a previously uncharacterized antero-wards expansion of the RPE progenitor domain in the inner eye vesicle leaflet, driven largely by an increase in cell number. During this phase, RPE progenitors start to express differentiation markers. In the second phase, the progenitor domain stretches in the dorsoventral and posterior axes, involving cell movements and shape changes, and coinciding with optic cup morphogenesis. Significantly, cell division is not required for RPE expansion. RPE development to produce the monolayer epithelium that covers the back of the neural retina occurs in two distinct phases driven by distinct mechanisms. Developmental Dynamics 246:598-609, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Diagnostic efficiency of Mueller-matrix polarization reconstruction system of the phase structure of liver tissue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zabolotna, Natalia I.; Pavlov, Sergii V.; Radchenko, Kostiantyn O.; Stasenko, Vladyslav A.; Wójcik, Waldemar; Kussambayeva, Nazym

2015-12-01

The application field of using the Mueller-matrix polarizing reconstruction system of phase structure of biological layer for optical-anisotropic parameters differentiation of histological sections of healthy and rat's liver with hepatitis were investigated. Comparison of system informativity with known systems on indexes of sensitivity, specificity and balanced accuracy were performed.

40  Gb/s DWDM Structure with Optical Phase Configuration for Long-Haul Transmission System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Hsiu-Sheng; Lai, Po-Chou

2017-06-01

We propose the experimental transport of 48 channels with 40 Gbit/s dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) system that uses single-mode fiber (SMF) in combination with dispersion compensation fiber (DCF) which is a dispersion compensation device, in C and L band wavelength range to solve the dispersion program. The DWDM system scheme employing single Mach-Zehnder modulation (MZM) return-to-zero differential phase-shift keying (RZ-DPSK) modulation format with hybrid Raman/EDFA (Erbium-doped fiber amplifier) configuration to improve transmission signal, and employing an optical phase conjugation (OPC) configuration in the middle line. That can compensate for dispersion impairment and improve nonlinear effects to investigate transmission distance performances.

Multifunctional switching unit for add/drop, wavelength conversion, format conversion, and WDM multicast based on bidirectional LCoS and SOA-loop architecture.

PubMed

Wang, Danshi; Zhang, Min; Qin, Jun; Lu, Guo-Wei; Wang, Hongxiang; Huang, Shanguo

2014-09-08

We propose a multifunctional optical switching unit based on the bidirectional liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) and semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) architecture. Add/drop, wavelength conversion, format conversion, and WDM multicast are experimentally demonstrated. Due to the bidirectional characteristic, the LCoS device cannot only multiplex the input signals, but also de-multiplex the converted signals. Dual-channel wavelength conversion and format conversion from 2 × 25Gbps differential quadrature phase-shift-keying (DQPSK) to 2 × 12.5Gbps differential phase-shift-keying (DPSK) based on four-wave mixing (FWM) in SOA is obtained with only one pump. One-to-six WDM multicast of 25Gbps DQPSK signals with two pumps is also achieved. All of the multicast channels are with a power penalty less than 1.1 dB at FEC threshold of 3.8 × 10⁻³.

Polarization-phase diagnostics of latent course of cholelithiasis in patients with chronic cholecystitis combined with diabetes mellitus type 2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fediv, O. I.; Ivashchuk, O. I.; Marchuk, Yu. F.; Andriychuk, D. R.

2011-09-01

The principles of optical model of human bile polycrystalline structure are described. The three optical levels - isotropic, liquid-crystal and solid-crystal have been proposed. It has been introduced and proposed the scenarios of phase distribution formation in the boundary field of laser radiation, transformed by bile layers. The experimental scheme of direct measurement of coordinate phase distributions has been presented. The results of investigating the interrelation between the values of correlation and fractal parameters are presented. They characterize the coordinate distributions of phase shifts between the orthogonal components of the amplitude in the points of laser images of bile smears of cholelithiasis patients in combination with other pathologies. The diagnostic criteria of the cholelithiasis nascency and its severity degree differentiation are determined.

Bandwidth scalable, coherent transmitter based on the parallel synthesis of multiple spectral slices using optical arbitrary waveform generation.

PubMed

Geisler, David J; Fontaine, Nicolas K; Scott, Ryan P; He, Tingting; Paraschis, Loukas; Gerstel, Ori; Heritage, Jonathan P; Yoo, S J B

2011-04-25

We demonstrate an optical transmitter based on dynamic optical arbitrary waveform generation (OAWG) which is capable of creating high-bandwidth (THz) data waveforms in any modulation format using the parallel synthesis of multiple coherent spectral slices. As an initial demonstration, the transmitter uses only 5.5 GHz of electrical bandwidth and two 10-GHz-wide spectral slices to create 100-ns duration, 20-GHz optical waveforms in various modulation formats including differential phase-shift keying (DPSK), quaternary phase-shift keying (QPSK), and eight phase-shift keying (8PSK) with only changes in software. The experimentally generated waveforms showed clear eye openings and separated constellation points when measured using a real-time digital coherent receiver. Bit-error-rate (BER) performance analysis resulted in a BER < 9.8 × 10(-6) for DPSK and QPSK waveforms. Additionally, we experimentally demonstrate three-slice, 4-ns long waveforms that highlight the bandwidth scalable nature of the optical transmitter. The various generated waveforms show that the key transmitter properties (i.e., packet length, modulation format, data rate, and modulation filter shape) are software definable, and that the optical transmitter is capable of acting as a flexible bandwidth transmitter.

Optical, thermal and dielectric studies in linear hydrogen bonded liquid crystal homologous series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vijayakumar, V. N.; Madhu Mohan, M. L. N.

2011-08-01

A novel series of hydrogen bonded liquid crystals (HBLC) have been isolated with hydrogen bond forming between fluoro benzoic acid and various alkyloxy benzoic acids respectively. Phase diagram is constructed from the transition temperatures obtained by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Polarizing Optical Microscopic (POM) studies. A new Smectic ordering which is referred as Smectic R is characterized which exhibits a ribbon like phase. Declinations are observed on these ribbons manifesting the presence of the helicoidal structure. Another interesting feature is the observation of optical shuttering action in some of the complexes with the application of external stimulus in the entire thermal range of Nematic phase. Further this phenomenon is reversible in the sense that when the applied stimulus is withdrawn original texture of Nematic is restored. Unwinding of the helix coupled with molecular dipolar reorientation with the application of external field is supposed to be the major reasons for the observed phenomenon.

Unusual structural phase transition in [N(C2H5)4][N(CH3)4][ZnBr4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krawczyk, Monika K.; Ingram, Adam; Cach, Ryszard; Czapla, Zbigniew; Czupiński, Olaf; Dacko, Sławomir; Staniorowski, Piotr

2018-04-01

The new hybrid organic-inorganic crystal [N(C2H5)4][N(CH3)4][ZnBr4] was grown and its physical properties and structural phase transition are presented. On the basis of thermal analysis (DSC (differential scanning calorimetry), DTA (differential thermal analysis), DTG), X-ray structural, dilatometric and dielectric studies as well as optical observation, the reversible first-order phase transition at 490/488 K on heating and cooling run, respectively, has been found. An appearance of domain structure of ferroelastic type gives evidence for an untypical lowering of crystal symmetry during the phase transition. At room temperature, the satisfying crystal structure solution was found in the tetragonal system, in the P?21m space group.

James Webb Space Telescope segment phasing using differential optical transfer functions

PubMed Central

Codona, Johanan L.; Doble, Nathan

2015-01-01

Differential optical transfer function (dOTF) is an image-based, noniterative wavefront sensing method that uses two star images with a single small change in the pupil. We describe two possible methods for introducing the required pupil modification to the James Webb Space Telescope, one using a small (<λ/4) displacement of a single segment's actuator and another that uses small misalignments of the NIRCam's filter wheel. While both methods should work with NIRCam, the actuator method will allow both MIRI and NIRISS to be used for segment phasing, which is a new functionality. Since the actuator method requires only small displacements, it should provide a fast and safe phasing alternative that reduces the mission risk and can be performed frequently for alignment monitoring and maintenance. Since a single actuator modification can be seen by all three cameras, it should be possible to calibrate the non-common-path aberrations between them. Large segment discontinuities can be measured using dOTFs in two filter bands. Using two images of a star field, aberrations along multiple lines of sight through the telescope can be measured simultaneously. Also, since dOTF gives the pupil field amplitude as well as the phase, it could provide a first approximation or constraint to the planned iterative phase retrieval algorithms. PMID:27042684

Functional Peptidomics: Stimulus- and Time-of-Day-Specific Peptide Release in the Mammalian Circadian Clock.

PubMed

Atkins, Norman; Ren, Shifang; Hatcher, Nathan; Burgoon, Penny W; Mitchell, Jennifer W; Sweedler, Jonathan V; Gillette, Martha U

2018-06-20

Daily oscillations of brain and body states are under complex temporal modulation by environmental light and the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the master circadian clock. To better understand mediators of differential temporal modulation, we characterize neuropeptide releasate profiles by nonselective capture of secreted neuropeptides in an optic nerve horizontal SCN brain slice model. Releasates are collected following electrophysiological stimulation of the optic nerve/retinohypothalamic tract under conditions that alter the phase of the SCN activity state. Secreted neuropeptides are identified by intact mass via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). We found time-of-day-specific suites of peptides released downstream of optic nerve stimulation. Peptide release was modified differentially with respect to time-of-day by stimulus parameters and by inhibitors of glutamatergic or PACAPergic neurotransmission. The results suggest that SCN physiology is modulated by differential peptide release of both known and unexpected peptides that communicate time-of-day-specific photic signals via previously unreported neuropeptide signatures.

Photonic-chip-based all-optical ultra-wideband pulse generation via XPM and birefringence in a chalcogenide waveguide.

PubMed

Tan, Kang; Marpaung, David; Pant, Ravi; Gao, Feng; Li, Enbang; Wang, Jian; Choi, Duk-Yong; Madden, Steve; Luther-Davies, Barry; Sun, Junqiang; Eggleton, Benjamin J

2013-01-28

We report a photonic-chip-based scheme for all-optical ultra-wideband (UWB) pulse generation using a novel all-optical differentiator that exploits cross-phase modulation and birefringence in an As₂S₃ chalcogenide rib waveguide. Polarity-switchable UWB monocycles and doublets were simultaneously obtained with single optical carrier operation. Moreover, transmission over 40-km fiber of the generated UWB doublets is demonstrated with good dispersion tolerance. These results indicate that the proposed approach has potential applications in multi-shape, multi-modulation and long-distance UWB-over-fiber communication systems.

Applications of telecommunication technology for optical instrumentation with an emphasis on space-time duality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Howe, James William

Telecommunication technology has often been applied to areas of science and engineering seemingly unrelated to communication systems. Innovations such as electronic amplifiers, the transistor, digital coding, optical fiber, and the laser, which all had roots in communication technology, have been implemented in devices from bar-code scanners to fiber endoscopes for medical procedures. In the same way, the central theme of the work in the following chapters has been to borrow both the concepts and technology of telecommunications systems to develop novel optical instrumentation for non-telecom pursuits. This work particularly leverages fiber-integrated electro-optic phase modulators to apply custom phase profiles to ultrafast pulses for control and manipulation. Such devices are typically used in telecom transmitters to encode phase data onto optical pulses (differential phase-shift keying), or for chirped data transmission. We, however, use electro-optic phase modulators to construct four novel optical devices: (1) a programmable ultrafast optical delay line with record scanning speed for applications in optical metrology, interferometry, or broad-band phase arrays, (2) a multiwavelength pulse generator for real-time optical sampling of electronic waveforms, (3) a simple femtosecond pulse generator for uses in biomedical imaging or ultrafast spectroscopy, and (4) a nonlinear phase compensator to increase the energy of fiber-amplified ultrashort pulse systems. In addition, we describe a fifth instrument which makes use of a higher-order mode fiber, similar in design to dispersion compensating fibers used for telecom. Through soliton self-frequency shift in the higher-order mode fiber, we can broadly-tune the center frequency of ultrashort pulses in energy regimes useful for biomedical imaging or ultrafast spectroscopy. The advantages gained through using telecom components in each of these systems are the simplicity and robustness of all-fiber configurations, high-speed operation, and electronic control of signals. Finally, we devote much attention to the paradigm of space-time duality and temporal imaging which allows the electro-optic phase modulators used in our instrumentation to be framed as temporal analogs of diffractive optical elements such as lenses and prisms. We show how the concepts of "time-lenses" and "time-prisms" give an intuitive understanding of our work as well as insight for the general development of optical instrumentation.

A single chip 2 Gbit/s clock recovery subsystem for digital communications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hickling, Ronald M.

A self-contained clock recovery/data resynchronizer phase locked loop (PLL) for use in microwave and fiber optic digital communications has been fabricated using GaAs integrated circuit technology. The IC contains the analog and digital components for the PLL: an edge-triggered phase detector based on a 1.2 GHz phase/frequency comparator, an op amp for creating the loop filter, and a VCO based on a differential source-coupled pair amplifier.

Scalable hydrothermal synthesis of free-standing VO₂ nanowires in the M1 phase.

PubMed

Horrocks, Gregory A; Singh, Sujay; Likely, Maliek F; Sambandamurthy, G; Banerjee, Sarbajit

2014-09-24

VO2 nanostructures derived from solution-phase methods are often plagued by broadened and relatively diminished metal-insulator transitions and adventitious doping due to imperfect control of stoichiometry. Here, we demonstrate a stepwise scalable hydrothermal and annealing route for obtaining VO2 nanowires exhibiting almost 4 orders of magnitude abrupt (within 1 °C) metal-insulator transitions. The prepared nanowires have been characterized across their structural and electronic phase transitions using single-nanowire Raman microprobe analysis, ensemble differential scanning calorimetry, and single-nanowire electrical transport measurements. The electrical band gap is determined to be 600 meV and is consistent with the optical band gap of VO2, and the narrowness of differential scanning calorimetry profiles indicates homogeneity of stoichiometry. The preparation of high-quality free-standing nanowires exhibiting pronounced metal-insulator transitions by a solution-phase process allows for scalability, further solution-phase processing, incorporation within nanocomposites, and integration onto arbitrary substrates.

Noncontact measurement of elasticity for the detection of soft-tissue tumors using phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography combined with a focused air-puff system.

PubMed

Wang, Shang; Li, Jiasong; Manapuram, Ravi Kiran; Menodiado, Floredes M; Ingram, Davis R; Twa, Michael D; Lazar, Alexander J; Lev, Dina C; Pollock, Raphael E; Larin, Kirill V

2012-12-15

We report on an optical noncontact method for the detection of soft-tissue tumors based on the measurement of their elasticity. A focused air-puff system is used to excite surface waves (SWs) on soft tissues with transient static pressure. A high-speed phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography system is used to measure the SWs as they propagate from the point of excitation. To evaluate the stiffness of soft tissues, the Young's modulus is quantified based on the group velocity of SWs. Pilot experiments were performed on ex vivo human myxoma and normal fat. Results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method to measure elasticity and differentiate soft-tissue tumors from normal tissues.

Feasibility of spectral-domain phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography for middle ear vibrometry

PubMed Central

Nguyen-Huynh, Anh; Wang, Ruikang K.; Jacques, Steven L.; Choudhury, Niloy; Nuttall, Alfred L.

2012-01-01

Abstract. We describe a novel application of spectral-domain phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography (SD PS-OCT) to detect the tiny motions of the middle ear structures, such as the tympanic membrane and ossicular chain, and their morphological features for differential diagnosis of CHL. This technique has the potential to provide meaningful vibration of ossicles with a vibration sensitivity of ∼0.5  nm at 1 kHz of acoustic stimulation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of depth-resolved vibration imaging of ossicles with a PS-OCT system at a nanometer scale. PMID:22734728

Compact tunable silicon photonic differential-equation solver for general linear time-invariant systems.

PubMed

Wu, Jiayang; Cao, Pan; Hu, Xiaofeng; Jiang, Xinhong; Pan, Ting; Yang, Yuxing; Qiu, Ciyuan; Tremblay, Christine; Su, Yikai

2014-10-20

We propose and experimentally demonstrate an all-optical temporal differential-equation solver that can be used to solve ordinary differential equations (ODEs) characterizing general linear time-invariant (LTI) systems. The photonic device implemented by an add-drop microring resonator (MRR) with two tunable interferometric couplers is monolithically integrated on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer with a compact footprint of ~60 μm × 120 μm. By thermally tuning the phase shifts along the bus arms of the two interferometric couplers, the proposed device is capable of solving first-order ODEs with two variable coefficients. The operation principle is theoretically analyzed, and system testing of solving ODE with tunable coefficients is carried out for 10-Gb/s optical Gaussian-like pulses. The experimental results verify the effectiveness of the fabricated device as a tunable photonic ODE solver.

Chromonic liquid crystalline nematic phase exhibited in binary mixture of two liquid crystals

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Govindaiah, T. N., E-mail: tngovi.phy@gmail.com; Sreepad, H. R.; Sridhar, K. N.

2015-06-24

A binary mixture of abietic acid and orthophosphoric acid (H{sub 3}PO{sub 4}) exhibits co-existence of biphasic region of Nematic+Isotropic (N+I), lyotropic Nematic (ND) and Smectic-G (SmG) phases. The mixture exhibits N+I, N and SmG phases at different concentrations and at different temperatures. Mixtures with all concentrations of abietic acid exhibit I→N+I→N→SmG phases sequentially when the specimen is cooled from its isotropic melt. These phases have been characterized by using differential scanning calorimetric, X-ray diffraction, and optical texture studies.

Diffraction-limited imaging with very large telescopes; Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute, Cargese, France, Sept. 13-23, 1988

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alloin, D. M.; Mariotti, J.-M.

Recent advances in optics and observation techniques for very large astronomical telescopes are discussed in reviews and reports. Topics addressed include Fourier optics and coherence, optical propagation and image formation through a turbulent atmosphere, radio telescopes, continuously deformable telescopes for optical interferometry (I), amplitude estimation from speckle I, noise calibration of speckle imagery, and amplitude estimation from diluted-array I. Consideration is given to first-order imaging methods, speckle imaging with the PAPA detector and the Knox-Thompson algorithm, phase-closure imaging, real-time wavefront sensing and adaptive optics, differential I, astrophysical programs for high-angular-resolution optical I, cophasing telescope arrays, aperture synthesis for space observatories, and lunar occultations for marcsec resolution.

High-sensitivity DPSK receiver for high-bandwidth free-space optical communication links.

PubMed

Juarez, Juan C; Young, David W; Sluz, Joseph E; Stotts, Larry B

2011-05-23

A high-sensitivity modem and high-dynamic range optical automatic gain controller (OAGC) have been developed to provide maximum link margin and to overcome the dynamic nature of free-space optical links. A sensitivity of -48.9 dBm (10 photons per bit) at 10 Gbps was achieved employing a return-to-zero differential phase shift keying based modem and a commercial Reed-Solomon forward error correction system. Low-noise optical gain was provided by an OAGC with a noise figure of 4.1 dB (including system required input loses) and a dynamic range of greater than 60 dB.

Large tuning of birefringence in two strip silicon waveguides via optomechanical motion.

PubMed

Ma, Jing; Povinelli, Michelle L

2009-09-28

We present an optomechanical method to tune phase and group birefringence in parallel silicon strip waveguides. We first calculate the deformation of suspended, parallel strip waveguides due to optical forces. We optimize the frequency and polarization of the pump light to obtain a 9 nm deformation for an optical power of 20 mW. Widely tunable phase and group birefringence can be achieved by varying the pump power, with maximum values of 0.026 and 0.13, respectively. The giant phase birefringence allows linear to circular polarization conversion within 30 microm for a pump power of 67 mW. The group birefringence gives a tunable differential group delay of 6fs between orthogonal polarizations. We also evaluate the tuning performance of waveguides with different cross sections.

Adaptive optics self-calibration using differential OTF (dOTF)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodack, Alexander T.; Knight, Justin M.; Codona, Johanan L.; Miller, Kelsey L.; Guyon, Olivier

2015-09-01

We demonstrate self-calibration of an adaptive optical system using differential OTF [Codona, JL; Opt. Eng. 0001; 52(9):097105-097105. doi:10.1117/1.OE.52.9.097105]. We use a deformable mirror (DM) along with science camera focal plane images to implement a closed-loop servo that both flattens the DM and corrects for non-common-path aberrations within the telescope. The pupil field modification required for dOTF measurement is introduced by displacing actuators near the edge of the illuminated pupil. Simulations were used to develop methods to retrieve the phase from the complex amplitude dOTF measurements for both segmented and continuous sheet MEMS DMs and tests were performed using a Boston Micromachines continuous sheet DM for verification. We compute the actuator correction updates directly from the phase of the dOTF measurements, reading out displacements and/or slopes at segment and actuator positions. Through simulation, we also explore the effectiveness of these techniques for a variety of photons collected in each dOTF exposure pair.

Microstructures and microhardness evolutions of melt-spun Al-8Ni-5Nd-4Si alloy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Karakoese, Ercan, E-mail: ekarakose@karatekin.edu.tr; Keskin, Mustafa

2012-03-15

Al-Ni-Nd-Si alloy with nominal composition of Al-8 wt.%Ni-5 wt.%Nd-4 wt.%Si was rapidly solidified by using melt-spinning technique to examine the influence of the cooling rate/conditions on microstructure and mechanical properties. The resulting conventional cast (ingot) and melt-spun ribbons were characterized by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy together with energy dispersive spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, differential thermal analysis and Vickers microhardness tester. The ingot alloys consists of four phases namely {alpha}-Al, intermetallic Al{sub 3}Ni, Al{sub 11}Nd{sub 3} and fcc Si. Melt-spun ribbons are completely composed of {alpha}-Al phase. The optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy results show that themore » microstructures of rapidly solidified ribbons are clearly different from their ingot alloy. The change in microhardness is discussed based on the microstructural observations. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Rapid solidification allows a reduction in grain size, extended solid solution ranges. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We observed the matrix lattice parameter increases with increasing wheel speed. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Melt-spun ribbons consist of partly amorphous phases embedded in crystalline phases. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The solidification rate is high enough to retain most of alloying elements in the Al matrix. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The rapid solidification has effect on the phase constitution.« less

Analytical estimation of laser phase noise induced BER floor in coherent receiver with digital signal processing.

PubMed

Vanin, Evgeny; Jacobsen, Gunnar

2010-03-01

The Bit-Error-Ratio (BER) floor caused by the laser phase noise in the optical fiber communication system with differential quadrature phase shift keying (DQPSK) and coherent detection followed by digital signal processing (DSP) is analytically evaluated. An in-phase and quadrature (I&Q) receiver with a carrier phase recovery using DSP is considered. The carrier phase recovery is based on a phase estimation of a finite sum (block) of the signal samples raised to the power of four and the phase unwrapping at transitions between blocks. It is demonstrated that errors generated at block transitions cause the dominating contribution to the system BER floor when the impact of the additive noise is negligibly small in comparison with the effect of the laser phase noise. Even the BER floor in the case when the phase unwrapping is omitted is analytically derived and applied to emphasize the crucial importance of this signal processing operation. The analytical results are verified by full Monte Carlo simulations. The BER for another type of DQPSK receiver operation, which is based on differential phase detection, is also obtained in the analytical form using the principle of conditional probability. The principle of conditional probability is justified in the case of differential phase detection due to statistical independency of the laser phase noise induced signal phase error and the additive noise contributions. Based on the achieved analytical results the laser linewidth tolerance is calculated for different system cases.

Application of Laser Mass Spectrometry to Art and Archaeology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gulian, Lase Lisa E.; Callahan, Michael P.; Muliadi, Sarah; Owens, Shawn; McGovern, Patrick E.; Schmidt, Catherine M.; Trentelman, Karen A.; deVries, Mattanjah S.

2011-01-01

REMPI laser mass spectrometry is a combination of resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization spectroscopy and time of flight mass spectrometry, This technique enables the collection of mass specific optical spectra as well as of optically selected mass spectra. Analytes are jet-cooled by entrainment in a molecular beam, and this low temperature gas phase analysis has the benefit of excellent vibronic resolution. Utilizing this method, mass spectrometric analysis of historically relevant samples can be simplified and improved; Optical selection of targets eliminates the need for chromatography while knowledge of a target's gas phase spectroscopy allows for facile differentiation of molecules that are in the aqueous phase considered spectroscopically indistinguishable. These two factors allow smaller sample sizes than commercial MS instruments, which in turn will require less damage to objects of antiquity. We have explored methods to optimize REMPI laser mass spectrometry as an analytical tool to archaeology using theobromine and caffeine as molecular markers in Mesoamerican pottery, and are expanding this approach to the field of art to examine laccaic acid in shellacs.

Dielectric metasurfaces solve differential and integro-differential equations.

PubMed

Abdollahramezani, Sajjad; Chizari, Ata; Dorche, Ali Eshaghian; Jamali, Mohammad Vahid; Salehi, Jawad A

2017-04-01

Leveraging subwavelength resonant nanostructures, plasmonic metasurfaces have recently attracted much attention as a breakthrough concept for engineering optical waves both spatially and spectrally. However, inherent ohmic losses concomitant with low coupling efficiencies pose fundamental impediments over their practical applications. Not only can all-dielectric metasurfaces tackle such substantial drawbacks, but also their CMOS-compatible configurations support both Mie resonances that are invariant to the incident angle. Here, we report on a transmittive metasurface comprising arrayed silicon nanodisks embedded in a homogeneous dielectric medium to manipulate phase and amplitude of incident light locally and almost independently. By taking advantage of the interplay between the electric/magnetic resonances and employing general concepts of spatial Fourier transformation, a highly efficient metadevice is proposed to perform mathematical operations including solution of ordinary differential and integro-differential equations with constant coefficients. Our findings further substantiate dielectric metasurfaces as promising candidates for miniaturized, two-dimensional, and planar optical analog computing systems that are much thinner than their conventional lens-based counterparts.

Laser-ranging long-baseline differential atom interferometers for space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chiow, Sheng-wey; Williams, Jason; Yu, Nan

2015-12-01

High-sensitivity differential atom interferometers (AIs) are promising for precision measurements in science frontiers in space, including gravity-field mapping for Earth science studies and gravitational wave detection. Difficulties associated with implementing long-baseline differential AIs have previously included the need for a high optical power, large differential Doppler shifts, and narrow dynamic range. We propose a configuration of twin AIs connected by a laser-ranging interferometer (LRI-AI) to provide precise information of the displacements between the two AI reference mirrors and also to phase-lock the two independent interferometer lasers over long distances, thereby drastically improving the practical feasibility of long-baseline differential AI measurements. We show that a properly implemented LRI-AI can achieve equivalent functionality to the conventional differential AI measurement configuration.

Fluorescent biopsy of biological tissues in differentiation of benign and malignant tumors of prostate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trifoniuk, L. I.; Ushenko, Yu. A.; Sidor, M. I.; Minzer, O. P.; Gritsyuk, M. V.; Novakovskaya, O. Y.

2014-08-01

The work consists of investigation results of diagnostic efficiency of a new azimuthally stable Mueller-matrix method of analysis of laser autofluorescence coordinate distributions of biological tissues histological sections. A new model of generalized optical anisotropy of biological tissues protein networks is proposed in order to define the processes of laser autofluorescence. The influence of complex mechanisms of both phase anisotropy (linear birefringence and optical activity) and linear (circular) dichroism is taken into account. The interconnections between the azimuthally stable Mueller-matrix elements characterizing laser autofluorescence and different mechanisms of optical anisotropy are determined. The statistic analysis of coordinate distributions of such Mueller-matrix rotation invariants is proposed. Thereupon the quantitative criteria (statistic moments of the 1st to the 4th order) of differentiation of histological sections of uterus wall tumor - group 1 (dysplasia) and group 2 (adenocarcinoma) are estimated.

Testing of Cerex Open Path Ultraviolet Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy Systems for Fenceline Monitoring Applications

EPA Science Inventory

Industrial facilities, energy production, and refining operations can be significant sources of gas-phase air pollutants. Some industrial emissions originate from fugitive sources (leaks) or process malfunctions and can be mitigated if identified. In recent amendments to the Nati...

Sparse aperture differential piston measurements using the pyramid wave-front sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arcidiacono, Carmelo; Chen, Xinyang; Yan, Zhaojun; Zheng, Lixin; Agapito, Guido; Wang, Chaoyan; Zhu, Nenghong; Zhu, Liyun; Cai, Jianqing; Tang, Zhenghong

2016-07-01

In this paper we report on the laboratory experiment we settled in the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO) to investigate the pyramid wave-front sensor (WFS) ability to measure the differential piston on a sparse aperture. The ultimate goal is to verify the ability of the pyramid WFS work in close loop to perform the phasing of the primary mirrors of a sparse Fizeau imaging telescope. In the experiment we installed on the optical bench we performed various test checking the ability to flat the wave-front using a deformable mirror and to measure the signal of the differential piston on a two pupils setup. These steps represent the background from which we start to perform full close loop operation on multiple apertures. These steps were also useful to characterize the achromatic double pyramids (double prisms) manufactured in the SHAO optical workshop.

Wafer defect detection by a polarization-insensitive external differential interference contrast module.

PubMed

Nativ, Amit; Feldman, Haim; Shaked, Natan T

2018-05-01

We present a system that is based on a new external, polarization-insensitive differential interference contrast (DIC) module specifically adapted for detecting defects in semiconductor wafers. We obtained defect signal enhancement relative to the surrounding wafer pattern when compared with bright-field imaging. The new DIC module proposed is based on a shearing interferometer that connects externally at the output port of an optical microscope and enables imaging thin samples, such as wafer defects. This module does not require polarization optics (such as Wollaston or Nomarski prisms) and is insensitive to polarization, unlike traditional DIC techniques. In addition, it provides full control of the DIC shear and orientation, which allows obtaining a differential phase image directly on the camera (with no further digital processing) while enhancing defect detection capabilities, even if the size of the defect is smaller than the resolution limit. Our technique has the potential of future integration into semiconductor production lines.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: High spatial resolution observations of HM Sge (Sacuto+, 2009)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sacuto, S.; Chesneau, O.

2008-11-01

All the data products are stored in the FITS-based, optical interferometry data exchange format (OI-FITS), described in Pauls et al. (2005PASP..117.1255P). The OI Exchange Format is a standard for exchanging calibrated data from optical (visible/infrared) stellar interferometers. The standard is based on the Flexible Image Transport System (FITS), and supports storage of the optical interferometric observations including visibilities and differential phases. Several routines to read and write this format in various languages can be found in: Webpage http://www.mrao.cam.ac.uk/~jsy1001/exchange (2 data files).

VizieR Online Data Catalog: High spatial resolution observations of HM Sge (Sacuto+, 2007)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sacuto, S.; Chesneau, O.; Vannier, M.; Cruzalebes, P.

2007-01-01

All the data products are stored in the FITS-based, optical interferometry data exchange format (OI-FITS), described in Pauls et al. (2005PASP..117.1255P). The OI Exchange Format is a standard for exchanging calibrated data from optical (visible/infrared) stellar interferometers. The standard is based on the Flexible Image Transport System (FITS), and supports storage of the optical interferometric observations including visibilities and differential phases. Several routines to read and write this format in various languages can be found in: Webpage http://www.mrao.cam.ac.uk/~jsy1001/exchange (1 data file).

On-axis programmable microscope using liquid crystal spatial light modulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

García-Martínez, Pascuala; Martínez, José Luís.; Moreno, Ignacio

2017-06-01

Spatial light modulators (SLM) are currently used in many applications in optical microscopy and imaging. One of the most promising methods is the use of liquid crystal displays (LCD) as programmable phase diffractive optical elements (DOE) placed in the Fourier plane giving access to the spatial frequencies which can be phased shifted individually, allowing to emulate a wealth of contrast enhancing methods for both amplitude and phase samples. We use phase and polarization modulation of LCD to implement an on-axis microscope optical system. The LCD used are Hamamatsu liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) SLM free of flicker, thus showing a full profit of the SLM space bandwidth, as opposed to optical systems in the literature forced to work off-axis due to the strong zero-order component. Taking benefits of the phase modulation of the LCOS we have implemented different microscopic imaging operations, such as high-pass and low-pass filtering in parallel using programmable blazed gratings. Moreover, we are able to control polarization modulation to display two orthogonal linear state of polarization images than can be subtracted or added by changing the period of the blazed grating. In that sense, Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) microscopy can be easily done by generating two images exploiting the polarization splitting properties when a blazed grating is displayed in the SLM. Biological microscopy samples are also used.

10.7 Gb/s uncompensated transmission over a 470 km hybrid fiber link with in-line SOAs using MLSE and duobinary signals.

PubMed

Downie, John D; Hurley, Jason; Mauro, Yihong

2008-09-29

We experimentally demonstrate uncompensated 8-channel wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and single channel transmission at 10.7 Gb/s over a 470 km hybrid fiber link with in-line semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs). Two different forms of the duobinary modulation format are investigated and compared. Maximum Likelihood Sequence Estimation (MLSE) receiver technology is found to significantly mitigate nonlinear effects from the SOAs and to enable the long transmission, especially for optical duobinary signals derived from differential phase shift keying (DPSK) signals directly detected after narrowband optical filter demodulation. The MLSE also helps to compensate for a non-optimal Fabry-Perot optical filter demodulator.

Optically transparent, mechanically durable, nanostructured superhydrophobic surfaces enabled by spinodally phase-separated glass thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aytug, Tolga; Simpson, John T.; Lupini, Andrew R.; Trejo, Rosa M.; Jellison, Gerald E.; Ivanov, Ilia N.; Pennycook, Stephen J.; Hillesheim, Daniel A.; Winter, Kyle O.; Christen, David K.; Hunter, Scott R.; Haynes, J. Allen

2013-08-01

We describe the formation and properties of atomically bonded, optical quality, nanostructured thin glass film coatings on glass plates, utilizing phase separation by spinodal decomposition in a sodium borosilicate glass system. Following deposition via magnetron sputtering, thermal processing and differential etching, these coatings are structurally superhydrophilic (i.e., display anti-fogging functionality) and demonstrate robust mechanical properties and superior abrasion resistance. After appropriate chemical surface modification, the surfaces display a stable, non-wetting Cassie-Baxter state and exhibit exceptional superhydrophobic performance, with water droplet contact angles as large as 172°. As an added benefit, in both superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic states these nanostructured surfaces can block ultraviolet radiation and can be engineered to be anti-reflective with broadband and omnidirectional transparency. Thus, the present approach could be tailored toward distinct coatings for numerous markets, such as residential windows, windshields, specialty optics, goggles, electronic and photovoltaic cover glasses, and optical components used throughout the US military.

Optically transparent, mechanically durable, nanostructured superhydrophobic surfaces enabled by spinodally phase-separated glass thin films.

PubMed

Aytug, Tolga; Simpson, John T; Lupini, Andrew R; Trejo, Rosa M; Jellison, Gerald E; Ivanov, Ilia N; Pennycook, Stephen J; Hillesheim, Daniel A; Winter, Kyle O; Christen, David K; Hunter, Scott R; Haynes, J Allen

2013-08-09

We describe the formation and properties of atomically bonded, optical quality, nanostructured thin glass film coatings on glass plates, utilizing phase separation by spinodal decomposition in a sodium borosilicate glass system. Following deposition via magnetron sputtering, thermal processing and differential etching, these coatings are structurally superhydrophilic (i.e., display anti-fogging functionality) and demonstrate robust mechanical properties and superior abrasion resistance. After appropriate chemical surface modification, the surfaces display a stable, non-wetting Cassie-Baxter state and exhibit exceptional superhydrophobic performance, with water droplet contact angles as large as 172°. As an added benefit, in both superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic states these nanostructured surfaces can block ultraviolet radiation and can be engineered to be anti-reflective with broadband and omnidirectional transparency. Thus, the present approach could be tailored toward distinct coatings for numerous markets, such as residential windows, windshields, specialty optics, goggles, electronic and photovoltaic cover glasses, and optical components used throughout the US military.

Novel Perspectives on the Characterization of Species-Dependent Optical Signatures of Bacterial Colonies by Digital Holography.

PubMed

Buzalewicz, Igor; Kujawińska, Małgorzata; Krauze, Wojciech; Podbielska, Halina

2016-01-01

The use of light diffraction for the microbiological diagnosis of bacterial colonies was a significant breakthrough with widespread implications for the food industry and clinical practice. We previously confirmed that optical sensors for bacterial colony light diffraction can be used for bacterial identification. This paper is focused on the novel perspectives of this method based on digital in-line holography (DIH), which is able to reconstruct the amplitude and phase properties of examined objects, as well as the amplitude and phase patterns of the optical field scattered/diffracted by the bacterial colony in any chosen observation plane behind the object from single digital hologram. Analysis of the amplitude and phase patterns inside a colony revealed its unique optical properties, which are associated with the internal structure and geometry of the bacterial colony. Moreover, on a computational level, it is possible to select the desired scattered/diffracted pattern within the entire observation volume that exhibits the largest amount of unique, differentiating bacterial features. These properties distinguish this method from the already proposed sensing techniques based on light diffraction/scattering of bacterial colonies. The reconstructed diffraction patterns have a similar spatial distribution as the recorded Fresnel patterns, previously applied for bacterial identification with over 98% accuracy, but they are characterized by both intensity and phase distributions. Our results using digital holography provide new optical discriminators of bacterial species revealed in one single step in form of new optical signatures of bacterial colonies: digital holograms, reconstructed amplitude and phase patterns, as well as diffraction patterns from all observation space, which exhibit species-dependent features. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on bacterial colony analysis via digital holography and our study represents an innovative approach to the subject.

Novel Perspectives on the Characterization of Species-Dependent Optical Signatures of Bacterial Colonies by Digital Holography

PubMed Central

Buzalewicz, Igor; Kujawińska, Małgorzata; Krauze, Wojciech; Podbielska, Halina

2016-01-01

The use of light diffraction for the microbiological diagnosis of bacterial colonies was a significant breakthrough with widespread implications for the food industry and clinical practice. We previously confirmed that optical sensors for bacterial colony light diffraction can be used for bacterial identification. This paper is focused on the novel perspectives of this method based on digital in-line holography (DIH), which is able to reconstruct the amplitude and phase properties of examined objects, as well as the amplitude and phase patterns of the optical field scattered/diffracted by the bacterial colony in any chosen observation plane behind the object from single digital hologram. Analysis of the amplitude and phase patterns inside a colony revealed its unique optical properties, which are associated with the internal structure and geometry of the bacterial colony. Moreover, on a computational level, it is possible to select the desired scattered/diffracted pattern within the entire observation volume that exhibits the largest amount of unique, differentiating bacterial features. These properties distinguish this method from the already proposed sensing techniques based on light diffraction/scattering of bacterial colonies. The reconstructed diffraction patterns have a similar spatial distribution as the recorded Fresnel patterns, previously applied for bacterial identification with over 98% accuracy, but they are characterized by both intensity and phase distributions. Our results using digital holography provide new optical discriminators of bacterial species revealed in one single step in form of new optical signatures of bacterial colonies: digital holograms, reconstructed amplitude and phase patterns, as well as diffraction patterns from all observation space, which exhibit species-dependent features. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on bacterial colony analysis via digital holography and our study represents an innovative approach to the subject. PMID:26943121

Pulsed laser-based optical frequency comb generator for high capacity wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network supporting 1.2 Tbps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ullah, Rahat; Liu, Bo; Zhang, Qi; Saad Khan, Muhammad; Ahmad, Ibrar; Ali, Amjad; Khan, Razaullah; Tian, Qinghua; Yan, Cheng; Xin, Xiangjun

2016-09-01

An architecture for flattened and broad spectrum multicarriers is presented by generating 60 comb lines from pulsed laser driven by user-defined bit stream in cascade with three modulators. The proposed scheme is a cost-effective architecture for optical line terminal (OLT) in wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network (WDM-PON) system. The optical frequency comb generator consists of a pulsed laser in cascade with a phase modulator and two Mach-Zehnder modulators driven by an RF source incorporating no phase shifter, filter, or electrical amplifier. Optical frequency comb generation is deployed in the simulation environment at OLT in WDM-PON system supports 1.2-Tbps data rate. With 10-GHz frequency spacing, each frequency tone carries data signal of 20 Gbps-based differential quadrature phase shift keying (DQPSK) in downlink transmission. We adopt DQPSK-based modulation technique in the downlink transmission because it supports 2 bits per symbol, which increases the data rate in WDM-PON system. Furthermore, DQPSK format is tolerant to different types of dispersions and has a high spectral efficiency with less complex configurations. Part of the downlink power is utilized in the uplink transmission; the uplink transmission is based on intensity modulated on-off keying. Minimum power penalties have been observed with excellent eye diagrams and other transmission performances at specified bit error rates.

Wave front engineering by means of diffractive optical elements for applications in microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cojoc, Dan; Ferrari, Enrico; Garbin, Valeria; Cabrini, Stefano; Carpentiero, Alessandro; Prasciolu, Mauro; Businaro, Luca; Kaulich, Burchard; Di Fabrizio, Enzo

2006-05-01

We present a unified view regarding the use of diffractive optical elements (DOEs) for microscopy applications a wide range of electromagnetic spectrum. The unified treatment is realized through the design and fabrication of DOE through which wave front beam shaping is obtained. In particular we show applications ranging from micromanipulation using optical tweezers to X-ray differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy. We report some details on the design and physical implementation of diffractive elements that beside focusing perform also other optical functions: beam splitting, beam intensity and phase redistribution or mode conversion. Laser beam splitting is used for multiple trapping and independent manipulation of spherical micro beads and for direct trapping and manipulation of biological cells with non-spherical shapes. Another application is the Gauss to Laguerre-Gaussian mode conversion, which allows to trap and transfer orbital angular momentum of light to micro particles with high refractive index and to trap and manipulate low index particles. These experiments are performed in an inverted optical microscope coupled with an infrared laser beam and a spatial light modulator for DOEs implementation. High resolution optics, fabricated by means of e-beam lithography, are demonstrated to control the intensity and the phase of the sheared beams in X-ray DIC microscopy. DIC experiments with phase objects reveal a dramatic increase in image contrast compared to bright-field X-ray microscopy.

Evidence of monotropic hexatic tilted smectic phase in the phase sequence of ferroelectric liquid crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Różycka, Anna; Deptuch, Aleksandra; Jaworska-Gołąb, Teresa; Węgłowska, Dorota; Marzec, Monika

2018-02-01

Physical properties of a new ferroelectric liquid crystal have been studied by complementary methods: differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy, dielectric and X-ray diffraction. It was found that next to enantiotropic ferroelectric smectic C* phase, the monotropic smectic phase appears at cooling. X-ray diffraction measurements allowed to identify this phase as hexatic tilted smectic. Temperature dependence of spontaneous polarization, tilt angle of molecules and switching time were found in both liquid crystalline phases at cooling. Based on the dielectric results, the dielectric processes were identified as Goldstone mode in the smectic C* phase, whereas as the bond-orientation-like phason and the bulk domain mode in the monotropic hexatic tilted smectic phase.

Quantitative phase-filtered wavelength-modulated differential photoacoustic radar tumor hypoxia imaging toward early cancer detection.

PubMed

Dovlo, Edem; Lashkari, Bahman; Soo Sean Choi, Sung; Mandelis, Andreas; Shi, Wei; Liu, Fei-Fei

2017-09-01

Overcoming the limitations of conventional linear spectroscopy used in multispectral photoacoustic imaging, wherein a linear relationship is assumed between the absorbed optical energy and the absorption spectra of the chromophore at a specific location, is crucial for obtaining accurate spatially-resolved quantitative functional information by exploiting known chromophore-specific spectral characteristics. This study introduces a non-invasive phase-filtered differential photoacoustic technique, wavelength-modulated differential photoacoustic radar (WM-DPAR) imaging that addresses this issue by eliminating the effect of the unknown wavelength-dependent fluence. It employs two laser wavelengths modulated out-of-phase to significantly suppress background absorption while amplifying the difference between the two photoacoustic signals. This facilitates pre-malignant tumor identification and hypoxia monitoring, as minute changes in total hemoglobin concentration and hemoglobin oxygenation are detectable. The system can be tuned for specific applications such as cancer screening and SO 2 quantification by regulating the amplitude ratio and phase shift of the signal. The WM-DPAR imaging of a head and neck carcinoma tumor grown in the thigh of a nude rat demonstrates the functional PA imaging of small animals in vivo. The PA appearance of the tumor in relation to tumor vascularity is investigated by immunohistochemistry. Phase-filtered WM-DPAR imaging is also illustrated, maximizing quantitative SO 2 imaging fidelity of tissues. Oxygenation levels within a tumor grown in the thigh of a nude rat using the two-wavelength phase-filtered differential PAR method. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Using the phase-space imager to analyze partially coherent imaging systems: bright-field, phase contrast, differential interference contrast, differential phase contrast, and spiral phase contrast

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mehta, Shalin B.; Sheppard, Colin J. R.

2010-05-01

Various methods that use large illumination aperture (i.e. partially coherent illumination) have been developed for making transparent (i.e. phase) specimens visible. These methods were developed to provide qualitative contrast rather than quantitative measurement-coherent illumination has been relied upon for quantitative phase analysis. Partially coherent illumination has some important advantages over coherent illumination and can be used for measurement of the specimen's phase distribution. However, quantitative analysis and image computation in partially coherent systems have not been explored fully due to the lack of a general, physically insightful and computationally efficient model of image formation. We have developed a phase-space model that satisfies these requirements. In this paper, we employ this model (called the phase-space imager) to elucidate five different partially coherent systems mentioned in the title. We compute images of an optical fiber under these systems and verify some of them with experimental images. These results and simulated images of a general phase profile are used to compare the contrast and the resolution of the imaging systems. We show that, for quantitative phase imaging of a thin specimen with matched illumination, differential phase contrast offers linear transfer of specimen information to the image. We also show that the edge enhancement properties of spiral phase contrast are compromised significantly as the coherence of illumination is reduced. The results demonstrate that the phase-space imager model provides a useful framework for analysis, calibration, and design of partially coherent imaging methods.

Holographic line field en-face OCT with digital adaptive optics in the retina in vivo.

PubMed

Ginner, Laurin; Schmoll, Tilman; Kumar, Abhishek; Salas, Matthias; Pricoupenko, Nastassia; Wurster, Lara M; Leitgeb, Rainer A

2018-02-01

We demonstrate a high-resolution line field en-face time domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) system using an off-axis holography configuration. Line field en-face OCT produces high speed en-face images at rates of up to 100 Hz. The high frame rate favors good phase stability across the lateral field-of-view which is indispensable for digital adaptive optics (DAO). Human retinal structures are acquired in-vivo with a broadband light source at 840 nm, and line rates of 10 kHz to 100 kHz. Structures of different retinal layers, such as photoreceptors, capillaries, and nerve fibers are visualized with high resolution of 2.8 µm and 5.5 µm in lateral directions. Subaperture based DAO is successfully applied to increase the visibility of cone-photoreceptors and nerve fibers. Furthermore, en-face Doppler OCT maps are generated based on calculating the differential phase shifts between recorded lines.

Methods and means of Fourier-Stokes polarimetry and the spatial-frequency filtering of phase anisotropy manifestations in endometriosis diagnostics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ushenko, A. G.; Dubolazov, O. V.; Ushenko, Vladimir A.; Ushenko, Yu. A.; Sakhnovskiy, M. Yu.; Prydiy, O. G.; Lakusta, I. I.; Novakovskaya, O. Yu.; Melenko, S. R.

2016-12-01

This research presents investigation results of diagnostic efficiency of a new azimuthally stable Mueller-matrix method of laser autofluorescence coordinate distributions analysis of dried polycrystalline films of uterine cavity peritoneal fluid. A new model of generalized optical anisotropy of biological tissues protein networks is proposed in order to define the processes of laser autofluorescence. The influence of complex mechanisms of both phase anisotropy (linear birefringence and optical activity) and linear (circular) dichroism is taken into account. The interconnections between the azimuthally stable Mueller-matrix elements characterizing laser autofluorescence and different mechanisms of optical anisotropy are determined. The statistic analysis of coordinate distributions of such Mueller-matrix rotation invariants is proposed. Thereupon the quantitative criteria (statistic moments of the 1st to the 4th order) of differentiation of dried polycrystalline films of peritoneal fluid - group 1 (healthy donors) and group 2 (uterus endometriosis patients) are estimated.

Role of amphiphilic molecule on liquid crystal phases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dan, Kaustabh; Roy, Madhusudan; Datta, Alokmay

2013-02-01

We have studied the effect of an amphiphilic fatty acid, Stearic Acid (StA), on the phases, wetting and polarization properties of the liquid crystalline substance N-(4-Methoxybenzylidene)-4-butylaniline (MBBA), through Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Optical Polarization Microscopy. Metastable and mesophases disappear for a MBBA:StA = 1:5 mixture. This mixture wets Si(111) and dewets Si(100) surfaces while pure MBBA dewets both. Films of this mixture also show better polarization than the pure sample.

Microscopy of biological sample through advanced diffractive optics from visible to X-ray wavelength regime.

PubMed

Di Fabrizio, Enzo; Cojoc, Dan; Emiliani, Valentina; Cabrini, Stefano; Coppey-Moisan, Maite; Ferrari, Enrico; Garbin, Valeria; Altissimo, Matteo

2004-11-01

The aim of this report is to demonstrate a unified version of microscopy through the use of advanced diffractive optics. The unified scheme derives from the technical possibility of realizing front wave engineering in a wide range of electromagnetic spectrum. The unified treatment is realized through the design and nanofabrication of phase diffractive elements (PDE) through which wave front beam shaping is obtained. In particular, we will show applications, by using biological samples, ranging from micromanipulation using optical tweezers to X-ray differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy combined with X-ray fluorescence. We report some details on the design and physical implementation of diffractive elements that besides focusing also perform other optical functions: beam splitting, beam intensity, and phase redistribution or mode conversion. Laser beam splitting is used for multiple trapping and independent manipulation of micro-beads surrounding a cell as an array of tweezers and for arraying and sorting microscopic size biological samples. Another application is the Gauss to Laguerre-Gauss mode conversion, which allows for trapping and transfering orbital angular momentum of light to micro-particles immersed in a fluid. These experiments are performed in an inverted optical microscope coupled with an infrared laser beam and a spatial light modulator for diffractive optics implementation. High-resolution optics, fabricated by means of e-beam lithography, are demonstrated to control the intensity and the phase of the sheared beams in x-ray DIC microscopy. DIC experiments with phase objects reveal a dramatic increase in image contrast compared to bright-field x-ray microscopy. Besides the topographic information, fluorescence allows detection of certain chemical elements (Cl, P, Sc, K) in the same setup, by changing the photon energy of the x-ray beam. (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Study of variation in thermal width of nematic and induced smectic ordering phase of citric acid (CA) and 4-heptyloxybenzoic acid (7OBA) hydrogen bonded liquid crystal complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sundaram, S.; Jayaprakasam, R.; Praveena, R.; Rajasekaran, T. R.; Senthil, T. S.; Vijayakumar, V. N.

2018-01-01

Hydrogen-bonded liquid crystals (HBLCs) have been derived from nonmesogenic citric acid (CA) and mesogenic 4-heptyloxybenzoic acid (7OBA) yielding a highly ordered smectic C (Sm C) phase along with the new smectic X (Sm X) phase which has been identified as fingerprint-type texture. Optical (polarizing optical microscopy), thermal (differential scanning calorimetry) and structural (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) properties are studied. A noteworthy observation is that the intermolecular H-bond (between CA and 7OBA) influences on its melting point and clearing temperature of the HBLCs which exhibits lower value than those of the individual compounds. A typical extended mesophase region has been observed in the present complex while varying the mixture ratio (1:1 to 1:3) than those of individual compounds. The change in the ratio of the mesogenic compound in the mixture alters thermal properties such as enthalpy value and thermal span width in nematic (N) region of HBLC complex. Optical tilt angle measurement of CA+7OBA in Sm C phase has been discussed to identify the molecular position in the mesophase.

Voltage sensing systems and methods for passive compensation of temperature related intrinsic phase shift

DOEpatents

Davidson, James R.; Lassahn, Gordon D.

2001-01-01

A small sized electro-optic voltage sensor capable of accurate measurement of high levels of voltages without contact with a conductor or voltage source is provided. When placed in the presence of an electric field, the sensor receives an input beam of electromagnetic radiation into the sensor. A polarization beam displacer serves as a filter to separate the input beam into two beams with orthogonal linear polarizations. The beam displacer is oriented in such a way as to rotate the linearly polarized beams such that they enter a Pockels crystal at a preferred angle of 45 degrees. The beam displacer is therefore capable of causing a linearly polarized beam to impinge a crystal at a desired angle independent of temperature. The Pockels electro-optic effect induces a differential phase shift on the major and minor axes of the input beam as it travels through the Pockels crystal, which causes the input beam to be elliptically polarized. A reflecting prism redirects the beam back through the crystal and the beam displacer. On the return path, the polarization beam displacer separates the elliptically polarized beam into two output beams of orthogonal linear polarization representing the major and minor axes. In crystals that introduce a phase differential attributable to temperature, a compensating crystal is provided to cancel the effect of temperature on the phase differential of the input beam. The system may include a detector for converting the output beams into electrical signals, and a signal processor for determining the voltage based on an analysis of the output beams. The output beams are amplitude modulated by the frequency of the electric field and the amplitude of the output beams is proportional to the magnitude of the electric field, which is related to the voltage being measured.

Optical frequency comb generation with high tone-to-noise ratio for large-capacity wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ullah, Rahat; Liu, Bo; Zhang, Qi; Tian, Qinghua; Tian, Feng; Qu, Zhaowei; Yan, Cheng; Khan, Muhammad Saad; Ahmad, Ibrar; Xin, Xiangjun

2015-11-01

We propose a technique for the generation of optical frequency comb from a single source, which reduces the costs of optical access networks. Two Mach-Zehnder modulators are cascaded with one phase modulator driven by radiofrequency signals. With 10-GHz frequency spacing, the generated 40 optical multicarriers have good tone-to-noise ratio with least excursions in their comb lines. The laser array at the optical line terminal of the conventional wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network (WDM-PON) system has been replaced with optical frequency comb generator (OFCG), which may result in cost-effective optical line terminal (OLT) supporting a large-capacity WDM-PON system. Of 40 carriers generated, each carrier carries 10 Gbps data based on differential phase-shift keying. Four hundred Gbps multiplexed data from all channels are successfully transmitted through a fiber span of 25 km with negligible power penalties. Part of the downlink signal is used in uplink transmission at optical network unit where intensity-modulated on-off keying is deployed for remodulation. Theoretical analysis of the proposed WDM-PON system based on OFCG are in good agreement with simulation results. The metrics considered for the analysis of the proposed OFCG in a WDM-PON system are power penalties of the full-duplex transmission, eye diagrams, and bit error rate.

VizieR Online Data Catalog: The close circumstellar environment of the semi-regular S-type star pi1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sacuto, S.; Jorissen, A.; Cruzalebes, P.; Chesneau, O.; Ohnaka, K.; Quirrenbach, A.; Lopez, B.

2008-02-01

All the data products are stored in the FITS-based, optical interferometry data exchange format (OI-FITS), described in Pauls et al. (2005PASP..117.1255P). The OI Exchange Format is a standard for exchanging calibrated data from optical (visible/infrared) stellar interferometers. The standard is based on the Flexible Image Transport System (FITS), and supports storage of the optical interferometric observables including visibilities and differential phases. Several routines to read and write this format in various languages can be found in: Webpage http://www.mrao.cam.ac.uk/research/OAS/oi_data/oifits.html (2 data files).

Uniformly thinned optical fibers produced via HF etching with spectral and microscopic verification.

PubMed

Bal, Harpreet K; Brodzeli, Zourab; Dragomir, Nicoleta M; Collins, Stephen F; Sidiroglou, Fotios

2012-05-01

A method for producing uniformly thinned (etched) optical fibers is described, which can also be employed to etch optical fibers containing a Bragg grating (FBG) uniformly for evanescent-field-based sensing and other applications. Through a simple modification of this method, the fabrication of phase-shifted FBGs based on uneven etching is also shown. The critical role of how a fiber is secured is shown, and the success of the method is illustrated, by differential interference contrast microscopy images of uniformly etched FBGs. An etched FBG sensor for the monitoring of the refractive index of different glycerin solutions is demonstrated.

Confocal acoustic radiation force optical coherence elastography using a ring ultrasonic transducer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Qi, Wenjuan; Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697; Li, Rui

2014-03-24

We designed and developed a confocal acoustic radiation force optical coherence elastography system. A ring ultrasound transducer was used to achieve reflection mode excitation and generate an oscillating acoustic radiation force in order to generate displacements within the tissue, which were detected using the phase-resolved optical coherence elastography method. Both phantom and human tissue tests indicate that this system is able to sense the stiffness difference of samples and quantitatively map the elastic property of materials. Our confocal setup promises a great potential for point by point elastic imaging in vivo and differentiation of diseased tissues from normal tissue.

Diffractive Optical Analysis for Refractive Index Sensing using Transparent Phase Gratings

PubMed Central

Kumawat, Nityanand; Pal, Parama; Varma, Manoj

2015-01-01

We report the implementation of a micro-patterned, glass-based photonic sensing element that is capable of label-free biosensing. The diffractive optical analyzer is based on the differential response of diffracted orders to bulk as well as surface refractive index changes. The differential read-out suppresses signal drifts and enables time-resolved determination of refractive index changes in the sample cell. A remarkable feature of this device is that under appropriate conditions, the measurement sensitivity of the sensor can be enhanced by more than two orders of magnitude due to interference between multiply reflected diffracted orders. A noise-equivalent limit of detection (LoD) of 6 × 10−7 was achieved with this technique with scope for further improvement. PMID:26578408

Miscibility, Crystallization, and Rheological Behavior of Solution Casting Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/poly(ethylene succinate) Blends Probed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Rheology, and Optical Microscope Techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Wei-hua; Qiao, Xiao-ping; Cao, Qi-kun; Liu, Jie-ping

2010-02-01

The miscibility and crystallization of solution casting biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/poly(ethylene succinate) (PHB/PES) blends was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, rheology, and optical microscopy. The blends showed two glass transition temperatures and a depression of melting temperature of PHB with compositions in phase diagram, which indicated that the blend was partially miscible. The morphology observation supported this result. It was found that the PHB and PES can crystallize simultaneously or upon stepwise depending on the crystallization temperatures and compositions. The spherulite growth rate of PHB increased with increasing of PES content. The influence of compositions on the spherulitic growth rate for the partially miscible polymer blends was discussed.

An Optically Isotropic Antiferroelectric Liquid Crystal (OI-AFLC) Display Mode Operating over a Wide Temperature Range using Ternary Bent-Core Liquid Crystal Mixtures

DOE PAGES

Bergquist, Leah; Zhang, Cuiyu; Ribeiro de Almeida, Roberta R.; ...

2017-02-07

Here, we report on the synthesis and characterization of bent-core liquid crystal (LC) compounds and the preparation of mixtures that provide an optically isotropic antiferroelectric (OI-AFLC) liquid crystal display mode over a very wide temperature interval and well below room temperature. From the collection of compounds synthesized during this study, we recognized that several ternary mixtures displayed a modulated SmC aP A phase down to below -40 °C and up to about 100 °C on both heating and cooling, as well as optical tilt angles in the transformed state of approximately 45° (optically isotropic state). The materials were fully characterizedmore » and their liquid crystal as well as electro-optical properties analyzed by polarized optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, dielectric spectroscopy, and electro-optical tests.« less

An Optically Isotropic Antiferroelectric Liquid Crystal (OI-AFLC) Display Mode Operating over a Wide Temperature Range using Ternary Bent-Core Liquid Crystal Mixtures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bergquist, Leah; Zhang, Cuiyu; Ribeiro de Almeida, Roberta R.

Here, we report on the synthesis and characterization of bent-core liquid crystal (LC) compounds and the preparation of mixtures that provide an optically isotropic antiferroelectric (OI-AFLC) liquid crystal display mode over a very wide temperature interval and well below room temperature. From the collection of compounds synthesized during this study, we recognized that several ternary mixtures displayed a modulated SmC aP A phase down to below -40 °C and up to about 100 °C on both heating and cooling, as well as optical tilt angles in the transformed state of approximately 45° (optically isotropic state). The materials were fully characterizedmore » and their liquid crystal as well as electro-optical properties analyzed by polarized optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, dielectric spectroscopy, and electro-optical tests.« less

100 km differential phase shift quantum key distribution experiment with low jitter up-conversion detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diamanti, Eleni; Takesue, Hiroki; Langrock, Carsten; Fejer, M. M.; Yamamoto, Yoshihisa

2006-12-01

We present a quantum key distribution experiment in which keys that were secure against all individual eavesdropping attacks allowed by quantum mechanics were distributed over 100 km of optical fiber. We implemented the differential phase shift quantum key distribution protocol and used low timing jitter 1.55 µm single-photon detectors based on frequency up-conversion in periodically poled lithium niobate waveguides and silicon avalanche photodiodes. Based on the security analysis of the protocol against general individual attacks, we generated secure keys at a practical rate of 166 bit/s over 100 km of fiber. The use of the low jitter detectors also increased the sifted key generation rate to 2 Mbit/s over 10 km of fiber.

Phase noise in oscillators as differential-algebraic systems with colored noise sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demir, Alper

2004-05-01

Oscillators are key components of many kinds of systems, particularly electronic and opto-electronic systems. Undesired perturbations, i.e. noise, in practical systems adversely affect the spectral and timing properties of the signals generated by oscillators resulting in phase noise and timing jitter, which are key performance limiting factors, being major contributors to bit-error-rate (BER) of RF and possibly optical communication systems, and creating synchronization problems in clocked and sampled-data electronic systems. In this paper, we review our work on the theory and numerical methods for nonlinear perturbation and noise analysis of oscillators described by a system of differential-algebraic equations (DAEs) with white and colored noise sources. The bulk of the work reviewed in this paper first appeared in [1], then in [2] and [3]. Prior to the work mentioned above, we developed a theory and numerical methods for nonlinear perturbation and noise analysis of oscillators described by a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with white noise sources only [4, 5]. In this paper, we also discuss some open problems and issues in the modeling and analysis of phase noise both in free running oscillators and in phase/injection-locked ones.

Three recipes for improving the image quality with optical long-baseline interferometers: BFMC, LFF, and DPSC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Millour, Florentin A.; Vannier, Martin; Meilland, Anthony

2012-07-01

We present here three recipes for getting better images with optical interferometers. Two of them, Low- Frequencies Filling and Brute-Force Monte Carlo were used in our participation to the Interferometry Beauty Contest this year and can be applied to classical imaging using V2 and closure phases. These two addition to image reconstruction provide a way of having more reliable images. The last recipe is similar in its principle as the self-calibration technique used in radio-interferometry. We call it also self-calibration, but it uses the wavelength-differential phase as a proxy of the object phase to build-up a full-featured complex visibility set of the observed object. This technique needs a first image-reconstruction run with an available software, using closure-phases and squared visibilities only. We used it for two scientific papers with great success. We discuss here the pros and cons of such imaging technique.

Re-modulated technology of WDM-PON employing different DQPSK downstream signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Chao; Xin, Xiang-jun; Yu, Chong-xiu

2012-11-01

This paper proposes a kind of modulation architecture for wavelength-division-multiplexing passive optical network (WDMPON) employing optical differential quadrature phase shift keying (DQPSK) downstream signals and two different modulation formats of re-modulated upstream signals. At the optical line terminal (OLT), 10 Gbit/s signal is modulated with DQPSK. At the optical network unit (ONU), part of the downstream signal is re-modulated with on-off keying (OOK) or inverse-return-to-zero (IRZ). Simulation results show the impact on the system employing NRZ, RZ and carrier-suppressed return-to-zero (CSRZ). The analyses also reflect that the architecture can restrain chromatic dispersion and channel crosstalk, which makes it the best architecture of access network in the future.

Spectral Structure Of Phase-Induced Intensity Noise In Recirculating Delay Lines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tur, M.; Moslehi, B.; Bowers, J. E.; Newton, S. A.; Jackson, K. P.; Goodman, J. W.; Cutler, C. C.; Shaw, H. J.

1983-09-01

The dynamic range of fiber optic signal processors driven by relatively incoherent multimode semiconductor lasers is shown to be severely limited by laser phase-induced noise. It is experimentally demonstrated that while the noise power spectrum of differential length fiber filters is approximately flat, processors with recirculating loops exhibit noise with a periodically structured power spectrum with notches at zero frequency as well as at all other multiples of 1/(loop delay). The experimental results are aug-mented by a theoretical analysis.

Joint Services Electronics Program of the Edward L. Ginzton Laboratory of Stanford University.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-04-01

Differential Holography of Irregular Phase Objects Using Phase Conjugate Reflection," Optics Commun. 31, 257-258 (December 1979). R.A. Bergh, G. Kotler , and...values at the outer diameter of 3 5 R. A. Bergh, G. Kotler , and H. J. Shaw, Electronics Letters 16, 7, 260-261 (21 March 1980). -33 - the cladding. Thus...and signal processing techniques. E. Publications under JSEP Program R.A. Bergh, G. Kotler , and H.J. Shaw, Electronics Letters 16, 260-261 (21 March

Solar oscillations: time analysis of the GOLF p-mode signal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Renaud, C.; Grec, G.; Boumier, P.; Gabriel, A. H.; Robillot, J. M.; Cortés, T. Roca; Turck-Chièze, S.; Ulrich, R. K.

1999-05-01

We determine the intrinsic phase lag of the GOLF data for the solar p-mode velocity deduced either from one of the narrow band photometers working alternatively on blue and red wing of the sodium lines. The timing of the ``blue wing'' velocity coming from the current GOLF data is given in respect to the ground-based observations. The phase lag for the ``blue'' velocity is 6 s in advance relatively to a velocity coming from a differential device. For individual p modes, the phase lag from the ``blue'' velocity to the ``red'' velocity are not in opposition of phase, as expected in a very simple solar model, but differs from 8(o) to 18(o) from the opposition, depending on the degree and the radial order of the acoustic mode. The measurement of the differential lag between the blue and red wings of the D lines may open a new way to monitor the temperature oscillations with the optical depth.

Protection by an oral disubstituted hydroxylamine derivative against loss of retinal ganglion cell differentiation following optic nerve crush.

PubMed

Lindsey, James D; Duong-Polk, Karen X; Dai, Yi; Nguyen, Duy H; Leung, Christopher K; Weinreb, Robert N

2013-01-01

Thy-1 is a cell surface protein that is expressed during the differentiation of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Optic nerve injury induces progressive loss in the number of RGCs expressing Thy-1. The rate of this loss is fastest during the first week after optic nerve injury and slower in subsequent weeks. This study was undertaken to determine whether oral treatment with a water-soluble N-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine derivative (OT-440) protects against loss of Thy-1 promoter activation following optic nerve crush and whether this effect targets the earlier quick phase or the later slow phase. The retina of mice expressing cyan fluorescent protein under control of the Thy-1 promoter (Thy1-CFP mice) was imaged using a blue-light confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (bCSLO). These mice then received oral OT-440 prepared in cream cheese or dissolved in water, or plain vehicle, for two weeks and were imaged again prior to unilateral optic nerve crush. Treatments and weekly imaging continued for four more weeks. Fluorescent neurons were counted in the same defined retinal areas imaged at each time point in a masked fashion. When the counts at each time point were directly compared, the numbers of fluorescent cells at each time point were greater in the animals that received OT-440 in cream cheese by 8%, 27%, 52% and 60% than in corresponding control animals at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after optic nerve crush. Similar results were obtained when the vehicle was water. Rate analysis indicated the protective effect of OT-440 was greatest during the first two weeks and was maintained in the second two weeks after crush for both the cream cheese vehicle study and water vehicle study. Because most of the fluorescent cells detected by bCSLO are RGCs, these findings suggest that oral OT-440 can either protect against or delay early degenerative responses occurring in RGCs following optic nerve injury.

A long-reach WDM passive optical network enabling broadcasting service with centralized light source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, D.; Tang, M.; Fu, S.; Liu, D.; Shum, P.

2012-02-01

We propose a long-reach wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) passive optical network (PON) to provide conventional point-to-point (P2P) data and downstream broadcasting service simultaneously by superimposing, for each WDM channel, the differential-phase-shift-keying (DPSK) broadcasting signal with the subcarrier multiplexing (SCM) modulated downstream P2P signal, at the optical line terminal (OLT). In the optical network units (ONUs), by re-modulating part of the downstream signal with a reflective semiconductor optical amplifier (RSOA), we realize color-less ONUs for upstream data transmission. The proposed scheme is numerically verified with a 5 Gb/s downstream P2P signal and broadcasting services, as well as 2.5 Gb/s upstream data through a 60 km bidirectional fiber link. In particular, the influence of the downstream lightwave's optical carrier-subcarrier ratio (OCSR) on the system performance is also investigated.

Navy Prototype Optical Interferometer Imaging of Line Emission Regions of Beta Lyrae Using Differential Phase Referencing

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-02-01

is polarized by a structure perpendicular to this direction. Another result that confirms this geometry is a radio nebula along p.a. 156◦ ± 4...2000) detected a jetlike nebular structure oriented along p.a. = 156◦.5 ± 4◦. This nebula is perpendicular, within uncertainties, to the orbit

Digital coherent receiver based transmitter penalty characterization.

PubMed

Geisler, David J; Kaufmann, John E

2016-12-26

For optical communications links where receivers are signal-power-starved, such as through free-space, it is important to design transmitters and receivers that can operate as close as practically possible to theoretical limits. A total system penalty is typically assessed in terms of how far the end-to-end bit-error rate (BER) is from these limits. It is desirable, but usually difficult, to determine the division of this penalty between the transmitter and receiver. This paper describes a new rigorous and computationally based method that isolates which portion of the penalty can be assessed against the transmitter. There are two basic parts to this approach: (1) use of a coherent optical receiver to perform frequency down-conversion of a transmitter's optical signal waveform to the electrical domain, preserving both optical field amplitude and phase information, and (2): software-based analysis of the digitized electrical waveform. The result is a single numerical metric that quantifies how close a transmitter's signal waveform is to the ideal, based on its BER performance with a perfect software-defined matched-filter receiver demodulator. A detailed description of applying the proposed methodology to the waveform characterization of an optical burst-mode differential phase-shifted keying (DPSK) transmitter is experimentally demonstrated.

Optical projection tomography reveals dynamics of HEV growth after immunization with protein plus CFA and features shared with HEVs in acute autoinflammatory lymphadenopathy.

PubMed

Kumar, Varsha; Chyou, Susan; Stein, Jens V; Lu, Theresa T

2012-01-01

The vascular-stromal compartment of lymph nodes is important for lymph node function, and high endothelial venules (HEVs) play a critical role in controlling the entry of recirculating lymphocytes. In autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases, lymph node swelling is often accompanied by apparent HEV expansion and, potentially, targeting HEV expansion could be used therapeutically to limit autoimmunity. In previous studies using mostly flow cytometry analysis, we defined three differentially regulated phases of lymph node vascular-stromal growth: initiation, expansion, and the re-establishment of vascular quiescence and stabilization. In this study, we use optical projection tomography to better understand the morphologic aspects of HEV growth upon immunization with ovalbumin/CFA (OVA/CFA). We find HEV elongation as well as modest arborization during the initiation phase, increased arborization during the expansion phase, and, finally, vessel narrowing during the re-establishment of vascular quiescence and stabilization. We also examine acutely enlarged autoinflammatory lymph nodes induced by regulatory T cell depletion and show that HEVs are expanded and morphologically similar to the expanded HEVs in OVA/CFA-stimulated lymph nodes. These results reinforce the idea of differentially regulated, distinct phases of vascular-stromal growth after immunization and suggest that insights gained from studying immunization-induced lymph node vascular growth may help to understand how the lymph node vascular-stromal compartment could be therapeutically targeted in autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases.

Development of realtime connected element interferometry at the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Edwards, C. D.

1990-01-01

Connected-element interferometry (CEI) has the potential to provide high-accuracy angular spacecraft tracking on short baselines by making use of the very precise phase delay observable. Within the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex (DSCC), one of three tracking complexes in the NASA Deep Space Network, baselines of up to 21 km in length are available. Analysis of data from a series of short-baseline phase-delay interferometry experiments are presented to demonstrate the potential tracking accuracy on these baselines. Repeated differential observations of pairs of angularly close extragalactic radio sources were made to simulate differential spacecraft-quasar measurements. Fiber-optic data links and a correlation processor are currently being developed and installed at Goldstone for a demonstration of real-time CEI in 1990.

All-dielectric planar chiral metasurface with gradient geometric phase.

PubMed

Ma, Zhijie; Li, Yi; Li, Yang; Gong, Yandong; Maier, Stefan A; Hong, Minghui

2018-03-05

Planar optical chirality of a metasurface measures its differential response between left and right circularly polarized (CP) lights and governs the asymmetric transmission of CP lights. In 2D ultra-thin plasmonic structures the circular dichroism is limited to 25% in theory and it requires high absorption loss. Here we propose and numerically demonstrate a planar chiral all-dielectric metasurface that exhibits giant circular dichroism and transmission asymmetry over 0.8 for circularly polarized lights with negligible loss, without bringing in bianisotropy or violating reciprocity. The metasurface consists of arrays of high refractive index germanium Z-shape resonators that break the in-plane mirror symmetry and induce cross-polarization conversion. Furthermore, at the transmission peak of one handedness, the transmitted light is efficiently converted into the opposite circular polarization state, with a designated geometric phase depending on the orientation angle of the optical element. In this way, the optical component sets before and after the metasurface to filter the light of certain circular polarization states are not needed and the metasurface can function under any linear polarization, in contrast to the conventional setup for geometry phase based metasurfaces. Anomalous transmission and two-dimensional holography based on the geometric phase chiral metasurface are numerically demonstrate as proofs of concept.

Optical phase measuring sensors for automated rendezvous and capture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Metheny, Wayne; Malin, Mark

1991-01-01

A technique is described for sensing relative spatial orientations of approach and target vehicles, using optical phase mensuration (in the interferometric sense, as opposed to LIDAR), in place of the more conventional intensity, image, or transit time measurements. This approach permits the parameters to be measured with great accuracy with relatively simple, small sensors having no moving components. A suite of sensors operating on this principle can produce all desired data using either active detection on the target or passive retroreflection to the detectors on the approach vehicle. These optical phase measurements can be applied to determine bearing angle (location of the target vehicle in the approach vehicle coordinates), range, and attitude (orientation of the target vehicle with respect to the line-of-sight). The first two quantities require the approach vehicle to project a modulated interference pattern into space. The bearing angle is determined for a selected point on the target by measuring the phase of the interference pattern at that point using either a detector on the target or a retroreflector on the target and a detector at the transmitter. The range is found by measuring differential bearing angles to predetermined relative instrumentation sites. Two interferometers, a coarse and a fine ranger are required to resolve the 2pi ambiguity.

Laterally azo-bridged h-shaped ferroelectric dimesogens for second-order nonlinear optics: ferroelectricity and second harmonic generation.

PubMed

Zhang, Yongqiang; Martinez-Perdiguero, Josu; Baumeister, Ute; Walker, Christopher; Etxebarria, Jesus; Prehm, Marko; Ortega, Josu; Tschierske, Carsten; O'Callaghan, Michael J; Harant, Adam; Handschy, Mark

2009-12-30

Two classes of laterally azo-bridged H-shaped ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs), incorporating azobenzene and disperse red 1 (DR-1) chromophores along the FLC polar axes, were synthesized and characterized by polarized light microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, 2D X-ray diffraction analysis, and electro-optical investigations. They represent the first H-shaped FLC materials exhibiting the ground-state, thermodynamically stable enantiotropic SmC* phase, i.e., ground-state ferroelectricity. Second harmonic generation measurements of one compound incorporating a DR-1 chromophore at the incident wavelength of 1064 nm give a nonlinear coefficient of d(22) = 17 pm/V, the largest nonlinear optics coefficient reported to date for calamitic FLCs. This value enables viable applications of FLCs in nonlinear optics.

Visualizing monolayers with a water-soluble fluorophore to quantify adsorption, desorption, and the double layer.

PubMed

Shieh, Ian C; Zasadzinski, Joseph A

2015-02-24

Contrast in confocal microscopy of phase-separated monolayers at the air-water interface can be generated by the selective adsorption of water-soluble fluorescent dyes to disordered monolayer phases. Optical sectioning minimizes the fluorescence signal from the subphase, whereas convolution of the measured point spread function with a simple box model of the interface provides quantitative assessment of the excess dye concentration associated with the monolayer. Coexisting liquid-expanded, liquid-condensed, and gas phases could be visualized due to differential dye adsorption in the liquid-expanded and gas phases. Dye preferentially adsorbed to the liquid-disordered phase during immiscible liquid-liquid phase coexistence, and the contrast persisted through the critical point as shown by characteristic circle-to-stripe shape transitions. The measured dye concentration in the disordered phase depended on the phase composition and surface pressure, and the dye was expelled from the film at the end of coexistence. The excess concentration of a cationic dye within the double layer adjacent to an anionic phospholipid monolayer was quantified as a function of subphase ionic strength, and the changes in measured excess agreed with those predicted by the mean-field Gouy-Chapman equations. This provided a rapid and noninvasive optical method of measuring the fractional dissociation of lipid headgroups and the monolayer surface potential.

The characterization of GH shifts of surface plasmon resonance in a waveguide using the FDTD method.

PubMed

Oh, Geum-Yoon; Kim, Doo Gun; Choi, Young-Wan

2009-11-09

We have explicated the Goos-Hänchen (GH) shift in a mum-order Kretchmann-Raether configuration embedded in an optical waveguide structure by using the finite-difference time-domain method. For optical waveguide-type surface plasmon resonance (SPR) devices, the precise derivation of the GH shift has become critical. Artmann's equation, which is accurate enough for bulk optics, is difficult to apply to waveguide-type SPR devices. This is because Artmann's equation, based on the differentiation of the phase shift, is inaccurate at the critical and resonance angles where drastic phase changes occur. In this study, we accurately identified both the positive and the negative GH shifts around the incidence angle of resonance. In a waveguide-type Kretchmann-Raether configuration with an Au thin film of 50 nm, positive and negative lateral shifts of -0.75 and + 1.0 microm are obtained on the SPR with the incident angles of 44.4 degrees and 47.5 degrees, respectively, at a wavelength of 632.8 nm.

Biological applications of phase-contrast electron microscopy.

PubMed

Nagayama, Kuniaki

2014-01-01

Here, I review the principles and applications of phase-contrast electron microscopy using phase plates. First, I develop the principle of phase contrast based on a minimal model of microscopy, introducing a double Fourier-transform process to mathematically formulate the image formation. Next, I explain four phase-contrast (PC) schemes, defocus PC, Zernike PC, Hilbert differential contrast, and schlieren optics, as image-filtering processes in the context of the minimal model, with particular emphases on the Zernike PC and corresponding Zernike phase plates. Finally, I review applications of Zernike PC cryo-electron microscopy to biological systems such as protein molecules, virus particles, and cells, including single-particle analysis to delineate three-dimensional (3D) structures of protein and virus particles and cryo-electron tomography to reconstruct 3D images of complex protein systems and cells.

All-optical computation system for solving differential equations based on optical intensity differentiator.

PubMed

Tan, Sisi; Wu, Zhao; Lei, Lei; Hu, Shoujin; Dong, Jianji; Zhang, Xinliang

2013-03-25

We propose and experimentally demonstrate an all-optical differentiator-based computation system used for solving constant-coefficient first-order linear ordinary differential equations. It consists of an all-optical intensity differentiator and a wavelength converter, both based on a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and an optical filter (OF). The equation is solved for various values of the constant-coefficient and two considered input waveforms, namely, super-Gaussian and Gaussian signals. An excellent agreement between the numerical simulation and the experimental results is obtained.

Complex differential variance angiography with noise-bias correction for optical coherence tomography of the retina

PubMed Central

Braaf, Boy; Donner, Sabine; Nam, Ahhyun S.; Bouma, Brett E.; Vakoc, Benjamin J.

2018-01-01

Complex differential variance (CDV) provides phase-sensitive angiographic imaging for optical coherence tomography (OCT) with immunity to phase-instabilities of the imaging system and small-scale axial bulk motion. However, like all angiographic methods, measurement noise can result in erroneous indications of blood flow that confuse the interpretation of angiographic images. In this paper, a modified CDV algorithm that corrects for this noise-bias is presented. This is achieved by normalizing the CDV signal by analytically derived upper and lower limits. The noise-bias corrected CDV algorithm was implemented into an experimental 1 μm wavelength OCT system for retinal imaging that used an eye tracking scanner laser ophthalmoscope at 815 nm for compensation of lateral eye motions. The noise-bias correction improved the CDV imaging of the blood flow in tissue layers with a low signal-to-noise ratio and suppressed false indications of blood flow outside the tissue. In addition, the CDV signal normalization suppressed noise induced by galvanometer scanning errors and small-scale lateral motion. High quality cross-section and motion-corrected en face angiograms of the retina and choroid are presented. PMID:29552388

Complex differential variance angiography with noise-bias correction for optical coherence tomography of the retina.

PubMed

Braaf, Boy; Donner, Sabine; Nam, Ahhyun S; Bouma, Brett E; Vakoc, Benjamin J

2018-02-01

Complex differential variance (CDV) provides phase-sensitive angiographic imaging for optical coherence tomography (OCT) with immunity to phase-instabilities of the imaging system and small-scale axial bulk motion. However, like all angiographic methods, measurement noise can result in erroneous indications of blood flow that confuse the interpretation of angiographic images. In this paper, a modified CDV algorithm that corrects for this noise-bias is presented. This is achieved by normalizing the CDV signal by analytically derived upper and lower limits. The noise-bias corrected CDV algorithm was implemented into an experimental 1 μm wavelength OCT system for retinal imaging that used an eye tracking scanner laser ophthalmoscope at 815 nm for compensation of lateral eye motions. The noise-bias correction improved the CDV imaging of the blood flow in tissue layers with a low signal-to-noise ratio and suppressed false indications of blood flow outside the tissue. In addition, the CDV signal normalization suppressed noise induced by galvanometer scanning errors and small-scale lateral motion. High quality cross-section and motion-corrected en face angiograms of the retina and choroid are presented.

Cell sheets image validation of phase-diversity homodyne OCT and effect of the light irradiation on cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Senda, Naoko; Osawa, Kentaro

2016-04-01

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is one of powerful 3D tissue imaging tools with no fluorescence staining. We have reported that Phase-Diversity Homodyne OCT developed in Hitachi could be useful for non-invasive regeneration tissue evaluation test. The OCT enables cell imaging because of high resolution (axial resolution; ~2.6 μm, lateral resolution; ~1 μm, in the air), whereas conventional OCT was not used for cell imaging because of low resolution (10~20 μm). Furthermore, the OCT has advantage over other 3D imaging devices in cost because the light source and the objective were originally used as an optical pickup of compact disc. In this report, we aimed to assess effectiveness and safety of Phase-Diversity Homodyne OCT cell imaging. Effectiveness of OCT was evaluated by imaging a living cell sheet of human oral mucosal epithelial cells. OCT images were compared with reflection confocal microscopy (RCM) images, because confocal optical system is the highest resolution (<1 μm) 3D in vivo imaging technique. Similar nuclei images were confirmed with OCT and RCM, which suggested the OCT has enough resolution to image nuclei inside a cell sheet. Degree of differentiation could be estimated using OCT images, which becomes possible because the size of cells depends on distribution of differentiation. Effect of the OCT light irradiation on cells was studied using NIH/3T3 cells. Light irradiation, the exposure amount of which is equivalent to OCT, had no impact on cell shape, cell viability, and proliferation rate. It suggested that the light irradiation has no cell damage under the condition.

Optical properties of transparent glass–ceramics containing lithium–mica nanocrystals: Crystallization effect

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Khani, V.; Alizadeh, P., E-mail: p-alizadeh@modares.ac.ir; Shakeri, M.S.

2013-09-01

Graphical abstract: Optical properties of transparent Li{sub 2}O–MgO–Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}–SiO{sub 2}–F glasses containing lithium–mica nanocrystals are studied and crystallization condition has been evaluated and optimized to produce transparent glass–ceramics. Crystallization temperatures were determined by differential thermal analysis and crystalline phases were identified and quantified by X-ray diffraction. Scanning electron microscopy was used for morphological variations and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy for comparative analysis of transparency. In order to investigate the optical properties of transparent glass–ceramics, optical band gap, Fermi energy level and Urbach energy are calculated. The results of the investigation illustrate that band gap is reduced with increases in crystallizationmore » time and temperature. Enhanced orderliness in the arrangement of atoms might be regarded as possible reasons for the above changes. - Highlights: • The optimum temperature and time of crystallization were determined. • Li–mica nanocrystals with size of <30 nm were formed using a two-step heat-treatment. • Optical band gap and Fermi energy of nanocrystalline materials decreased with increasing of crystallization temperature and time. • Urbach band tailing was decreased with increasing of crystallization condition. - Abstract: Optical properties of transparent Li{sub 2}O–MgO–Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}–SiO{sub 2}–F glasses containing lithium–mica nanocrystals were studied. The crystallization condition of these glasses was evaluated and optimized to produce transparent glass–ceramics. Crystallization temperatures were determined by differential thermal analysis and crystalline phases were identified and quantified by X-ray diffraction. Scanning electron microscopy was used to detect morphological changes and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy was used for comparative analysis of transparency. In order to investigate the optical properties of the transparent glass–ceramics, optical band gap, Fermi energy level and Urbach energy were calculated. The results of the investigation illustrate that the band gap is reduced with increases in crystallization time and temperature. Enhanced orderliness in the arrangement of atoms might be regarded as possible reasons for the above changes.« less

Optical spatial differentiator based on subwavelength high-contrast gratings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Zhewei; Si, Jiangnan; Yu, Xuanyi; Deng, Xiaoxu

2018-04-01

An optical spatial differentiator based on subwavelength high-contrast gratings (HCGs) is proposed experimentally. The spatial differentiation property of the subwavelength HCG is analyzed by calculating its spatial spectral transfer function based on the periodic waveguide theory. By employing the FDTD solutions, the performance of the subwavelength HCG spatial differentiator was investigated numerically. The subwavelength HCG differentiator with the thickness at the nanoscale was fabricated on the quartz substrate by electron beam lithography and Bosch deep silicon etching. Observed under an optical microscope with a CCD camera, the spatial differentiation of the incident field profile was obtained by the subwavelength HCG differentiator in transmission without Fourier lens. By projecting the images of slits, letter "X," and a cross on the subwavelength HCG differentiator, edge detections of images were obtained in transmission. With the nanoscale HCG structure and simple optical implementation, the proposed optical spatial differentiator provides the prospects for applications in optical computing systems and parallel data processing.

Wavelength-switched phase interrogator for extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric sensors.

PubMed

Xia, Ji; Xiong, Shuidong; Wang, Fuyin; Luo, Hong

2016-07-01

We report on phase interrogation of extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric (EFPI) sensors through a wavelength-switched unit with a polarization-maintaining fiber Bragg grating (PMFBG). The measurements at two wavelengths are first achieved in one total-optical path. The reflected peaks of the PMFBG with two natural wavelengths are in mutually perpendicular polarization detection, and they are switched through an electro-optic modulator at a high switching speed of 10 kHz. An ellipse fitting differential cross multiplication (EF-DCM) algorithm is proposed for interrogating the variation of the gap length of the EFPI sensors. The phase demodulation system has been demonstrated to recover a minimum phase of 0.42  μrad/Hz at the test frequency of 100 Hz with a stable intensity fluctuation level of ±0.8  dB. Three EFPI sensors with different cavity lengths are tested at the test frequency of 200 Hz, and the results indicate that the system can achieve the demodulation of EFPI sensors with different cavity lengths stably.

Nm-scale spatial resolution x-ray imaging with MLL nanofocusing optics: instrumentational requirements and challenges

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nazaretski, E.; Yan, H.; Lauer, K.

2016-08-30

The Hard X-ray Nanoprobe (HXN) beamline at NSLS-II has been designed and constructed to enable imaging experiments with unprecedented spatial resolution and detection sensitivity. The HXN X-ray Microscope is a key instrument for the beamline, providing a suite of experimental capabilities which includes scanning fluorescence, diffraction, differential phase contrast and ptychography utilizing Multilayer Laue Lenses (MLL) and zoneplate (ZP) as nanofocusing optics. In this paper, we present technical requirements for the MLL-based scanning microscope, outline the development concept and present first ~15 x 15 nm 2 spatial resolution x-ray fluorescence images.

Frequency-Agile Differential Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reed, Zachary; Hodges, Joseph

2015-06-01

The ultimate precision of highly sensitive cavity-enhanced spectroscopic measurements is often limited by interferences (etalons) caused by weak coupled-cavity effects. Differential measurements of ring-down decay constants have previously been demonstrated to largely cancel these effects, but the measurement acquisition rates were relatively low [1,2]. We have previously demonstrated the use of frequency agile rapid scanning cavity ring-down spectroscopy (FARS-CRDS) for acquisition of absorption spectra [3]. Here, the method of rapidly scanned, frequency-agile differential cavity ring-down spectroscopy (FADS-CRDS) is presented for reducing the effect of these interferences and other shot-to-shot statistical variations in measured decay times. To this end, an electro-optic phase modulator (EOM) with a bandwidth of 20 GHz is driven by a microwave source, generating pairs of sidebands on the probe laser. The optical resonator acts as a highly selective optical filter to all laser frequencies except for one tunable sideband. This sideband may be stepped arbitrarily from mode-to-mode of the ring-down cavity, at a rate limited only by the cavity buildup/decay time. The ability to probe any cavity mode across the EOM bandwidth enables a variety of methods for generating differential spectra. The differential mode spacing may be changed, and the effect of this method on suppressing the various coupled-cavity interactions present in the system is discussed. Alternatively, each mode may also be differentially referenced to a single point, providing immunity to temporal variations in the base losses of the cavity while allowing for conventional spectral fitting approaches. Differential measurements of absorption are acquired at 3.3 kHz and a minimum detectable absorption coefficient of 5 x10-12 cm-1 in 1 s averaging time is achieved. 1. J. Courtois, K. Bielska, and J.T Hodges J. Opt. Soc. Am. B, 30, 1486-1495, 2013 2. H.F. Huang and K.K. Lehmann App. Optics 49, 1378-1387, 2010 3. G.-W. Truong, K.O. Douglass, S.E. Maxwell, R.D. van Zee, D.F. Plusquellic, J.T. Hodges, and D.A. Long Nature Photonics, 7, 532-534, 2013

Cascade photonic integrated circuit architecture for electro-optic in-phase quadrature/single sideband modulation or frequency conversion.

PubMed

Hasan, Mehedi; Hall, Trevor

2015-11-01

A photonic integrated circuit architecture for implementing frequency upconversion is proposed. The circuit consists of a 1×2 splitter and 2×1 combiner interconnected by two stages of differentially driven phase modulators having 2×2 multimode interference coupler between the stages. A transfer matrix approach is used to model the operation of the architecture. The predictions of the model are validated by simulations performed using an industry standard software tool. The intrinsic conversion efficiency of the proposed design is improved by 6 dB over the alternative functionally equivalent circuit based on dual parallel Mach-Zehnder modulators known in the prior art. A two-tone analysis is presented to study the linearity of the proposed circuit, and a comparison is provided over the alternative. The proposed circuit is suitable for integration in any platform that offers linear electro-optic phase modulation such as LiNbO(3), silicon, III-V, or hybrid technology.

Polarization-phase tomography of biological fluids polycrystalline structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dubolazov, A. V.; Vanchuliak, O. Ya.; Garazdiuk, M.; Sidor, M. I.; Motrich, A. V.; Kostiuk, S. V.

2013-12-01

Our research is aimed at designing an experimental method of Fourier's laser polarization phasometry of the layers of human effusion for an express diagnostics during surgery and a differentiation of the degree of severity (acute - gangrenous) appendectomy by means of statistical, correlation and fractal analysis of the coherent scattered field. A model of generalized optical anisotropy of polycrystal networks of albumin and globulin of the effusion of appendicitis has been suggested and the method of Fourier's phasometry of linear (a phase shift between the orthogonal components of the laser wave amplitude) and circular (the angle of rotation of the polarization plane) birefringence with a spatial-frequency selection of the coordinate distributions for the differentiation of acute and gangrenous conditions have been analytically substantiated. Comparative studies of the efficacy of the methods of direct mapping of phase distributions and Fourier's phasometry of a laser radiation field transformed by the dendritic and spherolitic networks of albumin and globulin of the layers of effusion of appendicitis on the basis of complex statistical, correlation and fractal analysis of the structure of phase maps.

The variable stellar wind of Rigel probed at high spatial and spectral resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chesneau, O.; Kaufer, A.; Stahl, O.; Colvinter, C.; Spang, A.; Dessart, L.; Prinja, R.; Chini, R.

2014-06-01

Context. Luminous BA-type supergiants are the brightest stars in the visible that can be observed in distant galaxies and are potentially accurate distance indicators. The impact of the variability of the stellar winds on the distance determination remains poorly understood. Aims: Our aim is to probe the inhomogeneous structures in the stellar wind using spectro-interferometric monitoring. Methods: We present a spatially resolved, high-spectral resolution (R = 12 000) K-band temporal monitoring of the bright supergiant β Orionis (Rigel, B8 Iab) using AMBER at the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI). Rigel was observed in the Brγ line and its nearby continuum once per month over 3 months in 2006-2007, and 5 months in 2009-2010. These unprecedented observations were complemented by contemporaneous optical high-resolution spectroscopy. We analyse the near-IR spectra and visibilities with the 1D non-LTE radiative-transfer code CMFGEN. The differential and closure phase signals are evidence of asymmetries that are interpreted as perturbations of the wind. Results: A systematic visibility decrease is observed across the Brγ line indicating that at a radius of about 1.25 R∗ the photospheric absorption is filled by emission from the wind. During the 2006-2007 period the Brγ and likely the continuum forming regions were larger than in the 2009-2010 epoch. Using CMFGEN we infer a mass-loss rate change of about 20% between the two epochs. We also find time variations in the differential visibilities and phases. The 2006-2007 period is characterised by noticeable variations in the differential visibilities in Doppler position and width and by weak variations in differential and closure phase. The 2009-2010 period is much quieter with virtually no detectable variations in the dispersed visibilities but a strong S-shaped signal is observed in differential phase coinciding with a strong ejection event discernible in the optical spectra. The differential phase signal that is sometimes detected is reminiscent of the signal computed from hydrodynamical models of corotating interaction regions. For some epochs the temporal evolution of the signal suggests the rotation of the circumstellar structures. Based on observations collected at the European Southern Observatory (ESO Programmes 078.D-0355 and 084.D-0393) and at the Observatorio Cerro Armazones (OCA) in Chile.Appendices are available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.orgReduced BESO data are only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (ftp://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/566/A125

Quantitative and Isolated Measurement of Far-Field Light Scattering by a Single Nanostructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Donghyeong; Jeong, Kwang-Yong; Kim, Jinhyung; Ee, Ho-Seok; Kang, Ju-Hyung; Park, Hong-Gyu; Seo, Min-Kyo

2017-11-01

Light scattering by nanostructures has facilitated research on various optical phenomena and applications by interfacing the near fields and free-propagating radiation. However, direct quantitative measurement of far-field scattering by a single nanostructure on the wavelength scale or less is highly challenging. Conventional back-focal-plane imaging covers only a limited solid angle determined by the numerical aperture of the objectives and suffers from optical aberration and distortion. Here, we present a quantitative measurement of the differential far-field scattering cross section of a single nanostructure over the full hemisphere. In goniometer-based far-field scanning with a high signal-to-noise ratio of approximately 27.4 dB, weak scattering signals are efficiently isolated and detected under total-internal-reflection illumination. Systematic measurements reveal that the total and differential scattering cross sections of a Au nanorod are determined by the plasmonic Fabry-Perot resonances and the phase-matching conditions to the free-propagating radiation, respectively. We believe that our angle-resolved far-field measurement scheme provides a way to investigate and evaluate the physical properties and performance of nano-optical materials and phenomena.

Phase Contrast Microscopy Analysis of Breast Tissue

PubMed Central

Wells, Wendy A.; Wang, Xin; Daghlian, Charles P.; Paulsen, Keith D.; Pogue, Brian W.

2010-01-01

OBJECTIVE To assess how optical scatter properties in breast tissue, as measured by phase contrast microscopy and interpreted pathophysiologically, might be exploited as a diagnostic tool to differentiate cancer from benign tissue. STUDY DESIGN We evaluated frozen human breast tissue sections of adipose tissue, normal breast parenchyma, benign fibroadenoma tumors and noninvasive and invasive malignant cancers by phase contrast microscopy through quantification of grayscale values, using multiple regions of interest (ROI). Student’s t tests were performed on phase contrast measures across diagnostic categories testing data from individual cases; all ROI data were used as separate measures. RESULTS Stroma demonstrated significantly higher scatter intensity than did epithelium, with lower scattering in tumor-associated stroma as compared with normal or benign-associated stroma. Measures were comparable for invasive and noninvasive malignant tumors but were higher than those found in benign tumors and were lowest in adipose tissue. CONCLUSION Significant differences were found in scatter coefficient properties of epithelium and stroma across diagnostic categories of breast tissue, particularly between benign and malignant-associated stroma. Improved understanding of how scatter properties correlate with morphologic criteria used in routine pathologic diagnoses could have a significant clinical impact as developing optical technology allows macroscopic in situ phase contrast imaging. PMID:19736867

Evidence of phase transition in Nd3+ doped phosphate glass determined by thermal lens spectrometry.

PubMed

Andrade, Acácio A; Lourenço, Sidney A; Pilla, Viviane; Silva, Anielle C Almeida; Dantas, Noelio O

2014-01-28

Thermal lens spectroscopy (TLS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques were applied to the thermo-optical property analysis of a new phosphate glass matrix PANK with nominal composition 40P2O5·20Al2O3·35Na2O·5K2O (mol%), doped with different Nd(3+) compositions. This glass system, synthesized by the fusion protocol, presents high transparency from UV to the near infrared, excellent thermo-optical properties at room temperature and high fluorescence quantum efficiency. Thermal lens phase shift parameters, thermal diffusivity and the DSC signal present pronounced changes at about 61 °C for the PANK glass system. This anomalous behavior was associated with a phase transition in the nanostructured glass materials. The FTIR signal confirms the presence of isolated PO4 tetrahedron groups connected to different cations in PANK glass. As a main result, our experimental data suggest that these tetrahedron groups present a structural phase transition, paraelectric-ferroelectric phase transition, similar to that in potassium dihydrogen phosphate, KH2PO4, nanocrystals and which TLS technique can be used as a sensitive method to investigate changes in the structural level of nanostructured materials.

Sub-pm{{\\sqrt{Hz}^{-1}}} non-reciprocal noise in the LISA backlink fiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fleddermann, Roland; Diekmann, Christian; Steier, Frank; Tröbs, Michael; Heinzel, Gerhard; Danzmann, Karsten

2018-04-01

The future space-based gravitational wave detector laser interferometer space antenna (LISA) requires bidirectional exchange of light between its two optical benches on board of each of its three satellites. The current baseline foresees a polarization-maintaining single-mode fiber for this backlink connection. Phase changes which are common in both directions do not enter the science measurement, but differential (‘non-reciprocal’) phase fluctuations directly do and must thus be guaranteed to be small enough. We have built a setup consisting of a Zerodur baseplate with fused silica components attached to it using hydroxide-catalysis bonding and demonstrated the reciprocity of a polarization-maintaining single-mode fiber at the 1 pm \\sqrt{Hz}-1 level as is required for LISA. We used balanced detection to reduce the influence of parasitic optical beams on the reciprocity measurement and a fiber length stabilization to avoid nonlinear effects in our phase measurement system (phase meter). For LISA, a different phase meter is planned to be used that does not show this nonlinearity. We corrected the influence of beam angle changes and temperature changes on the reciprocity measurement in post-processing.

Growth, structural, optical and thermal properties of gamma-glycine crystal.

PubMed

Balakrishnan, T; Babu, R Ramesh; Ramamurthi, K

2008-04-01

Single crystals of gamma-glycine were grown from a mixture of glycine, water and lithium bromide. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the growth of gamma-glycine phase. Presence of various functional groups of gamma-glycine was identified by FTIR spectrum. Optical absorbance spectrum recorded in the wavelength range of UV-vis-NIR revealed that this crystal has good optical transparency in the range 250-1500 nm. Vickers microhardness values were estimated on the prominent (100) face. Thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetric analyses were carried out to study the thermal properties of gamma-glycine. Second harmonic generation efficiency of the crystal measured by Kurtz's powder method using Nd:YAG laser is about three times that of KDP.

Phase transition in organic-inorganic perovskite (C9H19NH3)2 PbI2Br2 of long-chain alkylammonium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abid, H.; Trigui, A.; Mlayah, A.; Hlil, E. K.; Abid, Y.

2012-01-01

Single perovskite slab alkylammonium lead iodides bromides (C9H19NH3)2PbI2Br2 is a new member of the family of hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite compounds. It exhibits a single structural phase transition with changes in the conformation of alkylammonium chains below room temperature. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction and FT-Raman spectroscopy were used to investigate this phase transition. These changes were characterized by a decreased conformational disorder of the methylene units of the alkyl chains. Phase transition was examined in light of the interesting optical properties of this material, as well as the relevance of this system as models for phase transitions in lipid bilayers.

Enhanced performance for differential detection in coherent Brillouin optical time-domain analysis sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shao, Liyang; Zhang, Yunpeng; Li, Zonglei; Zhang, Zhiyong; Zou, Xihua; Luo, Bin; Pan, Wei; Yan, Lianshan

2016-11-01

Logarithmic detectors (LogDs) have been used in coherent Brillouin optical time-domain analysis (BOTDA) sensors to reduce the effect of phase fluctuation, demodulation complexities, and measurement time. However, because of the inherent properties of LogDs, a DC component at the level of hundreds of millivolts that prohibits high-gain signal amplification (SA) could be generated, resulting in unacceptable data acquisition (DAQ) inaccuracies and decoding errors in the process of prototype integration. By generating a reference light at a level similar to the probe light, differential detection can be applied to remove the DC component automatically using a differential amplifier before the DAQ process. Therefore, high-gain SA can be employed to reduce quantization errors. The signal-to-noise ratio of the weak Brillouin gain signal is improved from ˜11.5 to ˜21.8 dB. A BOTDA prototype is implemented based on the proposed scheme. The experimental results show that the measurement accuracy of the Brillouin frequency shift (BFS) is improved from ±1.9 to ±0.8 MHz at the end of a 40-km sensing fiber.

Novel Payload Architectures for LISA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johann, Ulrich A.; Gath, Peter F.; Holota, Wolfgang; Schulte, Hans Reiner; Weise, Dennis

2006-11-01

As part of the current LISA Mission Formulation Study, and based on prior internal investigations, Astrium Germany has defined and preliminary assessed novel payload architectures, potentially reducing overall complexity and improving budgets and costs. A promising concept is characterized by a single active inertial sensor attached to a single optical bench and serving both adjacent interferometer arms via two rigidly connected off-axis telescopes. The in-plane triangular constellation ``breathing angle'' compensation is accomplished by common telescope in-field of view pointing actuation of the transmit/received beams line of sight. A dedicated actuation mechanism located on the optical bench is required in addition to the on bench actuators for differential pointing of the transmit and receive direction perpendicular to the constellation plane. Both actuators operate in a sinusoidal yearly period. A technical challenge is the actuation mechanism pointing jitter and the monitoring and calibration of the laser phase walk which occurs while changing the optical path inside the optical assembly during re-pointing. Calibration or monitoring of instrument internal phase effects e.g. by a laser metrology truss derived from the existing interferometry is required. The architecture exploits in full the two-step interferometry (strap down) concept, separating functionally inter spacecraft and intra-spacecraft interferometry (reference mass laser metrology degrees of freedom sensing). The single test mass is maintained as cubic, but in free-fall in the lateral degrees of freedom within the constellation plane. Also the option of a completely free spherical test mass with full laser interferometer readout has been conceptually investigated. The spherical test mass would rotate slowly, and would be allowed to tumble. Imperfections in roundness and density would be calibrated from differential wave front sensing in a tetrahedral arrangement, supported by added attitude information via a grid of tick marks etched onto the surface and monitored by the laser readout.

Investigation of thermal and optical properties of some quartet mixed hydrogen-bonded liquid crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okumuş, Mustafa

2017-11-01

In this study, the thermal and optical properties of quartet mixtures formed at different weight ratios (1:1:1:1 and 1.5:1:1:1) from liquid crystals 4-octyloxy-4‧-cyanobiphenyl (8OCB), 4-hexylbenzoic acid, 4-(octyloxy)benzoic acid and 4-(decyloxy)benzoic acid were investigated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and polarized optic microscopy (POM). The phase transition temperatures of the novel quartet mixtures measured in the DSC experiments are in line with the POM experiments. The experimental results clearly show that the novel liquid crystal mixtures have displayed pure liquid crystalline properties. According to the phase diagram drawn from DSC results, the nematic range of the novel mixture at the eutectic point is larger than the nematic ranges of the components. The mesomorphic structures of produced homolog complex mixtures are found to be smectic and nematic phases. But the smectic phase cannot be observed in the novel complex 1.5:1:1:1 mixture during continuous cooling. The nematic range of the novel complex 1.5:1:1:1 mixture is bigger than the nematic range of the novel complex 1:1:1:1 mixture with increasing 8OCB. Also, the nematic-to-isotropic phase transition temperature decreases with increasing the weight ratio of 8OCB in the complex quartet mixture. Another interesting result is that the produced mixtures are to be like a medical cream at room temperatures. Furthermore, order parameter and thermal stability factor of the transitions are also calculated.

Photo-Detectors Integrated with Resonant Tunneling Diodes

PubMed Central

Romeira, Bruno; Pessoa, Luis M.; Salgado, Henrique M.; Ironside, Charles N.; Figueiredo, José M. L.

2013-01-01

We report on photo-detectors consisting of an optical waveguide that incorporates a resonant tunneling diode (RTD). Operating at wavelengths around 1.55 μm in the optical communications C band we achieve maximum sensitivities of around 0.29 A/W which is dependent on the bias voltage. This is due to the nature of RTD nonlinear current-voltage characteristic that has a negative differential resistance (NDR) region. The resonant tunneling diode photo-detector (RTD-PD) can be operated in either non-oscillating or oscillating regimes depending on the bias voltage quiescent point. The oscillating regime is apparent when the RTD-PD is biased in the NDR region giving rise to electrical gain and microwave self-sustained oscillations Taking advantage of the RTD's NDR distinctive characteristics, we demonstrate efficient detection of gigahertz (GHz) modulated optical carriers and optical control of a RTD GHz oscillator. RTD-PD based devices can have applications in generation and optical control of GHz low-phase noise oscillators, clock recovery systems, and fiber optic enabled radio frequency communication systems. PMID:23881142

Photo-detectors integrated with resonant tunneling diodes.

PubMed

Romeira, Bruno; Pessoa, Luis M; Salgado, Henrique M; Ironside, Charles N; Figueiredo, José M L

2013-07-22

We report on photo-detectors consisting of an optical waveguide that incorporates a resonant tunneling diode (RTD). Operating at wavelengths around 1.55 μm in the optical communications C band we achieve maximum sensitivities of around 0.29 A/W which is dependent on the bias voltage. This is due to the nature of RTD nonlinear current-voltage characteristic that has a negative differential resistance (NDR) region. The resonant tunneling diode photo-detector (RTD-PD) can be operated in either non-oscillating or oscillating regimes depending on the bias voltage quiescent point. The oscillating regime is apparent when the RTD-PD is biased in the NDR region giving rise to electrical gain and microwave self-sustained oscillations Taking advantage of the RTD's NDR distinctive characteristics, we demonstrate efficient detection of gigahertz (GHz) modulated optical carriers and optical control of a RTD GHz oscillator. RTD-PD based devices can have applications in generation and optical control of GHz low-phase noise oscillators, clock recovery systems, and fiber optic enabled radio frequency communication systems.

Quantum spatial propagation of squeezed light in a degenerate parametric amplifier

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deutsch, Ivan H.; Garrison, John C.

1992-01-01

Differential equations which describe the steady state spatial evolution of nonclassical light are established using standard quantum field theoretic techniques. A Schroedinger equation for the state vector of the optical field is derived using the quantum analog of the slowly varying envelope approximation (SVEA). The steady state solutions are those that satisfy the time independent Schroedinger equation. The resulting eigenvalue problem then leads to the spatial propagation equations. For the degenerate parametric amplifier this method shows that the squeezing parameter obey nonlinear differential equations coupled by the amplifier gain and phase mismatch. The solution to these differential equations is equivalent to one obtained from the classical three wave mixing steady state solution to the parametric amplifier with a nondepleted pump.

Mesomorphic phase transitions of 3F7HPhF studied by complementary methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deptuch, Aleksandra; Jaworska-Gołąb, Teresa; Marzec, Monika; Pociecha, Damian; Fitas, Jakub; Żurowska, Magdalena; Tykarska, Marzena; Hooper, James

2018-02-01

Physical properties and the phase sequence of (S)-4‧-(1-methylheptyloxycarbonyl)biphenyl-4-yl 4-[7-(2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutoxy) heptyl-1-oxy]-2-fluorobenzoate exhibiting the liquid crystalline paraelectric smectic A*, ferroelectric smectic C* and antiferroelectric smectic CA* phases were studied by complementary methods in the temperature range from -125 to 120 °C. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements together with polarizing optical microscopy provided the phase sequence, including the glass transition and a cold crystallization. X-ray diffraction was used to obtain the unit-cell parameters of the crystal phase, as well as the layer thickness and correlation length in the liquid crystalline smectic phases. The tilt angle was found to reach 45°, as determined from the measurements of the layer thickness and molecular modeling. Relaxation processes in the smectic phases and the fragility parameter were studied using frequency-domain dielectric spectroscopy.

Reversible phase transition in vanadium oxide films sputtered on metal substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palai, Debajyoti; Carmel Mary Esther, A.; Porwal, Deeksha; Pradeepkumar, Maurya Sandeep; Raghavendra Kumar, D.; Bera, Parthasarathi; Sridhara, N.; Dey, Arjun

2016-11-01

Vanadium oxide films, deposited on aluminium (Al), titanium (Ti) and tantalum (Ta) metal substrates by pulsed RF magnetron sputtering at a working pressure of 1.5 x10-2 mbar at room temperature are found to display mixed crystalline vanadium oxide phases viz., VO2, V2O3, V2O5. The films have been characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and their thermo-optical and electrical properties have been investigated. Studies of the deposited films by DSC have revealed a reversible-phase transition found in the temperature range of 45-49 °C.

Optically controlled waveplate at a telecom wavelength using a ladder transition in Rb atoms for all-optical switching and high speed Stokesmetric imaging.

PubMed

Krishnamurthy, Subramanian; Tu, Y; Wang, Y; Tseng, S; Shahriar, M S

2014-11-17

We demonstrate an optically controlled waveplate at ~1323 nm using the 5S(1/2)-5P(1/2)-6S(1/2) ladder transition in a Rb vapor cell. The lower leg of the transitions represents the control beam, while the upper leg represents the signal beam. We show that we can place the signal beam in any arbitrary polarization state with a suitable choice of polarization of the control beam. Specifically, we demonstrate a differential phase retardance of ~180 degrees between the two circularly polarized components of a linearly polarized signal beam. We also demonstrate that the system can act as a Quarter Wave plate. The optical activity responsible for the phase retardation process is explained in terms of selection rules involving the Zeeman sublevels. As such, the system can be used to realize a fast Stokesmetric imaging system with a speed of ~3 MHz. When implemented using a tapered nano fiber embedded in a vapor cell, this system can be used to realize an ultra-low power all-optical switch as well as a Quantum Zeno Effect based all-optical logic gate by combining it with an optically controlled polarizer, previously demonstrated by us. We present numerical simulations of the system using a comprehensive model which incorporates all the relevant Zeeman sub-levels in the system, using a novel algorithm recently developed by us for efficient computation of the evolution of an arbitrary large scale quantum system.

Development of a fiber optic pavement subgrade strain measurement system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miller, Craig Emerson

2000-11-01

This dissertation describes the development of a fiber optic sensing system to measure strains within the soil subgrade of highway pavements resulting from traffic loads. The motivation to develop such a device include improvements to: (1)all phases of pavement design, (2)theoretical models used to predict pavement performance, and (3)pavement rehabilitation. The design of the sensing system encompasses selecting an appropriate transducer design as well as the development of optimal optical and demodulation systems. The first is spring based, which attempts to match its spring stiffness to that of the soil-data indicate it is not an optimal transducer design. The second transducer implements anchoring plates attached to two telescoping tubes which allows the soil to be compacted to a desired density between the plates to dictate the transducer's behavior. Both transducers include an extrinsic Fabry- Perot cavity to impose the soil strains onto a phase change of the optical signal propagating through the cavity. The optical system includes a low coherence source and allows phase modulation via path length stretching by adding a second interferometer in series with the transducer, resulting in a path matched differential interferometer. A digitally implemented synthetic heterodyne demodulator based on a four step phase stepping algorithm is used to obtain unambiguous soil strain information from the displacement of the Fabry-Perot cavity. The demodulator is calibrated and characterized by illuminating the transducer with a second long coherence source of different wavelength. The transducer using anchoring plates is embedded within cylindrical soil specimens of varying soil types and soil moisture contents. Loads are applied to the specimen and resulting strains are measured using the embedded fiber optic gage and LVDTs attached to the surface of the specimen. This experimental verification is substantiated using a finite element analysis to predict any differences between interior and surface strains in the specimens. The experimental data indicate 2-inch diameter anchoring plates embedded in soil close to its optimum moisture content allow for very accurate soil strain measurements.

Navigation of the Galileo mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, L. J.; Miller, J. K.; Kirhofer, W. E.

1983-01-01

An overview of the navigation of the Galileo mission is given. Predicted navigation performance for the various mission phases is discussed with particular emphasis given to the tour phase. Orbit determination strategies and resulting accuracies are discussed for various data types. In particular, the results of combining a new Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) data type called Differential One-Way Range (DOR) with conventional radio and optical data types are presented. Maneuver strategy results include the effects of maneuver placement and various targeting methods on propellant consumption and delivery accuracy. Emphasis is placed on new results obtained using asymptote and split targeting.

LTP interferometer—noise sources and performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robertson, David; Killow, Christian; Ward, Harry; Hough, Jim; Heinzel, Gerhard; Garcia, Antonio; Wand, Vinzenz; Johann, Ulrich; Braxmaier, Claus

2005-05-01

The LISA Technology Package (LTP) uses laser interferometry to measure the changes in relative displacement between two inertial test masses. The goals of the mission require a displacement measuring precision of 10 pm Hz-1/2 at frequencies in the 3 30 mHz band. We report on progress with a prototype LTP interferometer optical bench in which fused silica mirrors and beamsplitters are fixed to a ZERODUR® substrate using hydroxide catalysis bonding to form a rigid interferometer. The couplings to displacement noise of this interferometer of two expected noise sources—laser frequency noise and ambient temperature fluctuations—have been investigated, and an additional, unexpected, noise source has been identified. The additional noise is due to small amounts of signal at the heterodyne frequency arriving at the photodiode preamplifiers with a phase that quasistatically changes with respect to the optical signal. The phase shift is caused by differential changes in the external optical paths the beams travel before they reach the rigid interferometer. Two different external path length stabilization systems have been demonstrated and these allowed the performance of the overall system to meet the LTP displacement noise requirement.

Generation and transmission of multilevel quadrature amplitude modulation formats using only one optical modulator: MATLAB Simulink simulation models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Binh, Le Nguyen

2009-04-01

A geometrical and phasor representation technique is presented to illustrate the modulation of the lightwave carrier to generate quadrature amplitude modulated (QAM) signals. The modulation of the amplitude and phase of the lightwave carrier is implemented using only one dual-drive Mach-Zehnder interferometric modulator (MZIM) with the assistance of phasor techniques. Any multilevel modulation scheme can be generated, but we illustrate specifically, the multilevel amplitude and differential phase shift keying (MADPSK) signals. The driving voltage levels are estimated for driving the traveling wave electrodes of the modulator. Phasor diagrams are extensively used to demonstrate the effectiveness of modulation schemes. MATLAB Simulink models are formed to generate the multilevel modulation formats, transmission, and detection in optically amplified fiber communication systems. Transmission performance is obtained for the multilevel optical signals and proven to be equivalent or better than those of binary level with equivalent bit rate. Further, the resilience to nonlinear effects is much higher for MADPSK of 50% and 33% pulse width as compared to non-return-to-zero (NRZ) pulse shaping.

Spectral amplitude code label switching system for IM, DQPSK and PDM-DQPSK with frequency swept coherent detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isaac, Aboagye Adjaye; Yongsheng, Cao; Fushen, Chen

2018-05-01

We present and compare the outcome of implicit and explicit labels using intensity modulation (IM), differential quadrature phase shift keying (DQPSK), and polarization division multiplexed (PDM-DQPSK). A payload bit rate of 1, 2, and 5 Gb/s is considered for IM implicit labels, while payloads of 40, 80, and 112 Gb/s are considered in DQPSK and PDM-DQPSK explicit labels by stimulating a 4-code 156-Mb/s SAC label. The generated label and payloads are observed by assessing the eye diagram, received optical power (ROP), and optical signal to noise ratio (OSNR).

Weighted least-square approach for simultaneous measurement of multiple reflective surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Shouhong; Bills, Richard E.; Freischlad, Klaus

2007-09-01

Phase shifting interferometry (PSI) is a highly accurate method for measuring the nanometer-scale relative surface height of a semi-reflective test surface. PSI is effectively used in conjunction with Fizeau interferometers for optical testing, hard disk inspection, and semiconductor wafer flatness. However, commonly-used PSI algorithms are unable to produce an accurate phase measurement if more than one reflective surface is present in the Fizeau interferometer test cavity. Examples of test parts that fall into this category include lithography mask blanks and their protective pellicles, and plane parallel optical beam splitters. The plane parallel surfaces of these parts generate multiple interferograms that are superimposed in the recording plane of the Fizeau interferometer. When using wavelength shifting in PSI the phase shifting speed of each interferogram is proportional to the optical path difference (OPD) between the two reflective surfaces. The proposed method is able to differentiate each underlying interferogram from each other in an optimal manner. In this paper, we present a method for simultaneously measuring the multiple test surfaces of all underlying interferograms from these superimposed interferograms through the use of a weighted least-square fitting technique. The theoretical analysis of weighted least-square technique and the measurement results will be described in this paper.

Extraction and characterization of mixed phase KNO2-KNO3 nanocrystals derived from flat-leaf green spinach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hazarika, S.; Mohanta, D.

2013-01-01

Naturally available green spinach, which is a rich source of potassium, was used as the key ingredient to extract mixed-phase ferroelectric crystals of nitrite and nitrate derivatives (KNO2 + KNO3). The KNO3 phase was found to be dominant for higher pH values, as revealed by the x-ray diffraction patterns. The characteristic optical absorption spectra exhibited intra-band π-π* electronic transitions, whereas Fourier transform infrared spectra exhibited characteristic N-O stretching vibrations. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed a broad endothermic peak at ˜121.8 °C, highlighting a transition from phase II to I via phase III of KNO3. Obtaining nanoscale ferroelectrics via the adoption of green synthesis is economically viable for large-scale production and possible application in ferroelectric elements/devices.

Power Budget Analysis of Colorless Hybrid WDM/TDM-PON Scheme Using Downstream DPSK and Re-modulated Upstream OOK Data Signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khan, Yousaf; Afridi, Muhammad Idrees; Khan, Ahmed Mudassir; Rehman, Waheed Ur; Khan, Jahanzeb

2014-09-01

Hybrid wavelength-division multiplexed/time-division multiplexed passive optical access networks (WDM/TDM-PONs) combine the advance features of both WDM and TDM PONs to provide a cost-effective access network solution. We demonstrate and analyze the transmission performances and power budget issues of a colorless hybrid WDM/TDM-PON scheme. A 10-Gb/s downstream differential phase shift keying (DPSK) and remodulated upstream on/off keying (OOK) data signals are transmitted over 25 km standard single mode fiber. Simulation results show error free transmission having adequate power margins in both downstream and upstream transmission, which prove the applicability of the proposed scheme to future passive optical access networks. The power budget confines both the PON splitting ratio and the distance between the Optical Line Terminal (OLT) and Optical Network Unit (ONU).

Pulse retrieval algorithm for interferometric frequency-resolved optical gating based on differential evolution.

PubMed

Hyyti, Janne; Escoto, Esmerando; Steinmeyer, Günter

2017-10-01

A novel algorithm for the ultrashort laser pulse characterization method of interferometric frequency-resolved optical gating (iFROG) is presented. Based on a genetic method, namely, differential evolution, the algorithm can exploit all available information of an iFROG measurement to retrieve the complex electric field of a pulse. The retrieval is subjected to a series of numerical tests to prove the robustness of the algorithm against experimental artifacts and noise. These tests show that the integrated error-correction mechanisms of the iFROG method can be successfully used to remove the effect from timing errors and spectrally varying efficiency in the detection. Moreover, the accuracy and noise resilience of the new algorithm are shown to outperform retrieval based on the generalized projections algorithm, which is widely used as the standard method in FROG retrieval. The differential evolution algorithm is further validated with experimental data, measured with unamplified three-cycle pulses from a mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser. Additionally introducing group delay dispersion in the beam path, the retrieval results show excellent agreement with independent measurements with a commercial pulse measurement device based on spectral phase interferometry for direct electric-field retrieval. Further experimental tests with strongly attenuated pulses indicate resilience of differential-evolution-based retrieval against massive measurement noise.

Thermal and structural alternations in CuAlMnNi shape memory alloy by the effect of different pressure applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Canbay, Canan Aksu; Polat, Tercan

2017-09-01

In this work the effects of the applied pressure on the characteristic transformation temperatures, the high temperature order-disorder phase transitions, the variation in diffraction peaks and the surface morphology of the CuAlMnNi shape memory alloy was investigated. The evolution of the transformation temperatures was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) with different heating and cooling rates. The differential thermal analysis measurements were performed to obtain the ordered-disordered phase transformations from room temperature to 900 °C. The characteristic transformation temperatures and the thermodynamic parameters were highly sensitive to variations in the applied pressure and also the applied pressure affected the thermodynamic parameters. The activation energy of the sample according to applied pressure values calculated by Kissinger method. The structural changes of the samples were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements and by optical microscope observations at room temperature.

A new approach for shaping of dual-reflector antennas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Teh-Hong; Burnside, W. D.; Rudduck, Roger C.

1987-01-01

The shaping of 2-D dual-reflector antenna systems to generate a prescribed distribution with uniform phase at the aperture of the second reflector is examined. This method is based on the geometrical nature of Cassegrain and Gregorian dual-reflector antennas. The method of syntheses satisfies the principles of geometrical optics which are the foundations of dual-reflector designs. Instead of setting up differential equations or heuristically designing the subreflector, a set of algebraic equations is formulated and solved numerically to obtain the desired surfaces. The caustics of the reflected rays from the subreflector can be obtained and examined. Several examples of 2-D dual-reflector shaping are shown to validate the study. Geometrical optics and physical optics are used to calculate the scattered fields from the reflectors.

Optical characterization of porcine articular cartilage using a polarimetry technique with differential Mueller matrix formulism.

PubMed

Chang, Ching-Min; Lo, Yu-Lung; Tran, Nghia-Khanh; Chang, Yu-Jen

2018-03-20

A method is proposed for characterizing the optical properties of articular cartilage sliced from a pig's thighbone using a Stokes-Mueller polarimetry technique. The principal axis angle, phase retardance, optical rotation angle, circular diattenuation, diattenuation axis angle, linear diattenuation, and depolarization index properties of the cartilage sample are all decoupled in the proposed analytical model. Consequently, the accuracy and robustness of the extracted results are improved. The glucose concentration, collagen distribution, and scattering properties of samples from various depths of the articular cartilage are systematically explored via an inspection of the related parameters. The results show that the glucose concentration and scattering effect are both enhanced in the superficial region of the cartilage. By contrast, the collagen density increases with an increasing sample depth.

The Precision Formation Flying Integrated Analysis Tool (PFFIAT)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stoneking, Eric; Lyon, Richard G.; Sears, Edie; Lu, Victor

2004-01-01

Several space missions presently in the concept phase (e.g. Stellar Imager, Submillimeter Probe of Evolutionary Cosmic Structure, Terrestrial Planet Finder) plan to use multiple spacecraft flying in precise formation to synthesize unprecedently large aperture optical systems. These architectures present challenges to the attitude and position determination and control system; optical performance is directly coupled to spacecraft pointing with typical control requirements being on the scale of milliarcseconds and nanometers. To investigate control strategies, rejection of environmental disturbances, and sensor and actuator requirements, a capability is needed to model both the dynamical and optical behavior of such a distributed telescope system. This paper describes work ongoing at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center toward the integration of a set of optical analysis tools (Optical System Characterization and Analysis Research software, or OSCAR) with the Formation Flying Test Bed (FFTB). The resulting system is called the Precision Formation Flying Integrated Analysis Tool (PFFIAT), and it provides the capability to simulate closed-loop control of optical systems composed of elements mounted on multiple spacecraft. The attitude and translation spacecraft dynamics are simulated in the FFTB, including effects of the space environment (e.g. solar radiation pressure, differential orbital motion). The resulting optical configuration is then processed by OSCAR to determine an optical image. From this image, wavefront sensing (e.g. phase retrieval) techniques are being developed to derive attitude and position errors. These error signals will be fed back to the spacecraft control systems, completing the control loop. A simple case study is presented to demonstrate the present capabilities of the tool.

The Precision Formation Flying Integrated Analysis Tool (PFFIAT)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stoneking, Eric; Lyon, Richard G.; Sears, Edie; Lu, Victor

2004-01-01

Several space missions presently in the concept phase (e.g. Stellar Imager, Sub- millimeter Probe of Evolutionary Cosmic Structure, Terrestrial Planet Finder) plan to use multiple spacecraft flying in precise formation to synthesize unprecedently large aperture optical systems. These architectures present challenges to the attitude and position determination and control system; optical performance is directly coupled to spacecraft pointing with typical control requirements being on the scale of milliarcseconds and nanometers. To investigate control strategies, rejection of environmental disturbances, and sensor and actuator requirements, a capability is needed to model both the dynamical and optical behavior of such a distributed telescope system. This paper describes work ongoing at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center toward the integration of a set of optical analysis tools (Optical System Characterization and Analysis Research software, or OSCAR) with the Formation J?lying Test Bed (FFTB). The resulting system is called the Precision Formation Flying Integrated Analysis Tool (PFFIAT), and it provides the capability to simulate closed-loop control of optical systems composed of elements mounted on multiple spacecraft. The attitude and translation spacecraft dynamics are simulated in the FFTB, including effects of the space environment (e.g. solar radiation pressure, differential orbital motion). The resulting optical configuration is then processed by OSCAR to determine an optical image. From this image, wavefront sensing (e.g. phase retrieval) techniques are being developed to derive attitude and position errors. These error signals will be fed back to the spacecraft control systems, completing the control loop. A simple case study is presented to demonstrate the present capabilities of the tool.

Physical properties of new binary antiferroelectric liquid crystal mixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fitas, Jakub; Jaworska-Gołąb, Teresa; Deptuch, Aleksandra; Tykarska, Marzena; Kurp, Katarzyna; Żurowska, Magdalena; Marzec, Monika

2018-02-01

Three newly prepared binary mixtures exhibiting chiral tilted smectic phases have been studied using differential scanning calorimetry, dielectric spectroscopy and electro-optic method, as well as X-ray diffraction. Broad temperature range of ferroelectric and antiferroelectric phases was detected in these mixtures and temperature dependence of spontaneous polarization, tilt angle and switching time were measured for all of them. It's occurred that all of the studied mixtures are orthoconic antiferroelectric liquid crystals. Based on the X-ray diffraction results, the temperature dependence of layer thickness in the paraelectric, ferroelectric and antiferroelectric phases was found. By using dielectric spectroscopy, Goldstone mode was identified in the ferroelectric phase, while antiphase fluctuations of azimuthal angle have been found in the antiferroelectric phase. Based on the results of the complementary methods, the transition temperatures were found as well as the order of the para-ferroelectric phase transition was determined as non-continuous one with critical parameter β equal to ca. 0.25.

Temperature-triggered reversible dielectric and nonlinear optical switch based on the one-dimensional organic-inorganic hybrid phase transition compound [C6H11NH3]2CdCl4.

PubMed

Liao, Wei-Qiang; Ye, Heng-Yun; Fu, Da-Wei; Li, Peng-Fei; Chen, Li-Zhuang; Zhang, Yi

2014-10-20

The one-dimensional organic-inorganic hybrid compound bis(cyclohexylammonium) tetrachlorocadmate(II) (1), in which the adjacent infinite [CdCl4]n(-) chains are connected to each other though Cd···Cl weak interactions to form perovskite-type layers of corner-sharing CdCl6 octahedra separated by cyclohexylammonium cation bilayers, was synthesized. It undergoes two successive structural phase transitions, at 215 and 367 K, which were confirmed by systematic characterizations including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements, variable-temperature structural analyses, and dielectric and second harmonic generation (SHG) measurements. A precise structural analysis discloses that the phase transition at 215 K is induced by the disorder-order transition of cyclohexylammonium cations, while the phase transition at 367 K derives from changes in the relative location of Cd atoms. Emphatically, both the dielectric constant and SHG intensity of 1 show a striking change between low and high states at around 367 K, which reveals that 1 might be considered as a potential dielectric and nonlinear optical (NLO) switch with high-temperature response characterization, excellent reversibility, and obvious change of states.

Performance investigation of optical multicast overlay system using orthogonal modulation format

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Simranjit; Singh, Sukhbir; Kaur, Ramandeep; Kaler, R. S.

2015-03-01

We proposed a bandwidth efficient wavelength division multiplexed-passive optical network (WDM-PON) to simultaneously transmit 60 Gb/s unicast and 10 Gb/s multicast services with 10 Gb/s upstream. The differential phase shift keying (DPSK) multicast signal is superimposed onto multiplexed non-return to zero/polarization shift keying (NRZ/PolSK) orthogonal modulated data signals. Upstream amplitude shift keying (ASK) signals formed without use of any additional light source and superimposed onto received unicast NRZ/PolSK signal before being transmitted back to optical line terminal (OLT). We also investigated the proposed WDM-PON system for variable optical input power, transmission distance of single mode fiber in multicast enable and disable mode. The measured Quality factor for all unicast and multicast signal is in acceptable range (>6). The original contribution of this paper is to propose a bandwidth efficient WDM-PON system that could be projected even in high speed scenario at reduced channel spacing and expected to be more technical viable due to use of optical orthogonal modulation formats.

Differential Deposition Technique for Figure Corrections in Grazing Incidence X-ray Optics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kilaru, Kiranmayee; Ramsey, Brian D.; Gubarev, Mikhail

2009-01-01

A differential deposition technique is being developed to correct the low- and mid-spatial-frequency deviations in the axial figure profile of Wolter type grazing incidence X-ray optics. These deviations arise due to various factors in the fabrication process and they degrade the performance of the optics by limiting the achievable angular resolution. In the differential deposition technique, material of varying thickness is selectively deposited along the length of the optic to minimize these deviations, thereby improving the overall figure. High resolution focusing optics being developed at MSFC for small animal radionuclide imaging are being coated to test the differential deposition technique. The required spatial resolution for these optics is 100 m. This base resolution is achievable with the regular electroform-nickel-replication fabrication technique used at MSFC. However, by improving the figure quality of the optics through differential deposition, we aim at significantly improving the resolution beyond this value.

Quantitative X-ray Differential Interference Contrast Microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakamura, Takashi

Full-field soft x-ray microscopes are widely used in many fields of sciences. Advances in nanofabrication technology enabled short wavelength focusing elements with significantly improved spatial resolution. In the soft x-ray spectral region, samples as small as 12 nm can be resolved using micro zone-plates as the objective lens. In addition to conventional x-ray microscopy in which x-ray absorption difference provides the image contrast, phase contrast mechanisms such as differential phase contrast (DIC) and Zernike phase contrast have also been demonstrated These phase contrast imaging mechanisms are especially attractive at the x-ray wavelengths where phase contrast of most materials is typically 10 times stronger than the absorption contrast. With recent progresses in plasma-based x- ray sources and increasing accessibility to synchrotron user facilities, x-ray microscopes are quickly becoming standard measurement equipment in the laboratory. To further the usefulness of x-ray DIC microscopy this thesis explicitly addresses three known issues with this imaging modality by introducing new techniques and devices First, as opposed to its visible-light counterpart, no quantitative phase imaging technique exists for x-ray DIC microscopy. To address this issue, two nanoscale x-ray quantitative phase imaging techniques, using exclusive OR (XOR) patterns and zone-plate doublets, respectively, are proposed. Unlike existing x-ray quantitative phase imaging techniques such as Talbot interferometry and ptychography, no dedicated experimental setups or stringent illumination coherence are needed for quantitative phase retrieval. Second, to the best of our knowledge, no quantitative performance characterization of DIC microscopy exists to date. Therefore the imaging system's response to sample's spatial frequency is not known In order to gain in-depth understanding of this imaging modality, performance of x-ray DIC microscopy is quantified using modulation transfer function. A new illumination apparatus required for the transfer function analysis under partially coherent illumination is also proposed. Such a characterization is essential for a proper selection of DIC optics for various transparent samples under study. Finally, optical elements used for x-ray DIC microscopy are highly absorptive and high brilliance x-ray sources such as synchrotrons are generally needed for image contrast. To extend the use of x-ray DIC microscopy to a wider variety of applications, a high efficiency large numerical aperture optical element consisting of high reflective Bragg reflectors is proposed. Using Bragg reflectors, which have 70% ˜99% reflectivity at extreme ultraviolet and soft x-rays for all angles of glancing incidence, the first order focusing efficiency is expected to increase by ˜ 8 times compared to that of a typical Fresnel zone-plate. This thesis contributes to current nanoscale x-ray phase contrast imaging research and provides new insights for biological, material, and magnetic sciences

Experimental demonstration of tri-aperture Differential Synthetic Aperture Ladar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Zhilong; Huang, Jianyu; Wu, Shudong; Wang, Kunpeng; Bai, Tao; Dai, Ze; Kong, Xinyi; Wu, Jin

2017-04-01

A tri-aperture Differential Synthetic Aperture Ladar (DSAL) is demonstrated in laboratory, which is configured by using one common aperture to transmit the illuminating laser and another two along-track receiving apertures to collect back-scattered laser signal for optical heterodyne detection. The image formation theory on this tri-aperture DSAL shows that there are two possible methods to reconstruct the azimuth Phase History Data (PHD) for aperture synthesis by following standard DSAL principle, either method resulting in a different matched filter as well as an azimuth image resolution. The experimental setup of the tri-aperture DSAL adopts a frequency chirped laser of about 40 mW in 1550 nm wavelength range as the illuminating source and an optical isolator composed of a polarizing beam-splitter and a quarter wave plate to virtually line the three apertures in the along-track direction. Various DSAL images up to target distance of 12.9 m are demonstrated using both PHD reconstructing methods.

Higher-order stochastic differential equations and the positive Wigner function

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drummond, P. D.

2017-12-01

General higher-order stochastic processes that correspond to any diffusion-type tensor of higher than second order are obtained. The relationship of multivariate higher-order stochastic differential equations with tensor decomposition theory and tensor rank is explained. Techniques for generating the requisite complex higher-order noise are proved to exist either using polar coordinates and γ distributions, or from products of Gaussian variates. This method is shown to allow the calculation of the dynamics of the Wigner function, after it is extended to a complex phase space. The results are illustrated physically through dynamical calculations of the positive Wigner distribution for three-mode parametric downconversion, widely used in quantum optics. The approach eliminates paradoxes arising from truncation of the higher derivative terms in Wigner function time evolution. Anomalous results of negative populations and vacuum scattering found in truncated Wigner quantum simulations in quantum optics and Bose-Einstein condensate dynamics are shown not to occur with this type of stochastic theory.

Real-time optical laboratory solution of parabolic differential equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Casasent, David; Jackson, James

1988-01-01

An optical laboratory matrix-vector processor is used to solve parabolic differential equations (the transient diffusion equation with two space variables and time) by an explicit algorithm. This includes optical matrix-vector nonbase-2 encoded laboratory data, the combination of nonbase-2 and frequency-multiplexed data on such processors, a high-accuracy optical laboratory solution of a partial differential equation, new data partitioning techniques, and a discussion of a multiprocessor optical matrix-vector architecture.

Application of Nondestructive Testing Techniques to Materials Testing.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-12-01

microscopy gives little quanti- image the center place of the Bragg cell to the back focal tative information on surface height. Nomarski differential...case we can write our technique in a shot-noise limited system, intensity (i2) f 2qloB = 2q 2 7PB measurements can yield interferometric accuracies. nh...comparable in sensitivity to OPTICAL AXIS phase-dependent interferometric techniques. Thedo--i thicknesses of photoresist films have been measured to f_

Liquid crystal 'blue phases' with a wide temperature range.

PubMed

Coles, Harry J; Pivnenko, Mikhail N

2005-08-18

Liquid crystal 'blue phases' are highly fluid self-assembled three-dimensional cubic defect structures that exist over narrow temperature ranges in highly chiral liquid crystals. The characteristic period of these defects is of the order of the wavelength of visible light, and they give rise to vivid specular reflections that are controllable with external fields. Blue phases may be considered as examples of tuneable photonic crystals with many potential applications. The disadvantage of these materials, as predicted theoretically and proved experimentally, is that they have limited thermal stability: they exist over a small temperature range (0.5-2 degrees C) between isotropic and chiral nematic (N*) thermotropic phases, which limits their practical applicability. Here we report a generic family of liquid crystals that demonstrate an unusually broad body-centred cubic phase (BP I*) from 60 degrees C down to 16 degrees C. We prove this with optical texture analysis, selective reflection spectroscopy, Kössel diagrams and differential scanning calorimetry, and show, using a simple polarizer-free electro-optic cell, that the reflected colour is switched reversibly in applied electric fields over a wide colour range in typically 10 ms. We propose that the unusual behaviour of these blue phase materials is due to their dimeric molecular structure and their very high flexoelectric coefficients. This in turn sets out new theoretical challenges and potentially opens up new photonic applications.

Method and apparatus for optical phase error correction

DOEpatents

DeRose, Christopher; Bender, Daniel A.

2014-09-02

The phase value of a phase-sensitive optical device, which includes an optical transport region, is modified by laser processing. At least a portion of the optical transport region is exposed to a laser beam such that the phase value is changed from a first phase value to a second phase value, where the second phase value is different from the first phase value. The portion of the optical transport region that is exposed to the laser beam can be a surface of the optical transport region or a portion of the volume of the optical transport region. In an embodiment of the invention, the phase value of the optical device is corrected by laser processing. At least a portion of the optical transport region is exposed to a laser beam until the phase value of the optical device is within a specified tolerance of a target phase value.

1,2,4-oxadiazole-based bent-core liquid crystals with cybotactic nematic phases.

PubMed

Shanker, Govindaswamy; Prehm, Marko; Nagaraj, Mamatha; Vij, Jagdish K; Weyland, Marvin; Eremin, Alexey; Tschierske, Carsten

2014-05-19

Several series of bent-core mesogens derived from 3,5-diphenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole with or without lateral groups and with different length terminal chains at both ends, and polycatenar molecules with three to six alkoxy chains are synthesized and their mesomorphic behaviour is investigated by polarizing microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), dielectric, electro-optical and second-harmonic generation (SHG) experiments. Most compounds exhibit broad regions of skewed cybotactic nematic (NcybC ) and tilted smectic (SmC) phases with a strong tilt of the aromatic cores (up to 63°), but non-tilted SmA and NcybA phases are also observed for a compound that has only one terminal chain. The XRD patterns of the nematic phases of most of the compounds investigated indicate a 2D periodicity with short correlation length in the magnetically aligned samples. This is of importance for the general interpretation of the small-angle XRD splitting patterns typically observed for aligned samples of bent-core nematic phases. In most nematic phases one current peak is observed in the half period of an applied electric field, though no coherent signal is found in the SHG experiments. Based on additional electro-optical and dielectric results, the nematic phases are considered to be cybotactic nematic phases with local polar order, and show a dielectric reorientation of the polar domains. Only chiral nematic phases (NcybC *), but not blue phases, are obtained for compounds with one or two chiral (3S)-3,7-dimethyloctyloxy tail(s). © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The characteristics of grating structure in magnetic field measurements based on polarization properties of fiber gratings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Yang; Peng, Hui; Feng, Kui; Li, Yu-quan

2009-11-01

In this paper the characteristics of grating structure in magnetic field measurements based on differential group delay of fiber gratings are analyzed. Theoretical simulations are realized using the coupled-mode theory and transfer matrix method. The effects of grating parameters of uniform Bragg grating on measurement range and sensitivity are analyzed. The impacts of chirped, phase-shifted and apodized gratings on DGD peak values are also monitored. FBG transmitted spectrums and DGD spectrums are recorded by means of an optical vector analyzer (OVA). Both the simulations and experiments demonstrate that the phase-shifted gratings can obviously improve the sensitivity.

Detecting topological phases in silicene by anomalous Nernst effect

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xu, Yafang; Zhou, Xingfei; Jin, Guojun, E-mail: gjin@nju.edu.cn

2016-05-16

Silicene undergoes various topological phases under the interplay of intrinsic spin-orbit coupling, perpendicular electric field, and off-resonant light. We propose that the abundant topological phases can be distinguished by measuring the Nernst conductivity even at room temperature, and their phase boundaries can be determined by differentiating the charge and spin Nernst conductivities. By modulating the electric and light fields, pure spin polarized, valley polarized, and even spin-valley polarized Nernst currents can be generated. As Nernst conductivity is zero for linear polarized light, silicene can act as an optically controlled spin and valley field-effect transistor. Similar investigations can be extended frommore » silicene to germanene and stanene, and a comparison is made for the anomalous thermomagnetic figure of merits between them. These results will facilitate potential applications in spin and valley caloritronics.« less

An AWG-based 10 Gbit/s colorless WDM-PON system using a chirp-managed directly modulated laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Latif, Abdul; Yu, Chong-xiu; Xin, Xiang-jun; Husain, Aftab; Hussain, Ashiq; Munir, Abid; Khan, Yousaf

2012-09-01

We propose an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG)-based 10 Gbit/s per channel full duplex wavelength division multiplexing passive optical network (WDM-PON). A chirp managed directly modulated laser with return-to-zero (RZ) differential phase shift keying (DPSK) modulation technique is utilized for downlink (DL) direction, and then the downlink signal is re-modulated for the uplink (UL) direction using intensity modulation technique with the data rate of 10 Gbit/s per channel. A successful WDM-PON transmission operation with the data rate of 10 Gbit/s per channel over a distance of 25 km without any optical amplification or dispersion compensation is demonstrated with low power penalty.

X-ray phase scanning setup for non-destructive testing using Talbot-Lau interferometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bachche, S.; Nonoguchi, M.; Kato, K.; Kageyama, M.; Koike, T.; Kuribayashi, M.; Momose, A.

2016-09-01

X-ray grating interferometry has a great potential for X-ray phase imaging over conventional X-ray absorption imaging which does not provide significant contrast for weakly absorbing objects and soft biological tissues. X-ray Talbot and Talbot-Lau interferometers which are composed of transmission gratings and measure the differential X-ray phase shifts have gained popularity because they operate with polychromatic beams. In X-ray radiography, especially for nondestructive testing in industrial applications, the feasibility of continuous sample scanning is not yet completely revealed. A scanning setup is frequently advantageous when compared to a direct 2D static image acquisition in terms of field of view, exposure time, illuminating radiation, etc. This paper demonstrates an efficient scanning setup for grating-based Xray phase imaging using laboratory-based X-ray source. An apparatus consisting of an X-ray source that emits X-rays vertically, optical gratings and a photon-counting detector was used with which continuously moving objects across the field of view as that of conveyor belt system can be imaged. The imaging performance of phase scanner was tested by scanning a long continuous moving sample at a speed of 5 mm/s and absorption, differential-phase and visibility images were generated by processing non-uniform moire movie with our specially designed phase measurement algorithm. A brief discussion on the feasibility of phase scanner with scanning setup approach including X-ray phase imaging performance is reported. The successful results suggest a breakthrough for scanning objects those are moving continuously on conveyor belt system non-destructively using the scheme of X-ray phase imaging.

Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals: Synthesis and Thermal Behavior of Optically Active, Three-Ring Schiff Bases and Salicylaldimines.

PubMed

Veerabhadraswamy, Bhyranalyar N; Rao, Doddamane S Shankar; Yelamaggad, Channabasaveshwar V

2018-04-16

The chiral ferroelectric smectic C (SmC*) phase, characterized by a helical superstructure, has been well exploited in developing high-resolution microdisplays that have been effectively employed in the fabrication of a wide varieties of portable devices. Although, an overwhelming number of optically active (chiral) liquid crystals (LCs) exhibiting a SmC* phase have been designed and synthesized, the search for new systems continues so as to realize mesogens capable of meeting technical necessities and specifications for their end-use. In continuation of our research work in this direction, herein we report the design, synthesis, and thermal behavior of twenty new optically active, three-ring calamitic LCs belonging to four series. The first two series comprise five pairs of enantiomeric Schiff bases whereas the other two series are composed of five pairs of enantiomeric salicylaldimines. In each pair of optical isomers, the configuration of a chiral center in one stereoisomer is opposite to that of the analogous center in the other isomer as they are derived from (3 S)-3,7-dimethyloctyloxy and (3 R)-3,7-dimethyloctyloxy tails. To probe the structure-property correlations in each series, the length of the n-alkoxy tail situated at the other end of the mesogens has been varied from n-octyloxy to n-dodecyloxy. The measurement of optical activity of these chiral mesogens was carried out by recording their specific rotations. As expected, enantiomers rotate plane polarized light in the opposite direction but by the same magnitude. The thermal behavior of the compounds was established by using a combination of optical polarizing microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and powder X-ray diffraction. These complementary techniques demonstrate the existence of the expected, thermodynamically stable, chiral smectic C (SmC*) LC phase besides blue phase I/II (BPI or BPII) and chiral nematic (N*) phase. However, as noted in our previous analogous study, the vast majority of the Schiff bases show an additional metastable, unfamiliar smectic (SmX) phase just below the SmC* phase. Notably, the SmC* phase persists over the temperature range ≈80-115 °C. Two mesogens chosen each from Schiff bases and salicylaldimines were investigated for their electrical switching behavior. The study reveals the ferroelectric switching characteristics of the SmC* phase featuring the spontaneous polarization (P S ) in the range 69-96 nC cm -2 . The helical twist sense of the SmC* phase as well as the N* phase formed by a pair of enantiomeric Schiff bases and salicylaldimines has been established with the help of circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic technique. As expected, the SmC* and the N* phase of a pair of enantiomers showed mirror image CD signals. Most importantly, the reversal of helical handedness from left to right and vice versa has been evidenced during the N* to SmC* phase transition, implying that the screw sense of the helical array of the N* phase and the SmC* phase of an enantiomer is opposite. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Quantitative orientation-independent differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shribak, Michael; LaFountain, James; Biggs, David; Inoué, Shinya

2007-02-01

We describe a new DIC technique, which records phase gradients within microscopic specimens independently of their orientation. The proposed system allows the generation of images representing the distribution of dry mass (optical path difference) in the specimen. Unlike in other forms of interference microscopes, this approach does not require a narrow illuminating cone. The orientation-independent differential interference contrast (OI-DIC) system can also be combined with orientation-independent polarization (OI-Pol) measurements to yield two complementary images: one showing dry mass distribution (which is proportional to refractive index) and the other showing distribution of birefringence (due to structural or internal anisotropy). With a model specimen used for this work -- living spermatocytes from the crane fly, Nephrotoma suturalis --- the OI-DIC image clearly reveals the detailed shape of the chromosomes while the polarization image quantitatively depicts the distribution of the birefringent microtubules in the spindle, both without any need for staining or other modifications of the cell. We present examples of a pseudo-color combined image incorporating both orientation-independent DIC and polarization images of a spermatocyte at diakinesis and metaphase of meiosis I. Those images provide clear evidence that the proposed technique can reveal fine architecture and molecular organization in live cells without perturbation associated with staining or fluorescent labeling. The phase image was obtained using optics having a numerical aperture 1.4, thus achieving a level of resolution never before achieved with any interference microscope.

X-ray study of mesomorphism of bent-core and chromonic mesogens

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joshi, Leela Pradhan

The discovery of thermotropic biaxial nematic phase in bent-core mesogens, have engendered interest in these systems. Also, it undergoes optical switching about 100 times faster than conventional uniaxial nematic liquid crystal. Azo-substituted bent-core compounds, A131 and A103, were investigated as both offer an opportunity to observe their structures and phase transitions from the uniaxial nematic (Nu) to biaxial nematic (Nb) phase and from Nb to the underlying smectic-C (SmC) phase. Plank-like molecular systems are also expected to form Nb phase. Chromonic liquid crystals formed by aqueous solutions of plank-like dye molecules are interesting for their unique self-assembly and structural evolution. They have applications in optical element, coloring in food and textiles, and etc. Both systems were investigated with synchrotron x-ray scattering, polarizing optical microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. Temperature dependence of d-spacing and positional order correlations along the director clearly mark the phase boundaries where Nu-Nb transition was approximately 27° below the clearing point. Positional order correlation length of A131 increased from 1.5 in Nu to 3.3 molecular lengths in Nb phase, before it jumps by a factor of at least 5 in SmC phase. The lack of large discontinuous changes in the structural parameters and the subtle signatures in heat capacity establish the second order nature of Nu-Nb and Nb-SmC phase transitions. The chromonic system investigation results provide quantitative information of structural properties in nematic and columnar mesophases. We studied water solutions of (achiral) sunset yellow dye and (chiral and achiral) dihydrochloride salts of perylenebis-dicarboxydiimide. Positional order correlation lengths measurements, parallel and perpendicular to the aggregate axis, revealed that they increase with concentration and decrease with temperature. Temperature dependence of correlation lengths yielded the scission energy to be 1.8 (+/-0.1) x10-20J and 1.5 (+/-0.08) x10-20J in the nematic and columnar phases. The aggregates' small aspect ratio (2.5) is inconsistent with the Onsager model for the formation of an orientationally ordered phase, which strongly suggests more complicated aggregate-shape than simple cylindrical objects as postulated by Laventovich, et al.

Resolving the optical anisotropy of low-symmetry 2D materials.

PubMed

Shen, Wanfu; Hu, Chunguang; Tao, Jin; Liu, Jun; Fan, Shuangqing; Wei, Yaxu; An, Chunhua; Chen, Jiancui; Wu, Sen; Li, Yanning; Liu, Jing; Zhang, Daihua; Sun, Lidong; Hu, Xiaotang

2018-05-03

Optical anisotropy is one of the most fundamental physical characteristics of emerging low-symmetry two-dimensional (2D) materials. It provides abundant structural information and is crucial for creating diverse nanoscale devices. Here, we have proposed an azimuth-resolved microscopic approach to directly resolve the normalized optical difference along two orthogonal directions at normal incidence. The differential principle ensures that the approach is only sensitive to anisotropic samples and immune to isotropic materials. We studied the optical anisotropy of bare and encapsulated black phosphorus (BP) and unveiled the interference effect on optical anisotropy, which is critical for practical applications in optical and optoelectronic devices. A multi-phase model based on the scattering matrix method was developed to account for the interference effect and then the crystallographic directions were unambiguously determined. Our result also suggests that the optical anisotropy is a probe to measure the thickness with monolayer resolution. Furthermore, the optical anisotropy of rhenium disulfide (ReS2), another class of anisotropic 2D materials, with a 1T distorted crystal structure, was investigated, which demonstrates that our approach is suitable for other anisotropic 2D materials. This technique is ideal for optical anisotropy characterization and will inspire future efforts in BP and related anisotropic 2D nanomaterials for engineering new conceptual nanodevices.

Sensitive ultrasonic vibrometer for very low frequency applications.

PubMed

Cretin, B; Vairac, P; Jachez, N; Pergaud, J

2007-08-01

Ultrasonic measurement of distance is a well-known low cost method but only a few vibrometers have been developed because sensitivity, spatial resolution, and bandwidth are not high or wide enough for standard laboratory applications. Nevertheless, compared to optical vibrometers, two interesting properties should be considered: very low frequency noise (0.1 Hz to 1 kHz) is reduced and the long wavelength enables rough surfaces to be investigated. Moreover, the ultrasonic probe is a differential sensor, without being a mechanical load for the vibrating structure as usual accelerometers based on contacting transducers are. The main specificity of the presented probe is its ultralow noise electronics including a 3/2 order phase locked loop which extracts the phase modulation related to the amplitude of the detected vibration. This article presents the main useful physical aspects and details of the actual probe. The given application is the measurement of the vibration of an isolated optical bench excited at very low frequency with an electromagnetic transducer.

Synthesis, crystal growth and characterization of a phase matchable nonlinear optical single crystal: p-chloro dibenzylideneacetone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ravindra, H. J.; John Kiran, A.; Nooji, Satheesha Rai; Dharmaprakash, S. M.; Chandrasekharan, K.; Kalluraya, Balakrishna; Rotermund, Fabian

2008-05-01

Good quality single crystals of p-chloro dibenzylideneacetone (CDBA) of size 13 mm×8 mm×2 mm were grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique. The grown crystals were confirmed by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. From the thermo gravimetric/differential thermal (TG/DT) analysis, the CDBA was found to be thermally stable up to 250 °C. The mechanical stability of the crystal is comparable with that of the other reported chalcones. The lower optical cut-off wavelength for this crystal was observed at 440 nm. The laser damage threshold of the crystal was 0.6 GW/cm 2 at 532 nm. The second harmonic generation conversion efficiency of the powder sample of CDBA was found to be 4.5 times greater than that of urea. We also demonstrate the existence of the phase matching property in this crystal using Kurtz powder technique.

Effect of core twisting on self-assembly and optical properties of perylene bisimide dyes in solution and columnar liquid crystalline phases.

PubMed

Chen, Zhijian; Baumeister, Ute; Tschierske, Carsten; Würthner, Frank

2007-01-01

A series of highly soluble and fluorescent core-twisted perylene bisimide dyes (PBIs) 3 a-f with different substituents at the bay area (1,6,7,12 positions of the perylene core) were synthesized and fully characterized by (1)H NMR, UV/Vis spectroscopy, MS spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The pi-pi aggregation properties of these new functional dyes were investigated in detail both in solution and in condensed phase by UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, vapor pressure osmometry (VPO), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM), and X-ray diffraction. Concentration-dependent UV/Vis measurements and VPO analysis revealed that these core-twisted pi-conjugated systems show distinct self-dimerization equilibria in apolar solvent methylcyclohexane (MCH) with dimerization constants between 1.3x10(4) and 30 M(-1). The photoluminescence spectra of the dimers of PBIs 3 a-f exhibit bathochromic shifts of quite different magnitude which could be attributed to different longitudinal or rotational offsets between the dyes as well as differences in the respective pi-pi stacking distance. In condensed state, quite a few of these PBIs form luminescent rectangular or hexagonal columnar liquid crystalline phases with low isotropization temperatures. The effects of the distortion of the pi systems on their pi-pi stacking and the optical properties of the resultant stacks in solution and in LC phases have been explored in detail. In one case (3 a) a particularly interesting phase change from crystalline into liquid crystalline could be observed upon annealing that was accompanied by a transformation from non-fluorescent H-type into strongly fluorescent J-type packing of the dyes.

Structural and optical properties of Na-doped ZnO films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akcan, D.; Gungor, A.; Arda, L.

2018-06-01

Zn1-xNaxO (x = 0.0-0.05) solutions have been synthesized by the sol-gel technique using Zinc acetate dihydrate and Sodium acetate which were dissolved into solvent and chelating agent. Na-doped ZnO nanoparticles were obtained from solutions to find phase and crystal structure. Na-doped ZnO films have been deposited onto glass substrate by using sol-gel dip coating system. The effects of dopant concentration on the structure, morphology, and optical properties of Na-doped ZnO thin films deposited on glass substrate are investigated. Characterization of Zn1-xNaxO nanoparticles and thin films are examined using differential thermal analysis (DTA)/thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-Ray diffractometer (XRD). Optical properties of Zn1-xNaxO thin films were obtained by using PG Instruments UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer in 190-1100 nm range. The structure, morphology, and optical properties of thin films are presented.

Absolute calibration of optical flats

DOEpatents

Sommargren, Gary E.

2005-04-05

The invention uses the phase shifting diffraction interferometer (PSDI) to provide a true point-by-point measurement of absolute flatness over the surface of optical flats. Beams exiting the fiber optics in a PSDI have perfect spherical wavefronts. The measurement beam is reflected from the optical flat and passed through an auxiliary optic to then be combined with the reference beam on a CCD. The combined beams include phase errors due to both the optic under test and the auxiliary optic. Standard phase extraction algorithms are used to calculate this combined phase error. The optical flat is then removed from the system and the measurement fiber is moved to recombine the two beams. The newly combined beams include only the phase errors due to the auxiliary optic. When the second phase measurement is subtracted from the first phase measurement, the absolute phase error of the optical flat is obtained.

Vapor-phase infrared spectroscopy on solid organic compounds with a pulsed resonant photoacoustic detection scheme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bartlome, Richard; Fischer, Cornelia; Sigrist, Markus W.

2005-08-01

There is a great need for a low cost and sensitive method to measure infrared spectra of solid organic compounds in the gas phase. To record such spectra, we propose an optical parametric generator-based photoacoustic spectrometer, which emits in the mid-infrared fingerprint region between 3 and 4 microns. In this system, the sample is heated in a vessel before entering a home built photoacoustic cell, where the gaseous molecules are excited by a tunable laser source with a frequency repetition rate that matches the first longitudinal resonance frequency of the photocaoustic cell. In a first phase, we have focused on low-melting point stimulants such as Nikethamide, Mephentermine sulfate, Methylephedrine, Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine. The vapor-phase spectra of these doping substances were measured between 2800 and 3100 cm-1, where fundamental C-H stretching vibrations take place. Our spectra show notable differences with commercially available condensed phase spectra. Our scheme enables to measure very low vapor pressures of low-melting point (<160 °C) solid organic compounds. Furthermore, the optical resolution of 8 cm-1 is good enough to distinguish closely related chemical structures such as the Ephedra alkaloids Ephedrine and Methylephedrine, but doesn't allow to differentiate diastereoisomeric pairs such as Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine, two important neurotransmitters which reveal different biological activities. Therefore, higher resolution and a system capable of measuring organic compounds with higher melting points are required.

Thermotropic phase behavior of choline soaps.

PubMed

Klein, Regina; Dutton, Helen; Diat, Olivier; Tiddy, Gordon J T; Kunz, Werner

2011-04-14

Choline carboxylates (ChCm with m = 12-18) are simple biocompatible anionic surfactants with very low Krafft temperatures, possessing a rich aqueous phase behavior. In the present work, we have investigated the thermotropic mesomorphism of anhydrous ChCm salts for m = 12-18. Transition temperatures and enthalpies determined by differential scanning calorimetry reveal that all investigated compounds exhibit three different phases between -20 and 95 °C. The phases were further characterized by optical polarizing microscopy, NMR spin-spin relaxation, and X-ray scattering measurements. The nature of the phases was identified with increasing temperature as crystalline, semicrystalline, and liquid-crystalline lamellar. Even long-chain choline carboxylates (m = 18) were found to melt into a lamellar liquid-crystalline phase below 100 °C. Accordingly, with choline as counterion in simple fatty acid soaps, not only the water solubility is considerably enhanced but also the melting points are substantially reduced, hence facilitating thermotropic mesomorphism at temperatures between 35 and 95 °C. Thus, simple choline soaps with m = 12-18 may be classified as ionic liquids.

Improving X-Ray Optics via Differential Deposition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kilaru, Kiranmayee; Ramsey, Brian D.; Atkins, Carolyn

2017-01-01

Differential deposition, a post-fabrication figure correction technique, has the potential to significantly improve the imaging quality of grazing-incidence X-ray optics. DC magnetron sputtering is used to selectively coat the mirror in order to minimize the figure deviations. Custom vacuum chambers have been developed at NASA MSFC that will enable the implementation of the deposition on X-ray optics. A factor of two improvement has been achieved in the angular resolution of the full-shell X-ray optics with first stage correction of differential deposition. Current efforts are focused on achieving higher improvements through efficient implementation of differential deposition.

Multi-rate DPSK optical transceivers for free-space applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caplan, D. O.; Carney, J. J.; Fitzgerald, J. J.; Gaschits, I.; Kaminsky, R.; Lund, G.; Hamilton, S. A.; Magliocco, R. J.; Murphy, R. J.; Rao, H. G.; Spellmeyer, N. W.; Wang, J. P.

2014-03-01

We describe a flexible high-sensitivity laser communication transceiver design that can significantly benefit performance and cost of NASA's satellite-based Laser Communications Relay Demonstration. Optical communications using differential phase shift keying, widely deployed for use in long-haul fiber-optic networks, is well known for its superior sensitivity and link performance over on-off keying, while maintaining a relatively straightforward design. However, unlike fiber-optic links, free-space applications often require operation over a wide dynamic range of power due to variations in link distance and channel conditions, which can include rapid kHz-class fading when operating through the turbulent atmosphere. Here we discuss the implementation of a robust, near-quantum-limited multi-rate DPSK transceiver, co-located transmitter and receiver subsystems that can operate efficiently over the highly-variable free-space channel. Key performance features will be presented on the master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) based TX, including a wavelength-stabilized master laser, high-extinction-ratio burst-mode modulator, and 0.5 W single polarization power amplifier, as well as low-noise optically preamplified DSPK receiver and built-in test capabilities.

The relationship between structural and optical properties of Se-Ge-As glasses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghayebloo, M.; Rezvani, M.; Tavoosi, M.

2018-05-01

In this study, the structural and optical characterization of bulk Se-Ge-As glasses has been investigated. In this regards, six different Se60Ge40-xAsx (0 ≤ x ≤ 25) glasses were prepared by conventional melt quenching technique in quartz ampoule. The produced samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis (DTA), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The fundamental absorption edge for all the glasses was analyzed in terms of the theory proposed by Davis and Mott. According to achieved results, fully amorphous phase can easily form in different Se-Ge-As systems. The thermal and optical characteristic of Se60Ge40-xAsx glasses shows anomalous behavior at 5 mol% of As for the glass transition temperature, transmittance, absorption edge, optical energy gap and Urbach energy. The highest glass transition temperature, transmittance, optical energy gap and Urbach energy properties were achieved in Se60Ge35As5 glass as a result of the highest connectivity of cations and anions in glass network.

Phase change studies in Se85In15-xZnx chalcogenide thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Srivastava, Archana; Tiwari, S. N.; Alvi, M. A.; Khan, Shamshad A.

2018-03-01

This research work describes the phase change studies in Se85In15-xZnx thin films at various annealing temperatures. Glassy samples of Se85In15-xZnx were synthesized by the melt quenching method and thin films of thickness 400 nm were prepared by the vacuum evaporation technique on a glass/Si wafer substrate. The glass transition temperature (Tg) and the on-set crystallization temperature (Tc) of the prepared alloys were evaluated by non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry studies. Thin films were annealed at three temperatures 330 K, 340 K, and 350 K (which are in between Tg and Tc of the synthesized samples) in a vacuum furnace for 2 h. High resolution X-ray diffraction studies demonstrate that the as-prepared films are amorphous in nature whereas the annealed films are of crystalline/polycrystalline in nature. Field emission scanning electron microscopy studies of thin films (as-deposited and crystallized) confirm the phase transformation in Se85In15-xZnx thin films. Optical band gaps were calculated from the Tauc's extrapolation procedure and were found to be enhanced with the Zn concentration and decrease with the increasing annealing temperature. Various optical parameters were evaluated for as-prepared and annealed Se85In15-xZnx thin films. The changes in optical parameters with annealing temperature were described on the basis of structural relaxation as well as changes in defect states and density of localized states during amorphous to crystalline phase transformation in Se85In15-xZnx thin films.

Performance Evaluation and Nonlinear Mitigation through DQPSK Modulation in 32 × 40 Gbps Long-Haul DWDM Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharan, Lucky; Agrawal, Vaibhav M.; Chaubey, V. K.

2017-08-01

Higher spectral efficiency and greater data rate per channel are the most cost-effective strategies to meet the exponential demand of data traffic in the optical core network. Multilevel modulation formats being spectrally efficient enhance the transmission capacity by coding information in the amplitude, phase, polarization or a combination of all. This paper presents the design architecture of a 32-channel dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) system, where each channel operates with multi-level phase modulation formats at 40 Gbps. The proposed design has been simulated for 50 GHz channel spacing to numerically compute the performance of both differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) and differential quadrature phase-shift keying (DQPSK) modulation formats in such high-speed DWDM system. The transmission link is analyzed with perfect dispersion compensation and also with under-compensation scheme. The link performance in terms of quality factor (Q) for varying input powers with different dispersion compensation schemes has been evaluated. The simulation study shows significant nonlinear mitigation for both DPSK- and DQPSK-based DWDM systems up to 1,000 km and beyond. It is concluded that at higher power levels DQPSK format having a narrower spectrum shows better tolerance to dispersion and nonlinearities than DPSK format.

A WDM-PON with DPSK modulated downstream and OOK modulated upstream signals based on symmetric 10 Gbit/s wavelength reused bidirectional reflective SOA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Nahal, Fady I.

2017-01-01

We investigate a wavelength-division-multiplexing passive optical network (WDM-PON) with centralized lightwave and direct detection. The system is demonstrated for symmetric 10 Gbit/s differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) downstream signals and on-off keying (OOK) upstream signals, respectively. A wavelength reused scheme is employed to carry the upstream data by using a reflective semiconductor optical amplifier (RSOA) as an intensity modulator at the optical network unit (ONU). The constant-intensity property of the DPSK modulation format can keep high extinction ratio ( ER) of downstream signal and reduce the crosstalk to the upstream signal. The bit error rate ( BER) performance of our scheme shows that the proposed 10 Gbit/s symmetric WDM-PON can achieve error free transmission over 25-km-long fiber transmission with low power penalty.

All optical coherent receiver for self-homodyne detection of digitally phase modulated optical signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiasaleh, Kamran

1994-02-01

A novel optical phase-locked loop (OPLL) system for the self-homodyne detection of digitally phase modulated optical signals is introduced. A Mach-Zehnder type interferometer is used to self-homodyne binary phase-modulated optical signals with an external phase modulator inserted in the control arm of the interferometer.

Critical temperature transitions in laser-mediated cartilage reshaping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wong, Brian J.; Milner, Thomas E.; Kim, Hong H.; Telenkov, Sergey A.; Chew, Clifford; Kuo, Timothy C.; Smithies, Derek J.; Sobol, Emil N.; Nelson, J. Stuart

1998-07-01

In this study, we attempted to determine the critical temperature [Tc] at which accelerated stress relaxation occurred during laser mediated cartilage reshaping. During laser irradiation, mechanically deformed cartilage tissue undergoes a temperature dependent phase transformation which results in accelerated stress relaxation. When a critical temperature is attained, cartilage becomes malleable and may be molded into complex new shapes that harden as the tissue cools. Clinically, reshaped cartilage tissue can be used to recreate the underlying cartilaginous framework of structures such as the ear, larynx, trachea, and nose. The principal advantages of using laser radiation for the generation of thermal energy in tissue are precise control of both the space-time temperature distribution and time- dependent thermal denaturation kinetics. Optimization of the reshaping process requires identification of the temperature dependence of this phase transformation and its relationship to observed changes in cartilage optical, mechanical, and thermodynamic properties. Light scattering, infrared radiometry, and modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) were used to measure temperature dependent changes in the biophysical properties of cartilage tissue during fast (laser mediated) and slow (conventional calorimetric) heating. Our studies using MDSC and laser probe techniques have identified changes in cartilage thermodynamic and optical properties suggestive of a phase transformation occurring near 60 degrees Celsius.

Dynamics of the magneto structural phase transition in La(Fe{sub 0.9}Co{sub 0.015}Si{sub 0.085}){sub 13} observed by magneto-optical imaging

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kuepferling, M., E-mail: m.kuepferling@inrim.it; Basso, V.; Bennati, C.

2014-05-07

We investigate the temperature induced ferromagnetic to paramagnetic phase transition in Co substituted La(Fe{sub x}Co{sub y}Si{sub 1−x−y}){sub 13} with x = 0.9 and low Co content of y = 0.015 (T{sub c}≃200 K) by means of magneto-optical imaging with indicator film and by calorimetry at very low temperature rates. We were able to visualize the motion of the ferromagnetic (FM)/paramagnetic (PM) front which is forming reproducible patterns independently of the temperature rate. The average velocity of the FM/PM front was calculated to be 10{sup −4} m/s during the continuous propagation and 4×10{sup −3} m/s during an avalanche. The heat flux was measured at low temperature rates bymore » a differential scanning calorimeter and shows a reproducible sequence of individual and separated avalanches which occurs independently of the rate. We interpret the observed effects as the result of the athermal character of the phase transition.« less

Gradient metasurfaces: a review of fundamentals and applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Fei; Pors, Anders; Bozhevolnyi, Sergey I.

2018-02-01

In the wake of intense research on metamaterials the two-dimensional analogue, known as metasurfaces, has attracted progressively increasing attention in recent years due to the ease of fabrication and smaller insertion losses, while enabling an unprecedented control over spatial distributions of transmitted and reflected optical fields. Metasurfaces represent optically thin planar arrays of resonant subwavelength elements that can be arranged in a strictly or quasi periodic fashion, or even in an aperiodic manner, depending on targeted optical wavefronts to be molded with their help. This paper reviews a broad subclass of metasurfaces, viz. gradient metasurfaces, which are devised to exhibit spatially varying optical responses resulting in spatially varying amplitudes, phases and polarizations of scattered fields. Starting with introducing the concept of gradient metasurfaces, we present classification of different metasurfaces from the viewpoint of their responses, differentiating electrical-dipole, geometric, reflective and Huygens’ metasurfaces. The fundamental building blocks essential for the realization of metasurfaces are then discussed in order to elucidate the underlying physics of various physical realizations of both plasmonic and purely dielectric metasurfaces. We then overview the main applications of gradient metasurfaces, including waveplates, flat lenses, spiral phase plates, broadband absorbers, color printing, holograms, polarimeters and surface wave couplers. The review is terminated with a short section on recently developed nonlinear metasurfaces, followed by the outlook presenting our view on possible future developments and perspectives for future applications.

Multimodal imaging in a case of bilateral outer retinitis associated with mumps infection.

PubMed

Kahloun, Rim; Ben Amor, Hager; Ksiaa, Imen; Zina, Sourour; Jelliti, Bechir; Ben Yahia, Salim; Khairallah, Moncef

2018-02-01

To report the results of multimodal imaging of acute outer retinitis associated to mumps infection. A patient with mumps-associated outer retinitis evaluated by color fundus photography, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), optical coherence tomography angiography, fundus autofluorescence (FAF), fluorescein angiography (FA), and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). We report a case of a 12-year-old boy who developed bilateral outer retinitis related to mumps. Ophthalmoscopy showed confluent areas of outer retinitis involving the posterior pole and the periphery with a centrifugal gyrate pattern. SD-OCT revealed a marked disorganization of the outer retinal layers with multiple highly reflective spicules. FA shows diffuse late hyperfluorescence with optic disk staining. ICGA shows macular and peripheral hyperfluorescent lesions with a geographical pattern in the late phases. The patient was treated with acyclovir and oral prednisone. Four weeks after presentation visual acuity remained unchanged, and retinal changes seen at the acute phase had resolved leading to extensive retinal atrophy and optic disk pallor. SD-OCT showed atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelial and outer retinal layers. FAF revealed scattered hyperautofluorescent lesions. Electrophysiology showed generalized retinal dysfunction. Mumps infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of bilateral necrotizing outer retinitis in children and young adults. A multimodal imaging approach may help distinguish mumps-associated retinitis from other causes of viral retinitis and facilitate appropriate management.

Gradient metasurfaces: a review of fundamentals and applications.

PubMed

Ding, Fei; Pors, Anders; Bozhevolnyi, Sergey I

2018-02-01

In the wake of intense research on metamaterials the two-dimensional analogue, known as metasurfaces, has attracted progressively increasing attention in recent years due to the ease of fabrication and smaller insertion losses, while enabling an unprecedented control over spatial distributions of transmitted and reflected optical fields. Metasurfaces represent optically thin planar arrays of resonant subwavelength elements that can be arranged in a strictly or quasi periodic fashion, or even in an aperiodic manner, depending on targeted optical wavefronts to be molded with their help. This paper reviews a broad subclass of metasurfaces, viz. gradient metasurfaces, which are devised to exhibit spatially varying optical responses resulting in spatially varying amplitudes, phases and polarizations of scattered fields. Starting with introducing the concept of gradient metasurfaces, we present classification of different metasurfaces from the viewpoint of their responses, differentiating electrical-dipole, geometric, reflective and Huygens' metasurfaces. The fundamental building blocks essential for the realization of metasurfaces are then discussed in order to elucidate the underlying physics of various physical realizations of both plasmonic and purely dielectric metasurfaces. We then overview the main applications of gradient metasurfaces, including waveplates, flat lenses, spiral phase plates, broadband absorbers, color printing, holograms, polarimeters and surface wave couplers. The review is terminated with a short section on recently developed nonlinear metasurfaces, followed by the outlook presenting our view on possible future developments and perspectives for future applications.

Crystallization kinetics of GeTe phase-change thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Xinxing; Thelander, Erik; Gerlach, Jürgen W.; Decker, Ulrich; Rauschenbach, Bernd

2015-07-01

Pulsed laser deposition was employed to the growth of GeTe thin films on Silicon substrates. X-ray diffraction measurements reveal that the critical crystallization temperature lies between 220 and 240 °C. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to investigate the crystallization kinetics of the as-deposited films, determining the activation energy to be 3.14 eV. Optical reflectivity and in situ resistance measurements exhibited a high reflectivity contrast of ~21% and 3-4 orders of magnitude drop in resistivity of the films upon crystallization. The results show that pulsed laser deposited GeTe films can be a promising candidate for phase-change applications.

Development of the Optical Communications Telescope Laboratory: A Laser Communications Relay Demonstration Ground Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, K. E.; Antsos, D.; Roberts, L. C. Jr.,; Piazzolla, S.; Clare, L. P.; Croonquist, A. P.

2012-01-01

The Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) project will demonstrate high bandwidth space to ground bi-directional optical communications links between a geosynchronous satellite and two LCRD optical ground stations located in the southwestern United States. The project plans to operate for two years with a possible extension to five. Objectives of the demonstration include the development of operational strategies to prototype optical link and relay services for the next generation tracking and data relay satellites. Key technologies to be demonstrated include adaptive optics to correct for clear air turbulence-induced wave front aberrations on the downlink, and advanced networking concepts for assured and automated data delivery. Expanded link availability will be demonstrated by supporting operations at small sun-Earth-probe angles. Planned optical modulation formats support future concepts of near-Earth satellite user services to a maximum of 1.244 Gb/s differential phase shift keying modulation and pulse position modulations formats for deep space links at data rates up to 311 Mb/s. Atmospheric monitoring instruments that will characterize the optical channel during the link include a sun photometer to measure atmospheric transmittance, a solar scintillometer, and a cloud camera to measure the line of sight cloud cover. This paper describes the planned development of the JPL optical ground station.

Calibration of photoelastic modulator based dichrometers: maintaining constant phase across the spectrum

DOE PAGES

Sutherland, J. C.

2016-07-20

Photoelastic modulators can alter the polarization state of a beam of ultraviolet, visible or infrared photons by means of periodic stress-induced differences in the refractive index of a transparent material that forms the optical element of the device and is isotropic in the absence of stress. Furthermore, they have found widespread application in instruments that characterize or alter the polarization state of a beam in fields as diverse as astronomy, structural biology, materials science and ultraviolet lithography for the manufacture of nano-scale integrated circuits. Measurement of circular dichroism, the differential absorption of left- and right circularly polarized light, and ofmore » strain-induced birefringence of optical components are major applications. Instruments using synchrotron radiation and photoelastic modulators with CaF 2 optical elements have extended circular dichroism measurements down to wavelengths of about 130 nm in the vacuum ultraviolet. Maintaining a constant phase shift between two orthogonal polarization states across a spectrum requires that the amplitude of the modulated stress be changed as a function of wavelength. For commercially available photoelastic modulators, the voltage that controls the amplitude of modulation required to produce a specified phase shift, which is a surrogate for the stress modulation amplitude, has been shown to be an approximately linear function of wavelength in the spectral region where the optical element is transparent. But, extrapolations of such straight lines cross zero voltage at a non-zero wavelength, not at zero-wavelength. For modulators with calcium fluoride and fused silica optical elements, the zero-crossing wavelength is always in the spectral region where the optical element of the modulator strongly absorbs the incident radiation, and at a wavelength less than the longest-wavelength apparent resonance deduced from experimental values of the refractive index fit to the Sellmeier equation. Using a model that relates the refractive indices of a stressed optical element to the refractive index of its unstressed state, an expression for the modulator control voltage was derived that closely fits the experimental data. Our result provides a theoretical rational for the apparently linear constant-phase programming voltage, and thus provides theoretical backing for the calibration procedure frequently used for these modulators. Lastly there are other factors that can influence the calibration of a photoelastic modulator, including temperature and atmospheric pressure, are discussed briefly.« less

Calibration of photoelastic modulator based dichrometers: maintaining constant phase across the spectrum

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sutherland, J. C.

Photoelastic modulators can alter the polarization state of a beam of ultraviolet, visible or infrared photons by means of periodic stress-induced differences in the refractive index of a transparent material that forms the optical element of the device and is isotropic in the absence of stress. Furthermore, they have found widespread application in instruments that characterize or alter the polarization state of a beam in fields as diverse as astronomy, structural biology, materials science and ultraviolet lithography for the manufacture of nano-scale integrated circuits. Measurement of circular dichroism, the differential absorption of left- and right circularly polarized light, and ofmore » strain-induced birefringence of optical components are major applications. Instruments using synchrotron radiation and photoelastic modulators with CaF 2 optical elements have extended circular dichroism measurements down to wavelengths of about 130 nm in the vacuum ultraviolet. Maintaining a constant phase shift between two orthogonal polarization states across a spectrum requires that the amplitude of the modulated stress be changed as a function of wavelength. For commercially available photoelastic modulators, the voltage that controls the amplitude of modulation required to produce a specified phase shift, which is a surrogate for the stress modulation amplitude, has been shown to be an approximately linear function of wavelength in the spectral region where the optical element is transparent. But, extrapolations of such straight lines cross zero voltage at a non-zero wavelength, not at zero-wavelength. For modulators with calcium fluoride and fused silica optical elements, the zero-crossing wavelength is always in the spectral region where the optical element of the modulator strongly absorbs the incident radiation, and at a wavelength less than the longest-wavelength apparent resonance deduced from experimental values of the refractive index fit to the Sellmeier equation. Using a model that relates the refractive indices of a stressed optical element to the refractive index of its unstressed state, an expression for the modulator control voltage was derived that closely fits the experimental data. Our result provides a theoretical rational for the apparently linear constant-phase programming voltage, and thus provides theoretical backing for the calibration procedure frequently used for these modulators. Lastly there are other factors that can influence the calibration of a photoelastic modulator, including temperature and atmospheric pressure, are discussed briefly.« less

Structured FBG filters for 10-Gb/s DPSK signal demodulation in single ended applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marazzi, L.; Boffi, P.; Parolari, P.; Martinelli, M.; Gatti, D.; Coluccelli, N.; Longhi, S.

2011-05-01

Differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) demodulations operated by a structured fiber Bragg grating (FBG) filter and by a Mach-Zehnder delay interferometer (MZDI) in a single-ended configuration are compared. Experimental measurements at 10 Gb/s demonstrate that a specially designed FBG outperforms an integrated-optic MZDI of ˜4 dB and ˜3.5 dB in back-to-back and after 25-km propagation, respectively. Both demodulators show low polarization sensitivity and signal frequency detuning dependence, but only MZDI operating point requires a thermal control. FBG filter proves an interesting solution for DPSK demodulation in low-cost applications and, moreover, can be designed to match colorless requirements of wave division multiplexed passive optical network (WDM-PON) applications.

Second harmonic generation and crystal growth of new chalcone derivatives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patil, P. S.; Dharmaprakash, S. M.; Ramakrishna, K.; Fun, Hoong-Kun; Sai Santosh Kumar, R.; Narayana Rao, D.

2007-05-01

We report on the synthesis, crystal structure and optical characterization of chalcone derivatives developed for second-order nonlinear optics. The investigation of a series of five chalcone derivatives with the second harmonic generation powder test according to Kurtz and Perry revealed that these chalcones show efficient second-order nonlinear activity. Among them, high-quality single crystals of 3-Br-4'-methoxychalcone (3BMC) were grown by solvent evaporation solution growth technique. Grown crystals were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), laser damage threshold, UV-vis-NIR and refractive index measurement studies. Infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis measurements were performed to study the molecular vibration and thermal behavior of 3BMC crystal. Thermal analysis does not show any structural phase transition.

Portable spotter for fluorescent contaminants on surfaces

DOEpatents

Schuresko, Daniel D.

1980-01-01

A portable fluorescence-based spotter for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon contamination on personnel and work area surfaces under ambient lighting conditions is provided. This instrument employs beam modulation and phase sensitive detection for discriminating between fluorescence from organic materials from reflected background light and inorganic fluorescent material. The device uses excitation and emission filters to provide differentiation between classes of aromatic organic compounds. Certain inorganic fluorescent materials, including heavy metal compounds, may also be distinguished from the organic compounds, despite both having similar optical properties.

Vibrational, calorimetric and nonlinear optical studies of melaminium-bis(trichloroacetate) monohydrate molecular ionic crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Debrus, S.; Marchewka, M. K.; Drozd, M.; Ratajczak, H.

2007-04-01

The efficiency of second harmonic generation for melaminium bis(trichloroacetate) was estimated relatively to KDP: deff = 3.09 deff (KDP). Room temperature FT IR and FT Raman spectra were recorded. Some spectral features of this new crystal are referred to corresponding one for melamine crystal as well as for other trichloroacetates. Differential scanning calorimetric measurements performed on powder sample indicate the phase transition point at approximately 276 and 239 K for heating and cooling, respectively.

Multi-pixel high-resolution three-dimensional imaging radar

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cooper, Ken B. (Inventor); Dengler, Robert J. (Inventor); Siegel, Peter H. (Inventor); Chattopadhyay, Goutam (Inventor); Ward, John S. (Inventor); Juan, Nuria Llombart (Inventor); Bryllert, Tomas E. (Inventor); Mehdi, Imran (Inventor); Tarsala, Jan A. (Inventor)

2012-01-01

A three-dimensional imaging radar operating at high frequency e.g., 670 GHz radar using low phase-noise synthesizers and a fast chirper to generate a frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) waveform, is disclosed that operates with a multiplexed beam to obtain range information simultaneously on multiple pixels of a target. A source transmit beam may be divided by a hybrid coupler into multiple transmit beams multiplexed together and directed to be reflected off a target and return as a single receive beam which is demultiplexed and processed to reveal range information of separate pixels of the target associated with each transmit beam simultaneously. The multiple transmit beams may be developed with appropriate optics to be temporally and spatially differentiated before being directed to the target. Temporal differentiation corresponds to a different intermediate frequencies separating the range information of the multiple pixels. Collinear transmit beams having differentiated polarizations may also be implemented.

Graphene-assisted multiple-input high-base optical computing

PubMed Central

Hu, Xiao; Wang, Andong; Zeng, Mengqi; Long, Yun; Zhu, Long; Fu, Lei; Wang, Jian

2016-01-01

We propose graphene-assisted multiple-input high-base optical computing. We fabricate a nonlinear optical device based on a fiber pigtail cross-section coated with a single-layer graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. An approach to implementing modulo 4 operations of three-input hybrid addition and subtraction of quaternary base numbers in the optical domain using multiple non-degenerate four-wave mixing (FWM) processes in graphene coated optical fiber device and (differential) quadrature phase-shift keying ((D)QPSK) signals is presented. We demonstrate 10-Gbaud modulo 4 operations of three-input quaternary hybrid addition and subtraction (A + B − C, A + C − B, B + C − A) in the experiment. The measured optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) penalties for modulo 4 operations of three-input quaternary hybrid addition and subtraction (A + B − C, A + C − B, B + C − A) are measured to be less than 7 dB at a bit-error rate (BER) of 2 × 10−3. The BER performance as a function of the relative time offset between three signals (signal offset) is also evaluated showing favorable performance. PMID:27604866

Enhanced Thermo-Optical Switching of Paraffin-Wax Composite Spots under Laser Heating

PubMed Central

Said, Asmaa; Salah, Abeer; Abdel Fattah, Gamal

2017-01-01

Thermo-optical switches are of particular significance in communications networks where increasingly high switching speeds are required. Phase change materials (PCMs), in particular those based on paraffin wax, provide wealth of exciting applications with unusual thermally-induced switching properties, only limited by paraffin’s rather low thermal conductivity. In this paper, the use of different carbon fillers as thermal conductivity enhancers for paraffin has been investigated, and a novel structure based on spot of paraffin wax as a thermo-optic switch is presented. Thermo-optical switching parameters are enhanced with the addition of graphite and graphene, due to the extreme thermal conductivity of the carbon fillers. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) are performed on paraffin wax composites, and specific heat capacities are calculated based on DSC measurements. Thermo-optical switching based on transmission is measured as a function of the host concentration under conventional electric heating and laser heating of paraffin-carbon fillers composites. Further enhancements in thermo-optical switching parameters are studied under Nd:YAG laser heating. This novel structure can be used in future networks with huge bandwidth requirements and electric noise free remote aerial laser switching applications. PMID:28772884

Enhanced Thermo-Optical Switching of Paraffin-Wax Composite Spots under Laser Heating.

PubMed

Said, Asmaa; Salah, Abeer; Fattah, Gamal Abdel

2017-05-12

Thermo-optical switches are of particular significance in communications networks where increasingly high switching speeds are required. Phase change materials (PCMs), in particular those based on paraffin wax, provide wealth of exciting applications with unusual thermally-induced switching properties, only limited by paraffin's rather low thermal conductivity. In this paper, the use of different carbon fillers as thermal conductivity enhancers for paraffin has been investigated, and a novel structure based on spot of paraffin wax as a thermo-optic switch is presented. Thermo-optical switching parameters are enhanced with the addition of graphite and graphene, due to the extreme thermal conductivity of the carbon fillers. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) are performed on paraffin wax composites, and specific heat capacities are calculated based on DSC measurements. Thermo-optical switching based on transmission is measured as a function of the host concentration under conventional electric heating and laser heating of paraffin-carbon fillers composites. Further enhancements in thermo-optical switching parameters are studied under Nd:YAG laser heating. This novel structure can be used in future networks with huge bandwidth requirements and electric noise free remote aerial laser switching applications.

Gap plasmon-based metasurfaces: fundamentals and applications (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pors, Anders

2016-04-01

Plasmonic metasurfaces, which can be considered as the two-dimensional analog of metal-based metamaterials, have recently attracted considerable attention due to the possibility to fully control the reflected or transmitted light, while featuring relatively low losses even at optical wavelengths and being suitable for planar fabrication techniques. Among all the different design approaches, one particular configuration, consisting of a subwavelength thin dielectric spacer sandwiched between an optically thick metal film and an array of metal nanobricks (also known as nanopatches), has gained awareness from researchers working in practical any frequency regime as its realization only requires on step of lithography, yet with the possibility to fully control the amplitude and phase of the reflected light. At optical wavelengths, the full control of the reflected light is closely associated with gap surface plasmon (GSP) resonances and, hence, the configuration is also known as GSP-based metasurface. In this work, we highlight the connection between the properties of GSP modes and the optical response of GSP-based metasurfaces, particularly discussing the possibility to independently control either the reflection phases for two orthogonal polarizations or both the amplitude and phase of the reflected light for one polarization by proper choice of geometrical and material parameters [1]. Having obtained thorough insight into the optical response of GSP-based metasurfaces, we design and realize at optical and near-infrared wavelengths a broad range of inhomogeneous metasurfaces targeting different applications. For example, we exemplify the control of reflection amplitude by performing plasmonic color printing on a subwavelength scale [2], while full control of reflection phases for orthogonal polarizations are illustrated by the realization of unidirectional polarization-controlled surface plasmon polariton couplers [3] and compact polarimeters [4]. Finally, the simultaneous control of the amplitude and phase of reflected light allow us to perform calculus operations, such as differentiation and integration, on the incident light [5], which signifies the possibility to do optical signal processing using GSP-based metasurfaces. References: 1. A. Pors and S. I. Bozhevolnyi, "Gap plasmon-based phase-amplitude metasurfaces: material constraints", Opt. Mater. Express 5, 2448-2458 (2015). 2. A. S. Roberts, A. Pors, O. Albrektsen, and S. I. Bozhevolnyi, "Subwavelength plasmonic color printing for ambient use", Nano Lett. 14, 783-787 (2014). 3. A. Pors, M. G. Nielsen, T. Bernardin, J.-C. Weeber, and S. I. Bozhevolnyi, "Efficient unidirectional polarization-controlled excitation of surface plasmon polaritons", Light: Sci. Applications 3, e197 (2014). 4. A. Pors, M. G. Nielsen, and S. I. Bozhevolnyi, "Plasmonic metagratings for simultaneous determination of Stokes parameters", Optica 2, 716-723 (2015). 5. A. Pors, M. G. Nielsen, and S. I. Bozhevolnyi, "Analog computing using reflective plasmonic metasurfaces", Nano Lett. 15, 791-797 (2015).

Modeling and Validation of Performance Limitations for the Optimal Design of Interferometric and Intensity-Modulated Fiber Optic Displacement Sensors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Moro, Erik A.

Optical fiber sensors offer advantages over traditional electromechanical sensors, making them particularly well-suited for certain measurement applications. Generally speaking, optical fiber sensors respond to a desired measurand through modulation of an optical signal's intensity, phase, or wavelength. Practically, non-contacting fiber optic displacement sensors are limited to intensity-modulated and interferometric (or phase-modulated) methodologies. Intensity-modulated fiber optic displacement sensors relate target displacement to a power measurement. The simplest intensity-modulated sensor architectures are not robust to environmental and hardware fluctuations, since such variability may cause changes in the measured power level that falsely indicate target displacement. Differential intensity-modulated sensors have been implemented, offeringmore » robustness to such intensity fluctuations, and the speed of these sensors is limited only by the combined speed of the photodetection hardware and the data acquisition system (kHz-MHz). The primary disadvantages of intensity-modulated sensing are the relatively low accuracy (?m-mm for low-power sensors) and the lack of robustness, which consequently must be designed, often with great difficulty, into the sensor's architecture. White light interferometric displacement sensors, on the other hand, offer increased accuracy and robustness. Unlike their monochromatic-interferometer counterparts, white light interferometric sensors offer absolute, unambiguous displacement measurements over large displacement ranges (cm for low-power, 5 mW, sources), necessitating no initial calibration, and requiring no environmental or feedback control. The primary disadvantage of white light interferometric displacement sensors is that their utility in dynamic testing scenarios is limited, both by hardware bandwidth and by their inherent high-sensitivity to Doppler-effects. The decision of whether to use either an intensity-modulated interferometric sensor depends on an appropriate performance function (e.g., desired displacement range, accuracy, robustness, etc.). In this dissertation, the performance limitations of a bundled differential intensity-modulated displacement sensor are analyzed, where the bundling configuration has been designed to optimize performance. The performance limitations of a white light Fabry-Perot displacement sensor are also analyzed. Both these sensors are non-contacting, but they have access to different regions of the performance-space. Further, both these sensors have different degrees of sensitivity to experimental uncertainty. Made in conjunction with careful analysis, the decision of which sensor to deploy need not be an uninformed one.« less

Modification of Optical, Structural and Dielectric Properties of MeV Ions Irradiated PS/Cu Nanocomposites.

PubMed

Gavade, Chaitali; Singh, N L; Khanna, P K; Shah, Sunil

2015-12-01

In order to study structural, thermal, optical and dielectric behaviors of composites, the films of Cu/polystyrene nanocomposites were synthesized at different concentrations of Cu-nanoparticles. These polymer nanocomposites were irradiated with carbon (85 MeV) and silicon (120 MeV) ions at different fluences. The samples were characterized using different techniques viz: X-ray diffraction, UV-visible spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and impedance gain phase analyzer. A noticeable increase in the intensity of X-ray diffraction peaks was observed after irradiation with 120 MeV Si-ions, which may be attributed to radiation-induced cross-linking in polymer. Optical properties like band gap was estimated for pure polymer and nanocomposite films from their optical absorption spectra in the wavelength region 200-800 nm. It was found that the band gap value shifted to lower energy (from 4.38 eV to 3.40 eV) on doping with silver nanoparticles and also upon irradiation. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis revealed an increase in the glass transition temperature upon irradiation, which may be attributed to cross linking of polymer chain due to ion beam irradiation which is also corroborated with XRD analysis. Dependence of dielectric properties on frequency, ions and filler concentration was studied. The results revealed the enhancement in dielectric properties after doping nanoparticles and also upon irradiation. It was observed that the effect of Si-beam is more effectual than the C-beam because of large electronic energy loss of heavy ion.

Quantitative x-ray phase imaging at the nanoscale by multilayer Laue lenses

PubMed Central

Yan, Hanfei; Chu, Yong S.; Maser, Jörg; Nazaretski, Evgeny; Kim, Jungdae; Kang, Hyon Chol; Lombardo, Jeffrey J.; Chiu, Wilson K. S.

2013-01-01

For scanning x-ray microscopy, many attempts have been made to image the phase contrast based on a concept of the beam being deflected by a specimen, the so-called differential phase contrast imaging (DPC). Despite the successful demonstration in a number of representative cases at moderate spatial resolutions, these methods suffer from various limitations that preclude applications of DPC for ultra-high spatial resolution imaging, where the emerging wave field from the focusing optic tends to be significantly more complicated. In this work, we propose a highly robust and generic approach based on a Fourier-shift fitting process and demonstrate quantitative phase imaging of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anode by multilayer Laue lenses (MLLs). The high sensitivity of the phase to structural and compositional variations makes our technique extremely powerful in correlating the electrode performance with its buried nanoscale interfacial structures that may be invisible to the absorption and fluorescence contrasts. PMID:23419650

Phase-locked Optical Signal Recovery

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-01

detection . However, implementing an optical phase lock loop ( OPLL ) to generate the synchronised carrier for the homodyne technique requires... Loop (OIPLL) in which a narrow bandwidth optical phase lock loop ( OPLL ) is used to control the free -running frequency of an optically injection...receiver uses an Optical Injection Phase Lock Loop (OIPLL) for carrier recovery,

Phase-locked Optical Signal Recovery

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-01

detection . However, implementing an optical phase lock loop ( OPLL ) to generate the synchronised carrier for the homodyne technique requires... Loop (OIPLL) in which a narrow bandwidth optical phase lock loop ( OPLL ) is used to control the free -running frequency of an optically injection...The receiver uses an Optical Injection Phase Lock Loop (OIPLL) for carrier

Theoretical and experimental study on PMD-supported transmission using polarization diversity in coherent optical OFDM systems.

PubMed

Shieh, W; Yi, X; Ma, Y; Tang, Y

2007-08-06

In this paper, we conduct theoretical and experimental study on the PMD-supported transmission with coherent optical orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (CO-OFDM). We first present the model for the optical fiber communication channel in the presence of the polarization effects. It shows that the optical fiber channel model can be treated as a special kind of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) model, namely, a two-input two-output (TITO) model which is intrinsically represented by a two-element Jones vector familiar to the optical communications community. The detailed discussions on various coherent optical MIMO-OFDM (CO-MIMO-OFDM) models are presented. Furthermore, we show the first experiment of polarization-diversity detection in CO-OFDM systems. In particular, a CO-OFDM signal at 10.7 Gb/s is successfully recovered after 900 ps differential-group-delay (DGD) and 1000-km transmission through SSMF fiber without optical dispersion compensation. The transmission experiment with higher-order PMD further confirms the immunity of the CO-OFDM signal to PMD in the transmission fiber. The nonlinearity performance of PMD-supported transmission is also reported. For the first time, nonlinear phase noise mitigation based on receiver digital signal processing is experimentally demonstrated for CO-OFDM transmission.

Prefoveal floaters as a differential diagnosis to optic neuritis: "mouches dormantes".

PubMed

Burggraaff, Marloes C; de Vries-Knoppert, Willemine A E J; Petzold, Axel

2017-09-01

This case series describes a new optical coherence tomography (OCT) specific observation relevant to the differential diagnosis of patients with suspected optic neuritis. A tiny prefoveal floater, only detectable by OCT, was found responsible for the symptoms in three patients, one of whom had been referred with unilateral delayed visual evoked potentials. This case series suggests that with increased use of OCT in routine clinical care, entoptic phenomena can be demonstrated as a relevant differential diagnosis to optic neuritis. Patients should be explained the benign nature of their symptoms.

Hybrid diversity method utilizing adaptive diversity function for recovering unknown aberrations in an optical system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dean, Bruce H. (Inventor)

2009-01-01

A method of recovering unknown aberrations in an optical system includes collecting intensity data produced by the optical system, generating an initial estimate of a phase of the optical system, iteratively performing a phase retrieval on the intensity data to generate a phase estimate using an initial diversity function corresponding to the intensity data, generating a phase map from the phase retrieval phase estimate, decomposing the phase map to generate a decomposition vector, generating an updated diversity function by combining the initial diversity function with the decomposition vector, generating an updated estimate of the phase of the optical system by removing the initial diversity function from the phase map. The method may further include repeating the process beginning with iteratively performing a phase retrieval on the intensity data using the updated estimate of the phase of the optical system in place of the initial estimate of the phase of the optical system, and using the updated diversity function in place of the initial diversity function, until a predetermined convergence is achieved.

Optical coherence tomography detection of shear wave propagation in inhomogeneous tissue equivalent phantoms and ex-vivo carotid artery samples

PubMed Central

Razani, Marjan; Luk, Timothy W.H.; Mariampillai, Adrian; Siegler, Peter; Kiehl, Tim-Rasmus; Kolios, Michael C.; Yang, Victor X.D.

2014-01-01

In this work, we explored the potential of measuring shear wave propagation using optical coherence elastography (OCE) in an inhomogeneous phantom and carotid artery samples based on a swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) system. Shear waves were generated using a piezoelectric transducer transmitting sine-wave bursts of 400 μs duration, applying acoustic radiation force (ARF) to inhomogeneous phantoms and carotid artery samples, synchronized with a swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) imaging system. The phantoms were composed of gelatin and titanium dioxide whereas the carotid artery samples were embedded in gel. Differential OCT phase maps, measured with and without the ARF, detected the microscopic displacement generated by shear wave propagation in these phantoms and samples of different stiffness. We present the technique for calculating tissue mechanical properties by propagating shear waves in inhomogeneous tissue equivalent phantoms and carotid artery samples using the ARF of an ultrasound transducer, and measuring the shear wave speed and its associated properties in the different layers with OCT phase maps. This method lays the foundation for future in-vitro and in-vivo studies of mechanical property measurements of biological tissues such as vascular tissues, where normal and pathological structures may exhibit significant contrast in the shear modulus. PMID:24688822

Growth and optical characteristics of Tm-doped AlGaN layer grown by organometallic vapor phase epitaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takatsu, J.; Fuji, R.; Tatebayashi, J.; Timmerman, D.; Lesage, A.; Gregorkiewicz, T.; Fujiwara, Y.

2018-04-01

We report on the growth and optical properties of Tm-doped AlGaN layers by organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (OMVPE). The morphological and optical properties of Tm-doped GaN (GaN:Tm) and Tm-doped AlGaN (AlGaN:Tm) were investigated by Nomarski differential interference contrast microscopy and photoluminescence (PL) characterization. Nomarski images reveal an increase of surface roughness upon doping Tm into both GaN and AlGaN layers. The PL characterization of GaN:Tm shows emission in the near-infrared range originating from intra-4f shell transitions of Tm3+ ions. In contrast, AlGaN:Tm also exhibits blue light emission from Tm3+ ions. In that case, the wider band gap of the AlGaN host allows energy transfer to higher states of the Tm3+ ions. With time-resolved PL measurements, we could distinguish three types of luminescent sites of Tm3+ in the AlGaN:Tm layer, having different decay times. Our results confirm that Tm ions can be doped into GaN and AlGaN by OMVPE, and show potential for the fabrication of novel high-color-purity blue light emitting diodes.

On a partial differential equation method for determining the free energies and coexisting phase compositions of ternary mixtures from light scattering data.

PubMed

Ross, David S; Thurston, George M; Lutzer, Carl V

2008-08-14

In this paper we present a method for determining the free energies of ternary mixtures from light scattering data. We use an approximation that is appropriate for liquid mixtures, which we formulate as a second-order nonlinear partial differential equation. This partial differential equation (PDE) relates the Hessian of the intensive free energy to the efficiency of light scattering in the forward direction. This basic equation applies in regions of the phase diagram in which the mixtures are thermodynamically stable. In regions in which the mixtures are unstable or metastable, the appropriate PDE is the nonlinear equation for the convex hull. We formulate this equation along with continuity conditions for the transition between the two equations at cloud point loci. We show how to discretize this problem to obtain a finite-difference approximation to it, and we present an iterative method for solving the discretized problem. We present the results of calculations that were done with a computer program that implements our method. These calculations show that our method is capable of reconstructing test free energy functions from simulated light scattering data. If the cloud point loci are known, the method also finds the tie lines and tie triangles that describe thermodynamic equilibrium between two or among three liquid phases. A robust method for solving this PDE problem, such as the one presented here, can be a basis for optical, noninvasive means of characterizing the thermodynamics of multicomponent mixtures.

Silicon photonics thermal phase shifter with reduced temperature range

DOEpatents

Lentine, Anthony L; Kekatpure, Rohan D; DeRose, Christopher; Davids, Paul; Watts, Michael R

2013-12-17

Optical devices, phased array systems and methods of phase-shifting an input signal are provided. An optical device includes a microresonator and a waveguide for receiving an input optical signal. The waveguide includes a segment coupled to the microresonator with a coupling coefficient such that the waveguide is overcoupled to the microresonator. The microresonator received the input optical signal via the waveguide and phase-shifts the input optical signal to form an output optical signal. The output optical signal is coupled into the waveguide via the microresonator and transmitted by the waveguide. At an operating point of the optical device, the coupling coefficient is selected to reduce a change in an amplitude of the output optical signal and to increase a change in a phase of the output optical signal, relative to the input optical signal.

High-speed optical phase-shifting apparatus

DOEpatents

Zortman, William A.

2016-11-08

An optical phase shifter includes an optical waveguide, a plurality of partial phase shifting elements arranged sequentially, and control circuitry electrically coupled to the partial phase shifting elements. The control circuitry is adapted to provide an activating signal to each of the N partial phase shifting elements such that the signal is delayed by a clock cycle between adjacent partial phase shifting elements in the sequence. The transit time for a guided optical pulse train between the input edges of consecutive partial phase shifting elements in the sequence is arranged to be equal to a clock cycle, thereby enabling pipelined processing of the optical pulses.

Simulation of anisoplanatic imaging through optical turbulence using numerical wave propagation with new validation analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hardie, Russell C.; Power, Jonathan D.; LeMaster, Daniel A.; Droege, Douglas R.; Gladysz, Szymon; Bose-Pillai, Santasri

2017-07-01

We present a numerical wave propagation method for simulating imaging of an extended scene under anisoplanatic conditions. While isoplanatic simulation is relatively common, few tools are specifically designed for simulating the imaging of extended scenes under anisoplanatic conditions. We provide a complete description of the proposed simulation tool, including the wave propagation method used. Our approach computes an array of point spread functions (PSFs) for a two-dimensional grid on the object plane. The PSFs are then used in a spatially varying weighted sum operation, with an ideal image, to produce a simulated image with realistic optical turbulence degradation. The degradation includes spatially varying warping and blurring. To produce the PSF array, we generate a series of extended phase screens. Simulated point sources are numerically propagated from an array of positions on the object plane, through the phase screens, and ultimately to the focal plane of the simulated camera. Note that the optical path for each PSF will be different, and thus, pass through a different portion of the extended phase screens. These different paths give rise to a spatially varying PSF to produce anisoplanatic effects. We use a method for defining the individual phase screen statistics that we have not seen used in previous anisoplanatic simulations. We also present a validation analysis. In particular, we compare simulated outputs with the theoretical anisoplanatic tilt correlation and a derived differential tilt variance statistic. This is in addition to comparing the long- and short-exposure PSFs and isoplanatic angle. We believe this analysis represents the most thorough validation of an anisoplanatic simulation to date. The current work is also unique that we simulate and validate both constant and varying Cn2(z) profiles. Furthermore, we simulate sequences with both temporally independent and temporally correlated turbulence effects. Temporal correlation is introduced by generating even larger extended phase screens and translating this block of screens in front of the propagation area. Our validation analysis shows an excellent match between the simulation statistics and the theoretical predictions. Thus, we think this tool can be used effectively to study optical anisoplanatic turbulence and to aid in the development of image restoration methods.

All-optical 1st- and 2nd-order differential equation solvers with large tuning ranges using Fabry-Pérot semiconductor optical amplifiers.

PubMed

Chen, Kaisheng; Hou, Jie; Huang, Zhuyang; Cao, Tong; Zhang, Jihua; Yu, Yuan; Zhang, Xinliang

2015-02-09

We experimentally demonstrate an all-optical temporal computation scheme for solving 1st- and 2nd-order linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with tunable constant coefficients by using Fabry-Pérot semiconductor optical amplifiers (FP-SOAs). By changing the injection currents of FP-SOAs, the constant coefficients of the differential equations are practically tuned. A quite large constant coefficient tunable range from 0.0026/ps to 0.085/ps is achieved for the 1st-order differential equation. Moreover, the constant coefficient p of the 2nd-order ODE solver can be continuously tuned from 0.0216/ps to 0.158/ps, correspondingly with the constant coefficient q varying from 0.0000494/ps(2) to 0.006205/ps(2). Additionally, a theoretical model that combining the carrier density rate equation of the semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) with the transfer function of the Fabry-Pérot (FP) cavity is exploited to analyze the solving processes. For both 1st- and 2nd-order solvers, excellent agreements between the numerical simulations and the experimental results are obtained. The FP-SOAs based all-optical differential-equation solvers can be easily integrated with other optical components based on InP/InGaAsP materials, such as laser, modulator, photodetector and waveguide, which can motivate the realization of the complicated optical computing on a single integrated chip.

An Innovative Procedure for Calibration of Strapdown Electro-Optical Sensors Onboard Unmanned Air Vehicles

PubMed Central

Fasano, Giancarmine; Accardo, Domenico; Moccia, Antonio; Rispoli, Attilio

2010-01-01

This paper presents an innovative method for estimating the attitude of airborne electro-optical cameras with respect to the onboard autonomous navigation unit. The procedure is based on the use of attitude measurements under static conditions taken by an inertial unit and carrier-phase differential Global Positioning System to obtain accurate camera position estimates in the aircraft body reference frame, while image analysis allows line-of-sight unit vectors in the camera based reference frame to be computed. The method has been applied to the alignment of the visible and infrared cameras installed onboard the experimental aircraft of the Italian Aerospace Research Center and adopted for in-flight obstacle detection and collision avoidance. Results show an angular uncertainty on the order of 0.1° (rms). PMID:22315559

Real-time optical signal processors employing optical feedback: amplitude and phase control.

PubMed

Gallagher, N C

1976-04-01

The development of real-time coherent optical signal processors has increased the appeal of optical computing techniques in signal processing applications. A major limitation of these real-time systems is the. fact that the optical processing material is generally of a phase-only type. The result is that the spatial filters synthesized with these systems must be either phase-only filters or amplitude-only filters. The main concern of this paper is the application of optical feedback techniques to obtain simultaneous and independent amplitude and phase control of the light passing through the system. It is shown that optical feedback techniques may be employed with phase-only spatial filters to obtain this amplitude and phase control. The feedback system with phase-only filters is compared with other feedback systems that employ combinations of phase-only and amplitude-only filters; it is found that the phase-only system is substantially more flexible than the other two systems investigated.

Comparing Optical Oscillators across the Air to Milliradians in Phase and 10^{-17} in Frequency.

PubMed

Sinclair, Laura C; Bergeron, Hugo; Swann, William C; Baumann, Esther; Deschênes, Jean-Daniel; Newbury, Nathan R

2018-02-02

We demonstrate carrier-phase optical two-way time-frequency transfer (carrier-phase OTWTFT) through the two-way exchange of frequency comb pulses. Carrier-phase OTWTFT achieves frequency comparisons with a residual instability of 1.2×10^{-17} at 1 s across a turbulent 4-km free space link, surpassing previous OTWTFT by 10-20 times and enabling future high-precision optical clock networks. Furthermore, by exploiting the carrier phase, this approach is able to continuously track changes in the relative optical phase of distant optical oscillators to 9 mrad (7 as) at 1 s averaging, effectively extending optical phase coherence over a broad spatial network for applications such as correlated spectroscopy between distant atomic clocks.

Hybrid WDM/OCDMA for next generation access network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xu; Wada, Naoya; Miyazaki, T.; Cincotti, G.; Kitayama, Ken-ichi

2007-11-01

Hybrid wavelength division multiplexing/optical code division multiple access (WDM/OCDMA) passive optical network (PON), where asynchronous OCDMA traffic transmits over WDM network, can be one potential candidate for gigabit-symmetric fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) services. In a cost-effective WDM/OCDMA network, a large scale multi-port encoder/decoder can be employed in the central office, and a low cost encoder/decoder will be used in optical network unit (ONU). The WDM/OCDMA system could be one promising solution to the symmetric high capacity access network with high spectral efficiency, cost effective, good flexibility and enhanced security. Asynchronous WDM/OCDMA systems have been experimentally demonstrated using superstructured fiber Bragg gratings (SSFBG) and muti-port OCDMA en/decoders. The total throughput has reached above Tera-bit/s with spectral efficiency of about 0.41. The key enabling techniques include ultra-long SSFBG, multi-port E/D with high power contrast ratio, optical thresholding, differential phase shift keying modulation with balanced detection, forward error correction, and etc. Using multi-level modulation formats to carry multi-bit information with single pulse, the total capacity and spectral efficiency could be further enhanced.

Interferometric phase locking of two electronic oscillators with a cascade electro-optic modulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chao, C. H.; Chien, P. Y.; Chang, L. W.; Juang, F. Y.; Hsia, C. H.; Chang, C. C.

1993-01-01

An optical-type electrical phase-locked-loop system based on a cascade electro-optic modulator has been demonstrated. By using this technique, a set of optical-type phase detectors, operating at any harmonic frequencies of two applied phase-modulation signals, has been implemented.

Gigahertz acoustic vibrations of elastically anisotropic Indium–tin-oxide nanorod arrays [Gigahertz modulation of the full visible spectrum via acoustic vibrations of elastically anisotropic Indium-tin-oxide nanorod arrays

DOE PAGES

Guo, Peijun; Schaller, Richard D.; Ocola, Leonidas E.; ...

2016-08-15

Active control of light is important for photonic integrated circuits, optical switches,. and telecommunications. Coupling light with acoustic vibrations in nanoscale optical resonators offers optical modulation capabilities with high bandwidth and Small footprint Instead of using noble metals, here we introduce indium tin-oxide nanorod arrays (ITO-NRAs) as the operating media;and demonstrate optical modulation covering the visible spectral range (from 360 to 700 nm), with similar to 20 GHz bandwidth through the excitation of coherent acoustic vibrations in ITO-NRAs. This broadband modulation results from the collective optical diffraction by the dielectric ITO-NRAs, and a high differential transmission modulation up to 10%more » is achieved through efficient near-infrared, on-plasmon-resonance pumping. By combining the frequency signatures Of the vibrational modes with finite-element simulations, we,further determine the anisotropic elastic constants for single-crystalline ITO, which are not known-for the bulk phase. Furthermore, this technique to determine elastic constants using Coherent acoustic vibrations of uniform nanostructures can be generalized to the study of other inorganic materials.« less

Investigations on birefringence effects in polymer optical fiber Bragg gratings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, X.; Sáez-Rodríguez, D.; Bang, O.; Webb, D. J.; Caucheteur, C.

2014-05-01

Step-index polymer optical fiber Bragg gratings (POFBGs) and microstructured polymer optical fiber Bragg gratings (mPOFBGs) present several attractive features, especially for sensing purposes. In comparison to FBGs written in silica fibers, they are more sensitive to temperature and pressure because of the larger thermo-optic coefficient and smaller Young's modulus of polymer materials. (M)POFBGs are most often photowritten in poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) materials using a continuous-wave 325 nm HeCd laser. For the first time to the best of our knowledge, we study photoinduced birefringence effects in (m)POFBGs. To achieve this, highly reflective gratings were inscribed with the phase mask technique. They were then monitored in transmission with polarized light. For this, (m)POF sections a few cm in length containing the gratings were glued to angled silica fibers. Polarization dependent loss (PDL) and differential group delay (DGD) were computed from the Jones matrix eigenanalysis using an optical vector analyser. Maximum values exceeding several dB and a few picoseconds were obtained for the PDL and DGD, respectively. The response to lateral force was finally investigated. As it induces birefringence in addition to the photo-induced one, an increase of the PDL and DGD values were noticed.

Adaptive Temporal Matched Filtering for Noise Suppression in Fiber Optic Distributed Acoustic Sensing.

PubMed

Ölçer, İbrahim; Öncü, Ahmet

2017-06-05

Distributed vibration sensing based on phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometry ( ϕ -OTDR) is being widely used in several applications. However, one of the main challenges in coherent detection-based ϕ -OTDR systems is the fading noise, which impacts the detection performance. In addition, typical signal averaging and differentiating techniques are not suitable for detecting high frequency events. This paper presents a new approach for reducing the effect of fading noise in fiber optic distributed acoustic vibration sensing systems without any impact on the frequency response of the detection system. The method is based on temporal adaptive processing of ϕ -OTDR signals. The fundamental theory underlying the algorithm, which is based on signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) maximization, is presented, and the efficacy of our algorithm is demonstrated with laboratory experiments and field tests. With the proposed digital processing technique, the results show that more than 10 dB of SNR values can be achieved without any reduction in the system bandwidth and without using additional optical amplifier stages in the hardware. We believe that our proposed adaptive processing approach can be effectively used to develop fiber optic-based distributed acoustic vibration sensing systems.

Gigahertz acoustic vibrations of elastically anisotropic Indium–tin-oxide nanorod arrays [Gigahertz modulation of the full visible spectrum via acoustic vibrations of elastically anisotropic Indium-tin-oxide nanorod arrays

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Guo, Peijun; Schaller, Richard D.; Ocola, Leonidas E.

Active control of light is important for photonic integrated circuits, optical switches,. and telecommunications. Coupling light with acoustic vibrations in nanoscale optical resonators offers optical modulation capabilities with high bandwidth and Small footprint Instead of using noble metals, here we introduce indium tin-oxide nanorod arrays (ITO-NRAs) as the operating media;and demonstrate optical modulation covering the visible spectral range (from 360 to 700 nm), with similar to 20 GHz bandwidth through the excitation of coherent acoustic vibrations in ITO-NRAs. This broadband modulation results from the collective optical diffraction by the dielectric ITO-NRAs, and a high differential transmission modulation up to 10%more » is achieved through efficient near-infrared, on-plasmon-resonance pumping. By combining the frequency signatures Of the vibrational modes with finite-element simulations, we,further determine the anisotropic elastic constants for single-crystalline ITO, which are not known-for the bulk phase. Furthermore, this technique to determine elastic constants using Coherent acoustic vibrations of uniform nanostructures can be generalized to the study of other inorganic materials.« less

Adaptive Temporal Matched Filtering for Noise Suppression in Fiber Optic Distributed Acoustic Sensing

PubMed Central

Ölçer, İbrahim; Öncü, Ahmet

2017-01-01

Distributed vibration sensing based on phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometry (ϕ-OTDR) is being widely used in several applications. However, one of the main challenges in coherent detection-based ϕ-OTDR systems is the fading noise, which impacts the detection performance. In addition, typical signal averaging and differentiating techniques are not suitable for detecting high frequency events. This paper presents a new approach for reducing the effect of fading noise in fiber optic distributed acoustic vibration sensing systems without any impact on the frequency response of the detection system. The method is based on temporal adaptive processing of ϕ-OTDR signals. The fundamental theory underlying the algorithm, which is based on signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) maximization, is presented, and the efficacy of our algorithm is demonstrated with laboratory experiments and field tests. With the proposed digital processing technique, the results show that more than 10 dB of SNR values can be achieved without any reduction in the system bandwidth and without using additional optical amplifier stages in the hardware. We believe that our proposed adaptive processing approach can be effectively used to develop fiber optic-based distributed acoustic vibration sensing systems. PMID:28587240

A metro-access integrated network with all-optical virtual private network function using DPSK/ASK modulation format

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Yue; Leng, Lufeng; Su, Yikai

2008-11-01

All-optical virtual private network (VPN), which offers dedicated optical channels to connect users within a VPN group, is considered a promising approach to efficient internetworking with low latency and enhanced security implemented in the physical layer. On the other hand, time-division multiplexed (TDM) / wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) network architecture based on a feeder-ring with access-tree topology, is considered a pragmatic migration scenario from current TDM-PONs to future WDM-PONs and a potential convergence scheme for access and metropolitan networks, due to its efficiently shared hardware and bandwidth resources. All-optical VPN internetworking in such a metro-access integrated structure is expected to cover a wider service area and therefore is highly desirable. In this paper, we present a TDM/WDM metro-access integrated network supporting all-optical VPN internetworking among ONUs in different sub- PONs based on orthogonal differential-phase-shift keying (DPSK) / amplitude-shift keying (ASK) modulation format. In each ONU, no laser but a single Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) is needed for the upstream and VPN signal generation, which is cost-effective. Experiments and simulations are performed to verify its feasibility as a potential solution to the future access service.

Manufacturing issues and optical properties of rare-earth (Y, Lu, Sc, Nd) aluminate garnets composite transparent ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonnet, Loïck; Boulesteix, Rémy; Maître, Alexandre; Sallé, Christian; Couderc, Vincent; Brenier, Alain

2015-12-01

In this work, a comparative study of reactive sintering and optical properties of three laser composite transparent ceramics doped with neodymium: Nd:YAG/Nd:YS1AG, Nd:YAG/Nd:LuAG and Nd:YS1AG/Nd:LuAG has been achieved. Samples were manufactured thanks to pressureless co-sintering under vacuum of bilayer powder compacts. The reaction sequence from primary oxides to final garnet phases has been investigated. Similar dilatometric behavior was observed during reactive-sintering for each composition. Differential shrinkage can be thus accommodated to some extent. Second, this work has shown that the intermediate zone at composites interface is composed of single-phased garnet solid-solution with continuous evolution from one side to the other. The thickness of the interdiffusion zone was found to be limited to about 100 μm in all cases and appeared to be well described by classical diffusion laws of Fick and Whipple-Le Claire. The analyses of spectroscopic properties of transparent ceramics composites have finally shown that composite ceramics should be suitable to produce dual wavelength emission for terahertz generation.

A Deuterium NMR Study of Bent-Core Liquid Crystals. 1; Synthesis and Characterization of Deuterium-Labeled Oxadiazole-Containing Liquid Crystals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dingemans, Theo J.; Madsen, Louis A.; Samulski, Edward T.; Bushnell, Dennis M. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

We have synthesized two deuterated boomerang-shaped liquid crystals based on 2,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (ODBP). Deuterium was introduced in the rigid 2,5-diphenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole core and in the aromatic ring of the terminal 4-dodecyloxyphenyl moiety using standard acid catalyzed deuterium exchange conditions. Both compounds, ([4,4'(1,3,4-oxadiazole-2,5-diyl-d4)] di-4-dodecyloxybenzoate: ODBP-d4-Ph-O-C12) and ([4,4'(1,3,4-oxadiazole-2,5-diyl)] di-4-dodecyloxy-benzoate-d4; ODBP-Ph-d4-O-C12) were investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance, optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The optical textures and thermal behavior of both compounds were found to be identical to the non-deuterated analog [4,4(1,3,4-oxadiazole-2,5-diyl)] di-4-dodecyloxybenzoate (ODBP-Ph-O-C12) which we reported earlier. These compounds exhibit behavior indicative of a biaxial nematic liquid crystal phase, which we hope to confirm using deuterium NMR spectroscopy in the next phase of this study.

Intrinsic Optical Activity and Environmental Perturbations: Solvation Effects in Chiral Building Blocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lemler, Paul M.; Vaccaro, Patrick

2016-06-01

The non-resonant interaction of electromagnetic radiation with an isotropic ensemble of chiral molecules, which causes the incident state of linear polarization to undergo a signed rotation, long has served as a metric for gauging the enantiomeric purity of asymmetric syntheses. While the underlying phenomenon of circular birefringence (CB) typically is probed in the condensed phase, recent advances in ultrasensitive circular-differential detection schemes, as exemplified by the techniques of Cavity Ring-Down Polarimetry (CRDP), have permitted the first quantitative analyses of such processes to be performed in rarefied media. Efforts to extend vapor-phase investigations of CB to new families of chiral substrates will be discussed, with particular emphasis directed towards the elucidation of intrinsic (e.g., solvent-free) properties and their mediation by environmental perturbations (e.g., solvation). Specific species targeted by this work will include the stereoselective building blocks phenylpropylene oxide and α-methylbenzyl amine, both of which exhibit pronounced solvent-dependent changes in measured optical activity. The nature of chiroptical response in different environments will be highlighted, with quantum-chemical calculations serving to unravel the structural and electronic provenance of observed behavior.

The influence of underwater turbulence on optical phase measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Redding, Brandon; Davis, Allen; Kirkendall, Clay; Dandridge, Anthony

2016-05-01

Emerging underwater optical imaging and sensing applications rely on phase-sensitive detection to provide added functionality and improved sensitivity. However, underwater turbulence introduces spatio-temporal variations in the refractive index of water which can degrade the performance of these systems. Although the influence of turbulence on traditional, non-interferometric imaging has been investigated, its influence on the optical phase remains poorly understood. Nonetheless, a thorough understanding of the spatio-temporal dynamics of the optical phase of light passing through underwater turbulence are crucial to the design of phase-sensitive imaging and sensing systems. To address this concern, we combined underwater imaging with high speed holography to provide a calibrated characterization of the effects of turbulence on the optical phase. By measuring the modulation transfer function of an underwater imaging system, we were able to calibrate varying levels of optical turbulence intensity using the Simple Underwater Imaging Model (SUIM). We then used high speed holography to measure the temporal dynamics of the optical phase of light passing through varying levels of turbulence. Using this method, we measured the variance in the amplitude and phase of the beam, the temporal correlation of the optical phase, and recorded the turbulence induced phase noise as a function of frequency. By bench marking the effects of varying levels of turbulence on the optical phase, this work provides a basis to evaluate the real-world potential of emerging underwater interferometric sensing modalities.

Tissues viability and blood flow sensing based on a new nanophotonics method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yariv, Inbar; Haddad, Menashe; Duadi, Hamootal; Motiei, Menachem; Fixler, Dror

2018-02-01

Extracting optical parameters of turbid medium (e.g. tissue) by light reflectance signals is of great interest and has many applications in the medical world, life science, material analysis and biomedical optics. The reemitted light from an irradiated tissue is affected by the light's interaction with the tissue components and contains the information about the tissue structure and physiological state. In this research we present a novel noninvasive nanophotonics technique, i.e., iterative multi-plane optical property extraction (IMOPE) based on reflectance measurements. The reflectance based IMOPE was applied for tissue viability examination, detection of gold nanorods (GNRs) within the blood circulation as well as blood flow detection using the GNRs presence within the blood vessels. The basics of the IMOPE combine a simple experimental setup for recording light intensity images with an iterative Gerchberg-Saxton (G-S) algorithm for reconstructing the reflected light phase and computing its standard deviation (STD). Changes in tissue composition affect its optical properties which results in changes in the light phase that can be measured by its STD. This work presents reflectance based IMOPE tissue viability examination, producing a decrease in the computed STD for older tissues, as well as investigating their organic material absorption capability. Finally, differentiation of the femoral vein from adjacent tissues using GNRs and the detection of their presence within blood circulation and tissues are also presented with high sensitivity (better than computed tomography) to low quantities of GNRs (<3 mg).

Long-period fiber gratings as ultrafast optical differentiators.

PubMed

Kulishov, Mykola; Azaña, José

2005-10-15

It is demonstrated that a single, uniform long-period fiber grating (LPFG) working in the linear regime inherently behaves as an ultrafast optical temporal differentiator. Specifically, we show that the output temporal waveform in the core mode of a LPFG providing full energy coupling into the cladding mode is proportional to the first derivative of the optical temporal signal (e.g., optical pulse) launched at the input of the LPFG. Moreover, a LPFG providing full energy recoupling back from the cladding mode into the core mode inherently implements second-order temporal differentiation. Our numerical results have confirmed the feasibility of this simple, all-fiber approach to processing optical signals with temporal features in the picosecond and subpicosecond ranges.

Acquiring 3-D information about thick objects from differential interference contrast images using texture extraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sierra, Heidy; Brooks, Dana; Dimarzio, Charles

2010-07-01

The extraction of 3-D morphological information about thick objects is explored in this work. We extract this information from 3-D differential interference contrast (DIC) images by applying a texture detection method. Texture extraction methods have been successfully used in different applications to study biological samples. A 3-D texture image is obtained by applying a local entropy-based texture extraction method. The use of this method to detect regions of blastocyst mouse embryos that are used in assisted reproduction techniques such as in vitro fertilization is presented as an example. Results demonstrate the potential of using texture detection methods to improve morphological analysis of thick samples, which is relevant to many biomedical and biological studies. Fluorescence and optical quadrature microscope phase images are used for validation.

Short Range 10 Gb/s THz Communications. Proof of Concept Phase 2

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-12-01

heterodyned are phase locked to spectral lines selected from the optical frequency comb generator (OFCG) using optical phase locked loops ( OPLLs ) or by...systems by optical heterodyne generation (OHG), in which the outputs of two phase - locked lasers are combined, and detection in a fast photodiode, such... Heterodyning of two CW optical signals, each phase locked to lines in an

Phase equilibria in the quasiternary system Ag2S-Ga2S3-In2S3 and optical properties of (Ga55In45)2S300, (Ga54.59In44.66Er0.75)2S300 single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivashchenko, I. A.; Danyliuk, I. V.; Olekseyuk, I. D.; Pankevych, V. Z.; Halyan, V. V.

2015-07-01

The quasiternary system Ag2S-Ga2S3-In2S3 was investigated by differential thermal, X-ray diffraction analyses. The phase diagram of the Ga2S3-In2S3 system and nine polythermal sections, isothermal section at 820 K and the liquidus surface projection were constructed. The existence of the large solid solutions ranges of binary and ternary compounds was established. The range of the existence of the quaternary phase AgGaxIn5-xS8 (2.25≤x≤2.85) at 820 K was determined. The single crystals (Ga55In45)2S300 and (Ga54.59In44.66Er0.75)2S300 were grown by a directional crystallization method from solution-melt. Optical absorption spectra in the 500-1600 nm range were recorded. The luminescence of the (Ga54.59In44.66Er0.75)2S300 single crystal shows a maximum at 1530 nm for the excitation wavelengths of 532 and 980 nm at 80 and 300 K.

Using machine-learning to optimize phase contrast in a low-cost cellphone microscope

PubMed Central

Wartmann, Rolf; Schadwinkel, Harald; Heintzmann, Rainer

2018-01-01

Cellphones equipped with high-quality cameras and powerful CPUs as well as GPUs are widespread. This opens new prospects to use such existing computational and imaging resources to perform medical diagnosis in developing countries at a very low cost. Many relevant samples, like biological cells or waterborn parasites, are almost fully transparent. As they do not exhibit absorption, but alter the light’s phase only, they are almost invisible in brightfield microscopy. Expensive equipment and procedures for microscopic contrasting or sample staining often are not available. Dedicated illumination approaches, tailored to the sample under investigation help to boost the contrast. This is achieved by a programmable illumination source, which also allows to measure the phase gradient using the differential phase contrast (DPC) [1, 2] or even the quantitative phase using the derived qDPC approach [3]. By applying machine-learning techniques, such as a convolutional neural network (CNN), it is possible to learn a relationship between samples to be examined and its optimal light source shapes, in order to increase e.g. phase contrast, from a given dataset to enable real-time applications. For the experimental setup, we developed a 3D-printed smartphone microscope for less than 100 $ using off-the-shelf components only such as a low-cost video projector. The fully automated system assures true Koehler illumination with an LCD as the condenser aperture and a reversed smartphone lens as the microscope objective. We show that the effect of a varied light source shape, using the pre-trained CNN, does not only improve the phase contrast, but also the impression of an improvement in optical resolution without adding any special optics, as demonstrated by measurements. PMID:29494620

On singlet s-wave electron-hydrogen scattering.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Madan, R. N.

1973-01-01

Discussion of various zeroth-order approximations to s-wave scattering of electrons by hydrogen atoms below the first excitation threshold. The formalism previously developed by the author (1967, 1968) is applied to Feshbach operators to derive integro-differential equations, with the optical-potential set equal to zero, for the singlet and triplet cases. Phase shifts of s-wave scattering are computed in the zeroth-order approximation of the Feshbach operator method and in the static-exchange approximation. It is found that the convergence of numerical computations is faster in the former approximation than in the latter.

New coumarin carboxylates having trifluoromethyl, diethylamino and morpholino terminal groups: Synthesis and mesomorphic characterisations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Srinivasa, Hosapalya Thimmaiah; Harishkumar, Hosanagara Narayana; Palakshamurthy, Bandrehalli Siddagangappa

2017-03-01

New set of trifluromethyl, diethylamino and morpholino derived coumarin compounds were prepared by reacting various coumarin 3-carboxylic acids with various phenyl esters with peripheral alkyl, ester and polar cyano moieties in the presence of EDC.HCl/DMAP as esterification agent. The chemical structures of new coumarin derivatives were confirmed by standard spectroscopic techniques and mesomorphic behaviours were established by polarised optical microscopy (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Trifluoromethane and morpholino derivatives show SmA/Nematic phase, while diethylamino derivatives did not show liquid crystalline property.

Examination of new chiral smectics with four aromatic rings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Żurowska, Magdalena; Czerwiński, Michał; Dziaduszek, Jerzy; Filipowicz, Marek

2018-05-01

This paper presents the results of the study of four chiral mesogens with the acronym (4X1X2). The investigated compounds might be of interest for use as components of multicomponent mixtures useful in technical devices. The compounds have high chemical stability. Their mesomorphic properties were tested by means of polarizing optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The helical pitch of the prepared compounds and mixtures was estimated using the selective reflection method. Their phase smectic layer structure and usefulness for formulation of multicomponent antiferroelectric mixtures were then reported.

Lyotropic liquid crystalline phase behaviour in amphiphile-protic ionic liquid systems.

PubMed

Chen, Zhengfei; Greaves, Tamar L; Fong, Celesta; Caruso, Rachel A; Drummond, Calum J

2012-03-21

Approximate partial phase diagrams for nine amphiphile-protic ionic liquid (PIL) systems have been determined by synchrotron source small angle X-ray scattering, differential scanning calorimetry and cross polarised optical microscopy. The binary phase diagrams of some common cationic (hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, CTAC, and hexadecylpyridinium bromide, HDPB) and nonionic (polyoxyethylene (10) oleyl ether, Brij 97, and Pluronic block copolymer, P123) amphiphiles with the PILs, ethylammonium nitrate (EAN), ethanolammonium nitrate (EOAN) and diethanolammonium formate (DEOAF), have been studied. The phase diagrams were constructed for concentrations from 10 wt% to 80 wt% amphiphile, in the temperature range 25 °C to >100 °C. Lyotropic liquid crystalline phases (hexagonal, cubic and lamellar) were formed at high surfactant concentrations (typically >50 wt%), whereas at <40 wt%, only micelles or polydisperse crystals were present. With the exception of Brij 97, the thermal stability of the phases formed by these surfactants persisted to temperatures above 100 °C. The phase behaviour of amphiphile-PIL systems was interpreted by considering the PIL cohesive energy, liquid nanoscale order, polarity and ionicity. For comparison the phase behaviour of the four amphiphiles was also studied in water.

Asymmetric flavone-based liquid crystals: synthesis and properties

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Timmons, Daren J.; Jordan, Abraham J.; Kirchon, Angelo A.

2017-02-01

A series of flavones (n-F) substituted at the 4', and 6 positions was prepared, characterised by NMR (1H,13C), HRMS, and studied for liquid crystal properties. The 4'-alkoxy,6-methoxyflavones (4-F–16-F) exhibit varying ranges of nematic and smectic A phases as evidenced by polarised optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). As the tail length is increased, the smectic phase becomes more prevalent. Smectic phases for (8-F–16-F) were further analysed by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the rate of structural transformations was explored by combined DSC/XRD studies. Flavonol 6-F–OH was also prepared but no mesogenic behaviour was observed. The molecular structures of 6-Fmore » and 6-F–OH were determined by single-crystal XRD and help to explain the differences in material properties. Additionally, fluorescence and electrochemical studies were conducted on solutions of n-F.« less

Simultaneous wavelength conversion of ASK and DPSK signals based on four-wave-mixing in dispersion engineered silicon waveguides.

PubMed

Xu, Lin; Ophir, Noam; Menard, Michael; Lau, Ryan Kin Wah; Turner-Foster, Amy C; Foster, Mark A; Lipson, Michal; Gaeta, Alexander L; Bergman, Keren

2011-06-20

We experimentally demonstrate four-wave-mixing (FWM)-based continuous wavelength conversion of optical differential-phase-shift-keyed (DPSK) signals with large wavelength conversion ranges as well as simultaneous wavelength conversion of dual-wavelength channels with mixed modulation formats in 1.1-cm-long dispersion-engineered silicon waveguides. We first validate up to 100-nm wavelength conversion range for 10-Gb/s DPSK signals, showcasing the capability to perform phase-preserving operations at high bit rates in chip-scale devices over wide conversion ranges. We further validate the wavelength conversion of dual-wavelength channels modulated with 10-Gb/s packetized phase-shift-keyed (PSK) and amplitude-shift-keyed (ASK) signals; demonstrate simultaneous operation on multiple channels with mixed formats in chip-scale devices. For both configurations, we measure the spectral and temporal responses and evaluate the performances using bit-error-rate (BER) measurements.

All-optical phase shifter and switch near 1550nm using tungsten disulfide (WS2) deposited tapered fiber.

PubMed

Wu, Kan; Guo, Chaoshi; Wang, Hao; Zhang, Xiaoyan; Wang, Jun; Chen, Jianping

2017-07-24

All-optical phase shifters and switches play an important role for various all-optical applications including all-optical signal processing, sensing and communication. In this paper, we demonstrate a fiber all-optical phase shifter using few-layer 2D material tungsten disulfide (WS 2 ) deposited on a tapered fiber. WS 2 absorbs injected 980 nm pump (control light) and generates heat, which changes the refractive index of both WS 2 and tapered fiber due to thermo-optic effect and achieves a maximum phase shift of 6.1π near 1550 nm. The device has a loss of 3.7 dB. By constructing a Mach-Zehnder interferometer with WS 2 based phase shifter in one arm, an all-optical switch is also obtained with an extinction ratio of 15 dB and a rise time of 7.3 ms. This all fiber low-cost and compact optical phase shifter and switch demonstrates the potential of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides for all-optical signal processing devices.

Joint carrier phase and frequency-offset estimation with parallel implementation for dual-polarization coherent receiver.

PubMed

Lu, Jianing; Li, Xiang; Fu, Songnian; Luo, Ming; Xiang, Meng; Zhou, Huibin; Tang, Ming; Liu, Deming

2017-03-06

We present dual-polarization complex-weighted, decision-aided, maximum-likelihood algorithm with superscalar parallelization (SSP-DP-CW-DA-ML) for joint carrier phase and frequency-offset estimation (FOE) in coherent optical receivers. By pre-compensation of the phase offset between signals in dual polarizations, the performance can be substantially improved. Meanwhile, with the help of modified SSP-based parallel implementation, the acquisition time of FO and the required number of training symbols are reduced by transferring the complex weights of the filters between adjacent buffers, where differential coding/decoding is not required. Simulation results show that the laser linewidth tolerance of our proposed algorithm is comparable to traditional blind phase search (BPS), while a complete FOE range of ± symbol rate/2 can be achieved. Finally, performance of our proposed algorithm is experimentally verified under the scenario of back-to-back (B2B) transmission using 10 Gbaud DP-16/32-QAM formats.

Mesomorphic behaviors of a series of heterocyclic thiophene-imine-ester-based liquid crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foo, K.-L.; Ha, S.-T.; Yeap, G. Y.; Lee, S. L.

2018-05-01

The synthesis and characterization of a series of heterocyclic liquid crystal, 4-{[(thiophen-2-yl)methylidene]amino}phenyl 4-alkoxybenzoates possessing even number of carbon atoms at the alkoxy chain (CnH2n+1O-, n = 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18) are reported. The molecular structures of title compounds were elucidated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopic techniques along with mass spectrometric analysis. The phase behavior of these compounds was characterized and studied by differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy. All members exhibited enantiotropic nematic phase except for the highest member (n = 18) which is a non-mesogen. Influence of alkoxy chain length on the transition temperatures of crystal-to-nematic (melting point) and nematic-to-isotropic (clearing point) was studied. Nematic phase range was found to increase from n = 6 to n = 10, then it started to descend from n = 12 to n = 16 and finally the nematic phase disappeared when n changed to 18.

Refractive index retrieving of polarization maintaining optical fibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramadan, W. A.; Wahba, H. H.; Shams El-Din, M. A.; Abd El-Sadek, I. G.

2018-01-01

In this paper, the cross-section images, of two different types of polarization maintaining (PM) optical fibers, are employed to estimate the optical phase variation due to transverse optical rays passing through these optical fibers. An adaptive algorithm is proposed to recognize the different areas constituting the PM optical fibers cross-sections. These areas are scanned by a transverse beam to calculate the optical paths for given values of refractive indices. Consequently, the optical phases across the PM optical fibers could be recovered. PM optical fiber is immersed in a matching fluid and set in the object arm of Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The produced interferograms are analyzed to extract the optical phases caused by the PM optical fibers. The estimated optical phases could be optimized to be in good coincidence with experimentally extracted ones. This has been achieved through changing of the PM optical fibers refractive indices to retrieve the correct values. The correct refractive indices values are confirmed by getting the best fit between the estimated and the extracted optical phases. The presented approach is a promising one because it provides a quite direct and accurate information about refractive index, birefringence and beat length of PM optical fibers comparing with different techniques handle the same task.

In vivo flow cytometry for blood cell analysis using differential epi-detection of forward scattered light

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paudel, Hari P.; Jung, Yookyung; Raphael, Anthony; Alt, Clemens; Wu, Juwell; Runnels, Judith; Lin, Charles P.

2018-02-01

The present standard of blood cell analysis is an invasive procedure requiring the extraction of patient's blood, followed by ex-vivo analysis using a flow cytometer or a hemocytometer. We are developing a noninvasive optical technique that alleviates the need for blood extraction. For in-vivo blood analysis we need a high speed, high resolution and high contrast label-free imaging technique. In this proceeding report, we reported a label-free method based on differential epi-detection of forward scattered light, a method inspired by Jerome Mertz's oblique back-illumination microscopy (OBM) (Ford et al, Nat. Meth. 9(12) 2012). The differential epi-detection of forward light gives phase contrast image at diffraction-limited resolution. Unlike reflection confocal microscopy (RCM), which detects only sharp refractive index variation and suffers from speckle noise, this technique is suitable for detection of subtle variation of refractive index in biological tissue and it provides the shape and the size of cells. A custom built high speed electronic detection circuit board produces a real-time differential signal which yields image contrast based on phase gradient in the sample. We recorded blood flow in-vivo at 17.2k lines per second in line scan mode, or 30 frames per second (full frame), or 120 frame per second (quarter frame) in frame scan mode. The image contrast and speed of line scan data recording show the potential of the system for noninvasive blood cell analysis.

Integrated optics prototype beam combiner for long baseline interferometry in the L and M bands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tepper, J.; Labadie, L.; Diener, R.; Minardi, S.; Pott, J.-U.; Thomson, R.; Nolte, S.

2017-06-01

Context. Optical long baseline interferometry is a unique way to study astronomical objects at milli-arcsecond resolutions not attainable with current single-dish telescopes. Yet, the significance of its scientfic return strongly depends on a dense coverage of the uv-plane and a highly stable transfer function of the interferometric instrument. In the last few years, integrated optics (IO) beam combiners have facilitated the emergence of 4-telescope interferometers such as PIONIER or GRAVITY, boosting the imaging capabilities of the VLTI. However, the spectral range beyond 2.2 μm is not ideally covered by the conventional silica based IO. Here, we consider new laser-written IO prototypes made of gallium lanthanum sulfide (GLS) glass, a material that permits access to the mid-infrared spectral regime. Aims: Our goal is to conduct a full characterization of our mid-IR IO two-telescope coupler in order to measure the performance levels directly relevant for long-baseline interferometry. We focus in particular on the exploitation of the L and M astronomical bands. Methods: We use a dedicated Michelson-interferometer setup to perform Fourier transform spectroscopy on the coupler and measure its broadband interferometric performance. We also analyze the polarization properties of the coupler, the differential dispersion and phase degradation, as well as the modal behavior and the total throughput. Results: We measure broadband interferometric contrasts of 94.9% and 92.1% for unpolarized light in the L and M bands. Spectrally integrated splitting ratios are close to 50%, but show chromatic dependence over the considered bandwidths. Additionally, the phase variation due to the combiner is measured and does not exceed 0.04 rad and 0.07 rad across the L and M band, respectively. The total throughput of the coupler including Fresnel and injection losses from free-space is 25.4%. Furthermore, differential birefringence is low (<0.2 rad), in line with the high contrasts reported for unpolarized light. Conclusions: The laser-written IO GLS prototype combiners prove to be a reliable technological solution with promising performance for mid-infrared long-baseline interferometry. In the next steps, we will consider more advanced optical functions, as well as a fiber-fed input, and we will revise the optical design parameters in order to further enhance the total throughput and achromatic behavior.

Phase noise suppression for coherent optical block transmission systems: a unified framework.

PubMed

Yang, Chuanchuan; Yang, Feng; Wang, Ziyu

2011-08-29

A unified framework for phase noise suppression is proposed in this paper, which could be applied in any coherent optical block transmission systems, including coherent optical orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (CO-OFDM), coherent optical single-carrier frequency-domain equalization block transmission (CO-SCFDE), etc. Based on adaptive modeling of phase noise, unified observation equations for different coherent optical block transmission systems are constructed, which lead to unified phase noise estimation and suppression. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposal is powerful in mitigating laser phase noise.

Optical bistability and optical response of an infrared quantum dot hybridized to VO2 nanoparticle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zamani, Naser; Hatef, Ali; Nadgaran, Hamid; Keshavarz, Alireza

2017-08-01

In this work, we theoretically investigate optical bistability and optical response of a hybrid system consisting of semiconductor quantum dot (SQD) coupled with a vanadium dioxide nanoparticle (VO2NP) in the infrared (IR) regime. The VO2 material exists in semiconductor and metallic phases below and above the critical temperature, respectively where the particle optical properties dramatically change during this phase transition. In our calculations a filling fraction factor controls the VO2NP phase transition when the hybrid system interacts with a laser field. We demonstrate that the switch-up threshold for optical bistability is strongly controlled by filling fraction without changing the structure of the hybrid system. Also, it is shown that, the threshold of optical bistability increases when the VO2NP phases changes from semiconductor to metallic phase. The presented results have the potential to be applied in designing optical switching and optical storage.

Sub-pixel spatial resolution wavefront phase imaging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stahl, H. Philip (Inventor); Mooney, James T. (Inventor)

2012-01-01

A phase imaging method for an optical wavefront acquires a plurality of phase images of the optical wavefront using a phase imager. Each phase image is unique and is shifted with respect to another of the phase images by a known/controlled amount that is less than the size of the phase imager's pixels. The phase images are then combined to generate a single high-spatial resolution phase image of the optical wavefront.

Random phase encoding for optical security

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, RuiKang K.; Watson, Ian A.; Chatwin, Christopher R.

1996-09-01

A new optical encoding method for security applications is proposed. The encoded image (encrypted into the security products) is merely a random phase image statistically and randomly generated by a random number generator using a computer, which contains no information from the reference pattern (stored for verification) or the frequency plane filter (a phase-only function for decoding). The phase function in the frequency plane is obtained using a modified phase retrieval algorithm. The proposed method uses two phase-only functions (images) at both the input and frequency planes of the optical processor leading to maximum optical efficiency. Computer simulation shows that the proposed method is robust for optical security applications.

New optical frequency domain differential mode delay measurement method for a multimode optical fiber.

PubMed

Ahn, T; Moon, S; Youk, Y; Jung, Y; Oh, K; Kim, D

2005-05-30

A novel mode analysis method and differential mode delay (DMD) measurement technique for a multimode optical fiber based on optical frequency domain reflectometry has been proposed for the first time. We have used a conventional OFDR with a tunable external cavity laser and a Michelson interferometer. A few-mode optical multimode fiber was prepared to test our proposed measurement technique. We have also compared the OFDR measurement results with those obtained using a traditional time-domain measurement method.

Optical quantification of forces at play during stem cell differentiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ritter, Christine M.; Brickman, Joshua M.; Oddershede, Lene B.

2016-03-01

A cell is in constant interaction with its environment, it responds to external mechanical, chemical and biological signals. The response to these signals can be of various nature, for instance intra-cellular mechanical re-arrangements, cell-cell interactions, or cellular reinforcements. Optical methods are quite attractive for investigating the mechanics inside living cells as, e.g., optical traps are amongst the only nanotools that can reach and manipulate, measure forces, inside a living cell. In the recent years it has become increasingly evident that not only biochemical and biomolecular cues, but also that mechanical ones, play an important roles in stem cell differentiation. The first evidence for the importance of mechanical cues emerged from studies showing that substrate stiffness had an impact on stem cell differentiation. Recently, techniques such as optical tweezers and stretchers have been applied to stem cells, producing new insights into the role of mechanics in regulating renewal and differentiation. Here, we describe how optical tweezers and optical stretchers can be applied as a tool to investigate stem cell mechanics and some of the recent results to come out of this work.

Research on phase locked loop in optical memory servo system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qin, Liqin; Ma, Jianshe; Zhang, Jianyong; Pan, Longfa; Deng, Ming

2005-09-01

Phase locked loop (PLL) is a closed loop automatic control system, which can track the phase of input signal. It widely applies in each area of electronic technology. This paper research the phase locked loop in optical memory servo area. This paper introduces the configuration of digital phase locked loop (PLL) and phase locked servo system, the control theory, and analyses system's stability. It constructs the phase locked loop experiment system of optical disk spindle servo, which based on special chip. DC motor is main object, this system adopted phase locked servo technique and digital signal processor (DSP) to achieve constant linear velocity (CLV) in controlling optical spindle motor. This paper analyses the factors that affect the stability of phase locked loop in spindle servo system, and discusses the affection to the optical disk readout signal and jitter due to the stability of phase locked loop.

Optical information authentication using compressed double-random-phase-encoded images and quick-response codes.

PubMed

Wang, Xiaogang; Chen, Wen; Chen, Xudong

2015-03-09

In this paper, we develop a new optical information authentication system based on compressed double-random-phase-encoded images and quick-response (QR) codes, where the parameters of optical lightwave are used as keys for optical decryption and the QR code is a key for verification. An input image attached with QR code is first optically encoded in a simplified double random phase encoding (DRPE) scheme without using interferometric setup. From the single encoded intensity pattern recorded by a CCD camera, a compressed double-random-phase-encoded image, i.e., the sparse phase distribution used for optical decryption, is generated by using an iterative phase retrieval technique with QR code. We compare this technique to the other two methods proposed in literature, i.e., Fresnel domain information authentication based on the classical DRPE with holographic technique and information authentication based on DRPE and phase retrieval algorithm. Simulation results show that QR codes are effective on improving the security and data sparsity of optical information encryption and authentication system.

Phase Recovery Acceleration of Quantum-Dot Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers by Optical Pumping to Quantum-Well Wetting Layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jungho

2013-11-01

We theoretically investigate the phase recovery acceleration of quantum-dot (QD) semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) by means of the optical pump injection to the quantum-well (QW) wetting layer (WL). We compare the ultrafast gain and phase recovery responses of QD SOAs in either the electrical or the optical pumping scheme by numerically solving 1088 coupled rate equations. The ultrafast gain recovery responses on the order of sub-picosecond are nearly the same for the two pumping schemes. The ultrafast phase recovery is not significantly accelerated by increasing the electrical current density, but greatly improved by increasing the optical pumping power to the QW WL. Because the phase recovery time of QD SOAs with the optical pumping scheme can be reduced down to several picoseconds, the complete phase recovery can be achieved when consecutive pulse signals with a repetition rate of 100 GHz is injected.

All-optical short pulse translation through cross-phase modulation in a VO₂ thin film.

PubMed

Fardad, Shima; Das, Susobhan; Salandrino, Alessandro; Breckenfeld, Eric; Kim, Heungsoo; Wu, Judy; Hui, Rongqing

2016-01-15

VO2 is a promising material for reconfigurable photonic devices due to the ultrafast changes in electronic and optical properties associated with its dielectric-to-metal phase transition. Based on a fiber-optic, pump-probe setup at 1550 nm wavelength window, and by varying the pump-pulse duration, we show that the material phase transition is primarily caused by the pump-pulse energy. For the first time, we demonstrate that the instantaneous optical phase modulation of probe during pump leading edge can be utilized to create short optical pulses at probe wavelength, through optical frequency discrimination. This circumvents the impact of long recovery time well known for the phase transition of VO2.

Investigations on nonlinear absorption and nonlinear refraction of a new photonic crystal using Z-scan

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shetty, T. C. S., E-mail: tcsshetty@gmail.com; Department of Post Graduate Studies in Physics, St Aloysius College; Sandeep, K. M.

A new photonic material, (2E)-1-(3-chlorophenyl)-3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (DCPP) was synthesized and crystallised at room temperature. The functional groups of synthesised material were confirmed using FT-IR. The third order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties were investigated using Z-scan technique with 5 ns Nd:YAG laser pulses operating at a wavelength of 532 nm. Linear absorption spectrum of DCPP crystals shows an optical transmittance window and a lower cutoff wavelength of absorption at 380 nm. The direct transition band gap energy was determined using Tauc’s plot. The melting point and thermal stability of the crystal have been investigated by thermo gravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA). Themore » Thermo gravimetric curve showed absence of any phase transition before melting point.« less

Optically phase-locked electronic speckle pattern interferometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moran, Steven E.; Law, Robert; Craig, Peter N.; Goldberg, Warren M.

1987-02-01

The design, theory, operation, and characteristics of an optically phase-locked electronic speckle pattern interferometer (OPL-ESPI) are described. The OPL-ESPI system couples an optical phase-locked loop with an ESPI system to generate real-time equal Doppler speckle contours of moving objects from unstable sensor platforms. In addition, the optical phase-locked loop provides the basis for a new ESPI video signal processing technique which incorporates local oscillator phase shifting coupled with video sequential frame subtraction.

Analytical evaluation of the combined influence of polarization mode dispersion and group velocity dispersion on the bit error rate performance of optical homodyne quadrature phase-shift keying systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taher, Kazi Abu; Majumder, Satya Prasad

2017-12-01

A theoretical approach is presented to evaluate the bit error rate (BER) performance of an optical fiber transmission system with quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) modulation under the combined influence of polarization mode dispersion (PMD) and group velocity dispersion (GVD) in a single-mode fiber (SMF). The analysis is carried out without and with polarization division multiplexed (PDM) transmission considering a coherent homodyne receiver. The probability density function (pdf) of the random phase fluctuations due to PMD and GVD at the output of the receiver is determined analytically, considering the pdf of differential group delay (DGD) to be Maxwellian distribution and that of GVD to be Gaussian approximation. The exact pdf of the phase fluctuation due to PMD and GVD is also evaluated from its moments using a Monte Carlo simulation technique. Average BER is evaluated by averaging the conditional BER over the pdf of the random phase fluctuation. The BER performance results are evaluated for different system parameters. It is found that PDM-QPSK coherent homodyne system suffers more power penalty than the homodyne QPSK system without PDM. A PDM-QPSK system suffers a penalty of 4.3 dB whereas power penalty of QPSK system is 3.0 dB at a BER of 10-9 for DGD of 0.8 Tb and GVD of 1700 ps/nm. Analytical results are compared with the experimental results reported earlier and found to have good conformity.

Information storage and retrieval in a single levitating colloidal particle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Myers, Christopher J.; Celebrano, Michele; Krishnan, Madhavi

2015-10-01

The binary switch is a basic component of digital information. From phase-change alloys to nanomechanical beams, molecules and atoms, new strategies for controlled bistability hold great interest for emerging technologies. We present a generic methodology for precise and parallel spatiotemporal control of nanometre-scale matter in a fluid, and demonstrate the ability to attain digital functionalities such as switching, gating and data storage in a single colloid, with further implications for signal amplification and logic operations. This fluid-phase bit can be arrayed at high densities, manipulated by either electrical or optical fields, supports low-energy, high-speed operation and marks a first step toward ‘colloidal information’. The principle generalizes to any system where spatial perturbation of a particle elicits a differential response amenable to readout.

Information storage and retrieval in a single levitating colloidal particle.

PubMed

Myers, Christopher J; Celebrano, Michele; Krishnan, Madhavi

2015-10-01

The binary switch is a basic component of digital information. From phase-change alloys to nanomechanical beams, molecules and atoms, new strategies for controlled bistability hold great interest for emerging technologies. We present a generic methodology for precise and parallel spatiotemporal control of nanometre-scale matter in a fluid, and demonstrate the ability to attain digital functionalities such as switching, gating and data storage in a single colloid, with further implications for signal amplification and logic operations. This fluid-phase bit can be arrayed at high densities, manipulated by either electrical or optical fields, supports low-energy, high-speed operation and marks a first step toward 'colloidal information'. The principle generalizes to any system where spatial perturbation of a particle elicits a differential response amenable to readout.

Depth-resolved birefringence and differential optical axis orientation measurements with fiber-based polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Guo, Shuguang; Zhang, Jun; Wang, Lei; Nelson, J Stuart; Chen, Zhongping

2004-09-01

Conventional polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) can provide depth-resolved Stokes parameter measurements of light reflected from turbid media. A new algorithm that takes into account changes in the optical axis is introduced to provide depth-resolved birefringence and differential optical axis orientation images by use of fiber-based PS-OCT. Quaternion, a convenient mathematical tool, is used to represent an optical element and simplify the algorithm. Experimental results with beef tendon and rabbit tendon and muscle show that this technique has promising potential for imaging the birefringent structure of multiple-layer samples with varying optical axes.

Monolithic optical phased-array transceiver in a standard SOI CMOS process.

PubMed

Abediasl, Hooman; Hashemi, Hossein

2015-03-09

Monolithic microwave phased arrays are turning mainstream in automotive radars and high-speed wireless communications fulfilling Gordon Moores 1965 prophecy to this effect. Optical phased arrays enable imaging, lidar, display, sensing, and holography. Advancements in fabrication technology has led to monolithic nanophotonic phased arrays, albeit without independent phase and amplitude control ability, integration with electronic circuitry, or including receive and transmit functions. We report the first monolithic optical phased array transceiver with independent control of amplitude and phase for each element using electronic circuitry that is tightly integrated with the nanophotonic components on one substrate using a commercial foundry CMOS SOI process. The 8 × 8 phased array chip includes thermo-optical tunable phase shifters and attenuators, nano-photonic antennas, and dedicated control electronics realized using CMOS transistors. The complex chip includes over 300 distinct optical components and over 74,000 distinct electrical components achieving the highest level of integration for any electronic-photonic system.

A phase space approach to imaging from limited data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Testorf, Markus E.

2015-09-01

The optical instrument function is used as the basis to develop optical system theory for imaging applications. The detection of optical signals is conveniently described as the overlap integral of the Wigner distribution functions of instrument and optical signal. Based on this framework various optical imaging systems, including plenoptic cameras, phase-retrieval algorithms, and Shack-Hartman sensors are shown to acquire information about a domain in phase-space, with finite extension and finite resolution. It is demonstrated how phase space optics can be used both to analyze imaging systems, as well as for designing methods for image reconstruction.

Effect of additional optical pumping injection into the ground-state ensemble on the gain and the phase recovery acceleration of quantum-dot semiconductor optical amplifiers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jungho

2014-02-01

The effect of additional optical pumping injection into the ground-state ensemble on the ultrafast gain and the phase recovery dynamics of electrically-driven quantum-dot semiconductor optical amplifiers is numerically investigated by solving 1088 coupled rate equations. The ultrafast gain and the phase recovery responses are calculated with respect to the additional optical pumping power. Increasing the additional optical pumping power can significantly accelerate the ultrafast phase recovery, which cannot be done by increasing the injection current density.

Accurate phase measurements for thick spherical objects using optical quadrature microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Warger, William C., II; DiMarzio, Charles A.

2009-02-01

In vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures have resulted in the birth of over three million babies since 1978. Yet the live birth rate in the United States was only 34% in 2005, with 32% of the successful pregnancies resulting in multiple births. These multiple pregnancies were directly attributed to the transfer of multiple embryos to increase the probability that a single, healthy embryo was included. Current viability markers used for IVF, such as the cell number, symmetry, size, and fragmentation, are analyzed qualitatively with differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy. However, this method is not ideal for quantitative measures beyond the 8-cell stage of development because the cells overlap and obstruct the view within and below the cluster of cells. We have developed the phase-subtraction cell-counting method that uses the combination of DIC and optical quadrature microscopy (OQM) to count the number of cells accurately in live mouse embryos beyond the 8-cell stage. We have also created a preliminary analysis to measure the cell symmetry, size, and fragmentation quantitatively by analyzing the relative dry mass from the OQM image in conjunction with the phase-subtraction count. In this paper, we will discuss the characterization of OQM with respect to measuring the phase accurately for spherical samples that are much larger than the depth of field. Once fully characterized and verified with human embryos, this methodology could provide the means for a more accurate method to score embryo viability.

Contrast features of breast cancer in frequency-domain laser scanning mammography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moesta, K. Thomas; Fantini, Sergio; Jess, Helge; Totkas, Susan; Franceschini, Maria-Angela; Kaschke, Michael; Schlag, Peter M.

1998-04-01

Frequency-domain optical mammography has been advocated to improve contrast and thus cancer detectability in breast transillumination. To the best of our knowledge, this report provides the first systematic clinical results of a frequency-domain laser scanning mammograph (FLM). The instrument provides monochromatic light at 690 and 810 nm, whose intensity is modulated at 110.0008 MHz, respectively. The breast is scanned by stepwise positioning of source and detector, and amplitude and phase for both wavelengths are measured by a photomultiplier tube using heterodyne detection. Images are formed representing amplitude or phase data on linear gray scales. Furthermore, various algorithms carrying on more than one signal were essayed. Twenty visible cancers out of 25 cancers in the first 59 investigations were analyzed for their quantitative contrast with respect to the whole breast or to defined reference areas. Contrast definitions refer to the signal itself, to the signal noise, or were based on nonparametric comparison. The amplitude signal provides better contrast than the phase signal. Ratio images between red and IR amplitudes gave variable results; in some cases the tumor contrast was canceled. The algorithms to determine (mu) a and (mu) sPRM from amplitude and phase data did not significantly improve upon objective contrast. The N algorithm, using the phase signal to flatten the amplitude signal did significantly improve upon contrast according to contrast definitions 1 and 2, however, did not improve upon nonparametric contrast. Thus, with the current instrumentation, the phase signal is helpful to correct for the complex and variable geometry of the breast. However, an independent informational content for tumor differentiation could not be determined. The flat field algorithm did greatly enhance optical contrast in comparison with amplitude or amplitude ratio images. Further evaluation of FLM will have to be based on the N-algorithm images.

Phase noise reduction by optical phase-locked loop for a coherent bichromatic laser based on the injection-locking technique.

PubMed

Wu, C F; Yan, X S; Huang, J Q; Zhang, J W; Wang, L J

2018-01-01

We present a coherent bichromatic laser system with low phase noise. An optical injection process is used to generate coherent laser beams with a frequency difference of 9.192 631 77 GHz using an electro-optical modulator. An optical phase-locked loop is then applied to reduce the phase noise. The phase noise of the beat note is -41, -81, -98, -83, and -95 dBrad 2 /Hz at the offset frequencies of 1 Hz, 100 Hz, 1 kHz, 10 kHz, and 1 MHz, respectively. Compared to a system that uses optical injection alone, the phase noise is reduced by up to 20-30 dB in the low-frequency range, and the intermodulation effect on the continuous atomic clock is reduced by an order of magnitude. This configuration can adjust the intensities and polarizations of the laser beams independently and reduce the phase noise caused by environmental disturbances and optical injection, which may be useful for application to atomic coherence experiments.

Phase noise reduction by optical phase-locked loop for a coherent bichromatic laser based on the injection-locking technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, C. F.; Yan, X. S.; Huang, J. Q.; Zhang, J. W.; Wang, L. J.

2018-01-01

We present a coherent bichromatic laser system with low phase noise. An optical injection process is used to generate coherent laser beams with a frequency difference of 9.192 631 77 GHz using an electro-optical modulator. An optical phase-locked loop is then applied to reduce the phase noise. The phase noise of the beat note is -41, -81, -98, -83, and -95 dBrad2/Hz at the offset frequencies of 1 Hz, 100 Hz, 1 kHz, 10 kHz, and 1 MHz, respectively. Compared to a system that uses optical injection alone, the phase noise is reduced by up to 20-30 dB in the low-frequency range, and the intermodulation effect on the continuous atomic clock is reduced by an order of magnitude. This configuration can adjust the intensities and polarizations of the laser beams independently and reduce the phase noise caused by environmental disturbances and optical injection, which may be useful for application to atomic coherence experiments.

Fast Interrogation of Fiber Bragg Gratings with Electro-Optical Dual Optical Frequency Combs

PubMed Central

Posada-Roman, Julio E.; Garcia-Souto, Jose A.; Poiana, Dragos A.; Acedo, Pablo

2016-01-01

Optical frequency combs (OFC) generated by electro-optic modulation of continuous-wave lasers provide broadband coherent sources with high power per line and independent control of line spacing and the number of lines. In addition to their application in spectroscopy, they offer flexible and optimized sources for the interrogation of other sensors based on wavelength change or wavelength filtering, such as fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. In this paper, a dual-OFC FBG interrogation system based on a single laser and two optical-phase modulators is presented. This architecture allows for the configuration of multimode optical source parameters such as the number of modes and their position within the reflected spectrum of the FBG. A direct read-out is obtained by mapping the optical spectrum onto the radio-frequency spectrum output of the dual-comb. This interrogation scheme is proposed for measuring fast phenomena such as vibrations and ultrasounds. Results are presented for dual-comb operation under optimized control. The optical modes are mapped onto detectable tones that are multiples of 0.5 MHz around a center radiofrequency tone (40 MHz). Measurements of ultrasounds (40 kHz and 120 kHz) are demonstrated with this sensing system. Ultrasounds induce dynamic strain onto the fiber, which generates changes in the reflected Bragg wavelength and, hence, modulates the amplitude of the OFC modes within the reflected spectrum. The amplitude modulation of two counterphase tones is detected to obtain a differential measurement proportional to the ultrasound signal. PMID:27898043

Fast Interrogation of Fiber Bragg Gratings with Electro-Optical Dual Optical Frequency Combs.

PubMed

Posada-Roman, Julio E; Garcia-Souto, Jose A; Poiana, Dragos A; Acedo, Pablo

2016-11-26

Optical frequency combs (OFC) generated by electro-optic modulation of continuous-wave lasers provide broadband coherent sources with high power per line and independent control of line spacing and the number of lines. In addition to their application in spectroscopy, they offer flexible and optimized sources for the interrogation of other sensors based on wavelength change or wavelength filtering, such as fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. In this paper, a dual-OFC FBG interrogation system based on a single laser and two optical-phase modulators is presented. This architecture allows for the configuration of multimode optical source parameters such as the number of modes and their position within the reflected spectrum of the FBG. A direct read-out is obtained by mapping the optical spectrum onto the radio-frequency spectrum output of the dual-comb. This interrogation scheme is proposed for measuring fast phenomena such as vibrations and ultrasounds. Results are presented for dual-comb operation under optimized control. The optical modes are mapped onto detectable tones that are multiples of 0.5 MHz around a center radiofrequency tone (40 MHz). Measurements of ultrasounds (40 kHz and 120 kHz) are demonstrated with this sensing system. Ultrasounds induce dynamic strain onto the fiber, which generates changes in the reflected Bragg wavelength and, hence, modulates the amplitude of the OFC modes within the reflected spectrum. The amplitude modulation of two counterphase tones is detected to obtain a differential measurement proportional to the ultrasound signal.

Electro-Optic Modulator and Method

DTIC Science & Technology

An optical intensity modulator which uses a Sagnac interferometer having an electro - optic phase modulator therein. An electric modulation signal is...modulating the optical signals by the electrical signal, the electro - optic effect in the modulator phase shifts the optical signals with respect to one another

Phase and amplitude beam shaping with two deformable mirrors implementing input plane and Fourier plane phase modifications.

PubMed

Wu, Chensheng; Ko, Jonathan; Rzasa, John R; Paulson, Daniel A; Davis, Christopher C

2018-03-20

We find that ideas in optical image encryption can be very useful for adaptive optics in achieving simultaneous phase and amplitude shaping of a laser beam. An adaptive optics system with simultaneous phase and amplitude shaping ability is very desirable for atmospheric turbulence compensation. Atmospheric turbulence-induced beam distortions can jeopardize the effectiveness of optical power delivery for directed-energy systems and optical information delivery for free-space optical communication systems. In this paper, a prototype adaptive optics system is proposed based on a famous image encryption structure. The major change is to replace the two random phase plates at the input plane and Fourier plane of the encryption system, respectively, with two deformable mirrors that perform on-demand phase modulations. A Gaussian beam is used as an input to replace the conventional image input. We show through theory, simulation, and experiments that the slightly modified image encryption system can be used to achieve arbitrary phase and amplitude beam shaping within the limits of stroke range and influence function of the deformable mirrors. In application, the proposed technique can be used to perform mode conversion between optical beams, generate structured light signals for imaging and scanning, and compensate atmospheric turbulence-induced phase and amplitude beam distortions.

A wide-band fiber optic frequency distribution system employing thermally controlled phase compensation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Dean; Calhoun, Malcolm; Sydnor, Richard; Lutes, George

1993-01-01

An active wide-band fiber optic frequency distribution system employing a thermally controlled phase compensator to stabilize phase variations induced by environmental temperature changes is described. The distribution system utilizes bidirectional dual wavelength transmission to provide optical feedback of induced phase variations of 100 MHz signals propagating along the distribution cable. The phase compensation considered differs from earlier narrow-band phase compensation designs in that it uses a thermally controlled fiber delay coil rather than a VCO or phase modulation to compensate for induced phase variations. Two advantages of the wide-band system over earlier designs are (1) that it provides phase compensation for all transmitted frequencies, and (2) the compensation is applied after the optical interface rather than electronically ahead of it as in earlier schemes. Experimental results on the first prototype shows that the thermal stabilizer reduces phase variations and Allan deviation by a factor of forty over an equivalent uncompensated fiber optic distribution system.

Variable Sampling Mapping

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Jeffrey, S.; Aronstein, David L.; Dean, Bruce H.; Lyon, Richard G.

2012-01-01

The performance of an optical system (for example, a telescope) is limited by the misalignments and manufacturing imperfections of the optical elements in the system. The impact of these misalignments and imperfections can be quantified by the phase variations imparted on light traveling through the system. Phase retrieval is a methodology for determining these variations. Phase retrieval uses images taken with the optical system and using a light source of known shape and characteristics. Unlike interferometric methods, which require an optical reference for comparison, and unlike Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors that require special optical hardware at the optical system's exit pupil, phase retrieval is an in situ, image-based method for determining the phase variations of light at the system s exit pupil. Phase retrieval can be used both as an optical metrology tool (during fabrication of optical surfaces and assembly of optical systems) and as a sensor used in active, closed-loop control of an optical system, to optimize performance. One class of phase-retrieval algorithms is the iterative transform algorithm (ITA). ITAs estimate the phase variations by iteratively enforcing known constraints in the exit pupil and at the detector, determined from modeled or measured data. The Variable Sampling Mapping (VSM) technique is a new method for enforcing these constraints in ITAs. VSM is an open framework for addressing a wide range of issues that have previously been considered detrimental to high-accuracy phase retrieval, including undersampled images, broadband illumination, images taken at or near best focus, chromatic aberrations, jitter or vibration of the optical system or detector, and dead or noisy detector pixels. The VSM is a model-to-data mapping procedure. In VSM, fully sampled electric fields at multiple wavelengths are modeled inside the phase-retrieval algorithm, and then these fields are mapped to intensities on the light detector, using the properties of the detector and optical system, for comparison with measured data. Ultimately, this model-to-data mapping procedure enables a more robust and accurate way of incorporating the exit-pupil and image detector constraints, which are fundamental to the general class of ITA phase retrieval algorithms.

Optical encryption interface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jackson, Deborah J. (Inventor)

1998-01-01

An analog optical encryption system based on phase scrambling of two-dimensional optical images and holographic transformation for achieving large encryption keys and high encryption speed. An enciphering interface uses a spatial light modulator for converting a digital data stream into a two dimensional optical image. The optical image is further transformed into a hologram with a random phase distribution. The hologram is converted into digital form for transmission over a shared information channel. A respective deciphering interface at a receiver reverses the encrypting process by using a phase conjugate reconstruction of the phase scrambled hologram.

Optical beam forming techniques for phased array antennas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, Te-Kao; Chandler, C.

1993-01-01

Conventional phased array antennas using waveguide or coax for signal distribution are impractical for large scale implementation on satellites or spacecraft because they exhibit prohibitively large system size, heavy weight, high attenuation loss, limited bandwidth, sensitivity to electromagnetic interference (EMI) temperature drifts and phase instability. However, optical beam forming systems are smaller, lighter, and more flexible. Three optical beam forming techniques are identified as applicable to large spaceborne phased array antennas. They are (1) the optical fiber replacement of conventional RF phased array distribution and control components, (2) spatial beam forming, and (3) optical beam splitting with integrated quasi-optical components. The optical fiber replacement and the spatial beam forming approaches were pursued by many organizations. Two new optical beam forming architectures are presented. Both architectures involve monolithic integration of the antenna radiating elements with quasi-optical grid detector arrays. The advantages of the grid detector array in the optical process are the higher power handling capability and the dynamic range. One architecture involves a modified version of the original spatial beam forming approach. The basic difference is the spatial light modulator (SLM) device for controlling the aperture field distribution. The original liquid crystal light valve SLM is replaced by an optical shuffling SLM, which was demonstrated for the 'smart pixel' technology. The advantages are the capability of generating the agile beams of a phased array antenna and to provide simultaneous transmit and receive functions. The second architecture considered is the optical beam splitting approach. This architecture involves an alternative amplitude control for each antenna element with an optical beam power divider comprised of mirrors and beam splitters. It also implements the quasi-optical grid phase shifter for phase control and grid amplifier for RF power. The advantages are no SLM is required for this approach, and the complete antenna system is capable of full monolithic integration.

Enhancing optical communication with deep neural networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lohani, Sanjaya; Knutson, Erin; Tkach, Sam; Huver, Sean; Glasser, Ryan; Tulane University Collaboration; Deep Science AI Collaboration

The spatial profile of optical modes may be altered such that they contain nonzero orbital angular momentum (OAM). Laguerre-Gauss (LG) states of light have a helical wavefront and well-defined OAM, and have recently been shown to allow for larger information transfer rates in optical communications as compared to using only Gaussian modes. A primary difficulty, however, is the accurate classification of different OAM optical states, which contain different values of OAM, in the detection stage. The difficulty in this differentiation increases as larger degrees of OAM are used. Here we show the performance of deep neural networks in the simultaneous classification of numerically generated, noisy, Laguerre-Gauss states with OAM value up to 100 can reach near 100% accuracy. This method relies only on the intensity profile of the detected OAM states, avoiding bulky and difficult-to-implement methods that are required to measure the phase profile of the modes in the receiver of the communication platform. This allows for a simplification in the network design and an increase in performance when using states with large degrees of OAM. We anticipate that this approach will allow for significant advances in the development of optical communication technologies. We acknowledge funding from the Louisiana State Board of Regents and Northrop Grumman - NG NEXT.

Shockwave compression of Ar gas at several initial densities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dattelbaum, Dana M.; Goodwin, Peter M.; Garcia, Daniel B.; Gustavsen, Richard L.; Lang, John M.; Aslam, Tariq D.; Sheffield, Stephen A.; Gibson, Lloyd L.; Morris, John S.

2017-01-01

Experimental data of the principal Hugoniot locus of variable density gas-phase noble and molecular gases are rare. The majority of shock Hugoniot data is either from shock tube experiments on low-pressure gases or from plate impact experiments on cryogenic, liquefied gases. In both cases, physics regarding shock compressibility, thresholds for the on-set of shock-driven ionization, and even dissociation chemistry are difficult to infer for gases at intermediate densities. We have developed an experimental target design for gas gun-driven plate impact experiments on noble gases at initial pressures between 200-1000 psi. Using optical velocimetry, we are able to directly determine both the shock and particle velocities of the gas on the principal Hugoniot locus, as well as clearly differentiate ionization thresholds. The target design also results in multiply shocking the gas in a quasi-isentropic fashion yielding off-Hugoniot compression data. We describe the results of a series of plate impact experiments on Ar with starting densities between 0.02-0.05 g/cm3 at room temperature. Furthermore, by coupling optical fibers to the targets, we have measured the time-resolved optical emission from the shocked gas using a spectrometer coupled to an optical streak camera to spectrally-resolve the emission, and with a 5-color optical pyrometer for temperature determination.

Influence of OPD in wavelength-shifting interferometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hongjun; Tian, Ailing; Liu, Bingcai; Dang, Juanjuan

2009-12-01

Phase-shifting interferometry is a powerful tool for high accuracy optical measurement. It operates by change the optical path length in the reference arm or test arm. This method practices by move optical device. So it has much problem when the optical device is very large and heavy. For solve this problem, the wavelength-shifting interferometry was put forwarded. In wavelength-shifting interferometry, the phase shifting angle was achieved by change the wavelength of optical source. The phase shifting angle was decided by wavelength and OPD (Optical Path Difference) between test and reference wavefront. So the OPD is an important factor to measure results. But in measurement, because the positional error and profile error of under testing optical element is exist, the phase shifting angle is different in different test point when wavelength scanning, it will introduce phase shifting angle error, so it will introduce optical surface measure error. For analysis influence of OPD on optical surface error, the relation between surface error and OPD was researched. By simulation, the relation between phase shifting error and OPD was established. By analysis, the error compensation method was put forward. After error compensation, the measure results can be improved to great extend.

Influence of OPD in wavelength-shifting interferometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hongjun; Tian, Ailing; Liu, Bingcai; Dang, Juanjuan

2010-03-01

Phase-shifting interferometry is a powerful tool for high accuracy optical measurement. It operates by change the optical path length in the reference arm or test arm. This method practices by move optical device. So it has much problem when the optical device is very large and heavy. For solve this problem, the wavelength-shifting interferometry was put forwarded. In wavelength-shifting interferometry, the phase shifting angle was achieved by change the wavelength of optical source. The phase shifting angle was decided by wavelength and OPD (Optical Path Difference) between test and reference wavefront. So the OPD is an important factor to measure results. But in measurement, because the positional error and profile error of under testing optical element is exist, the phase shifting angle is different in different test point when wavelength scanning, it will introduce phase shifting angle error, so it will introduce optical surface measure error. For analysis influence of OPD on optical surface error, the relation between surface error and OPD was researched. By simulation, the relation between phase shifting error and OPD was established. By analysis, the error compensation method was put forward. After error compensation, the measure results can be improved to great extend.

Development of High-Fill-Factor Large-Aperture Micromirrors for Agile Optical Phased Arrays

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-02-28

Final Project Report Contract/Grant Title: Development of High-Fill-Factor Large-Aperture Micromirrors for Agile Optical Phased Arrays...factor (HFF) micromirror array (MMA) has been proposed, fabricated and tested. Optical-phased-array (OPA) beam steering based on the HFF MMA has also...electrically tuned to multiple 2. 1. Background High-fill-factor (HFF) micromirror arrays (MMAs) can form optical phased arrays (OPAs) for laser beam

Molecular Organization Induced Anisotropic Properties of Perylene - Silica Hybrid Nanoparticles.

PubMed

Sriramulu, Deepa; Turaga, Shuvan Prashant; Bettiol, Andrew Anthony; Valiyaveettil, Suresh

2017-08-10

Optically active silica nanoparticles are interesting owing to high stability and easy accessibility. Unlike previous reports on dye loaded silica particles, here we address an important question on how optical properties are dependent on the aggregation-induced segregation of perylene molecules inside and outside the silica nanoparticles. Three differentially functionalized fluorescent perylene - silica hybrid nanoparticles are prepared from appropriate ratios of perylene derivatives and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and investigated the structure property correlation (P-ST, P-NP and P-SF). The particles differ from each other on the distribution, organization and intermolecular interaction of perylene inside or outside the silica matrix. Structure and morphology of all hybrid nanoparticles were characterized using a range of techniques such as electron microscope, optical spectroscopic measurements and thermal analysis. The organizations of perylene in three different silica nanoparticles were explored using steady-state fluorescence, fluorescence anisotropy, lifetime measurements and solid state polarized spectroscopic studies. The interactions and changes in optical properties of the silica nanoparticles in presence of different amines were tested and quantified both in solution and in vapor phase using fluorescence quenching studies. The synthesized materials can be regenerated after washing with water and reused for sensing of amines.

FIBER AND INTEGRATED OPTICS, LASER APPLICATIONS, AND OTHER PROBLEMS IN QUANTUM ELECTRONICS: Optical components for the analysis and formation of the transverse mode composition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Golub, M. A.; Sisakyan, I. N.; Soĭfer, V. A.; Uvarov, G. V.

1989-04-01

Theoretical and experimental investigations are reported of new mode optical components (elements) which are analogs of sinusoidal phase diffraction gratings with a variable modulation depth. Expressions are derived for nonlinear predistortion and depth of modulation, which are essential for effective operation of amplitude and phase mode optical components in devices used for analysis and formation of the transverse mode composition of coherent radiation. An estimate is obtained of the energy efficiency of phase and amplitude mode optical components, and a comparison is made with the results of an experimental investigation of a set of phase optical components matched to Gauss-Laguerre modes. It is shown that the improvement in the energy efficiency of phase mode components, compared with amplitude components, is the same as the improvement achieved using a phase diifraction grating, compared with amplitude grating with the same depth of modulation.

Optical sectioning for optical scanning holography using phase-space filtering with Wigner distribution functions.

PubMed

Kim, Hwi; Min, Sung-Wook; Lee, Byoungho; Poon, Ting-Chung

2008-07-01

We propose a novel optical sectioning method for optical scanning holography, which is performed in phase space by using Wigner distribution functions together with the fractional Fourier transform. The principle of phase-space optical sectioning for one-dimensional signals, such as slit objects, and two-dimensional signals, such as rectangular objects, is first discussed. Computer simulation results are then presented to substantiate the proposed idea.

Quantum Optics in Phase Space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schleich, Wolfgang P.

2001-04-01

Quantum Optics in Phase Space provides a concise introduction to the rapidly moving field of quantum optics from the point of view of phase space. Modern in style and didactically skillful, Quantum Optics in Phase Space prepares students for their own research by presenting detailed derivations, many illustrations and a large set of workable problems at the end of each chapter. Often, the theoretical treatments are accompanied by the corresponding experiments. An exhaustive list of references provides a guide to the literature. Quantum Optics in Phase Space also serves advanced researchers as a comprehensive reference book. Starting with an extensive review of the experiments that define quantum optics and a brief summary of the foundations of quantum mechanics the author Wolfgang P. Schleich illustrates the properties of quantum states with the help of the Wigner phase space distribution function. His description of waves ala WKB connects semi-classical phase space with the Berry phase. These semi-classical techniques provide deeper insight into the timely topics of wave packet dynamics, fractional revivals and the Talbot effect. Whereas the first half of the book deals with mechanical oscillators such as ions in a trap or atoms in a standing wave the second half addresses problems where the quantization of the radiation field is of importance. Such topics extensively discussed include optical interferometry, the atom-field interaction, quantum state preparation and measurement, entanglement, decoherence, the one-atom maser and atom optics in quantized light fields. Quantum Optics in Phase Space presents the subject of quantum optics as transparently as possible. Giving wide-ranging references, it enables students to study and solve problems with modern scientific literature. The result is a remarkably concise yet comprehensive and accessible text- and reference book - an inspiring source of information and insight for students, teachers and researchers alike.

Demonstration of an optical phased array using electro-optic polymer phase shifters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hirano, Yoshikuni; Motoyama, Yasushi; Tanaka, Katsu; Machida, Kenji; Yamada, Toshiki; Otomo, Akira; Kikuchi, Hiroshi

2018-03-01

We have been investigating an optical phased array (OPA) using electro-optic (EO) polymers in phase shifters to achieve ultrafast optical beam steering. In this paper, we describe the basic structures of the OPA using EO polymer phase shifters and show the beam steering capability of the OPA. The designed OPA has a multimode interference (MMI) beam splitter and 8-channel polymer waveguides with EO polymer phase shifters. We compare 1 × 8 MMI and cascaded 1 × 2 MMI beam splitters numerically and experimentally, and then obtain uniform intensity outputs from the 1 × 8 beam splitter. We fabricate the EO polymer OPA with a 1 × 8 MMI beam splitter to prevent intensity dispersion due to radiation loss in bending waveguides. We also evaluate the optical beam steering capability of the fabricated OPA and found a 2.7° deflection of far-field patterns when applying a voltage difference of 25 V in adjacent phase shifters.

A study of the effect of gamma and laser irradiation on the thermal, optical and structural properties of CR-39 nuclear track detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nouh, S. A.; Atta, M. R.; El-Melleegy, W. M.

2004-08-01

A comparative study of the effect of gamma and laser irradiation on the thermal, optical and structural properties of the CR-39 diglycol carbonate solid state nuclear track detector has been carried out. Samples from CR-39 polymer were classified into two main groups: the first group was irradiated by gamma rays with doses at levels between 20 and 300 kGy, whereas the second group was exposed to infrared laser radiation with energy fluences at levels between 0.71 and 8.53 J/cm(2). Non-isothermal studies were carried out using thermogravimetry, differential thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis to obtain activation energy of decomposition and transition temperatures for the non-irradiated and all irradiated CR-39 samples. In addition, optical and structural property studies were performed on non-irradiated and irradiated CR-39 samples using refractive index and X-ray diffraction measurements. Variation in the onset temperature of decomposition T-o, activation energy of decomposition E-a, melting temperature T-m, refractive index n and the mass fraction of the amorphous phase after gamma and laser irradiation were studied. It was found that many changes in the thermal, optical and structural properties of the CR-39 polymer could be produced by gamma irradiation via degradation and cross-linking mechanisms. Also, the gamma dose has an advantage of increasing the correlation between thermal stability of the CR-39 polymer and bond formation created by the ionizing effect of gamma radiation. On the other hand, higher laser-energy fluences in the range 4.27-8.53 J/cm(2) decrease the melting temperature of the CR-39 polymer and this is most suitable for applications requiring molding of the polymer at lower temperatures.

Design and performance of clock-recovery GaAs ICs for high-speed optical communication systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Imai, Yuhki; Sano, Eiichi; Nakamura, Makoto; Ishihara, Noboru; Kikuchi, Hiroyuki; Ono, Takashi

1993-05-01

Design and performance of clock-recovery GaAs ICs are presented. Four kinds of ICs were developed: a limiting amplifier, a tuning amplifier, a rectifier, and a differentiator. The cascaded limiting amplifier together with a tuning amplifier achieved a 58-dB gain and a 10-degree phase deviation with 20-dB input dynamic range at 10 GHz. A clock-recovery circuit successfully extracts a low-jitter 10-GHz clock signal of 1-dBm constant power from 10-Gb/s NRZ pseudorandom bit streams using a pulse pattern generator.

High-sensitivity density fluctuation detector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Azzazy, M.; Modarress, D.; Hoeft, T.

1987-01-01

A high-sensitivity differential interferometer has been developed to detect small density fluctuations over an optical path length of the order of the boundary layer thickness near transition. Two experimental configurations have been used to evaluate the performance of the interferometer: an open shear-layer configuration and a wind-tunnel turbulent spot configuration. In each experiment small temperature fluctuations were introduced as the signal source. Simultaneous cold-wire measurements have been compared with the interferometer data. The comparison shows that the interferometer is sensitive to very weak phase variations of the order of 0.001 of the laser wavelength.

Multiple-stage pure phase encoding with biometric information

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Wen

2018-01-01

In recent years, many optical systems have been developed for securing information, and optical encryption/encoding has attracted more and more attention due to the marked advantages, such as parallel processing and multiple-dimensional characteristics. In this paper, an optical security method is presented based on pure phase encoding with biometric information. Biometric information (such as fingerprint) is employed as security keys rather than plaintext used in conventional optical security systems, and multiple-stage phase-encoding-based optical systems are designed for generating several phase-only masks with biometric information. Subsequently, the extracted phase-only masks are further used in an optical setup for encoding an input image (i.e., plaintext). Numerical simulations are conducted to illustrate the validity, and the results demonstrate that high flexibility and high security can be achieved.

Demonstration of flexible and reconfigurable WDM multicast scheme supporting downstream emergency multicast communication for WDM optical access network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Ze; Zhang, Min; Wang, Danshi; Cui, Yue

2017-09-01

We propose a flexible and reconfigurable wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) multicast scheme supporting downstream emergency multicast communication for WDM optical access network (WDM-OAN) via a multicast module (MM) based on four-wave mixing (FWM) in a semiconductor optical amplifier. It serves as an emergency measure to dispose of the burst, large bandwidth, and real-time multicast service with fast service provisioning and high resource efficiency. It also plays the role of physical backup in cases of big data migration or network disaster caused by invalid lasers or modulator failures. It provides convenient and reliable multicast service and emergency protection for WDM-OAN without modifying WDM-OAN structure. The strategies of an MM setting at the optical line terminal and remote node are discussed to apply this scheme to passive optical networks and active optical networks, respectively. Utilizing the proposed scheme, we demonstrate a proof-of-concept experiment in which one-to-six/eight 10-Gbps nonreturn-to-zero-differential phase-shift keying WDM multicasts in both strategies are successfully transmitted over single-mode fiber of 20.2 km. One-to-many reconfigurable WDM multicasts dealing with higher data rate and other modulation formats of multicast service are possible through the proposed scheme. It can be applied to different WDM access technologies, e.g., time-wavelength-division multiplexing-OAN and coherent WDM-OAN, and upgraded smoothly.

Carrier-envelope phase-controlled quantum interference in optical poling.

PubMed

Adachi, Shunsuke; Kobayashi, Takayoshi

2005-04-22

We demonstrate the efficiency of the optical poling process that depends on the CE phase-controlled quantum interference. For the experiment we employed our noncollinear optical parametric amplifier system for the self-stabilization of the CE phase, with the f-to-2f spectral interferometry system to control the CE phase.

Polycrystalline PLZT/ITO Ceramic Electro-Optic Phase Gratings: Electro- Optically Reconfigurable Diffractive Devices for Free-Space and In-Wafer Interconnects

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-09-01

free-space and waveguide interconnects is investigated through the fabrication, testing and modeling of polycrystalline PLZT/ITO ceramic electro - optic phase...only gratings. PLZT Diffraction grating, Electro - optic diffraction grating, Optical switching, Optical interconnects, Reconfigurable interconnect

Effect of wetting-layer density of states on the gain and phase recovery dynamics of quantum-dot semiconductor optical amplifiers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jungho; Yu, Bong-Ahn

2015-03-01

We numerically investigate the effect of the wetting-layer (WL) density of states on the gain and phase recovery dynamics of quantum-dot semiconductor optical amplifiers in both electrical and optical pumping schemes by solving 1088 coupled rate equations. The temporal variations of the ultrafast gain and phase recovery responses at the ground state (GS) are calculated as a function of the WL density of states. The ultrafast gain recovery responses do not significantly depend on the WL density of states in the electrical pumping scheme and the three optical pumping schemes such as the optical pumping to the WL, the optical pumping to the excited state ensemble, and the optical pumping to the GS ensemble. The ultrafast phase recovery responses are also not significantly affected by the WL density of states except the optical pumping to the WL, where the phase recovery component caused by the WL becomes slowed down as the WL density of states increases.

Performance evaluations of hybrid modulation with different optical labels over PDQ in high bit-rate OLS network systems.

PubMed

Xu, M; Li, Y; Kang, T Z; Zhang, T S; Ji, J H; Yang, S W

2016-11-14

Two orthogonal modulation optical label switching(OLS) schemes, which are based on payload of polarization multiplexing-differential quadrature phase shift keying(POLMUX-DQPSK or PDQ) modulated with identifications of duobinary (DB) label and pulse position modulation(PPM) label, are researched in high bit-rate OLS network. The BER performance of hybrid modulation with payload and label signals are discussed and evaluated in theory and simulation. The theoretical BER expressions of PDQ, PDQ-DB and PDQ-PPM are given with analysis method of hybrid modulation encoding in different the bit-rate ratios of payload and label. Theoretical derivation results are shown that the payload of hybrid modulation has a certain gain of receiver sensitivity than payload without label. The sizes of payload BER gain obtained from hybrid modulation are related to the different types of label. The simulation results are consistent with that of theoretical conclusions. The extinction ratio (ER) conflicting between hybrid encoding of intensity and phase types can be compromised and optimized in OLS system of hybrid modulation. The BER analysis method of hybrid modulation encoding in OLS system can be applied to other n-ary hybrid modulation or combination modulation systems.

The role of ultrasound in controlling the liquid-liquid phase separation and nucleation of vanillin polymorphs I and II

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parimaladevi, P.; Supriya, S.; Srinivasan, K.

2018-02-01

The influence of ultrasound on liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and polymorphism of vanillin in aqueous solution has been investigated for the first time by varying the ultrasonic parameters such as power, pulse rate and insonation time at ambient condition. Results reveal that the application of ultrasound controls the impact of LLPS and accelerates the nucleation of vanillin within a short period at lower levels of ultrasonic process parameters, and also enhances the quality of the nucleated crystals. Moreover, the application of ultrasound induces the nucleation of rare and metastable polymorph of vanillin Form II in aqueous solution. But, at higher levels of power, pulse rate and insonation time, the rate of LLPS is found increased and the quality of the crystals becomes deteriorated. Morphology of the nucleated polymorphs were identified through optical microscopy and confirmed by optical goniometry. The internal structure and thermal stability of the grown stable Form I and metastable Form II of vanillin were confirmed through powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses. Further, results suggest that the ultrasound has profound effect in controlling the LLPS and nucleation of vanillin polymorphs in aqueous solution.

Embedded Electro-Optic Sensor Network for the On-Site Calibration and Real-Time Performance Monitoring of Large-Scale Phased Arrays

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-07-09

This final report summarizes the progress during the Phase I SBIR project entitled Embedded Electro - Optic Sensor Network for the On-Site Calibration...network based on an electro - optic field-detection technique (the Electro - optic Sensor Network, or ESN) for the performance evaluation of phased

Coherent Optical Adaptive Techniques (COAT)

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-01-01

8217 neceeemry and Identity by block number) Laser Phased Array Adaptive Optics Atmospheric-Turbulence and Thermal Blooming Compensation 20...characteristics of an experimental, visible wavelength, eighteen-element, self-adaptive optical phased array. Measurements on a well-characterized...V LOCAL PHASING ■ LOOP OPTICAL DETECTOR’ LOCAL LOCK / ROOF TOP "^/PROPAGATION’ ^ GLINT ■lm FOCAL LENGTH LENS DETECTOR DMWI rh

Coherent optical monolithic phased-array antenna steering system

DOEpatents

Hietala, Vincent M.; Kravitz, Stanley H.; Vawter, Gregory A.

1994-01-01

An optical-based RF beam steering system for phased-array antennas comprising a photonic integrated circuit (PIC). The system is based on optical heterodyning employed to produce microwave phase shifting by a monolithic PIC constructed entirely of passive components. Microwave power and control signal distribution to the antenna is accomplished by optical fiber, permitting physical separation of the PIC and its control functions from the antenna. The system reduces size, weight, complexity, and cost of phased-array antenna systems.

Correction of Phase Distortion by Nonlinear Optical Techniques

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-05-01

I I I I ifi 00 o o \\] CORRECTION OF PHASE DISTORTION BY NONLINEAR OPTICAL TECHNIQUES op Hughes Research Laboratories 3011 Malibu Canyon...CORRECTION OF PHASE DISTORTION BY NONLINEAR OPTICAL TECHNIQUES • , — •■ FBiMowmln»"Own. we^owr^wwcw n R.C./Lind| W.B./Browne C.R. Giuliano, R.K... phase conjugation. Adaptive optics , Laser compensation, SBS, Four-wave mixing. 20. ABSTRACT (ConllmM on i tmrr and Identity bv block number

Synthesis, structural, optical and morphological characterization of hematite through the precipitation method: Effect of varying the nature of the base

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lassoued, Abdelmajid; Lassoued, Mohamed Saber; Dkhil, Brahim; Gadri, Abdellatif; Ammar, Salah

2017-08-01

Iron oxide (α-Fe2O3) nanoparticles were synthesized using the precipitation synthesis method focusing only on (FeCl3, 6H2O), NaOH, KOH and NH4OH as raw materials. The impact of varying the nature of the base on the crystalline phase, size and morphology of α-Fe2O3 products was explored. XRD spectra revealed that samples crystallize in the rhombohedral (hexagonal) system at 800 °C.The Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were used to detect the morphology of synthesized nanoparticles and specify their sizes. However, the Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR) spectroscopy has permitted the observation of vibration band Fe-O. Raman spectroscopy was used not only to prove that we have synthesized hematite but also to identify their phonon modes. The Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) findings allow the thermal cycle determination of samples whereas Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) findings allow the phase transition temperature identification. Besides, the optical investigation revealed that samples have an optical gap of about 2.1 eV. Findings highlight that the nature of the agent precipitant plays a significant role in the morphology of the products and the formation of the crystalline phase. Hematite synthesis with the base NH4OH brought about much stronger, sharper and wider diffraction peaks of α-Fe2O3. The morphology of samples are spherical with a size of about 61 nm while the size of the nanoparticles of hematite which we have synthesized with NaOH and KOH is respectively of the order of 82 and 79 nm.

Experimental demonstration of an optical phased array antenna for laser space communications.

PubMed

Neubert, W M; Kudielka, K H; Leeb, W R; Scholtz, A L

1994-06-20

The feasibility of an optical phased array antenna applicable for spaceborne laser communications was experimentally demonstrated. Heterodyne optical phase-locked loops provide for a defined phase relationship between the collimated output beams of three single-mode fibers. In the far field the beams interfere with a measured efficiency of 99%. The main lobe of the interference pattern can be moved by phase shifting the subaperture output beams. The setup permitted agile beam steering within an angular range of 1 mr and a response time of 0.7 ms. We propose an operational optical phased array antenna fed by seven lasers, featuring high transmit power and redundance.

Phase Modulator with Terahertz Optical Bandwidth Formed by Multi-Layered Dielectric Stack

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keys, Andrew S. (Inventor); Fork, Richard L. (Inventor)

2005-01-01

An optical phase modulator includes a bandpass multilayer stack, formed by a plurality of dielectric layers, preferably of GaAs and AlAs, and having a transmission function related to the refractive index of the layers of the stack, for receiving an optical input signal to be phase modulated. A phase modulator device produces a nonmechanical change in the refractive index of each layer of the stack by, e.g., the injection of free carrier, to provide shifting of the transmission function so as to produce phase modulation of the optical input signal and to thereby produce a phase modulated output signal.

Cable delay compensator for microwave signal distribution over optical fibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Primas, Lori E.

1990-12-01

The basic principles of microwave fiber-optic systems are outlined with emphasis on fiber-optic cable delay compensators (CDC). Degradation of frequency and phase stability is considered, and it is pointed out that the long-term stability of a fiber-optic link is degraded by group delay variations due to temperature fluctuations in the optical fiber and low-frequency noise characteristics of the laser. A CDC employing a voltage-controlled oscillator to correct for phase variations in the optical fiber is presented, and the static as well as dynamic closed-loop analyses of the fiber-optic CDC are discussed. A constructed narrow-band fiber-optic CDC is shown to reduce phase variations caused by temperature fluctuations by a factor of 400. A wide-band CDC utilizing a temperature-controlled coil of fiber to compensate for phase delay is also proposed.

Numerical modelling of multimode fibre-optic communication lines

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sidelnikov, O S; Fedoruk, M P; Sygletos, S

The results of numerical modelling of nonlinear propagation of an optical signal in multimode fibres with a small differential group delay are presented. It is found that the dependence of the error vector magnitude (EVM) on the differential group delay can be reduced by increasing the number of ADC samples per symbol in the numerical implementation of the differential group delay compensation algorithm in the receiver. The possibility of using multimode fibres with a small differential group delay for data transmission in modern digital communication systems is demonstrated. It is shown that with increasing number of modes the strong couplingmore » regime provides a lower EVM level than the weak coupling one. (fibre-optic communication lines)« less

Method and apparatus for bistable optical information storage for erasable optical disks

DOEpatents

Land, Cecil E.; McKinney, Ira D.

1990-01-01

A method and an optical device for bistable storage of optical information, together with reading and erasure of the optical information, using a photoactivated shift in a field dependent phase transition between a metastable or a bias-stabilized ferroelectric (FE) phase and a stable antiferroelectric (AFE) phase in an lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT). An optical disk contains the PLZT. Writing and erasing of optical information can be accomplished by a light beam normal to the disk. Reading of optical information can be accomplished by a light beam at an incidence angle of 15 to 60 degrees to the normal of the disk.

Method and apparatus for bistable optical information storage for erasable optical disks

DOEpatents

Land, C.E.; McKinney, I.D.

1988-05-31

A method and an optical device for bistable storage of optical information, together with reading and erasure of the optical information, using a photoactivated shift in a field dependent phase transition between a metastable or a bias-stabilized ferroelectric (FE) phase and a stable antiferroelectric (AFE) phase in a lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT). An optical disk contains the PLZT. Writing and erasing of optical information can be accomplished by a light beam normal to the disk. Reading of optical information can be accomplished by a light beam at an incidence angle of 15 to 60 degrees to the normal of the disk. 10 figs.

SLA-aware differentiated QoS in elastic optical networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agrawal, Anuj; Vyas, Upama; Bhatia, Vimal; Prakash, Shashi

2017-07-01

The quality of service (QoS) offered by optical networks can be improved by accurate provisioning of service level specifications (SLSs) included in the service level agreement (SLA). A large number of users coexisting in the network require different services. Thus, a pragmatic network needs to offer a differentiated QoS to a variety of users according to the SLA contracted for different services at varying costs. In conventional wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical networks, service differentiation is feasible only for a limited number of users because of its fixed-grid structure. Newly introduced flex-grid based elastic optical networks (EONs) are more adaptive to traffic requirements as compared to the WDM networks because of the flexibility in their grid structure. Thus, we propose an efficient SLA provisioning algorithm with improved QoS for these flex-grid EONs empowered by optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (O-OFDM). The proposed algorithm, called SLA-aware differentiated QoS (SADQ), employs differentiation at the level of routing, spectrum allocation, and connection survivability. The proposed SADQ aims to accurately provision the SLA using such multilevel differentiation with an objective to improve the spectrum utilization from the network operator's perspective. SADQ is evaluated for three different CoSs under various traffic demand patterns and for different ratios of the number of requests belonging to the three considered CoSs. We propose two new SLA metrics for the improvement of functional QoS requirements, namely, security, confidentiality and survivability of high class of service (CoS) traffic. Since, to the best of our knowledge, the proposed SADQ is the first scheme in optical networks to employ exhaustive differentiation at the levels of routing, spectrum allocation, and survivability in a single algorithm, we first compare the performance of SADQ in EON and currently deployed WDM networks to assess the differentiation capability of EON and WDM networks under such differentiated service environment. The proposed SADQ is then compared with two existing benchmark routing and spectrum allocation (RSA) schemes that are also designed under EONs. Simulations indicate that the performance of SADQ is distinctly better in EON than in WDM network under differentiated QoS scenario. The comparative analysis of the proposed SADQ with the considered benchmark RSA strategies designed under EON shows the improved performance of SADQ in EON paradigm for offering differentiated services as per the SLA.

Monolithic integration of a resonant tunneling diode and a quantum well semiconductor laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grave, I.; Kan, S. C.; Griffel, G.; Wu, S. W.; Sa'Ar, A.

1991-01-01

A monolithic integration of a double barrier AlAs/GaAs resonant tunneling diode and a GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well laser is reported. Negative differential resistance and negative differential optical response are observed at room temperature. The device displays bistable electrical and optical characteristics which are voltage controlled. Operation as a two-state optical memory is demonstrated.

The VAMPIRES instrument: imaging the innermost regions of protoplanetary discs with polarimetric interferometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Norris, Barnaby; Schworer, Guillaume; Tuthill, Peter; Jovanovic, Nemanja; Guyon, Olivier; Stewart, Paul; Martinache, Frantz

2015-03-01

Direct imaging of protoplanetary discs promises to provide key insight into the complex sequence of processes by which planets are formed. However, imaging the innermost region of such discs (a zone critical to planet formation) is challenging for traditional observational techniques (such as near-IR imaging and coronagraphy) due to the relatively long wavelengths involved and the area occulted by the coronagraphic mask. Here, we introduce a new instrument - Visible Aperture-Masking Polarimetric Interferometer for Resolving Exoplanetary Signatures (VAMPIRES) - which combines non-redundant aperture-masking interferometry with differential polarimetry to directly image this previously inaccessible innermost region. By using the polarization of light scattered by dust in the disc to provide precise differential calibration of interferometric visibilities and closure phases, VAMPIRES allows direct imaging at and beyond the telescope diffraction limit. Integrated into the SCExAO (Subaru Coronagraphic Extreme Adaptive Optics) system at the Subaru telescope, VAMPIRES operates at visible wavelengths (where polarization is high) while allowing simultaneous infrared observations conducted by HICIAO. Here, we describe the instrumental design and unique observing technique and present the results of the first on-sky commissioning observations, validating the excellent visibility and closure-phase precision which are then used to project expected science performance metrics.

Simultaneous dynamic optical and electrical properties of endothelial cell attachment on indium tin oxide bioelectrodes.

PubMed

Choi, Chang K; English, Anthony E; Kihm, Kenneth D; Margraves, Charles H

2007-01-01

This study quantifies the dynamic attachment and spreading of porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PPAECs) on optically thin, indium tin oxide (ITO) biosensors using simultaneous differential interference contrast microscopy (DICM) and electrical microimpedance spectroscopy. A lock-in amplifier circuit monitored the impedance of PPAECs cultivated on the transparent ITO bioelectrodes as a function of frequency between 10 Hz and 100 kHz and as a function of time, while DICM images were simultaneously acquired. A digital image processing algorithm quantified the cell-covered electrode area as a function of time. The results of this study show that the fraction of the cell-covered electrode area is in qualitative agreement with the electrical impedance during the attachment phase following the cell settling on the electrode surface. The possibility of several distinctly different states of electrode coverage and cellular attachment giving rise to similar impedance signals is discussed.

Atmospheric turbulence characterization with the Keck adaptive optics systems. I. Open-loop data.

PubMed

Schöck, Matthias; Le Mignant, David; Chanan, Gary A; Wizinowich, Peter L; van Dam, Marcos A

2003-07-01

We present a detailed investigation of different methods of the characterization of atmospheric turbulence with the adaptive optics systems of the W. M. Keck Observatory. The main problems of such a characterization are the separation of instrumental and atmospheric effects and the accurate calibration of the devices involved. Therefore we mostly describe the practical issues of the analysis. We show that two methods, the analysis of differential image motion structure functions and the Zernike decomposition of the wave-front phase, produce values of the atmospheric coherence length r0 that are in excellent agreement with results from long-exposure images. The main error source is the calibration of the wave-front sensor. Values determined for the outer scale L0 are consistent between the methods and with typical L0 values found at other sites, that is, of the order of tens of meters.

Mueller-matrix of laser-induced autofluorescence of polycrystalline films of dried peritoneal fluid in diagnostics of endometriosis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ushenko, Yuriy A.; Koval, Galina D.; Ushenko, Alexander G.; Dubolazov, Olexander V.; Ushenko, Vladimir A.; Novakovskaia, Olga Yu.

2016-07-01

This research presents investigation results of the diagnostic efficiency of an azimuthally stable Mueller-matrix method of analysis of laser autofluorescence of polycrystalline films of dried uterine cavity peritoneal fluid. A model of the generalized optical anisotropy of films of dried peritoneal fluid is proposed in order to define the processes of laser autofluorescence. The influence of complex mechanisms of both phase (linear and circular birefringence) and amplitude (linear and circular dichroism) anisotropies is taken into consideration. The interconnections between the azimuthally stable Mueller-matrix elements characterizing laser autofluorescence and different mechanisms of optical anisotropy are determined. The statistical analysis of coordinate distributions of such Mueller-matrix rotation invariants is proposed. Thereupon the quantitative criteria (statistic moments of the first to the fourth order) of differentiation of polycrystalline films of dried peritoneal fluid, group 1 (healthy donors) and group 2 (uterus endometriosis patients), are determined.

New Light Sources and Concepts for Electro-Optic Sampling

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-03-01

Research to improve electro - optic sampling led to the development of several high performance optical phase modulators. These phase modulators serve...method of optical pulse shape measurement was demonstrated with 3 ps time resolution, excellent power sensitivity and relative system simplicity. These experiments have opened up the field of temporal optics. Electro - optic sampling.

Two-dimensional beam steering using a thermo-optic silicon photonic optical phased array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rabinovich, William S.; Goetz, Peter G.; Pruessner, Marcel W.; Mahon, Rita; Ferraro, Mike S.; Park, Doe; Fleet, Erin; DePrenger, Michael J.

2016-11-01

Many components for free-space optical (FSO) communication systems have shrunken in size over the last decade. However, the steering systems have remained large and power hungry. Nonmechanical beam steering offers a path to reducing the size of these systems. Optical phased arrays can allow integrated beam steering elements. One of the most important aspects of an optical phased array technology is its scalability to a large number of elements. Silicon photonics can potentially offer this scalability using CMOS foundry techniques. A phased array that can steer in two dimensions using the thermo-optic effect is demonstrated. No wavelength tuning of the input laser is needed and the design allows a simple control system with only two inputs. A benchtop FSO link with the phased array in both transmit and receive mode is demonstrated.

Frequency transfer via a two-way optical phase comparison on a multiplexed fiber network.

PubMed

Calosso, C E; Bertacco, E; Calonico, D; Clivati, C; Costanzo, G A; Frittelli, M; Levi, F; Mura, A; Godone, A

2014-03-01

We performed a two-way remote optical phase comparison on optical fiber. Two optical frequency signals were launched in opposite directions in an optical fiber and their phases were simultaneously measured at the other end. In this technique, the fiber noise is passively canceled, and we compared two optical frequencies at the ultimate 10(-21) stability level. The experiment was performed on a 47 km fiber that is part of the metropolitan network for Internet traffic. The technique relies on the synchronous measurement of the optical phases at the two ends of the link, which is here performed by digital electronics. This scheme offers some advantages with respect to active noise cancellation schemes, as the light travels only once in the fiber.

Crystallization of heavy metal fluoride glasses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bansal, Narottam P.; Bruce, Allan J.; Doremus, R. H.; Moynihan, C. T.

1984-01-01

The kinetics of crystallization of a number of fluorozirconate glasses were studied using isothermal and dynamic differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. The addition of the fluorides LiF, NaF, AlF3, LaF3 to a base glass composition of ZrF4-BaF2 reduced the tendency to crystallize, probably by modifying the viscosity-temperature relation. ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AlF3-NaF glass was the most stable against devitrification and perhaps is the best composition for optical fibers with low scattering loss. Some glasses first crystallize out into metastable beta-BaZr2F10 and beta-BaZrF6 phases, which transform into the most stable alpha-phases when heated to higher temperatures. The size of the crystallites was estimated to be about 600 A from X-ray diffraction.

White-Light Phase-Conjugate Mirrors as Distortion Correctors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frazier, Donald; Smith, W. Scott; Abdeldayem, Hossin; Banerjee, Partha

2010-01-01

White-light phase-conjugate mirrors would be incorporated into some optical systems, according to a proposal, as means of correcting for wavefront distortions caused by imperfections in large optical components. The proposal was given impetus by a recent demonstration that white, incoherent light can be made to undergo phase conjugation, whereas previously, only coherent light was known to undergo phase conjugation. This proposal, which is potentially applicable to almost any optical system, was motivated by a need to correct optical aberrations of the primary mirror of the Hubble Space telescope. It is difficult to fabricate large optical components like the Hubble primary mirror and to ensure the high precision typically required of such components. In most cases, despite best efforts, the components as fabricated have small imperfections that introduce optical aberrations that adversely affect imaging quality. Correcting for such aberrations is difficult and costly. The proposed use of white-light phase conjugate mirrors offers a relatively simple and inexpensive solution of the aberration-correction problem. Indeed, it should be possible to simplify the entire approach to making large optical components because there would be no need to fabricate those components with extremely high precision in the first place: A white-light phase-conjugate mirror could correct for all the distortions and aberrations in an optical system. The use of white-light phase-conjugate mirrors would be essential for ensuring high performance in optical systems containing lightweight membrane mirrors, which are highly deformable. As used here, "phase-conjugate mirror" signifies, more specifically, an optical component in which incident light undergoes time-reversal phase conjugation. In practice, a phase-conjugate mirror would typically be implemented by use of a suitably positioned and oriented photorefractive crystal. In the case of a telescope comprising a primary and secondary mirror (see figure) white light from a distant source would not be brought to initial focus on one or more imaging scientific instrument(s) as in customary practice. Instead, the light would be brought to initial focus on a phase-conjugate mirror. The phase-conjugate mirror would send a phase-conjugate image back, along the path of the incoming light, to the primary mirror. A transparent, highly efficient diffractive thin film deposited on the primary mirror would direct the phase-conjugate image to the imaging instrument(s).

Synthesis and characterization of wide range mesogenic esters based on asymmetrical 2,5-disubstituted 1,3,4-thiadiazole

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tomi, Ivan H. R.; Jaffer, Hamed J.; Aldhaif, Yasmeen A.

2018-04-01

A homologous series of new 13 esters, 4-(5-(p-tolyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)-phenyl-4-alkoxybenzoate, (IVn), based on 1,3,4-thiadiazole core has been synthesized. The structures of these esters were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance and mass techniques. Their mesophases behavior was investigated with hot-stage polarizing optical microscope and differential scanning calorimetry. The thermal stability for most of these derivatives was measured by thermal gravimetric analysis. All the target esters showed enantiotropic mesomorphic behaviors with nematic and nematic/smectic C phases. The phase transition temperatures and liquid crystalline properties were affected by the nature of heterocyclic ring and the length of the alkoxy chain. Only the nematic phase was observed in the first 10 derivatives, (n = 1-10), while the last 3, (n = 12, 16 and 18) showed nematic and smectic C phases. These compounds demonstrated high liquid crystalline ranges, both in heating and cooling cycles. The mesomorphic results obtained were compared with the reported analogs of similar constituents.

The phase transition of Pb8F14I2.

PubMed

Weil, Matthias

2017-01-01

The reversible phase transition of Pb 8 F 14 I 2 is of continuous type and takes place at about 107 °C as monitored by temperature-dependent single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction measurements, optical microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The low-temperature ferroelastic phase crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (23 °C, Bmmb , Z  = 2, a  = 6.0699(6) Å, b  = 6.0165(6) Å, c  = 25.077(2) Å, 1487 structure factors, 41 parameter, R ( F 2 ) = 0.0346, wR ( F 2 ) = 0.0771) and changes its symmetry to the tetragonal crystal system into the high-temperature paraelastic phase (130 °C, I 4/ mmm , Z  = 1, a  = 4.2667(12) Å, c  = 25.388(7) Å, 430 structure factors, 303 parameter, R ( F 2 ) = 0.0575, wR ( F 2 ) = 0.1564). Group-subgroup relationships between the two structures and a hypothetical intermediate structure are presented.

Active phase compensation system for fiber optic holography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mercer, Carolyn R.; Beheim, Glenn

1988-01-01

Fiber optic delivery systems promise to extend the application of holography to severe environments by simplifying test configurations and permitting the laser to be remotely placed in a more benign location. However, the introduction of optical fiber leads to phase stability problems. Environmental effects cause the pathlengths of the fibers to change randomly, preventing the formation of stationary interference patterns which are required for holography. An active phase control system has been designed and used with an all-fiber optical system to stabilize the phase difference between light emitted from two fibers, and to step the phase difference by 90 deg without applying any constraints on the placement of the fibers. The accuracy of the phase steps is shown to be better than 0.02 deg., and a stable phase difference can be maintained for 30 min. This system can be applied to both conventional and electro-optic holography, as well as to any system where the maintenance of an accurate phase difference between two coherent beams is required.

Active phase compensation system for fiber optic holography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mercer, Carolyn R.; Beheim, Glenn

1989-01-01

Fiber optic delivery systems promise to extend the application of holography to severe environments by simplifying test configurations and permitting the laser to be remotely placed in a more benign location. However, the introduction of optical fiber leads to phase stability problems. Environmental effects cause the pathlengths of the fibers to change randomly, preventing the formation of stationary interference patterns which are required for holography. An active phase control system has been designed and used with an all-fiber optical system to stabilize the phase difference between light emitted from two fibers, and to step the phase difference by 90 deg without applying any constraints on the placement of the fibers. The accuracy of the phase steps is shown to be better than 0.02 deg., and a stable phase difference can be maintained for 30 min. This system can be applied to both conventional and electro-optic holography, as well as to any system where the maintenance of an accurate phase difference between two coherent beams is required.

[Pay attention on optical coherence tomography evaluation for optic nerve diseases].

PubMed

Wang, M

2016-12-11

Optical coherence tomography(OCT) had become the most important imaging technique in ophthalmology. OCT is able to segment the retinal nerve fiber layer and retinal ganglion cell layer accurately. Quantitative analysis can be performed for both layers. OCT is very important to evaluate the neuron and axon loss in optic nerve diseases diagnosis. Meanwhile, OCT has great value for differentiating glaucoma and macular diseases from optic nerve diseases. This review presented OCT application in optic nerve diseases diagnosis, differentiation diagnosis, the key points in use and the features of en face OCT and OCT angiography. It gave us suggestions that it should be pay more attention to OCT examination in diagnosis and treatment of optic nerve diseases. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2016, 52: 885 - 888) .

Self-regulated transport in photonic crystals with phase-changing defects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomas, Roney; Ellis, Fred M.; Vitebskiy, Ilya; Kottos, Tsampikos

2018-01-01

Phase-changing materials (PCMs) are widely used for optical data recording, sensing, all-optical switching, and optical limiting. Our focus here is on the case when the change in transmission characteristics of the optical material is caused by the input light itself. Specifically, the light-induced heating triggers the phase transition in the PCM. In this paper, using a numerical example, we demonstrate that the incorporation of the PCM in a photonic structure can lead to a dramatic modification of the effects of light-induced phase transition, as compared to a stand-alone sample of the same PCM. Our focus is on short pulses. We discuss some possible applications of such phase-changing photonic structures for optical sensing and limiting.

Effect of Natural Aging and Cold Working on Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Al-4.6Cu-0.5Mg-0.5Ag alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yu-Te; Lee, Sheng-Long; Bor, Hui-Yun; Lin, Jing-Chie

2013-06-01

This research investigates the effects of natural aging and cold working prior to artificial aging on microstructures and mechanical properties of Al-4.6Cu-0.5Mg-0.5Ag alloy. Mechanical properties relative to microstructure variations were elucidated by the observations of the optical microscope (OM), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), electrical conductivity meter (pct IACS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that natural aging treatment has little noticeable benefit on the quantity of precipitation strengthening phases and mechanical properties, but it increases the precipitation strengthening rate at the initial stage of artificial aging. Cold working brings more lattice defects which suppress Al-Cu (GP zone) and Mg-Ag clustering, and therefore the precipitation of Ω phase decreases. Furthermore, more dislocations are formed, leading to precipitate the more heterogeneous nucleation of θ' phase. The above-mentioned precipitation phenomena and strain hardening effect are more obvious with higher degrees of cold working.

Effect of Nano CeO2 Addition on the Microstructure and Properties of a Cu-Al-Ni Shape Memory Alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pandey, Abhishek; Jain, Ashish Kumar; Hussain, Shahadat; Sampath, V.; Dasgupta, Rupa

2016-08-01

This article deals with the effect of adding nano CeO2 to act as a grain pinner/refiner to a known Cu-Al-Ni shape memory alloy. Elements were taken in a predefined ratio to prepare 300 g alloy per batch and melted in an induction furnace. Casting was followed by homogenization at 1173 K (900 °C) and rolling to make sheets of 0.5-mm thickness. Further, samples were characterized for microstructure using optical and electron microscope, hardness, and different phase studies by X-ray and transformation temperatures by differential scanning calorimetry. X-ray peak broadenings and changes were investigated to estimate the crystallite size, lattice strain, and phase changes due to different processing steps. A nearly uniform distribution of CeO2 and better martensitic structure were observed with increasing CeO2. The addition of CeO2 also shows a visible effect on the transformation temperature and phase formation.

Hydrodynamic optical soliton tunneling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sprenger, P.; Hoefer, M. A.; El, G. A.

2018-03-01

A notion of hydrodynamic optical soliton tunneling is introduced in which a dark soliton is incident upon an evolving, broad potential barrier that arises from an appropriate variation of the input signal. The barriers considered include smooth rarefaction waves and highly oscillatory dispersive shock waves. Both the soliton and the barrier satisfy the same one-dimensional defocusing nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation, which admits a convenient dispersive hydrodynamic interpretation. Under the scale separation assumption of nonlinear wave (Whitham) modulation theory, the highly nontrivial nonlinear interaction between the soliton and the evolving hydrodynamic barrier is described in terms of self-similar, simple wave solutions to an asymptotic reduction of the Whitham-NLS partial differential equations. One of the Riemann invariants of the reduced modulation system determines the characteristics of a soliton interacting with a mean flow that results in soliton tunneling or trapping. Another Riemann invariant yields the tunneled soliton's phase shift due to hydrodynamic interaction. Soliton interaction with hydrodynamic barriers gives rise to effects that include reversal of the soliton propagation direction and spontaneous soliton cavitation, which further suggest possible methods of dark soliton control in optical fibers.

Electro-optic voltage sensor for sensing voltage in an E-field

DOEpatents

Davidson, James R.; Crawford, Thomas M.; Seifert, Gary D.

2002-03-26

A miniature electro-optic voltage sensor and system capable of accurate operation at high voltages has a sensor body disposed in an E-field. The body receives a source beam of electromagnetic radiation. A polarization beam displacer separates the source light beam into two beams with orthogonal linear polarizations. A wave plate rotates the linear polarization to rotated polarization. A transducer utilizes Pockels electro-optic effect and induces a differential phase shift on the major and minor axes of the rotated polarization in response to the E-field. A prism redirects the beam back through the transducer, wave plate, and polarization beam displacer. The prism also converts the rotated polarization to circular or elliptical polarization. The wave plate rotates the major and minor axes of the circular or elliptical polarization to linear polarization. The polarization beam displacer separates the beam into two beams of orthogonal linear polarization representing the major and minor axes. The system may have a transmitter for producing the beam of electro-magnetic radiation; a detector for converting the two beams into electrical signals; and a signal processor for determining the voltage.

Hydrodynamic optical soliton tunneling.

PubMed

Sprenger, P; Hoefer, M A; El, G A

2018-03-01

A notion of hydrodynamic optical soliton tunneling is introduced in which a dark soliton is incident upon an evolving, broad potential barrier that arises from an appropriate variation of the input signal. The barriers considered include smooth rarefaction waves and highly oscillatory dispersive shock waves. Both the soliton and the barrier satisfy the same one-dimensional defocusing nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation, which admits a convenient dispersive hydrodynamic interpretation. Under the scale separation assumption of nonlinear wave (Whitham) modulation theory, the highly nontrivial nonlinear interaction between the soliton and the evolving hydrodynamic barrier is described in terms of self-similar, simple wave solutions to an asymptotic reduction of the Whitham-NLS partial differential equations. One of the Riemann invariants of the reduced modulation system determines the characteristics of a soliton interacting with a mean flow that results in soliton tunneling or trapping. Another Riemann invariant yields the tunneled soliton's phase shift due to hydrodynamic interaction. Soliton interaction with hydrodynamic barriers gives rise to effects that include reversal of the soliton propagation direction and spontaneous soliton cavitation, which further suggest possible methods of dark soliton control in optical fibers.

Photothermal technique in cell microscopy studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lapotko, Dmitry; Chebot'ko, Igor; Kutchinsky, Georgy; Cherenkevitch, Sergey

1995-01-01

Photothermal (PT) method is applied for a cell imaging and quantitative studies. The techniques for cell monitoring, imaging and cell viability test are developed. The method and experimental set up for optical and PT-image acquisition and analysis is described. Dual- pulsed laser set up combined with phase contrast illumination of a sample provides visualization of temperature field or absorption structure of a sample with spatial resolution 0.5 micrometers . The experimental optics, hardware and software are designed using the modular principle, so the whole set up can be adjusted for various experiments: PT-response monitoring or photothermal spectroscopy studies. Sensitivity of PT-method provides the imaging of the structural elements of live (non-stained) white blood cells. The results of experiments with normal and subnormal blood cells (red blood cells, lymphocytes, neutrophyles and lymphoblasts) are reported. Obtained PT-images are different from optical analogs and deliver additional information about cell structure. The quantitative analysis of images was used for cell population comparative diagnostic. The viability test for red blood cell differentiation is described. During the study of neutrophyles in norma and sarcoidosis disease the differences in PT-images of cells were found.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mauche, C W; Brickhouse, N S; Hoogerwerf, R

Recent satellite observations demonstrate that the phase of maximum flux of the 67 min spin modulation of the white dwarf in the cataclysmic variable EX Hya is drifting away from the optical quadratic ephemeris of Hellier & Sproats (1992, hereafter HS92). Relative to that ephemeris, the peak of the spin-phase extreme ultraviolet (EUV) flux modulation measured with the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) was {phi}{sub 67} = 0.040 {+-} 0.002 in 1994 May (Mauche 1999) and {phi}{sub 67} = 0.115 {+-} 0.001 in 2000 May (Belle et al. 2002). Similarly, the peak of the spin-phase X-ray flux modulation measured with themore » Chandra X-ray Observatory was {phi}{sub 67} {approx} 0.1 in 2000 May (Hoogerwerf, Brickhouse, & Mauche 2004) and {phi}{sub 67} {approx} 0.2 in 2007 May (Luna, Brickhouse, & Mauche 2008). Because the discrepancy between the observed O and calculated C phases of the spin-phase flux modulation of EX Hya is now approaching a significant fraction of a spin cycle, we have undertaken the task of updating the ephemeris. Toward that end, we have combined the optical data of Vogt, Krzeminski, & Sterken (1980, hereafter VKS80), Gilliland (1982), Sterken et al. (1983), Hill & Watson (1984), Jablonski & Busko (1985), Bond & Freeth (1988), HS92, Walker & Allen (2000), and Belle et al. (2005) with the optical, EUV, and X-ray data listed in Table 1. The optical data were obtained by CS at ESO La Silla using the Danish 1.5-m telescope and the DFOSC CCD camera. Differential V-band magnitudes were obtained by aperture photometry extracted from flat-fielded and bias-corrected CCD frames. Other than the EXOSAT and Ginga data, which have been taken from the given references, all other times of spin maximum in the table have been derived by us from the various datasets. In the processes, we have corrected an error in the (spin and orbit) phases of the ASCA data published by Ishida, Mukai, & Osborne (1994) and the RXTE data published by Mukai et al. (1998). We note that our result for the second EUVE observation agrees within the errors with the result derived independently by Belle et al. (2002). Table 1 lists the observed times of spin maximum in Barycentric Julian Date, the corresponding cycle number derived from the HS92 quadratic ephemeris, and the O-C residuals relative to the VKS80 linear ephemeris, the HS92 quadratic ephemeris, and our cubic ephemeris (eqn. 1).« less

Photonic ultra-wideband pulse generation, hybrid modulation and dispersion-compensation-free transmission in multi-access communication systems.

PubMed

Tan, Kang; Shao, Jing; Sun, Junqiang; Wang, Jian

2012-01-16

We propose and demonstrate a scheme for optical ultrawideband (UWB) pulse generation by exploiting a half-carrier-suppressed Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) and a delay-interferometer- and wavelength-division-multiplexer-based, reconfigurable and multi-channel differentiator (DWRMD). Multi-wavelength, polarity- and shape-switchable UWB pulses of monocycle, doublet, triplet, and quadruplet are experimentally generated simply by tuning two bias voltages to modify the carrier-suppression ratio of MZM and the differential order of DWRMD respectively. The pulse position modulation, pulse shape modulation, pulse amplitude modulation and binary phase-shift keying modulation of UWB pulses can also be conveniently realized with the same scheme structure, which indicates that the hybrid modulation of those four formats can be achieved. Consequently, the proposed approach has potential applications in multi-shape, multi-modulation and multi-access UWB-over-fiber communication systems.

Constant volume gas cell optical phase-shifter

DOEpatents

Phillion, Donald W.

2002-01-01

A constant volume gas cell optical phase-shifter, particularly applicable for phase-shifting interferometry, contains a sealed volume of atmospheric gas at a pressure somewhat different than atmospheric. An optical window is present at each end of the cell, and as the length of the cell is changed, the optical path length of a laser beam traversing the cell changes. The cell comprises movable coaxial tubes with seals and a volume equalizing opening. Because the cell is constant volume, the pressure, temperature, and density of the contained gas do not change as the cell changes length. This produces an exactly linear relationship between the change in the length of the gas cell and the change in optical phase of the laser beam traversing it. Because the refractive index difference between the gas inside and the atmosphere outside is very much the same, a large motion must be made to change the optical phase by the small fraction of a wavelength that is required by phase-shifting interferometry for its phase step. This motion can be made to great fractional accuracy.

Resolving phase information of the optical local density of state with scattering near-field probes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prasad, R.; Vincent, R.

2016-10-01

We theoretically discuss the link between the phase measured using a scattering optical scanning near-field microscopy (s-SNOM) and the local density of optical states (LDOS). A remarkable result is that the LDOS information is directly included in the phase of the probe. Therefore by monitoring the spatial variation of the trans-scattering phase, we locally measure the phase modulation associated with the probe and the optical paths. We demonstrate numerically that a technique involving two-phase imaging of a sample with two different sized tips should allow to obtain the image the pLDOS. For this imaging method, numerical comparison with extinction probe measurement shows crucial qualitative and quantitative improvement.

Ultra-wideband microwave photonic phase shifter with a 360° tunable phase shift based on an erbium-ytterbium co-doped linearly chirped FBG.

PubMed

Liu, Weilin; Yao, Jianping

2014-02-15

A simple photonic approach to implementing an ultra-wideband microwave phase shifter based on an erbium-ytterbium (Er/Yb) co-doped linearly chirped fiber Bragg grating (LCFBG) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The LCFBG is designed to have a constant magnitude response over a reflection band, and a phase response that is linear and nonlinear in two sections in the reflection band. When an optical single-sideband with carrier (OSSB+C) signal is sent to the LCFBG, by locating the optical carrier at the section corresponding to the nonlinear phase response and the sideband at the section corresponding to the linear phase response, a phase shift is introduced to the optical carrier, which is then translated to the microwave signal by beating the optical carrier and the sideband at a photodetector. The tuning of the phase shift is realized by optically pumping the Er/Yb co-doped LCFBG by a 980-nm laser diode. The proposed ultra-wideband microwave photonic phase shifter is experimentally demonstrated. A phase shifter with a full 360° phase shift with a bandwidth from 10 to 40 GHz is experimentally demonstrated.

Optical Techniques for the Remote Detection of Biological Aerosols

DTIC Science & Technology

1974-08-01

1) Laboratory exneriments (2) Remote detection experiments. In the first phase , the optical characteristics of several selected biological...the-art optical sensor system. The estimates were favorable, and a second research phase was initiated. Remote detection experiments were conducted...that of phase fluorometry. The fluorescence is excited by 3. continuous light source, the output of which is modulated at a high freeuency by an optical

Direct Observation of Optical Field Phase Carving in the Vicinity of Plasmonic Metasurfaces.

PubMed

Dagens, B; Février, M; Gogol, P; Blaize, S; Apuzzo, A; Magno, G; Mégy, R; Lerondel, G

2016-07-13

Plasmonic surfaces are mainly used for their optical intensity concentration properties that allow for enhancement of physical interaction like in nonlinear optics, optical sensors, or tweezers. Phase response in plasmonic resonances can also play a major role, especially in a periodic assembly of plasmonic resonators like metasurfaces. Here we show that localized surface plasmons collectively excited by a guided mode in a metallic nanostructure periodic chain present nonmonotonous phase variation along the 1D metasurface, resulting from both selective Bloch mode coupling and dipolar coupling. As shown by near-field measurements, the phase profile of the highly concentrated optical field is carved out in the vicinity of the metallic metasurface, paving the way to unusual local optical functions.

Optical and Calorimetric Studies of Cholesterol-Rich Filamentous, Helical Ribbon and Crystal Microstructures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Miroshnikova, Y. A.; Elsenbeck, M.; Zastavker, Y. V.

2009-04-19

Formation of biological self-assemblies at all scales is a focus of studies in fields ranging from biology to physics to biomimetics. Understanding the physico-chemical properties of these self-assemblies may lead to the design of bio-inspired structures and technological applications. Here we examine self-assembled filamentous, helical ribbon, and crystal microstructures formed in chemically defined lipid concentrate (CDLC), a model system for cholesterol crystallization in gallbladder bile. CDLC consists of cholesterol, bilayer-forming amphiphiles, micelle-forming amphiphiles, and water. Phase contrast and differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy indicate the presence of three microstructure types in all samples studied, and allow for an investigation ofmore » the structures' unique geometries. Additionally, confocal microscopy is used for qualitative assessment of surface and internal composition. To complement optical observations, calorimetric (differential-scanning and modulation) experiments, provide the basis for an in-depth understanding of collective and individual thermal behavior. Observed ''transition'' features indicate clustering and ''straightening'' of helical ribbons into short, increasingly thickening, filaments that dissolve with increasing temperature. These results suggest that all microstructures formed in CDLC may coexist in a metastable chemical equilibrium. Further investigation of the CDLC thermal profile should uncover the process of cholesterol crystallization as well as the unique design and function of microstructures formed in this system.« less

Characterization of PCBs from computers and mobile phones, and the proposal of newly developed materials for substitution of gold, lead and arsenic.

PubMed

Dervišević, Irma; Minić, Duško; Kamberović, Željko; Ćosović, Vladan; Ristić, Mirjana

2013-06-01

In this paper, we have analyzed parts of printed circuit board (PCB) and liquid crystal display (LCD) screens of mobile phones and computers, quantitative and qualitative chemical compositions of individual components, and complete PCBs were determined. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods were used to determine the temperatures of phase transformations, whereas qualitative and quantitative compositions of the samples were determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) analyses. The microstructure of samples was studied by optical microscopy. Based on results of the analysis, a procedure for recycling PCBs is proposed. The emphasis was on the effects that can be achieved in the recycling process by extraction of some parts before the melting process. In addition, newly developed materials can be an adequate substitute for some of the dangerous and harmful materials, such as lead and arsenic are proposed, which is in accordance with the European Union (EU) Restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances (RoHS) directive as well as some alternative materials for use in the electronics industry instead of gold and gold alloys.

Anomalous Polarized Raman Scattering and Large Circular Intensity Differential in Layered Triclinic ReS2.

PubMed

Zhang, Shishu; Mao, Nannan; Zhang, Na; Wu, Juanxia; Tong, Lianming; Zhang, Jin

2017-10-24

The Raman tensor of a crystal is the derivative of its polarizability tensor and is dependent on the symmetries of the crystal and the Raman-active vibrational mode. The intensity of a particular mode is determined by the Raman selection rule, which involves the Raman tensor and the polarization configurations. For anisotropic two-dimensional (2D) layered crystals, polarized Raman scattering has been used to reveal the crystalline orientations. However, due to its complicated Raman tensors and optical birefringence, the polarized Raman scattering of triclinic 2D crystals has not been well studied yet. Herein, we report the anomalous polarized Raman scattering of 2D layered triclinic rhenium disulfide (ReS 2 ) and show a large circular intensity differential (CID) of Raman scattering in ReS 2 of different thicknesses. The origin of CID and the anomalous behavior in polarized Raman scattering were attributed to the appearance of nonzero off-diagonal Raman tensor elements and the phase factor owing to optical birefringence. This can provide a method to identify the vertical orientation of triclinic layered materials. These findings may help to further understand the Raman scattering process in 2D materials of low symmetry and may indicate important applications in chiral recognition by using 2D materials.

Flip-chip bonded optoelectronic integration based on ultrathin silicon (UTSi) CMOS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hong, Sunkwang; Ho, Tawei; Zhang, Liping; Sawchuk, Alexander A.

2003-06-01

We describe the design and test of flip-chip bonded optoelectronic CMOS devices based on Peregrine Semiconductor's 0.5 micron Ultra-Thin Silicon on sapphire (UTSi) technology. The UTSi process eliminates the substrate leakage that typically results in crosstalk and reduces parasitic capacitance to the substrate, providing many benefits compared to bulk silicon CMOS. The low-loss synthetic sapphire substrate is optically transparent and has a coefficient of thermal expansion suitable for flip-chip bonding of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) and detectors. We have designed two different UTSi CMOS chips. One contains a flip-chip bonded 1 x 4 photodiode array, a receiver array, a double edge triggered D-flip flop-based 2047-pattern pseudo random bit stream (PRBS) generator and a quadrature-phase LC-voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). The other chip contains a flip-chip bonded 1 x 4 VCSEL array, a driver array based on high-speed low-voltage differential signals (LVDS) and a full-balanced differential LC-VCO. Each VCSEL driver and receiver has individual input and bias voltage adjustments. Each UTSi chip is mounted on different printed circuit boards (PCBs) which have holes with about 1 mm radius for optical output and input paths through the sapphire substrate. We discuss preliminary testing of these chips.

High-performance dispersive Raman and absorption spectroscopy as tools for drug identification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pawluczyk, Olga; Andrey, Sam; Nogas, Paul; Roy, Andrew; Pawluczyk, Romuald

2009-02-01

Due to increasing availability of pharmaceuticals from many sources, a need is growing to quickly and efficiently analyze substances in terms of the consistency and accuracy of their chemical composition. Differences in chemical composition occur at very low concentrations, so that highly sensitive analytical methods become crucial. Recent progress in dispersive spectroscopy with the use of 2-dimensional detector arrays, permits for signal integration along a long (up to 12 mm long) entrance slit of a spectrometer, thereby increasing signal to noise ratio and improving the ability to detect small concentration changes. This is achieved with a non-scanning, non-destructive system. Two different methods using P&P Optica high performance spectrometers were used. High performance optical dispersion Raman and high performance optical absorption spectroscopy were employed to differentiate various acetaminophen-containing drugs, such as Tylenol and other generic brands, which differ in their ingredients. A 785 nm excitation wavelength was used in Raman measurements and strong Raman signals were observed in the spectral range 300-1800 cm-1. Measurements with the absorption spectrometer were performed in the wavelength range 620-1020 nm. Both Raman and absorption techniques used transmission light spectrometers with volume phase holographic gratings and provided sufficient spectral differences, often structural, allowing for drug differentiation.

Genetic Algorithm Phase Retrieval for the Systematic Image-Based Optical Alignment Testbed

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Taylor, Jaime; Rakoczy, John; Steincamp, James

2003-01-01

Phase retrieval requires calculation of the real-valued phase of the pupil fimction from the image intensity distribution and characteristics of an optical system. Genetic 'algorithms were used to solve two one-dimensional phase retrieval problem. A GA successfully estimated the coefficients of a polynomial expansion of the phase when the number of coefficients was correctly specified. A GA also successfully estimated the multiple p h e s of a segmented optical system analogous to the seven-mirror Systematic Image-Based Optical Alignment (SIBOA) testbed located at NASA s Marshall Space Flight Center. The SIBOA testbed was developed to investigate phase retrieval techniques. Tiphilt and piston motions of the mirrors accomplish phase corrections. A constant phase over each mirror can be achieved by an independent tip/tilt correction: the phase Conection term can then be factored out of the Discrete Fourier Tranform (DFT), greatly reducing computations.

Detection of supercooled liquid water-topped mixed-phase clouds >from shortwave-infrared satellite observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

NOH, Y. J.; Miller, S. D.; Heidinger, A. K.

2015-12-01

Many studies have demonstrated the utility of multispectral information from satellite passive radiometers for detecting and retrieving the properties of cloud globally, which conventionally utilizes shortwave- and thermal-infrared bands. However, the satellite-derived cloud information comes mainly from cloud top or represents a vertically integrated property. This can produce a large bias in determining cloud phase characteristics, in particular for mixed-phase clouds which are often observed to have supercooled liquid water at cloud top but a predominantly ice phase residing below. The current satellite retrieval algorithms may report these clouds simply as supercooled liquid without any further information regarding the presence of a sub-cloud-top ice phase. More accurate characterization of these clouds is very important for climate models and aviation applications. In this study, we present a physical basis and preliminary results for the algorithm development of supercooled liquid-topped mixed-phase cloud detection using satellite radiometer observations. The detection algorithm is based on differential absorption properties between liquid and ice particles in the shortwave-infrared bands. Solar reflectance data in narrow bands at 1.6 μm and 2.25 μm are used to optically probe below clouds for distinction between supercooled liquid-topped clouds with and without an underlying mixed phase component. Varying solar/sensor geometry and cloud optical properties are also considered. The spectral band combination utilized for the algorithm is currently available on Suomi NPP Visible/Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), Himawari-8 Advanced Himawari Imager (AHI), and the future GOES-R Advance Baseline Imager (ABI). When tested on simulated cloud fields from WRF model and synthetic ABI data, favorable results were shown with reasonable threat scores (0.6-0.8) and false alarm rates (0.1-0.2). An ARM/NSA case study applied to VIIRS data also indicated promising potential of the algorithm.

Observation of paramorphic phenomenon and non-tilted orthogonal smectic phases in hydrogen bonded ferroelectric liquid crystals for photonic applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Subhasri, P.; Venugopal, D.; Jayaprakasam, R.; Chitravel, T.; Vijayakumar, V. N.

2018-06-01

A new class of hydrogen bonded ferroelectric liquid crystals (HBFLC) have been designed and synthesized by intermolecular hydrogen bonds between mesogenic 4-decyloxybenzoic acid (10OBA) and non-mesogenic (R)-(+)-Methylsuccinic acid (MSA) which have been confirmed through experimental and theoretical studies. Further, Mulliken population analysis clearly reveals that the existence of hydrogen bonds, strength and dynamic properties. Textural observation and its corresponding enthalpy values are analyzed by polarizing optical microscope (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) respectively. Paramorphic changes in Sm C* phase due to the change of refractive index, which clearly reveal that the complex could be used for filtering action in photonic devices. The transition from lone pair to π* with large stabilization energy evidently exposes the chiral phases in the present HBFLC complex. Intermolecular interaction is analyzed by using natural bond orbital (NBO) studies. The highest energy in the HOMO-LUMO shows the stable phase in the HBFLC complex. Molecular structure of the HBFLC complex possesses the monoclinic which has been evinced through x-ray analysis. The randomly oriented bunch of homogeneous molecules in Sm A* phase of the HBFLC complex is reported.

Self-referenced locking of optical coherence by single-detector electronic-frequency tagging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shay, T. M.; Benham, Vincent; Spring, Justin; Ward, Benjamin; Ghebremichael, F.; Culpepper, Mark A.; Sanchez, Anthony D.; Baker, J. T.; Pilkington, D.; Berdine, Richard

2006-02-01

We report a novel coherent beam combining technique. This is the first actively phase locked optical fiber array that eliminates the need for a separate reference beam. In addition, only a single photodetector is required. The far-field central spot of the array is imaged onto the photodetector to produce the phase control loop signals. Each leg of the fiber array is phase modulated with a separate RF frequency, thus tagging the optical phase shift for each leg by a separate RF frequency. The optical phase errors for the individual array legs are separated in the electronic domain. In contrast with the previous active phase locking techniques, in our system the reference beam is spatially overlapped with all the RF modulated fiber leg beams onto a single detector. The phase shift between the optical wave in the reference leg and in the RF modulated legs is measured separately in the electronic domain and the phase error signal is feedback to the LiNbO 3 phase modulator for that leg to minimize the phase error for that leg relative to the reference leg. The advantages of this technique are 1) the elimination of the reference beam and beam combination optics and 2) the electronic separation of the phase error signals without any degradation of the phase locking accuracy. We will present the first theoretical model for self-referenced LOCSET and describe experimental results for a 3 x 3 array.

Polymorphism and mesomorphism of oligomeric surfactants: effect of the degree of oligomerization.

PubMed

Jurašin, D; Pustak, A; Habuš, I; Šmit, I; Filipović-Vinceković, N

2011-12-06

A series of cationic oligomeric surfactants (quaternary dodecyldimethylammonium ions with two, three, or four chains connected by an ethylene spacer at the headgroup level, abbreviated as dimer, trimer, and tetramer) were synthesized and characterized. The influence of the degree of oligomerization on their polymorphic and mesomorphic properties was investigated by means of X-ray diffraction, polarizing optical microscopy, thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry. All compounds display layered arrangements with interdigitated dodecyl chains. The increase in the degree of oligomerization increases the interlayer distance and decreases the ordering in the solid phase; whereas the dimer sample is fully crystalline with well-developed 3D ordering and the trimer and tetramer crystallize as highly ordered crystal smectic phases. The number of thermal phase transitions and sequence of phases are markedly affected by the number of dodecyl chains. Anhydrous samples exhibit polymorphism and thermotropic mesomorphism of the smectic type, with the exception of the tetramer that displays only transitions at higher temperature associated with decomposition and melting. All hydrated compounds form lyotropic mesophases showing reversible phase transitions upon heating and cooling. The sequence of liquid-crystalline phases for the dimer, typical of concentrated ionic surfactant systems, comprises a hexagonal phase at lower temperatures and a smectic phase at higher temperatures. In contrast, the trimer and tetramer reveal textures of the hexagonal phase. © 2011 American Chemical Society

Zeroth-order phase-contrast technique.

PubMed

Pizolato, José Carlos; Cirino, Giuseppe Antonio; Gonçalves, Cristhiane; Neto, Luiz Gonçalves

2007-11-01

What we believe to be a new phase-contrast technique is proposed to recover intensity distributions from phase distributions modulated by spatial light modulators (SLMs) and binary diffractive optical elements (DOEs). The phase distribution is directly transformed into intensity distributions using a 4f optical correlator and an iris centered in the frequency plane as a spatial filter. No phase-changing plates or phase dielectric dots are used as a filter. This method allows the use of twisted nematic liquid-crystal televisions (LCTVs) operating in the real-time phase-mostly regime mode between 0 and p to generate high-intensity multiple beams for optical trap applications. It is also possible to use these LCTVs as input SLMs for optical correlators to obtain high-intensity Fourier transform distributions of input amplitude objects.

Light propagation with phase discontinuities: generalized laws of reflection and refraction.

PubMed

Yu, Nanfang; Genevet, Patrice; Kats, Mikhail A; Aieta, Francesco; Tetienne, Jean-Philippe; Capasso, Federico; Gaburro, Zeno

2011-10-21

Conventional optical components rely on gradual phase shifts accumulated during light propagation to shape light beams. New degrees of freedom are attained by introducing abrupt phase changes over the scale of the wavelength. A two-dimensional array of optical resonators with spatially varying phase response and subwavelength separation can imprint such phase discontinuities on propagating light as it traverses the interface between two media. Anomalous reflection and refraction phenomena are observed in this regime in optically thin arrays of metallic antennas on silicon with a linear phase variation along the interface, which are in excellent agreement with generalized laws derived from Fermat's principle. Phase discontinuities provide great flexibility in the design of light beams, as illustrated by the generation of optical vortices through use of planar designer metallic interfaces.

Generation of singular optical beams from fundamental Gaussian beam using Sagnac interferometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naik, Dinesh N.; Viswanathan, Nirmal K.

2016-09-01

We propose a simple free-space optics recipe for the controlled generation of optical vortex beams with a vortex dipole or a single charge vortex, using an inherently stable Sagnac interferometer. We investigate the role played by the amplitude and phase differences in generating higher-order Gaussian beams from the fundamental Gaussian mode. Our simulation results reveal how important the control of both the amplitude and the phase difference between superposing beams is to achieving optical vortex beams. The creation of a vortex dipole from null interference is unveiled through the introduction of a lateral shear and a radial phase difference between two out-of-phase Gaussian beams. A stable and high quality optical vortex beam, equivalent to the first-order Laguerre-Gaussian beam, is synthesized by coupling lateral shear with linear phase difference, introduced orthogonal to the shear between two out-of-phase Gaussian beams.

Fully tunable 360° microwave photonic phase shifter based on a single semiconductor optical amplifier.

PubMed

Sancho, Juan; Lloret, Juan; Gasulla, Ivana; Sales, Salvador; Capmany, José

2011-08-29

A fully tunable microwave photonic phase shifter involving a single semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) is proposed and demonstrated. 360° microwave phase shift has been achieved by tuning the carrier wavelength and the optical input power injected in an SOA while properly profiting from the dispersion feature of a conveniently designed notch filter. It is shown that the optical filter can be advantageously employed to switch between positive and negative microwave phase shifts. Numerical calculations corroborate the experimental results showing an excellent agreement.

Mode conversion efficiency to Laguerre-Gaussian OAM modes using spiral phase optics.

PubMed

Longman, Andrew; Fedosejevs, Robert

2017-07-24

An analytical model for the conversion efficiency from a TEM 00 mode to an arbitrary Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) mode with null radial index spiral phase optics is presented. We extend this model to include the effects of stepped spiral phase optics, spiral phase optics of non-integer topological charge, and the reduction in conversion efficiency due to broad laser bandwidth. We find that through optimization, an optimal beam waist ratio of the input and output modes exists and is dependent upon the output azimuthal mode number.

Phase shift of TE and TM modes in an optical fiber due to axial strain (exact solution)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Egalon, Claudio O.; Rogowski, Robert S.

1992-01-01

Axial strain may be determined by monitoring the phase shift of modes of a variety of optical fiber sensors. In this paper, the exact solution of a circular optical fiber is used to calculate the phase shift of the TE and TM modes. Whenever an optical fiber is stressed, the optical path length, the index of refraction, and the propagation constants of each fiber mode change. In consequence, the modal phase term, beta(ln)z, of the fields is shifted by an amount Delta phi. In certain cases, it is desirable to control the phase shift term in order to make the fiber either more or less sensitive to certain kinds of strain. It is shown that it can be accomplished by choosing appropriate fiber parameters.

Electronic structure and optical properties of Si, Ge and diamond in the lonsdaleite phase.

PubMed

De, Amrit; Pryor, Craig E

2014-01-29

Crystalline semiconductors may exist in different polytypic phases with significantly different electronic and optical properties. In this paper, we calculate the electronic structure and optical properties of diamond, Si and Ge in the lonsdaleite (hexagonal diamond) phase using a transferable model empirical pseudopotential method with spin–orbit interactions. We calculate their band structures and extract various relevant parameters. Differences between the cubic and hexagonal phases are highlighted by comparing their densities of states. While diamond and Si remain indirect gap semiconductors in the lonsdaleite phase, Ge transforms into a direct gap semiconductor with a much smaller bandgap. We also calculate complex dielectric functions for different optical polarizations and find strong optical anisotropy. We further provide expansion parameters for the dielectric functions in terms of Lorentz oscillators.

Theoretical analysis of a method for extracting the phase of a phase-amplitude modulated signal generated by a direct-modulated optical injection-locked semiconductor laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Hwan; Cho, Jun-Hyung; Sung, Hyuk-Kee

2017-05-01

The phase modulation (PM) and amplitude modulation (AM) of optical signals can be achieved using a direct-modulated (DM) optical injection-locked (OIL) semiconductor laser. We propose and theoretically analyze a simple method to extract the phase component of a PM signal produced by a DM-OIL semiconductor laser. The pure AM component of the combined PM-AM signal can be isolated by square-law detection in a photodetector and can then be used to compensate for the PM-AM signal based on an optical homodyne method. Using the AM compensation technique, we successfully developed a simple and cost-effective phase extraction method applicable to the PM-AM optical signal of a DM-OIL semiconductor laser.

Efficient characterization of phase space mapping in axially symmetric optical systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barbero, Sergio; Portilla, Javier

2018-01-01

Phase space mapping, typically between an object and image plane, characterizes an optical system within a geometrical optics framework. We propose a novel conceptual frame to characterize the phase mapping in axially symmetric optical systems for arbitrary object locations, not restricted to a specific object plane. The idea is based on decomposing the phase mapping into a set of bivariate equations corresponding to different values of the radial coordinate on a specific object surface (most likely the entrance pupil). These equations are then approximated through bivariate Chebyshev interpolation at Chebyshev nodes, which guarantees uniform convergence. Additionally, we propose the use of a new concept (effective object phase space), defined as the set of points of the phase space at the first optical element (typically the entrance pupil) that are effectively mapped onto the image surface. The effective object phase space provides, by means of an inclusion test, a way to avoid tracing rays that do not reach the image surface.

Kodak phase-change media for optical tape applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tyan, Yuan-Sheng; Preuss, Donald R.; Olin, George R.; Vazan, Fridrich; Pan, Kee-Chuan; Raychaudhuri, Pranab. K.

1993-01-01

The SbInSn phase-change write-once optical medium developed by Eastman Kodak Company is particularly suitable for development into the next generation optical tape media. Its performance for optical recording has already been demonstrated in some of the highest performance optical disk systems. Some of the key performance features are presented.

Differential polarization nonlinear optical microscopy with adaptive optics controlled multiplexed beams.

PubMed

Samim, Masood; Sandkuijl, Daaf; Tretyakov, Ian; Cisek, Richard; Barzda, Virginijus

2013-09-09

Differential polarization nonlinear optical microscopy has the potential to become an indispensable tool for structural investigations of ordered biological assemblies and microcrystalline aggregates. Their microscopic organization can be probed through fast and sensitive measurements of nonlinear optical signal anisotropy, which can be achieved with microscopic spatial resolution by using time-multiplexed pulsed laser beams with perpendicular polarization orientations and photon-counting detection electronics for signal demultiplexing. In addition, deformable membrane mirrors can be used to correct for optical aberrations in the microscope and simultaneously optimize beam overlap using a genetic algorithm. The beam overlap can be achieved with better accuracy than diffraction limited point-spread function, which allows to perform polarization-resolved measurements on the pixel-by-pixel basis. We describe a newly developed differential polarization microscope and present applications of the differential microscopy technique for structural studies of collagen and cellulose. Both, second harmonic generation, and fluorescence-detected nonlinear absorption anisotropy are used in these investigations. It is shown that the orientation and structural properties of the fibers in biological tissue can be deduced and that the orientation of fluorescent molecules (Congo Red), which label the fibers, can be determined. Differential polarization microscopy sidesteps common issues such as photobleaching and sample movement. Due to tens of megahertz alternating polarization of excitation pulses fast data acquisition can be conveniently applied to measure changes in the nonlinear signal anisotropy in dynamically changing in vivo structures.

Wavefront sensing with all-digital Stokes measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dudley, Angela; Milione, Giovanni; Alfano, Robert R.; Forbes, Andrew

2014-09-01

A long-standing question in optics has been to efficiently measure the phase (or wavefront) of an optical field. This has led to numerous publications and commercial devices such as phase shift interferometry, wavefront reconstruction via modal decomposition and Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors. In this work we develop a new technique to extract the phase which in contrast to previously mentioned methods is based on polarization (or Stokes) measurements. We outline a simple, all-digital approach using only a spatial light modulator and a polarization grating to exploit the amplitude and phase relationship between the orthogonal states of polarization to determine the phase of an optical field. We implement this technique to reconstruct the phase of static and propagating optical vortices.

Monolithic optical integrated control circuitry for GaAs MMIC-based phased arrays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bhasin, K. B.; Ponchak, G. E.; Kascak, T. J.

1985-01-01

Gallium arsenide (GaAs) monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMIC's) show promise in phased-array antenna applications for future space communications systems. Their efficient usage will depend on the control of amplitude and phase signals for each MMIC element in the phased array and in the low-loss radiofrequency feed. For a phased array contining several MMIC elements a complex system is required to control and feed each element. The characteristics of GaAs MMIC's for 20/30-GHz phased-array systems are discussed. The optical/MMIC interface and the desired characteristics of optical integrated circuits (OIC's) for such an interface are described. Anticipated fabrication considerations for eventual full monolithic integration of optical integrated circuits with MMIC's on a GaAs substrate are presented.

Laboratory simulation of atmospheric turbulence induced optical wavefront distortion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taylor, Travis Shane

1999-11-01

Many creative approaches have been taken in the past for simulating the effect that atmospheric turbulence has on optical beams. Most of the experimental architectures have been complicated and consisted of many optical elements as well as moving components. These techniques have shown a modicum of success; however, they are not completely controllable or predictable. A benchtop technique for experimentally producing one important effect that atmospheric turbulence has on optical beams (phase distortion) is presented here. The system is completely controllable and predictable while accurately representing the statistical nature of the problem. Previous experimentation in optical processing through turbulent media has demonstrated that optical wavefront distortions can be produced via spatial light modulating (SLM) devices, and most turbulence models and experimental results indicate that turbulence can be represented as a phase fluctuation. The amplitude distributions in the resulting far field are primarily due to propagation of the phase. Operating a liquid crystal television (LCTV) in the ``phase- mostly'' mode, a phase fluctuation type model for turbulence is utilized in the present investigation, and a real-time experiment for demonstrating the effects was constructed. For an optical system to simulate optical wavefront distortions due to atmospheric turbulence, the following are required: (1)An optical element that modulates the phasefront of an optical beam (2)A model and a technique for generating spatially correlated turbulence simulating distributions (3)Hardware and software for displaying and manipulating the information addressing the optical phase modulation device The LCTV is ideal for this application. When operated in the ``phase-mostly'' mode some LCTVs can modulate the phasefront of an optical beam by as much as 2π and an algorithm for generating spatially correlated phase screens can be constructed via mathematical modeling software such as Mathcad[2]. The phase screens can then be manipulated and displayed on the LCTV using a computer with an appropriate framegrabber and software. The present system consists of an Epson liquid crystal television (which was optimized to modulate up to 2π of phase), a Macintosh IIci with a framegrabber card, a QuickTime movie consisting of multiple video frames of two dimensional arrays of spatially correlated grayscale images, and two polarizers. The movie is displayed on the television via the framegrabber, and the polarizers are used to operate the television in a mode that mostly modulates the spatial phase distribution of the optical wavefront. The frames of the movie are created using an accepted turbulence model for spatially correlated variations in index of refraction, and each subsequent frame of the movie is calculated following an accepted model for temporally varying turbulence. The model used for generating spatial functions or ``phase screens'' which simulate turbulence is the well known Kolmogorov model. These ``phase screens'' are then used, employing a Taylor's frozen flow model, to simulate temporally varying turbulence. A single ``phase screen'' is given a random velocity vector between 0 and.55 meters per second to simulate temporally varying turbulence. The system is used to distort optical beams as if the beams had propagated through a long pathlength of wavefront distorting medium, such as the atmosphere.

Broadband Phase Retrieval for Image-Based Wavefront Sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dean, Bruce H.

2007-01-01

A focus-diverse phase-retrieval algorithm has been shown to perform adequately for the purpose of image-based wavefront sensing when (1) broadband light (typically spanning the visible spectrum) is used in forming the images by use of an optical system under test and (2) the assumption of monochromaticity is applied to the broadband image data. Heretofore, it had been assumed that in order to obtain adequate performance, it is necessary to use narrowband or monochromatic light. Some background information, including definitions of terms and a brief description of pertinent aspects of image-based phase retrieval, is prerequisite to a meaningful summary of the present development. Phase retrieval is a general term used in optics to denote estimation of optical imperfections or aberrations of an optical system under test. The term image-based wavefront sensing refers to a general class of algorithms that recover optical phase information, and phase-retrieval algorithms constitute a subset of this class. In phase retrieval, one utilizes the measured response of the optical system under test to produce a phase estimate. The optical response of the system is defined as the image of a point-source object, which could be a star or a laboratory point source. The phase-retrieval problem is characterized as image-based in the sense that a charge-coupled-device camera, preferably of scientific imaging quality, is used to collect image data where the optical system would normally form an image. In a variant of phase retrieval, denoted phase-diverse phase retrieval [which can include focus-diverse phase retrieval (in which various defocus planes are used)], an additional known aberration (or an equivalent diversity function) is superimposed as an aid in estimating unknown aberrations by use of an image-based wavefront-sensing algorithm. Image-based phase-retrieval differs from such other wavefront-sensing methods, such as interferometry, shearing interferometry, curvature wavefront sensing, and Shack-Hartmann sensing, all of which entail disadvantages in comparison with image-based methods. The main disadvantages of these non-image based methods are complexity of test equipment and the need for a wavefront reference.

Design of MOEMS adjustable optical delay line to reduce link set-up time in a tera-bit/s optical interconnection network.

PubMed

Jing, Wencai; Zhang, Yimo; Zhou, Ge

2002-07-15

A new structure for bit synchronization in a tera-bit/s optical interconnection network has been designed using micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) technique. Link multiplexing has been adopted to reduce data packet communication latency. To eliminate link set-up time, adjustable optical delay lines (AODLs) have been adopted to shift the phases of the distributed optical clock signals for bit synchronization. By changing the optical path distance of the optical clock signal, the phase of the clock signal can be shifted at a very high resolution. A phase-shift resolution of 0.1 ps can be easily achieved with 30-microm alternation of the optical path length in vacuum.

Optical hiding with visual cryptography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Yishi; Yang, Xiubo

2017-11-01

We propose an optical hiding method based on visual cryptography. In the hiding process, we convert the secret information into a set of fabricated phase-keys, which are completely independent of each other, intensity-detected-proof and image-covered, leading to the high security. During the extraction process, the covered phase-keys are illuminated with laser beams and then incoherently superimposed to extract the hidden information directly by human vision, without complicated optical implementations and any additional computation, resulting in the convenience of extraction. Also, the phase-keys are manufactured as the diffractive optical elements that are robust to the attacks, such as the blocking and the phase-noise. Optical experiments verify that the high security, the easy extraction and the strong robustness are all obtainable in the visual-cryptography-based optical hiding.

Structural phase transition, electronic structure and optical properties of half Heusler alloys LiBeZ (Z = As, Sb)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Amudhavalli, A.; Rajeswarapalanichamy, R., E-mail: rajeswarapalanichamy@gmail.com

2016-05-23

Ab initio calculations are performed to investigate the structural stability, electronic structure, mechanical properties and optical properties of half Heusler alloys (LiBeAs and LiBeSb) for three different phases of zinc blende crystal structure. Among the considered phases, α- phase is found to be the most stable phase for these alloys at normal pressure. A pressure induced structural phase transition from α-phase to β- phase is observed for LiBeAs. The electronic structure reveals that these alloys are semiconductors. The optical properties confirm that these alloys are semiconductor in nature.

Magneto-optical non-reciprocal devices in silicon photonics

PubMed Central

Shoji, Yuya; Mizumoto, Tetsuya

2014-01-01

Silicon waveguide optical non-reciprocal devices based on the magneto-optical effect are reviewed. The non-reciprocal phase shift caused by the first-order magneto-optical effect is effective in realizing optical non-reciprocal devices in silicon waveguide platforms. In a silicon-on-insulator waveguide, the low refractive index of the buried oxide layer enhances the magneto-optical phase shift, which reduces the device footprints. A surface activated direct bonding technique was developed to integrate a magneto-optical garnet crystal on the silicon waveguides. A silicon waveguide optical isolator based on the magneto-optical phase shift was demonstrated with an optical isolation of 30 dB and insertion loss of 13 dB at a wavelength of 1548 nm. Furthermore, a four port optical circulator was demonstrated with maximum isolations of 15.3 and 9.3 dB in cross and bar ports, respectively, at a wavelength of 1531 nm. PMID:27877640

Spin-orbit optical cross-phase-modulation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brasselet, Etienne

2010-12-15

We show experimentally that optical phase singularities (PSs) can be written and erased, locally and in a controllable manner, into a light beam using the giant Kerr optical nonlinearities of liquid crystals. The method relies on the nonlinear optical spin-orbit coupling experienced by a collimated probe beam when a collinear focused pump beam imprints a radial birefringent pattern into a nematic film. In addition, experimental data are quantitatively described, accounting for the elastic anisotropy of the material and its nonlocal spatial response to the pump light field. Since we show that the optical intensity of a light beam (the 'pump')more » controls the phase of another beam (the 'probe') in a singular fashion (i.e., with the generation of a screw PS) via their interaction in a nonlinear medium that involves spin-orbit coupling, we dubbed such a nonlinear optical process as spin-orbit optical cross-phase-modulation.« less

Integrated optical transceiver with electronically controlled optical beamsteering

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Davids, Paul; DeRose, Christopher; Tauke-Pedretti, Anna

A beam-steering optical transceiver is provided. The transceiver includes one or more modules, each comprising an antenna chip and a control chip bonded to the antenna chip. Each antenna chip has a feeder waveguide, a plurality of row waveguides that tap off from the feeder waveguide, and a plurality of metallic nanoantenna elements arranged in a two-dimensional array of rows and columns such that each row overlies one of the row waveguides. Each antenna chip also includes a plurality of independently addressable thermo-optical phase shifters, each configured to produce a thermo-optical phase shift in a respective row. Each antenna chipmore » also has, for each row, a row-wise heating circuit configured to produce a respective thermo-optic phase shift at each nanoantenna element along its row. The control chip includes controllable current sources for the independently addressable thermo-optical phase shifters and the row-wise heating circuits.« less

Optical double-image cryptography based on diffractive imaging with a laterally-translated phase grating.

PubMed

Chen, Wen; Chen, Xudong; Sheppard, Colin J R

2011-10-10

In this paper, we propose a method using structured-illumination-based diffractive imaging with a laterally-translated phase grating for optical double-image cryptography. An optical cryptosystem is designed, and multiple random phase-only masks are placed in the optical path. When a phase grating is laterally translated just before the plaintexts, several diffraction intensity patterns (i.e., ciphertexts) can be correspondingly obtained. During image decryption, an iterative retrieval algorithm is developed to extract plaintexts from the ciphertexts. In addition, security and advantages of the proposed method are analyzed. Feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method are demonstrated by numerical simulation results. © 2011 Optical Society of America

Free space and waveguide Talbot effect: phase relations and planar light circuit applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nikkhah, H.; Zheng, Q.; Hasan, I.; Abdul-Majid, S.; Hall, T. J.

2012-10-01

Optical fields that are periodic in the transverse plane self-image periodically as they propagate along the optical axis: a phenomenon known as the Talbot effect. A transfer matrix may be defined that relates the amplitude and phase of point sources placed on a particular grid at the input to their respective multiple images at an image plane. The free-space Talbot effect may be mapped to the waveguide Talbot effect. Applying this mapping to the transfer matrix enables the prediction of the phase and amplitude relations between the ports of a Multimode Interference (MMI) coupler- a planar waveguide device. The transfer matrix approach has not previously been applied to the free-space case and its mapping to the waveguide case provides greater clarity and physical insight into the phase relationships than previous treatments. The paper first introduces the underlying physics of the Talbot effect in free space with emphasis on the positions along the optical axis at which images occur; their multiplicity; and their relative phase relations determined by the Gauss Quadratic Sum of number theory. The analysis is then adapted to predict the phase relationships between the ports of an MMI. These phase relationships are critical to planar light circuit (PLC) applications such as 90° optical hybrids for coherent optical receiver front-ends, external optical I-Q modulators for coherent optical transmitters; and optical phased array switches. These applications are illustrated by results obtained from devices that have been fabricated and tested by the PTLab in Si micro-photonic integration platforms.

Fiber-optic projected-fringe digital interferometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mercer, Carolyn R.; Beheim, Glenn

1990-01-01

A phase-stepped projected-fringe interferometer was developed which uses a closed-loop fiber-optic phase-control system to make very accurate surface profile measurements. The closed-loop phase-control system greatly reduces phase-stepping error, which is frequently the dominant source of error in digital interferometers. Two beams emitted from a fiber-optic coupler are combined to form an interference fringe pattern on a diffusely reflecting object. Reflections off of the fibers' output faces are used to create a phase-indicating signal for the closed-loop optical phase controller. The controller steps the phase difference between the two beams by pi/2 radians in order to determine the object's surface profile using a solid-state camera and a computer. The system combines the ease of alignment and automated data reduction of phase-stepping projected-fringe interferometry with the greatly improved phase-stepping accuracy of our closed-loop phase-controller. The system is demonstrated by measuring the profile of a plate containing several convex surfaces whose heights range from 15 to 25 micron high.

Methods, systems, and apparatus for storage, transfer and/or control of information via matter wave dynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vestergaard Hau, Lene (Inventor)

2012-01-01

Methods, systems and apparatus for generating atomic traps, and for storing, controlling and transferring information between first and second spatially separated phase-coherent objects, or using a single phase-coherent object. For plural objects, both phase-coherent objects have a macroscopic occupation of a particular quantum state by identical bosons or identical BCS-paired fermions. The information may be optical information, and the phase-coherent object(s) may be Bose-Einstein condensates, superfluids, or superconductors. The information is stored in the first phase-coherent object at a first storage time and recovered from the second phase-coherent object, or the same first phase-coherent object, at a second revival time. In one example, an integrated silicon wafer-based optical buffer includes an electrolytic atom source to provide the phase-coherent object(s), a nanoscale atomic trap for the phase-coherent object(s), and semiconductor-based optical sources to cool the phase-coherent object(s) and provide coupling fields for storage and transfer of optical information.

Wide-band analog frequency modulation of optic signals using indirect techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fitzmartin, D. J.; Balboni, E. J.; Gels, R. G.

1991-01-01

The wideband frequency modulation (FM) of an optical carrier by a radio frequency (RF) or microwave signal can be accomplished independent of laser type when indirect modulation is employed. Indirect modulators exploit the integral relation of phase to frequency so that phase modulators can be used to impress frequency modulation on an optical carrier. The use of integrated optics phase modulators, which are highly linear, enables the generation of optical wideband FM signals with very low intermodulation distortion. This modulator can be used as part of an optical wideband FM link for RF and microwave signals. Experimental results from the test of an indirect frequency modulator for an optical carrier are discussed.

Subwavelength nonlinear phase control and anomalous phase matching in plasmonic metasurfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Almeida, Euclides; Shalem, Guy; Prior, Yehiam

2016-01-01

Metasurfaces, and in particular those containing plasmonic-based metallic elements, constitute an attractive set of materials with a potential for replacing standard bulky optical elements. In recent years, increasing attention has been focused on their nonlinear optical properties, particularly in the context of second and third harmonic generation and beam steering by phase gratings. Here, we harness the full phase control enabled by subwavelength plasmonic elements to demonstrate a unique metasurface phase matching that is required for efficient nonlinear processes. We discuss the difference between scattering by a grating and by subwavelength phase-gradient elements. We show that for such interfaces an anomalous phase-matching condition prevails, which is the nonlinear analogue of the generalized Snell's law. The subwavelength phase control of optical nonlinearities paves the way for the design of ultrathin, flat nonlinear optical elements. We demonstrate nonlinear metasurface lenses, which act both as generators and as manipulators of the frequency-converted signal.

Investigation of Fiber Optics Based Phased Locked Diode Lasers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burke, Paul D.; Gregory, Don A.

1997-01-01

Optical power beaming requires a high intensity source and a system to address beam phase and location. A synthetic aperture array of phased locked sources can provide the necessary power levels as well as a means to correct for phase errors. A fiber optic phase modulator with a master oscillator and power amplifier (MOPA) using an injection-locking semiconductor optical amplifier has proven to be effective in correcting phase errors as large as 4pi in an interferometer system. Phase corrections with the piezoelectric fiber stretcher were made from 0 - 10 kHz, with most application oriented corrections requiring only 1 kHz. The amplifier did not lose locked power output while the phase was changed, however its performance was below expectation. Results of this investigation indicate fiber stretchers and amplifiers can be incorporated into a MOPA system to achieve successful earth based power beaming.

Growth and characterization of a new nonlinear optical organic crystal: 2,4,6-Trimethylacetanilide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Upadhyaya, V.; Prabhu, Sharada G.

2015-09-01

A new nonlinear optical organic material, 2,4,6-trimethylacetanilide (246TMAA), also known as N-[2,4,6- trimethylphenyl]acetamide, has been synthesized and grown as a single crystal by the slow evaporation technique by organic solvents. The grown crystals have been characterized by morphology study. The crystals are prismatic. Surface examination shows granular dendritic pattern in optical micrograph. The Scanning Electron Micrograph shows the layered growth of the crystal. The Differential Scanning Calorimeter plot shows no phase change until melting point (219°C). The density of the crystals is 1.1g/cc and the crystals are soft. The crystals are transparent in the visible region and in the ultra-violet region till 280 nm. 246TMAA crystallizes with 2 molecules in a monoclinic unit cell in the noncentrosymmetric point group m, space group Pn. Refractive indices of this optically biaxial crystal along the three crystallophysical axes have been measured at 633 nm. The optical second harmonic generation efficiency of the crystal at 1064 nm is about half that of the urea crystal, measured by powder method using Nd:YAG laser. The results show that the 246TMAA crystal can efficiently be used for up-conversion of infrared radiation into visible green light. The powder X-ray diffraction spectrum of the crystal has been obtained.

Advanced Optical Fiber Communications Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-08-31

phase locking . The PZT port has a tuning coefficient of 3.4 MHz/V. The time constants of the optical phase - locked loop ( OPLL ) filter’s pole and zero are... with the PSK receiver optical phase -I-ocked loop ( OPLL ). As we increased nz in our experiments, the larger signal fluctuations made it increasingly... lasers , since a phase - locked loop is 114 I not required for the DPSK receiver (unlike

Exploration of metastability and hidden phases in correlated electron crystals visualized by femtosecond optical doping and electron crystallography

PubMed Central

Han, Tzong-Ru T.; Zhou, Faran; Malliakas, Christos D.; Duxbury, Phillip M.; Mahanti, Subhendra D.; Kanatzidis, Mercouri G.; Ruan, Chong-Yu

2015-01-01

Characterizing and understanding the emergence of multiple macroscopically ordered electronic phases through subtle tuning of temperature, pressure, and chemical doping has been a long-standing central issue for complex materials research. We report the first comprehensive studies of optical doping–induced emergence of stable phases and metastable hidden phases visualized in situ by femtosecond electron crystallography. The electronic phase transitions are triggered by femtosecond infrared pulses, and a temperature–optical density phase diagram is constructed and substantiated with the dynamics of metastable states, highlighting the cooperation and competition through which the macroscopic quantum orders emerge. These results elucidate key pathways of femtosecond electronic switching phenomena and provide an important new avenue to comprehensively investigate optical doping–induced transition states and phase diagrams of complex materials with wide-ranging applications. PMID:26601190

Influence of the least-squares phase on optical vortices in strongly scintillated beams

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen Mingzhou; Roux, Filippus S.; National Laser Centre, CSIR, P.O. Box 395, Pretoria 0001

2009-07-15

The optical vortices that exist in strongly scintillated beams make it difficult for conventional adaptive optics systems to remove the phase distortions. When the least-squares reconstructed phase is removed, the vortices still remain. However, we found that the removal of the least-squares phase induces a portion of the vortices to be annihilated during subsequent propagation, causing a reduction in the total number of vortices. This can be understood in terms of the restoration of equilibrium between explicit vortices, which are visible in the phase function, and vortex bound states, which are somehow encoded in the continuous phase fluctuations. Numerical simulationsmore » are provided to show that the total number of optical vortices in a strongly scintillated beam can be reduced significantly after a few steps of least-squares phase corrections.« less

Multi-functional optical signal processing using optical spectrum control circuit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayashi, Shuhei; Ikeda, Tatsuhiko; Mizuno, Takayuki; Takahashi, Hiroshi; Tsuda, Hiroyuki

2015-02-01

Processing ultra-fast optical signals without optical/electronic conversion is in demand and time-to-space conversion has been proposed as an effective solution. We have designed and fabricated an arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) based optical spectrum control circuit (OSCC) using silica planar lightwave circuit (PLC) technology. This device is composed of an AWG, tunable phase shifters and a mirror. The principle of signal processing is to spatially decompose the signal's frequency components by using the AWG. Then, the phase of each frequency component is controlled by the tunable phase shifters. Finally, the light is reflected back to the AWG by the mirror and synthesized. Amplitude of each frequency component can be controlled by distributing the power to high diffraction order light. The spectral controlling range of the OSCC is 100 GHz and its resolution is 1.67 GHz. This paper describes equipping the OSCC with optical coded division multiplex (OCDM) encoder/decoder functionality. The encoding principle is to apply certain phase patterns to the signal's frequency components and intentionally disperse the signal. The decoding principle is also to apply certain phase patterns to the frequency components at the receiving side. If the applied phase pattern compensates the intentional dispersion, the waveform is regenerated, but if the pattern is not appropriate, the waveform remains dispersed. We also propose an arbitrary filter function by exploiting the OSCC's amplitude and phase control attributes. For example, a filtered optical signal transmitted through multiple optical nodes that use the wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer can be equalized.

GaN microwires as optical microcavities: whispering gallery modes Vs Fabry-Perot modes.

PubMed

Coulon, Pierre-Marie; Hugues, Maxime; Alloing, Blandine; Beraudo, Emmanuel; Leroux, Mathieu; Zuniga-Perez, Jesus

2012-08-13

GaN microwires grown by metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy and with radii typically on the order of 1-5 micrometers exhibit a number of resonances in their photoluminescence spectra. These resonances include whispering gallery modes and transverse Fabry-Perot modes. A detailed spectroscopic study by polarization-resolved microphotoluminescence, in combination with electron microscopy images, has enabled to differentiate both kinds of modes and determined their main spectral properties. Finally, the dispersion of the ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices of strain-free GaN in the visible-UV range has been obtained thanks to the numerical simulation of the observed modes.

Coherent UDWDM PON with joint subcarrier reception at OLT.

PubMed

Kottke, Christoph; Fischer, Johannes Karl; Elschner, Robert; Frey, Felix; Hilt, Jonas; Schubert, Colja; Schmidt, Daniel; Wu, Zifeng; Lankl, Berthold

2014-07-14

In this contribution, we report on the experimental investigation of an ultra-dense wavelength-division multiplexing (UDWDM) upstream link with up to 700 × 2.488 Gb/s polarization-division multiplexing differential quadrature phase-shift keying parallel upstream user channels transmitted over 80 km of standard single-mode fiber. We discuss challenges of the digital signal processing in the optical line terminal arising from the joint reception of several upstream user channels. We present solutions for resource and cost-efficient realization of the required channel separation, matched filtering, down-conversion and decimation as well as realization of the clock recovery and polarization demultiplexing for each individual channel.

Synaptophysin regulates the kinetics of synaptic vesicle endocytosis in central neurons

PubMed Central

Kwon, Sung E.; Chapman, Edwin R.

2011-01-01

Summary Despite being the most abundant synaptic vesicle membrane protein, the function of synaptophysin remains enigmatic. For example, synaptic transmission was reported to be completely normal in synaptophysin knockout mice; however, direct experiments to monitor the synaptic vesicle cycle have not been carried out. Here, using optical imaging and electrophysiological experiments, we demonstrate that synaptophysin is required for kinetically efficient endocytosis of synaptic vesicles in cultured hippocampal neurons. Truncation analysis revealed that distinct structural elements of synaptophysin differentially regulate vesicle retrieval during and after stimulation. Thus, synaptophysin regulates at least two phases of endocytosis to ensure vesicle availability during and after sustained neuronal activity. PMID:21658579

A solar diameter metrology measurement: the Picard microsatellite program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Damé, Luc; Brun, Jean-Francis; Cugnet, David; Derrien, Marc; Leroy, Claude; Meftah, Mustapha; Meissonnier, Mireille; Porteneuve, Jacques

2017-11-01

The PICARD microsatellite mission will provide 3 to 4 years simultaneous measurements of the solar diameter, differential rotation and solar constant to investigate the nature of their relations and variabilities. The major instrument, SODISM, is a whole Sun imaging telescope of Ø110 mm which will deliver an absolute measure (better than 4 mas) of the solar diameter and solar shape. Now in Phase B, PICARD is expected to be launched by 2005. We recall the scientific goals linked to the diameter measurement with interest for Earth Climate, Space Weather and Helioseismology, present the instrument optical concept and design, and give a brief overview of the program aspects.

Active polarisation control of a quantum cascade laser using tuneable birefringence in waveguides.

PubMed

Dhirhe, D; Slight, T J; Holmes, B M; Ironside, C N

2013-10-07

We discuss the design, modelling, fabrication and characterisation of an integrated tuneable birefringent waveguide for quantum cascade lasers. We have fabricated quantum cascade lasers operating at wavelengths around 4450 nm that include polarisation mode converters and a differential phase shift section. We employed below laser threshold electroluminescence to investigate the single pass operation of the integrated device. We use a theory based on the electro-optic properties of birefringence in quantum cascade laser waveguides combined with a Jones matrix based description to gain an understanding of the electroluminescence results. With the quantum cascade lasers operating above threshold we demonstrated polarisation control of the output.

Cutin and suberin monomers are membrane perturbants.

PubMed

Douliez, Jean-Paul

2004-03-15

The interaction between cutin and suberin monomers, i.e., omega -hydroxylpalmitic acid, alpha, omega -hexadecanedioic acid, alpha, omega --hexadecanediol, 12-hydroxylstearic acid, and phospholipid vesicles biomimicking the lipid structure of plant cell membranes has been studied by optical and transmission electron microscopy, quasielastic light scattering, differential scanning calorimetry, and (31)P solid-state NMR. Monomers were shown to penetrate model membranes until a molar ratio of 30%, modulating their gel to fluid-phase transition, after which monomer crystals also formed in solution. These monomers induced a decrease of the phospholipid vesicle size from several micrometers to about 300 nm. The biological implications of these findings are discussed.

Galileo Jupiter approach orbit determination

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, J. K.; Nicholson, F. T.

1984-01-01

Orbit determination characteristics of the Jupiter approach phase of the Galileo mission are described. Predicted orbit determination performance is given for the various mission events that occur during Jupiter approach. These mission events include delivery of an atmospheric entry probe, acquisition of probe science data by the Galileo orbiter for relay to earth, delivery of an orbiter to a close encounter of the Galilean satellite Io, and insertion of the orbiter into orbit about Jupiter. The orbit determination strategy and resulting accuracies are discussed for the data types which include Doppler, range, optical imaging of Io, and a new Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) data type called Differential One-Way Range (DOR).

Stokes-correlometry of polarization-inhomogeneous objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ushenko, O. G.; Dubolazov, A.; Bodnar, G. B.; Bachynskiy, V. T.; Vanchulyak, O.

2018-01-01

The paper consists of two parts. The first part presents short theoretical basics of the method of Stokes-correlometry description of optical anisotropy of biological tissues. It was provided experimentally measured coordinate distributions of modulus (MSV) and phase (PhSV) of complex Stokes vector of skeletal muscle tissue. It was defined the values and ranges of changes of statistic moments of the 1st-4th orders, which characterize the distributions of values of MSV and PhSV. The second part presents the data of statistic analysis of the distributions of modulus MSV and PhSV. It was defined the objective criteria of differentiation of samples with urinary incontinence.

Note: Hollow cathode lamp with integral, high optical efficiency isolation valve: a modular vacuum ultraviolet source.

PubMed

Roberts, F Sloan; Anderson, Scott L

2013-12-01

The design and operating conditions of a hollow cathode discharge lamp for the generation of vacuum ultraviolet radiation, suitable for ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) application, are described in detail. The design is easily constructed, and modular, allowing it to be adapted to different experimental requirements. A thin isolation valve is built into one of the differential pumping stages, isolating the discharge section from the UHV section, both for vacuum safety and to allow lamp maintenance without venting the UHV chamber. The lamp has been used both for ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy of surfaces and as a "soft" photoionization source for gas-phase mass spectrometry.

Pulsating aurora and cosmic noise absorption associated with growth-phase arcs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McKay, Derek; Partamies, Noora; Vierinen, Juha

2018-01-01

The initial stage of a magnetospheric substorm is the growth phase, which typically lasts 1-2 h. During the growth phase, an equatorward moving, east-west extended, optical auroral arc is observed. This is called a growth-phase arc. This work aims to characterize the optical emission and riometer absorption signatures associated with growth-phase arcs of isolated substorms. This is done using simultaneous all-sky camera and imaging riometer observations. The optical and riometric observations allow determination of the location of the precipitation within growth-phase arcs of low- (< 10 keV) and high- (> 10 keV) energy electrons, respectively. The observations indicate that growth-phase arcs have the following characteristics: 1. The peak of the cosmic noise absorption (CNA) arc is equatorward of the optical emission arc. This CNA is contained within the region of diffuse aurora on the equatorward side.2. Optical pulsating aurora are seen in the border region between the diffuse emission region on the equatorward side and the bright growth-phase arc on the poleward side. CNA is detected in the same region. 3. There is no evidence of pulsations in the CNA. 4. Once the equatorward drift starts, it proceeds at constant speed, with uniform separation between the growth-phase arc and CNA of 40 ± 10 km. Optical pulsating aurora are known to be prominent in the post-onset phase of a substorm. The fact that pulsations are also seen in a fairly localized region during the growth phase shows that the substorm expansion-phase dynamics are not required to closely precede the pulsating aurora.

Differential Si ring resonators for label-free biosensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taniguchi, Tomoya; Yokoyama, Shuhei; Amemiya, Yoshiteru; Ikeda, Takeshi; Kuroda, Akio; Yokoyama, Shin

2016-04-01

Differential Si ring optical resonator sensors have been fabricated. Their detection sensitivity was 10-3-10-2% for sucrose solution, which corresponds to a sensitivity of ˜1.0 ng/ml for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which is satisfactory for practical use. In the differential sensing the input light is incident to two rings, and one of the outputs is connected to a π phase shifter then the two outputs are merged again. For the differential detection, not only is the common-mode noise canceled, resulting in high sensitivity, but also the temperature stability is much improved. A fluid channel is fabricated so that the detecting liquid flows to the detection ring and the reference liquid flows to the reference ring. We have proposed a method of obtaining a constant sensitivity for the integrated sensors even though the resonance wavelengths of the two rings of the differential sensor are slightly different. It was found that a region exists with a linear relationship between the differential output and the difference in the resonance wavelengths of the two rings. By intentionally differentiating the resonance wavelengths in this linear region, the sensors have a constant sensitivity. Many differential sensors with different ring spaces have been fabricated and the output scattering characteristics were statistically evaluated. As a result, a standard deviation of resonance wavelength σ = 8 × 10-3 nm was obtained for a ring space of 31 µm. From the width of the linear region and the standard deviation, it was estimated from the Gaussian distribution of the resonance wavelength that 93.8% of the devices have the same sensitivity.

Phase-slope and phase measurements of tunable CW-THz radiation with terahertz comb for wide-dynamic-range, high-resolution, distance measurement of optically rough object.

PubMed

Yasui, Takeshi; Fujio, Makoto; Yokoyama, Shuko; Araki, Tsutomu

2014-07-14

Phase measurement of continuous-wave terahertz (CW-THz) radiation is a potential tool for direct distance and imaging measurement of optically rough objects due to its high robustness to optical rough surfaces. However, the 2π phase ambiguity in the phase measurement of single-frequency CW-THz radiation limits the dynamic range of the measured distance to the order of the wavelength used. In this article, phase-slope measurement of tunable CW-THz radiation with a THz frequency comb was effectively used to extend the dynamic range up to 1.834 m while maintaining an error of a few tens µm in the distance measurement of an optically rough object. Furthermore, a combination of phase-slope measurement of tunable CW-THz radiation and phase measurement of single-frequency CW-THz radiation enhanced the distance error to a few µm within the dynamic range of 1.834 m without any influence from the 2π phase ambiguity. The proposed method will be a powerful tool for the construction and maintenance of large-scale structures covered with optically rough surfaces.

The optical gap in VO2 insulating phases is dominated by Coulomb repulsion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hendriks, Christopher; Walter, Eric; Krakauer, Henry; Huffman, Tyler; Qazilbash, Mumtaz

Under doping, tensile strain or heating, vanadium dioxide (VO2) transforms from an insulating monoclinic (M1) to a metallic rutile (R) phase, progressing through intermediate insulating triclinic (T) and magnetic (M2) phases. Broadband optical spectroscopy data have been obtained on the T and M2 phases in the same sample. While only half the V atoms are dimerized in M2 compared to M1 and T, the measured optical gap is essentially unaltered by the first-order structural phase transition between them. Moreover, the optical interband features in the T and M2 phases are remarkably similar to those previously observed in the well-studied M1 phase. This shows that the electronic structure is insensitive to the lattice structure. Our ab-initio HSE optical conductivity calculations on the insulating phases of VO2 are in excellent agreement with the experimental measurements. We will discuss the choice of α, the fraction of exact exchange. As the energy gap is insensitive to the different lattice structures of the three insulating phases, we rule out Peierls effects as the dominant contributor to the opening of the gap. Rather, the energy gap arises from intra-atomic Coulomb correlations. Supported by ONR.

Quantum-classical boundary for precision optical phase estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Birchall, Patrick M.; O'Brien, Jeremy L.; Matthews, Jonathan C. F.; Cable, Hugo

2017-12-01

Understanding the fundamental limits on the precision to which an optical phase can be estimated is of key interest for many investigative techniques utilized across science and technology. We study the estimation of a fixed optical phase shift due to a sample which has an associated optical loss, and compare phase estimation strategies using classical and nonclassical probe states. These comparisons are based on the attainable (quantum) Fisher information calculated per number of photons absorbed or scattered by the sample throughout the sensing process. We find that for a given number of incident photons upon the unknown phase, nonclassical techniques in principle provide less than a 20 % reduction in root-mean-square error (RMSE) in comparison with ideal classical techniques in multipass optical setups. Using classical techniques in a different optical setup that we analyze, which incorporates additional stages of interference during the sensing process, the achievable reduction in RMSE afforded by nonclassical techniques falls to only ≃4 % . We explain how these conclusions change when nonclassical techniques are compared to classical probe states in nonideal multipass optical setups, with additional photon losses due to the measurement apparatus.

Differential interferometer for measurement of displacement of laser resonator mirrors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Macúchová, Karolina; Němcová, Šárka; Hošek, Jan

2015-01-01

This paper covers a description and a technique of a possible optical method of mode locking within a laser resonator. The measurement system is a part of instrumentation of laser-based experiment OSQAR at CERN. The OSQAR experiment aims at search of axions, axion-like particles and measuring of ultra-fine vacuum magnetic birefringence. It uses a laser resonator to enhance the coupling constant of hypothetical photon-to-axion conversion. The developed locking-in technique is based on differential interferometry. Signal obtained from the measurement provide crucial information for adaptive control of the locking-in of the resonator in real time. In this paper we propose several optical setups used for measurement and analysis of mutual position of the resonator mirrors. We have set up a differential interferometer under our laboratory conditions. We have done measurements with hemi-spherical cavity resonator detuned with piezo crystals. The measurement was set up in a single plane. Laser light was directed through half-wave retarder to a polarizing beam splitter and then converted to circular polarization by lambda/4 plates. After reflection at the mirrors, the beam is recombined in a beam splitter, sent to analyser and non-polarizing beam splitter and then inspected by two detectors with mutually perpendicular polarizers. The 90 degrees phase shift between the two arms allows precise analysis of a mutual distance change of the mirrors. Because our setup was sufficiently stable, we were able to measure the piezo constant and piezo hysteresis. The final goal is to adapt the first prototype to 23 m resonator and measure the displacement in two planes.

Highly integrated optical heterodyne phase-locked loop with phase/frequency detection.

PubMed

Lu, Mingzhi; Park, Hyunchul; Bloch, Eli; Sivananthan, Abirami; Bhardwaj, Ashish; Griffith, Zach; Johansson, Leif A; Rodwell, Mark J; Coldren, Larry A

2012-04-23

A highly-integrated optical phase-locked loop with a phase/frequency detector and a single-sideband mixer (SSBM) has been proposed and demonstrated for the first time. A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) has been designed, fabricated and tested, together with an electronic IC (EIC). The PIC integrates a widely-tunable sampled-grating distributed-Bragg-reflector laser, an optical 90 degree hybrid and four high-speed photodetectors on the InGaAsP/InP platform. The EIC adds a single-sideband mixer, and a digital phase/frequency detector, to provide single-sideband heterodyne locking from -9 GHz to 7.5 GHz. The loop bandwith is 400 MHz. © 2012 Optical Society of America

A Liquid Optical Phase Shifter with an Embedded Electrowetting Actuator

PubMed Central

Ashtiani, Alireza Ousati; Jiang, Hongrui

2017-01-01

We demonstrate an electrowetting-based liquid optical phase shifter. The phase shifter consists of two immiscible liquid layers with different refractive indices. Sandwiched between the two liquids is a rigid membrane that moves freely along the optical axis and supported by a compliant surround. When applied with a pressure, the thicknesses of both liquid layers change, which induces a difference in optical path, resulting in a phase shift. A miniaturized electrowetting-based actuator is used to produce hydraulic pressure. A multi-layered SU8 bonded structure was fabricated. A phase shift of 171° was observed when the device was incorporated in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer and driven with 100 V. PMID:29038640

Ultrahigh-speed clock recovery with optical phase lock loop based on four-wave-mixing in a semiconductor optical amplifier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Dong Hwan; Kim, Sang Hyuck; Jo, Jae Cheol; Choi, Sang Sam

2000-08-01

A new phase lock loop (PLL) is proposed and demonstrated for clock recovery from 40 Gbps time-division-multiplexed (TDM) optical signal using simple optical phase lock loop circuit. The proposed clock recovery scheme improves the jitter effect in PLL circuit from the clock pulse laser of harmonically-mode locked fiber laser. The cross-correlation component between the optical signal and an optical clock pulse train is detected as a four-wave-mixing (FWM) signal generated in SOA. The lock-in frequency range of the clock recovery is found to be within 10 KHz.

Differential phase measurements of D-region partial reflections

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wiersma, D. J.; Sechrist, C. F., Jr.

1972-01-01

Differential phase partial reflection measurements were used to deduce D region electron density profiles. The phase difference was measured by taking sums and differences of amplitudes received on an array of crossed dipoles. The reflection model used was derived from Fresnel reflection theory. Seven profiles obtained over the period from 13 October 1971 to 5 November 1971 are presented, along with the results from simultaneous measurements of differential absorption. Some possible sources of error and error propagation are discussed. A collision frequency profile was deduced from the electron concentration calculated from differential phase and differential absorption.

Analysis of Fundus Photography and Fluorescein Angiography in Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy and Optic Neuritis.

PubMed

Kim, Min Kyung; Kim, Ungsoo Samuel

2016-08-01

We evaluated fundus and fluorescein angiography (FAG) findings and characteristics that can help distinguish nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) from optic neuritis (ON). Twenty-three NAION patients and 17 ON with disc swelling patients were enrolled in this study. We performed fundus photography and FAG. The disc-swelling pattern, hyperemia grade, presence of splinter hemorrhages, cotton-wool spots, artery/vein ratio and degree of focal telangiectasia were investigated. The FAG findings for each patient were compared with respect to the following features: the pattern of disc leakage in the early phase, arteriovenous (artery/vein) transit time (second), and the presence and pattern of the filling delay. Cotton-wool spots, focal telangiectasia, and venous congestion were more common in the affected eyes of NAION patients. Upon FAG, 76.5% of the patients in the ON group exhibited normal choroidal circulation. However, 56.5% of patients in the NAION group demonstrated abnormal filling defects, such as peripapillary, generalized, or watershed zone filling delays. Fundus findings, including cotton-wool spots, focal telangiectasia, and venous congestion in the affected eye, may be clues that can be used to diagnose NAION. In addition, choroidal insufficiencies on FAG could be also helpful in differentiating NAION from ON.

Ferroelectric Nematic and Ferrielectric Smectic Mesophases in an Achiral Bent-Core Azo Compound.

PubMed

Kumar, Jitendra; Prasad, Veena

2018-03-22

Here, we report the observation of ferroelectric nematic and ferrielectric smectic mesophases in an achiral bent-core azo compound consisting of nonsymmetrical molecules with a lateral fluoro substitution on one of the wings. These mesophases are enantiotropic in nature with fairly low transition temperatures and wide mesophase ranges. The liquid crystalline properties of this compound are investigated using polarizing optical microscope, differential scanning calorimeter, X-ray diffraction, and electro-optical studies. As revealed by X-ray diffraction measurements, the nematic mesophase is composed of skewed cybotactic clusters and, in the smectic mesophase, the molecules are tilted with respect to the layer normal. The polar order in these mesophases was confirmed by the electro-optical switching and dielectric spectroscopy measurements. The dielectric study in the nematic mesophase shows a single relaxation process at low frequency ( f < 1 kHz) measured in the range 10 Hz to 5 MHz, which is attributed to the collective motion of the molecules within cybotactic clusters. The formation of local polar order in these clusters leads to a ferroelectric-like polar switching in the nematic mesophase. Of particular interest is the fact that the smectic phase exhibits a field induced ferrielectric state, which can be exploited for designing of the potential optical devices due to multistate switching.

High-resolution optical polarimetric elastography for measuring the mechanical properties of tissue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hudnut, Alexa W.; Armani, Andrea M.

2018-02-01

Traditionally, chemical and molecular markers have been the predominate method in diagnostics. Recently, alternate methods of determining tissue and disease characteristics have been proposed based on testing the mechanical behavior of biomaterials. Existing methods for performing elastography measurements, such as atomic force microscopy, compression testing, and ultrasound elastography, require either extensive sample processing or have poor resolution. In the present work, we demonstrate an optical polarimetric elastography device to characterize the mechanical properties of salmon skeletal muscle. A fiber-coupled 1550nm laser paired with an optical polarizer is used to create a fiber optic sensing region. By measuring the change in polarization from the initial state to the final state within the fiber sensing region with a polarimeter, the loading-unloading curves can be determined for the biomaterial. The device is used to characterize the difference between samples with a range of collagen membranes. The loading-unloading curves are used to determine the change in polarization phase and energy loss of the samples at 10%, 20% and 30% strain. As expected, the energy loss is a better metric for measuring the mechanical properties of the tissues because it incorporates the entire loading-unloading curve rather than a single point. Using this metric, it is demonstrated the device can repeatedly differentiate between the different membrane configurations.

Optical remote measurement of toxic gases

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grant, W. B.; Kagann, R. H.; McClenny, W. A.

1992-01-01

Enactment of the Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) of 1990 has resulted in increased ambient air monitoring needs for industry, some of which may be met efficiently using open-path optical remote sensing techniques. These techniques include Fourier transform spectroscopy, differential optical absorption spectroscopy, laser long-path absorption, differential absorption lidar, and gas cell correlation spectroscopy. With this regulatory impetus, it is an opportune time to consider applying these technologies to the remote and/or path-averaged measurement and monitoring of toxic gases covered by the CAAA. This article reviews the optical remote sensing technology and literature for that application.

An optical ASK and FSK phase diversity transmission system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vandenboom, H.; Vanetten, W.; Dekrom, W. H. C.; Vanbennekom, P.; Huijskens, F.; Niessen, L.; Deleijer, F.

1992-12-01

The results of a contribution to an electrooptical project for a 'phase diversity system', covering ASK and FSK (Amplitude and Frequency Shift Keying), are described. Specifications of subsystems, and tolerances and consequences of these tolerances for the final system performance, were derived. For the optical network of the phase diversity receiver, a manufacturing set up for three by three fused biconical taper fiber couplers was developed. In order to characterize planar optical networks, a set up was constructed to measure the phase relations at 1523 nm. The optical frequency of the local oscillator laser has to be locked on to the frequency of the received optical signal. This locking circuit is described. A complete optical three by three phase diversity transmission system was developed that can be used as a testbed for subsystems. The sensitivity of the receiver at a bit error rate of 10 to the minus 9th power is -47.2 dBm, which is 4.2 dB better than the value of the specifications.

X-ray phase contrast imaging of objects with subpixel-size inhomogeneities: a geometrical optics model.

PubMed

Gasilov, Sergei V; Coan, Paola

2012-09-01

Several x-ray phase contrast extraction algorithms use a set of images acquired along the rocking curve of a perfect flat analyzer crystal to study the internal structure of objects. By measuring the angular shift of the rocking curve peak, one can determine the local deflections of the x-ray beam propagated through a sample. Additionally, some objects determine a broadening of the crystal rocking curve, which can be explained in terms of multiple refraction of x rays by many subpixel-size inhomogeneities contained in the sample. This fact may allow us to differentiate between materials and features characterized by different refraction properties. In the present work we derive an expression for the beam broadening in the form of a linear integral of the quantity related to statistical properties of the dielectric susceptibility distribution function of the object.

Kinetics of copper nanoparticle precipitation in phosphate glass: an isothermal plasmonic approach.

PubMed

Sendova, Mariana; Jiménez, José A; Smith, Robert; Rudawski, Nicholas

2015-01-14

The kinetics of copper nanoparticle (NP) precipitation in melt-quenched barium-phosphate glass has been studied by in situ isothermal optical micro-spectroscopy. A spectroscopically based approximation technique is proposed to obtain information about the activation energies of nucleation and growth in a narrow temperature range (530-570 °C). Pre-plasmonic and plasmonic NP precipitation stages are identified separated in time. The process as a whole is discussed employing classical nucleation/growth theory and the Kolmogorov-Johnson-Mehl-Avrami phase change model. Activation energies of 3.9(7) eV and 2.6(5) eV have been estimated for the pre-plasmonic and plasmonic spectroscopically assessed stages, respectively. High resolution transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and Raman spectroscopy were used as complementary techniques for studying the nanoparticulate phase and glass host structure. An empirical linear dependence of the diffusion activation energy on the glass transition temperature with broad applicability is suggested.

Bioactivity of calcium phosphate bioceramic coating fabricated by laser cladding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Yizhi; Liu, Qibin; Xu, Peng; Li, Long; Jiang, Haibing; Bai, Yang

2016-05-01

There were always strong expectations for suitable biomaterials used for bone regeneration. In this study, to improve the biocompatiblity of titanium alloy, calcium phosphate bioceramic coating was obtained by laser cladding technology. The microstructure, phases, bioactivity, cell differentiation, morphology and resorption lacunae were investigated by optical microscope (OM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and scanning electronic microscope (SEM), respectively. The results show that bioceramic coating consists of three layers, which are a substrate, an alloyed layer and a ceramic layer. Bioactive phases of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HA) were found in ceramic coating. Osteoclast precursors have excellent proliferation on the bioceramic surface. The bioceramics coating could be digested by osteoclasts, which led to the resorption lacunae formed on its surface. It revealed that the gradient bioceramic coating has an excellent bioactivity.

Synthesis and optical properties of Tb-doped pentazinc dimolybdate pentahydrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhai, Bao-gai; Ma, Qing-lan; Yang, Long; Huang, Yuan Ming

Tb3+ doped pentazinc bimolybdate pentahydrate (Zn5Mo2O11·5H2O) was synthesized via the precipitation method. Thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetric analysis indicate that Zn5Mo2O11·5H2O is decomposed into ZnMoO4 at the phase transition temperature 267 °C. The photoluminescence characterization shows that the characteristic emissions of Tb3+ at 488, 544, 586 and 613 nm are superimposed over a broad emission band of Zn5Mo2O11·5H2O. The characteristic emissions of Tb3+ ions get weakened in intensity as the calcination temperature increases from 150 to 267 °C. Our results have demonstrated that Tb3+ can be used as an effective and direct probe in the spectroscopic studies on the phase transition of Zn5Mo2O11·5H2O.

Columnar to nematic mesophase transition in mixtures of rhodium or copper soaps with hydrocarbon solvents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ibn-Elhaj, M.; Guillon, D.; Skoulios, A.; Giroud-Godquin, A. M.; Marchon, J.-C.

1992-12-01

This paper describes observations of the mesomorphic behaviour of mixtures of rhodium eicosanoate or copper dodecanoate with solvents such as toluene, decahydronaphthalene, and (+) camphene. The mesophase found with these compounds at high temperatures turns from columnar to nematic when the weight fraction of the solvent (toluene, decahydronaphthalene is increased beyond a value of about 50%. The binary phase diagram of the copper compound with toluene was experimentally determined using polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. The novel feature of the nematic phase is that the basic physical object which align parallel to the nematic director are not individual molecules, but columns of molecules (one-dimensional supramolecular assemblies) which have lost the long-range lateral positional order characteristic of the columnar mesophase. These observations are discussed on the grounds of recent theoretical calculations. Cholesteric-like textures are observed for mixtures of rhodium eicosanoate with the chiral solvent (+) camphene.

All-optical regenerator of multi-channel signals.

PubMed

Li, Lu; Patki, Pallavi G; Kwon, Young B; Stelmakh, Veronika; Campbell, Brandon D; Annamalai, Muthiah; Lakoba, Taras I; Vasilyev, Michael

2017-10-12

One of the main reasons why nonlinear-optical signal processing (regeneration, logic, etc.) has not yet become a practical alternative to electronic processing is that the all-optical elements with nonlinear input-output relationship have remained inherently single-channel devices (just like their electronic counterparts) and, hence, cannot fully utilise the parallel processing potential of optical fibres and amplifiers. The nonlinear input-output transfer function requires strong optical nonlinearity, e.g. self-phase modulation, which, for fundamental reasons, is always accompanied by cross-phase modulation and four-wave mixing. In processing multiple wavelength-division-multiplexing channels, large cross-phase modulation and four-wave mixing crosstalks among the channels destroy signal quality. Here we describe a solution to this problem: an optical signal processor employing a group-delay-managed nonlinear medium where strong self-phase modulation is achieved without such nonlinear crosstalk. We demonstrate, for the first time to our knowledge, simultaneous all-optical regeneration of up to 16 wavelength-division-multiplexing channels by one device. This multi-channel concept can be extended to other nonlinear-optical processing schemes.Nonlinear optical processing devices are not yet fully practical as they are single channel. Here the authors demonstrate all-optical regeneration of up to 16 channels by one device, employing a group-delay-managed nonlinear medium where strong self-phase modulation is achieved without nonlinear inter-channel crosstalk.

K[AsW{sub 2}O{sub 9}], the first member of the arsenate–tungsten bronze family: Synthesis, structure, spectroscopic and non-linear optical properties

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Alekseev, Evgeny V., E-mail: e.alekseev@fz-juelich.de; Institut für Kristallographie, RWTH Aachen, Jägerstraße 17–19 D-52066 Aachen; Felbinger, Olivier

K[AsW{sub 2}O{sub 9}], prepared by high-temperature solid-state reaction, is the first member of the arsenate–tungsten bronze family. The structure of K[AsW{sub 2}O{sub 9}] is based on a 3-dimensional (3D) oxotungstate–arsenate framework with the non-centrosymmetric P2{sub 1}2{sub 1}2{sub 1} space group, a=4.9747(3) Å, b=9.1780(8) Å, c=16.681(2) Å. The material was characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Raman and infrared (IR) spectroscopic techniques. The results of DSC demonstrate that this phase is stable up to 1076 K. Second harmonic generation (SHG) measurements performed on a powder sample demonstrate noticeable (0.1 of LiIO{sub 3}) non-linear optical (NLO)more » activity. - Graphical abstract: K[AsW{sub 2}O{sub 9}], the first member of arsenate–tungsten bronze family exhibit new three dimensional structure type, significant thermal stability and NLO properties. Highlights: • K[AsW{sub 2}O{sub 9}], the first member of the arsenate–tungsten bronze family was synthesized with solid state reaction technique. • Structure of this phase was investigated with X-ray diffraction, IR and Raman spectroscopy and electron microscopy. • Thermal stability of the phase was determinate with DSC techniques. • NLO properties were investigated.« less

Influence of optical pumping wavelength on the ultrafast gain and phase recovery acceleration of quantum-dot semiconductor optical amplifiers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jungho

2013-10-01

We numerically investigate the influence of the optical pumping wavelength on the ultrafast gain and phase recovery acceleration of quantum-dot (QD) semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) by solving 1088 coupled rate equations. The temporal variations of the gain and phase recovery response at the ground state (GS) of QDs are calculated at various signal wavelengths when the optical pumping wavelengths at the excited state (ES) of QDs are varied. The phase recovery response is fastest when the wavelength of the signal and pumping beams corresponds to the respective emission wavelength of the GS and the ES in the same size of QDs. The absorption efficiency of the optical pumping beam at the ES is determined by the Lorentzian line shape function of the homogeneous broadening.

Microscopic optical path length difference and polarization measurement system for cell analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Satake, H.; Ikeda, K.; Kowa, H.; Hoshiba, T.; Watanabe, E.

2018-03-01

In recent years, noninvasive, nonstaining, and nondestructive quantitative cell measurement techniques have become increasingly important in the medical field. These cell measurement techniques enable the quantitative analysis of living cells, and are therefore applied to various cell identification processes, such as those determining the passage number limit during cell culturing in regenerative medicine. To enable cell measurement, we developed a quantitative microscopic phase imaging system based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer that measures the optical path length difference distribution without phase unwrapping using optical phase locking. The applicability of our phase imaging system was demonstrated by successful identification of breast cancer cells amongst normal cells. However, the cell identification method using this phase imaging system exhibited a false identification rate of approximately 7%. In this study, we implemented a polarimetric imaging system by introducing a polarimetric module to one arm of the Mach-Zehnder interferometer of our conventional phase imaging system. This module was comprised of a quarter wave plate and a rotational polarizer on the illumination side of the sample, and a linear polarizer on the optical detector side. In addition, we developed correction methods for the measurement errors of the optical path length and birefringence phase differences that arose through the influence of elements other than cells, such as the Petri dish. As the Petri dish holding the fluid specimens was transparent, it did not affect the amplitude information; however, the optical path length and birefringence phase differences were affected. Therefore, we proposed correction of the optical path length and birefringence phase for the influence of elements other than cells, as a prerequisite for obtaining highly precise phase and polarimetric images.

Models for integrated and differential scattering optical properties of encapsulated light absorbing carbon aggregates.

PubMed

Kahnert, Michael; Nousiainen, Timo; Lindqvist, Hannakaisa

2013-04-08

Optical properties of light absorbing carbon (LAC) aggregates encapsulated in a shell of sulfate are computed for realistic model geometries based on field measurements. Computations are performed for wavelengths from the UV-C to the mid-IR. Both climate- and remote sensing-relevant optical properties are considered. The results are compared to commonly used simplified model geometries, none of which gives a realistic representation of the distribution of the LAC mass within the host material and, as a consequence, fail to predict the optical properties accurately. A new core-gray shell model is introduced, which accurately reproduces the size- and wavelength dependence of the integrated and differential optical properties.

All-optical temporal fractional order differentiator using an in-fiber ellipsoidal air-microcavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Lihong; Sun, Shuqian; Li, Ming; Zhu, Ninghua

2017-12-01

An all-optical temporal fractional order differentiator with ultrabroad bandwidth (~1.6 THz) and extremely simple fabrication is proposed and experimentally demonstrated based on an in-fiber ellipsoidal air-microcavity. The ellipsoidal air-microcavity is fabricated by splicing a single mode fiber (SMF) and a photonic crystal fiber (PCF) together using a simple arc-discharging technology. By changing the arc-discharging times, the propagation loss can be adjusted and then the differentiation order is tuned. A nearly Gaussian-like optical pulse with 3 dB bandwidth of 8 nm is launched into the differentiator and a 0.65 order differentiation of the input pulse is achieved with a processing error of 2.55%. Project supported by the the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 61522509, 61377002, 61535012), the National High-Tech Research & Development Program of China (No. SS2015AA011002), and the Beijing Natural Science Foundation (No. 4152052). Ming Li was supported in part by the Thousand Young Talent Program.

Progress and prospects of silicon-based design for optical phased array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Weiwei; Peng, Chao; Chang-Hasnain, Connie

2016-03-01

The high-speed, high-efficient, compact phase modulator array is indispensable in the Optical-phased array (OPA) which has been considered as a promising technology for realizing flexible and efficient beam steering. In our research, two methods are presented to utilize high-contrast grating (HCG) as high-efficient phase modulator. One is that HCG possesses high-Q resonances that origins from the cancellation of leaky waves. As a result, sharp resonance peaks appear on the reflection spectrum thus HCGs can be utilized as efficient phase shifters. Another is that low-Q mode HCG is utilized as ultra-lightweight mirror. With MEMS technology, small HCG displacement (~50 nm) leads to large phase change (~1.7π). Effective beam steering is achieved in Connie Chang-Hasnian's group. On the other hand, we theoretically and experimentally investigate the system design for silicon-based optical phased array, including the star coupler, phased array, emission elements and far-field patterns. Further, the non-uniform optical phased array is presented.

Differential Deposition for Surface Figure Corrections in Grazing Incidence X-Ray Optics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ramsey, Brian D.; Kilaru, Kiranmayee; Atkins, Carolyn; Gubarev, Mikhail V.; Broadway, David M.

2015-01-01

Differential deposition corrects the low- and mid- spatial-frequency deviations in the axial figure of Wolter-type grazing incidence X-ray optics. Figure deviations is one of the major contributors to the achievable angular resolution. Minimizing figure errors can significantly improve the imaging quality of X-ray optics. Material of varying thickness is selectively deposited, using DC magnetron sputtering, along the length of optic to minimize figure deviations. Custom vacuum chambers are built that can incorporate full-shell and segmented Xray optics. Metrology data of preliminary corrections on a single meridian of full-shell x-ray optics show an improvement of mid-spatial frequencies from 6.7 to 1.8 arc secs HPD. Efforts are in progress to correct a full-shell and segmented optics and to verify angular-resolution improvement with X-ray testing.

Multilayer Dielectric Transmissive Optical Phase Modulator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keys, Andrew Scott; Fork, Richard Lynn

2004-01-01

A multilayer dielectric device has been fabricated as a prototype of a low-loss, low-distortion, transmissive optical phase modulator that would provide as much as a full cycle of phase change for all frequency components of a transmitted optical pulse over a frequency band as wide as 6.3 THz. Arrays of devices like this one could be an alternative to the arrays of mechanically actuated phase-control optics (adaptive optics) that have heretofore been used to correct for wave-front distortions in highly precise optical systems. Potential applications for these high-speed wave-front-control arrays of devices include agile beam steering, optical communications, optical metrology, optical tracking and targeting, directional optical ranging, and interferometric astronomy. The device concept is based on the same principle as that of band-pass interference filters made of multiple dielectric layers with fractional-wavelength thicknesses, except that here there is an additional focus on obtaining the desired spectral phase profile in addition to the device s spectral transmission profile. The device includes a GaAs substrate, on which there is deposited a stack of GaAs layers alternating with AlAs layers, amounting to a total of 91 layers. The design thicknesses of the layers range from 10 nm to greater than 1 micrometer. The number of layers and the thickness of each layer were chosen in a computational optimization process in which the wavelength dependences of the indices of refraction of GaAs and AlAs were taken into account as the design was iterated to maximize the transmission and minimize the group-velocity dispersion for a wavelength band wide enough to include all significant spectral components of the pulsed optical signal to be phase modulated.

Phase jitter in a differential phase experiment.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tanenbaum, B. S.; Connolly, D. J.; Austin, G. L.

1973-01-01

Austin (1971) had concluded that, because of the 'phase jitter,' the differential phase experiment is useful over a more limited height range than the differential absorption experiment. Several observations are presented to show that this conclusion is premature. It is pointed out that the logical basis of the differential absorption experiment also requires that the O- and X-mode echoes, at a given time, come from the same irregularities. Austin's calculations are believed to contain a systematic error above 80 km.

Differential Activity-Driven Instabilities in Biphasic Active Matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weber, Christoph A.; Rycroft, Chris H.; Mahadevan, L.

2018-06-01

Active stresses can cause instabilities in contractile gels and living tissues. Here we provide a generic hydrodynamic theory that treats these systems as a mixture of two phases of varying activity and different mechanical properties. We find that differential activity between the phases causes a uniform mixture to undergo a demixing instability. We follow the nonlinear evolution of the instability and characterize a phase diagram of the resulting patterns. Our study complements other instability mechanisms in mixtures driven by differential adhesion, differential diffusion, differential growth, and differential motion.

Differential phase microscope and micro-tomography with a Foucault knife-edge scanning filter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watanabe, N.; Hashizume, J.; Goto, M.; Yamaguchi, M.; Tsujimura, T.; Aoki, S.

2013-10-01

An x-ray differential phase microscope with a Foucault knife-edge scanning filter was set up at the bending magnet source BL3C, Photon Factory. A reconstructed phase profile from the differential phase image of an aluminium wire at 5.36 keV was fairly good agreement with the numerical simulation. Phase tomography of a biological specimen, such as an Artemia cyst, could be successfully demonstrated.

Probing exoplanet clouds with optical phase curves.

PubMed

Muñoz, Antonio García; Isaak, Kate G

2015-11-03

Kepler-7b is to date the only exoplanet for which clouds have been inferred from the optical phase curve--from visible-wavelength whole-disk brightness measurements as a function of orbital phase. Added to this, the fact that the phase curve appears dominated by reflected starlight makes this close-in giant planet a unique study case. Here we investigate the information on coverage and optical properties of the planet clouds contained in the measured phase curve. We generate cloud maps of Kepler-7b and use a multiple-scattering approach to create synthetic phase curves, thus connecting postulated clouds with measurements. We show that optical phase curves can help constrain the composition and size of the cloud particles. Indeed, model fitting for Kepler-7b requires poorly absorbing particles that scatter with low-to-moderate anisotropic efficiency, conclusions consistent with condensates of silicates, perovskite, and silica of submicron radii. We also show that we are limited in our ability to pin down the extent and location of the clouds. These considerations are relevant to the interpretation of optical phase curves with general circulation models. Finally, we estimate that the spherical albedo of Kepler-7b over the Kepler passband is in the range 0.4-0.5.

A novel coherent optical en/decoder for optical label processing of OCDM-based optical packets switching networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Chongfu; Qiu, Kun

2007-11-01

A coherent optical en/decoder based on photonic crystal (PhC) for optical code-division-multiple (OCDM)-based optical label (OCDM-OL) optical packets switching (OPS) networks is proposed in this paper. In this scheme, the optical pulse phase and time delay can be flexibly controlled by the photonic crystal phase shifter and delayer using the appropriate design of fabrication. In this design, the combination calculation of the impurity and normal period layers is applied, according to the PhC transmission matrix theorem. The design and theoretical analysis of the PhC-based optical coherent en/decoder is mainly focused. In addition, the performances of the PhC-based optical en/decoders are analyzed in detail. The reflection, the transmission, delay characteristic and the optical spectrum of pulse en/decoded are studied for the waves tuned in the photonic band-gap by the numerical calculation, taking into account 1-Dimension (1D) PhC. Theoretical analysis and numerical results show that optical pulse is achieved to properly phase modulation and time delay by the proposed scheme, optical label based on OCDM is rewrote successfully by new code for OCDM-based OPS (OCDM-OPS), and an over 8.5 dB ration of auto- and cross-correlation is gained, which demonstrates the applicability of true pulse phase modulation in a number of applications.

All-Optical Quasi-Phase Matching for Laser Electron Acceleration

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-01

T E C H N IC A L R E P O R T DTRA-TR-16-65 All-Optical Quasi -Phase Matching for Laser Electron Acceleration Distribution Statement A...outcomes of the project “All-Optical Quasi - Phase Matching for Laser Electron Acceleration”, a project awarded to the Pennsylvania State University by the...can be used to simultaneously extend the accel- eration distance beyond several Rayleigh ranges and to achieve quasi -phase matching between the laser

Design of a fiber-optic transmitter for microwave analog transmission with high phase stability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Logan, R. T., Jr.; Lutes, G. F.; Primas, L. E.; Maleki, L.

1990-01-01

The principal considerations in the design of fiber-optic transmitters for highly phase-stable radio frequency and microwave analog transmission are discussed. Criteria for a fiber-optic transmitter design with improved amplitude and phase-noise performance are developed through consideration of factors affecting the phase noise, including low-frequency laser-bias supply noise, the magnitude and proximity of external reflections into the laser, and temperature excursions of the laser-transmitter package.

Optoelectronic frequency discriminated phase tuning technology and its applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Gong-Ru; Chang, Yung-Cheng

2000-07-01

By using a phase-tunable optoelectronic phase-locked loop, we are able to continuously change the phase as well as the delay-time of optically distributed microwave clock signals or optical pulse train. The advantages of the proposed technique include such as wide-band operation up to 20GHz, wide-range tuning up to 640 degrees, high tuning resolution of <6x10-2 degree/mV, ultra-low short-term phase fluctuation and drive of 4.7x10-2 degree and 3.4x10- 3 degree/min, good linearity with acceptable deviations, and frequency-independent transferred function with slope of nearly 90 degrees/volt, etc. The novel optoelectronic phase shifter is performed by using a DC-voltage controlled, optoelectronic-mixer-based, frequency-down-converted digital phase-locked-loop. The maximum delay-time is continuously tunable up to 3.9 ns for optical pulses repeated at 500 MHz from a gain-switched laser diode. This corresponds to a delay responsivity of about 0.54 ps/mV. The using of the OEPS as being an optoelectronic delay-time controller for optical pulses is demonstrated with temporal resolution of <0.2 ps. Electro-optic sampling of high-frequency microwave signals by using the in-situ delay-time-tunable pulsed laser as a novel optical probe is primarily reported.

Modified geometrical optics of a smoothly inhomogeneous isotropic medium: the anisotropy, Berry phase, and the optical Magnus effect.

PubMed

Bliokh, K Yu; Bliokh, Yu P

2004-08-01

We present a modification of the geometrical optics method, which allows one to properly separate the complex amplitude and the phase of the wave solution. Appling this modification to a smoothly inhomogeneous isotropic medium, we show that in the first geometrical optics approximation the medium is weakly anisotropic. The refractive index, being dependent on the direction of the wave vector, contains the correction, which is proportional to the Berry geometric phase. Two independent eigenmodes of right-hand and left-hand circular polarizations exist in the medium. Their group velocities and phase velocities differ. The difference in the group velocities results in the shift of the rays of different polarizations (the optical Magnus effect). The difference in the phase velocities causes an increase of the Berry phase along with the interference of two modes leading to the familiar Rytov law about the rotation of the polarization plane of a wave. The theory developed suggests that both the optical Magnus effect and the Berry phase are accompanying nonlocal topological effects. In this paper the Hamilton ray equations giving a unified description for both of these phenomena have been derived and also a novel splitting effect for a ray of noncircular polarization has been predicted. Specific examples are also discussed.

Optical phased arrays with evanescently-coupled antennas

DOEpatents

Sun, Jie; Watts, Michael R; Yaacobi, Ami; Timurdogan, Erman

2015-03-24

An optical phased array formed of a large number of nanophotonic antenna elements can be used to project complex images into the far field. These nanophotonic phased arrays, including the nanophotonic antenna elements and waveguides, can be formed on a single chip of silicon using complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processes. Directional couplers evanescently couple light from the waveguides to the nanophotonic antenna elements, which emit the light as beams with phases and amplitudes selected so that the emitted beams interfere in the far field to produce the desired pattern. In some cases, each antenna in the phased array may be optically coupled to a corresponding variable delay line, such as a thermo-optically tuned waveguide or a liquid-filled cell, which can be used to vary the phase of the antenna's output (and the resulting far-field interference pattern).

Stable radio-frequency transfer over optical fiber by phase-conjugate frequency mixing.

PubMed

He, Yabai; Orr, Brian J; Baldwin, Kenneth G H; Wouters, Michael J; Luiten, Andre N; Aben, Guido; Warrington, R Bruce

2013-08-12

We demonstrate long-distance (≥100-km) synchronization of the phase of a radio-frequency reference over an optical-fiber network without needing to actively stabilize the optical path length. Frequency mixing is used to achieve passive phase-conjugate cancellation of fiber-length fluctuations, ensuring that the phase difference between the reference and synchronized oscillators is independent of the link length. The fractional radio-frequency-transfer stability through a 100-km "real-world" urban optical-fiber network is 6 × 10(-17) with an averaging time of 10(4) s. Our compensation technique is robust, providing long-term stability superior to that of a hydrogen maser. By combining our technique with the short-term stability provided by a remote, high-quality quartz oscillator, this system is potentially applicable to transcontinental optical-fiber time and frequency dissemination where the optical round-trip propagation time is significant.

Dynamic optical arbitrary waveform shaping based on cascaded optical modulators of single FBG.

PubMed

Chen, Jingyuan; Li, Peili

2015-08-10

A dynamic optical arbitrary waveform generation (O-AWG) with amplitude and phase independently controlled in optical modulators of single fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) has been proposed. This novel scheme consists of several optical modulators. In the optical modulator (O-MOD), a uniform FBG is used to filter spectral component of the input signal. The amplitude is controlled by fiber stretcher (FS) in Mach-Zehnder interference (MZI) structure through interference of two MZI arms. The phase is manipulated via the second FS in the optical modulator. This scheme is investigated by simulation. Consequently, optical pulse trains with different waveforms as well as pulse trains with nonuniform pulse intensity, pulse spacing and pulse width within each period are obtained through FSs adjustment to alter the phase shifts of signal in each O-MOD.

Control, Filtering and Prediction for Phased Arrays in Directed Energy Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-04-30

adaptive optics. 15. SUBJECT TERMS control, filtering, prediction, system identification, adaptive optics, laser beam pointing, target tracking, phase... laser beam control; furthermore, wavefront sensors are plagued by the difficulty of maintaining the required alignment and focusing in dynamic mission...developed new methods for filtering, prediction and system identification in adaptive optics for high energy laser systems including phased arrays. The

Stable Optical Phase Modulation With Micromirrors

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-01-27

Stable optical phase modulation with micromirrors Caleb Knoernschild, Taehyun Kim, Peter Maunz, Stephen G. Crain, and Jungsang Kim∗ Fitzpatrick...position stability of the micromirror is dominated by the thermal mechanical noise of the structure. With this level of stability, we utilize the... micromirror to realize an optical phase modulator by simply reflecting light off the mirror and modulating its position. The resonant frequency of the

Induced smectic phase in binary mixtures of twist-bend nematogens.

PubMed

Knežević, Anamarija; Dokli, Irena; Sapunar, Marin; Šegota, Suzana; Baumeister, Ute; Lesac, Andreja

2018-01-01

The investigation of liquid crystal (LC) mixtures is of great interest in tailoring material properties for specific applications. The recent discovery of the twist-bend nematic phase (N TB ) has sparked great interest in the scientific community, not only from a fundamental viewpoint, but also due to its potential for innovative applications. Here we report on the unexpected phase behaviour of a binary mixture of twist-bend nematogens. A binary phase diagram for mixtures of imino-linked cyanobiphenyl (CBI) dimer and imino-linked benzoyloxy-benzylidene (BB) dimer shows two distinct domains. While mixtures containing less than 35 mol % of BB possess a wide temperature range twist-bend nematic phase, the mixtures containing 55-80 mol % of BB exhibit a smectic phase despite that both pure compounds display a Iso-N-N TB -Cr phase sequence. The phase diagram shows that the addition of BB of up to 30 mol % significantly extends the temperature range of the N TB phase, maintaining the temperature range of the nematic phase. The periodicity, obtained by atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging, is in the range of 6-7 nm. The induction of the smectic phase in the mixtures containing 55-80 mol % of BB was confirmed using polarising optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction. The origin of the intercalated smectic phase was unravelled by combined spectroscopic and computational methods and can be traced to conformational disorder of the terminal chains. These results show the importance of understanding the phase behaviour of binary mixtures, not only in targeting a wide temperature range but also in controlling the self-organizing processes.

Optical Spectroscopy and Imaging of Correlated Spin Orbit Phases

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-14

Unlimited UU UU UU UU 14-06-2016 15-Mar-2013 14-Mar-2016 Final Report: Optical Spectroscopy and Imaging of Correlated Spin-Orbit Phases The views...Box 12211 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2211 Ultrafast optical spectroscopy , nonlinear optical spectroscopy , iridates, cuprates REPORT...California Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91125 -0001 ABSTRACT Number of Papers published in peer-reviewed journals: Final Report: Optical Spectroscopy and

Fourier phase in Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Uttam, Shikhar; Liu, Yang

2015-12-01

Phase of an electromagnetic wave propagating through a sample-of-interest is well understood in the context of quantitative phase imaging in transmission-mode microscopy. In the past decade, Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography has been used to extend quantitative phase imaging to the reflection-mode. Unlike transmission-mode electromagnetic phase, however, the origin and characteristics of reflection-mode Fourier phase are poorly understood, especially in samples with a slowly varying refractive index. In this paper, the general theory of Fourier phase from first principles is presented, and it is shown that Fourier phase is a joint estimate of subresolution offset and mean spatial frequency of the coherence-gated sample refractive index. It is also shown that both spectral-domain phase microscopy and depth-resolved spatial-domain low-coherence quantitative phase microscopy are special cases of this general theory. Analytical expressions are provided for both, and simulations are presented to explain and support the theoretical results. These results are further used to show how Fourier phase allows the estimation of an axial mean spatial frequency profile of the sample, along with depth-resolved characterization of localized optical density change and sample heterogeneity. Finally, a Fourier phase-based explanation of Doppler optical coherence tomography is also provided.

Transversely polarized sub-diffraction optical needle with ultra-long depth of focus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guan, Jian; Lin, Jie; Chen, Chen; Ma, Yuan; Tan, Jiubin; Jin, Peng

2017-12-01

We generated purely transversely polarized sub-diffraction optical needles with ultra-long depth of focus (DOF) by focusing azimuthally polarized (AP) beams that were modulated by a vortex 0-2 π phase plate and binary phase diffraction optical elements (DOEs). The concentric belts' radii of the DOEs were optimized by a hybrid genetic particle swarm optimization (HGPSO) algorithm. For the focusing system with the numerical aperture (NA) of 0.95, an optical needle with the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 0.40 λ and the DOF of 6.23 λ was generated. Similar optical needles were also generated by binary phase DOEs with different belts. The results demonstrated that the binary phase DOEs could achieve smaller FWHMs and longer DOFs simultaneously. The generated needles were circularly polarized on the z-axis and there were no longitudinally polarized components in the focal fields. The radius fabrication errors of a DOE have little effect on the optical needle produced by itself. The generated optical needles can be applied to the fields of photolithography, high-density optical data storage, microscope imaging and particle trapping.

Beam shuttering interferometer and method

DOEpatents

Deason, V.A.; Lassahn, G.D.

1993-07-27

A method and apparatus resulting in the simplification of phase shifting interferometry by eliminating the requirement to know the phase shift between interferograms or to keep the phase shift between interferograms constant. The present invention provides a simple, inexpensive means to shutter each independent beam of the interferometer in order to facilitate the data acquisition requirements for optical interferometry and phase shifting interferometry. By eliminating the requirement to know the phase shift between interferograms or to keep the phase shift constant, a simple, economical means and apparatus for performing the technique of phase shifting interferometry is provide which, by thermally expanding a fiber optical cable changes the optical path distance of one incident beam relative to another.

Beam shuttering interferometer and method

DOEpatents

Deason, Vance A.; Lassahn, Gordon D.

1993-01-01

A method and apparatus resulting in the simplification of phase shifting interferometry by eliminating the requirement to know the phase shift between interferograms or to keep the phase shift between interferograms constant. The present invention provides a simple, inexpensive means to shutter each independent beam of the interferometer in order to facilitate the data acquisition requirements for optical interferometry and phase shifting interferometry. By eliminating the requirement to know the phase shift between interferograms or to keep the phase shift constant, a simple, economical means and apparatus for performing the technique of phase shifting interferometry is provide which, by thermally expanding a fiber optical cable changes the optical path distance of one incident beam relative to another.

Effect of Liquid-Crystalline Epoxy Backbone Structure on Thermal Conductivity of Epoxy-Alumina Composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giang, Thanhkieu; Kim, Jinhwan

2017-01-01

In a series of papers published recently, we clearly demonstrated that the most important factor governing the thermal conductivity of epoxy-Al2O3 composites is the backbone structure of the epoxy. In this study, three more epoxies based on diglycidyl ester-terminated liquid-crystalline epoxy (LCE) have been synthesized to draw conclusions regarding the effect of the epoxy backbone structure on the thermal conductivity of epoxy-alumina composites. The synthesized structures were characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and optical microscopy were also employed to examine the thermal and optical properties of the synthesized LCEs and the cured composites. All three LCE resins exhibited typical liquid-crystalline behaviors: clear solid crystalline state below the melting temperature ( T m), sharp crystalline melting at T m, and transition to nematic phase above T m with consequent isotropic phase above the isotropic temperature ( T i). The LCE resins displayed distinct nematic liquid-crystalline phase over a wide temperature range and retained liquid-crystalline phase after curing, with high thermal conductivity of the resulting composite. The thermal conductivity values ranged from 3.09 W/m-K to 3.89 W/m-K for LCE-Al2O3 composites with 50 vol.% filler loading. The steric effect played a governing role in the difference. The neat epoxy resin thermal conductivity was obtained as 0.35 W/m-K to 0.49 W/m-K based on analysis using the Agari-Uno model. The results clearly support the objective of this study in that the thermal conductivity of the LCE-containing networks strongly depended on the epoxy backbone structure and the degree of ordering in the cured network.

Optical integration of Pancharatnam-Berry phase lens and dynamical phase lens

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ke, Yougang; Liu, Yachao; Zhou, Junxiao

In the optical system, most elements such as lens, prism, and optical fiber are made of silica glass. Therefore, integrating Pancharatnam-Berry phase elements into silica glass has potential applications in the optical system. In this paper, we take a lens, for example, which integrates a Pancharatnam-Berry phase lens into a conventional plano-convex lens. The spin states and positions of focal points can be modulated by controlling the polarization states of the incident beam. The proposed lens has a high transmission efficiency, and thereby acts as a simple and powerful tool to manipulate spin photons. Furthermore, the method can be convenientlymore » extended to the optical fiber and laser cavity, and may provide a route to the design of the spin-photonic devices.« less

A novel optic bistable device with very low threshold intensity using photorefractive films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Sean X.; Sun, Yuankun; Trivedi, Sudhir B.; Li, Guifang

1994-08-01

Brimrose Corporation of America reports the successful completion of the SBIR Phase I research in low-threshold intensity optical bistable devices using photorefractive nonlinearity. A thin photorefractive film optical bistable device was proposed in the Phase I proposal. The feasibility of this device was theoretically investigated. The theoretical feasibility study formulates the materials requirements in such a kind of configuration for Phase II research. In addition, we have proposed and investigated another configuration of optical bistable devices that do not require advanced photorefractive materials, namely, the self-pumped phase conjugator. We have successfully demonstrated a low-threshold optical bistable operation in a KNSBN:CU crystal. To the best of our knowledge, the threshold of 650 mW/sq. cm is the lowest of its kind to be achieved so far.

Investigation on filter method for smoothing spiral phase plate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yuanhang; Wen, Shenglin; Luo, Zijian; Tang, Caixue; Yan, Hao; Yang, Chunlin; Liu, Mincai; Zhang, Qinghua; Wang, Jian

2018-03-01

Spiral phase plate (SPP) for generating vortex hollow beams has high efficiency in various applications. However, it is difficult to obtain an ideal spiral phase plate because of its continuous-varying helical phase and discontinued phase step. This paper describes the demonstration of continuous spiral phase plate using filter methods. The numerical simulations indicate that different filter method including spatial domain filter, frequency domain filter has unique impact on surface topography of SPP and optical vortex characteristics. The experimental results reveal that the spatial Gaussian filter method for smoothing SPP is suitable for Computer Controlled Optical Surfacing (CCOS) technique and obtains good optical properties.

[Nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy animal model and its treatment applications].

PubMed

Chuman, Hideki

2014-04-01

Nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is one of the most common acute unilaterally onset optic nerve diseases. One management problem in terms of NAION is the difficulty of differential diagnosis between NAION and anterior optic neuritis (ON). A second problem is that there is no established treatment for the acute stage of NAION. A third problem is that there is no preventive treatment for a subsequent attack on the fellow eye, estimated to occur in 15 to 25% of patients with NAION. For differentiation of acute NAION from anterior optic neuritis, we investigated the usefulness of laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG). In the normal control group, the tissue blood flow did not significantly differ between the right and left eyes. In the NAION group, all 6 patients had 29.5% decreased mean blur rate (MBR), which correlates to optic disc blood flow, of the NAION eye compared with the unaffected eye. In the anterior ON group, all 6 cases had 15.9% increased MBR of the anterior ON eye compared with the unaffected eye. Thus, LSFG showed a difference of the underlying pathophysiology between NAION and anterior ON despite showing disc swelling in both groups and could be useful for differentiating both groups. For the treatment of acute stage of NAION, we tried to reproduce the rodent model of NAION (rNAION) developed by Bernstein and colleagues. To induce rNAION, after the administration of rose bengal(RB) (2.5 mM) into the tail vein of SD rats, the small vessels of the left optic nerve were photoactivated using a 514 nm argon green laser (RB-laser-induction). In the RB-laser-induction eyes, the capillaries within the optic disc were reduced markedly, the optic disc became swollen, and fluorescein angiography showed filling defect in the choroid and the optic disc at an early stage, followed by hyperfluorescence at a late stage. Electrophysiological evaluation revealed that visual evoked potential (VEP) amplitude was significantly decreased but an electroretinogram (ERG) did not show a significant difference either in the b wave or in the oscillatory potentials. The scotopic threshold response (STR) was significantly reduced 3 days after induction. These findings are similar to those of rNAION and indicate that we succeeded in reproducing the rNAION. Histopathologic examination in the acute phase of rNAION, showed acellular NFL swelling anterior to the optic disc. No accumulation of inflammatory cells was noted in several microscopic sections of the optic nerve. In addition, immunochemical staining was negative throughout the retina and optic nerve. These results suggested that the rNAION-induced NFL swelling was not a result of inflammation. In the chronic phase of rNAION, the morphologic retinal changes were apparent in only the retinal ganglion cell(RGC) layer, with a reduction in the number of cells in the RGC layer. Thus, we need to evaluate the degree of the NFL swelling in the acute phase and the following thinning of the NFL in the chronic phase for efficacy of the treatment of rNAION. Therefore, we used optical coherence tomography (OCT) for the objective and quantitative evaluation of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness around the optic disc changes in rNAION. The second method was to use the STR for the evaluation of the RGC function. The third method was to count the number of surviving RGCs observed and photographed through the fluorescence microscope with the Fluorogold staining. A possible rationale for treatment of NAION is that dilation of the posterior ciliary artery (PCA) increases the blood flow to the optic nerve and could improve the optic nerve function. To clarify the vasodilatory effects of medications, we used in vitro isometric tension recording methods and examined the vasodilatory effects of bevacizumab as an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibody, methylprednisolone as a corticosteroid and sodium nitroprusside (SNP, a nitric oxide donor) as a vasodilator on high-K (potassium) solution-induced contraction in isolated rabbit PCA. Bevacizumab did not relax rabbit PCA. Methylprednisolone relaxed rabbit PCA nitric oxide (NO) independently. SNP relaxed rabbit PCA by exogenous NO. On the basis of these results, we selected the following candidates for rNAION treatment: methylprednisolone as the corticosteroid and L-arginine as the NO related agent. Intravenous infusion of methylprednisolone significantly decreased the degree of acute disc edema but did not reduce inner retinal thinning, decrease STR amplitude, or decrease RGC numbers in rNAION. Intravenous infusion of L-arginine after rNAION induction significantly decreased the disc edema at the acute stage and the thinning of the inner retina, reduced the decrease in STR amplitude, and reduced the decrease in RGC numbers during rNAION. These results indicated that L-arginine treatment is effective for reducing the anatomical changes and improving visual function in the acute stage of rNAION. To strengthen the neuroprotective effect for rNAION, we tried treatment using transcorneal electric stimulation (TES). We evaluated the effect using STR and survival RGCs. Decreased amplitude in the STR of the TES group was significantly better preserved than in the control group on the 28th day after treatment. RGC survival in the TES group was significantly larger than in the control group on the 14th and 28th days. The neuroprotective effect of TES was better than that of L-arginine. For preventive treatment of subsequent attack in the fellow eye, we investigated whether pretreatment with L-arginine might reduce the severity of the anatomical changes associated with NAION and preserve the visual function when NAION occurs in the other eye. In the L-arginine pretreated eyes, the disc edema at the acute stage and the thinning of inner retina were significantly decreased, and the decrease of STR amplitude and the decrease in RGC numbers during rNAION were reserved. These results indicate that pretreatment with L-arginine is effective for the reduction of the severity during recurrence in the other eye. We will perform clinical trials in a small series of cases, and if the treatment is effective, we will proceed to multicenter randomized treatment trials. In addition to that, more work needs to be done to discover better treatment options for NAION.

Superfluid and Insulating Phases of Fermion Mixtures in Optical Lattices

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Iskin, M.; Sa de Melo, C. A. R.

2007-08-24

The ground state phase diagram of fermion mixtures in optical lattices is analyzed as a function of interaction strength, fermion filling factor, and tunneling parameters. In addition to standard superfluid, phase-separated or coexisting superfluid-excess-fermion phases found in homogeneous or harmonically trapped systems, fermions in optical lattices have several insulating phases, including a molecular Bose-Mott insulator (BMI), a Fermi-Pauli (band) insulator (FPI), a phase-separated BMI-FPI mixture or a Bose-Fermi checkerboard (BFC). The molecular BMI phase is the fermion mixture counterpart of the atomic BMI found in atomic Bose systems, the BFC or BMI-FPI phases exist in Bose-Fermi mixtures, and lastly themore » FPI phase is particular to the Fermi nature of the constituent atoms of the mixture.« less

All optical controlled photonic integrated circuits using azo dye functionized sol-gel material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ke, Xianjun

The main focus of this dissertation is development and characterization of all-optical controllable azo dye functionized sol gel material, demonstrating a PIC fabrication technique on glass substrate using such material, and exploration and feasibility demonstration of three PIC functional devices namely optical variable attenuator, optical switches, and optical tunable filters using the material. The realization of all the devices in this dissertation are based on one material: dye functionalized sol-gel material. A photochromic sol-gel material functionalized with azo dye was synthesized and characterized. It possesses a photochromic characteristic under the control of green laser beam illumination. The material characteristics suggest the possibility of a new promising material platform candidate for the fabrication of alloptical controlled photonic integrated circuits. As the first potential application of the dye functionalized sol-gel material, an alloptical variable attenuator was designed and demonstrated. The optical variable attenuation is achieved in Mach-Zehnder interferometric configuration through all-optical modulation of sol-gel waveguide phase shifters. A 2 x 2 optical switch based on multimode interference (MMI) waveguide structure is proposed in the dissertation. The schematic configuration of the optical switch consists of a cascade of two identical MMIs with two all-optical controlled phase shifters realized by using the photochromic sol-gel material. The cross or bar switch state of the optical switch is determined by the phase difference between the two sol-gel waveguide phase shifters. An all-optical tunable filter is designed and its feasibility demonstrated by using the sol-gel photochromic material. Except for the phase change demonstrated on sol-gel waveguide phase shifters, dynamic gratings were observed on sol-gel film when exposed to two interference beams. This reveals the possibility of realizing Bragg grating-based tunable filters. The schematic configuration of proposed tunable filters consists of a single straight waveguide embedded with a sol-gel waveguide. The wavelength tuning of the tunable filters is accomplished by varying the grating period.

Differential Deposition to Correct Surface Figure Deviations in Astronomical Grazing-Incidence X-Ray Optics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kilaru, Kiranmayee; Ramsey, Brian D.; Gubarev, Mikhail V.

2011-01-01

A coating technique is being developed to correct the surface figure deviations in reflective-grazing-incidence X-ray optics. These optics are typically designed to have precise conic profiles, and any deviation in this profile, as a result of fabrication, results in a degradation of the imaging performance. To correct the mirror profiles, physical vapor deposition has been utilized to selectively deposit a filler material inside the mirror shell. The technique, termed differential deposition, has been implemented as a proof of concept on miniature X-ray optics developed at MSFC for medical-imaging applications. The technique is now being transferred to larger grazing-incidence optics suitable for astronomy and progress to date is reported.

High-resolution differential mode delay measurement for a multimode optical fiber using a modified optical frequency domain reflectometer.

PubMed

Ahn, T-J; Kim, D

2005-10-03

A novel differential mode delay (DMD) measurement technique for a multimode optical fiber based on optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) has been proposed. We have obtained a high-resolution DMD value of 0.054 ps/m for a commercial multimode optical fiber with length of 50 m by using a modified OFDR in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer structure with a tunable external cavity laser and a Mach-Zehnder interferometer instead of Michelson interferometer. We have also compared the OFDR measurement results with those obtained using a traditional time-domain measurement method. DMD resolution with our proposed OFDR technique is more than an order of magnitude better than a result obtainable with a conventional time-domain method.

Optical signal processing techniques and applications of optical phase modulation in high-speed communication systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Ning

In recent years, optical phase modulation has attracted much research attention in the field of fiber optic communications. Compared with the traditional optical intensity-modulated signal, one of the main merits of the optical phase-modulated signal is the better transmission performance. For optical phase modulation, in spite of the comprehensive study of its transmission performance, only a little research has been carried out in terms of its functions, applications and signal processing for future optical networks. These issues are systematically investigated in this thesis. The research findings suggest that optical phase modulation and its signal processing can greatly facilitate flexible network functions and high bandwidth which can be enjoyed by end users. In the thesis, the most important physical-layer technology, signal processing and multiplexing, are investigated with optical phase-modulated signals. Novel and advantageous signal processing and multiplexing approaches are proposed and studied. Experimental investigations are also reported and discussed in the thesis. Optical time-division multiplexing and demultiplexing. With the ever-increasing demand on communication bandwidth, optical time division multiplexing (OTDM) is an effective approach to upgrade the capacity of each wavelength channel in current optical systems. OTDM multiplexing can be simply realized, however, the demultiplexing requires relatively complicated signal processing and stringent timing control, and thus hinders its practicability. To tackle this problem, in this thesis a new OTDM scheme with hybrid DPSK and OOK signals is proposed. Experimental investigation shows this scheme can greatly enhance the demultiplexing timing misalignment and improve the demultiplexing performance, and thus make OTDM more practical and cost effective. All-optical signal processing. In current and future optical communication systems and networks, the data rate per wavelength has been approaching the speed limitation of electronics. Thus, all-optical signal processing techniques are highly desirable to support the necessary optical switching functionalities in future ultrahigh-speed optical packet-switching networks. To cope with the wide use of optical phase-modulated signals, in the thesis, an all-optical logic for DPSK or PSK input signals is developed, for the first time. Based on four-wave mixing in semiconductor optical amplifier, the structure of the logic gate is simple, compact, and capable of supporting ultrafast operation. In addition to the general logic processing, a simple label recognition scheme, as a specific signal processing function, is proposed for phase-modulated label signals. The proposed scheme can recognize any incoming label pattern according to the local pattern, and is potentially capable of handling variable-length label patterns. Optical access network with multicast overlay and centralized light sources. In the arena of optical access networks, wavelength division multiplexing passive optical network (WDM-PON) is a promising technology to deliver high-speed data traffic. However, most of proposed WDM-PONs only support conventional point-to-point service, and cannot meet the requirement of increasing demand on broadcast and multicast service. In this thesis, a simple network upgrade is proposed based on the traditional PON architecture to support both point-to-point and multicast service. In addition, the two service signals are modulated on the same lightwave carrier. The upstream signal is also remodulated on the same carrier at the optical network unit, which can significantly relax the requirement on wavelength management at the network unit.

Phase-sensitive fiber-based parametric all-optical switch.

PubMed

Parra-Cetina, Josué; Kumpera, Aleš; Karlsson, Magnus; Andrekson, Peter A

2015-12-28

We experimentally demonstrate, for the first time, an all-optical switch in a phase-sensitive fiber optic parametric amplifier operated in saturation. We study the effect of phase variation of the signal and idler waves on the pump power depletion. By changing the phase of a 0.9 mW signal/idler pair wave by π/2 rad, a pump power extinction ratio of 30.4 dB is achieved. Static and dynamic characterizations are also performed and time domain results presented.

Rod shaped oxovanadium(IV) Schiff base complexes: Synthesis, mesomorphism and influence of flexible alkoxy chain lengths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gupta, Bishop Dev; Datta, Chitraniva; Das, Gobinda; Bhattacharjee, Chira R.

2014-06-01

A series of oxovanadium(IV) complexes of bidentate [N,O] donor Schiff-base ligands of the type [VO(L)2], [L = N-(4-n-alkoxysalicylaldimine)-4‧-octadecyloxyaniline, n = 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18] have been synthesized. The compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H, 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), and fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry. The mesomorphic behavior of the compounds was studied by polarized optical microscopy (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The ligands and complexes are all thermally stable exhibiting smectic mesomorphism. The ligands 8-OR to16-OR show SmC phase at ∼113-118 °C and an unidentified SmX phase reminiscent of soft crystal at ∼77-91 °C whereas the complexes all showed SmA phases. Interestingly the complexes with C10 and C12 alkoxy chain length exhibited additionally SmC phases also. The melting points of the ligands linearly increases whereas mesophase to isotropic transition temperature decreases as a function of increasing carbon chain length of alkoxy arm while no trend was apparently noticeable for the complexes.

Solution-processed phase-change VO(2) metamaterials from colloidal vanadium oxide (VO(x)) nanocrystals.

PubMed

Paik, Taejong; Hong, Sung-Hoon; Gaulding, E Ashley; Caglayan, Humeyra; Gordon, Thomas R; Engheta, Nader; Kagan, Cherie R; Murray, Christopher B

2014-01-28

We demonstrate thermally switchable VO2 metamaterials fabricated using solution-processable colloidal nanocrystals (NCs). Vanadium oxide (VOx) NCs are synthesized through a nonhydrolytic reaction and deposited from stable colloidal dispersions to form NC thin films. Rapid thermal annealing transforms the VOx NC thin films into monoclinic, nanocrystalline VO2 thin films that show a sharp, reversible metal-insulator phase transition. Introduction of precise concentrations of tungsten dopings into the colloidal VOx NCs enables the still sharp phase transition of the VO2 thin films to be tuned to lower temperatures as the doping level increases. We fabricate "smart", differentially doped, multilayered VO2 films to program the phase and therefore the metal-insulator behavior of constituent vertically structured layers with temperature. With increasing temperature, we tailored the optical response of multilayered films in the near-IR and IR regions from that of a strong light absorber, in a metal-insulator structure, to that of a Drude-like reflector, characteristic of a pure metallic structure. We demonstrate that nanocrystal-based nanoimprinting can be employed to pattern multilayered subwavelength nanostructures, such as three-dimensional VO2 nanopillar arrays, that exhibit plasmonic dipolar responses tunable with a temperature change.

NASA Tech Briefs, March 2013

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2013-01-01

Topics covered include: Remote Data Access with IDL Data Compression Algorithm Architecture for Large Depth-of-Field Particle Image Velocimeters Vectorized Rebinning Algorithm for Fast Data Down-Sampling Display Provides Pilots with Real-Time Sonic-Boom Information Onboard Algorithms for Data Prioritization and Summarization of Aerial Imagery Monitoring and Acquisition Real-time System (MARS) Analog Signal Correlating Using an Analog-Based Signal Conditioning Front End Micro-Textured Black Silicon Wick for Silicon Heat Pipe Array Robust Multivariable Optimization and Performance Simulation for ASIC Design; Castable Amorphous Metal Mirrors and Mirror Assemblies; Sandwich Core Heat-Pipe Radiator for Power and Propulsion Systems; Apparatus for Pumping a Fluid; Cobra Fiber-Optic Positioner Upgrade; Improved Wide Operating Temperature Range of Li-Ion Cells; Non-Toxic, Non-Flammable, -80 C Phase Change Materials; Soft-Bake Purification of SWCNTs Produced by Pulsed Laser Vaporization; Improved Cell Culture Method for Growing Contracting Skeletal Muscle Models; Hand-Based Biometric Analysis; The Next Generation of Cold Immersion Dry Suit Design Evolution for Hypothermia Prevention; Integrated Lunar Information Architecture for Decision Support Version 3.0 (ILIADS 3.0); Relay Forward-Link File Management Services (MaROS Phase 2); Two Mechanisms to Avoid Control Conflicts Resulting from Uncoordinated Intent; XTCE GOVSAT Tool Suite 1.0; Determining Temperature Differential to Prevent Hardware Cross-Contamination in a Vacuum Chamber; SequenceL: Automated Parallel Algorithms Derived from CSP-NT Computational Laws; Remote Data Exploration with the Interactive Data Language (IDL); Mixture-Tuned, Clutter Matched Filter for Remote Detection of Subpixel Spectral Signals; Partitioned-Interval Quantum Optical Communications Receiver; and Practical UAV Optical Sensor Bench with Minimal Adjustability.

First experimental demonstration of self-synchronous phase locking of an optical array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shay, T. M.; Benham, Vincent; Baker, J. T.; Ward, Benjamin; Sanchez, Anthony D.; Culpepper, Mark A.; Pilkington, D.; Spring, Justin; Nelson, Douglas J.; Lu, Chunte A.

2006-12-01

A novel, highly accurate, all electronic technique for phase locking arrays of optical fibers is demonstrated. We report the first demonstration of the only electronic phase locking technique that doesn’t require a reference beam. The measured phase error is λ/20. Excellent phase locking has been demonstrated for fiber amplifier arrays.

Application of spatially modulated near-infrared structured light to study changes in optical properties of mouse brain tissue during heatstress.

PubMed

Shaul, Oren; Fanrazi-Kahana, Michal; Meitav, Omri; Pinhasi, Gad A; Abookasis, David

2017-11-10

Heat stress (HS) is a medical emergency defined by abnormally elevated body temperature that causes biochemical, physiological, and hematological changes. The goal of the present research was to detect variations in optical properties (absorption, reduced scattering, and refractive index coefficients) of mouse brain tissue during HS by using near-infrared (NIR) spatial light modulation. NIR spatial patterns with different spatial phases were used to differentiate the effects of tissue scattering from those of absorption. Decoupling optical scattering from absorption enabled the quantification of a tissue's chemical constituents (related to light absorption) and structural properties (related to light scattering). Technically, structured light patterns at low and high spatial frequencies of six wavelengths ranging between 690 and 970 nm were projected onto the mouse scalp surface while diffuse reflected light was recorded by a CCD camera positioned perpendicular to the mouse scalp. Concurrently to pattern projection, brain temperature was measured with a thermal camera positioned slightly off angle from the mouse head while core body temperature was monitored by thermocouple probe. Data analysis demonstrated variations from baseline measurements in a battery of intrinsic brain properties following HS.

3D printed miniaturized spectral system for tissue fluorescence lifetime measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Luwei; Mahmoud, Mohamad; Fahs, Mehdi; Liu, Rui; Lo, Joe F.

2016-04-01

Various types of collagens, e.g. type I and III, represent the main load-bearing components in biological tissues. Their composition changes during processes like wound healing and fibrosis. Collagens exhibit autofluorescence when excited by ultra-violet light, distinguishable by their unique fluorescent lifetimes across a range of emission wavelengths. Therefore, we designed a miniaturized spectral-lifetime detection system for collagens as a non-invasive probe for monitoring tissue in wound healing and scarring applications. A sine modulated LED illumination was applied to enable frequency domain (FD) fluorescence lifetime measurements under different wavelengths bands, separated via a series of longpass dichroics at 387nm, 409nm and 435nm. To achieve the minute scale of optomechanics, we employed a stereolithography based 3D printer with <50 μm resolution to create a custom designed optical mount in a hand-held form factor. We examined the characteristics of the 3D printed optical system with finite element modeling to simulate the effect of thermal (LED) and mechanical (handling) strain on the optical system. Using this device, the phase shift and demodulation of collagen types were measured, where the separate spectral bands enhanced the differentiation of their lifetimes.

Predicting the performance of linear optical detectors in free space laser communication links

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farrell, Thomas C.

2018-05-01

While the fundamental performance limit for optical communications is set by the quantum nature of light, in practical systems background light, dark current, and thermal noise of the electronics also degrade performance. In this paper, we derive a set of equations predicting the performance of PIN diodes and linear mode avalanche photo diodes (APDs) in the presence of such noise sources. Electrons generated by signal, background, and dark current shot noise are well modeled in PIN diodes as Poissonian statistical processes. In APDs, on the other hand, the amplifying effects of the device result in statistics that are distinctly non-Poissonian. Thermal noise is well modeled as Gaussian. In this paper, we appeal to the central limit theorem and treat both the variability of the signal and the sum of noise sources as Gaussian. Comparison against Monte-Carlo simulation of PIN diode performance (where we do model shot noise with draws from a Poissonian distribution) validates the legitimacy of this approximation. On-off keying, M-ary pulse position, and binary differential phase shift keying modulation are modeled. We conclude with examples showing how the equations may be used in a link budget to estimate the performance of optical links using linear receivers.

Optical Fibers Would Sense Local Strains

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Egalon, Claudio O.; Rogowski, Robert S.

1994-01-01

Proposed fiber-optic transducers measure local strains. Includes lead-in and lead-out lengths producing no changes in phase shifts, plus short sensing length in which phase shift is sensitive to strain. Phase shifts in single-mode fibers vary with strains. In alternative version, multiple portions of optical fiber sensitive to strains characteristic of specific vibrational mode of object. Same principle also used with two-mode fiber.

Target-based coherent beam combining of an optical phased array fed by a broadband laser source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hyde, Milo W., IV; McCrae, Jack E.; Tyler, Glenn A.

2017-11-01

The target-based phasing of an optical phased array (OPA) fed by a broadband master oscillator laser source is investigated. The specific scenario examined here considers an OPA phasing through atmospheric turbulence on a rough curved object. An analytical expression for the detected or received intensity is derived. Gleaned from this expression are the conditions under which target-based phasing is possible. A detailed OPA wave optics simulation is performed to validate the theoretical findings. Key aspects of the simulation set-up as well as the results are thoroughly discussed.

Wideband tunable laser phase noise reduction using single sideband modulation in an electro-optical feed-forward scheme.

PubMed

Aflatouni, Firooz; Hashemi, Hossein

2012-01-15

A wideband laser phase noise reduction scheme is introduced where the optical field of a laser is single sideband modulated with an electrical signal containing the discriminated phase noise of the laser. The proof-of-concept experiments on a commercially available 1549 nm distributed feedback laser show linewidth reduction from 7.5 MHz to 1.8 kHz without using large optical cavity resonators. This feed-forward scheme performs wideband phase noise cancellation independent of the light source and, as such, it is compatible with the original laser source tunability without requiring tunable optical components. By placing the proposed phase noise reduction system after a commercial tunable laser, a tunable coherent light source with kilohertz linewidth over a tuning range of 1530-1570 nm is demonstrated.

Frequency non-degenerate phase-sensitive optical parametric amplification based on four-wave-mixing in width-modulated silicon waveguides.

PubMed

Wang, Zhaolu; Liu, Hongjun; Sun, Qibing; Huang, Nan; Li, Xuefeng

2014-12-15

A width-modulated silicon waveguide is proposed to realize non-degenerate phase sensitive optical parametric amplification. It is found that the relative phase at the input of the phase sensitive amplifier (PSA) θIn-PSA can be tuned by tailoring the width and length of the second segment of the width-modulated silicon waveguide, which will influence the gain in the parametric amplification process. The maximum gain of PSA is larger by 9 dB compared with the phase insensitive amplifier (PIA) gain, and the gain bandwidth of PSA is larger by 35 nm compared with the gain bandwidth of PIA. Our on-chip PSA can find important potential applications in highly integrated optical circuits for optical chip-to-chip communication and computers.

Optical Refraction in Silver: Counterposition, Negative Phase Velocity and Orthogonal Phase Velocity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Naqvi, Qaisar A.; Mackay, Tom G.; Lakhtakia, Akhlesh

2011-01-01

Complex behaviour associated with metamaterials can arise even in commonplace isotropic dielectric materials. We demonstrate how silver, for example, can support negative phase velocity and counterposition, but not negative refraction, at optical frequencies. The transition from positive to negative phase velocity is not accompanied by remarkable…

Fast, externally triggered, digital phase controller for an optical lattice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sadgrove, Mark; Nakagawa, Ken'ichi

2011-11-01

We present a method to control the phase of an optical lattice according to an external trigger signal. The method has a latency of less than 30 μs. Two phase locked digital synthesizers provide the driving signal for two acousto-optic modulators which control the frequency and phase of the counter-propagating beams which form a standing wave (optical lattice). A micro-controller with an external interrupt function is connected to the desired external signal, and updates the phase register of one of the synthesizers when the external signal changes. The standing wave (period λ/2 = 390 nm) can be moved by units of 49 nm with a mean jitter of 28 nm. The phase change is well known due to the digital nature of the synthesizer, and does not need calibration. The uses of the scheme include coherent control of atomic matter-wave dynamics.

Strehl ratio: a tool for optimizing optical nulls and singularities.

PubMed

Hénault, François

2015-07-01

In this paper a set of radial and azimuthal phase functions are reviewed that have a null Strehl ratio, which is equivalent to generating a central extinction in the image plane of an optical system. The study is conducted in the framework of Fraunhofer scalar diffraction, and is oriented toward practical cases where optical nulls or singularities are produced by deformable mirrors or phase plates. The identified solutions reveal unexpected links with the zeros of type-J Bessel functions of integer order. They include linear azimuthal phase ramps giving birth to an optical vortex, azimuthally modulated phase functions, and circular phase gratings (CPGs). It is found in particular that the CPG radiometric efficiency could be significantly improved by the null Strehl ratio condition. Simple design rules for rescaling and combining the different phase functions are also defined. Finally, the described analytical solutions could also serve as starting points for an automated searching software tool.

Mixed-Mode Operation of Hybrid Phase-Change Nanophotonic Circuits.

PubMed

Lu, Yegang; Stegmaier, Matthias; Nukala, Pavan; Giambra, Marco A; Ferrari, Simone; Busacca, Alessandro; Pernice, Wolfram H P; Agarwal, Ritesh

2017-01-11

Phase change materials (PCMs) are highly attractive for nonvolatile electrical and all-optical memory applications because of unique features such as ultrafast and reversible phase transitions, long-term endurance, and high scalability to nanoscale dimensions. Understanding their transient characteristics upon phase transition in both the electrical and the optical domains is essential for using PCMs in future multifunctional optoelectronic circuits. Here, we use a PCM nanowire embedded into a nanophotonic circuit to study switching dynamics in mixed-mode operation. Evanescent coupling between light traveling along waveguides and a phase-change nanowire enables reversible phase transition between amorphous and crystalline states. We perform time-resolved measurements of the transient change in both the optical transmission and resistance of the nanowire and show reversible switching operations in both the optical and the electrical domains. Our results pave the way toward on-chip multifunctional optoelectronic integrated devices, waveguide integrated memories, and hybrid processing applications.

An optical Fourier transform coprocessor with direct phase determination.

PubMed

Macfaden, Alexander J; Gordon, George S D; Wilkinson, Timothy D

2017-10-20

The Fourier transform is a ubiquitous mathematical operation which arises naturally in optics. We propose and demonstrate a practical method to optically evaluate a complex-to-complex discrete Fourier transform. By implementing the Fourier transform optically we can overcome the limiting O(nlogn) complexity of fast Fourier transform algorithms. Efficiently extracting the phase from the well-known optical Fourier transform is challenging. By appropriately decomposing the input and exploiting symmetries of the Fourier transform we are able to determine the phase directly from straightforward intensity measurements, creating an optical Fourier transform with O(n) apparent complexity. Performing larger optical Fourier transforms requires higher resolution spatial light modulators, but the execution time remains unchanged. This method could unlock the potential of the optical Fourier transform to permit 2D complex-to-complex discrete Fourier transforms with a performance that is currently untenable, with applications across information processing and computational physics.

Free-space laser communication technologies IV; Proceedings of the 4th Conference, Los Angeles, CA, Jan. 23, 24, 1992

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Begley, David L. (Editor); Seery, Bernard D. (Editor)

1992-01-01

Papers included in this volume are grouped under topics of receivers; laser transmitters; components; system analysis, performance, and applications; and beam control (pointing, acquisition, and tracking). Papers are presented on an experimental determination of power penalty contributions in an optical Costas-type phase-locked loop receiver, a resonant laser receiver for free-space laser communications, a simple low-loss technique for frequency-locking lasers, direct phase modulation of laser diodes, and a silex beacon. Particular attention is given to experimental results on an optical array antenna for nonmechanical beam steering, a potassium Faraday anomalous dispersion optical filter, a 100-Mbps resonant cavity phase modulator for coherent optical communications, a numerical simulation of a 325-Mbit/s QPPM optical communication system, design options for an optical multiple-access data relay terminal, CCD-based optical tracking loop design trades, and an analysis of a spatial-tracking subsystem for optical communications.

Integrated resonant micro-optical gyroscope and method of fabrication

DOEpatents

Vawter, G Allen [Albuquerque, NM; Zubrzycki, Walter J [Sandia Park, NM; Guo, Junpeng [Albuquerque, NM; Sullivan, Charles T [Albuquerque, NM

2006-09-12

An integrated optic gyroscope is disclosed which is based on a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) having a bidirectional laser source, a pair of optical waveguide phase modulators and a pair of waveguide photodetectors. The PIC can be connected to a passive ring resonator formed either as a coil of optical fiber or as a coiled optical waveguide. The lasing output from each end of the bidirectional laser source is phase modulated and directed around the passive ring resonator in two counterpropagating directions, with a portion of the lasing output then being detected to determine a rotation rate for the integrated optical gyroscope. The coiled optical waveguide can be formed on a silicon, glass or quartz substrate with a silicon nitride core and a silica cladding, while the PIC includes a plurality of III V compound semiconductor layers including one or more quantum well layers which are disordered in the phase modulators and to form passive optical waveguides.