Sample records for microlensed diode array

  1. Ruggedized microchannel-cooled laser diode array with self-aligned microlens

    DOEpatents

    Freitas, Barry L.; Skidmore, Jay A.

    2003-11-11

    A microchannel-cooled, optically corrected, laser diode array is fabricated by mounting laser diode bars onto Si surfaces. This approach allows for the highest thermal impedance, in a ruggedized, low-cost assembly that includes passive microlens attachment without the need for lens frames. The microlensed laser diode array is usable in all solid-state laser systems that require efficient, directional, narrow bandwidth, high optical power density pump sources.

  2. Fiber optic coupling of a microlens conditioned, stacked semiconductor laser diode array

    DOEpatents

    Beach, Raymond J.; Benett, William J.; Mills, Steven T.

    1997-01-01

    The output radiation from the two-dimensional aperture of a semiconductor laser diode array is efficiently coupled into an optical fiber. The two-dimensional aperture is formed by stacking individual laser diode bars on top of another in a "rack and stack" configuration. Coupling into the fiber is then accomplished using individual microlenses to condition the output radiation of the laser diode bars. A lens that matches the divergence properties and wavefront characteristics of the laser light to the fiber optic is used to focus this conditioned radiation into the fiber.

  3. Custom ceramic microchannel-cooled array for high-power fiber-coupled application

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Junghans, Jeremy; Feeler, Ryan; Stephens, Ed

    2018-03-01

    A low-SWaP (Size, Weight and Power) diode array has been developed for a high-power fiber-coupled application. High efficiency ( 65%) diodes enable high optical powers while minimizing thermal losses. A large amount of waste heat is still generated and must be extracted. Custom ceramic microchannel-coolers (MCCs) are used to dissipate the waste heat. The custom ceramic MCC was designed to accommodate long cavity length diodes and micro-lenses. The coolers provide similar thermal performance as copper MCCs however they are not susceptible to erosion and can be cooled with standard filtered water. The custom ceramic micro-channel cooled array was designed to be a form/fit replacement for an existing copperbased solution. Each array consisted of three-vertically stacked MCCs with 4 mm CL, 976 nm diodes and beamshaping micro-optics. The erosion and corrosion resistance of ceramic array is intended to mitigate the risk of copperbased MCC corrosion failures. Elimination of the water delivery requirements (pH, resistivity and dissolved oxygen control) further reduces the system SWaP while maintaining reliability. The arrays were fabricated and fully characterized. This work discusses the advantages of the ceramic MCC technology and describes the design parameters that were tailored for the fiber-coupled application. Additional configuration options (form/fit, micro-lensing, alternate coolants, etc.) and on-going design improvements are also discussed.

  4. Fiber optic coupling of a microlens conditioned, stacked semiconductor laser diode array

    DOEpatents

    Beach, R.J.; Benett, W.J.; Mills, S.T.

    1997-04-01

    The output radiation from the two-dimensional aperture of a semiconductor laser diode array is efficiently coupled into an optical fiber. The two-dimensional aperture is formed by stacking individual laser diode bars on top of another in a ``rack and stack`` configuration. Coupling into the fiber is then accomplished using individual microlenses to condition the output radiation of the laser diode bars. A lens that matches the divergence properties and wavefront characteristics of the laser light to the fiber optic is used to focus this conditioned radiation into the fiber. 3 figs.

  5. Analysis and design of fiber-coupled high-power laser diode array

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhou, Chongxi; Liu, Yinhui; Xie, Weimin; Du, Chunlei

    2003-11-01

    A conclusion that a single conventional optical system could not realize fiber coupled high-power laser diode array is drawn based on the BPP of laser beam. According to the parameters of coupled fiber, a method to couple LDA beams into a single multi-mode fiber including beams collimating, shaping, focusing and coupling is present. The divergence angles after collimating are calculated and analyzed; the shape equation of the collimating micro-lenses array is deprived. The focusing lens is designed. A fiber coupled LDA result with the core diameter of 800 um and numeric aperture of 0.37 is gotten.

  6. Microlens frames for laser diode arrays

    DOEpatents

    Skidmore, J.A.; Freitas, B.L.

    1999-07-13

    Monolithic microlens frames enable the fabrication of monolithic laser diode arrays and are manufactured inexpensively with high registration, and with inherent focal length compensation for any lens diameter variation. A monolithic substrate is used to fabricate a low-cost microlens array. The substrate is wet-etched or sawed with a series of v-grooves. The v-grooves can be created by wet-etching, by exploiting the large etch-rate selectivity of different crystal planes. The v-grooves provide a support frame for either cylindrical or custom-shaped microlenses. Because the microlens frames are formed by photolithographic semiconductor batch-processing techniques, they can be formed inexpensively over large areas with precise lateral and vertical registration. The v-groove has an important advantage for preserving the correct focus for lenses of varying diameter. 12 figs.

  7. Microlens frames for laser diode arrays

    DOEpatents

    Skidmore, Jay A.; Freitas, Barry L.

    1999-01-01

    Monolithic microlens frames enable the fabrication of monolithic laser diode arrays and are manufactured inexpensively with high registration, and with inherent focal length compensation for any lens diameter variation. A monolithic substrate is used to fabricate a low-cost microlens array. The substrate is wet-etched or sawed with a series of v-grooves. The v-grooves can be created by wet-etching, by exploiting the large etch-rate selectivity of different crystal planes. The v-grooves provide a support frame for either cylindrical or custom-shaped microlenses. Because the microlens frames are formed by photolithographic semiconductor batch-processing techniques, they can be formed inexpensively over large areas with precise lateral and vertical registration. The v-groove has an important advantage for preserving the correct focus for lenses of varying diameter.

  8. Optimization of the Hartmann-Shack microlens array

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    de Oliveira, Otávio Gomes; de Lima Monteiro, Davies William

    2011-04-01

    In this work we propose to optimize the microlens-array geometry for a Hartmann-Shack wavefront sensor. The optimization makes possible that regular microlens arrays with a larger number of microlenses are replaced by arrays with fewer microlenses located at optimal sampling positions, with no increase in the reconstruction error. The goal is to propose a straightforward and widely accessible numerical method to calculate an optimized microlens array for a known aberration statistics. The optimization comprises the minimization of the wavefront reconstruction error and/or the number of necessary microlenses in the array. We numerically generate, sample and reconstruct the wavefront, and use a genetic algorithm to discover the optimal array geometry. Within an ophthalmological context, as a case study, we demonstrate that an array with only 10 suitably located microlenses can be used to produce reconstruction errors as small as those of a 36-microlens regular array. The same optimization procedure can be employed for any application where the wavefront statistics is known.

  9. Handheld probe integrating laser diode and ultrasound transducer array for ultrasound/photoacoustic dual modality imaging.

    PubMed

    Daoudi, K; van den Berg, P J; Rabot, O; Kohl, A; Tisserand, S; Brands, P; Steenbergen, W

    2014-10-20

    Ultrasound and photoacoustics can be utilized as complementary imaging techniques to improve clinical diagnoses. Photoacoustics provides optical contrast and functional information while ultrasound provides structural and anatomical information. As of yet, photoacoustic imaging uses large and expensive systems, which limits their clinical application and makes the combination costly and impracticable. In this work we present and evaluate a compact and ergonomically designed handheld probe, connected to a portable ultrasound system for inexpensive, real-time dual-modality ultrasound/photoacoustic imaging. The probe integrates an ultrasound transducer array and a highly efficient diode stack laser emitting 130 ns pulses at 805 nm wavelength and a pulse energy of 0.56 mJ, with a high pulse repetition frequency of up to 10 kHz. The diodes are driven by a customized laser driver, which can be triggered externally with a high temporal stability necessary to synchronize the ultrasound detection and laser pulsing. The emitted beam is collimated with cylindrical micro-lenses and shaped using a diffractive optical element, delivering a homogenized rectangular light intensity distribution. The system performance was tested in vitro and in vivo by imaging a human finger joint.

  10. Activation of theMercury Laser System: A Diode-Pumped Solid-State Laser Driver for Inertial Fusion

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

    Bayramian, A J; Beach, R J; Bibeau, C

    Initial measurements are reported for the Mercury laser system, a scalable driver for rep-rated inertial fusion energy. The performance goals include 10% electrical efficiency at 10 Hz and 100 J with a 2-10 ns pulse length. We report on the first Yb:S-FAP crystals grown to sufficient size for fabricating full size (4 x 6 cm) amplifier slabs. The first of four 160 kW (peak power) diode arrays and pump delivery systems were completed and tested with the following results: 5.5% power droop over a 0.75 ms pulse, 3.95 nm spectral linewidth, far field divergence of 14.0 mrad and 149.5 mradmore » in the microlensed and unmicrolensed directions respectively, and 83% optical-to-optical transfer efficiency through the pump delivery system.« less

  11. Integration of high power laser diodes with microoptical components in a compact pumping source for visible fiber laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Goering, Rolf; Hoefer, Bernd; Kraeplin, Anke; Schreiber, Peter; Kley, Ernst-Bernhard; Schmeisser, Volkmar

    1999-04-01

    A novel technique, the so-called skew ray imaging concept, has been developed for beam transformation of high power diode laser bars. It leads to beam circularization with optimum brightness conservation. This concept uses two key microoptical components: a fast axis collimator microlens (FAC) of high isoplanatism and a special array of beam deflecting elements, the number of which corresponds to the single emitter number of the diode laser. Using this concept of skew ray imaging in a modified form, prototypes of pumping sources for visible fiber laser have been developed and built up. Several watts of optical power have been focused into a small spot of 25 micrometers with a numerical aperture of 0.35. GRIN cylindrical microlenses with 0.1 mm focal length and diffractive blazed gratings as redirector have been used. The grating periods of the redirector sections have been between 8 and 100 (mu) M. They have been produced by e-beam direct writing in resist. After optimization of the fabrication process the diffraction efficiencies of al sections have been beyond 86 percent with good reproducibility. Special techniques have been sued for system integration. The FAC microlenses have been attached to a copper lens holder with a subsequent gluing process of the holder to the laser diode heatsink. A UV-curable adhesive with extremely low shrinkage has been selected. The redirector element has been integrated with an additional possibility for lateral adjustment in order to compensate minor residual walk-off effects of the microlens when the laser power is varied from zero to maximum. A very compact pumping source of 3 inches X 1 inch X 1 inch dimensions has been realized with 5 W optical power in the desired spot. First diode pumped fiber laser operation in the visible has been demonstrated with this source.

  12. Development of adaptive liquid microlenses and microlens arrays

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Berry, Shaun R.; Stewart, Jason B.; Thorsen, Todd A.; Guha, Ingrid

    2013-03-01

    We report on the development of sub-millimeter size adaptive liquid microlenses and microlens arrays using two immiscible liquids to form individual lenses. Microlenses and microlens arrays having aperture diameters as small as 50 microns were fabricated on a planar quartz substrate using patterned hydrophobic/hydrophilic regions. Liquid lenses were formed by a self-assembled oil dosing process that created well-defined lenses having a high fill factor. Variable focus was achieved by controlling the lens curvature through electrowetting. Greater than 70° of contact angle change was achieved with less than 20 volts, which results in a large optical power dynamic range.

  13. Fabrication of polymer micro-lens array with pneumatically diaphragm-driven drop-on-demand inkjet technology.

    PubMed

    Xie, Dan; Zhang, Honghai; Shu, Xiayun; Xiao, Junfeng

    2012-07-02

    The paper reports an effective method to fabricate micro-lens arrays with the ultraviolet-curable polymer, using an original pneumatically diaphragm-driven drop-on-demand inkjet system. An array of plano convex micro-lenses can be formed on the glass substrate due to surface tension and hydrophobic effect. The micro-lens arrays have uniform focusing function, smooth and real planar surface. The fabrication process showed good repeatability as well, fifty micro-lenses randomly selected form 9 × 9 miro-lens array with an average diameter of 333.28μm showed 1.1% variations. Also, the focal length, the surface roughness and optical property of the fabricated micro-lenses are measured, analyzed and proved satisfactory. The technique shows great potential for fabricating polymer micro-lens arrays with high flexibility, simple technological process and low production cost.

  14. Compact self-aligning assemblies with refractive microlens arrays made by contactless embossing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schulze, Jens; Ehrfeld, Wolfgang; Mueller, Holger; Picard, Antoni

    1998-04-01

    The hybrid integration of microlenses and arrays of microlenses in micro-optical systems is simplified using contactless embossing of microlenses (CEM) in combination with LIGA microfabrication. CEM is anew fabrication technique for the production of precise refractive microlens arrays. A high precision matrix of holes made by LIGA technique is used as a compression molding tool to form the microlenses. The tool is pressed onto a thermoplastic sample which is heated close to the glass transformation temperature of the material. The material bulges into the openings of the molding tool due to the applied pressure and forms lens-like spherical structures. The name refers to the fact that the surface of the microlens does not get in contact with the compression molding tool during the shaping process and optical quality of the surface is maintained. Microlenses and arrays of microlenses with lens diameters from 30 micrometers up to 700 micrometers and numerical aperture values of up to 0.25 have been fabricated in different materials. Cost-effectiveness in the production process, excellent optical performance and the feature of easy replication are the main advantages of this technique. The most promising feature of this method is the possibility to obtain self- aligned assemblies then can be further integrated into a micro-optical bench setup. The CEM fabrication method in combination with LIGA microfabrication considerably enhances the hybrid integration in micro-optical devices which results in a more cost-effective production of compact micro-opto-electro-mechanical systems.

  15. Digital holographic characterization of liquid microlenses array fabricated in electrode-less configuration

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Miccio, L.; Vespini, V.; Grilli, S.; Paturzo, M.; Finizio, A.; De Nicola, S.; Ferraro, P.

    2009-06-01

    We show how thin liquid film on polar dielectric substrate can form an array of liquid micro-lenses. The effect is driven by the pyroelectric effect leading to a new concept in electro-wetting (EW). EW is a viable method for actuation of liquids in microfluidic systems and requires the design and fabrication of complex electrodes for suitable actuation of liquids. When compared to conventional electrowetting devices, the pyroelectric effect allowed to have an electrode-less and circuitless configuration. In our case the surface electric charge induced by the thermal stimulus is able to pattern selectively the surface wettability according to geometry of the ferroelectric domains micro-engineered into the lithium niobate crystal. We show that different geometries of liquid microlenses can be obtained showing also a tuneability of the focal lenses down to 1.6 mm. Thousand of liquid microlenses, each with 100 μm diameter, can be formed and actuated. Also different geometries such as hemi-cylindrical and toroidal liquid structures can be easily obtained. By means of a digital holography method, an accurate characterization of the micro-lenses curvature is performed and presented. The preliminary results concerning the imaging capability of the micro-lens array are also reported. Microlens array can find application in medical stereo-endoscopy, imaging, telecommunication and optical data storage too.

  16. Self-aligned process for forming microlenses at the tips of vertical silicon nanowires by atomic layer deposition

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

    Dan, Yaping, E-mail: yaping.dan@sjtu.edu.cn; Chen, Kaixiang; Crozier, Kenneth B.

    The microlens is a key enabling technology in optoelectronics, permitting light to be efficiently coupled to and from devices such as image sensors and light-emitting diodes. Their ubiquitous nature motivates the development of new fabrication techniques, since existing methods face challenges as microlenses are scaled to smaller dimensions. Here, the authors demonstrate the formation of microlenses at the tips of vertically oriented silicon nanowires via a rapid atomic layer deposition process. The nature of the process is such that the microlenses are centered on the nanowires, and there is a self-limiting effect on the final sizes of the microlenses arisingmore » from the nanowire spacing. Finite difference time domain electromagnetic simulations are performed of microlens focusing properties, including showing their ability to enhance visible-wavelength absorption in silicon nanowires.« less

  17. Gravitational Microlensing Events as a Target for the SETI project

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rahvar, Sohrab

    2016-09-01

    The detection of signals from a possible extrasolar technological civilization is one of the most challenging efforts of science. In this work, we propose using natural telescopes made of single or binary gravitational lensing systems to magnify leakage of electromagnetic signals from a remote planet that harbors Extraterrestrial Intelligent (ETI) technology. Currently, gravitational microlensing surveys are monitoring a large area of the Galactic bulge to search for microlensing events, finding more than 2000 events per year. These lenses are capable of playing the role of natural telescopes, and, in some instances, they can magnify radio band signals from planets orbiting around the source stars in gravitational microlensing systems. Assuming that the frequency of electromagnetic waves used for telecommunication in ETIs is similar to ours, we propose follow-up observation of microlensing events with radio telescopes such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the Low Frequency Demonstrators, and the Mileura Wide-Field Array. Amplifying signals from the leakage of broadcasting by an Earth-like civilization will allow us to detect them as far as the center of the Milky Way galaxy. Our analysis shows that in binary microlensing systems, the probability of amplification of signals from ETIs is more than that in single microlensing events. Finally, we propose the use of the target of opportunity mode for follow-up observations of binary microlensing events with SKA as a new observational program for searching ETIs. Using optimistic values for the factors of the Drake equation provides detection of about one event per year.

  18. Nitride microlens arrays for blue and ultraviolet wavelength applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Oder, T. N.; Shakya, J.; Lin, J. Y.; Jiang, H. X.

    2003-05-01

    Nitride microlens arrays with sizes as small as 10 μm in diameter have been fabricated on GaN and AlN epilayers using the method of photoresist reflow and inductively coupled plasma dry etching. The focal lengths of the microlenses varied from 7-30 μm as determined by theoretical fitting as well as by the near-field scanning optical microscopy measurement. Scanning electron and atomic force microscopies were used to obtain the surface profile of the microlenses which were found to match very well with hemispherical fitting and a surface roughness value around 1 nm was obtained. Nitride microlens arrays would be naturally chosen for green/blue to deep ultraviolet wavelength applications. In addition, nitride microlenses offer the possibility of integrating nitride-based microsize photonic devices as well as of coupling light into, out of, and between arrays of III-nitride emitters for other applications, such as spatially resolved fluorescence spectroscopy studies of biological and medical systems and optical links, thereby further expanding the applications of III nitrides.

  19. GRAVITATIONAL MICROLENSING EVENTS AS A TARGET FOR THE SETI PROJECT

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

    Rahvar, Sohrab, E-mail: rahvar@sharif.edu

    2016-09-01

    The detection of signals from a possible extrasolar technological civilization is one of the most challenging efforts of science. In this work, we propose using natural telescopes made of single or binary gravitational lensing systems to magnify leakage of electromagnetic signals from a remote planet that harbors Extraterrestrial Intelligent (ETI) technology. Currently, gravitational microlensing surveys are monitoring a large area of the Galactic bulge to search for microlensing events, finding more than 2000 events per year. These lenses are capable of playing the role of natural telescopes, and, in some instances, they can magnify radio band signals from planets orbitingmore » around the source stars in gravitational microlensing systems. Assuming that the frequency of electromagnetic waves used for telecommunication in ETIs is similar to ours, we propose follow-up observation of microlensing events with radio telescopes such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the Low Frequency Demonstrators, and the Mileura Wide-Field Array. Amplifying signals from the leakage of broadcasting by an Earth-like civilization will allow us to detect them as far as the center of the Milky Way galaxy. Our analysis shows that in binary microlensing systems, the probability of amplification of signals from ETIs is more than that in single microlensing events. Finally, we propose the use of the target of opportunity mode for follow-up observations of binary microlensing events with SKA as a new observational program for searching ETIs. Using optimistic values for the factors of the Drake equation provides detection of about one event per year.« less

  20. The multifocus plenoptic camera

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Georgiev, Todor; Lumsdaine, Andrew

    2012-01-01

    The focused plenoptic camera is based on the Lippmann sensor: an array of microlenses focused on the pixels of a conventional image sensor. This device samples the radiance, or plenoptic function, as an array of cameras with large depth of field, focused at a certain plane in front of the microlenses. For the purpose of digital refocusing (which is one of the important applications) the depth of field needs to be large, but there are fundamental optical limitations to this. The solution of the above problem is to use and array of interleaved microlenses of different focal lengths, focused at two or more different planes. In this way a focused image can be constructed at any depth of focus, and a really wide range of digital refocusing can be achieved. This paper presents our theory and results of implementing such camera. Real world images are demonstrating the extended capabilities, and limitations are discussed.

  1. Liquid micro-lens array activated by selective electrowetting on lithium niobate substrates.

    PubMed

    Grilli, S; Miccio, L; Vespini, V; Finizio, A; De Nicola, S; Ferraro, Pietro

    2008-05-26

    Lens effect was obtained in an open microfluidic system by using a thin layer of liquid on a polar electric crystal like LiNbO3. An array of liquid micro-lenses was generated by electrowetting effect in pyroelectric periodically poled crystals. Compared to conventional electrowetting devices, the pyroelectric effect allowed to have an electrode-less and circuit-less configuration. An interferometric technique was used to characterize the curvature of the micro-lenses and the corresponding results are presented and discussed. The preliminary results concerning the imaging capability of the micro-lens array are also reported.

  2. Fabrication of long-focal-length plano-convex microlens array by combining the micro-milling and injection molding processes.

    PubMed

    Chen, Lei; Kirchberg, Stefan; Jiang, Bing-Yan; Xie, Lei; Jia, Yun-Long; Sun, Lei-Lei

    2014-11-01

    A uniform plano-convex spherical microlens array with a long focal length was fabricated by combining the micromilling and injection molding processes in this work. This paper presents a quantitative study of the injection molding process parameters on the uniformity of the height of the microlenses. The variation of the injection process parameters, i.e., barrel temperature, mold temperature, injection speed, and packing pressure, was found to have a significant effect on the uniformity of the height of the microlenses, especially the barrel temperature. The filling-to-packing switchover point is also critical to the uniformity of the height of the microlenses. The optimal uniformity was achieved when the polymer melts completely filled the mold cavity, or even a little excessively filled the cavity, during the filling stage. In addition, due to the filling resistance, the practical filling-to-packing switchover point can vary with the change of the filling processing conditions and lead to a non-negligible effect on the uniformity of the height of the microlenses. Furthermore, the effect of injection speed on the uniformity of the height of the microlenses was analyzed in detail. The results indicated that the effect of injection speed on the uniformity of the height of the microlenses is mainly attributed to the two functions of injection speed: transferring the filling-to-packing switchover point and affecting the distribution of residual flow stress in the polymer melt.

  3. Confocal microscopy using variable-focal-length microlenses and an optical fiber bundle.

    PubMed

    Yang, Lisong; Mac Raighne, Aaron; McCabe, Eithne M; Dunbar, L Andrea; Scharf, Toralf

    2005-10-01

    The use of variable-focal-length (VFL) microlenses can provide a way to axially scan the foci across a sample by electronic control. We demonstrate an approach to coupling VFL microlenses individually to a fiber bundle as a way to create a high-throughput aperture array with a controllable aperture pattern. It would potentially be applied in real-time confocal imaging in vivo for biological specimens. The VFL microlenses that we used consist of a liquid-crystal film sandwiched between a pair of conductive substrates for which one has a hole-patterned electrode. One obtains the variation of the focal length by changing the applied voltage. The fiber bundle has been characterized by coupling with both coherent and incoherent light sources. We further demonstrate the use of a VFL microlens array in combination with the fiber bundle to build up a confocal system. The axial response of the confocal system has been measured without mechanical movement of the sample or the objective, and the FWHM is estimated to be approximately 16 microm, with asymmetric sidelobes.

  4. 3D micro-lenses for free space intra-chip coupling in photonic-integrated circuits (Conference Presentation)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Thomas, Robert; Williams, Gwilym I.; Ladak, Sam; Smowton, Peter M.

    2017-02-01

    The integration of multiple optical elements on a common substrate to create photonic integrated circuits (PIC) has been successfully applied in: fibre-optic communications, photonic computing and optical sensing. The push towards III-Vs on silicon promises a new generation of integrated devices that combine the advantages of both integrated electronics and optics in a single substrate. III-V edge emitting laser diodes offer high efficiency and low threshold currents making them ideal candidates for the optically active elements of the next generation of PICs. Nevertheless, the highly divergent and asymmetric beam shapes intrinsic to these devices limits the efficiency with which optical elements can be free space coupled intra-chip; a capability particularly desirable for optical sensing applications e.g. [1]. Furthermore, the monolithic nature of the integrated approach prohibits the use of macroscopic lenses to improve coupling. However, with the advent of 3D direct laser writing, three dimensional lenses can now be manufactured on a microscopic-scale [2], making the use of micro-lens technology for enhanced free space coupling of integrated optical elements feasible. Here we demonstrate the first use of 3D micro-lenses to improve the coupling efficiency of monolithically integrated lasers. Fabricated from IP-dip photoresist using a Nanoscribe GmbH 3D lithography tool, the lenses are embedded directly onto a structured GaInP/AlGaInP substrate containing arrays of ridge lasers free space coupled to one another via a 200 μm air gap. We compare the coupling efficiency of these lasers with and without micro-lenses through photo-voltage and beam profile measurements and discuss optimisation of lens design.

  5. Theory of dispersive microlenses

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Herman, B.; Gal, George

    1993-01-01

    A dispersive microlens is a miniature optical element which simultaneously focuses and disperses light. Arrays of dispersive mircolenses have potential applications in multicolor focal planes. They have a 100 percent optical fill factor and can focus light down to detectors of diffraction spot size, freeing up areas on the focal plane for on-chip analog signal processing. Use of dispersive microlenses allows inband color separation within a pixel and perfect scene registration. A dual-color separation has the potential for temperature discrimination. We discuss the design of dispersive microlenses and present sample results for efficient designs.

  6. Unitary lens semiconductor device

    DOEpatents

    Lear, Kevin L.

    1997-01-01

    A unitary lens semiconductor device and method. The unitary lens semiconductor device is provided with at least one semiconductor layer having a composition varying in the growth direction for unitarily forming one or more lenses in the semiconductor layer. Unitary lens semiconductor devices may be formed as light-processing devices such as microlenses, and as light-active devices such as light-emitting diodes, photodetectors, resonant-cavity light-emitting diodes, vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, and resonant cavity photodetectors.

  7. Unitary lens semiconductor device

    DOEpatents

    Lear, K.L.

    1997-05-27

    A unitary lens semiconductor device and method are disclosed. The unitary lens semiconductor device is provided with at least one semiconductor layer having a composition varying in the growth direction for unitarily forming one or more lenses in the semiconductor layer. Unitary lens semiconductor devices may be formed as light-processing devices such as microlenses, and as light-active devices such as light-emitting diodes, photodetectors, resonant-cavity light-emitting diodes, vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, and resonant cavity photodetectors. 9 figs.

  8. Development of 3D out-of-plane SU-8 microlenses using modified micromolding in capillaries (MIMIC) technology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Llobera, A.; Wilke, R.; Johnson, D. W.; Büttgenbach, S.

    2006-04-01

    This paper describes a modification of the standard MIMIC technology, solving its main drawbacks, to define arrays of spherical or ellipsoidal microlenses. Perfectly symmetrical meniscuses have been obtained by using a XP SU-8 NO-2 layer beneath the PDMS mold. Moreover, the photostructurable properties of this polymer allow obtaining self-alignment structures for adequate fiber optics positioning. Microchannels ended with these meniscuses have been filled with standard SU-8 to obtain 3D microlenses. Agreement between theory and experimental results allows confirming the validity of the proposed technology.

  9. Architecture and applications of a high resolution gated SPAD image sensor

    PubMed Central

    Burri, Samuel; Maruyama, Yuki; Michalet, Xavier; Regazzoni, Francesco; Bruschini, Claudio; Charbon, Edoardo

    2014-01-01

    We present the architecture and three applications of the largest resolution image sensor based on single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) published to date. The sensor, fabricated in a high-voltage CMOS process, has a resolution of 512 × 128 pixels and a pitch of 24 μm. The fill-factor of 5% can be increased to 30% with the use of microlenses. For precise control of the exposure and for time-resolved imaging, we use fast global gating signals to define exposure windows as small as 4 ns. The uniformity of the gate edges location is ∼140 ps (FWHM) over the whole array, while in-pixel digital counting enables frame rates as high as 156 kfps. Currently, our camera is used as a highly sensitive sensor with high temporal resolution, for applications ranging from fluorescence lifetime measurements to fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and generation of true random numbers. PMID:25090572

  10. Simulation for light extraction efficiency of OLEDs with spheroidal microlenses in hexagonal array

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bae, Hyungchul; Kim, Jun Soo; Hong, Chinsoo

    2018-05-01

    A theoretical model based on ray optics is used to simulate the optical performance of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with spheroidal microlens arrays (MLAs) in a hexagonal array configuration using the Monte Carlo method. In simulations, ray tracing was performed until 20 reflections occurred from the metal cathode, with 10 consecutive reflections permitted in a single lens pattern. The parameters describing the shape and array of the lens pattern of a MLA are its radius, height, contact angle, and fill factor (FF). Many previous results on how these parameters affect light extraction efficiency (LEE) are inconsistent. In this paper, these contradictory results are discussed and explained by introducing a new parameter. To examine light extraction from an OLED through a MLA, the LEE enhancement is studied considering the effect of absorption by indium tin oxide during multiple reflections from the metal cathode. The device size where LEE enhancement is unchanged with changing lens pattern was identified for a fixed FF; under this condition, the optimal LEE enhancement, 84%, can be obtained using an OLED with a close-packed spheroidal MLA. An ideal maximum LEE enhancement of 120% was achieved with a device with an infinite-sized MLA. The angular intensity distribution of light emitted through a MLA is considered in addition to LEE enhancement for an optimized MLA.

  11. Planar waveguide microlenses for nonblocking photonic switches and optical interconnects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Glebov, Alexei L.; Huang, Lidu; Lee, Michael; Aoki, Shigenori; Yokouchi, Kishio

    2004-09-01

    Different types of planar waveguide microlenses are fabricated with PLC technologies from a variety of optical materials such as silica, photo-definable epoxy resins, and a number of other optical polymers. Hybrid microlenses are also fabricated in which the base of the lens, with a double concave gap, is formed from silica and the gap is filled with an optical polymer. The optimized lens structures provide the maximum coupling efficiencies between the input and output channels at distances up to 100 mm with a minimum channel pitch of 0.5-0.7 mm. Experimental and theoretical studies provide results on collimation and focusing properties of single and double microlenses made of silica, polymer, and silica/polymer. The evaluation of the temperature and wavelength effects on the collimation characteristics of the lenses demonstrate that the single lenses are more stable and, thus, more suitable for operations under varying conditions. Examples of the planar waveguide microlens applications are presented. In one application the microlens arrays are integrated in fast electrooptic photonic switching modules. In the other application the microlenses are embedded in the backplanes with nonblocking optical interconnects.

  12. Laser micromachining of optical devices

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kopitkovas, Giedrius; Lippert, Thomas; David, Christian; Sulcas, Rokas; Hobley, Jonathan; Wokaun, Alexander J.; Gobrecht, Jens

    2004-10-01

    The combination of a gray tone phase mask with a laser assisted wet etching process was applied to fabricate complex microstructures in UV transparent dielectric materials. This one-step method allows the generation of arrays of plano-convex and Fresnel micro-lenses using a conventional XeCl excimer laser and an absorbing liquid, which is in contact with the UV transparent material. An array of plano-convex micro-lenses was tested as beam homogenizer for a high power XeCl excimer and ps Nd:YAG laser. The roughness of the etched features varies from several μm to 10 nm, depending on the laser fluence and concentration of the dye in the organic liquid. The etching process can be divided into several etching mechanisms which vary with laser fluence.

  13. Nano-imaging enabled via self-assembly

    PubMed Central

    McLeod, Euan; Ozcan, Aydogan

    2014-01-01

    SUMMARY Imaging object details with length scales below approximately 200 nm has been historically difficult for conventional microscope objective lenses because of their inability to resolve features smaller than one-half the optical wavelength. Here we review some of the recent approaches to surpass this limit by harnessing self-assembly as a fabrication mechanism. Self-assembly can be used to form individual nano- and micro-lenses, as well as to form extended arrays of such lenses. These lenses have been shown to enable imaging with resolutions as small as 50 nm half-pitch using visible light, which is well below the Abbe diffraction limit. Furthermore, self-assembled nano-lenses can be used to boost contrast and signal levels from small nano-particles, enabling them to be detected relative to background noise. Finally, alternative nano-imaging applications of self-assembly are discussed, including three-dimensional imaging, enhanced coupling from light-emitting diodes, and the fabrication of contrast agents such as quantum dots and nanoparticles. PMID:25506387

  14. Fabrication of optical microlenses by a new inkjet printing technique based on pyro-electrohydrodynamic (PEHD) effect

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Coppola, S.; Vespini, V.; Grimaldi, I. A.; Loffredo, F.; Villani, F.; Miccio, L.; Grilli, S.; Ferraro, P.

    2012-06-01

    Here the pyroelectric functionality of a Lithium Niobate (LN) substrate is used for non-contact manipulation of liquids. In this work we introduced the use of a pyro-electrohydrodynamc (PEHD) dispenser for the manipulation of high viscous polymer materials leading to the fabrication of arrays of microlenses. The set-up used for the experiment is described and the fabricated microlenses are analyzed by means of the Digital Holography (DH) set-up in transmission mode and through profilometric analysis. PMMA based ink was employed for the realization of optical quality microsctructures whose geometrical properties and, hence, the focal lengths were controlled by modifying the printing configuration of the PEHD method. The profilometric results are in agreement with those calculated using the digital holography technique.

  15. Laser Surface Microstructuring of Biocompatible Materials Using a Microlens Array and the Talbot Effect: Evaluation of the Cell Adhesion.

    PubMed

    Aymerich, María; Nieto, Daniel; Álvarez, Ezequiel; Flores-Arias, María T

    2017-02-22

    A laser based technique for microstructuring titanium and tantalum substrates using the Talbot effect and an array of microlenses is presented. By using this hybrid technique; we are able to generate different patterns and geometries on the top surfaces of the biomaterials. The Talbot effect allows us to rapidly make microstructuring, solving the common problems of using microlenses for multipatterning; where the material expelled during the ablation of biomaterials damages the microlens. The Talbot effect permits us to increase the working distance and reduce the period of the patterns. We also demonstrate that the geometries and patterns act as anchor points for cells; affecting the cell adhesion to the metallic substrates and guiding how they spread over the material.

  16. Laser Surface Microstructuring of Biocompatible Materials Using a Microlens Array and the Talbot Effect: Evaluation of the Cell Adhesion

    PubMed Central

    Aymerich, María; Nieto, Daniel; Álvarez, Ezequiel; Flores-Arias, María T.

    2017-01-01

    A laser based technique for microstructuring titanium and tantalum substrates using the Talbot effect and an array of microlenses is presented. By using this hybrid technique; we are able to generate different patterns and geometries on the top surfaces of the biomaterials. The Talbot effect allows us to rapidly make microstructuring, solving the common problems of using microlenses for multipatterning; where the material expelled during the ablation of biomaterials damages the microlens. The Talbot effect permits us to increase the working distance and reduce the period of the patterns. We also demonstrate that the geometries and patterns act as anchor points for cells; affecting the cell adhesion to the metallic substrates and guiding how they spread over the material. PMID:28772574

  17. Micro-optics for simultaneous multi-spectral imaging applied to chemical/biological and IED detection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hinnrichs, Michele

    2012-06-01

    Using diffractive micro-lenses configured in an array and placed in close proximity to the focal plane array will enable a small compact simultaneous multispectral imaging camera. This approach can be applied to spectral regions from the ultraviolet (UV) to the long-wave infrared (LWIR). The number of simultaneously imaged spectral bands is determined by the number of individually configured diffractive optical micro-lenses (lenslet) in the array. Each lenslet images at a different wavelength determined by the blaze and set at the time of manufacturing based on application. In addition, modulation of the focal length of the lenslet array with piezoelectric or electro-static actuation will enable spectral band fill-in allowing hyperspectral imaging. Using the lenslet array with dual-band detectors will increase the number of simultaneous spectral images by a factor of two when utilizing multiple diffraction orders. Configurations and concept designs will be presented for detection application for biological/chemical agents, buried IED's and reconnaissance. The simultaneous detection of multiple spectral images in a single frame of data enhances the image processing capability by eliminating temporal differences between colors and enabling a handheld instrument that is insensitive to motion.

  18. Means for phase locking the outputs of a surface emitting laser diode array

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lesh, James R. (Inventor)

    1987-01-01

    An array of diode lasers, either a two-dimensional array of surface emitting lasers, or a linear array of stripe lasers, is phase locked by a diode laser through a hologram which focuses the output of the diode laser into a set of distinct, spatially separated beams, each one focused onto the back facet of a separate diode laser of the array. The outputs of the diode lasers thus form an emitted coherent beam out of the front of the array.

  19. Cholesteric microlenses and micromirrors in the beetle cuticle and in synthetic oligomer films: a comparative study

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Agez, Gonzague; Bayon, Chloé; Mitov, Michel

    2017-02-01

    The polygonal texture in cholesteric liquid crystals consist in an array of contiguous polygonal cells. The optical response and the structure of polygonal texture are investigated in the cuticle of beetle Chrysina gloriosa and in synthetic oligomer films. In the insect carapace, the polygons are concave and behave as spherical micro-mirrors whereas they are convex and behave as diverging microlenses in synthetic films. The characteristics of light focusing (spot, donut or continuum background) are highly tunable with the wavelength and the polarization of the incident light.

  20. Quantitative Phase Microscopy for Accurate Characterization of Microlens Arrays

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Grilli, Simonetta; Miccio, Lisa; Merola, Francesco; Finizio, Andrea; Paturzo, Melania; Coppola, Sara; Vespini, Veronica; Ferraro, Pietro

    Microlens arrays are of fundamental importance in a wide variety of applications in optics and photonics. This chapter deals with an accurate digital holography-based characterization of both liquid and polymeric microlenses fabricated by an innovative pyro-electrowetting process. The actuation of liquid and polymeric films is obtained through the use of pyroelectric charges generated into polar dielectric lithium niobate crystals.

  1. Microlens fabrication by replica molding of frozen laser-printed droplets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Surdo, Salvatore; Diaspro, Alberto; Duocastella, Martí

    2017-10-01

    In this work, we synergistically combine laser-induced forward transfer (LIFT) and replica molding for the fabrication of microlenses with control of their geometry and size independent of the material or substrate used. Our approach is based on a multistep process in which liquid microdroplets of an aqueous solution are first printed on a substrate by LIFT. Following a freezing step, the microdroplets are used as a master to fabricate a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mold. A subsequent replica molding step enables the creation of microlenses and microlens arrays on arbitrary selected substrates and by using different curable polymers. Thus, our method combines the rapid fabrication capabilities of LIFT and the perfectively smooth surface quality of the generated microdroplets, with the advantages of replica molding in terms of parallelization and materials flexibility. We demonstrate our strategy by generating microlenses of different photocurable polymers and by characterizing their optical and morphological properties.

  2. Microlens array for focusing airborne ultrasound using heated wire grid

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cai, Liang-Wu; Sánchez-Dehesa, José

    2007-10-01

    This letter reports on the focusing of airborne ultrasound by a simple grid of heated wires. The focusing is analogous to that of an array of optical microlenses. The focusing pattern is determined by the spacing between wires, and the focusing areas are tightly confined with a great "depth of field." Such acoustical microlens arrays have great potentials for shaping beams produced by ultrasonic transducers, in applications such as ultrasonic cleaning and nondestructive testing.

  3. SEM contour based metrology for microlens process studies in CMOS image sensor technologies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lakcher, Amine; Ostrovsky, Alain; Le-Gratiet, Bertrand; Berthier, Ludovic; Bidault, Laurent; Ducoté, Julien; Jamin-Mornet, Clémence; Mortini, Etienne; Besacier, Maxime

    2018-03-01

    From the first digital cameras which appeared during the 70s to cameras of current smartphones, image sensors have undergone significant technological development in the last decades. The development of CMOS image sensor technologies in the 90s has been the main driver of the recent progresses. The main component of an image sensor is the pixel. A pixel contains a photodiode connected to transistors but only the photodiode area is light sensitive. This results in a significant loss of efficiency. To solve this issue, microlenses are used to focus the incident light on the photodiode. A microlens array is made out of a transparent material and has a spherical cap shape. To obtain this spherical shape, a lithography process is performed to generate resist blocks which are then annealed above their glass transition temperature (reflow). Even if the dimensions to consider are higher than in advanced IC nodes, microlenses are sensitive to process variability during lithography and reflow. A good control of the microlens dimensions is key to optimize the process and thus the performance of the final product. The purpose of this paper is to apply SEM contour metrology [1, 2, 3, 4] to microlenses in order to develop a relevant monitoring methodology and to propose new metrics to engineers to evaluate their process or optimize the design of the microlens arrays.

  4. Aberration analysis and calculation in system of Gaussian beam illuminates lenslet array

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhao, Zhu; Hui, Mei; Zhou, Ping; Su, Tianquan; Feng, Yun; Zhao, Yuejin

    2014-09-01

    Low order aberration was founded when focused Gaussian beam imaging at Kodak KAI -16000 image detector, which is integrated with lenslet array. Effect of focused Gaussian beam and numerical simulation calculation of the aberration were presented in this paper. First, we set up a model of optical imaging system based on previous experiment. Focused Gaussian beam passed through a pinhole and was received by Kodak KAI -16000 image detector whose microlenses of lenslet array were exactly focused on sensor surface. Then, we illustrated the characteristics of focused Gaussian beam and the effect of relative space position relations between waist of Gaussian beam and front spherical surface of microlenses to the aberration. Finally, we analyzed the main element of low order aberration and calculated the spherical aberration caused by lenslet array according to the results of above two steps. Our theoretical calculations shown that , the numerical simulation had a good agreement with the experimental result. Our research results proved that spherical aberration was the main element and made up about 93.44% of the 48 nm error, which was demonstrated in previous experiment. The spherical aberration is inversely proportional to the value of divergence distance between microlens and waist, and directly proportional to the value of the Gaussian beam waist radius.

  5. Tunable liquid microlens arrays in electrode-less configuration and their accurate characterization by interference microscopy.

    PubMed

    Miccio, L; Finizio, A; Grilli, S; Vespini, V; Paturzo, M; De Nicola, S; Ferraro, Pietro

    2009-02-16

    A special class of tunable liquid microlenses is presented here. The microlenses are generated by an electrowetting effect under an electrode-less configuration and they exhibit two different regimes that are named here as separated lens regime (SLR) and wave-like lens regime (WLR). The lens effect is induced by the pyroelectricity of polar dielectric crystals, as was proved in principle in a previous work by the same authors (S. Grilli et al., Opt. Express 16, 8084, 2008). Compared to that work, the improvements to the experimental set-up and procedure allow to reveal the two lens regimes which exhibit different optical properties. A digital holography technique is used to reconstruct the transmitted wavefront during focusing and a focal length variation in the millimetre range is observed. The tunability of such microlenses could be of great interest to the field of micro-optics thanks to the possibility to achieve focus tuning without moving parts and thus favouring the miniaturization of the optical systems.

  6. Controlled microfluidic interfaces for microsensors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jiang, H.

    2009-02-01

    Lab on a chip has found many applications in biological and chemical analysis, including pathogen detections. Because these labs on chips involve handling of fluids at the microscale, surface tension profoundly affects the behavior and performance of these systems. Through careful engineering, controlled liquid-liquid or liquid-gas interfaces at the microscale can be formed and used in many interesting applications. In this talk, I will present our work on applying such interfaces to microsensing. These interfaces are created at hydrophobic-hydrophilic boundaries formed within microfluidic channels and pinned by surface tension. We have designed and fabricated a few microsensing techniques including chemical and biological sensing using dissolvable micromembranes in microchannels, chemical and biological sensing at liquid crystals interfacing either air or aqueous solutions, and collection of gaseous samples and aerosols through air-liquid microfludic interfaces. I will next introduce on-chip microlenses and microlens arrays for optical detection, including smart and adaptive liquid microlenses actuated by stimuli-responsive hydrogels, and liquid microlenses in situ formed within microfluidic channels via pneumatic control of droplets.

  7. Noncontact Characterization of PV Detector Arrays

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1990-06-01

    11-7 3 III DIODE ARRAY AS A SAW CONVOLVER/STORAGE CORRELATOR .... III-1 III.A NONLINEAR ( VARACTOR ) ACTION OF THE DIODES .......................... I...associated with the diodes in the detector array. The varactor action of the diodes produces a voltage across the diodes which is pro- portional to the...type of interactions desired herein. An alternative approach is to em- ploy thin dielectric overlays, such as zinc oxide or silicon nitride

  8. Reliability of High Power Laser Diode Arrays Operating in Long Pulse Mode

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Amzajerdian, Farzin; Meadows, Byron L.; Barnes, Bruce W.; Lockard, George E.; Singh, Upendra N.; Kavaya, Michael J.; Baker, Nathaniel R.

    2006-01-01

    Reliability and lifetime of quasi-CW laser diode arrays are greatly influenced by their thermal characteristics. This paper examines the thermal properties of laser diode arrays operating in long pulse duration regime.

  9. Campaign 9 of the K2 Mission: Observational Parameters, Scientific Drivers, and Community Involvement for a Simultaneous Space- and Ground-based Microlensing Survey

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Henderson, Calen B.; Poleski, Radoslaw; Penny, Matthew; Street, Rachel A.; Bennett, David P.; Hogg, David W.; Gaudi, B. Scott; Zhu, W.; Barclay, T.; Barentsen, G.; hide

    2016-01-01

    K2's Campaign 9 (K2C9) will conduct a approximately 3.7 sq. deg survey toward the Galactic bulge from 2016 April 22 through July 2 that will leverage the spatial separation between K2 and the Earth to facilitate measurement of the microlens parallax Pi(sub E) for approximately greater than 170 microlensing events. These will include several that are planetary in nature as well as many short-timescale microlensing events, which are potentially indicative of free-floating planets (FFPs). These satellite parallax measurements will in turn allow for the direct measurement of the masses of and distances to the lensing systems. In this article we provide an overview of the K2C9 space- and ground-based microlensing survey. Specifically, we detail the demographic questions that can be addressed by this program, including the frequency of FFPs and the Galactic distribution of exoplanets, the observational parameters of K2C9, and the array of resources dedicated to concurrent observations. Finally, we outline the avenues through which the larger community can become involved, and generally encourage participation in K2C9, which constitutes an important pathfinding mission and community exercise in anticipation of WFIRST.

  10. Fluorescent sensing with Fresnel microlenses for optofluidic systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Siudzińska, Anna; Miszczuk, Andrzej; Marczak, Jacek; Komorowska, Katarzyna

    2017-05-01

    The concept of fluorescent sensing in a microchannel equipped with focusing light Fresnel lenses has been demonstrated. The concept employs a line or array of Fresnel lenses generating a line or array of focused light spots within a microfluidic channel, to increase the sensitivity of fluorescent signal detection in the system. We have presented efficient methods of master mold fabrication based on the lithography method and focused ion beam milling. The flexible microchannel was fabricated by an imprint process with new thiolene-epoxy resin with a good ability to replicate even submicron-size features. For final imprinted lenses, the measured background to peak signal level shows more than nine times the increase in brightness at the center of the focal spot for the green part of the spectrum (532 nm). The effectiveness of the microlenses in fluorescent-marked Escherichia coli bacteria was confirmed in a basic fluoroscope experiment, showing the increase of the sensitivity of the detection by the order of magnitude.

  11. Wide-angle camera with multichannel architecture using microlenses on a curved surface.

    PubMed

    Liang, Wei-Lun; Shen, Hui-Kai; Su, Guo-Dung J

    2014-06-10

    We propose a multichannel imaging system that combines the principles of an insect's compound eye and the human eye. The optical system enables a reduction in track length of the imaging device to achieve miniaturization. The multichannel structure is achieved by a curved microlens array, and a Hypergon lens is used as the main lens to simulate the human eye, achieving large field of view (FOV). With this architecture, each microlens of the array transmits a segment of the overall FOV. The partial images are recorded in separate channels and stitched together to form the final image of the whole FOV by image processing. The design is 2.7 mm thick, with 59 channels; the 100°×80° full FOV is optimized using ZEMAX ray-tracing software on an image plane. The image plane size is 4.53  mm×3.29  mm. Given the recent progress in the fabrication of microlenses, this image system has the potential to be commercialized in the near future.

  12. Calcitic microlenses as part of the photoreceptor system in brittlestars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aizenberg, Joanna; Tkachenko, Alexei; Weiner, Steve; Addadi, Lia; Hendler, Gordon

    2001-08-01

    Photosensitivity in most echinoderms has been attributed to `diffuse' dermal receptors. Here we report that certain single calcite crystals used by brittlestars for skeletal construction are also a component of specialized photosensory organs, conceivably with the function of a compound eye. The analysis of arm ossicles in Ophiocoma showed that in light-sensitive species, the periphery of the labyrinthic calcitic skeleton extends into a regular array of spherical microstructures that have a characteristic double-lens design. These structures are absent in light-indifferent species. Photolithographic experiments in which a photoresist film was illuminated through the lens array showed selective exposure of the photoresist under the lens centres. These results provide experimental evidence that the microlenses are optical elements that guide and focus the light inside the tissue. The estimated focal distance (4-7µm below the lenses) coincides with the location of nerve bundles-the presumed primary photoreceptors. The lens array is designed to minimize spherical aberration and birefringence and to detect light from a particular direction. The optical performance is further optimized by phototropic chromatophores that regulate the dose of illumination reaching the receptors. These structures represent an example of a multifunctional biomaterial that fulfills both mechanical and optical functions.

  13. Thin planar package for cooling an array of edge-emitting laser diodes

    DOEpatents

    Mundinger, David C.; Benett, William J.

    1992-01-01

    A laser diode array is disclosed that includes a plurality of planar assemblies and active cooling of each assembly. The laser diode array may be operated in a long duty cycle, or in continuous operation. A laser diode bar and a microchannel heat sink are thermally coupled in a compact, thin planar assembly having the laser diode bar located proximate to one edge. In an array, a number of such thin planar assemblies are secured together in a stacked configuration, in close proximity so that the laser diodes are spaced closely. The cooling means includes a microchannel heat sink proximate to the laser diode bar to absorb heat generated by laser operation. To provide the coolant to the microchannels, each thin planar assembly comprises passageways that connect the microchannels to inlet and outlet corridors. Each inlet passageway may comprise a narrow slot that directs coolant into the microchannels and increases the velocity of flow therethrough. The corridors comprises holes extending through each of the assemblies in the array. The inlet and outlet corridors are connected to a conventional coolant circulation system. The laser diode array with active cooling has applications as an optical pump for high power solid state lasers, or by mating the diodes with fiber optic lenses. Further, the arrays can be useful in applications having space constraints and energy limitations, and in military and space applications. The arrays can be incorporated in equipment such as communications devices and active sensors.

  14. Qualification of Laser Diode Arrays for Mercury Laser Altimeter

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stephen, Mark; Vasilyev, Aleksey; Schafer, John; Allan, Graham R.

    2004-01-01

    NASA's requirements for high reliability, high performance satellite laser instruments have driven the investigation of many critical components; specifically, 808 nm laser diode array (LDA) pump devices. Performance of Quasi-CW, High-power, laser diode arrays under extended use is presented. We report the optical power over several hundred million pulse operation and the effect of power cycling and temperature cycling of the laser diode arrays. Data on the initial characterization of the devices is also presented.

  15. A front-end wafer-level microsystem packaging technique with micro-cap array

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chiang, Yuh-Min

    2002-09-01

    The back-end packaging process is the remaining challenge for the micromachining industry to commercialize microsystem technology (MST) devices at low cost. This dissertation presents a novel wafer level protection technique as a final step of the front-end fabrication process for MSTs. It facilitates improved manufacturing throughput and automation in package assembly, wafer level testing of devices, and enhanced device performance. The method involves the use of a wafer-sized micro-cap array, which consists of an assortment of small caps micro-molded onto a material with adjustable shapes and sizes to serve as protective structures against the hostile environments during packaging. The micro-cap array is first constructed by a micromachining process with micro-molding technique, then sealed to the device wafer at wafer level. Epoxy-based wafer-level micro cap array has been successfully fabricated and showed good compatibility with conventional back-end packaging processes. An adhesive transfer technique was demonstrated to seal the micro cap array with a MEMS device wafer. No damage or gross leak was observed while wafer dicing or later during a gross leak test. Applications of the micro cap array are demonstrated on MEMS, microactuators fabricated using CRONOS MUMPS process. Depending on the application needs, the micro-molded cap can be designed and modified to facilitate additional component functions, such as optical, electrical, mechanical, and chemical functions, which are not easily achieved in the device by traditional means. Successful fabrication of a micro cap array comprised with microlenses can provide active functions as well as passive protection. An optical tweezer array could be one possibility for applications of a micro cap with microlenses. The micro cap itself could serve as micro well for DNA or bacteria amplification as well.

  16. Laser diode stack beam shaping for efficient and compact long-range laser illuminator design

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lutz, Y.; Poyet, J. M.

    2014-04-01

    Laser diode stacks are interesting laser sources for active imaging illuminators. They allow the accumulation of large amounts of energy in multi-pulse mode, which is best suited for long-range image recording. Even when the laser diode stacks are equipped with fast-axis collimation (FAC) and slow-axis collimation (SAC) micro-lenses, their beam parameter products BPP are not compatible with direct use in highly efficient and compact illuminators. This is particularly true when narrow divergences are required such as for long-range applications. A solution to overcome these difficulties is to enhance the poor slow-axis BPP by virtually restacking the laser diode stack. We present a beam shaping and homogenization method that is low-cost and efficient and has low alignment sensitivity. After conducting simulations, we have realized and characterized the illuminator. A compact long-range laser illuminator has been set up with a divergence of 3.5×2.6 mrad and a global efficiency of 81%. Here, a projection lens with a clear aperture of 62 mm and a focal length of 571 mm was used.

  17. Robotic radiosurgery system patient-specific QA for extracranial treatments using the planar ion chamber array and the cylindrical diode array.

    PubMed

    Lin, Mu-Han; Veltchev, Iavor; Koren, Sion; Ma, Charlie; Li, Jinsgeng

    2015-07-08

    Robotic radiosurgery system has been increasingly employed for extracranial treatments. This work is aimed to study the feasibility of a cylindrical diode array and a planar ion chamber array for patient-specific QA with this robotic radiosurgery system and compare their performance. Fiducial markers were implanted in both systems to enable image-based setup. An in-house program was developed to postprocess the movie file of the measurements and apply the beam-by-beam angular corrections for both systems. The impact of noncoplanar delivery was then assessed by evaluating the angles created by the incident beams with respect to the two detector arrangements and cross-comparing the planned dose distribution to the measured ones with/without the angular corrections. The sensitivity of detecting the translational (1-3 mm) and the rotational (1°-3°) delivery errors were also evaluated for both systems. Six extracranial patient plans (PTV 7-137 cm³) were measured with these two systems and compared with the calculated doses. The plan dose distributions were calculated with ray-tracing and the Monte Carlo (MC) method, respectively. With 0.8 by 0.8 mm² diodes, the output factors measured with the cylindrical diode array agree better with the commissioning data. The maximum angular correction for a given beam is 8.2% for the planar ion chamber array and 2.4% for the cylindrical diode array. The two systems demonstrate a comparable sensitivity of detecting the translational targeting errors, while the cylindrical diode array is more sensitive to the rotational targeting error. The MC method is necessary for dose calculations in the cylindrical diode array phantom because the ray-tracing algorithm fails to handle the high-Z diodes and the acrylic phantom. For all the patient plans, the cylindrical diode array/ planar ion chamber array demonstrate 100% / > 92% (3%/3 mm) and > 96% / ~ 80% (2%/2 mm) passing rates. The feasibility of using both systems for robotic radiosurgery system patient-specific QA has been demonstrated. For gamma evaluation, 2%/2 mm criteria for cylindrical diode array and 3%/3 mm criteria for planar ion chamber array are suggested. The customized angular correction is necessary as proven by the improved passing rate, especially with the planar ion chamber array system.

  18. Characterization of High-power Quasi-cw Laser Diode Arrays

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stephen, Mark A.; Vasilyev, Aleksey; Troupaki, Elisavet; Allan, Graham R.; Kashem, Nasir B.

    2005-01-01

    NASA s requirements for high reliability, high performance satellite laser instruments have driven the investigation of many critical components; specifically, 808 nm laser diode array (LDA) pump devices. Performance and comprehensive characterization data of Quasi-CW, High-power, laser diode arrays is presented.

  19. Improving Reliability of High Power Quasi-CW Laser Diode Arrays for Pumping Solid State Lasers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Amzajerdian, Farzin; Meadows, Byron L.; Baker, Nathaniel R.; Barnes, Bruce W.; Baggott, Renee S.; Lockard, George E.; Singh, Upendra N.; Kavaya, Michael J.

    2005-01-01

    Most Lidar applications rely on moderate to high power solid state lasers to generate the required transmitted pulses. However, the reliability of solid state lasers, which can operate autonomously over long periods, is constrained by their laser diode pump arrays. Thermal cycling of the active regions is considered the primary reason for rapid degradation of the quasi-CW high power laser diode arrays, and the excessive temperature rise is the leading suspect in premature failure. The thermal issues of laser diode arrays are even more drastic for 2-micron solid state lasers which require considerably longer pump pulses compared to the more commonly used pump arrays for 1-micron lasers. This paper describes several advanced packaging techniques being employed for more efficient heat removal from the active regions of the laser diode bars. Experimental results for several high power laser diode array devices will be reported and their performance when operated at long pulsewidths of about 1msec will be described.

  20. V-shaped resonators for addition of broad-area laser diode arrays

    DOEpatents

    Liu, Bo; Liu, Yun; Braiman, Yehuda Y.

    2012-12-25

    A system and method for addition of broad-area semiconductor laser diode arrays are described. The system can include an array of laser diodes, a V-shaped external cavity, and grating systems to provide feedback for phase-locking of the laser diode array. A V-shaped mirror used to couple the laser diode emissions along two optical paths can be a V-shaped prism mirror, a V-shaped stepped mirror or include multiple V-shaped micro-mirrors. The V-shaped external cavity can be a ring cavity. The system can include an external injection laser to further improve coherence and phase-locking.

  1. Stacked, Filtered Multi-Channel X-Ray Diode Array

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

    MacNeil, Lawrence P.; Dutra, Eric C.; Raphaelian, Mark

    2015-08-01

    This system meets the need for a low-cost, robust X-ray diode array to use for experiments in hostile environments on multiple platforms, and for experiments utilizing forces that may destroy the diode(s). Since these uses require a small size with a minimal single line-of-sight, a parallel array often cannot be used. So a stacked, filtered multi-channel X-ray diode array was developed that was called the MiniXRD. The design was modeled, built, and tested at National Security Technologies, LLC (NSTec) Livermore Operations (LO) to determine fundamental characteristics. Then, several different systems were fielded as ancillary “ridealong” diagnostics at several national facilitiesmore » to allow us to iteratively improve the design and usability. Presented here are design considerations and experimental results. This filtered diode array is currently at Technical Readiness Level (TRL) 6.« less

  2. Direct laser writing for micro-optical devices using a negative photoresist.

    PubMed

    Tsutsumi, Naoto; Hirota, Junichi; Kinashi, Kenji; Sakai, Wataru

    2017-12-11

    Direct laser writing (DLW) via two-photon absorption (TPA) has attracted much attention as a new microfabrication technique because it can be applied to fabricate complex, three-dimensional (3D) microstructures. In this study, 3D microstructures and micro-optical devices of micro-lens array on the micrometer scale are fabricated using the negative photoresist SU-8 through TPA with a femtosecond laser pulse under a microscope. The effects of the irradiation conditions on linewidths, such as laser power, writing speed, and writing cycles (a number of times a line is overwritten), are investigated before the fabrication of the 3D microstructures. Various microstructures such as woodpiles, hemisphere and microstructures, 3D micro-lens and micro-lens array for micro-optical devices are fabricated. The shape of the micro-lens is evaluated using the shape analysis mode of a laser microscope to calculate the working distance of the fabricated micro-lenses. The calculated working distance corresponds well to the experimentally measured value. The focusing performance of the fabricated micro-lens is confirmed by the TPA fluorescence of an isopropyl thioxanthone (ITX) ethanol solution excited by a Ti:sapphire femtosecond laser at 800 nm. Micro-lens array (assembled 9 micro-lenses) are fabricated. Nine independent woodpile structures are simultaneously manufactured by DLW via TPA to confirm the multi-focusing ability using the fabricated micro-lens array.

  3. By-Pass Diode Temperature Tests of a Solar Array Coupon under Space Thermal Environment Conditions

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wright, Kenneth H.; Schneider, Todd A.; Vaughn, Jason A.; Hoang, Bao; Wong, Frankie; Wu, Gordon

    2016-01-01

    By-Pass diodes are a key design feature of solar arrays and system design must be robust against local heating, especially with implementation of larger solar cells. By-Pass diode testing was performed to aid thermal model development for use in future array designs that utilize larger cell sizes that result in higher string currents. Testing was performed on a 56-cell Advanced Triple Junction solar array coupon provided by SSL. Test conditions were vacuum with cold array backside using discrete by-pass diode current steps of 0.25 A ranging from 0 A to 2.0 A.

  4. Fabricating binary optics: An overview of binary optics process technology

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stern, Margaret B.

    1993-01-01

    A review of binary optics processing technology is presented. Pattern replication techniques have been optimized to generate high-quality efficient microoptics in visible and infrared materials. High resolution optical photolithography and precision alignment is used to fabricate maximally efficient fused silica diffractive microlenses at lambda = 633 nm. The degradation in optical efficiency of four-phase-level fused silica microlenses resulting from an intentional 0.35 micron translational error has been systematically measured as a function of lens speed (F/2 - F/60). Novel processes necessary for high sag refractive IR microoptics arrays, including deep anisotropic Si-etching, planarization of deep topography and multilayer resist techniques, are described. Initial results are presented for monolithic integration of photonic and microoptic systems.

  5. Surface smoothening of the inherent roughness of micro-lenses fabricated with 2-photon lithography

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schift, Helmut; Kirchner, Robert; Chidambaram, Nachiappan; Altana, Mirco

    2018-01-01

    Two-photon polymerization by direct laser writing enables to write refractive micro-optical elements with sub-μm precision. The trajectories and layering during the direct writing process often result in roughness in the range of the writing increment, which has adverse effects for optical applications. Instead of increasing overlap between adjacent voxels, roughness in the range of 100 nm can be smoothed out by post-processing. For this a method known as TASTE was developed, which allows polishing of surfaces without changing the structural details or the overall shape. It works particularly well with thermoplastic polymers and enables sub-10 nm roughness. The optical quality was confirmed for an array with several 100 microlenses.

  6. Retinal fundus imaging with a plenoptic sensor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Thurin, Brice; Bloch, Edward; Nousias, Sotiris; Ourselin, Sebastien; Keane, Pearse; Bergeles, Christos

    2018-02-01

    Vitreoretinal surgery is moving towards 3D visualization of the surgical field. This require acquisition system capable of recording such 3D information. We propose a proof of concept imaging system based on a light-field camera where an array of micro-lenses is placed in front of a conventional sensor. With a single snapshot, a stack of images focused at different depth are produced on the fly, which provides enhanced depth perception for the surgeon. Difficulty in depth localization of features and frequent focus-change during surgery are making current vitreoretinal heads-up surgical imaging systems cumbersome to use. To improve the depth perception and eliminate the need to manually refocus on the instruments during the surgery, we designed and implemented a proof-of-concept ophthalmoscope equipped with a commercial light-field camera. The sensor of our camera is composed of an array of micro-lenses which are projecting an array of overlapped micro-images. We show that with a single light-field snapshot we can digitally refocus between the retina and a tool located in front of the retina or display an extended depth-of-field image where everything is in focus. The design and system performances of the plenoptic fundus camera are detailed. We will conclude by showing in vivo data recorded with our device.

  7. Modular package for cooling a laser diode array

    DOEpatents

    Mundinger, David C.; Benett, William J.; Beach, Raymond J.

    1992-01-01

    A laser diode array is disclosed that includes a plurality of planar packages and active cooling. The laser diode array may be operated in a long duty cycle, or in continuous operation. A laser diode bar and a microchannel heat sink are thermally coupled in a compact, thin planar package having the laser diode bar located proximate to one edge. In an array, a number of such thin planar packages are secured together in a stacked configuration, in close proximity so that the laser diodes are spaced closely. The cooling means includes a microchannel heat sink that is attached proximate to the laser bar so that it absorbs heat generated by laser operation. To provide the coolant to the microchannels, each thin planar package comprises a thin inlet manifold and a thin outlet manifold connected to an inlet corridor and an outlet corridor. The inlet corridor comprises a hole extending through each of the packages in the array, and the outlet corridor comprises a hole extending through each of the packages in the array. The inlet and outlet corridors are connected to a conventional coolant circulation system. The laser diode array with active cooling has application as an optical pump for high power solid state lasers. Further, it can be incorporated in equipment such as communications devices and active sensors, and in military and space applications, and it can be useful in applications having space constraints and energy limitations.

  8. 2000W high beam quality diode laser for direct materials processing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Qin, Wen-bin; Liu, You-qiang; Cao, Yin-hua; Gao, Jing; Pan, Fei; Wang, Zhi-yong

    2011-11-01

    This article describes high beam quality and kilowatt-class diode laser system for direct materials processing, using optical design software ZEMAX® to simulate the diode laser optical path, including the beam shaping, collimation, coupling, focus, etc.. In the experiment, the diode laser stack of 808nm and the diode laser stack of 915nm were used for the wavelength coupling, which were built vertical stacks up to 16 bars. The threshold current of the stack is 6.4A, the operating current is 85A and the output power is 1280W. Through experiments, after collimating the diode laser beam with micro-lenses, the fast axis BPP of the stack is less than 60mm.mrad, and the slow-axis BPP of the stack is less than 75mm.mrad. After shaping the laser beam and improving the beam quality, the fast axis BPP of the stack is still 60mm.mrad, and the slow-axis BPP of the stack is less than 19mm.mrad. After wavelength coupling and focusing, ultimately the power of 2150W was obtained, focal spot size of 1.5mm * 1.2mm with focal length 300mm. The laser power density is 1.2×105W/cm2, and that can be used for metal remelting, alloying, cladding and welding. The total optical coupling conversion efficiency is 84%, and the total electrical - optical conversion efficiency is 50%.

  9. Adaptive liquid microlenses activated by stimuli-responsive hydrogels.

    PubMed

    Dong, Liang; Agarwal, Abhishek K; Beebe, David J; Jiang, Hongrui

    2006-08-03

    Despite its compactness, the human eye can easily focus on different distances by adjusting the shape of its lens with the help of ciliary muscles. In contrast, traditional man-made optical systems achieve focusing by physical displacement of the lenses used. But in recent years, advances in miniaturization technology have led to optical systems that no longer require complicated mechanical systems to tune and adjust optical performance. These systems have found wide use in photonics, displays and biomedical systems. They are either based on arrays of microlenses with fixed focal lengths, or use external control to adjust the microlens focal length. An intriguing example is the tunable liquid lens, where electrowetting or external pressure manipulates the shape of a liquid droplet and thereby adjusts its optical properties. Here we demonstrate a liquid lens system that allows for autonomous focusing. The central component is a stimuli-responsive hydrogel integrated into a microfluidic system and serving as the container for a liquid droplet, with the hydrogel simultaneously sensing the presence of stimuli and actuating adjustments to the shape--and hence focal length--of the droplet. By working at the micrometre scale where ionic diffusion and surface tension scale favourably, we can use pinned liquid-liquid interfaces to obtain stable devices and realize response times of ten to a few tens of seconds. The microlenses, which can have a focal length ranging from -infinity to +infinity (divergent and convergent), are also readily integrated into arrays that may find use in applications such as sensing, medical diagnostics and lab-on-a-chip technologies.

  10. Adaptive liquid microlenses activated by stimuli-responsive hydrogels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dong, Liang; Agarwal, Abhishek K.; Beebe, David J.; Jiang, Hongrui

    2006-08-01

    Despite its compactness, the human eye can easily focus on different distances by adjusting the shape of its lens with the help of ciliary muscles. In contrast, traditional man-made optical systems achieve focusing by physical displacement of the lenses used. But in recent years, advances in miniaturization technology have led to optical systems that no longer require complicated mechanical systems to tune and adjust optical performance. These systems have found wide use in photonics, displays and biomedical systems. They are either based on arrays of microlenses with fixed focal lengths, or use external control to adjust the microlens focal length. An intriguing example is the tunable liquid lens, where electrowetting or external pressure manipulates the shape of a liquid droplet and thereby adjusts its optical properties. Here we demonstrate a liquid lens system that allows for autonomous focusing. The central component is a stimuli-responsive hydrogel integrated into a microfluidic system and serving as the container for a liquid droplet, with the hydrogel simultaneously sensing the presence of stimuli and actuating adjustments to the shape-and hence focal length-of the droplet. By working at the micrometre scale where ionic diffusion and surface tension scale favourably, we can use pinned liquid-liquid interfaces to obtain stable devices and realize response times of ten to a few tens of seconds. The microlenses, which can have a focal length ranging from -∞ to +∞ (divergent and convergent), are also readily integrated into arrays that may find use in applications such as sensing, medical diagnostics and lab-on-a-chip technologies.

  11. Effect of interface layer on the performance of high power diode laser arrays

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Pu; Wang, Jingwei; Xiong, Lingling; Li, Xiaoning; Hou, Dong; Liu, Xingsheng

    2015-02-01

    Packaging is an important part of high power diode laser (HPLD) development and has become one of the key factors affecting the performance of high power diode lasers. In the package structure of HPLD, the interface layer of die bonding has significant effects on the thermal behavior of high power diode laser packages and most degradations and failures in high power diode laser packages are directly related to the interface layer. In this work, the effects of interface layer on the performance of high power diode laser array were studied numerically by modeling and experimentally. Firstly, numerical simulations using finite element method (FEM) were conducted to analyze the effects of voids in the interface layer on the temperature rise in active region of diode laser array. The correlation between junction temperature rise and voids was analyzed. According to the numerical simulation results, it was found that the local temperature rise of active region originated from the voids in the solder layer will lead to wavelength shift of some emitters. Secondly, the effects of solder interface layer on the spectrum properties of high power diode laser array were studied. It showed that the spectrum shape of diode laser array appeared "right shoulder" or "multi-peaks", which were related to the voids in the solder interface layer. Finally, "void-free" techniques were developed to minimize the voids in the solder interface layer and achieve high power diode lasers with better optical-electrical performances.

  12. Qualification Testing of Laser Diode Pump Arrays for a Space-Based 2-micron Coherent Doppler Lidar

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Amzajerdian, Farzin; Meadows, Byron L.; Baker, Nathaniel R.; Barnes, Bruce W.; Singh, Upendra N.; Kavaya, Michael J.

    2007-01-01

    The 2-micron thulium and holmium-based lasers being considered as the transmitter source for space-based coherent Doppler lidar require high power laser diode pump arrays operating in a long pulse regime of about 1 msec. Operating laser diode arrays over such long pulses drastically impact their useful lifetime due to the excessive localized heating and substantial pulse-to-pulse thermal cycling of their active regions. This paper describes the long pulse performance of laser diode arrays and their critical thermal characteristics. A viable approach is then offered that allows for determining the optimum operational parameters leading to the maximum attainable lifetime.

  13. Enhancing the photon-extraction efficiency of site-controlled quantum dots by deterministically fabricated microlenses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kaganskiy, Arsenty; Fischbach, Sarah; Strittmatter, André; Rodt, Sven; Heindel, Tobias; Reitzenstein, Stephan

    2018-04-01

    We report on the realization of scalable single-photon sources (SPSs) based on single site-controlled quantum dots (SCQDs) and deterministically fabricated microlenses. The fabrication process comprises the buried-stressor growth technique complemented with low-temperature in-situ electron-beam lithography for the integration of SCQDs into microlens structures with high yield and high alignment accuracy. The microlens-approach leads to a broadband enhancement of the photon-extraction efficiency of up to (21 ± 2)% and a high suppression of multi-photon events with g (2)(τ = 0) < 0.06 without background subtraction. The demonstrated combination of site-controlled growth of QDs and in-situ electron-beam lithography is relevant for arrays of efficient SPSs which, can be applied in photonic quantum circuits and advanced quantum computation schemes.

  14. SPITZER IRAC PHOTOMETRY FOR TIME SERIES IN CROWDED FIELDS

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

    Novati, S. Calchi; Beichman, C.; Gould, A.

    We develop a new photometry algorithm that is optimized for the Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) Spitzer time series in crowded fields and that is particularly adapted to faint or heavily blended targets. We apply this to the 170 targets from the 2015 Spitzer microlensing campaign and present the results of three variants of this algorithm in an online catalog. We present detailed accounts of the application of this algorithm to two difficult cases, one very faint and the other very crowded. Several of Spitzer's instrumental characteristics that drive the specific features of this algorithm are shared by Kepler and WFIRST,more » implying that these features may prove to be a useful starting point for algorithms designed for microlensing campaigns by these other missions.« less

  15. High-Reliability Pump Module for Non-Planar Ring Oscillator Laser

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Liu, Duncan T.; Qiu, Yueming; Wilson, Daniel W.; Dubovitsky, Serge; Forouhar, Siamak

    2007-01-01

    We propose and have demonstrated a prototype high-reliability pump module for pumping a Non-Planar Ring Oscillator (NPRO) laser suitable for space missions. The pump module consists of multiple fiber-coupled single-mode laser diodes and a fiber array micro-lens array based fiber combiner. The reported Single-Mode laser diode combiner laser pump module (LPM) provides a higher normalized brightness at the combined beam than multimode laser diode based LPMs. A higher brightness from the pump source is essential for efficient NPRO laser pumping and leads to higher reliability because higher efficiency requires a lower operating power for the laser diodes, which in turn increases the reliability and lifetime of the laser diodes. Single-mode laser diodes with Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) stabilized wavelength permit the pump module to be operated without a thermal electric cooler (TEC) and this further improves the overall reliability of the pump module. The single-mode laser diode LPM is scalable in terms of the number of pump diodes and is capable of combining hundreds of fiber-coupled laser diodes. In the proof-of-concept demonstration, an e-beam written diffractive micro lens array, a custom fiber array, commercial 808nm single mode laser diodes, and a custom NPRO laser head are used. The reliability of the proposed LPM is discussed.

  16. Single-pulse femtosecond laser fabrication of concave microlens- and micromirror arrays in chalcohalide glass

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kadan, Viktor; Blonskyi, Ivan; Shynkarenko, Yevhen; Rybak, Andriy; Calvez, Laurent; Mytsyk, Bohdan; Spotyuk, Oleh

    2017-11-01

    The diffraction-limited plano-concave microlens- and micromirror arrays were produced in chalcohalide glass of 65GeS2-25Ga2S3-10CsCl composition transparent from ∼0.5 to 11 μm. Only a single 200 fs laser pulse with 800 nm central wavelength is required to form microlens, which after metal coating becomes a concave micromirror. This process can serve as a basis for flexible technology to fabricate regular microlens and micromirror arrays for optotelecom applications, its performance being limited only by repetition rate of the laser pulses (typically 1000 microlenses per second).

  17. Barrier inhomogeneities limited current and 1/f noise transport in GaN based nanoscale Schottky barrier diodes

    PubMed Central

    Kumar, Ashutosh; Heilmann, M.; Latzel, Michael; Kapoor, Raman; Sharma, Intu; Göbelt, M.; Christiansen, Silke H.; Kumar, Vikram; Singh, Rajendra

    2016-01-01

    The electrical behaviour of Schottky barrier diodes realized on vertically standing individual GaN nanorods and array of nanorods is investigated. The Schottky diodes on individual nanorod show highest barrier height in comparison with large area diodes on nanorods array and epitaxial film which is in contrast with previously published work. The discrepancy between the electrical behaviour of nanoscale Schottky diodes and large area diodes is explained using cathodoluminescence measurements, surface potential analysis using Kelvin probe force microscopy and 1ow frequency noise measurements. The noise measurements on large area diodes on nanorods array and epitaxial film suggest the presence of barrier inhomogeneities at the metal/semiconductor interface which deviate the noise spectra from Lorentzian to 1/f type. These barrier inhomogeneities in large area diodes resulted in reduced barrier height whereas due to the limited role of barrier inhomogeneities in individual nanorod based Schottky diode, a higher barrier height is obtained. PMID:27282258

  18. Advancement of High Power Quasi-CW Laser Diode Arrays For Space-based Laser Instruments

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Amzajerdian, Farzin; Meadows, Byron L.; Baker, nathaniel R.; Baggott, Renee S.; Singh, Upendra N.; Kavaya, Michael J.

    2004-01-01

    Space-based laser and lidar instruments play an important role in NASA s plans for meeting its objectives in both Earth Science and Space Exploration areas. Almost all the lidar instrument concepts being considered by NASA scientist utilize moderate to high power diode-pumped solid state lasers as their transmitter source. Perhaps the most critical component of any solid state laser system is its pump laser diode array which essentially dictates instrument efficiency, reliability and lifetime. For this reason, premature failures and rapid degradation of high power laser diode arrays that have been experienced by laser system designers are of major concern to NASA. This work addresses these reliability and lifetime issues by attempting to eliminate the causes of failures and developing methods for screening laser diode arrays and qualifying them for operation in space.

  19. Flexible and twistable non-volatile memory cell array with all-organic one diode-one resistor architecture.

    PubMed

    Ji, Yongsung; Zeigler, David F; Lee, Dong Su; Choi, Hyejung; Jen, Alex K-Y; Ko, Heung Cho; Kim, Tae-Wook

    2013-01-01

    Flexible organic memory devices are one of the integral components for future flexible organic electronics. However, high-density all-organic memory cell arrays on malleable substrates without cross-talk have not been demonstrated because of difficulties in their fabrication and relatively poor performances to date. Here we demonstrate the first flexible all-organic 64-bit memory cell array possessing one diode-one resistor architectures. Our all-organic one diode-one resistor cell exhibits excellent rewritable switching characteristics, even during and after harsh physical stresses. The write-read-erase-read output sequence of the cells perfectly correspond to the external pulse signal regardless of substrate deformation. The one diode-one resistor cell array is clearly addressed at the specified cells and encoded letters based on the standard ASCII character code. Our study on integrated organic memory cell arrays suggests that the all-organic one diode-one resistor cell architecture is suitable for high-density flexible organic memory applications in the future.

  20. Method and system for homogenizing diode laser pump arrays

    DOEpatents

    Bayramian, Andrew James

    2016-05-03

    An optical amplifier system includes a diode pump array including a plurality of semiconductor diode laser bars disposed in an array configuration and characterized by a periodic distance between adjacent semiconductor diode laser bars. The periodic distance is measured in a first direction perpendicular to each of the plurality of semiconductor diode laser bars. The diode pump array provides a pump output propagating along an optical path and characterized by a first intensity profile measured as a function of the first direction and having a variation greater than 10%. The optical amplifier system also includes a diffractive optic disposed along the optical path. The diffractive optic includes a photo-thermo-refractive glass member. The optical amplifier system further includes an amplifier slab having an input face and position along the optical path and separated from the diffractive optic by a predetermined distance. A second intensity profile measured at the input face of the amplifier slab as a function of the first direction has a variation less than 10%.

  1. Method and system for homogenizing diode laser pump arrays

    DOEpatents

    Bayramian, Andy J

    2013-10-01

    An optical amplifier system includes a diode pump array including a plurality of semiconductor diode laser bars disposed in an array configuration and characterized by a periodic distance between adjacent semiconductor diode laser bars. The periodic distance is measured in a first direction perpendicular to each of the plurality of semiconductor diode laser bars. The diode pump array provides a pump output propagating along an optical path and characterized by a first intensity profile measured as a function of the first direction and having a variation greater than 10%. The optical amplifier system also includes a diffractive optic disposed along the optical path. The diffractive optic includes a photo-thermo-refractive glass member. The optical amplifier system further includes an amplifier slab having an input face and position along the optical path and separated from the diffractive optic by a predetermined distance. A second intensity profile measured at the input face of the amplifier slab as a function of the first direction has a variation less than 10%.

  2. Array size and area impact on nanorectenna performance properties

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Arsoy, Elif Gul; Durmaz, Emre Can; Shafique, Atia; Ozcan, Meric; Gurbuz, Yasar

    2017-02-01

    The metal-insulator-metal (MIM) diodes have high speed and compatibility with integrated circuits (IC's) making MIM diodes very attractive to detect and harvest energy for infrared (IR) regime of the electromagnetic spectrum. Due to the fact that small size of the MIM diodes, it is possible to obtain large volume of devices in same unit area. Hence, MIM diodes offer a feasible solution for nanorectennas (nano rectifiying antenna) in IR regime. The aim of this study is to design and develop MIM diodes as array format coupled with antennas for energy harvesting and IR detection. Moreover, varying number of elements which are 4x4, and 40x30 has been fabricated in parallel having 0.040, 0.065 and 0.080 μm2 diode area. For this work we have studied given type of material; Ti-HfO2-Ni, is used for fabricating MIM diodes as a part of rectenna. The effect of the diode array size is investigated. Furthermore, the effect of the array size is also investigated for larger arrays by applying given type of material set; Cr-HfO2-Ni. The fabrication processes in physical vapor deposition (PVD) systems for the MIM diodes resulted in the devices having high non-linearity and responsivity. Also, to achieve uniform and very thin insulator layer atomic layer deposition (ALD) was used. The nonlinearity 1.5 mA/V2 and responsivity 3 A/W are achieved for Ti-HfO2-Ni MIM diodes under low applied bias of 400 mV. The responsivity and nonlinearity of Cr-HfO2-Ni are found to be 5 A/W and 65 μA/V2, respectively. The current level of Cr-HfO2-Ni and Ti-HfO2-Ni is around μA range therefore corresponding resistance values are in 1-10 kΩ range. The comparison of single and 4x4 elements revealed that 4x4 elements have higher current level hence lower resistance value is obtained for 4x4 elements. The array size is 40x30 elements for Cr-HfO2-Ni type of MIM diodes with 40, 65 nm2 diode areas. By increasing the diode area, the current level increases for same size of array. The current level is increased from10 μA to100 μA with increasing the diode area. Therefore resistance decreased in the range of 10 kΩ and nonlinearity is increased from 58 μA/V2 to 65 μA/V2.

  3. Integrated injection-locked semiconductor diode laser

    DOEpatents

    Hadley, G. Ronald; Hohimer, John P.; Owyoung, Adelbert

    1991-01-01

    A continuous wave integrated injection-locked high-power diode laser array is provided with an on-chip independently-controlled master laser. The integrated injection locked high-power diode laser array is capable of continuous wave lasing in a single near-diffraction limited output beam at single-facet power levels up to 125 mW (250 mW total). Electronic steering of the array emission over an angle of 0.5 degrees is obtained by varying current to the master laser. The master laser injects a laser beam into the slave array by reflection of a rear facet.

  4. Air-stable memory array of bistable rectifying diodes based on ferroelectric-semiconductor polymer blends

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kumar, Manasvi; Sharifi Dehsari, Hamed; Anwar, Saleem; Asadi, Kamal

    2018-03-01

    Organic bistable diodes based on phase-separated blends of ferroelectric and semiconducting polymers have emerged as promising candidates for non-volatile information storage for low-cost solution processable electronics. One of the bottlenecks impeding upscaling is stability and reliable operation of the array in air. Here, we present a memory array fabricated with an air-stable amine-based semiconducting polymer. Memory diode fabrication and full electrical characterizations were carried out in atmospheric conditions (23 °C and 45% relative humidity). The memory diodes showed on/off ratios greater than 100 and further exhibited robust and stable performance upon continuous write-read-erase-read cycles. Moreover, we demonstrate a 4-bit memory array that is free from cross-talk with a shelf-life of several months. Demonstration of the stability and reliable air operation further strengthens the feasibility of the resistance switching in ferroelectric memory diodes for low-cost applications.

  5. Comparison of three methods reducing the beam parameter product of a laser diode stack for long range laser illumination applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lutz, Yves; Poyet, Jean-Michel; Metzger, Nicolas

    2013-10-01

    Laser diode stacks are interesting laser sources for active imaging illuminators. They allow the accumulation of large amounts of energy in multi-pulse mode, which is well suited for long-range image recording. Even when laser diode stacks are equipped with fast-axis collimation (FAC) and slow-axis collimation (SAC) microlenses, their beam parameter product (BPP) are not compatible with a direct use in highly efficient and compact illuminators. This is particularly true when narrow divergences are required such as for long range applications. To overcome these difficulties, we conducted investigations in three different ways. A first near infrared illuminator based on the use of conductively cooled mini-bars was designed, realized and successfully tested during outdoor experimentations. This custom specified stack was then replaced in a second step by an off-the-shelf FAC + SAC micro lensed stack where the brightness was increased by polarization overlapping. The third method still based on a commercial laser diode stack uses a non imaging optical shaping principle resulting in a virtually restacked laser source with enhanced beam parameters. This low cost, efficient and low alignment sensitivity beam shaping method allows obtaining a compact and high performance laser diode illuminator for long range active imaging applications. The three methods are presented and compared in this paper.

  6. Activation and control of microlens liquid arrays on functionalized polar electric crystal substrates by electro-wetting effect and temperature

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ferraro, Pietro; Grilli, Simonetta; Miccio, Lisa; Vespini, Veronica; Finizio, Sergio DeNicola Andrea

    2008-11-01

    In recent years a variety of liquid bases optical elements have been conceived, designed and fabricated even for commercial products like digital cameras o cellular phone cameras. The impressive development of microfluidic systems in conjunction with optics has led to the creation of a completely new Science field of investigation named optofludics. Optofludics, among others topics, deals with investigation and methods for realizing liquid micro-lenses. A variety of liquid micro-lenses have been designed and realized by using different configurations. We demonstrate that a lensing effect can be obtained in an open microfluidic system by using a thin layer of liquid on a polar electric crystal such as Lithium Niobate (LiNbO3). Electrowetting patterning on LiNbO3 surface is obtained by pyroelectric effect consisting in a simple but reliable electrodes-less and circuit-less configuration. The electrodes are intrinsically embedded into the substrate. The material is functionalised by means of a micro-engineering electric filed poling process. Lens array with variable focus has been demonstrated with a large number of lens elements (10x10) on micrometric scale (aperture of single lens 100 microns).

  7. Fabrication of microlens array and bifocal microlens using the methods of laser ablation and solvent reflow

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yu, Cheng-Chian; Ho, Jeng-Rong

    2015-12-01

    Based on the techniques of laser microdrilling and solvent reflow, this study reports on a straightforward approach for fabricating plastic microlens arrays (MLAs). First, we use the ArF excimer laser to drill microholes on a polymethylmethacrylate plate for defining the lens number, initial depth, and diameter. The propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate solvent is then employed to regulate the surface profile that leads to a resulting negative (concave) MLA. The corresponding positive (convex), polydimethyl-siloxane MLA is obtained by the soft-replica-molding technique. Through varying the pattern size and period on the mask and the light intensity for laser drilling and regulating the solvent in the reflow process, we exhibit the feasibility of making MLAs with various sizes and shapes. By modifying the laser ablation step to drill two microholes with different diameters and depths at two levels, we fabricate a bifocal microlens. The obtained microlenses have excellent surface and optical properties: surface roughness down to several nanometers and focal lengths varying from hundreds to thousands of micrometers. This approach is flexible for constructing microlenses with various sizes and shapes and can fabricate MLAs with a high fill factor.

  8. High-power laser diodes at various wavelengths

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

    Emanuel, M.A.

    High power laser diodes at various wavelengths are described. First, performance and reliability of an optimized large transverse mode diode structure at 808 and 941 nm are presented. Next, data are presented on a 9.5 kW peak power array at 900 nm having a narrow emission bandwidth suitable for pumping Yb:S-FAP laser materials. Finally, results on a fiber-coupled laser diode array at {approx}730 nm are presented.

  9. Large-area high-power VCSEL pump arrays optimized for high-energy lasers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Chad; Geske, Jonathan; Garrett, Henry; Cardellino, Terri; Talantov, Fedor; Berdin, Glen; Millenheft, David; Renner, Daniel; Klemer, Daniel

    2012-06-01

    Practical, large-area, high-power diode pumps for one micron (Nd, Yb) as well as eye-safer wavelengths (Er, Tm, Ho) are critical to the success of any high energy diode pumped solid state laser. Diode efficiency, brightness, availability and cost will determine how realizable a fielded high energy diode pumped solid state laser will be. 2-D Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) arrays are uniquely positioned to meet these requirements because of their unique properties, such as low divergence circular output beams, reduced wavelength drift with temperature, scalability to large 2-D arrays through low-cost and high-volume semiconductor photolithographic processes, high reliability, no catastrophic optical damage failure, and radiation and vacuum operation tolerance. Data will be presented on the status of FLIR-EOC's VCSEL pump arrays. Analysis of the key aspects of electrical, thermal and mechanical design that are critical to the design of a VCSEL pump array to achieve high power efficient array performance will be presented.

  10. Noncontact Microembossing Technology for Fabricating Thermoplastic Optical Polymer Microlens Array Sheets

    PubMed Central

    Chang, Xuefeng; Ge, Xiaohong; Li, Hui

    2014-01-01

    Thermoplastic optical polymers have replaced traditional optical glass for many applications, due to their superior optical performance, mechanical characteristics, low cost, and efficient production process. This paper investigates noncontact microembossing technology used for producing microlens arrays made out of PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), PS (polyStyrene), and PC (polycarbonate) from a quartz mold, with microhole arrays. An array of planoconvex microlenses are formed because of surface tension caused by applying pressure to the edge of a hole at a certain glass transition temperature. We studied the principle of noncontact microembossing techniques using finite element analysis, in addition to the thermal and mechanical properties of the three polymers. Then, the independently developed hot-embossing equipment was used to fabricate microlens arrays on PMMA, PS, and PC sheets. This is a promising technique for fabricating diverse thermoplastic optical polymer microlens array sheets, with a simple technological process and low production costs. PMID:25162063

  11. Study of phase-locked diode laser array and DFB/DBR surface emitting laser diode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hsin, Wei

    New types of phased-array and surface-emitting lasers are designed. The importance and approaches (or structures) of different phased array and surface emitting laser diodes are reviewed. The following are described: (1) a large optical cavity channel substrate planar laser array with layer thickness chirping; (2) a vertical cavity surface emitter with distributed feedback (DFB) optical cavity and a transverse junction buried heterostructure; (3) a microcavity distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) surface emitter; and (4) two surface emitting laser structures which utilized lateral current injection schemes to overcome the problems occurring in the vertical injection scheme.

  12. Integrated injection-locked semiconductor diode laser

    DOEpatents

    Hadley, G.R.; Hohimer, J.P.; Owyoung, A.

    1991-02-19

    A continuous wave integrated injection-locked high-power diode laser array is provided with an on-chip independently-controlled master laser. The integrated injection locked high-power diode laser array is capable of continuous wave lasing in a single near-diffraction limited output beam at single-facet power levels up to 125 mW (250 mW total). Electronic steering of the array emission over an angle of 0.5 degrees is obtained by varying current to the master laser. The master laser injects a laser beam into the slave array by reflection of a rear facet. 18 figures.

  13. High-speed electronic beam steering using injection locking of a laser-diode array

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Swanson, E. A.; Abbas, G. L.; Yang, S.; Chan, V. W. S.; Fujimoto, J. G.

    1987-01-01

    High-speed electronic steering of the output beam of a 10-stripe laser-diode array is reported. The array was injection locked to a single-frequency laser diode. High-speed steering of the locked 0.5-deg-wide far-field lobe is demonstrated either by modulating the injection current of the array or by modulating the frequency of the master laser. Closed-loop tracking bandwidths of 70 kHz and 3 MHz, respectively, were obtained. The beam-steering bandwidths are limited by the FM responses of the modulated devices for both techniques.

  14. Environmental testing of a diode-laser-pumped Nd:YAG laser and a set of diode-laser-arrays

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hemmati, H.; Lesh, J. R.

    1989-01-01

    Results of the environmental test of a compact, rigid and lightweight diode-laser-pumped Nd:YAG laser module are discussed. All optical elements are bonded onto the module using space applicable epoxy, and two 200 mW diode laser arrays for pump sources are used to achieve 126 mW of CW output with about 7 percent electrical-to-optical conversion efficiency. This laser assembly and a set of 20 semiconductor diode laser arrays were environmentally tested by being subjected to vibrational and thermal conditions similar to those experienced during launch of the Space Shuttle, and both performed well. Nevertheless, some damage to the laser front facet in diode lasers was observed. Significant degradation was observed only on lasers which performed poorly in the life test. Improvements in the reliability of the Nd:YAG laser are suggested.

  15. Far field beam pattern of one MW combined beam of laser diode array amplifiers for space power transmission

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kwon, Jin H.; Lee, Ja H.

    1989-01-01

    The far-field beam pattern and the power-collection efficiency are calculated for a multistage laser-diode-array amplifier consisting of about 200,000 5-W laser diode arrays with random distributions of phase and orientation errors and random diode failures. From the numerical calculation it is found that the far-field beam pattern is little affected by random failures of up to 20 percent of the laser diodes with reference of 80 percent receiving efficiency in the center spot. The random differences in phases among laser diodes due to probable manufacturing errors is allowed to about 0.2 times the wavelength. The maximum allowable orientation error is about 20 percent of the diffraction angle of a single laser diode aperture (about 1 cm). The preliminary results indicate that the amplifier could be used for space beam-power transmission with an efficiency of about 80 percent for a moderate-size (3-m-diameter) receiver placed at a distance of less than 50,000 km.

  16. Versatile IEEE-488 data acquisition and control routines for a diode array spectrophotometer

    PubMed Central

    Shiundu, Paul M.

    1991-01-01

    The UV-visible diode array spectrophotometer is a work-horse instrument for many laboratories. This article provides simple data acquisition and control routines in Microsoft QuickBasic for a HP-8452A diode array spectrophotometer interfaced to an IBM PC/XT/AT, or compatible, microcomputer. These allow capture of full spectra and measure absorbance at one or several wavelengths at preset time intervals. The variance in absorbance at each wavelength is available as an option. PMID:18924888

  17. Photodiode arrays having minimized cross-talk between diodes

    DOEpatents

    Guckel, Henry; McNamara, Shamus P.

    2000-10-17

    Photodiode arrays are formed with close diode-to-diode spacing and minimized cross-talk between diodes in the array by isolating the diodes from one another with trenches that are formed between the photodiodes in the array. The photodiodes are formed of spaced regions in a base layer, each spaced region having an impurity type opposite to that of the base layer to define a p-n junction between the spaced regions and the base layer. The base layer meets a substrate at a boundary, with the substrate being much more heavily doped than the base layer with the same impurity type. The trenches extend through the base layer and preferably into the substrate. Minority carriers generated by absorption of light photons in the base layer can only migrate to an adjacent photodiode through the substrate. The lifetime and the corresponding diffusion length of the minority carriers in the substrate is very short so that all minority carriers recombine in the substrate before reaching an adjacent photodiode.

  18. The Exoplanet Microlensing Survey by the Proposed WFIRST Observatory

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Barry, Richard; Kruk, Jeffrey; Anderson, Jay; Beaulieu, Jean-Philippe; Bennett, David P.; Catanzarite, Joseph; Cheng, Ed; Gaudi, Scott; Gehrels, Neil; Kane, Stephen; hide

    2012-01-01

    The New Worlds, New Horizons report released by the Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey Board in 2010 listed the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) as the highest-priority large space mission for the . coming decade. This observatory will provide wide-field imaging and slitless spectroscopy at near infrared wavelengths. The scientific goals are to obtain a statistical census of exoplanets using gravitational microlensing. measure the expansion history of and the growth of structure in the Universe by multiple methods, and perform other astronomical surveys to be selected through a guest observer program. A Science Definition Team has been established to assist NASA in the development of a Design Reference Mission that accomplishes this diverse array of science programs with a single observatory. In this paper we present the current WFIRST payload concept and the expected capabilities for planet detection. The observatory. with science goals that are complimentary to the Kepler exoplanet transit mission, is designed to complete the statistical census of planetary systems in the Galaxy, from habitable Earth-mass planets to free floating planets, including analogs to all of the planets in our Solar System except Mercury. The exoplanet microlensing survey will observe for 500 days spanning 5 years. This long temporal baseline will enable the determination of the masses for most detected exoplanets down to 0.1 Earth masses.

  19. Wavelength-tunable light shaping with cholesteric liquid crystal microlenses.

    PubMed

    Bayon, Chloé; Agez, Gonzague; Mitov, Michel

    2014-06-21

    The ability to guide light on the mesoscopic scale is important both scientifically and technologically. Especially relevant is the development of wavelength-tunable light-shaping microdevices. Here we demonstrate the use of cholesteric liquid crystal polygonal textures organized as an array of microlenses for this purpose. The beam shaping is controlled by tuning the wavelength of the incident light in the visible spectrum. By taking advantage of the self-organization property of liquid crystals, the structure of the lens and its optical response are tailored by changing the annealing time of the single layer material during a completely integrated one-step process. The intrinsic helical organization of the layer is the cause of the light shaping and not the shape of the surface as for conventional lenses. A new concept of light manipulation using the structure chirality of liquid crystals is demonstrated, which concerns soft matter photonic circuits to mould the light.

  20. Performance measurements of hybrid PIN diode arrays

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

    Jernigan, J.G.; Arens, J.F.; Kramer, G.

    We report on the successful effort to develop hybrid PIN diode arrays and to demonstrate their potential as components of vertex detectors. Hybrid pixel arrays have been fabricated by the Hughes Aircraft Co. by bump bonding readout chips developed by Hughes to an array of PIN diodes manufactured by Micron Semiconductor Inc. These hybrid pixel arrays were constructed in two configurations. One array format having 10 {times} 64 pixels, each 120 {mu}m square, and the other format having 256 {times} 256 pixels, each 30 {mu}m square. In both cases, the thickness of the PIN diode layer is 300 {mu}m. Measurementsmore » of detector performance show that excellent position resolution can be achieved by interpolation. By determining the centroid of the charge cloud which spreads charge into a number of neighboring pixels, a spatial resolution of a few microns has been attained. The noise has been measured to be about 300 electrons (rms) at room temperature, as expected from KTC and dark current considerations, yielding a signal-to-noise ratio of about 100 for minimum ionizing particles. 4 refs., 13 figs.« less

  1. Fabrication of three dimensional patterns of wide dimensional range using microbes and their applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mehta, Sunita; Murugeson, Saravanan; Prakash, Balaji; Deepak

    2015-10-01

    Inspired by the wound healing property of certain trees, we report a novel microbes based additive process for producing three dimensional patterns, which has a potential of engineering applications in a variety of fields. Imposing a two dimensional pattern of microbes on a gel media and allowing them to grow in the third dimension is known from its use in biological studies. Instead, we have introduced an intermediate porous substrate between the gel media and the microbial growth, which enables three dimensional patterns in specific forms that can be lifted off and used in engineering applications. In order to demonstrate the applicability of this idea in a diverse set of areas, two applications are selected. In one, using this method of microbial growth, we have fabricated microlenses for enhanced light extraction in organic light emitting diodes, where densely packed microlenses of the diameters of hundreds of microns lead to luminance increase by a factor of 1.24X. In another entirely different type of application, braille text patterns are prepared on a normal office paper where the grown microbial colonies serve as braille tactile dots. Braille dot patterns thus prepared meet the standard specifications (size and spacing) for braille books.

  2. SU-F-T-270: A Technique for Modeling a Diode Array Into the TPS for Lung SBRT Patient Specific QA

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

    Curley, C; Leventouri, T; Ouhib, Z

    2016-06-15

    Purpose: To accurately match the treatment planning system (TPS) with the measurement environment, where quality assurance (QA) devices are used to collect data, for lung Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) patient specific QA. Incorporation of heterogeneities is also studied. Methods: Dual energy computerized tomography (DECT) and single energy computerized tomography (SECT) were used to model phantoms incorporating a 2-D diode array into the TPS. A water-equivalent and a heterogeneous phantom (simulating the thoracic region of a patient) were studied. Monte Carlo and pencil beam planar dose distributions were compared to measured distributions. Composite and individual fields were analyzed for normallymore » incident and planned gantry angle deliveries. γ- analysis was used with criteria 3% 3mm, 2% 2mm, and 1% 1mm. Results: The Monte Carlo calculations for the DECT resulted in improved agreements with the diode array for 46.4% of the fields at 3% 3mm, 85.7% at 2% 2mm, and 92.9% at 1% 1mm.For the SECT, the Monte Carlo calculations gave no agreement for the same γ-analysis criteria. Pencil beam calculations resulted in lower agreements with the diode array in the TPS. The DECT showed improvements for 14.3% of the fields at 3% 3mm and 2% 2mm, and 28.6% at 1% 1mm.In SECT comparisons, 7.1% of the fields at 3% 3mm, 10.7% at 2% 2mm, and 17.9% at 1% 1mm showed improved agreements with the diode array. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that modeling the diode array in the TPS is viable using DECT with Monte Carlo for patient specific lung SBRT QA. As recommended by task groups (e.g. TG 65, TG 101, TG 244) of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), pencil beam algorithms should be avoided in the presence of heterogeneous materials, including a diode array.« less

  3. High duty cycle hard soldered kilowatt laser diode arrays

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Klumel, Genady; Karni, Yoram; Oppenheim, Jacob; Berk, Yuri; Shamay, Moshe; Tessler, Renana; Cohen, Shalom

    2010-02-01

    High-brightness laser diode arrays operating at a duty cycle of 10% - 20% are in ever-increasing demand for the optical pumping of solid state lasers and directed energy applications. Under high duty-cycle operation at 10% - 20%, passive (conductive) cooling is of limited use, while micro-coolers using de-ionized cooling water can considerably degrade device reliability. When designing and developing actively-cooled collimated laser diode arrays for high duty cycle operation, three main problems should be carefully addressed: an effective local and total heat removal, a minimization of packaging-induced and operational stresses, and high-precision fast axis collimation. In this paper, we present a novel laser diode array incorporating a built-in tap water cooling system, all-hard-solder bonded assembly, facet-passivated high-power 940 nm laser bars and tight fast axis collimation. By employing an appropriate layout of water cooling channels, careful choice of packaging materials, proper design of critical parts, and active optics alignment, we have demonstrated actively-cooled collimated laser diode arrays with extended lifetime and reliability, without compromising their efficiency, optical power density, brightness or compactness. Among the key performance benchmarks achieved are: 150 W/bar optical peak power at 10% duty cycle, >50% wallplug efficiency and <1° collimated fast axis divergence. A lifetime of >0.5 Ghots with <2% degradation has been experimentally proven. The laser diode arrays have also been successfully tested under harsh environmental conditions, including thermal cycling between -20°C and 40°C and mechanical shocks at 500g acceleration. The results of both performance and reliability testing bear out the effectiveness and robustness of the manufacturing technology for high duty-cycle laser arrays.

  4. Short range laser obstacle detector. [for surface vehicles using laser diode array

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kuriger, W. L. (Inventor)

    1973-01-01

    A short range obstacle detector for surface vehicles is described which utilizes an array of laser diodes. The diodes operate one at a time, with one diode for each adjacent azimuth sector. A vibrating mirror a short distance above the surface provides continuous scanning in elevation for all azimuth sectors. A diode laser is synchronized with the vibrating mirror to enable one diode laser to be fired, by pulses from a clock pulse source, a number of times during each elevation scan cycle. The time for a given pulse of light to be reflected from an obstacle and received is detected as a measure of range to the obstacle.

  5. Stacked, filtered multi-channel X-ray diode array

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

    MacNeil, Lawrence; Dutra, Eric; Raphaelian, Mark

    2015-08-01

    There are many types of X-ray diodes used for X-ray flux or spectroscopic measurements and for estimating the spectral shape of the VUV to soft X-ray spectrum. However, a need exists for a low-cost, robust X-ray diode to use for experiments in hostile environments on multiple platforms, and for experiments that utilize forces that may destroy the diode(s). Since the typical proposed use required a small size with a minimal single line-of-sight, a parallel array could not be used. So, a stacked, filtered multi-channel X-ray diode array was developed, called the MiniXRD. To achieve significant cost savings while maintaining robustnessmore » and ease of field setup, repair, and replacement, we designed the system to be modular. The filters were manufactured in-house and cover the range from 450 eV to 5000 eV. To achieve the line-of-sight accuracy needed, we developed mounts and laser alignment techniques. We modeled and tested elements of the diode design at NSTec Livermore Operations (NSTec / LO) to determine temporal response and dynamic range, leading to diode shape and circuitry changes to optimize impedance and charge storage. The authors fielded individual and stacked systems at several national facilities as ancillary "ride-along" diagnostics to test and improve the design usability. This paper presents the MiniXRD system performance, which supports consideration as a viable low-costalternative for multiple-channel low-energy X-ray measurements. This diode array is currently at Technical Readiness Level (TRL) 6.« less

  6. A ten-element array of individually addressable channeled-substrate-planar AlGaAs diode lasers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Carlin, D. B.; Goldstein, B.; Bednarz, J. P.; Harvey, M. G.; Dinkel, N. A.

    1987-01-01

    The fabrication of arrays of channeled-substrate-planar (CSP) AlGaAs diode lasers which emit up to 150 mW CW in a single spatial mode and are applicable to mulitchannel optical recording systems is described. The CSP diode lasers are incorporated in ten-array geometry, and each array is 1.95 nm in width and 100 microns in thickness and is cleaved to have a cavity length of 200 microns and coated to produce 90-percent reflectivity on the back facet and 10-percent reflectivity on the front facet. The array is attached to a thermoelectrically cooled submount. The optical output power versus input current characteristics for the array are evaluated, and the lateral far-field intensity profiles for each of the lasers (at 30 mW CW) and CW spectra of the lasers are analyzed.

  7. Multi-focused microlens array optimization and light field imaging study based on Monte Carlo method.

    PubMed

    Li, Tian-Jiao; Li, Sai; Yuan, Yuan; Liu, Yu-Dong; Xu, Chuan-Long; Shuai, Yong; Tan, He-Ping

    2017-04-03

    Plenoptic cameras are used for capturing flames in studies of high-temperature phenomena. However, simulations of plenoptic camera models can be used prior to the experiment improve experimental efficiency and reduce cost. In this work, microlens arrays, which are based on the established light field camera model, are optimized into a hexagonal structure with three types of microlenses. With this improved plenoptic camera model, light field imaging of static objects and flame are simulated using the calibrated parameters of the Raytrix camera (R29). The optimized models improve the image resolution, imaging screen utilization, and shooting range of depth of field.

  8. Improving Lifetime of Quasi-CW Laser Diode Arrays for Pumping 2-Micron Solid State Lasers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Amzajerdian, Farzin; Meadows, Byron L.; Baker, Nathaniel R.; Barnes, Bruce W.; Singh, Upendra N.; Kavaya, Michael J.

    2007-01-01

    Operating high power laser diode arrays in long pulse regime of about 1 msec, which is required for pumping 2-micron thulium and holmium-based lasers, greatly limits their useful lifetime. This paper describes performance of laser diode arrays operating in long pulse mode and presents experimental data on the active region temperature and pulse-to-pulse thermal cycling that are the primary cause of their premature failure and rapid degradation. This paper will then offer a viable approach for determining the optimum design and operational parameters leading to the maximum attainable lifetime.

  9. Improving Reliability of High Power Quasi-CW Laser Diode Arrays Operating in Long Pulse Mode

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Amzajerdian, Farzin; Meadows, Byron L.; Barnes, Bruce W.; Lockard, George E.; Singh, Upendra N.; Kavaya, Michael J.; Baker, Nathaniel R.

    2006-01-01

    Operating high power laser diode arrays in long pulse regime of about 1 msec, which is required for pumping 2-micron thulium and holmium-based lasers, greatly limits their useful lifetime. This paper describes performance of laser diode arrays operating in long pulse mode and presents experimental data of the active region temperature and pulse-to-pulse thermal cycling that are the primary cause of their premature failure and rapid degradation. This paper will then offer a viable approach for determining the optimum design and operational parameters leading to the maximum attainable lifetime.

  10. Laser diode arrays based on AlGaAs/GaAs quantum-well heterostructures with an efficiency up to 62%

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ladugin, M. A.; Marmalyuk, A. A.; Padalitsa, A. A.; Telegin, K. Yu; Lobintsov, A. V.; Sapozhnikov, S. M.; Danilov, A. I.; Podkopaev, A. V.; Simakov, V. A.

    2017-08-01

    The results of development of quasi-cw laser diode arrays operating at a wavelength of 808 nm with a high efficiency are demonstrated. The laser diodes are based on semiconductor AlGaAs/GaAs quantum-well heterostructures grown by MOCVD. The measured spectral, spatial, electric and power characteristics are presented. The output optical power of the array with an emitting area of 5 × 10 mm is 2.7 kW at a pump current of 100 A, and the maximum efficiency reaches 62%.

  11. Scalable diode array pumped Nd rod laser

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Zenzie, H. H.; Knights, M. G.; Mosto, J. R.; Chicklis, E. P.; Perkins, P. E.

    1991-01-01

    Experiments were carried out on a five-array pump head which utilizes gold-coated reflective cones to couple the pump energy to Nd:YAG and Nd:YLF rod lasers, demonstrating high efficiency and uniform energy deposition. Because the cones function as optical diodes to light outside their acceptance angle (typically 10-15 deg), much of the diode energy not absorbed on the first pass can be returned to the rod.

  12. Micromirror Array Control of a Phase-Locked Laser Diode Array

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1995-12-01

    Micromirror Intensity-Voltage Curve . From the intensity plot, maxima (Ix) and minima (IMN) are noted. If IMAX and IMn are known, A4 can be calculated for...of the micromirror array used. Mirror 9 600 500 E 400- S300- C, -0200 lOO_ 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Volts Figure 3b. Mirror Deflection Curve Corresponding...AFIT/GAP/ENP/95D-2 MICROMIRROR ARRAY CONTROL OF A PHASE-LOCKED LASER DIODE ARRAY THESIS Carl J. Christensen, Captain, USAF AFIT/GAP/ENP/95D-2

  13. DC switching regulated power supply for driving an inductive load

    DOEpatents

    Dyer, George R.

    1986-01-01

    A power supply for driving an inductive load current from a dc power supply hrough a regulator circuit including a bridge arrangement of diodes and switching transistors controlled by a servo controller which regulates switching in response to the load current to maintain a selected load current. First and second opposite legs of the bridge are formed by first and second parallel-connected transistor arrays, respectively, while the third and fourth legs of the bridge are formed by appropriately connected first and second parallel connected diode arrays, respectively. The regulator may be operated in three "stages" or modes: (1) For current runup in the load, both first and second transistor switch arrays are turned "on" and current is supplied to the load through both transistor arrays. (2) When load current reaches the desired level, the first switch is turned "off", and load current "flywheels" through the second switch array and the fourth leg diode array connecting the second switch array in series with the load. Current is maintained by alternating between modes 1 and 2 at a suitable duty cycle and switching rate set by the controller. (3) Rapid current rundown is accomplished by turning both switch arrays "off", allowing load current to be dumped back into the source through the third and fourth diode arrays connecting the source in series opposition with the load to recover energy from the inductive load. The three operating states are controlled automatically by the controller.

  14. DC switching regulated power supply for driving an inductive load

    DOEpatents

    Dyer, G.R.

    1983-11-29

    A dc switching regulated power supply for driving an inductive load is provided. The regulator basic circuit is a bridge arrangement of diodes and transistors. First and second opposite legs of the bridge are formed by first and second parallel-connected transistor arrays, respectively, while the third and fourth legs of the bridge are formed by appropriately connected first and second parallel connected diode arrays, respectively. A dc power supply is connected to the input of the bridge and the output is connected to the load. A servo controller is provided to control the switching rate of the transistors to maintain a desired current to the load. The regulator may be operated in three stages or modes: (1) for current runup in the load, both first and second transistor switch arrays are turned on and current is supplied to the load through both transistor arrays. (2) When load current reaches the desired level, the first switch is turned off, and load current flywheels through the second switch array and the fourth leg diode array connecting the second switch array in series with the load. Current is maintained by alternating between modes 1 and 2 at a suitable duty cycle and switching rate set by the controller. (3) Rapid current rundown is accomplished by turning both switch arrays off, allowing load current to be dumped back into the source through the third and fourth diode arrays connecting the source in series opposition with the load to recover energy from the inductive load.

  15. REVIEWS OF TOPICAL PROBLEMS: Gravitational microlensing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zakharov, Aleksandr F.; Sazhin, Mikhail V.

    1998-10-01

    The foundations of standard microlensing theory are discussed as applied to stars in the Galactic bulge, Magellanic Clouds or other nearby galaxies and gravitational microlenses assumed to lie in-between these stars and the terrestrial observer. In contrast to the review article by Gurevich et al. [48], microlensing by compact objects is mainly considered. Criteria for the identification of microlensing events are discussed as also are microlensing events not satisfying these criteria, such as non-symmetrical light curves and chromatic and polarization effects. The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and Galactic bulge microlensing data of the MACHO group are discussed in detail and also the LMC data of EROS and the Galactic bulge data of OGLE are presented. A detailed comparison of theoretical predictions and observations is given.

  16. Optogenetic Stimulation of Peripheral Vagus Nerves using Flexible OLED Display Technology to Treat Chronic Inflammatory Disease and Mental Health Disorders

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-03-31

    transcutaneously via the outer ear using a high-resolution, addressable array of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) manufactured on a flexible...therapeutic optical stimulation in optogenetically modified neural tissue. Keywords: Optogenetics; neuromodulation; organic light emitting diode ...the outer ear using a high-resolution, two-dimensional (2-D), addressable array of red organic light - emitting diodes (OLEDs) manufactured on a thin

  17. High density, optically corrected, micro-channel cooled, v-groove monolithic laser diode array

    DOEpatents

    Freitas, Barry L.

    1998-01-01

    An optically corrected, micro-channel cooled, high density laser diode array achieves stacking pitches to 33 bars/cm by mounting laser diodes into V-shaped grooves. This design will deliver>4kW/cm2 of directional pulsed laser power. This optically corrected, micro-channel cooled, high density laser is usable in all solid state laser systems which require efficient, directional, narrow bandwidth, high optical power density pump sources.

  18. Phase and Frequency Control of Laser Arrays for Pulse Synthesis

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-01-02

    with the laser array to understand the phase noise of elements on a common heat sink, and the relationship between linewidth and feedback speed...spatial brightness operation of a phase-locked stripe -array diode laser,” Laser Phys. 22, 160 (2012). [2] J. R. Leger, “Lateral mode control of an AlGaAs...Jechow, D. Skoczowsky, and R. Menzel, “Multi-wavelength, high spatial brightness operation of a phase-locked stripe -array diode laser,” Laser Phys. 22

  19. InGaN/GaN dot-in-nanowire monolithic LEDs and lasers on (001) silicon

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bhattacharya, P.; Hazari, A.; Jahangir, S.

    2017-02-01

    GaN-based nanowire arrays have been grown on (001)Si substrate by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy and their structural and optical properties have been determined. InxGa1-xN disks inserted in the nanowires behave as quantum dots with emission ranging from visible to near-infrared. We have exploited these nanowire heterostructure arrays to realize light-emitting diodes and diode lasers in which the quantum dots form the active light emitting media. The fabrication and characteristics of 630nm light-emitting diodes and 1.3μm edge-emitting diode lasers are described.

  20. Linear laser diode arrays for improvement in optical disk recording for space stations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Alphonse, G. A.; Carlin, D. B.; Connolly, J. C.

    1990-01-01

    The design and fabrication of individually addressable laser diode arrays for high performance magneto-optic recording systems are presented. Ten diode arrays with 30 mW cW light output, linear light vs. current characteristics and single longitudinal mode spectrum were fabricated using channel substrate planar (CSP) structures. Preliminary results on the inverse CSP structure, whose fabrication is less critically dependent on device parameters than the CSP, are also presented. The impact of systems parameters and requirements, in particular, the effect of feedback on laser design is assessed, and techniques to reduce feedback or minimize its effect on systems performance, including mode-stabilized structures, are evaluated.

  1. Fabrication and characterization of n-ZnO nanonails array/p(+)-GaN heterojunction diode.

    PubMed

    Zhu, G Y; Chen, G F; Li, J T; Shi, Z L; Lin, Y; Ding, T; Xu, X Y; Dai, J; Xu, C X

    2012-10-01

    A novel heterojunctional structure of n-ZnO nanonails array/p(+)-GaN light-emitting diode was fabricated by Chemical Vapor Deposition method. A broad electroluminescence spectrum shows two peaks centered at 435 nm and 478 nm at room temperature, respectively. By comparing the photoluminescence and electroluminescence spectra, together with analyzing the energy band structure of heterojunction light emitting diode, it suggested that the electroluminescence peak located at 435 nm originates from Mg acceptor level of p(+)-GaN layer, whereas the electroluminescence peak located at 478 nm originates from the defects of n-ZnO nanonails array.

  2. Extended short wavelength infrared HgCdTe detectors on silicon substrates

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Park, J. H.; Hansel, D.; Mukhortova, A.; Chang, Y.; Kodama, R.; Zhao, J.; Velicu, S.; Aqariden, F.

    2016-09-01

    We report high-quality n-type extended short wavelength infrared (eSWIR) HgCdTe (cutoff wavelength 2.59 μm at 77 K) layers grown on three-inch diameter CdTe/Si substrates by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). This material is used to fabricate test diodes and arrays with a planar device architecture using arsenic implantation to achieve p-type doping. We use different variations of a test structure with a guarded design to compensate for the lateral leakage current of traditional test diodes. These test diodes with guarded arrays characterize the electrical performance of the active 640 × 512 format, 15 μm pitch detector array.

  3. The Fuge Tube Diode Array Spectrophotometer

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Arneson, B. T.; Long, S. R.; Stewart, K. K.; Lagowski, J. J.

    2008-01-01

    We present the details for adapting a diode array UV-vis spectrophotometer to incorporate the use of polypropylene microcentrifuge tubes--fuge tubes--as cuvettes. Optical data are presented validating that the polyethylene fuge tubes are equivalent to the standard square cross section polystyrene or glass cuvettes generally used in…

  4. Two-dimensional (2D) displacement measurement of moving objects using a new MEMS binocular vision system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Di, Si; Lin, Hui; Du, Ruxu

    2011-05-01

    Displacement measurement of moving objects is one of the most important issues in the field of computer vision. This paper introduces a new binocular vision system (BVS) based on micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) technology. The eyes of the system are two microlenses fabricated on a substrate by MEMS technology. The imaging results of two microlenses are collected by one complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) array. An algorithm is developed for computing the displacement. Experimental results show that as long as the object is moving in two-dimensional (2D) space, the system can effectively estimate the 2D displacement without camera calibration. It is also shown that the average error of the displacement measurement is about 3.5% at different object distances ranging from 10 cm to 35 cm. Because of its low cost, small size and simple setting, this new method is particularly suitable for 2D displacement measurement applications such as vision-based electronics assembly and biomedical cell culture.

  5. High density, optically corrected, micro-channel cooled, v-groove monolithic laser diode array

    DOEpatents

    Freitas, B.L.

    1998-10-27

    An optically corrected, micro-channel cooled, high density laser diode array achieves stacking pitches to 33 bars/cm by mounting laser diodes into V-shaped grooves. This design will deliver > 4kW/cm{sup 2} of directional pulsed laser power. This optically corrected, micro-channel cooled, high density laser is usable in all solid state laser systems which require efficient, directional, narrow bandwidth, high optical power density pump sources. 13 figs.

  6. Fabrication of three dimensional patterns of wide dimensional range using microbes and their applications

    PubMed Central

    Mehta, Sunita; Murugeson, Saravanan; Prakash, Balaji; Deepak

    2015-01-01

    Inspired by the wound healing property of certain trees, we report a novel microbes based additive process for producing three dimensional patterns, which has a potential of engineering applications in a variety of fields. Imposing a two dimensional pattern of microbes on a gel media and allowing them to grow in the third dimension is known from its use in biological studies. Instead, we have introduced an intermediate porous substrate between the gel media and the microbial growth, which enables three dimensional patterns in specific forms that can be lifted off and used in engineering applications. In order to demonstrate the applicability of this idea in a diverse set of areas, two applications are selected. In one, using this method of microbial growth, we have fabricated microlenses for enhanced light extraction in organic light emitting diodes, where densely packed microlenses of the diameters of hundreds of microns lead to luminance increase by a factor of 1.24X. In another entirely different type of application, braille text patterns are prepared on a normal office paper where the grown microbial colonies serve as braille tactile dots. Braille dot patterns thus prepared meet the standard specifications (size and spacing) for braille books. PMID:26486847

  7. Liquid Tunable Microlenses based on MEMS techniques

    PubMed Central

    Zeng, Xuefeng; Jiang, Hongrui

    2013-01-01

    The recent rapid development in microlens technology has provided many opportunities for miniaturized optical systems, and has found a wide range of applications. Of these microlenses, tunable-focus microlenses are of special interest as their focal lengths can be tuned using micro-scale actuators integrated with the lens structure. Realization of such tunable microlens generally relies on the microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technologies. Here, we review the recent progress in tunable liquid microlenses. The underlying physics relevant to these microlenses are first discussed, followed by description of three main categories of tunable microlenses involving MEMS techniques, mechanically driven, electrically driven, and those integrated within microfluidic systems. PMID:24163480

  8. Imaging photovoltaic infrared CdHgTe detectors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Haakenaasen, R.; Steen, H.; Selvig, E.; Lorentzen, T.; van Rheenen, A. D.; Trosdahl-Iversen, L.; Hall, D.; Gordon, N.; Skauli, T.; Vaskinn, A. H.

    2006-09-01

    CdxHg1-xTe layers with bandgap in the mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) and long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) regions were grown by molecular beam epitaxy, and one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) arrays of planar photodiodes were fabricated by ion milling of vacancy-doped layers. The grown layers have varying densities of needle-shaped structures on the surface. The needles are not associated with twins or dislocations in the layers, but could instead be due to (111) facets being reinforced by a preferential Te diffusion direction over steps on the surface. The needles do not seem to affect diode quality. 64 element 1D arrays of 26×26 μm2 or 26×56 μm2 diodes were processed, and zero-bias resistance-times-area values (R0A) at 77 K of 4×106 Ω cm2 at cutoff wavelength λCO=4.5 μm were measured, as well as high quantum efficiencies. To avoid creating a leakage current during ball-bonding to the 1D array diodes, a ZnS layer was deposited on top of the CdTe passivation layer, as well as extra electroplated Au on the bonding pads. The median measured noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD) on a LWIR array was 14 mK for the 42 operable diodes. 2D arrays showed reasonably good uniformity of R0A and zero-bias current (I0) values. The first 64×64 element 2D array of 16×16 μm2 MWIR diodes has been hybridized to read-out electronics and gave median NETD of 60 mK. Images from both a 1D and a 2D array are shown.

  9. Instrumentation: Photodiode Array Detectors in UV-VIS Spectroscopy. Part II.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Jones, Dianna G.

    1985-01-01

    A previous part (Analytical Chemistry; v57 n9 p1057A) discussed the theoretical aspects of diode ultraviolet-visual (UV-VIS) spectroscopy. This part describes the applications of diode arrays in analytical chemistry, also considering spectroelectrochemistry, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), HPLC data processing, stopped flow, and…

  10. Dual-mode photosensitive arrays based on the integration of liquid crystal microlenses and CMOS sensors for obtaining the intensity images and wavefronts of objects.

    PubMed

    Tong, Qing; Lei, Yu; Xin, Zhaowei; Zhang, Xinyu; Sang, Hongshi; Xie, Changsheng

    2016-02-08

    In this paper, we present a kind of dual-mode photosensitive arrays (DMPAs) constructed by hybrid integration a liquid crystal microlens array (LCMLA) driven electrically and a CMOS sensor array, which can be used to measure both the conventional intensity images and corresponding wavefronts of objects. We utilize liquid crystal materials to shape the microlens array with the electrically tunable focal length. Through switching the voltage signal on and off, the wavefronts and the intensity images can be acquired through the DMPAs, sequentially. We use white light to obtain the object's wavefronts for avoiding losing important wavefront information. We separate the white light wavefronts with a large number of spectral components and then experimentally compare them with single spectral wavefronts of typical red, green and blue lasers, respectively. Then we mix the red, green and blue wavefronts to a composite wavefront containing more optical information of the object.

  11. Solid-state image sensor with focal-plane digital photon-counting pixel array

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fossum, Eric R. (Inventor); Pain, Bedabrata (Inventor)

    1995-01-01

    A photosensitive layer such as a-Si for a UV/visible wavelength band is provided for low light level imaging with at least a separate CMOS amplifier directly connected to each PIN photodetector diode to provide a focal-plane array of NxN pixels, and preferably a separate photon-counting CMOS circuit directly connected to each CMOS amplifier, although one row of counters may be time shared for reading out the photon flux rate of each diode in the array, together with a buffer memory for storing all rows of the NxN image frame before transfer to suitable storage. All CMOS circuitry is preferably fabricated in the same silicon layer as the PIN photodetector diode for a monolithic structure, but when the wavelength band of interest requires photosensitive material different from silicon, the focal-plane array may be fabricated separately on a different semiconductor layer bump-bonded or otherwise bonded for a virtually monolithic structure with one free terminal of each diode directly connected to the input terminal of its CMOS amplifier and digital counter for integration of the photon flux rate at each photodetector of the array.

  12. Local constraints on cosmic string loops from photometry and pulsar timing

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

    Pshirkov, M. S.; Tuntsov, A. V.; Sternberg Astronomical Institute, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992

    2010-04-15

    We constrain the cosmological density of cosmic string loops using two observational signatures--gravitational microlensing and the Kaiser-Stebbins effect. Photometry from RXTE and CoRoT space missions and pulsar timing from Parkes Pulsar Timing Array, Arecibo and Green Bank radio telescopes allow us to probe cosmic strings in a wide range of tensions G{mu}/c{sup 2}=10{sup -16} divide 10{sup -10}. We find that pulsar timing data provide the most stringent constraints on the abundance of light strings at the level {Omega}{sub s{approx}}10{sup -3}. Future observational facilities such as the Square Kilometer Array will allow one to improve these constraints by orders of magnitude.

  13. Monte Carlo simulation of the dose response of a novel 2D silicon diode array for use in hybrid MRI-LINAC systems.

    PubMed

    Gargett, Maegan; Oborn, Brad; Metcalfe, Peter; Rosenfeld, Anatoly

    2015-02-01

    MRI-guided radiation therapy systems (MRIgRT) are being developed to improve online imaging during treatment delivery. At present, the operation of single point dosimeters and an ionization chamber array have been characterized in such systems. This work investigates a novel 2D diode array, named "magic plate," for both single point calibration and 2D positional performance, the latter being a key element of modern radiotherapy techniques that will be delivered by these systems. geant4 Monte Carlo methods have been employed to study the dose response of a silicon diode array to 6 MV photon beams, in the presence of in-line and perpendicularly aligned uniform magnetic fields. The array consists of 121 silicon diodes (dimensions 1.5 × 1.5 × 0.38 mm(3)) embedded in kapton substrate with 1 cm pitch, spanning a 10 × 10 cm(2) area in total. A geometrically identical, water equivalent volume was simulated concurrently for comparison. The dose response of the silicon diode array was assessed for various photon beam field shapes and sizes, including an IMRT field, at 1 T. The dose response was further investigated at larger magnetic field strengths (1.5 and 3 T) for a 4 × 4 cm(2) photon field size. The magic plate diode array shows excellent correspondence (< ± 1%) to water dose in the in-line orientation, for all beam arrangements and magnetic field strengths investigated. The perpendicular orientation, however, exhibits a dose shift with respect to water at the high-dose-gradient beam edge of jaw-defined fields [maximum (4.3 ± 0.8)% over-response, maximum (1.8 ± 0.8)% under-response on opposing side for 1 T, uncertainty 1σ]. The trend is not evident in areas with in-field dose gradients typical of IMRT dose maps. A novel 121 pixel silicon diode array detector has been characterized by Monte Carlo simulation for its performance inside magnetic fields representative of current prototype and proposed MRI-linear accelerator systems. In the in-line orientation, the silicon dose is directly proportional to the water dose. In the perpendicular orientation, there is a shift in dose response relative to water in the highest dose gradient regions, at the edge of jaw-defined and single-segment MLC fields. The trend was not observed in-field for an IMRT beam. The array is expected to be a valuable tool in MRIgRT dosimetry.

  14. Monte Carlo simulation of the dose response of a novel 2D silicon diode array for use in hybrid MRI–LINAC systems

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

    Gargett, Maegan, E-mail: mg406@uowmail.edu.au; Rosenfeld, Anatoly; Oborn, Brad

    2015-02-15

    Purpose: MRI-guided radiation therapy systems (MRIgRT) are being developed to improve online imaging during treatment delivery. At present, the operation of single point dosimeters and an ionization chamber array have been characterized in such systems. This work investigates a novel 2D diode array, named “magic plate,” for both single point calibration and 2D positional performance, the latter being a key element of modern radiotherapy techniques that will be delivered by these systems. Methods: GEANT4 Monte Carlo methods have been employed to study the dose response of a silicon diode array to 6 MV photon beams, in the presence of in-linemore » and perpendicularly aligned uniform magnetic fields. The array consists of 121 silicon diodes (dimensions 1.5 × 1.5 × 0.38 mm{sup 3}) embedded in kapton substrate with 1 cm pitch, spanning a 10 × 10 cm{sup 2} area in total. A geometrically identical, water equivalent volume was simulated concurrently for comparison. The dose response of the silicon diode array was assessed for various photon beam field shapes and sizes, including an IMRT field, at 1 T. The dose response was further investigated at larger magnetic field strengths (1.5 and 3 T) for a 4 × 4 cm{sup 2} photon field size. Results: The magic plate diode array shows excellent correspondence (< ± 1%) to water dose in the in-line orientation, for all beam arrangements and magnetic field strengths investigated. The perpendicular orientation, however, exhibits a dose shift with respect to water at the high-dose-gradient beam edge of jaw-defined fields [maximum (4.3 ± 0.8)% over-response, maximum (1.8 ± 0.8)% under-response on opposing side for 1 T, uncertainty 1σ]. The trend is not evident in areas with in-field dose gradients typical of IMRT dose maps. Conclusions: A novel 121 pixel silicon diode array detector has been characterized by Monte Carlo simulation for its performance inside magnetic fields representative of current prototype and proposed MRI–linear accelerator systems. In the in-line orientation, the silicon dose is directly proportional to the water dose. In the perpendicular orientation, there is a shift in dose response relative to water in the highest dose gradient regions, at the edge of jaw-defined and single-segment MLC fields. The trend was not observed in-field for an IMRT beam. The array is expected to be a valuable tool in MRIgRT dosimetry.« less

  15. Integrating IR detector imaging systems

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bailey, G. C. (Inventor)

    1984-01-01

    An integrating IR detector array for imaging is provided in a hybrid circuit with InSb mesa diodes in a linear array, a single J-FET preamplifier for readout, and a silicon integrated circuit multiplexer. Thin film conductors in a fan out pattern deposited on an Al2O3 substrate connect the diodes to the multiplexer, and thick film conductors also connect the reset switch and preamplifier to the multiplexer. Two phase clock pulses are applied with a logic return signal to the multiplexer through triax comprised of three thin film conductors deposited between layers. A lens focuses a scanned image onto the diode array for horizontal read out while a scanning mirror provides vertical scan.

  16. SU-G-201-17: Verification of Dose Distributions From High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy Ir-192 Source Using a Multiple-Array-Diode-Detector (MapCheck2)

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

    Harpool, K; De La Fuente Herman, T; Ahmad, S

    Purpose: To investigate quantitatively the accuracy of dose distributions for the Ir-192 high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy source calculated by the Brachytherapy-Planning system (BPS) and measured using a multiple-array-diode-detector in a heterogeneous medium. Methods: A two-dimensional diode-array-detector system (MapCheck2) was scanned with a catheter and the CT-images were loaded into the Varian-Brachytherapy-Planning which uses TG-43-formalism for dose calculation. Treatment plans were calculated for different combinations of one dwell-position and varying irradiation times and different-dwell positions and fixed irradiation time with the source placed 12mm from the diode-array plane. The calculated dose distributions were compared to the measured doses with MapCheck2 delivered bymore » an Ir-192-source from a Nucletron-Microselectron-V2-remote-after-loader. The linearity of MapCheck2 was tested for a range of dwell-times (2–600 seconds). The angular effect was tested with 30 seconds irradiation delivered to the central-diode and then moving the source away in increments of 10mm. Results: Large differences were found between calculated and measured dose distributions. These differences are mainly due to absence of heterogeneity in the dose calculation and diode-artifacts in the measurements. The dose differences between measured and calculated due to heterogeneity ranged from 5%–12% depending on the position of the source relative to the diodes in MapCheck2 and different heterogeneities in the beam path. The linearity test of the diode-detector showed 3.98%, 2.61%, and 2.27% over-response at short irradiation times of 2, 5, and 10 seconds, respectively, and within 2% for 20 to 600 seconds (p-value=0.05) which depends strongly on MapCheck2 noise. The angular dependency was more pronounced at acute angles ranging up to 34% at 5.7 degrees. Conclusion: Large deviations between measured and calculated dose distributions for HDR-brachytherapy with Ir-192 may be improved when considering medium heterogeneity and dose-artifact of the diodes. This study demonstrates that multiple-array-diode-detectors provide practical and accurate dosimeter to verify doses delivered from the brachytherapy Ir-192-source.« less

  17. Diode pumped solid-state laser oscillators for spectroscopic applications

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Byer, R. L.; Basu, S.; Fan, T. Y.; Kozlovsky, W. J.; Nabors, C. D.; Nilsson, A.; Huber, G.

    1987-01-01

    The rapid improvement in diode laser pump sources has led to the recent progress in diode laser pumped solid state lasers. To date, electrical efficiencies of greater than 10 percent were demonstrated. As diode laser costs decrease with increased production volume, diode laser and diode laser array pumped solid state lasers will replace the traditional flashlamp pumped Nd:YAG laser sources. The use of laser diode array pumping of slab geometry lasers will allow efficient, high peak and average power solid state laser sources to be developed. Perhaps the greatest impact of diode laser pumped solid state lasers will be in spectroscopic applications of miniature, monolithic devices. Single-stripe diode-pumped operation of a continuous-wave 946 nm Nd:YAG laser with less than 10 m/w threshold was demonstrated. A slope efficiency of 16 percent near threshold was shown with a projected slope efficiency well above a threshold of 34 percent based on results under Rhodamine 6G dye-laser pumping. Nonlinear crystals for second-harmonic generation of this source were evaluated. The KNbO3 and periodically poled LiNbO3 appear to be the most promising.

  18. Fill-factor improvement of Si CMOS single-photon avalanche diode detector arrays by integration of diffractive microlens arrays.

    PubMed

    Intermite, Giuseppe; McCarthy, Aongus; Warburton, Ryan E; Ren, Ximing; Villa, Federica; Lussana, Rudi; Waddie, Andrew J; Taghizadeh, Mohammad R; Tosi, Alberto; Zappa, Franco; Buller, Gerald S

    2015-12-28

    Single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) detector arrays generally suffer from having a low fill-factor, in which the photo-sensitive area of each pixel is small compared to the overall area of the pixel. This paper describes the integration of different configurations of high efficiency diffractive optical microlens arrays onto a 32 × 32 SPAD array, fabricated using a 0.35 µm CMOS technology process. The characterization of SPAD arrays with integrated microlens arrays is reported over the spectral range of 500-900 nm, and a range of f-numbers from f/2 to f/22. We report an average concentration factor of 15 measured for the entire SPAD array with integrated microlens array. The integrated SPAD and microlens array demonstrated a very high uniformity in overall efficiency.

  19. DETERMINATION OF CARBENDAZIM IN WATER BY HIGH-PERFORMANCE IMMUNOAFFINITY CHROMATOGRAPHY ON-LINE WITH HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH DIODE-ARRAY OR MASS SPECTROMETRIC DETECTION

    EPA Science Inventory

    An automated method for the determination of carbendazim in water that combines high-performance immunoaffinity chromatography (HPIAC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the reversed-phase mode, and detection by either UV-Vis diode array detector (DAD) spectroscopy...

  20. Precise Time Delays from Strongly Gravitationally Lensed Type Ia Supernovae with Chromatically Microlensed Images

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Goldstein, Daniel A.; Nugent, Peter E.; Kasen, Daniel N.; Collett, Thomas E.

    2018-03-01

    Time delays between the multiple images of strongly gravitationally lensed Type Ia supernovae (glSNe Ia) have the potential to deliver precise cosmological constraints, but the effects of microlensing on time delay extraction have not been studied in detail. Here we quantify the effect of microlensing on the glSN Ia yield of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) and the effect of microlensing on the precision and accuracy of time delays that can be extracted from LSST glSNe Ia. Microlensing has a negligible effect on the LSST glSN Ia yield, but it can be increased by a factor of ∼2 over previous predictions to 930 systems using a novel photometric identification technique based on spectral template fitting. Crucially, the microlensing of glSNe Ia is achromatic until three rest-frame weeks after the explosion, making the early-time color curves microlensing-insensitive time delay indicators. By fitting simulated flux and color observations of microlensed glSNe Ia with their underlying, unlensed spectral templates, we forecast the distribution of absolute time delay error due to microlensing for LSST, which is unbiased at the sub-percent level and peaked at 1% for color curve observations in the achromatic phase, while for light-curve observations it is comparable to state-of-the-art mass modeling uncertainties (4%). About 70% of LSST glSN Ia images should be discovered during the achromatic phase, indicating that microlensing time delay uncertainties can be minimized if prompt multicolor follow-up observations are obtained. Accounting for microlensing, the 1–2 day time delay on the recently discovered glSN Ia iPTF16geu can be measured to 40% precision, limiting its cosmological utility.

  1. Precise Time Delays from Strongly Gravitationally Lensed Type Ia Supernovae with Chromatically Microlensed Images

    DOE PAGES

    Goldstein, Daniel A.; Nugent, Peter E.; Kasen, Daniel N.; ...

    2018-03-01

    Time delays between the multiple images of strongly gravitationally lensed Type Ia supernovae (glSNe Ia) have the potential to deliver precise cosmological constraints, but the effects of microlensing on time delay extraction have not been studied in detail. Here we quantify the effect of microlensing on the glSN Ia yield of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) and the effect of microlensing on the precision and accuracy of time delays that can be extracted from LSST glSNe Ia. Microlensing has a negligible effect on the LSST glSN Ia yield, but it can be increased by a factor of ~2 overmore » previous predictions to 930 systems using a novel photometric identification technique based on spectral template fitting. Crucially, the microlensing of glSNe Ia is achromatic until three rest-frame weeks after the explosion, making the early-time color curves microlensing-insensitive time delay indicators. By fitting simulated flux and color observations of microlensed glSNe Ia with their underlying, unlensed spectral templates, we forecast the distribution of absolute time delay error due to microlensing for LSST, which is unbiased at the sub-percent level and peaked at 1% for color curve observations in the achromatic phase, while for light-curve observations it is comparable to state-of-the-art mass modeling uncertainties (4%). About 70% of LSST glSN Ia images should be discovered during the achromatic phase, indicating that microlensing time delay uncertainties can be minimized if prompt multicolor follow-up observations are obtained. Lastly, accounting for microlensing, the 1-2 day time delay on the recently discovered glSN Ia iPTF16geu can be measured to 40% precision, limiting its cosmological utility.« less

  2. Precise Time Delays from Strongly Gravitationally Lensed Type Ia Supernovae with Chromatically Microlensed Images

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

    Goldstein, Daniel A.; Nugent, Peter E.; Kasen, Daniel N.

    Time delays between the multiple images of strongly gravitationally lensed Type Ia supernovae (glSNe Ia) have the potential to deliver precise cosmological constraints, but the effects of microlensing on time delay extraction have not been studied in detail. Here we quantify the effect of microlensing on the glSN Ia yield of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) and the effect of microlensing on the precision and accuracy of time delays that can be extracted from LSST glSNe Ia. Microlensing has a negligible effect on the LSST glSN Ia yield, but it can be increased by a factor of ~2 overmore » previous predictions to 930 systems using a novel photometric identification technique based on spectral template fitting. Crucially, the microlensing of glSNe Ia is achromatic until three rest-frame weeks after the explosion, making the early-time color curves microlensing-insensitive time delay indicators. By fitting simulated flux and color observations of microlensed glSNe Ia with their underlying, unlensed spectral templates, we forecast the distribution of absolute time delay error due to microlensing for LSST, which is unbiased at the sub-percent level and peaked at 1% for color curve observations in the achromatic phase, while for light-curve observations it is comparable to state-of-the-art mass modeling uncertainties (4%). About 70% of LSST glSN Ia images should be discovered during the achromatic phase, indicating that microlensing time delay uncertainties can be minimized if prompt multicolor follow-up observations are obtained. Lastly, accounting for microlensing, the 1-2 day time delay on the recently discovered glSN Ia iPTF16geu can be measured to 40% precision, limiting its cosmological utility.« less

  3. Correlation plenoptic imaging

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pepe, Francesco V.; Di Lena, Francesco; Garuccio, Augusto; D'Angelo, Milena

    2017-06-01

    Plenoptic Imaging (PI) is a novel optical technique for achieving tridimensional imaging in a single shot. In conventional PI, a microlens array is inserted in the native image plane and the sensor array is moved behind the microlenses. On the one hand, the microlenses act as imaging pixels to reproduce the image of the scene; on the other hand, each microlens reproduces on the sensor array an image of the camera lens, thus providing the angular information associated with each imaging pixel. The recorded propagation direction is exploited, in post- processing, to computationally retrace the geometrical light path, thus enabling the refocusing of different planes within the scene, the extension of the depth of field of the acquired image, as well as the 3D reconstruction of the scene. However, a trade-off between spatial and angular resolution is built in the standard plenoptic imaging process. We demonstrate that the second-order spatio-temporal correlation properties of light can be exploited to overcome this fundamental limitation. Using two correlated beams, from either a chaotic or an entangled photon source, we can perform imaging in one arm and simultaneously obtain the angular information in the other arm. In fact, we show that the second order correlation function possesses plenoptic imaging properties (i.e., it encodes both spatial and angular information), and is thus characterized by a key re-focusing and 3D imaging capability. From a fundamental standpoint, the plenoptic application is the first situation where the counterintuitive properties of correlated systems are effectively used to beat intrinsic limits of standard imaging systems. From a practical standpoint, our protocol can dramatically enhance the potentials of PI, paving the way towards its promising applications.

  4. Influence of TESG layer viscoelasticity on the imaging properties of microlenses

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vasiljević, Darko; Murić, Branka; Pantelić, Dejan; Panić, Bratimir

    2012-05-01

    Microlenses were produced by the irradiation of a layer of tot'hema and eosin sensitized gelatin (TESG) with laser light (second harmonic Nd:YAG, 532 nm). For this research, eight microlenses were written on a dog-bone-shaped TESG layer. After production, microlenses were uniaxially stretched on a tensile testing machine. Each microlens had different amounts of strain (0, 30, 60, 80, 120, 140, 180 and 240% strain). The influence of TESG layer extensibility on the imaging properties of microlenses was characterized by calculating the root mean square wavefront aberration, the modulation transfer function and the geometrical spot diagram. All microlenses had very good imaging properties and the microlens with 0% strain had diffraction-limited performance.

  5. Optical components of adaptive systems for improving laser beam quality

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Malakhov, Yuri I.; Atuchin, Victor V.; Kudryashov, Aleksis V.; Starikov, Fedor A.

    2008-10-01

    The short overview is given of optical equipment developed within the ISTC activity for adaptive systems of new generation allowing for correction of high-power laser beams carrying optical vortices onto the phase surface. They are the kinoform many-level optical elements of new generation, namely, special spiral phase plates and ordered rasters of microlenses, i.e. lenslet arrays, as well as the wide-aperture Hartmann-Shack sensors and bimorph deformable piezoceramics- based mirrors with various grids of control elements.

  6. Determination of patulin in apple juice by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection.

    PubMed

    Bartolomé, B; Bengoechea, M L; Pérez-Ilzarbe, F J; Hernández, T; Estrella, I; Gómez-Cordovés, C

    1994-03-25

    A method is described for the detection of patulin in apple juice and the simultaneous determination of the phenolic composition. Spectral data obtained with diode-array detection showed that patulin can be easily distinguished from compounds eluting under the same conditions. The detection limit for patulin was 8.96 micrograms/l.

  7. Microlensing of an extended source by a power-law mass distribution

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Congdon, Arthur B.; Keeton, Charles R.; Osmer, S. J.

    2007-03-01

    Microlensing promises to be a powerful tool for studying distant galaxies and quasars. As the data and models improve, there are systematic effects that need to be explored. Quasar continuum and broad-line regions may respond differently to microlensing due to their different sizes; to understand this effect, we study microlensing of finite sources by a mass function of stars. We find that microlensing is insensitive to the slope of the mass function but does depend on the mass range. For negative-parity images, diluting the stellar population with dark matter increases the magnification dispersion for small sources and decreases it for large sources. This implies that the quasar continuum and broad-line regions may experience very different microlensing in negative-parity lensed images. We confirm earlier conclusions that the surface brightness profile and geometry of the source have little effect on microlensing. Finally, we consider non-circular sources. We show that elliptical sources that are aligned with the direction of shear have larger magnification dispersions than sources with perpendicular alignment, an effect that becomes more prominent as the ellipticity increases. Elongated sources can lead to more rapid variability than circular sources, which raises the prospect of using microlensing to probe source shape.

  8. Aluminum-nanodisc-induced collective lattice resonances: Controlling the light extraction in organic light emitting diodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Auer-Berger, Manuel; Tretnak, Veronika; Wenzl, Franz-Peter; Krenn, Joachim R.; List-Kratochvil, Emil J. W.

    2017-10-01

    We examine aluminum-nanodisc-induced collective lattice resonances as a means to enhance the efficiency of organic light emitting diodes. Thus, nanodisc arrays were embedded in the hole transporting layer of a solution-processed phosphorescent organic blue-light emitting diode. Through extinction spectroscopy, we confirm the emergence of array-induced collective lattice resonances within the organic light emitting diode. Through finite-difference time domain simulations, we show that the collective lattice resonances yield an enhancement of the electric field intensity within the emissive layer. The effectiveness for improving the light generation and light outcoupling is demonstrated by electro-optical characterization, realizing a gain in a current efficiency of 35%.

  9. System and method for high power diode based additive manufacturing

    DOEpatents

    El-Dasher, Bassem S.; Bayramian, Andrew; Demuth, James A.; Farmer, Joseph C.; Torres, Sharon G.

    2018-01-02

    A system is disclosed for performing an Additive Manufacturing (AM) fabrication process on a powdered material forming a substrate. The system may make use of a diode array for generating an optical signal sufficient to melt a powdered material of the substrate. A mask may be used for preventing a first predetermined portion of the optical signal from reaching the substrate, while allowing a second predetermined portion to reach the substrate. At least one processor may be used for controlling an output of the diode array.

  10. System and method for high power diode based additive manufacturing

    DOEpatents

    El-Dasher, Bassem S.; Bayramian, Andrew; Demuth, James A.; Farmer, Joseph C.; Torres, Sharon G.

    2016-04-12

    A system is disclosed for performing an Additive Manufacturing (AM) fabrication process on a powdered material forming a substrate. The system may make use of a diode array for generating an optical signal sufficient to melt a powdered material of the substrate. A mask may be used for preventing a first predetermined portion of the optical signal from reaching the substrate, while allowing a second predetermined portion to reach the substrate. At least one processor may be used for controlling an output of the diode array.

  11. Power generation in random diode arrays

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shvydka, Diana; Karpov, V. G.

    2005-03-01

    We discuss nonlinear disordered systems, random diode arrays (RDAs), which can represent such objects as large-area photovoltaics and ion channels of biological membranes. Our numerical modeling has revealed several interesting properties of RDAs. In particular, the geometrical distribution of nonuniformities across a RDA has only a minor effect on its integral characteristics determined by RDA parameter statistics. In the meantime, the dispersion of integral characteristics vs system size exhibits a nontrivial scaling dependence. Our theoretical interpretation here remains limited and is based on the picture of eddy currents flowing through weak diodes in the RDA.

  12. Micro benchtop optics by bulk silicon micromachining

    DOEpatents

    Lee, Abraham P.; Pocha, Michael D.; McConaghy, Charles F.; Deri, Robert J.

    2000-01-01

    Micromachining of bulk silicon utilizing the parallel etching characteristics of bulk silicon and integrating the parallel etch planes of silicon with silicon wafer bonding and impurity doping, enables the fabrication of on-chip optics with in situ aligned etched grooves for optical fibers, micro-lenses, photodiodes, and laser diodes. Other optical components that can be microfabricated and integrated include semi-transparent beam splitters, micro-optical scanners, pinholes, optical gratings, micro-optical filters, etc. Micromachining of bulk silicon utilizing the parallel etching characteristics thereof can be utilized to develop miniaturization of bio-instrumentation such as wavelength monitoring by fluorescence spectrometers, and other miniaturized optical systems such as Fabry-Perot interferometry for filtering of wavelengths, tunable cavity lasers, micro-holography modules, and wavelength splitters for optical communication systems.

  13. The Development of High-Density Vertical Silicon Nanowires and Their Application in a Heterojunction Diode.

    PubMed

    Chang, Wen-Chung; Su, Sheng-Chien; Wu, Chia-Ching

    2016-06-30

    Vertically aligned p-type silicon nanowire (SiNW) arrays were fabricated through metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) of Si wafers. An indium tin oxide/indium zinc oxide/silicon nanowire (ITO/IZO/SiNW) heterojunction diode was formed by depositing ITO and IZO thin films on the vertically aligned SiNW arrays. The structural and electrical properties of the resulting ITO/IZO/SiNW heterojunction diode were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and current-voltage (I-V) measurements. Nonlinear and rectifying I-V properties confirmed that a heterojunction diode was successfully formed in the ITO/IZO/SiNW structure. The diode had a well-defined rectifying behavior, with a rectification ratio of 550.7 at 3 V and a turn-on voltage of 2.53 V under dark conditions.

  14. Electron Beam Pattern Rotation as a Method of Tunable Bunch Train Generation

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

    Halavanau, A.; Piot, P.

    Transversely modulated electron beams can be formed in photo injectors via microlens array (MLA) UV laser shap- ing technique. Microlenses can be arranged in polygonal lattices, with resulting transverse electron beam modula- tion mimicking the lenses pattern. Conventionally, square MLAs are used for UV laser beam shaping, and generated electron beam patterns form square beamlet arrays. The MLA setup can be placed on a rotational mount, thereby rotating electron beam distribution. In combination with transverse-to-longitudinal emittance exchange (EEX) beam line, it allows to vary beamlets horizontal projection and tune electron bunch train. In this paper, we extend the technique tomore » the case of different MLA lattice arrangements and explore the benefits of its rotational symmetries.« less

  15. Microlensing and Intrinsic Variability of the Broad Emission Lines of Lensed Quasars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fian, C.; Guerras, Eduardo; Mediavilla, E.; Jiménez-Vicente, J.; Muñoz, J. A.; Falco, E. E.; Motta, V.; Hanslmeier, A.

    2018-05-01

    We study the broad emission lines in a sample of 11 gravitationally lensed quasars with at least two epochs of observation to identify intrinsic variability and to disentangle it from microlensing. To improve our statistical significance and emphasize trends, we also include 15 lens systems with single-epoch spectra. Mg II and C III] emission lines are only weakly affected by microlensing, but C IV shows strong microlensing in some cases, even for regions of the line core, presumably associated with small projected velocities. However, excluding the strongly microlensed cases, there is a strikingly good match, on average, between the red wings of the C IV and C III] profiles. Analysis of these results supports the existence of two regions in the broad-line region (BLR), one that is insensitive to microlensing (of size ≳50 lt-day and kinematics not confined to a plane) and another that shows up only when it is magnified by microlensing (of size of a few light-days, comparable to the accretion disk). Both regions can contribute in different proportions to the emission lines of different species and, within each line profile, to different velocity bins, all of which complicates detailed studies of the BLR based on microlensing size estimates. The strength of the microlensing indicates that some spectral features that make up the pseudo-continuum, such as the shelf-like feature at λ1610 or several Fe III blends, may in part arise from an inner region of the accretion disk. In the case of Fe II, microlensing is strong in some blends but not in others. This opens up interesting possibilities to study quasar accretion disk kinematics. Intrinsic variability seems to affect the same features prone to microlensing, with similar frequency and amplitude, but does not induce outstanding profile asymmetries. We measure intrinsic variability (≲20%) of the wings with respect to the cores in the C IV, C III], and Mg II lines consistent with reverberation mapping studies.

  16. Sequential shrink photolithography for plastic microlens arrays

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dyer, David; Shreim, Samir; Jayadev, Shreshta; Lew, Valerie; Botvinick, Elliot; Khine, Michelle

    2011-07-01

    Endeavoring to push the boundaries of microfabrication with shrinkable polymers, we have developed a sequential shrink photolithography process. We demonstrate the utility of this approach by rapidly fabricating plastic microlens arrays. First, we create a mask out of the children's toy Shrinky Dinks by simply printing dots using a standard desktop printer. Upon retraction of this pre-stressed thermoplastic sheet, the dots shrink to a fraction of their original size, which we then lithographically transfer onto photoresist-coated commodity shrink wrap film. This shrink film reduces in area by 95% when briefly heated, creating smooth convex photoresist bumps down to 30 µm. Taken together, this sequential shrink process provides a complete process to create microlenses, with an almost 99% reduction in area from the original pattern size. Finally, with a lithography molding step, we emboss these bumps into optical grade plastics such as cyclic olefin copolymer for functional microlens arrays.

  17. An electrically tunable plenoptic camera using a liquid crystal microlens array.

    PubMed

    Lei, Yu; Tong, Qing; Zhang, Xinyu; Sang, Hongshi; Ji, An; Xie, Changsheng

    2015-05-01

    Plenoptic cameras generally employ a microlens array positioned between the main lens and the image sensor to capture the three-dimensional target radiation in the visible range. Because the focal length of common refractive or diffractive microlenses is fixed, the depth of field (DOF) is limited so as to restrict their imaging capability. In this paper, we propose a new plenoptic camera using a liquid crystal microlens array (LCMLA) with electrically tunable focal length. The developed LCMLA is fabricated by traditional photolithography and standard microelectronic techniques, and then, its focusing performance is experimentally presented. The fabricated LCMLA is directly integrated with an image sensor to construct a prototyped LCMLA-based plenoptic camera for acquiring raw radiation of targets. Our experiments demonstrate that the focused region of the LCMLA-based plenoptic camera can be shifted efficiently through electrically tuning the LCMLA used, which is equivalent to the extension of the DOF.

  18. An electrically tunable plenoptic camera using a liquid crystal microlens array

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

    Lei, Yu; School of Automation, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074; Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074

    2015-05-15

    Plenoptic cameras generally employ a microlens array positioned between the main lens and the image sensor to capture the three-dimensional target radiation in the visible range. Because the focal length of common refractive or diffractive microlenses is fixed, the depth of field (DOF) is limited so as to restrict their imaging capability. In this paper, we propose a new plenoptic camera using a liquid crystal microlens array (LCMLA) with electrically tunable focal length. The developed LCMLA is fabricated by traditional photolithography and standard microelectronic techniques, and then, its focusing performance is experimentally presented. The fabricated LCMLA is directly integrated withmore » an image sensor to construct a prototyped LCMLA-based plenoptic camera for acquiring raw radiation of targets. Our experiments demonstrate that the focused region of the LCMLA-based plenoptic camera can be shifted efficiently through electrically tuning the LCMLA used, which is equivalent to the extension of the DOF.« less

  19. Sequential shrink photolithography for plastic microlens arrays.

    PubMed

    Dyer, David; Shreim, Samir; Jayadev, Shreshta; Lew, Valerie; Botvinick, Elliot; Khine, Michelle

    2011-07-18

    Endeavoring to push the boundaries of microfabrication with shrinkable polymers, we have developed a sequential shrink photolithography process. We demonstrate the utility of this approach by rapidly fabricating plastic microlens arrays. First, we create a mask out of the children's toy Shrinky Dinks by simply printing dots using a standard desktop printer. Upon retraction of this pre-stressed thermoplastic sheet, the dots shrink to a fraction of their original size, which we then lithographically transfer onto photoresist-coated commodity shrink wrap film. This shrink film reduces in area by 95% when briefly heated, creating smooth convex photoresist bumps down to 30 µm. Taken together, this sequential shrink process provides a complete process to create microlenses, with an almost 99% reduction in area from the original pattern size. Finally, with a lithography molding step, we emboss these bumps into optical grade plastics such as cyclic olefin copolymer for functional microlens arrays.

  20. Sequential shrink photolithography for plastic microlens arrays

    PubMed Central

    Dyer, David; Shreim, Samir; Jayadev, Shreshta; Lew, Valerie; Botvinick, Elliot; Khine, Michelle

    2011-01-01

    Endeavoring to push the boundaries of microfabrication with shrinkable polymers, we have developed a sequential shrink photolithography process. We demonstrate the utility of this approach by rapidly fabricating plastic microlens arrays. First, we create a mask out of the children’s toy Shrinky Dinks by simply printing dots using a standard desktop printer. Upon retraction of this pre-stressed thermoplastic sheet, the dots shrink to a fraction of their original size, which we then lithographically transfer onto photoresist-coated commodity shrink wrap film. This shrink film reduces in area by 95% when briefly heated, creating smooth convex photoresist bumps down to 30 µm. Taken together, this sequential shrink process provides a complete process to create microlenses, with an almost 99% reduction in area from the original pattern size. Finally, with a lithography molding step, we emboss these bumps into optical grade plastics such as cyclic olefin copolymer for functional microlens arrays. PMID:21863126

  1. An electrically tunable plenoptic camera using a liquid crystal microlens array

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lei, Yu; Tong, Qing; Zhang, Xinyu; Sang, Hongshi; Ji, An; Xie, Changsheng

    2015-05-01

    Plenoptic cameras generally employ a microlens array positioned between the main lens and the image sensor to capture the three-dimensional target radiation in the visible range. Because the focal length of common refractive or diffractive microlenses is fixed, the depth of field (DOF) is limited so as to restrict their imaging capability. In this paper, we propose a new plenoptic camera using a liquid crystal microlens array (LCMLA) with electrically tunable focal length. The developed LCMLA is fabricated by traditional photolithography and standard microelectronic techniques, and then, its focusing performance is experimentally presented. The fabricated LCMLA is directly integrated with an image sensor to construct a prototyped LCMLA-based plenoptic camera for acquiring raw radiation of targets. Our experiments demonstrate that the focused region of the LCMLA-based plenoptic camera can be shifted efficiently through electrically tuning the LCMLA used, which is equivalent to the extension of the DOF.

  2. Spitzer Parallax Observations of Long Duration Gaia Microlensing Events

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Carey, Sean; Calchi-Novati, Sebastiano; Wyrzykowski, Lukasz; Kruszynska, Katarzyna; Gromadzki, Mariusz; Rybicki, Krzysztof

    2018-05-01

    We proposed to observe of order ten long duration (>100 day) microlensing events identified in Gaia survey data with the Spitzer Space Telescope. The long duration events are likely due to massive lenses, hence they could be isolated black holes. These observations could make defintive mass measurements for the first time of isolated stellar remanant black holes in our Galaxy. The Spitzer data provide a key component to making an umabiguous mass measurement by providing the microlensing parallax (as has been done for >500 event by Spitzer so far). The Gaia data is used for the detection of the events and measurement of the astrometric motion caused by the microlensing event. From the astrometric microlensing signature, the Einstein radius of the lens can be measured and combined with the microlensing parallax yields the lens mass and distance.

  3. Photochemical induced growth and aggregation of metal nanoparticles in diode-array spectrophotometer via excited dimethyl-sulfoxide.

    PubMed

    Zidki, Tomer; Cohen, Haim; Meyerstein, Dan

    2010-10-21

    Ag(0) and Au(0) nanoparticles suspended in dilute aqueous solutions containing (CH(3))(2)SO are photochemically unstable. The light source of a diode-array spectrophotometer induces, within less than a minute, particle growth and aggregation. The results indicate that this process is triggered by UV light absorption by the (CH(3))(2)SO.

  4. Degradation of the Adhesive Properties of MD-944 Diode Tape by Simulated Low Earth Orbit Environmental Factors

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Albyn, K.; Finckenor, M.

    2006-01-01

    The International Space Station (ISS) solar arrays utilize MD-944 diode tape with silicone pressure-sensitive adhesive to protect the underlying diodes and also provide a high-emittance surface. On-orbit, the silicone adhesive will be exposed and ultimately convert to a glass-like silicate due to atomic oxygen (AO). The current operational plan is to retract ISS solar array P6 and leave it stored under load for a long duration (6 mo or more). The exposed silicone adhesive must not cause the solar array to stick to itself or cause the solar array to fail during redeployment. The Environmental Effects Branch at Marshall Space Flight Center, under direction from the ISS Program Office Environments Team, performed simulated space environment exposures with 5-eV AO, near ultraviolet radiation and ionizing radiation. The exposed diode tape samples were put under preload and then the resulting blocking force was measured using a tensile test machine. Test results indicate that high-energy AO, ultraviolet radiation, and electron ionizing radiation exposure all reduce the blocking force for a silicone-to-silicone bond. AO exposure produces the most significant reduction in blocking force

  5. A 65k pixel, 150k frames-per-second camera with global gating and micro-lenses suitable for fluorescence lifetime imaging

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Burri, Samuel; Powolny, François; Bruschini, Claudio E.; Michalet, Xavier; Regazzoni, Francesco; Charbon, Edoardo

    2014-05-01

    This paper presents our work on a 65k pixel single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) based imaging sensor realized in a 0.35μm standard CMOS process. At a resolution of 512 by 128 pixels the sensor is read out in 6.4μs to deliver over 150k monochrome frames per second. The individual pixel has a size of 24μm2 and contains the SPAD with a 12T quenching and gating circuitry along with a memory element. The gating signals are distributed across the chip through a balanced tree to minimize the signal skew between the pixels. The array of pixels is row-addressable and data is sent out of the chip on 128 lines in parallel at a frequency of 80MHz. The system is controlled by an FPGA which generates the gating and readout signals and can be used for arbitrary real-time computation on the frames from the sensor. The communication protocol between the camera and a conventional PC is USB2. The active area of the chip is 5% and can be significantly improved with the application of a micro-lens array. A micro-lens array, for use with collimated light, has been designed and its performance is reviewed in the paper. Among other high-speed phenomena the gating circuitry capable of generating illumination periods shorter than 5ns can be used for Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM). In order to measure the lifetime of fluorophores excited by a picosecond laser, the sensor's illumination period is synchronized with the excitation laser pulses. A histogram of the photon arrival times relative to the excitation is then constructed by counting the photons arriving during the sensitive time for several positions of the illumination window. The histogram for each pixel is transferred afterwards to a computer where software routines extract the lifetime at each location with an accuracy better than 100ps. We show results for fluorescence lifetime measurements using different fluorophores with lifetimes ranging from 150ps to 5ns.

  6. Stellar, remnant, planetary, and dark-object masses from astrometric microlensing

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Boden, A.; Gould, A. P.; Bennett, D. P.; Depoy, D. L.; Gaudi, S. B.; Griest, K.; Han, C.; Paczynski, B.; Reid, I. N.

    2002-01-01

    With SIM, we will break the microlensing degeneracy, and allow detailed interpretation of individual microlensing events. We will thus develop a detailed census of the dark and luminous stellar population of the Galaxy.

  7. Diode pumped Nd:YAG laser development

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Reno, C. W.; Herzog, D. G.

    1976-01-01

    A low power Nd:YAG laser was constructed which employs GaAs injection lasers as a pump source. Power outputs of 125 mW TEM CW with the rod at 250 K and the pump at 180 K were achieved for 45 W input power to the pump source. Operation of the laser, with array and laser at a common heat sink temperature of 250 K, was inhibited by difficulties in constructing long-life GaAs LOC laser arrays. Tests verified pumping with output power of 20 to 30 mW with rod and pump at 250 K. Although life tests with single LOC GaAs diodes were somewhat encouraging (with single diodes operating as long as 9000 hours without degradation), failures of single diodes in arrays continue to occur, and 50 percent power is lost in a few hundred hours at 1 percent duty factor. Because of the large recent advances in the state of the art of CW room temperature AlGaAs diodes, their demonstrated lifetimes of greater than 5,000 hours, and their inherent advantages for this task, it is recommended that these sources be used for further CW YAG injection laser pumping work.

  8. Quasi-CW 110 kW AlGaAs Laser Diode Array Module for Inertial Fusion Energy Laser Driver

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kawashima, Toshiyuki; Kanzaki, Takeshi; Matsui, Ken; Kato, Yoshinori; Matsui, Hiroki; Kanabe, Tadashi; Yamanaka, Masanobu; Nakatsuka, Masahiro; Izawa, Yasukazu; Nakai, Sadao; Miyamoto, Masahiro; Kan, Hirofumi; Hiruma, Teruo

    2001-12-01

    We have successfully demonstrated a large aperture 803 nm AlGaAs diode laser module as a pump source for a 1053 nm, 10 J output Nd:glass slab laser amplifier for diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPSSL) fusion driver. Detailed performance results of the laser diode module are presented, including bar package and stack configuration, and their thermal design and analysis. A sufficiently low thermal impedance of the stack was realized by combining backplane liquid cooling configuration with modular bar package architecture. Total peak power of 110 kW and electrical to optical conversion efficiency of 46% were obtained from the module consisting of a total of 1000 laser diode bars. A peak intensity of 2.6 kW/cm2 was accomplished across an emitting area of 418 mm× 10 mm. Currently, this laser diode array module with a large two-dimensional aperture is, to our knowledge, the only operational pump source for the high output energy DPSSL.

  9. Synthesis and characterization of axial heterojunction inorganic-organic semiconductor nanowire arrays.

    PubMed

    Chen, Nan; Qian, Xuemin; Lin, Haowei; Liu, Huibiao; Li, Yongjun; Li, Yuliang

    2011-11-07

    The end-to-end P-N heterojunction nanowire arrays combined organic (poly[1,4-bis(pyrrol-2-yl)benzene], BPB) and inorganic (CdS) molecules have been successfully designed and fabricated. The electrical properties of P-N heterojunctions of organic-inorganic nanowire arrays were investigated. The diode nature and rectifying feature of P-N heterojunction nanowire arrays were observed. The rectification ratio of the diode increased from 29.9 to 129.7 as the illumination intensity increased. The material exhibits a new property, which is an improvement in the integration of the physical and chemical properties of the two independent components.

  10. Promoting Robust Design of Diode Lasers for Space: A National Initiative

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tratt, David M.; Amzajerdian, Farzin; Kashem, Nasir B.; Shapiro, Andrew A.; Mense, Allan T.

    2007-01-01

    The Diode-laser Array Working Group (DAWG) is a national-level consumer/provider forum for discussion of engineering and manufacturing issues which influence the reliability and survivability of high-power broad-area laser diode devices in space, with an emphasis on laser diode arrays (LDAs) for optical pumping of solid-state laser media. The goals of the group are to formulate and validate standardized test and qualification protocols, operational control recommendations, and consensus manufacturing and certification standards. The group is using reliability and lifetime data collected by laser diode manufacturers and the user community to develop a set of standardized guidelines for specifying and qualifying laser diodes for long-duration operation in space, the ultimate goal being to promote an informed U.S. Government investment and procurement strategy for assuring the availability and durability of space-qualified LDAs. The group is also working to establish effective implementation of statistical design techniques at the supplier design, development, and manufacturing levels to help reduce product performance variability and improve product reliability for diodes employed in space applications

  11. Diode-pumped ytterbium-doped Sr{sub 5}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}F laser performance

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

    Marshall, C.D.; Smith, L.K.; Beach, R.J.

    The performance of the first diode-pumped Yb{sup 3+}-doped Sr{sub 5}(PO{sub 4}){sup 3}F (Yb:S-FAP) solid-state laser is discussed. An InGaAs diode array has been fabricated that has suitable specifications for pumping a 3 x 3 x 30 mm Yb:S-FAP rod. The saturation fluence for diode pumping was deduced to be 5.5 J/cm{sup 2} for the particular 2.8 kW peak power diode array utilized in the studies. This is 2.5{times} higher than the intrinsic 2.2 J/cm{sup 2} saturation fluence as is attributed to the 6.5 nm bandwidth of the diode pump array. The small signal gain is consistent with the previously measuredmore » emission cross section of 6.0 {times} 10{sup {minus}20} cm{sup 2}, obtained from a narrowband-laser pumped gain experiment. Up to 1.7 J/cm{sup 3} of stored energy density was achieved in a 6 x 6 x 44 mm Yb:S-FAP amplifier rod. In a free running configuration, diode-pumped slope efficiencies up to 43% (laser output energy/absorbed pump energy) were observed with output energies up to {approximately}0.5 J per 1 ms pulse. When the rod was mounted in a copper block for cooling, 13 W of average power was produced with power supply limited operation at 70 Hz with 500 {micro}s pulses.« less

  12. WFIRST: The Exoplanet Microlensing Survey Tells Us Where We Can Find the Cool Planets

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bennett, David; Gaudi, B. Scott; WFIRST Microlensing Science Investigation Team

    2018-01-01

    The WFIRST Exoplanet microlensing survey will complete a demographic survey of all types of planets ranging from ~0.5 AU to planets that have become unbound from the stellar systems of their birth. WFIRST's sensitivity extends down below the mass of Mars (or 0.1 Earth masses,and it is sensitive to analogs of all the planets in the Solar System, except for Mercury. When combined with Kepler's statistical census of hot and warm planets in short period orbits, WFIRST's exoplanet microlensing survey will give us a complete picture the mass and separation distribution of all types of planets. The current plans for this survey are presented, and recent developments relating to the WFIRST exoplanet microlensing survey will be presented, including recent ground-based microlensing results that challenge current theories of planet formation. Opportunities for community involvement in the WFIRST exoplanet microlensing survey will be mentioned.

  13. The Development of High-Density Vertical Silicon Nanowires and Their Application in a Heterojunction Diode

    PubMed Central

    Chang, Wen-Chung; Su, Sheng-Chien; Wu, Chia-Ching

    2016-01-01

    Vertically aligned p-type silicon nanowire (SiNW) arrays were fabricated through metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) of Si wafers. An indium tin oxide/indium zinc oxide/silicon nanowire (ITO/IZO/SiNW) heterojunction diode was formed by depositing ITO and IZO thin films on the vertically aligned SiNW arrays. The structural and electrical properties of the resulting ITO/IZO/SiNW heterojunction diode were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and current−voltage (I−V) measurements. Nonlinear and rectifying I−V properties confirmed that a heterojunction diode was successfully formed in the ITO/IZO/SiNW structure. The diode had a well-defined rectifying behavior, with a rectification ratio of 550.7 at 3 V and a turn-on voltage of 2.53 V under dark conditions. PMID:28773656

  14. Beam position monitor

    DOEpatents

    Alkire, Randy W.; Rosenbaum, Gerold; Evans, Gwyndaf

    2003-07-22

    An apparatus for determining the position of an x-ray beam relative to a desired beam axis. Where the apparatus is positioned along the beam path so that a thin metal foil target intersects the x-ray beam generating fluorescent radiation. A PIN diode array is positioned so that a portion of the fluorescent radiation is intercepted by the array resulting in an a series of electrical signals from the PIN diodes making up the array. The signals are then analyzed and the position of the x-ray beam is determined relative to the desired beam path.

  15. Identification on HST Images of Microlensed Stars from the MACHO Project

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    King, L. J.; Alcock, C.; Allsman, R. A.; Alves, D. R.; Axelrod, T. S.; Becker, A. C.; Bennett, D. P.; Cook, K. H.; Drake, A. J.; Freeman, K. C.; Griest, K.; Lehner, M. J.; Marshall, S. L.; Minniti, D.; Peterson, B. A.; Popowski, P.; Pratt, M. R.; Quinn, P. J.; Rodgers, A. W.; Stubbs, C. W.; Sutherland, W.; Tomaney, A.; Vandehei, T.; Welch, D. L.; MACHO Collaboration

    1998-12-01

    The MACHO collaboration has been searching for microlensing events toward the Galactic Bulge and the Magellanic Clouds. We have used the WFPC2/HST to obtain high resolution images of a number of fields centred on stars that have undergone microlensing events. Ground based optical images typically have a resolution in excess of one arcsecond, so that the microlensed star may be blended with other stars. On HST images the star is unblended. We show that microlensed stars can be identified by comparing the HST images with image subtracted ground based images. The unblended intrinsic magnitudes, lensed magnitudes and magnifications of the stars can be determined, providing invaluable constraints on lens models.

  16. Airborne laser-diode-array illuminator assessment for the night vision's airborne mine-detection arid test

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stetson, Suzanne; Weber, Hadley; Crosby, Frank J.; Tinsley, Kenneth; Kloess, Edmund; Nevis, Andrew J.; Holloway, John H., Jr.; Witherspoon, Ned H.

    2004-09-01

    The Airborne Littoral Reconnaissance Technologies (ALRT) project has developed and tested a nighttime operational minefield detection capability using commercial off-the-shelf high-power Laser Diode Arrays (LDAs). The Coastal System Station"s ALRT project, under funding from the Office of Naval Research (ONR), has been designing, developing, integrating, and testing commercial arrays using a Cessna airborne platform over the last several years. This has led to the development of the Airborne Laser Diode Array Illuminator wide field-of-view (ALDAI-W) imaging test bed system. The ALRT project tested ALDAI-W at the Army"s Night Vision Lab"s Airborne Mine Detection Arid Test. By participating in Night Vision"s test, ALRT was able to collect initial prototype nighttime operational data using ALDAI-W, showing impressive results and pioneering the way for final test bed demonstration conducted in September 2003. This paper describes the ALDAI-W Arid Test and results, along with processing steps used to generate imagery.

  17. Proposed Use of Zero Bias Diode Arrays as Thermal Electric Noise Rectifiers and Non-Thermal Energy Harvesters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Valone, Thomas F.

    2009-03-01

    The well known built-in voltage potential for some select semiconductor p-n junctions and various rectifying devices is proposed to be favorable for generating DC electricity at "zero bias" (with no DC bias voltage applied) in the presence of Johnson noise or 1/f noise which originates from the quantum vacuum (Koch et al., 1982). The 1982 Koch discovery that certain solid state devices exhibit measurable quantum noise has also recently been labeled a finding of dark energy in the lab (Beck and Mackey, 2004). Tunnel diodes are a class of rectifiers that are qualified and some have been credited with conducting only because of quantum fluctuations. Microwave diodes are also good choices since many are designed for zero bias operation. A completely passive, unamplified zero bias diode converter/detector for millimeter (GHz) waves was developed by HRL Labs in 2006 under a DARPA contract, utilizing a Sb-based "backward tunnel diode" (BTD). It is reported to be a "true zero-bias diode." It was developed for a "field radiometer" to "collect thermally radiated power" (in other words, 'night vision'). The diode array mounting allows a feed from horn antenna, which functions as a passive concentrating amplifier. An important clue is the "noise equivalent power" of 1.1 pW per root hertz and the "noise equivalent temperature difference" of 10° K, which indicate sensitivity to Johnson noise (Lynch, et al., 2006). There also have been other inventions such as "single electron transistors" that also have "the highest signal to noise ratio" near zero bias. Furthermore, "ultrasensitive" devices that convert radio frequencies have been invented that operate at outer space temperatures (3 degrees above zero point: 3° K). These devices are tiny nanotech devices which are suitable for assembly in parallel circuits (such as a 2-D array) to possibly produce zero point energy direct current electricity with significant power density (Brenning et al., 2006). Photovoltaic p-n junction cells are also considered for possible higher frequency ZPE transduction. Diode arrays of self-assembled molecular rectifiers or preferably, nano-sized cylindrical diodes are shown to reasonably provide for rectification of electron fluctuations from thermal and non-thermal ZPE sources to create an alternative energy DC electrical generator in the picowatt per diode range.

  18. Cylindrical microlens with an internally reflecting surface and a method of fabrication

    DOEpatents

    Beach, Raymond J.; Freitas, Barry L.

    2004-03-23

    A fast (high numerical aperture) cylindrical microlens, which includes an internally reflective surface, that functions to deviate the direction of the light that enters the lens from its original propagation direction is employed in optically conditioning laser diodes, laser diode arrays and laser diode bars.

  19. A Cylindrical Microlens With An Internally Reflective Surface And A Method Of Fabrication

    DOEpatents

    Beach, Raymond J.; Freitas, Barry L.

    2005-09-27

    A fast (high numerical aperture) cylindrical microlens, which includes an internally reflective surface, that functions to deviate the direction of the light that enters the lens from its original propagation direction is employed in optically conditioning laser diodes, laser diode arrays and laser diode bars.

  20. Construction of a fast, inexpensive rapid-scanning diode-array detector and spectrometer.

    PubMed

    Carter, T P; Baek, H K; Bonninghausen, L; Morris, R J; van Wart, H E

    1990-10-01

    A 512-element diode-array spectroscopic detection system capable of acquiring multiple spectra at a rate of 5 ms per spectrum with an effective scan rate of 102.9 kHz has been constructed. Spectra with fewer diode elements can also be acquired at scan rates up to 128 kHz. The detector utilizes a Hamamatsu silicon photodiode-array sensor that is interfaced to Hamamatsu driver/amplifier and clock generator boards and a DRA laboratories 12-bit 160-kHz analog-to-digital converter. These are standard, commercially available devices which cost approximately $3500. The system is interfaced to and controlled by an IBM XT microcomputer. Detailed descriptions of the home-built detector housing and control/interface circuitry are presented and its application to the study of the reaction of horseradish peroxidase with hydrogen peroxide is demonstrated.

  1. III-nitride nanowire LEDs and diode lasers: monolithic light sources on (001) Si emitting in the 600-1300nm range

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bhattacharya, P.; Hazari, A.; Jahangir, S.

    2018-02-01

    GaN-based nanowire heterostructure arrays epitaxially grown on (001)Si substrates have unique properties and present the potential to realize useful devices. The active light-emitting region in the nanowire heterostructures are usually InGaN disks, whose composition can be varied to tune the emission wavelength. We have demonstrated light emitting diodes and edgeemitting diode lasers with power outputs 10mW with emission in the 600-1300nm wavelength range. These light sources are therefore useful for a variety of applications, including silicon photonics. Molecular beam epitaxial growth of the nanowire heterostructure arrays on (001)Si substrates and the characteristics of 1.3μm nanowire array edge emitting lasers, guided wave photodiodes and a monolithic photonic integrated circuit designed for 1.3μm operation are described.

  2. 2016 Summer Series - Thomas Barclay - Microlensing and the K2 Experiment

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2016-07-05

    Innovation is the ability to create a new idea, device or method from what already exists. It is even more innovative when it arises from what is considered to be waste. The NASA Ames Kepler mission revolutionized the way we see our place in the universe by demonstrating that planets are a common occurrence. When the Kepler mission ended, the team took the satellite that was considered to be useless and created a new innovative approach and platform to investigate a wide array of astronomy subfields called the K2 mission.

  3. Advancements of ultra-high peak power laser diode arrays

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Crawford, D.; Thiagarajan, P.; Goings, J.; Caliva, B.; Smith, S.; Walker, R.

    2018-02-01

    Enhancements of laser diode epitaxy in conjunction with process and packaging improvements have led to the availability of 1cm bars capable of over 500W peak power at near-infrared wavelengths (770nm to 1100nm). Advances in cooler design allow for multi-bar stacks with bar-to-bar pitches as low as 350μm and a scalable package architecture enabled a single diode assembly with total peak powers of over 1MegaWatt of peak power. With the addition of micro-optics, overall array brightness greater than 10kW/cm2 was achieved. Performance metrics of barbased diode lasers specifically engineered for high peak power and high brightness at wavelengths and pulse conditions commonly used to pump a variety of fiber and solid-state materials are presented.

  4. Directional control of infrared antenna-coupled tunnel diodes.

    PubMed

    Slovick, Brian A; Bean, Jeffrey A; Krenz, Peter M; Boreman, Glenn D

    2010-09-27

    Directional control of received infrared radiation is demonstrated with a phased-array antenna connected by a coplanar strip transmission line to a metal-oxide-metal (MOM) tunnel diode. We implement a MOM diode to ensure that the measured response originates from the interference of infrared antenna currents at specific locations in the array. The reception angle of the antenna is altered by shifting the diode position along the transmission line connecting the antenna elements. By fabricating the devices on a quarter wave dielectric layer above a ground plane, narrow beam widths of 35° FWHM in power and reception angles of ± 50° are achieved with minimal side lobe contributions. Measured radiation patterns at 10.6 μm are substantiated by electromagnetic simulations as well as an analytic interference model.

  5. Qualification of Laser Diode Arrays for Mercury Laser Altimeter Mission

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stephen, Mark; Vasilyev, Aleksey; Schafer, John; Allan, Graham R.

    2004-01-01

    NASA's requirements for high reliability, high performance satellite laser instruments have driven the investigation of many critical components; specifically, 808 nm laser diode array (LDA) pump devices. The MESSENGER mission is flying the Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA) which is a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser instrument designed to map the topography of Mercury. The environment imposed on the instrument by the orbital dynamics places special requirements on the laser diode arrays. In order to limit the radiative heating of the satellite from the surface of Mercury, the satellite is designed to have a highly elliptical orbit. The satellite will heat near perigee and cool near apogee. The laser power is cycled during these orbits so that the laser is on for only 30 minutes (perigee) in a 12 hour orbit. The laser heats 10 C while powered up and cools while powered down. In order to simulate these operational conditions, we designed a test to measure the LDA performance while being temperature and power cycled. Though the mission requirements are specific to NASA and performance requirements are derived from unique operating conditions, the results are general and widely applicable. We present results on the performance of twelve LDAs operating for several hundred million pulses. The arrays are 100 watt, quasi-CW, conductively-cooled, 808 nm devices. Prior to testing, we fully characterize each device to establish a baseline for individual array performance and status. Details of this characterization can be found in reference. Arrays are divided into four groups and subjected to the temperature and power cycling matrix are shown.

  6. Size-effect of oligomeric cholesteric liquid-crystal microlenses on the optical specifications.

    PubMed

    Bayon, Chloé; Agez, Gonzague; Mitov, Michel

    2015-10-15

    In cholesteric liquid-crystalline microlenses, we have studied the role of the microlens size on the focused light intensity and the focal length. We have found that the intensity is maximized by aiming a specific range for the diameter and the thickness of microlenses and that the focal length is adjusted by controlling the diameter and the annealing time of the optical film. Cholesteric microlenses may be used as wavelength-tunable directional light sources in organic soft-matter circuits.

  7. A linear diode array (JFD-5) for match line in vivo dosimetry in photon and electron beams; evaluation for a chest wall irradiation technique.

    PubMed

    Essers, M; van Battum, L; Heijmen, B J

    2001-11-01

    In vivo dosimetry using thermoluminiscence detectors (TLD) is routinely performed in our institution to determine dose inhomogeneities in the match line region during chest wall irradiation. However, TLDs have some drawbacks: online in vivo dosimetry cannot be performed; generally, doses delivered by the contributing fields are not measured separately; measurement analysis is time consuming. To overcome these problems, the Joined Field Detector (JFD-5), a detector for match line in vivo dosimetry based on diodes, has been developed. This detector and its characteristics are presented. The JFD-5 is a linear array of 5 p-type diodes. The middle three diodes, used to measure the dose in the match line region, are positioned at 5-mm intervals. The outer two diodes, positioned at 3-cm distance from the central diode, are used to measure the dose in the two contributing fields. For three JFD-5 detectors, calibration factors for different energies, and sensitivity correction factors for non-standard field sizes, patient skin temperature, and oblique incidence have been determined. The accuracy of penumbra and match line dose measurements has been determined in phantom studies and in vivo. Calibration factors differ significantly between diodes and between photon and electron beams. However, conversion factors between energies can be applied. The correction factor for temperature is 0.35%/ degrees C, and for oblique incidence 2% at maximum. The penumbra measured with the JFD-5 agrees well with film and linear diode array measurements. JFD-5 in vivo match line dosimetry reproducibility was 2.0% (1 SD) while the agreement with TLD was 0.999+/-0.023 (1 SD). The JFD-5 can be used for accurate, reproducible, and fast on-line match line in vivo dosimetry.

  8. High Power Laser Diode Array Qualification and Guidelines for Space Flight Environments

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Eegholm, Niels; Ott, Melanie; Stephen, Mark; Leidecker, Henning

    2005-01-01

    Semiconductor laser diodes emit coherent light by simulated emission generated inside the cavity formed by the cleaved end facets of a slab of semiconductor that is typically less than a millimeter in any dimension for single emitters. The diode is pumped by current injection in the p-n junction through the metallic contacts. Laser diodes emitting in the range of 0.8 micron to 1.06 micron have a wide variety of applications from pumping erbium doped fiber amplifiers, dual-clad fiber lasers, solid-state lasers used in telecom, aerospace, military, medical purposes and all the way to CD players, laser printers and other consumer and industrial products. Laser diode bars have many single emitters side by side and spaced approximately .5 mm on a single slab of semiconductor material approximately .5 mm x 10 mm. The individual emitters are connected in parallel maintaining the voltage at -2V but increasing the current to 50-100A/bar. Stacking these laser diode bars in multiple layers, 2 to 20+ high, yields high power laser diode arrays capable of emitting several hundreds of Watts. Electrically the bars are wired in series increasing the voltage by 2V/bar but maintaining the total current at 50-100A. These arrays are one of the enabling technologies for efficient, high power solid-state lasers. Traditionally these arrays are operated in QCW (Quasi CW) mode with pulse widths 10-200 (mu)s and with repetition rates of 10-200Hz. In QCW mode the wavelength and the output power of the laser reaches steady-state but the temperature does not. The advantage is a substantially higher output power than in CW mode, where the output power would be limited by the internal heating and hence the thermal and heat sinking properties of the device. The down side is a much higher thermal induced mechanical stress caused by the constant heating and cooling cycle inherent to the QCW mode.

  9. BINARY ASTROMETRIC MICROLENSING WITH GAIA

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

    Sajadian, Sedighe, E-mail: sajadian@ipm.ir; Department of Physics, Sharif University of Technology, P.O. Box 11155-9161, Tehran

    2015-04-15

    We investigate whether or not Gaia can specify the binary fractions of massive stellar populations in the Galactic disk through astrometric microlensing. Furthermore, we study whether or not some information about their mass distributions can be inferred via this method. In this regard, we simulate the binary astrometric microlensing events due to massive stellar populations according to the Gaia observing strategy by considering (i) stellar-mass black holes, (ii) neutron stars, (iii) white dwarfs, and (iv) main-sequence stars as microlenses. The Gaia efficiency for detecting the binary signatures in binary astrometric microlensing events is ∼10%–20%. By calculating the optical depth duemore » to the mentioned stellar populations, the numbers of the binary astrometric microlensing events being observed with Gaia with detectable binary signatures, for the binary fraction of about 0.1, are estimated to be 6, 11, 77, and 1316, respectively. Consequently, Gaia can potentially specify the binary fractions of these massive stellar populations. However, the binary fraction of black holes measured with this method has a large uncertainty owing to a low number of the estimated events. Knowing the binary fractions in massive stellar populations helps with studying the gravitational waves. Moreover, we investigate the number of massive microlenses for which Gaia specifies masses through astrometric microlensing of single lenses toward the Galactic bulge. The resulting efficiencies of measuring the mass of mentioned populations are 9.8%, 2.9%, 1.2%, and 0.8%, respectively. The numbers of their astrometric microlensing events being observed in the Gaia era in which the lens mass can be inferred with the relative error less than 0.5 toward the Galactic bulge are estimated as 45, 34, 76, and 786, respectively. Hence, Gaia potentially gives us some information about the mass distribution of these massive stellar populations.« less

  10. Statistical Searches for Microlensing Events in Large, Non-uniformly Sampled Time-Domain Surveys: A Test Using Palomar Transient Factory Data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Price-Whelan, Adrian M.; Agüeros, Marcel A.; Fournier, Amanda P.; Street, Rachel; Ofek, Eran O.; Covey, Kevin R.; Levitan, David; Laher, Russ R.; Sesar, Branimir; Surace, Jason

    2014-01-01

    Many photometric time-domain surveys are driven by specific goals, such as searches for supernovae or transiting exoplanets, which set the cadence with which fields are re-imaged. In the case of the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF), several sub-surveys are conducted in parallel, leading to non-uniform sampling over its ~20,000 deg2 footprint. While the median 7.26 deg2 PTF field has been imaged ~40 times in the R band, ~2300 deg2 have been observed >100 times. We use PTF data to study the trade off between searching for microlensing events in a survey whose footprint is much larger than that of typical microlensing searches, but with far-from-optimal time sampling. To examine the probability that microlensing events can be recovered in these data, we test statistics used on uniformly sampled data to identify variables and transients. We find that the von Neumann ratio performs best for identifying simulated microlensing events in our data. We develop a selection method using this statistic and apply it to data from fields with >10 R-band observations, 1.1 × 109 light curves, uncovering three candidate microlensing events. We lack simultaneous, multi-color photometry to confirm these as microlensing events. However, their number is consistent with predictions for the event rate in the PTF footprint over the survey's three years of operations, as estimated from near-field microlensing models. This work can help constrain all-sky event rate predictions and tests microlensing signal recovery in large data sets, which will be useful to future time-domain surveys, such as that planned with the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope.

  11. Transition to Complicated Behavior in Infinite Dimensional Dynamical Systems

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1990-03-01

    solitons in nonlinear refractive periodic media," Phys. Lett. A. 141 37 (1989). A.3. Dynamics of Free-Running and Injection- Locked Laser Diode Arrays...Fibers * Dynamics of Free-Running and Injection- Locked Laser Diode Arrays I Diffraction/Diffusion Mediated Instabilities in Self-focusing/Defocusing...optics, the interplay between the coherence of solitons and the scattering (Anderson localization) effects of randomness, and the value in looking at

  12. Micromachined Radio Frequency (RF) Switches and Tunable Capacitors for Higher Performance Secure Communications Systems

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2003-04-01

    range filters implemented with traditional semiconductor varactor diodes can require complex series-parallel circuit constructions to achieve sufficient...filter slice of the AIU and the varactor array modules are shown in Fig. 6.2. The complexity of the varactor array is clearly apparent. Further, it is...38 Fig. 6.2: Schematic of F-22 AIU UHF tracking filter, 2-pole filter, and varactor diode assembly

  13. Electroluminescence of ordered ZnO nanorod array/p-GaN light-emitting diodes with graphene current spreading layer

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Ordered ZnO nanorod array/p-GaN heterojunction light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have been fabricated by introducing graphene as the current spreading layer, which exhibit improved electroluminescence performance by comparison to the LED using a conventional structure (indium-tin-oxide as the current spreading layer). In addition, by adjusting the diameter of ZnO nanorod array in use, the light emission of the ZnO nanorod array/p-GaN heterojunction LEDs was enhanced further. This work has great potential applications in solid-state lighting, high performance optoelectronic devices, and so on. PACS 78.60.Fi; 85.60.Jb; 78.67.Lt; 81.10.Dn PMID:25489284

  14. Electroluminescence of ordered ZnO nanorod array/p-GaN light-emitting diodes with graphene current spreading layer.

    PubMed

    Dong, Jing-Jing; Hao, Hui-Ying; Xing, Jie; Fan, Zhen-Jun; Zhang, Zi-Li

    2014-01-01

    Ordered ZnO nanorod array/p-GaN heterojunction light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have been fabricated by introducing graphene as the current spreading layer, which exhibit improved electroluminescence performance by comparison to the LED using a conventional structure (indium-tin-oxide as the current spreading layer). In addition, by adjusting the diameter of ZnO nanorod array in use, the light emission of the ZnO nanorod array/p-GaN heterojunction LEDs was enhanced further. This work has great potential applications in solid-state lighting, high performance optoelectronic devices, and so on. 78.60.Fi; 85.60.Jb; 78.67.Lt; 81.10.Dn.

  15. SiC-Based Schottky Diode Gas Sensors

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hunter, Gary W.; Neudeck, Philip G.; Chen, Liang-Yu; Knight, Dak; Liu, Chung-Chiun; Wu, Quing-Hai

    1997-01-01

    Silicon carbide based Schottky diode gas sensors are being developed for high temperature applications such as emission measurements. Two different types of gas sensitive diodes will be discussed in this paper. By varying the structure of the diode, one can affect the diode stability as well as the diode sensitivity to various gases. It is concluded that the ability of SiC to operate as a high temperature semiconductor significantly enhances the versatility of the Schottky diode gas sensing structure and will potentially allow the fabrication of a SiC-based gas sensor arrays for versatile high temperature gas sensing applications.

  16. In situ fabricated 3D micro-lenses for photonic integrated circuits.

    PubMed

    Thomas, R; Li, J; Ladak, Sam; Barrow, D; Smowton, P M

    2018-05-14

    Aspheric astigmatic polymer micro-lenses were fabricated directly onto photonic integrated circuits using two-photon lithography. We observed a 12.6 dB improvement in the free space coupling efficiency between integrated ridge laser pairs with micro-lenses to those without.

  17. Astrometric Observation of MACHO Gravitational Microlensing

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Boden, A. F.; Shao, M.; Van Buren, D.

    1997-01-01

    This paper discusses the prospects for astrometric observation of MACHO gravitational microlensing events. We derive the expected astrometric observables for a simple microlensing event assuming a dark MACHO, and demonstrate that accurate astrometry can determine the lens mass, distance, and proper motion in a very general fashion.

  18. Interferometric observation of microlensing events

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cassan, Arnaud; Ranc, Clément

    2016-05-01

    Interferometric observations of microlensing events have the potential to provide unique constraints on the physical properties of the lensing systems. In this work, we first present a formalism that closely combines interferometric and microlensing observable quantities, which lead us to define an original microlensing (u, v) plane. We run simulations of long-baseline interferometric observations and photometric light curves to decide which observational strategy is required to obtain a precise measurement on vector Einstein radius. We finally perform a detailed analysis of the expected number of targets in the light of new microlensing surveys (2011+) which currently deliver 2000 alerts per year. We find that a few events are already at reach of long-baseline interferometers (CHARA, VLTI), and a rate of about six events per year is expected with a limiting magnitude of K ≃ 10. This number would increase by an order of magnitude by raising it to K ≃ 11. We thus expect that a new route for characterizing microlensing events will be opened by the upcoming generations of interferometers.

  19. Korea Microlensing Telescope Network Microlensing Events from 2015: Event-finding Algorithm, Vetting, and Photometry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, D.-J.; Kim, H.-W.; Hwang, K.-H.; Albrow, M. D.; Chung, S.-J.; Gould, A.; Han, C.; Jung, Y. K.; Ryu, Y.-H.; Shin, I.-G.; Yee, J. C.; Zhu, W.; Cha, S.-M.; Kim, S.-L.; Lee, C.-U.; Lee, D.-J.; Lee, Y.; Park, B.-G.; Pogge, R. W.; The KMTNet Collaboration

    2018-02-01

    We present microlensing events in the 2015 Korea Microlensing Telescope Network (KMTNet) data and our procedure for identifying these events. In particular, candidates were detected with a novel “completed-event” microlensing event-finder algorithm. The algorithm works by making linear fits to a ({t}0,{t}{eff},{u}0) grid of point-lens microlensing models. This approach is rendered computationally efficient by restricting u 0 to just two values (0 and 1), which we show is quite adequate. The implementation presented here is specifically tailored to the commission-year character of the 2015 data, but the algorithm is quite general and has already been applied to a completely different (non-KMTNet) data set. We outline expected improvements for 2016 and future KMTNet data. The light curves of the 660 “clear microlensing” and 182 “possible microlensing” events that were found in 2015 are presented along with our policy for their public release.

  20. Laser Diode Ignition (LDI)

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kass, William J.; Andrews, Larry A.; Boney, Craig M.; Chow, Weng W.; Clements, James W.; Merson, John A.; Salas, F. Jim; Williams, Randy J.; Hinkle, Lane R.

    1994-01-01

    This paper reviews the status of the Laser Diode Ignition (LDI) program at Sandia National Labs. One watt laser diodes have been characterized for use with a single explosive actuator. Extensive measurements of the effect of electrostatic discharge (ESD) pulses on the laser diode optical output have been made. Characterization of optical fiber and connectors over temperature has been done. Multiple laser diodes have been packaged to ignite multiple explosive devices and an eight element laser diode array has been recently tested by igniting eight explosive devices at predetermined 100 ms intervals.

  1. GaAs laser diode pumped Nd:YAG laser

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Conant, L. C.; Reno, C. W.

    1974-01-01

    A 1.5-mm by 3-cm neodymium-ion doped YAG laser rod has been side pumped using a GaAs laser diode array tuned to the 8680-A absorption line, achieving a multimode average output power of 120 mW for a total input power of 20 W to the final-stage laser diode drivers. The pumped arrangement was designed to take advantage of the high brightness of a conventional GaAs array as a linear source by introducing the pump light through a slit into a close-wrapped gold coated pump cavity. This cavity forms an integrating chamber for the pump light.

  2. Dynamic characteristics of far-field radiation of current modulated phase-locked diode laser arrays

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Elliott, R. A.; Hartnett, K.

    1987-01-01

    A versatile and powerful streak camera/frame grabber system for studying the evolution of the near and far field radiation patterns of diode lasers was assembled and tested. Software needed to analyze and display the data acquired with the steak camera/frame grabber system was written and the total package used to record and perform preliminary analyses on the behavior of two types of laser, a ten emitter gain guided array and a flared waveguide Y-coupled array. Examples of the information which can be gathered with this system are presented.

  3. The Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment Ogle-Ii Results

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Żebruń, K.; Udalski, A.; Szymański, M.; Kubiak, M.; Pietrzyński, G.; Soszyński, I.; Woźniak, P.

    2002-12-01

    We present results of a search for microlensing events in the OGLE-II database of observations of stars from the Galactic Bulge (GB). Our main result is the Catalog of Microlensing events in the GB containing data about 214 cases of microlensing in 1997-1999. We present also the distribution of the normalized number of microlensing events in 24 lines of sight. Our results show that the majority of lenses are located in the Galactic Bar rather than in the Galactic disk. Details and the Catalog are available from the OGLE internet archive.

  4. Plasmon-enhanced Electrically Light-emitting from ZnO Nanorod Arrays/p-GaN Heterostructure Devices

    PubMed Central

    Lu, Junfeng; Shi, Zengliang; Wang, Yueyue; Lin, Yi; Zhu, Qiuxiang; Tian, Zhengshan; Dai, Jun; Wang, Shufeng; Xu, Chunxiang

    2016-01-01

    Effective and bright light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) have attracted broad interests in fundamental research and industrial application, especially on short wavelength LEDs. In this paper, a well aligned ZnO nanorod arrays grown on the p-GaN substrate to form a heterostructured light-emitting diode and Al nanoparticles (NPs) were decorated to improve the electroluminescence performance. More than 30-folds enhancement of the electroluminescence intensity was obtained compared with the device without Al NPs decoration. The investigation on the stable and transient photoluminescence spectraof the ZnO nanorod arrays before and after Al NPs decoration demonstrated that the metal surface plasmon resonance coupling with excitons of ZnO leads to the enhancement of the internal quantum efficiency (IQE). Our results provide aneffective approach to design novel optoelectronic devices such as light-emitting diodes and plasmonic nanolasers. PMID:27181337

  5. Plasmon-enhanced Electrically Light-emitting from ZnO Nanorod Arrays/p-GaN Heterostructure Devices.

    PubMed

    Lu, Junfeng; Shi, Zengliang; Wang, Yueyue; Lin, Yi; Zhu, Qiuxiang; Tian, Zhengshan; Dai, Jun; Wang, Shufeng; Xu, Chunxiang

    2016-05-16

    Effective and bright light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) have attracted broad interests in fundamental research and industrial application, especially on short wavelength LEDs. In this paper, a well aligned ZnO nanorod arrays grown on the p-GaN substrate to form a heterostructured light-emitting diode and Al nanoparticles (NPs) were decorated to improve the electroluminescence performance. More than 30-folds enhancement of the electroluminescence intensity was obtained compared with the device without Al NPs decoration. The investigation on the stable and transient photoluminescence spectraof the ZnO nanorod arrays before and after Al NPs decoration demonstrated that the metal surface plasmon resonance coupling with excitons of ZnO leads to the enhancement of the internal quantum efficiency (IQE). Our results provide aneffective approach to design novel optoelectronic devices such as light-emitting diodes and plasmonic nanolasers.

  6. Method for fabrication of cylindrical microlenses of selected shape

    DOEpatents

    Snyder, J.J.; Baer, T.M.

    1992-01-14

    The present invention provides a diffraction limited, high numerical aperture (fast) cylindrical microlens. The method for making the microlens is adaptable to produce a cylindrical lens that has almost any shape on its optical surfaces. The cylindrical lens may have a shape, such as elliptical or hyperbolic, designed to transform some particular given input light distribution into some desired output light distribution. In the method, the desired shape is first formed in a glass preform. Then, the preform is heated to the minimum drawing temperature and a fiber is drawn from it. The cross-sectional shape of the fiber bears a direct relation to the shape of the preform from which it was drawn. During the drawing process, the surfaces become optically smooth due to fire polishing. The present invention has many applications, such as integrated optics, optical detectors and laser diodes. The lens, when connected to a laser diode bar, can provide a high intensity source of laser radiation for pumping a high average power solid state laser. In integrated optics, a lens can be used to couple light into and out of apertures such as waveguides. The lens can also be used to collect light, and focus it on a detector. 11 figs.

  7. Method for fabrication of cylindrical microlenses of selected shape

    DOEpatents

    Snyder, James J.; Baer, Thomas M.

    1992-01-01

    The present invention provides a diffraction limited, high numerical aperture (fast) cylindrical microlens. The method for making the microlens is adaptable to produce a cylindrical lens that has almost any shape on its optical surfaces. The cylindrical lens may have a shape, such as elliptical or hyperbolic, designed to transform some particular given input light distribution into some desired output light distribution. In the method, the desired shape is first formed in a glass preform. Then, the preform is heated to the minimum drawing temperature and a fiber is drawn from it. The cross-sectional shape of the fiber bears a direct relation to the shape of the preform from which it was drawn. During the drawing process, the surfaces become optically smooth due to fire polishing. The present invention has many applications, such as integrated optics, optical detectors and laser diodes. The lens, when connected to a laser diode bar, can provide a high intensity source of laser radiation for pumping a high average power solid state laser. In integrated optics, a lens can be used to couple light into and out of apertures such as waveguides. The lens can also be used to collect light, and focus it on a detector.

  8. New dual-curvature microlens array with a high fill-factor for organic light emitting diode modules

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lin, Tsung-Hung; Yang, Hsiharng; Chao, Ching-Kong; Shui, Hung-Chi

    2013-09-01

    A new method for fabricating a novel dual-curvature microlens array with a high fill-factor using proximity printing in a lithography process is reported. The lens shapes include dual-curvature, which is a novel shape composed of triangles and hexagons. We utilized UV proximity printing by controlling a printing gap between the mask and substrate. The designed high density microlens array pattern can fabricate a dual-curvature microlens array with a high fill-factor in a photoresist material. It is due to the UV light diffraction which deflects away from the aperture edges and produces a certain exposure in the photoresist material outside the aperture edges. A dual-curvature microlens array with a height ratio of 0.48 can boost axial luminance up to 22%. Therefore, the novel dual-curvature microlens array offers an economical solution for increasing the luminance of organic light emitting diodes.

  9. Single-element optical injection locking of diode-laser arrays

    DOEpatents

    Hadley, G. Ronald; Hohimer, John P.; Owyoung, Adelbert

    1988-01-01

    By optically injecting a single end-element of a semiconductor laser array, both the spatial and spectral emission characteristics of the entire laser array is controlled. With the output of the array locked, the far-field emission angle of the array is continuously scanned over several degrees by varying the injection frequency.

  10. Deep diode arrays for X-ray detection

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Zemel, J. N.

    1984-01-01

    Temperature gradient zone melting process was used to form p-n junctions in bulk of high purity silicon wafers. These diodes were patterned to form arrays for X-ray spectrometers. The whole fabrication processes for these X-ray detectors are reviewed in detail. The p-n junctions were evaluated by (1) the dark diode I-V measurements, (2) the diode C sub I - V measurements, and (3) the MOS C-V measurements. The results showed that these junctions were linearly graded in charge distribution with low reverse bias leakage current flowing through them (few nA at -10 volts). The X-ray detection experiments showed that an FWHM of 500 eV was obtained from these diodes with a small bias of just -5 volts (for X-ray source Fe55). A theoretical model was proposed to explain the extra peaks found in the energy spectra and a very interesting point - cross talk effect was pointed out. This might be a solution to the problem of making really high resolution X-ray spectrometers.

  11. Fly's eye condenser based on chirped microlens arrays

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wippermann, Frank C.; Zeitner, Uwe-D.; Dannberg, Peter; Bräuer, Andreas; Sinzinger, Stefan

    2007-09-01

    Lens array arrangements are commonly used for the beam shaping of almost arbitrary input intensity distributions into a top-hat. The setup usually consists of a Fourier lens and two identical regular microlens arrays - often referred to as tandem lens array - where the second one is placed in the focal plane of the first microlenses. Due to the periodic structure of regular arrays the output intensity distribution is modulated by equidistant sharp intensity peaks which are disturbing the homogeneity. The equidistantly located intensity peaks can be suppressed when using a chirped and therefore non-periodic microlens array. A far field speckle pattern with more densely and irregularly located intensity peaks results leading to an improved homogeneity of the intensity distribution. In contrast to stochastic arrays, chirped arrays consist of individually shaped lenses defined by a parametric description of the cells optical function which can be derived completely from analytical functions. This gives the opportunity to build up tandem array setups enabling to achieve far field intensity distribution with an envelope of a top-hat. We propose a new concept for fly's eye condensers incorporating a chirped tandem microlens array for the generation of a top-hat far field intensity distribution with improved homogenization under coherent illumination. The setup is compliant to reflow of photoresist as fabrication technique since plane substrates accommodating the arrays are used. Considerations for the design of the chirped microlens arrays, design rules, wave optical simulations and measurements of the far field intensity distributions are presented.

  12. STELLAR ROTATION EFFECTS IN POLARIMETRIC MICROLENSING

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

    Sajadian, Sedighe, E-mail: sajadian@ipm.ir

    2016-07-10

    It is well known that the polarization signal in microlensing events of hot stars is larger than that of main-sequence stars. Most hot stars rotate rapidly around their stellar axes. The stellar rotation creates ellipticity and gravity-darkening effects that break the spherical symmetry of the source's shape and the circular symmetry of the source's surface brightness respectively. Hence, it causes a net polarization signal for the source star. This polarization signal should be considered in polarimetric microlensing of fast rotating stars. For moderately rotating stars, lensing can magnify or even characterize small polarization signals due to the stellar rotation throughmore » polarimetric observations. The gravity-darkening effect due to a rotating source star creates asymmetric perturbations in polarimetric and photometric microlensing curves whose maximum occurs when the lens trajectory crosses the projected position of the rotation pole on the sky plane. The stellar ellipticity creates a time shift (i) in the position of the second peak of the polarimetric curves in transit microlensing events and (ii) in the peak position of the polarimetric curves with respect to the photometric peak position in bypass microlensing events. By measuring this time shift via polarimetric observations of microlensing events, we can evaluate the ellipticity of the projected source surface on the sky plane. Given the characterizations of the FOcal Reducer and low dispersion Spectrograph (FORS2) polarimeter at the Very Large Telescope, the probability of observing this time shift is very small. The more accurate polarimeters of the next generation may well measure these time shifts and evaluate the ellipticity of microlensing source stars.« less

  13. The First Planetary Microlensing Event with Two Microlensed Source Stars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bennett, D. P.; Udalski, A.; Han, C.; Bond, I. A.; Beaulieu, J.-P.; Skowron, J.; Gaudi, B. S.; Koshimoto, N.; Abe, F.; Asakura, Y.; Barry, R. K.; Bhattacharya, A.; Donachie, M.; Evans, P.; Fukui, A.; Hirao, Y.; Itow, Y.; Li, M. C. A.; Ling, C. H.; Masuda, K.; Matsubara, Y.; Muraki, Y.; Nagakane, M.; Ohnishi, K.; Oyokawa, H.; Ranc, C.; Rattenbury, N. J.; Rosenthal, M. M.; Saito, To.; Sharan, A.; Sullivan, D. J.; Sumi, T.; Suzuki, D.; Tristram, P. J.; Yonehara, A.; The MOA Collaboration; Szymański, M. K.; Poleski, R.; Soszyński, I.; Ulaczyk, K.; Wyrzykowski, Ł.; The OGLE Collaboration; DePoy, D.; Gould, A.; Pogge, R. W.; Yee, J. C.; The μFUN Collaboration; Albrow, M. D.; Bachelet, E.; Batista, V.; Bowens-Rubin, R.; Brillant, S.; Caldwell, J. A. R.; Cole, A.; Coutures, C.; Dieters, S.; Dominis Prester, D.; Donatowicz, J.; Fouqué, P.; Horne, K.; Hundertmark, M.; Kains, N.; Kane, S. R.; Marquette, J.-B.; Menzies, J.; Pollard, K. R.; Ranc, C.; Sahu, K. C.; Wambsganss, J.; Williams, A.; Zub, M.; The PLANET Collaboration

    2018-03-01

    We present the analysis of the microlensing event MOA-2010-BLG-117, and show that the light curve can only be explained by the gravitational lensing of a binary source star system by a star with a Jupiter-mass ratio planet. It was necessary to modify standard microlensing modeling methods to find the correct light curve solution for this binary source, binary-lens event. We are able to measure a strong microlensing parallax signal, which yields the masses of the host star, M * = 0.58 ± 0.11 M ⊙, and planet, m p = 0.54 ± 0.10M Jup, at a projected star–planet separation of a ⊥ = 2.42 ± 0.26 au, corresponding to a semimajor axis of a=2.9≥nfrac{}{}{0em}{}{+1.6}{-0.6} au. Thus, the system resembles a half-scale model of the Sun–Jupiter system with a half-Jupiter0mass planet orbiting a half-solar-mass star at very roughly half of Jupiter’s orbital distance from the Sun. The source stars are slightly evolved, and by requiring them to lie on the same isochrone, we can constrain the source to lie in the near side of the bulge at a distance of D S = 6.9 ± 0.7 kpc, which implies a distance to the planetary lens system of D L = 3.5 ± 0.4 kpc. The ability to model unusual planetary microlensing events, like this one, will be necessary to extract precise statistical information from the planned large exoplanet microlensing surveys, such as the WFIRST microlensing survey.

  14. GERLUMPH Data Release 2: 2.5 Billion Simulated Microlensing Light Curves

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vernardos, G.; Fluke, C. J.; Bate, N. F.; Croton, D.; Vohl, D.

    2015-04-01

    In the upcoming synoptic all-sky survey era of astronomy, thousands of new multiply imaged quasars are expected to be discovered and monitored regularly. Light curves from the images of gravitationally lensed quasars are further affected by superimposed variability due to microlensing. In order to disentangle the microlensing from the intrinsic variability of the light curves, the time delays between the multiple images have to be accurately measured. The resulting microlensing light curves can then be analyzed to reveal information about the background source, such as the size of the quasar accretion disk. In this paper we present the most extensive and coherent collection of simulated microlensing light curves; we have generated \\gt 2.5 billion light curves using the GERLUMPH high resolution microlensing magnification maps. Our simulations can be used to train algorithms to measure lensed quasar time delays, plan future monitoring campaigns, and study light curve properties throughout parameter space. Our data are openly available to the community and are complemented by online eResearch tools, located at http://gerlumph.swin.edu.au.

  15. Super-Lattice Light Emitting Diodes (SLEDS) on GaAs

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-03-31

    Super-Lattice Light Emitting Diodes (SLEDS) on GaAs Kassem Nabha1, Russel Ricker2, Rodney McGee1, Nick Waite1, John Prineas2, Sydney Provence2...infrared light emitting diodes (LEDs). Typically, the LED arrays are mated with CMOS read-in integrated circuit (RIIC) chips using flip-chip bonding. In...circuit (RIIC) chips using flip-chip bonding. This established technology is called Hybrid-super-lattice light emitting diodes (Hybrid- SLEDS). In

  16. Monolithic microchannel heatsink

    DOEpatents

    Benett, W.J.; Beach, R.J.; Ciarlo, D.R.

    1996-08-20

    A silicon wafer has slots sawn in it that allow diode laser bars to be mounted in contact with the silicon. Microchannels are etched into the back of the wafer to provide cooling of the diode bars. To facilitate getting the channels close to the diode bars, the channels are rotated from an angle perpendicular to the diode bars which allows increased penetration between the mounted diode bars. This invention enables the fabrication of monolithic silicon microchannel heatsinks for laser diodes. The heatsinks have low thermal resistance because of the close proximity of the microchannels to the laser diode being cooled. This allows high average power operation of two-dimensional laser diode arrays that have a high density of laser diode bars and therefore high optical power density. 9 figs.

  17. Monolithic microchannel heatsink

    DOEpatents

    Benett, William J.; Beach, Raymond J.; Ciarlo, Dino R.

    1996-01-01

    A silicon wafer has slots sawn in it that allow diode laser bars to be mounted in contact with the silicon. Microchannels are etched into the back of the wafer to provide cooling of the diode bars. To facilitate getting the channels close to the diode bars, the channels are rotated from an angle perpendicular to the diode bars which allows increased penetration between the mounted diode bars. This invention enables the fabrication of monolithic silicon microchannel heatsinks for laser diodes. The heatsinks have low thermal resistance because of the close proximity of the microchannels to the laser diode being cooled. This allows high average power operation of two-dimensional laser diode arrays that have a high density of laser diode bars and therefore high optical power density.

  18. Improving the optical performance of InGaN light-emitting diodes by altering light reflection and refraction with triangular air prism arrays.

    PubMed

    Kang, Ji Hye; Kim, Hyung Gu; Chandramohan, S; Kim, Hyun Kyu; Kim, Hee Yun; Ryu, Jae Hyoung; Park, Young Jae; Beak, Yun Seon; Lee, Jeong-Sik; Park, Joong Seo; Lysak, Volodymyr V; Hong, Chang-Hee

    2012-01-01

    The effect of triangular air prism (TAP) arrays with different distance-to-width (d/w) ratios on the enhancement of light extraction efficiency (LEE) of InGaN light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is investigated. The TAP arrays embedded at the sapphire/GaN interface act as light reflectors and refractors, and thereby improve the light output power due to the redirection of light into escape cones on both the front and back sides of the LED. Enhancement in radiometric power as high as 117% and far-field angle as low as 129° are realized with a compact arrangement of TAP arrays compared with that of a conventional LED made without TAP arrays under an injection current of 20 mA. © 2012 Optical Society of America

  19. An analytic treatment of gravitational microlensing for sources of finite size at large optical depths

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Deguchi, Shuji; Watson, William D.

    1988-01-01

    Statistical methods are developed for gravitational lensing in order to obtain analytic expressions for the average surface brightness that include the effects of microlensing by stellar (or other compact) masses within the lensing galaxy. The primary advance here is in utilizing a Markoff technique to obtain expressions that are valid for sources of finite size when the surface density of mass in the lensing galaxy is large. The finite size of the source is probably the key consideration for the occurrence of microlensing by individual stars. For the intensity from a particular location, the parameter which governs the importance of microlensing is determined. Statistical methods are also formulated to assess the time variation of the surface brightness due to the random motion of the masses that cause the microlensing.

  20. Bypass Diode Temperature Tests of a Solar Array Coupon Under Space Thermal Environment Conditions

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wright, Kenneth H., Jr.; Schneider, Todd A.; Vaughn, Jason A.; Hoang, Bao; Wong, Frankie; Wu, Gordon

    2016-01-01

    Tests were performed on a 56-cell Advanced Triple Junction solar array coupon whose purpose was to determine margin available for bypass diodes integrated with new, large multi-junction solar cells that are manufactured from a 4-inch wafer. The tests were performed under high vacuum with coupon back side thermal conditions of both cold and ambient. The bypass diodes were subjected to a sequence of increasing discrete current steps from 0 Amp to 2.0 Amp in steps of 0.25 Amp. At each current step, a temperature measurement was obtained via remote viewing by an infrared camera. This paper discusses the experimental methodology, experiment results, and the thermal model.

  1. By-Pass Diode Temperature Tests of a Solar Array Coupon Under Space Thermal Environment Conditions

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wright, Kenneth H., Jr.; Schneider, Todd A.; Vaughn, Jason A.; Hoang, Bao; Wong, Frankie

    2016-01-01

    Tests were performed on a 56-cell Advanced Triple Junction solar array coupon whose purpose was to determine margin available for bypass diodes integrated with new, large multi-junction solar cells that are manufactured from a 4-inch wafer. The tests were performed under high vacuum with cold and ambient coupon back-side. The bypass diodes were subjected to a sequence of increasing discrete current steps from 0 Amp to 2.0 Amp in steps of 0.25 Amp. At each current step, a temperature measurement was obtained via remote viewing by an infrared camera. This paper discusses the experimental methodology, including the calibration of the thermal imaging system, and the results.

  2. AlGaInN laser diode technology for defence, security and sensing applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Najda, Stephen P.; Perlin, Piotr; Suski, Tadek; Marona, Lucja; Boćkowski, Mike; Leszczyński, Mike; Wisniewski, Przemek; Czernecki, Robert; Kucharski, Robert; Targowski, Grzegorz; Watson, Scott; Kelly, Antony E.

    2014-10-01

    The latest developments in AlGaInN laser diode technology are reviewed for defence, security and sensing applications. The AlGaInN material system allows for laser diodes to be fabricated over a very wide range of wavelengths from u.v., i.e, 380nm, to the visible, i.e., 530nm, by tuning the indium content of the laser GaInN quantum well. Advantages of using Plasma assisted MBE (PAMBE) compared to more conventional MOCVD epitaxy to grow AlGaInN laser structures are highlighted. Ridge waveguide laser diode structures are fabricated to achieve single mode operation with optical powers of <100mW in the 400-420nm wavelength range that are suitable for telecom applications. Visible light communications at high frequency (up to 2.5 Gbit/s) using a directly modulated 422nm Gallium-nitride (GaN) blue laser diode is reported. High power operation of AlGaInN laser diodes is demonstrated with a single chip, AlGaInN laser diode `mini-array' with a common p-contact configuration at powers up to 2.5W cw at 410nm. Low defectivity and highly uniform GaN substrates allow arrays and bars of nitride lasers to be fabricated. GaN laser bars of up to 5mm with 20 emitters, mounted in a CS mount package, give optical powers up to 4W cw at ~410nm with a common contact configuration. An alternative package configuration for AlGaInN laser arrays allows for each individual laser to be individually addressable allowing complex free-space and/or fibre optic system integration within a very small form-factor.or.

  3. Semiconductor Laser Diode Arrays by MOCVD (Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1987-09-01

    laser diode arrays are intended to be used as an optical pump for solid state yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) lasers. In particular, linear uniform...corresponds to about . , 8080A. Such thin layer structures, while difficult to grow by such conventional growth methods as liquid phase epitaxy ( LPE ...lower yet than for DH lasers grown by LPE . , - Conventional self-aligned stripe laser This structure is formed by growing (on an n-type GaAs substrate

  4. The Frequency of Snowline-Region Planets from Four Years of OGLE-MOA-Wise Second-Generation Microlensing

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shvartzvald, Y.; Maoz, D.; Udalski, A.; Sumi, T.; Friedmann, M.; Kaspi, S.; Poleski, R.; Szymanski, M. K.; Skowron, J.; Kozlowski, S.; hide

    2016-01-01

    We present a statistical analysis of the first four seasons from a second-generation microlensing survey for extrasolar planets, consisting of near-continuous time coverage of 8 deg to the 2nd power of the Galactic bulge by the Optical Gravitational Lens Experiment (OGLE), Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics (MOA), and Wise microlensing surveys. During this period, 224 microlensing events were observed by all three groups. Over 12% of the events showed a deviation from single-lens microlensing, and for approx. 1/3 of those the anomaly is likely caused by a planetary companion. For each of the 224 events, we have performed numerical ray-tracing simulations to calculate the detection efficiency of possible companions as a function of companion-to-host mass ratio and separation. Accounting for the detection efficiency, we find that 55 +34 -22%of microlensed stars host a snowline planet. Moreover, we find that Neptune-mass planets are approx.10 times more common than Jupiter-mass planets. The companion-to-host mass-ratio distribution shows a deficit at q approx. 10 (exp -2), separating the distribution into two companion populations, analogous to the stellar-companion and planet populations, seen in radial-velocity surveys around solar-like stars. Our survey, however, which probes mainly lower mass stars, suggests a minimum in the distribution in the super-Jupiter mass range, and a relatively high occurrence of brown-dwarf companions.

  5. Solution-Processed Organic Thin-Film Transistor Array for Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Harada, Chihiro; Hata, Takuya; Chuman, Takashi; Ishizuka, Shinichi; Yoshizawa, Atsushi

    2013-05-01

    We developed a 3-in. organic thin-film transistor (OTFT) array with an ink-jetted organic semiconductor. All layers except electrodes were fabricated by solution processes. The OTFT performed well without hysteresis, and the field-effect mobility in the saturation region was 0.45 cm2 V-1 s-1, the threshold voltage was 3.3 V, and the on/off current ratio was more than 106. We demonstrated a 3-in. active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) display driven by the OTFT array. The display could provide clear moving images. The peak luminance of the display was 170 cd/m2.

  6. Calibrating the orientation between a microlens array and a sensor based on projective geometry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Su, Lijuan; Yan, Qiangqiang; Cao, Jun; Yuan, Yan

    2016-07-01

    We demonstrate a method for calibrating a microlens array (MLA) with a sensor component by building a plenoptic camera with a conventional prime lens. This calibration method includes a geometric model, a setup to adjust the distance (L) between the prime lens and the MLA, a calibration procedure for determining the subimage centers, and an optimization algorithm. The geometric model introduces nine unknown parameters regarding the centers of the microlenses and their images, whereas the distance adjustment setup provides an initial guess for the distance L. The simulation results verify the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method. The experimental results demonstrate the calibration process can be performed with a commercial prime lens and the proposed method can be used to quantitatively evaluate whether a MLA and a sensor is assembled properly for plenoptic systems.

  7. 303 nm continuous wave ultraviolet laser generated by intracavity frequency-doubling of diode-pumped Pr3+:LiYF4 laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhu, Pengfei; Zhang, Chaomin; Zhu, Kun; Ping, Yunxia; Song, Pei; Sun, Xiaohui; Wang, Fuxin; Yao, Yi

    2018-03-01

    We demonstrate an efficient and compact ultraviolet laser at 303 nm generated by intracavity frequency doubling of a continuous wave (CW) laser diode-pumped Pr3+:YLiF4 laser at 607 nm. A cesium lithium borate (CLBO) crystal, cut for critical type I phase matching at room temperature, is used for second-harmonic generation (SHG) of the fundamental laser. By using an InGaN laser diode array emitting at 444.3 nm with a maximum incident power of 10 W, as high as 68 mW of CW output power at 303 nm is achieved. The output power stability in 4 h is better than 2.85%. To the best of our knowledge, this is high efficient UV laser generated by frequency doubling of an InGaN laser diode array pumped Pr3+:YLiF4 laser.

  8. Spectroscopic Characterisation of Microlensing Events: Towards a New Interpretation of OGLE-2011-BLG-0417

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Santerne, A.; Beaulieu, J.-P.; Rojas Ayala, B.; Boisse, I.; Schlawin, E.; Almenara, J.-M.; Batista, V.; Bennett, D.; Diaz, R. F.; Figueira, P.; hide

    2016-01-01

    The microlensing event OGLE-2011-BLG-0417 is an exceptionally bright lens binary that was predicted to present radial velocity variation at the level of several km s1. Pioneer radial velocity follow-up observations with the UVES spectrograph at the ESOVLT of this system clearly ruled out the large radial velocity variation, leaving a discrepancy between the observation and the prediction. In this paper, we further characterise the microlensing system by analysing its spectral energy distribution (SED) derived using the UVES spectrum and new observations with the ARCoIRIS (CTIO) near-infrared spectrograph and the Keck adaptive optics instrumentNIRC2 in the J, H, and Ks-bands. We determine the mass and distance of the stars independently from the microlensing modelling. We find that the SED is compatible with a giant star in the Galactic bulge and a foreground star with a mass of 0.94 +/- 0.09 M solar mass at a distance of 1.07 +/- 0.24 kpc. We find that this foreground star is likely the lens. Its parameters are not compatible with the onespreviously reported in the literature (0.52 +/- 0.04 M solar mass at 0.95 +/- 0.06 kpc), based on the microlensing light curve. A thoughtful reanalysis of the microlensing event is mandatory to fully understand the reason of this new discrepancy. More importantly, this paper demonstrates that spectroscopic follow-up observations of microlensing events are possible and provide independent constraints on the parameters of the lens and source stars, hence breaking some degeneracies in the analysis. UV-to-NIR low-resolution spectrographs like X-shooter (ESOVLT) could substantially contribute to this follow-up efforts, with magnitude limits above all microlensing events detected so far.

  9. Astrophysical applications of gravitational microlensing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mao, Shude

    2012-08-01

    Since the first discovery of microlensing events nearly two decades ago, gravitational microlensing has accumulated tens of TBytes of data and developed into a powerful astrophysical technique with diverse applications. The review starts with a theoretical overview of the field and then proceeds to discuss the scientific highlights. (1) Microlensing observations toward the Magellanic Clouds rule out the Milky Way halo being dominated by MAssive Compact Halo Objects (MACHOs). This confirms most dark matter is non-baryonic, consistent with other observations. (2) Microlensing has discovered about 20 extrasolar planets (16 published), including the first two Jupiter-Saturn like systems and the only five “cold Neptunes" yet detected. They probe a different part of the parameter space and will likely provide the most stringent test of core accretion theory of planet formation. (3) Microlensing provides a unique way to measure the mass of isolated stars, including brown dwarfs and normal stars. Half a dozen or so stellar mass black hole candidates have also been proposed. (4) High-resolution, target-of-opportunity spectra of highly-magnified dwarf stars provide intriguing “age" determinations which may either hint at enhanced helium enrichment or unusual bulge formation theories. (5) Microlensing also measured limb-darkening profiles for close to ten giant stars, which challenges stellar atmosphere models. (6) Data from surveys also provide strong constraints on the geometry and kinematics of the Milky Way bar (through proper motions); the latter indicates predictions from current models appear to be too anisotropic compared with observations. The future of microlensing is bright given the new capabilities of current surveys and forthcoming new telescope networks from the ground and from space. Some open issues in the field are identified and briefly discussed.

  10. Method and system for powering and cooling semiconductor lasers

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

    Telford, Steven J; Ladran, Anthony S

    A semiconductor laser system includes a diode laser tile. The diode laser tile includes a mounting fixture having a first side and a second side opposing the first side and an array of semiconductor laser pumps coupled to the first side of the mounting fixture. The semiconductor laser system also includes an electrical pulse generator thermally coupled to the diode bar and a cooling member thermally coupled to the diode bar and the electrical pulse generator.

  11. Micron-scale lens array having diffracting structures

    DOEpatents

    Goldberg, Kenneth A

    2013-10-29

    A novel micron-scale lens, a microlens, is engineered to concentrate light efficiently onto an area of interest, such as a small, light-sensitive detector element in an integrated electronic device. Existing microlens designs imitate the form of large-scale lenses and are less effective at small sizes. The microlenses described herein have been designed to accommodate diffraction effects, which dominate the behavior of light at small length scales. Thus a new class of light-concentrating optical elements with much higher relative performance has been created. Furthermore, the new designs are much easier to fabricate than previous designs.

  12. Flexible amorphous silicon PIN diode x-ray detectors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Marrs, Michael; Bawolek, Edward; Smith, Joseph T.; Raupp, Gregory B.; Morton, David

    2013-05-01

    A low temperature amorphous silicon (a-Si) thin film transistor (TFT) and amorphous silicon PIN photodiode technology for flexible passive pixel detector arrays has been developed using active matrix display technology. The flexible detector arrays can be conformed to non-planar surfaces with the potential to detect x-rays or other radiation with an appropriate conversion layer. The thin, lightweight, and robust backplanes may enable the use of highly portable x-ray detectors for use in the battlefield or in remote locations. We have fabricated detector arrays up to 200 millimeters along the diagonal on a Gen II (370 mm x 470 mm rectangular substrate) using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) a-Si as the active layer and PECVD silicon nitride (SiN) as the gate dielectric and passivation. The a-Si based TFTs exhibited an effective saturation mobility of 0.7 cm2/V-s, which is adequate for most sensing applications. The PIN diode material was fabricated using a low stress amorphous silicon (a-Si) PECVD process. The PIN diode dark current was 1.7 pA/mm2, the diode ideality factor was 1.36, and the diode fill factor was 0.73. We report on the critical steps in the evolution of the backplane process from qualification of the low temperature (180°C) TFT and PIN diode process on the 150 mm pilot line, the transfer of the process to flexible plastic substrates, and finally a discussion and demonstration of the scale-up to the Gen II (370 x 470 mm) panel scale pilot line.

  13. Wide-field airborne laser diode array illuminator: demonstration results

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Suiter, H. R.; Holloway, J. H., Jr.; Tinsley, K. R.; Pham, C. N.; Kloess, E. C., III; Witherspoon, N. H.; Stetson, S.; Crosby, F.; Nevis, A.; McCarley, K. A.; Seales, T. C.

    2005-06-01

    The Airborne Littoral Reconnaissance Technology (ALRT) program has successfully demonstrated the Wide-Field Airborne Laser Diode Array Illuminator (ALDAI-W). This illuminator is designed to illuminate a large area from the air with limited power, weight, and volume. A detection system, of which the ALDAI-W is a central portion, is capable of detecting surface-laid minefields in absolute darkness, extending the allowed mission times to night operations. This will be an overview report, giving processing results and suggested paths for additional development.

  14. Characterization of Aluminum Magnesium Alloy Reverse Sensitized via Heat Treatment

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-09-01

    been on ships that had seen an unknown cycle of painting - stripping -repainting, so some variation was expected. 16 The exact age and range of...Figure 44. Effect of Temperature on Al-Mg Alloys. Adapted from [9]. d. Other heat treatment techniques – high power diode laser (HPDL) arrays Because...25] B. Baker et. al, "Use of High-Power diode Laser Arrays for Pre- and Post- Weld Heating During Friction Stir Welding of Steels," in Friction

  15. Inkjet Printing of Functional Materials for Optical and Photonic Applications

    PubMed Central

    Alamán, Jorge; Alicante, Raquel; Peña, Jose Ignacio; Sánchez-Somolinos, Carlos

    2016-01-01

    Inkjet printing, traditionally used in graphics, has been widely investigated as a valuable tool in the preparation of functional surfaces and devices. This review focuses on the use of inkjet printing technology for the manufacturing of different optical elements and photonic devices. The presented overview mainly surveys work done in the fabrication of micro-optical components such as microlenses, waveguides and integrated lasers; the manufacturing of large area light emitting diodes displays, liquid crystal displays and solar cells; as well as the preparation of liquid crystal and colloidal crystal based photonic devices working as lasers or optical sensors. Special emphasis is placed on reviewing the materials employed as well as in the relevance of inkjet in the manufacturing of the different devices showing in each of the revised technologies, main achievements, applications and challenges. PMID:28774032

  16. Low-cost laser diode array

    DOEpatents

    Freitas, B.L.; Skidmore, J.A.

    1999-06-01

    A substrate is used to fabricate a low-cost laser diode array. A substrate is machined from an electrically insulative material that is thermally conductive, or two substrates can be bonded together in which the top substrate is electrically as well as thermally conductive. The substrate thickness is slightly longer than the cavity length, and the width of the groove is wide enough to contain a bar and spring (which secures the laser bar firmly along one face of the groove). The spring also provides electrical continuity from the backside of the bar to the adjacent metalization layer on the laser bar substrate. Arrays containing one or more bars can be formed by creating many grooves at various spacings. Along the groove, many bars can be adjoined at the edges to provide parallel electrical conduction. This architecture allows precise and predictable registration of an array of laser bars to a self-aligned microlens array at low cost. 19 figs.

  17. Low-cost laser diode array

    DOEpatents

    Freitas, Barry L.; Skidmore, Jay A.

    1999-01-01

    A substrate is used to fabricate a low-cost laser diode array. A substrate is machined from an electrically insulative material that is thermally conductive, or two substrates can be bonded together in which the top substrate is electrically as well as thermally conductive. The substrate thickness is slightly longer than the cavity length, and the width of the groove is wide enough to contain a bar and spring (which secures the laser bar firmly along one face of the groove). The spring also provides electrical continuity from the backside of the bar to the adjacent metalization layer on the laser bar substrate. Arrays containing one or more bars can be formed by creating many grooves at various spacings. Along the groove, many bars can be adjoined at the edges to provide parallel electrical conduction. This architecture allows precise and predictable registration of an array of laser bars to a self-aligned microlens array at low cost.

  18. pyLIMA : an open source microlensing software

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bachelet, Etienne

    2017-01-01

    Planetary microlensing is a unique tool to detect cold planets around low-mass stars which is approaching a watershed in discoveries as near-future missions incorporate dedicated surveys. NASA and ESA have decided to complement WFIRST-AFTA and Euclid with microlensing programs to enrich our statistics about this planetary population. Of the nany challenges in- herent in these missions, the data analysis is of primary importance, yet is often perceived as time consuming, complex and daunting barrier to participation in the field. We present the first open source modeling software to conduct a microlensing analysis. This software is written in Python and use as much as possible existing packages.

  19. The influence of microlensing on spectral line shapes generated by a relativistic accretion disc

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Popović, L. Č; Mediavilla, E. G.; Muñoz, J. A.

    2001-10-01

    We study the influence of gravitational microlensing on the spectral line profiles originating from a relativistic accretion disc. Using the Chen & Halpern model for the disc, we show the noticeable changes that microlensing can induce in the line shape when the Einstein radius associated with the microlens is of a size comparable to that of the accretion disc. Of special interest is the relative enhancement between the blue and red peaks of the line when an off-center microlens affects the approaching and receding parts of the accretion disc asymmetrically. In an AGN formed by a super-massive binary in which the accretion disc is located around one of the super-massive companions (the primary), we discuss the possibility of microlensing by the secondary. In this case the ratio between the blue and red peaks of the line profile would depend on the orbital phase. We have also considered the more standard configuration of microlensing by a star-sized object in an intervening galaxy and find that microlensing may also be detected in the broad emission lines of multiply imaged QSOs. The changes observed in the line profile of Arp 102 B are taken as a reference for exploring both scenarios.

  20. Toward optimizing patient-specific IMRT QA techniques in the accurate detection of dosimetrically acceptable and unacceptable patient plans

    PubMed Central

    McKenzie, Elizabeth M.; Balter, Peter A.; Stingo, Francesco C.; Jones, Jimmy; Followill, David S.; Kry, Stephen F.

    2014-01-01

    Purpose: The authors investigated the performance of several patient-specific intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) quality assurance (QA) dosimeters in terms of their ability to correctly identify dosimetrically acceptable and unacceptable IMRT patient plans, as determined by an in-house-designed multiple ion chamber phantom used as the gold standard. A further goal was to examine optimal threshold criteria that were consistent and based on the same criteria among the various dosimeters. Methods: The authors used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to determine the sensitivity and specificity of (1) a 2D diode array undergoing anterior irradiation with field-by-field evaluation, (2) a 2D diode array undergoing anterior irradiation with composite evaluation, (3) a 2D diode array using planned irradiation angles with composite evaluation, (4) a helical diode array, (5) radiographic film, and (6) an ion chamber. This was done with a variety of evaluation criteria for a set of 15 dosimetrically unacceptable and 9 acceptable clinical IMRT patient plans, where acceptability was defined on the basis of multiple ion chamber measurements using independent ion chambers and a phantom. The area under the curve (AUC) on the ROC curves was used to compare dosimeter performance across all thresholds. Optimal threshold values were obtained from the ROC curves while incorporating considerations for cost and prevalence of unacceptable plans. Results: Using common clinical acceptance thresholds, most devices performed very poorly in terms of identifying unacceptable plans. Grouping the detector performance based on AUC showed two significantly different groups. The ion chamber, radiographic film, helical diode array, and anterior-delivered composite 2D diode array were in the better-performing group, whereas the anterior-delivered field-by-field and planned gantry angle delivery using the 2D diode array performed less well. Additionally, based on the AUCs, there was no significant difference in the performance of any device between gamma criteria of 2%/2 mm, 3%/3 mm, and 5%/3 mm. Finally, optimal cutoffs (e.g., percent of pixels passing gamma) were determined for each device and while clinical practice commonly uses a threshold of 90% of pixels passing for most cases, these results showed variability in the optimal cutoff among devices. Conclusions: IMRT QA devices have differences in their ability to accurately detect dosimetrically acceptable and unacceptable plans. Field-by-field analysis with a MapCheck device and use of the MapCheck with a MapPhan phantom while delivering at planned rotational gantry angles resulted in a significantly poorer ability to accurately sort acceptable and unacceptable plans compared with the other techniques examined. Patient-specific IMRT QA techniques in general should be thoroughly evaluated for their ability to correctly differentiate acceptable and unacceptable plans. Additionally, optimal agreement thresholds should be identified and used as common clinical thresholds typically worked very poorly to identify unacceptable plans. PMID:25471949

  1. Toward optimizing patient-specific IMRT QA techniques in the accurate detection of dosimetrically acceptable and unacceptable patient plans.

    PubMed

    McKenzie, Elizabeth M; Balter, Peter A; Stingo, Francesco C; Jones, Jimmy; Followill, David S; Kry, Stephen F

    2014-12-01

    The authors investigated the performance of several patient-specific intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) quality assurance (QA) dosimeters in terms of their ability to correctly identify dosimetrically acceptable and unacceptable IMRT patient plans, as determined by an in-house-designed multiple ion chamber phantom used as the gold standard. A further goal was to examine optimal threshold criteria that were consistent and based on the same criteria among the various dosimeters. The authors used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to determine the sensitivity and specificity of (1) a 2D diode array undergoing anterior irradiation with field-by-field evaluation, (2) a 2D diode array undergoing anterior irradiation with composite evaluation, (3) a 2D diode array using planned irradiation angles with composite evaluation, (4) a helical diode array, (5) radiographic film, and (6) an ion chamber. This was done with a variety of evaluation criteria for a set of 15 dosimetrically unacceptable and 9 acceptable clinical IMRT patient plans, where acceptability was defined on the basis of multiple ion chamber measurements using independent ion chambers and a phantom. The area under the curve (AUC) on the ROC curves was used to compare dosimeter performance across all thresholds. Optimal threshold values were obtained from the ROC curves while incorporating considerations for cost and prevalence of unacceptable plans. Using common clinical acceptance thresholds, most devices performed very poorly in terms of identifying unacceptable plans. Grouping the detector performance based on AUC showed two significantly different groups. The ion chamber, radiographic film, helical diode array, and anterior-delivered composite 2D diode array were in the better-performing group, whereas the anterior-delivered field-by-field and planned gantry angle delivery using the 2D diode array performed less well. Additionally, based on the AUCs, there was no significant difference in the performance of any device between gamma criteria of 2%/2 mm, 3%/3 mm, and 5%/3 mm. Finally, optimal cutoffs (e.g., percent of pixels passing gamma) were determined for each device and while clinical practice commonly uses a threshold of 90% of pixels passing for most cases, these results showed variability in the optimal cutoff among devices. IMRT QA devices have differences in their ability to accurately detect dosimetrically acceptable and unacceptable plans. Field-by-field analysis with a MapCheck device and use of the MapCheck with a MapPhan phantom while delivering at planned rotational gantry angles resulted in a significantly poorer ability to accurately sort acceptable and unacceptable plans compared with the other techniques examined. Patient-specific IMRT QA techniques in general should be thoroughly evaluated for their ability to correctly differentiate acceptable and unacceptable plans. Additionally, optimal agreement thresholds should be identified and used as common clinical thresholds typically worked very poorly to identify unacceptable plans.

  2. A Spectroscopic and Photometric Study of Gravitational Microlensing Events

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kane, Stephen R.

    2000-08-01

    Gravitational microlensing has generated a great deal of scientific interest over recent years. This has been largely due to the realization of its wide-reaching applications, such as the search for dark matter, the detection of planets, and the study of Galactic structure. A significant observational advance has been that most microlensing events can be identified in real-time while the source is still being lensed. More than 400 microlensing events have now been detected towards the Galactic bulge and Magellanic Clouds by the microlensing survey teams EROS, MACHO, OGLE, DUO, and MOA. The real-time detection of these events allows detailed follow-up observations with much denser sampling, both photometrically and spectroscopically. The research undertaken in this project on photometric studies of gravitational microlensing events has been performed as a member of the PLANET (Probing Lensing Anomalies NETwork) collaboration. This is a worldwide collaboration formed in the early part of 1995 to study microlensing anomalies - departures from an achromatic point source, point lens light curve - through rapidly-sampled, multi-band, photometry. PLANET has demonstrated that it can achieve 1% photometry under ideal circumstances, making PLANET observations sensitive to detection of Earth-mass planets which require characterization of 1%--2% deviations from a standard microlensing light curve. The photometric work in this project involved over 5 months using the 1.0 m telescope at Canopus Observatory in Australia, and 3 separate observing runs using the 0.9 m telescope at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) in Chile. Methods were developed to reduce the vast amount of photometric data using the image analysis software MIDAS and the photometry package DoPHOT. Modelling routines were then written to analyse a selection of the resulting light curves in order to detect any deviation from an achromatic point source - point lens light curve. The photometric results presented in this thesis are from observations of 34 microlensing events over three consecutive bulge seasons. These results are presented along with a discussion of the observations and the data reduction procedures. The colour-magnitude diagrams indicate that the microlensed sources are main sequence and red clump giant stars. Most of the events appear to exhibit standard Paczynski point source - point lens curves whilst a few deviate significantly from the standard model. Various microlensing models that include anomalous structure are fitted to a selection of the observed events resulting in the discovery of a possible binary source event. These fitted events are used to estimate the sensitivity to extra-solar planets and it is found that the sampling rate for these events was insufficient by about a factor of 7.5 for detecting a Jupiter-mass planet. This result assumes that deviations of 5% can be reliably detected. If microlensing is caused predominantly by bulge stars, as has been suggested by Kiraga and Paczynski, the lensed stars should have larger extinction than other observed stars since they would preferentially be located at the far side of the Galactic bulge. Hence, spectroscopy of Galactic microlensing events may be used as a tool for studying the kinematics and extinction effects in the Galactic bulge. The spectroscopic work in this project involved using Kurucz model spectra to create theoretical extinction effects for various spectral classes towards the Galactic centre. These extinction effects are then used to interpret spectroscopic data taken with the 3.6 m ESO telescope. These data consist of a sample of microlensed stars towards the Galactic bulge and are used to derive the extinction offsets of the lensed source with respect to the average population and a measurement of the fraction of bulge-bulge lensing is made. Hence, it is shown statistically that the microlensed sources are generally located on the far side of the Galactic bulge. Measurements of the radial velocities of these sources are used to determine the kinematic properties of the far side of the Galactic bulge.

  3. Power subsystem performance prediction /PSPP/ computer program.

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Weiner, H.; Weinstein, S.

    1972-01-01

    A computer program which simulates the operation of the Viking Orbiter Power Subsystem has been developed. The program simulates the characteristics and interactions of a solar array, battery, battery charge controls, zener diodes, power conditioning equipment, and the battery spacecraft and zener diode-spacecraft thermal interfaces. This program has been used to examine the operation of the Orbiter power subsystem during critical phases of the Viking mission - from launch, through midcourse maneuvers, Mars orbital insertion, orbital trims, Lander separation, solar occultations and unattended operation - until the end of the mission. A typical computer run for the first 24 hours after launch is presented which shows the variations in solar array, zener diode, battery charger, batteries and user load characteristics during this period.

  4. Toward a Galactic Distribution of Planets. I. Methodology and Planet Sensitivities of the 2015 High-cadence Spitzer Microlens Sample

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhu, Wei; Udalski, A.; Calchi Novati, S.; Chung, S.-J.; Jung, Y. K.; Ryu, Y.-H.; Shin, I.-G.; Gould, A.; Lee, C.-U.; Albrow, M. D.; Yee, J. C.; Han, C.; Hwang, K.-H.; Cha, S.-M.; Kim, D.-J.; Kim, H.-W.; Kim, S.-L.; Kim, Y.-H.; Lee, Y.; Park, B.-G.; Pogge, R. W.; KMTNet Collaboration; Poleski, R.; Mróz, P.; Pietrukowicz, P.; Skowron, J.; Szymański, M. K.; KozLowski, S.; Ulaczyk, K.; Pawlak, M.; OGLE Collaboration; Beichman, C.; Bryden, G.; Carey, S.; Fausnaugh, M.; Gaudi, B. S.; Henderson, C. B.; Shvartzvald, Y.; Wibking, B.; Spitzer Team

    2017-11-01

    We analyze an ensemble of microlensing events from the 2015 Spitzer microlensing campaign, all of which were densely monitored by ground-based high-cadence survey teams. The simultaneous observations from Spitzer and the ground yield measurements of the microlensing parallax vector {{\\boldsymbol{π }}}{{E}}, from which compact constraints on the microlens properties are derived, including ≲25% uncertainties on the lens mass and distance. With the current sample, we demonstrate that the majority of microlenses are indeed in the mass range of M dwarfs. The planet sensitivities of all 41 events in the sample are calculated, from which we provide constraints on the planet distribution function. In particular, assuming a planet distribution function that is uniform in {log}q, where q is the planet-to-star mass ratio, we find a 95% upper limit on the fraction of stars that host typical microlensing planets of 49%, which is consistent with previous studies. Based on this planet-free sample, we develop the methodology to statistically study the Galactic distribution of planets using microlensing parallax measurements. Under the assumption that the planet distributions are the same in the bulge as in the disk, we predict that ∼1/3 of all planet detections from the microlensing campaigns with Spitzer should be in the bulge. This prediction will be tested with a much larger sample, and deviations from it can be used to constrain the abundance of planets in the bulge relative to the disk.

  5. Modeling of the gain distribution for diode pumping of a solid-state laser rod with nonimaging optics.

    PubMed

    Koshel, R J; Walmsley, I A

    1993-03-20

    We investigate the absorption distribution in a cylindrical gain medium that is pumped by a source of distributed laser diodes by means of a pump cavity developed from the edge-ray principle of nonimaging optics. The performance of this pumping arrangement is studied by using a nonsequential, numerical, three-dimensional ray-tracing scheme. A figure of merit is defined for the pump cavities that takes into account the coupling efficiency and uniformity of the absorption distribution. It is found that the nonimaging pump cavity maintains a high coupling efficiency with extended two-dimensional diode arrays and obtains a fairly uniform absorption distribution. The nonimaging cavity is compared with two other designs: a close-coupled side-pumped cavity and an imaging design in the form of a elliptical cavity. The nonimaging cavity has a better figure of merit per diode than these two designs. It also permits the use of an extended, sparse, two-dimensional diode array, which reduces thermal loading of the source and eliminates all cavity optics other than the main reflector.

  6. Optical and Thermal Analyses of High-Power Laser Diode Arrays

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Vasilyev, Aleksey; Allan, Graham R.; Schafer, John; Stephen, Mark A.; Young, Stefano

    2004-01-01

    An important need, especially for space-borne applications, is the early identification and rejection of laser diode arrays which may fail prematurely. The search for reliable failure predictors is ongoing and has led to the development of two techniques, infrared imagery and monitoring the Temporally-resolved and Spectrally-Resolved (TSR) optical output from which temperature of the device can be measured. This is in addition to power monitoring on long term burn stations. A direct measurement of the temperature of the active region is an important parameter as the lifetime of Laser Diode Arrays (LDA) decreases exponentially with increasing temperature. We measure the temperature from time-resolving the spectral emission in an analogous method to Voss et al. In this paper we briefly discuss the measurement setup and present temperature data derived from thermal images and TSR data for two differently designed high-power 808 nanometer LDA packages of similar specification operated in an electrical and thermal environment that mimic the expected operational conditions.

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

    Bierhuizen, Serge J.; Wang, Nanze Patrick; Eng, Gregory W.

    An array of housings with housing bodies and lenses is molded, or an array of housing bodies is molded and bonded with lenses to form an array of housings with housing bodies and lenses. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are attached to the housings in the array. An array of metal pads may be bonded to the back of the array or insert molded with the housing array to form bond pads on the back of the housings. The array is singulated to form individual LED modules.

  8. Astrophysical Applications of Gravitational Lensing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mediavilla, Evencio; Muñoz, Jose A.; Garzón, Francisco; Mahoney, Terence J.

    2016-10-01

    Contributors; Participants; Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Lensing basics Sherry H. Suyu; 2. Exoplanet microlensing Andrew Gould; 3. Case studies of microlensing Veronica Motta and Emilio Falco; 4. Microlensing of quasars and AGN Joachim Wambsganss; 5. DM in clusters and large-scale structure Peter Schneider; 6. The future of strong lensing Chris Fassnacht; 7. Methods for strong lens modelling Charles Keeton; 8. Tutorial on inverse ray shooting Jorge Jimenez-Vicente.

  9. Microlensing observations rapid search for exoplanets: MORSE code for GPUs

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McDougall, Alistair; Albrow, Michael D.

    2016-02-01

    The rapid analysis of ongoing gravitational microlensing events has been integral to the successful detection and characterization of cool planets orbiting low-mass stars in the Galaxy. In this paper, we present an implementation of search and fit techniques on graphical processing unit (GPU) hardware. The method allows for the rapid identification of candidate planetary microlensing events and their subsequent follow-up for detailed characterization.

  10. Discovering Extrasolar Planets with Microlensing Surveys

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wambsganss, J.

    2016-06-01

    An astronomical survey is commonly understood as a mapping of a large region of the sky, either photometrically (possibly in various filters/wavelength ranges) or spectroscopically. Often, catalogs of objects are produced/provided as the main product or a by-product. However, with the advent of large CCD cameras and dedicated telescopes with wide-field imaging capabilities, it became possible in the early 1990s, to map the same region of the sky over and over again. In principle, such data sets could be combined to get very deep stacked images of the regions of interest. However, I will report on a completely different use of such repeated maps: Exploring the time domain for particular kinds of stellar variability, namely microlens-induced magnifications in search of exoplanets. Such a time-domain microlensing survey was originally proposed by Bohdan Paczynski in 1986 in order to search for dark matter objects in the Galactic halo. Only a few years later three teams started this endeavour. I will report on the history and current state of gravitational microlensing surveys. By now, routinely 100 million stars in the Galactic Bulge are monitored a few times per week by so-called survey teams. All stars with constant apparent brightness and those following known variability patterns are filtered out in order to detect the roughly 2000 microlensing events per year which are produced by stellar lenses. These microlensing events are identified "online" while still in their early phases and then monitored with much higher cadence by so-called follow-up teams. The most interesting of such events are those produced by a star-plus-planet lens. By now of order 30 exoplanets have been discovered by these combined microlensing surveys. Microlensing searches for extrasolar planets are complementary to other exoplanet search techniques. There are two particular advantages: The microlensing method is sensitive down to Earth-mass planets even with ground-based telecopes, and it can be easily used to determine the global abundance of planets in the Milky Way. Recent results of these microlensing surveys are presented and discussed, e. g. the discovery that on average every Milky Way star has at least one planet of Neptune mass or higher.

  11. Low-noise low-jitter 32-pixels CMOS single-photon avalanche diodes array for single-photon counting from 300 nm to 900 nm

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

    Scarcella, Carmelo; Tosi, Alberto, E-mail: alberto.tosi@polimi.it; Villa, Federica

    2013-12-15

    We developed a single-photon counting multichannel detection system, based on a monolithic linear array of 32 CMOS SPADs (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes). All channels achieve a timing resolution of 100 ps (full-width at half maximum) and a photon detection efficiency of 50% at 400 nm. Dark count rate is very low even at room temperature, being about 125 counts/s for 50 μm active area diameter SPADs. Detection performance and microelectronic compactness of this CMOS SPAD array make it the best candidate for ultra-compact time-resolved spectrometers with single-photon sensitivity from 300 nm to 900 nm.

  12. Phased laser diode array permits selective excitation of ultrasonic guided waves in coated bone-mimicking tubes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moilanen, Petro; Salmi, Ari; Kilappa, Vantte; Zhao, Zuomin; Timonen, Jussi; Hæggström, Edward

    2017-10-01

    This paper validates simulation predictions, which state that specific modes could be enhanced in quantitative ultrasonic bone testing. Tunable selection of ultrasonic guided wave excitation is useful in non-destructive testing since it permits the mediation of energy into diagnostically useful modes while reducing the energy mediated into disturbing contributions. For instance, it is often challenging to distinguish and extract the useful modes from ultrasound signals measured in bone covered by a soft tissue. We show that a laser diode array can selectively excite ultrasound in bone mimicking phantoms. A fiber-coupled diode array (4 elements) illuminated two solid tubes (2-3 mm wall thickness) embraced by an opaque soft-tissue mimicking elastomer coating (5 mm thick). A predetermined time delay matching the selected mode and frequency was employed between the outputs of the elements. The generated ultrasound was detected by a 215 kHz piezo receiver. Our results suggest that this array reduces the disturbances caused by the elastomer cover and so pave way to permit non-contacting in vivo guided wave ultrasound assessment of human bones. The implementation is small, inexpensive, and robust in comparison with the conventional pulsed lasers.

  13. Technique for Radiometer and Antenna Array Calibration with a Radiated Noise Diode

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Srinivasan, Karthik; Limaye, Ashutosh; Laymon, Charles; Meyer, Paul

    2009-01-01

    This paper presents a new technique to calibrate a microwave radiometer and antenna array system. This calibration technique uses a radiated noise source in addition to two calibration sources internal to the radiometer. The method accurately calibrates antenna arrays with embedded active devices (such as amplifiers) which are used extensively in active phased array antennas.

  14. Can Jupiters be found by monitoring Galactic bulge microlensing events from northern sites?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tsapras, Yiannis; Street, Rachel A.; Horne, Keith; Penny, Alan; Clarke, Fraser; Deeg, Hans; Garzon, Francisco; Kemp, Simon; Zapatero Osorio, Maria Rosa; Oscoz, Alejandro Abad; Sanchez, Santiago Madruga; Eiroa, Carlos; Mora, Alcione; Alberdi, Antxon; Collier Cameron, Andrew; Davies, John K.; Ferlet, Roger; Grady, Carol; Harris, Allan W.; Palacios, Javier; Quirrenbach, Andreas; Rauer, Heike; Schneider, Jean; de Winter, Dolf; Merin, Bruno; Solano, Enrique

    2001-08-01

    In 1998 the EXPORT team monitored microlensing event light curves using a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera on the IACQ4 0.8-m telescope on Tenerife to evaluate the prospect of using northern telescopes to find microlens anomalies that reveal planets orbiting the lens stars. The high airmass and more limited time available for observations of Galactic bulge sources make a northern site less favourable for microlensing planet searches. However, there are potentially a large number of northern 1-m class telescopes that could devote a few hours per night to monitor ongoing microlensing events. Our IAC observations indicate that accuracies sufficient to detect planets can be achieved despite the higher airmass.

  15. WFIRST: Microlensing Analysis Data Challenge

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Street, Rachel; WFIRST Microlensing Science Investigation Team

    2018-01-01

    WFIRST will produce thousands of high cadence, high photometric precision lightcurves of microlensing events, from which a wealth of planetary and stellar systems will be discovered. However, the analysis of such lightcurves has historically been very time consuming and expensive in both labor and computing facilities. This poses a potential bottleneck to deriving the full science potential of the WFIRST mission. To address this problem, the WFIRST Microlensing Science Investigation Team designing a series of data challenges to stimulate research to address outstanding problems of microlensing analysis. These range from the classification and modeling of triple lens events to methods to efficiently yet thoroughly search a high-dimensional parameter space for the best fitting models.

  16. OGLE-2016-BLG-1469L: Microlensing Binary Composed of Brown Dwarfs

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Han, C.; Udalski, A.; Sumi, T.; Gould, A.; Albrow, M. D.; Chung, S.-J.; Jung, Y. K.; Ryu, Y.-H.; Shin, I.-G.; Yee, J. C.; Zhu, W.; Cha, S.-M.; Kim, S.-L.; Kim, D.-J.; Lee, C.-U.; Lee, Y.; Park, B.-G.; KMTNet Collaboration; Soszyński, I.; Mróz, P.; Pietrukowicz, P.; Szymański, M. K.; Skowron, J.; Poleski, R.; Kozłowski, S.; Ulaczyk, K.; Pawlak, M.; OGLE Collaboration; Abe, F.; Asakura, Y.; Bennett, D. P.; Bond, I. A.; Bhattacharya, A.; Donachie, M.; Freeman, M.; Fukui, A.; Hirao, Y.; Itow, Y.; Koshimoto, N.; Li, M. C. A.; Ling, C. H.; Masuda, K.; Matsubara, Y.; Muraki, Y.; Nagakane, M.; Ohnishi, K.; Oyokawa, H.; Rattenbury, N. J.; Saito, To.; Sharan, A.; Sullivan, D. J.; Suzuki, D.; Tristram, P. J.; Yamada, T.; Yamada, T.; Yonehara, A.; Barry, R.; MOA Collaboration

    2017-07-01

    We report the discovery of a binary composed of two brown dwarfs, based on the analysis of the microlensing event OGLE-2016-BLG-1469. Thanks to the detection of both finite-source and microlens-parallax effects, we are able to measure both the masses {M}1˜ 0.05 {M}⊙ and {M}2˜ 0.01 {M}⊙ , and the distance {D}{{L}}˜ 4.5 {kpc}, as well as the projected separation {a}\\perp ˜ 0.33 au. This is the third brown-dwarf binary detected using the microlensing method, demonstrating the usefulness of microlensing in detecting field brown-dwarf binaries with separations of less than 1 au.

  17. pyLIMA : The first open source microlensing modeling software

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bachelet, Etienne; Street, Rachel; Bozza, Valerio

    2018-01-01

    Microlensing is highly sensitive to planets beyond the snowline and distributed along the line of sight towards the Galactic Bulge. The WFIRST-AFTA mission should detect about 3000 of these planets and significantly improves our knowledge of planet formation and statistics, complementing results found by transit and radial velocity methods. However, the modeling of microlensing event is challenging on different aspects leading to a highly time consuming analysis. After a quick summarize of these different challenges, I will present pyLIMA, the first open source microlensing modeling software. The aimed goal of this software are to be flexible, powerful and user friendly. This presentation will focus on various case and early results.

  18. a Theoretical Calculation of Microlensing Signatures Caused by Free-Floating Planets Towards the Galactic Bulge

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hamolli, L.; Hafizi, M.; Nucita, A. A.

    2013-08-01

    Free-floating planets (FFPs) are recently drawing a special interest of the scientific community. Gravitational microlensing is up to now the exclusive method for the investigation of FFPs, including their spatial distribution function and mass function. In this paper, we examine the possibility that the future Euclid space-based observatory may allow to discover a substantial number of microlensing events caused by FFPs. Based on latest results about the free-floating planet (FFP) mass function in the mass range [10-5, 10-2]M⊙, we calculate the optical depth towards the Galactic bulge as well as the expected microlensing rate and find that Euclid may be able to detect hundreds to thousands of these events per month. Making use of a synthetic population, we also investigate the possibility of detecting parallax effect in simulated microlensing events due to FFPs and find a significant efficiency for the parallax detection that turns out to be around 30%.

  19. Determination of flavonoids in plant material by HPLC with diode-array and electro-array detections.

    PubMed

    Mattila, P; Astola, J; Kumpulainen, J

    2000-12-01

    A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with in-line connected diode-array (DAD) and electro-array (EC) detection to identify and quantify 17 flavonoids in plant-derived foods is described. Catechins were extracted from the samples using ethyl acetate, and quantification of these compounds was performed with the EC detector. Other flavonoids were quantified with DAD after acid hydrolysis. The methods developed were effective for the determination of catechins and other flavonoids in plant-derived foods. Responses of the detection systems were linear within the range evaluated, 20-200 ng/injection (DAD) and 20-100 ng/injection (EC), with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.999. Coefficient of variation was under 10.5%, and recoveries of flavonoids ranged from 70 to 124%. Purity of the flavonoid peaks was confirmed by combining the spectral and voltammetric data.

  20. Processes for design, construction and utilisation of arrays of light-emitting diodes and light-emitting diode-coupled optical fibres for multi-site brain light delivery

    PubMed Central

    Bernstein, Jacob G.; Allen, Brian D.; Guerra, Alexander A.; Boyden, Edward S.

    2016-01-01

    Optogenetics enables light to be used to control the activity of genetically targeted cells in the living brain. Optical fibers can be used to deliver light to deep targets, and LEDs can be spatially arranged to enable patterned light delivery. In combination, arrays of LED-coupled optical fibers can enable patterned light delivery to deep targets in the brain. Here we describe the process flow for making LED arrays and LED-coupled optical fiber arrays, explaining key optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical design principles to enable the manufacturing, assembly, and testing of such multi-site targetable optical devices. We also explore accessory strategies such as surgical automation approaches as well as innovations to enable low-noise concurrent electrophysiology. PMID:26798482

  1. Application of Compressive Sensing to Gravitational Microlensing Experiments

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Korde-Patel, Asmita; Barry, Richard K.; Mohsenin, Tinoosh

    2016-01-01

    Compressive Sensing is an emerging technology for data compression and simultaneous data acquisition. This is an enabling technique for significant reduction in data bandwidth, and transmission power and hence, can greatly benefit spaceflight instruments. We apply this process to detect exoplanets via gravitational microlensing. We experiment with various impact parameters that describe microlensing curves to determine the effectiveness and uncertainty caused by Compressive Sensing. Finally, we describe implications for spaceflight missions.

  2. Extended source effect on microlensing light curves by an Ellis wormhole

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tsukamoto, Naoki; Gong, Yungui

    2018-04-01

    We can survey an Ellis wormhole which is the simplest Morris-Thorne wormhole in our Galaxy with microlensing. The light curve of a point source microlensed by the Ellis wormhole shows approximately 4% demagnification while the total magnification of images lensed by a Schwarzschild lens is always larger than unity. We investigate an extended source effect on the light curves microlensed by the Ellis wormhole. We show that the depth of the gutter of the light curves of an extended source is smaller than the one of a point source since the magnified part of the extended source cancels the demagnified part out. We can, however, distinguish between the light curves of the extended source microlensed by the Ellis wormhole and the ones by the Schwarzschild lens in their shapes even if the size of the source is a few times larger than the size of an Einstein ring on a source plane. If the relative velocity of a star with the radius of 1 06 km at 8 kpc in the bulge of our Galaxy against an observer-lens system is smaller than 10 km /s on a source plane, we can detect microlensing of the star lensed by the Ellis wormhole with the throat radius of 1 km at 4 kpc.

  3. The different origins of high- and low-ionization broad emission lines revealed by gravitational microlensing in the Einstein cross

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Braibant, L.; Hutsemékers, D.; Sluse, D.; Anguita, T.

    2016-07-01

    We investigate the kinematics and ionization structure of the broad emission line region of the gravitationally lensed quasar QSO2237+0305 (the Einstein cross) using differential microlensing in the high- and low-ionization broad emission lines. We combine visible and near-infrared spectra of the four images of the lensed quasar and detect a large-amplitude microlensing effect distorting the high-ionization CIV and low-ionization Hα line profiles in image A. While microlensing only magnifies the red wing of the Balmer line, it symmetrically magnifies the wings of the CIV emission line. Given that the same microlensing pattern magnifies both the high- and low-ionization broad emission line regions, these dissimilar distortions of the line profiles suggest that the high- and low-ionization regions are governed by different kinematics. Since this quasar is likely viewed at intermediate inclination, we argue that the differential magnification of the blue and red wings of Hα favors a flattened, virialized, low-ionization region whereas the symmetric microlensing effect measured in CIV can be reproduced by an emission line formed in a polar wind, without the need of fine-tuned caustic configurations. Based on observations made with the ESO-VLT, Paranal, Chile; Proposals 076.B-0197 and 076.B-0607 (PI: Courbin).

  4. LED module with high index lens

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

    Bierhuizen, Serge J.; Wang, Nanze Patrick; Eng, Gregory W.

    2016-07-05

    An array of housings with housing bodies and lenses is molded, or an array of housing bodies is molded and bonded with lenses to form an array of housings with housing bodies and lenses. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are attached to the housings in the array. An array of metal pads may be bonded to the back of the array or insert molded with the housing array to form bond pads on the back of the housings. The array is singulated to form individual LED modules.

  5. Quasi-periodic concave microlens array for liquid refractive index sensing fabricated by femtosecond laser assisted with chemical etching.

    PubMed

    Zhang, F; Wang, C; Yin, K; Dong, X R; Song, Y X; Tian, Y X; Duan, J A

    2018-02-05

    In this study, a high-efficiency single-pulsed femtosecond laser assisted with chemical wet etching method has been proposed to obtain large-area concave microlens array (MLA). The quasi-periodic MLA consisting of about two million microlenses with tunable diameter and sag height by adjusting laser scanning speed and etching time is uniformly manufactured on fused silica and sapphire within 30 minutes. Moreover, the fabricated MLA behaves excellent optical focusing and imaging performance, which could be used to sense the change of the liquid refractive index (RI). In addition, it is demonstrated that small period and high RI of MLA could acquire high sensitivity and broad dynamic measurement range, respectively. Furthermore, the theoretical diffraction efficiency is calculated by the finite domain time difference (FDTD) method, which is in good agreement with the experimental results.

  6. Simulations of the Fe K α Energy Spectra from Gravitationally Microlensed Quasars

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

    Krawczynski, H.; Chartas, G., E-mail: krawcz@wustl.edu

    The analysis of the Chandra X-ray observations of the gravitationally lensed quasar RX J1131−1231 revealed the detection of multiple and energy-variable spectral peaks. The spectral variability is thought to result from the microlensing of the Fe K α emission, selectively amplifying the emission from certain regions of the accretion disk with certain effective frequency shifts of the Fe K α line emission. In this paper, we combine detailed simulations of the emission of Fe K α photons from the accretion disk of a Kerr black hole with calculations of the effect of gravitational microlensing on the observed energy spectra. Themore » simulations show that microlensing can indeed produce multiply peaked energy spectra. We explore the dependence of the spectral characteristics on black hole spin, accretion disk inclination, corona height, and microlensing amplification factor and show that the measurements can be used to constrain these parameters. We find that the range of observed spectral peak energies of QSO RX J1131−1231 can only be reproduced for black hole inclinations exceeding 70° and for lamppost corona heights of less than 30 gravitational radii above the black hole. We conclude by emphasizing the scientific potential of studies of the microlensed Fe K α quasar emission and the need for more detailed modeling that explores how the results change for more realistic accretion disk and corona geometries and microlensing magnification patterns. A full analysis should furthermore model the signal-to-noise ratio of the observations and the resulting detection biases.« less

  7. pyLIMA: An Open-source Package for Microlensing Modeling. I. Presentation of the Software and Analysis of Single-lens Models

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bachelet, E.; Norbury, M.; Bozza, V.; Street, R.

    2017-11-01

    Microlensing is a unique tool, capable of detecting the “cold” planets between ˜1 and 10 au from their host stars and even unbound “free-floating” planets. This regime has been poorly sampled to date owing to the limitations of alternative planet-finding methods, but a watershed in discoveries is anticipated in the near future thanks to the planned microlensing surveys of WFIRST-AFTA and Euclid's Extended Mission. Of the many challenges inherent in these missions, the modeling of microlensing events will be of primary importance, yet it is often time-consuming, complex, and perceived as a daunting barrier to participation in the field. The large scale of future survey data products will require thorough but efficient modeling software, but, unlike other areas of exoplanet research, microlensing currently lacks a publicly available, well-documented package to conduct this type of analysis. We present version 1.0 of the python Lightcurve Identification and Microlensing Analysis (pyLIMA). This software is written in Python and uses existing packages as much as possible to make it widely accessible. In this paper, we describe the overall architecture of the software and the core modules for modeling single-lens events. To verify the performance of this software, we use it to model both real data sets from events published in the literature and generated test data produced using pyLIMA's simulation module. The results demonstrate that pyLIMA is an efficient tool for microlensing modeling. We will expand pyLIMA to consider more complex phenomena in the following papers.

  8. VVV Survey Microlensing Events in the Galactic Center Region

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Navarro, María Gabriela; Minniti, Dante; Contreras Ramos, Rodrigo

    2017-12-01

    We search for microlensing events in the highly reddened areas surrounding the Galactic center using the near-IR observations with the VISTA Variables in the Vía Láctea Survey (VVV). We report the discovery of 182 new microlensing events, based on observations acquired between 2010 and 2015. We present the color-magnitude diagrams of the microlensing sources for the VVV tiles b332, b333, and b334, which were independently analyzed, and show good qualitative agreement among themselves. We detect an excess of microlensing events in the central tile b333 in comparison with the other two tiles, suggesting that the microlensing optical depth keeps rising all the way to the Galactic center. We derive the Einstein radius crossing time for all of the observed events. The observed event timescales range from t E = 5 to 200 days. The resulting timescale distribution shows a mean timescale of < {t}{{E}}> =30.91 days for the complete sample (N = 182 events), and < {t}{{E}}> =29.93 days if restricted only for the red clump (RC) giant sources (N = 96 RC events). There are 20 long timescale events ({t}{{E}}≥slant 100 days) that suggest the presence of massive lenses (black holes) or disk-disk event. This work demonstrates that the VVV Survey is a powerful tool to detect intermediate/long timescale microlensing events in highly reddened areas, and it enables a number of future applications, from analyzing individual events to computing the statistics for the inner Galactic mass and kinematic distributions, in aid of future ground- and space-based experiments.

  9. High power diode lasers for solid-state laser pumps

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Linden, Kurt J.; Mcdonnell, Patrick N.

    1994-01-01

    The development and commercial application of high power diode laser arrays for use as solid-state laser pumps is described. Such solid-state laser pumps are significantly more efficient and reliable than conventional flash-lamps. This paper describes the design and fabrication of diode lasers emitting in the 780 - 900 nm spectral region, and discusses their performance and reliability. Typical measured performance parameters include electrical-to-optical power conversion efficiencies of 50 percent, narrow-band spectral emission of 2 to 3 nm FWHM, pulsed output power levels of 50 watts/bar with reliability values of over 2 billion shots to date (tests to be terminated after 10 billion shots), and reliable operation to pulse lengths of 1 ms. Pulse lengths up to 5 ms have been demonstrated at derated power levels, and CW performance at various power levels has been evaluated in a 'bar-in-groove' laser package. These high-power 1-cm stacked-bar arrays are now being manufactured for OEM use. Individual diode laser bars, ready for package-mounting by OEM customers, are being sold as commodity items. Commercial and medical applications of these laser arrays include solid-state laser pumping for metal-working, cutting, industrial measurement and control, ranging, wind-shear/atmospheric turbulence detection, X-ray generation, materials surface cleaning, microsurgery, ophthalmology, dermatology, and dental procedures.

  10. 670-GHz Schottky Diode-Based Subharmonic Mixer with CPW Circuits and 70-GHz IF

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Chattopadhyay, Goutam; Schlecht, Erich T.; Lee, Choonsup; Lin, Robert H.; Gill, John J.; Mehdi, Imran; Sin, Seth; Deal, William; Loi, Kwok K.; Nam, Peta; hide

    2012-01-01

    GaAs-based, sub-harmonically pumped Schottky diode mixers offer a number of advantages for array implementation in a heterodyne receiver system. Since the radio frequency (RF) and local oscillator (LO) signals are far apart, system design becomes much simpler. A proprietary planar GaAs Schottky diode process was developed that results in very low parasitic anodes that have cutoff frequencies in the tens of terahertz. This technology enables robust implementation of monolithic mixer and frequency multiplier circuits well into the terahertz frequency range. Using optical and e-beam lithography, and conventional epitaxial layer design with innovative usage of GaAs membranes and metal beam leads, high-performance terahertz circuits can be designed with high fidelity. All of these mixers use metal waveguide structures for housing. Metal machined structures for RF and LO coupling hamper these mixers to be integrated in multi-pixel heterodyne array receivers for spectroscopic and imaging applications. Moreover, the recent developments of terahertz transistors on InP substrate provide an opportunity, for the first time, to have integrated amplifiers followed by Schottky diode mixers in a heterodyne receiver at these frequencies. Since the amplifiers are developed on a planar architecture to facilitate multi-pixel array implementation, it is quite important to find alternative architecture to waveguide-based mixers.

  11. Optical sectioning microscopes with no moving parts using a micro-stripe array light emitting diode.

    PubMed

    Poher, V; Zhang, H X; Kennedy, G T; Griffin, C; Oddos, S; Gu, E; Elson, D S; Girkin, M; French, P M W; Dawson, M D; Neil, M A

    2007-09-03

    We describe an optical sectioning microscopy system with no moving parts based on a micro-structured stripe-array light emitting diode (LED). By projecting arbitrary line or grid patterns onto the object, we are able to implement a variety of optical sectioning microscopy techniques such as grid-projection structured illumination and line scanning confocal microscopy, switching from one imaging technique to another without modifying the microscope setup. The micro-structured LED and driver are detailed and depth discrimination capabilities are measured and calculated.

  12. CMOS minimal array

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Janesick, James; Cheng, John; Bishop, Jeanne; Andrews, James T.; Tower, John; Walker, Jeff; Grygon, Mark; Elliot, Tom

    2006-08-01

    A high performance prototype CMOS imager is introduced. Test data is reviewed for different array formats that utilize 3T photo diode, 5T pinned photo diode and 6T photo gate CMOS pixel architectures. The imager allows several readout modes including progressive scan, snap and windowed operation. The new imager is built on different silicon substrates including very high resistivity epitaxial wafers for deep depletion operation. Data products contained in this paper focus on sensor's read noise, charge capacity, charge transfer efficiency, thermal dark current, RTS dark spikes, QE, pixel cross- talk and on-chip analog circuitry performance.

  13. Monolithic control components for high power mm-waves

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Armstrong, A.; Goodrich, J.; Moroney, W.; Wheeler, D.

    1985-09-01

    Monolithic PIN diode arrays are shown to provide significant advances in switching ratios, bandwidth, and high-power capability for millimeter control applications The PIN diodes are arranged in a series/parallel configuration and form an electronically controlled window for switching RF power by applying DC voltage. At Ka band, an SPST switch using the window array (WINAR) design typically has 0.6 dB insertion loss and 22 dB isolation over the 26.5 to 40.0 GHz band. The switch has over 500 W peak power and 25 W average power capability.

  14. Parallel, confocal, and complete spectrum imager for fluorescent detection of high-density microarray

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bogdanov, Valery L.; Boyce-Jacino, Michael

    1999-05-01

    Confined arrays of biochemical probes deposited on a solid support surface (analytical microarray or 'chip') provide an opportunity to analysis multiple reactions simultaneously. Microarrays are increasingly used in genetics, medicine and environment scanning as research and analytical instruments. A power of microarray technology comes from its parallelism which grows with array miniaturization, minimization of reagent volume per reaction site and reaction multiplexing. An optical detector of microarray signals should combine high sensitivity, spatial and spectral resolution. Additionally, low-cost and a high processing rate are needed to transfer microarray technology into biomedical practice. We designed an imager that provides confocal and complete spectrum detection of entire fluorescently-labeled microarray in parallel. Imager uses microlens array, non-slit spectral decomposer, and high- sensitive detector (cooled CCD). Two imaging channels provide a simultaneous detection of localization, integrated and spectral intensities for each reaction site in microarray. A dimensional matching between microarray and imager's optics eliminates all in moving parts in instrumentation, enabling highly informative, fast and low-cost microarray detection. We report theory of confocal hyperspectral imaging with microlenses array and experimental data for implementation of developed imager to detect fluorescently labeled microarray with a density approximately 103 sites per cm2.

  15. Device having two optical ports for switching applications

    DOEpatents

    Rosen, Ayre; Stabile, Paul J.

    1991-09-24

    A two-sided light-activatable semiconductor switch device having an optical port on each side thereof. The semiconductor device may be a p-i-n diode or of bulk intrinsic material. A two ported p-i-n diode, reverse-biased to "off" by a 1.3 kV dc power supply, conducted 192 A when activated by two 1 kW laser diode arrays, one for each optical port.

  16. Design and characterization of single photon avalanche diodes arrays

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Neri, L.; Tudisco, S.; Lanzanò, L.; Musumeci, F.; Privitera, S.; Scordino, A.; Condorelli, G.; Fallica, G.; Mazzillo, M.; Sanfilippo, D.; Valvo, G.

    2010-05-01

    During the last years, in collaboration with ST-Microelectronics, we developed a new avalanche photo sensor, single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) see Ref.[S. Privitera, et al., Sensors 8 (2008) 4636 [1];S. Tudisco et al., IEEE Sensors Journal 8 (2008) 1324 [2

  17. SU-E-T-163: Characterization of a Novel High Resolution 1D Silicon Monolithic Array for Small Field Commissioning and Quality Assurance

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

    Bisello, F; IBA Dosimetry, Schwarzenbruck, DE; McGlade, J

    2015-06-15

    Purpose: To study the suitability of a novel 1D silicon monolithic array for dosimetry of small radiation fields and for QA of high dose gradient treatment modalities (IMRT and SBRT). Methods: A 1D array composed of 4 monolithic silicon modules of 64 mm length and 1 mm pixel pitch was developed by IBA Dosimetry. Measurements were carried out for 6MV and 15MV photons on two commercial different linacs (TrueBeam and Clinac iX, Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA) and for a CyberKnife G4 (Accuray Inc., Sunnyvale, CA). The 1D array was used to measure output factors (OF), profiles and offmore » axis correction factors (OACF) for the Iris CyberKnife variable collimator (5–60 mm). In addition, dose profiles (at the isocenter plane) were measured for multiple IMRT and SBRT treatment plans and compared with those obtained using EDR2radiographic film (Carestream Health, Rochester NY), a commercial 2D diode array and with the dose distribution calculated using a commercial TPS (Eclipse, Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA). Results: Due to the small pixel pitch of the detector, IMRT and SBRT plan profiles deviate from film measurements by less than 2%. Similarly, the 1D array exhibits better performance than the 2D diode array due to the larger (7 mm) pitch of that device. Iris collimator OFs measured using the 1D silicon array are in good agreement with the commissioning values obtained using a commercial stereotactic diode as well as with published data. Maximum deviations are < 3% for the smallest field (5 and 7.5mm) and below 1% for all other dimensions. Conclusion: We have demonstrated good performances of the array for commissioning of small photon fields and in patient QA, compared with diodes and film typically used in these clinical applications. The technology compares favorably with existing commercial solutions The presenting author is founded by a Marie Curie Early Initial Training Network Fellowship of the European Communitys Seventh Framework Programme under contract number (PITN-GA-2011-289198-ARDENT). The research activity is hosted by IBA Dosimetry, Gmbh.« less

  18. Fabrication of spherical microlens array by combining lapping on silicon wafer and rapid surface molding

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Xiaohua; Zhou, Tianfeng; Zhang, Lin; Zhou, Wenchen; Yu, Jianfeng; Lee, L. James; Yi, Allen Y.

    2018-07-01

    Silicon is a promising mold material for compression molding because of its properties of hardness and abrasion resistance. Silicon wafers with carbide-bonded graphene coating and micro-patterns were evaluated as molds for the fabrication of microlens arrays. This study presents an efficient but flexible manufacturing method for microlens arrays that combines a lapping method and a rapid molding procedure. Unlike conventional processes for microstructures on silicon wafers, such as diamond machining and photolithography, this research demonstrates a unique approach by employing precision steel balls and diamond slurries to create microlenses with accurate geometry. The feasibility of this method was demonstrated by the fabrication of several microlens arrays with different aperture sizes and pitches on silicon molds. The geometrical accuracy and surface roughness of the microlens arrays were measured using an optical profiler. The measurement results indicated good agreement with the optical profile of the design. The silicon molds were then used to copy the microstructures onto polymer substrates. The uniformity and quality of the samples molded through rapid surface molding were also assessed and statistically quantified. To further evaluate the optical functionality of the molded microlens arrays, the focal lengths of the microlens arrays were measured using a simple optical setup. The measurements showed that the microlens arrays molded in this research were compatible with conventional manufacturing methods. This research demonstrated an alternative low-cost and efficient method for microstructure fabrication on silicon wafers, together with the follow-up optical molding processes.

  19. Application of Compressive Sensing to Gravitational Microlensing Experiments

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Korde-Patel, Asmita; Barry, Richard K.; Mohsenin, Tinoosh

    2017-06-01

    Compressive Sensing is an emerging technology for data compression and simultaneous data acquisition. This is an enabling technique for significant reduction in data bandwidth, and transmission power and hence, can greatly benefit space-flight instruments. We apply this process to detect exoplanets via gravitational microlensing. We experiment with various impact parameters that describe microlensing curves to determine the effectiveness and uncertainty caused by Compressive Sensing. Finally, we describe implications for space-flight missions.

  20. OGLE 2003-BLG-235/MOA 2003-BLG-53: A Planetary Microlensing Event

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bond, I. A.; Udalski, A.; Jaroszyński, M.; Rattenbury, N. J.; Paczyński, B.; Soszyński, I.; Wyrzykowski, L.; Szymański, M. K.; Kubiak, M.; Szewczyk, O.; Żebruń, K.; Pietrzyński, G.; Abe, F.; Bennett, D. P.; Eguchi, S.; Furuta, Y.; Hearnshaw, J. B.; Kamiya, K.; Kilmartin, P. M.; Kurata, Y.; Masuda, K.; Matsubara, Y.; Muraki, Y.; Noda, S.; Okajima, K.; Sako, T.; Sekiguchi, T.; Sullivan, D. J.; Sumi, T.; Tristram, P. J.; Yanagisawa, T.; Yock, P. C. M.; OGLE Collaboration

    2004-05-01

    We present observations of the unusual microlensing event OGLE 2003-BLG-235/MOA 2003-BLG-53. In this event, a short-duration (~7 days) low-amplitude deviation in the light curve due to a single-lens profile was observed in both the MOA (Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics) and OGLE (Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment) survey observations. We find that the observed features of the light curve can only be reproduced using a binary microlensing model with an extreme (planetary) mass ratio of 0.0039+11-07 for the lensing system. If the lens system comprises a main-sequence primary, we infer that the secondary is a planet of about 1.5 Jupiter masses with an orbital radius of ~3 AU.

  1. Photovoltaic module bypass diode encapsulation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shepard, N. J., Jr.

    1983-01-01

    The design and processing techniques necessary to incorporate bypass diodes within the module encapsulant are presented. The Semicon PN junction diode cells were selected. Diode junction to heat spreader thermal resistance measurements, performed on a variety of mounted diode chip types and sizes, have yielded values which are consistently below 1 deg C per watt, but show some instability when thermally cycled over the temperature range from -40 to 150 deg C. Three representative experimental modules, each incorporating integral bypass diode/heat spreader assemblies of various sizes, were designed. Thermal testing of these modules enabled the formulation of a recommended heat spreader plate sizing relationship. The production cost of three encapsulated bypass diode/heat spreader assemblies were compared with similarly rated externally mounted packaged diodes. It is concluded that, when proper designed and installed, these bypass diode devices will improve the overall reliability of a terrestrial array over a 20 year design lifetime.

  2. Ultra-high throughput detection of single cell β-galactosidase activity in droplets using micro-optical lens array

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lim, Jiseok; Vrignon, Jérémy; Gruner, Philipp; Karamitros, Christos S.; Konrad, Manfred; Baret, Jean-Christophe

    2013-11-01

    We demonstrate the use of a hybrid microfluidic-micro-optical system for the screening of enzymatic activity at the single cell level. Escherichia coli β-galactosidase activity is revealed by a fluorogenic assay in 100 pl droplets. Individual droplets containing cells are screened by measuring their fluorescence signal using a high-speed camera. The measurement is parallelized over 100 channels equipped with microlenses and analyzed by image processing. A reinjection rate of 1 ml of emulsion per minute was reached corresponding to more than 105 droplets per second, an analytical throughput larger than those obtained using flow cytometry.

  3. Interferometric characterization of pyroelectrically activated micro-arrays of liquid lenses in lithium niobate crystals

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Grilli, S.; Miccio, L.; Vespini, V.; Ferraro, P.

    2008-08-01

    In recent years a wide variety of liquid based optical elements have been conceived, designed and fabricated even for commercial products like digital cameras. The impressive development of microfluidic systems in conjunction with optics has led to the creation of a completely new field of investigation named optofludics. Among other things, the optofluidic area deals with the investigation and the realization of liquid micro-lenses. Different methods and configurations have been proposed in literature to achieve liquid variable micro-lenses. This paper reports about the possibility to achieve lensing effect by a relatively easy to accomplish technique based on an open microfluidic system consisting of a tiny amount of appropriate liquid manipulated by the pyroelectric effect onto a periodically poled LiNbO3 substrate. Basically, an electrowetting process is performed to actuate the liquid film by using the surface charges generated pyroelectrically under temperature variation. The configuration is electrode-less compared to standard electrowetting systems, thus improving the device flexibility and easiness of fabrication. The curvature of the liquid lenses has been characterized by interferometric techniques based on the evaluation of the phase map through digital holography. The results showing the evolution of the lens curvature with the temperature variation will be presented and discussed.

  4. Flexible Light Emission Diode Arrays Made of Transferred Si Microwires-ZnO Nanofilm with Piezo-Phototronic Effect Enhanced Lighting.

    PubMed

    Li, Xiaoyi; Liang, Renrong; Tao, Juan; Peng, Zhengchun; Xu, Qiming; Han, Xun; Wang, Xiandi; Wang, Chunfeng; Zhu, Jing; Pan, Caofeng; Wang, Zhong Lin

    2017-04-25

    Due to the fragility and the poor optoelectronic performances of Si, it is challenging and exciting to fabricate the Si-based flexible light-emitting diode (LED) array devices. Here, a flexible LED array device made of Si microwires-ZnO nanofilm, with the advantages of flexibility, stability, lightweight, and energy savings, is fabricated and can be used as a strain sensor to demonstrate the two-dimensional pressure distribution. Based on piezo-phototronic effect, the intensity of the flexible LED array can be increased more than 3 times (under 60 MPa compressive strains). Additionally, the device is stable and energy saving. The flexible device can still work well after 1000 bending cycles or 6 months placed in the atmosphere, and the power supplied to the flexible LED array is only 8% of the power of the surface-contact LED. The promising Si-based flexible device has wide range application and may revolutionize the technologies of flexible screens, touchpad technology, and smart skin.

  5. Water-cooled hard-soldered kilowatt laser diode arrays operating at high duty cycle

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Klumel, Genady; Karni, Yoram; Oppenhaim, Jacob; Berk, Yuri; Shamay, Moshe; Tessler, Renana; Cohen, Shalom; Risemberg, Shlomo

    2010-04-01

    High brightness laser diode arrays are increasingly found in defense applications either as efficient optical pumps or as direct energy sources. In many instances, duty cycles of 10- 20 % are required, together with precise optical collimation. System requirements are not always compatible with the use of microchannel based cooling, notwithstanding their remarkable efficiency. Simpler but effective solutions, which will not involve high fluid pressure drops as well as deionized water, are needed. The designer is faced with a number of challenges: effective heat removal, minimization of the built- in and operational stresses as well as precise and accurate fast axis collimation. In this article, we report on a novel laser diode array which includes an integral tap water cooling system. Robustness is achieved by all around hard solder bonding of passivated 940nm laser bars. Far field mapping of the beam, after accurate fast axis collimation will be presented. It will be shown that the design of water cooling channels , proper selection of package materials, careful design of fatigue sensitive parts and active collimation technique allow for long life time and reliability, while not compromising the laser diode array efficiency, optical power density ,brightness and compactness. Main performance characteristics are 150W/bar peak optical power, 10% duty cycle and more than 50% wall plug efficiency with less than 1° fast axis divergence. Lifetime of 0.5 Gshots with less than 10% power degradation has been proved. Additionally, the devices have successfully survived harsh environmental conditions such as thermal cycling of the coolant temperature and mechanical shocks.

  6. Technical note: patient-specific quality assurance methods for TomoDirect(TM) whole breast treatment delivery.

    PubMed

    Catuzzo, P; Zenone, F; Aimonetto, S; Peruzzo, A; Casanova Borca, V; Pasquino, M; Franco, P; La Porta, M R; Ricardi, U; Tofani, S

    2012-07-01

    To investigate the feasibility of implementing a novel approach for patient-specific QA of TomoDirect(TM) whole breast treatment. The most currently used TomoTherapy DQA method, consisting in the verification of the 2D dose distribution in a coronal or sagittal plane of the Cheese Phantom by means of gafchromic films, was compared with an alternative approach based on the use of two commercially available diode arrays, MapCHECK2(TM) and ArcCHECK(TM). The TomoDirect(TM) plans of twenty patients with a primary unilateral breast cancer were applied to a CT scan of the Cheese Phantom and a MVCT dataset of the diode arrays. Then measurements of 2D dose distribution were performed and compared with the calculated ones using the gamma analysis method with different sets of DTA and DD criteria (3%-3 mm, 3%-2 mm). The sensitivity of the diode arrays to detect delivery and setup errors was also investigated. The measured dose distributions showed excellent agreement with the TPS calculations for each detector, with averaged fractions of passed Γ values greater than 95%. The percentage of points satisfying the constraint Γ < 1 was significantly higher for MapCHECK2(TM) than for ArcCHECK(TM) and gafchromic films using both the 3%-3 mm and 3%-2 mm gamma criteria. Both the diode arrays show a good sensitivity to delivery and setup errors using a 3%-2 mm gamma criteria. MapCHECK2™ and ArcCHECK(TM) may fulfill the demands of an adequate system for TomoDirect(TM) patient-specific QA.

  7. Fabrication and Theoretical Evaluation of Microlens Arrays on Layered Polymers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Oder, Tom; McMaster, Michael; Merlo, Corey; Bagheri, Camron; Reakes, Clayton; Petrus, Joshua; Li, Dingqiang; Crescimanno, Michael; Andrews, James

    2014-03-01

    Arrays of microlens were fabricated on nano-layered polymers using reactive ion etching. Semi hemispherical patterns with diameters ranging from 20 to 80 micrometers were first formed on a thick photoresist film that was spin-coated on the layered polymers using standard photolithographic process employing a gray scale glass mask. These patterns were then transferred to the polymers using dry etching in a reactive ion etching system. The optimized etch condition included a mixture of sulfur hexafluoride and oxygen, which resulted in an etch depth of 5 micrometers and successfully exposed the individual sub-micron thick layers in the polymers. Physical characterization of the microlens arrays was done using atomic force microscope and scanning electron microscope. We combine basic physical optics theory with the transfer matrix analysis of optical transport in nano-layered polymers to address subtleties in the chromatic response of microlenses made from these materials. In particular this method explains the len's behavior in and around the reflection band of the materials. We wish to acknowledge support of funds from NSF through its Center for Layered Polymeric Systems (CLiPS) at Case Western Reserve University.

  8. Thermal Lens Measurement in Diode-Pumped Nd:YAG Zig-Zag Slab

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Smoak, M. C.; Kay, R. B.; Coyle, D. B.; Hopf, D.

    1998-01-01

    A major advantage that solid state zig-zag slab lasers have over conventional rod-based designs is that a much weaker thermal lens is produced in the slab when side-pumped with Quasi-CW laser diode arrays, particularly if the pump radiation is kept well away from the Brewster-cut ends. This paper reports on a rather strong thermal lens produced when diode pump radiation is collimated into a narrow portion of the zig-zag slab. The collimation of multi-bar pump packages to increase brightness and improve overlap is a direct consequence of designs which seek to maximize performance and efficiency. Our slab design employed a 8.1 cm x 2.5 mm x 5 mm slab with opposing Brewster end faces. It was pumped through the 2.5 mm direction by seven laser diode array packages, each housing four 6OW diode bars, 1 cm in width. The pump face, anti-reflection (AR) coated at 809 nm, was 6.8 cm in width and the 8.1 cm opposing side, high-reflection (HR) coated at 809 nm, reflected the unabsorbed pump beam for a second pass through the slab.

  9. Real-time continuous-wave terahertz line scanner based on a compact 1 × 240 InGaAs Schottky barrier diode array detector.

    PubMed

    Han, Sang-Pil; Ko, Hyunsung; Kim, Namje; Lee, Won-Hui; Moon, Kiwon; Lee, Il-Min; Lee, Eui Su; Lee, Dong Hun; Lee, Wangjoo; Han, Seong-Tae; Choi, Sung-Wook; Park, Kyung Hyun

    2014-11-17

    We demonstrate real-time continuous-wave terahertz (THz) line-scanned imaging based on a 1 × 240 InGaAs Schottky barrier diode (SBD) array detector with a scan velocity of 25 cm/s, a scan line length of 12 cm, and a pixel size of 0.5 × 0.5 mm². Foreign substances, such as a paper clip with a spatial resolution of approximately 1 mm that is hidden under a cracker, are clearly detected by this THz line-scanning system. The system consists of the SBD array detector, a 200-GHz gyrotron source, a conveyor system, and several optical components such as a high-density polyethylene cylindrical lens, metal cylindrical mirror, and THz wire-grid polarizer. Using the THz polarizer, the signal-to-noise ratio of the SBD array detector improves because the quality of the source beam is enhanced.

  10. Linear laser diode arrays for improvement in optical disk recording

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Alphonse, G. A.; Carlin, D. B.; Connolly, J. C.

    1990-01-01

    The development of individually addressable laser diode arrays for multitrack magneto-optic recorders for space stations is discussed. Three multi-element channeled substrate planar (CSP) arrays with output power greater than 30 mW with linear light vs current characteristics and stable single mode spectra were delivered to NASA. These devices have been used to demonstrate for the first time the simultaneous recording of eight data tracks on a 14-inch magneto-optic erasable disk. The yield of these devices is low, mainly due to non-uniformities inherent to the LPE growth that was used to fabricate them. The authors have recently developed the inverted CSP, based on the much more uniform MOCVD growth techniques, and have made low threshold quantum well arrays requiring about three times less current than the CSP to deliver 30 mW CW in a single spatial mode. The inverted CSP is very promising for use in space flight recorder applications.

  11. Data acquisition system

    DOEpatents

    Shapiro, Stephen L.; Mani, Sudhindra; Atlas, Eugene L.; Cords, Dieter H. W.; Holbrook, Britt

    1997-01-01

    A data acquisition circuit for a particle detection system that allows for time tagging of particles detected by the system. The particle detection system screens out background noise and discriminate between hits from scattered and unscattered particles. The detection system can also be adapted to detect a wide variety of particle types. The detection system utilizes a particle detection pixel array, each pixel containing a back-biased PIN diode, and a data acquisition pixel array. Each pixel in the particle detection pixel array is in electrical contact with a pixel in the data acquisition pixel array. In response to a particle hit, the affected PIN diodes generate a current, which is detected by the corresponding data acquisition pixels. This current is integrated to produce a voltage across a capacitor, the voltage being related to the amount of energy deposited in the pixel by the particle. The current is also used to trigger a read of the pixel hit by the particle.

  12. WFIRST: Searching for Microlens Planets in Very Wide Orbits and the MOA Microlensing Data Release

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hirao, Yuki; Bennett, David; Sumi, Takahiro; MOA Collaboration

    2018-01-01

    Gravitational microlensing is an unique technique to detect exoplanets down to low mass planets beyond the snow line because it is sensitive to planets orbiting near the Einstein ring radius of a few AU away from its host star, which is complementary to the other methods. Detecting such planets are important for understanding the formation of our solar system because gas giants and ice giants planets are believed to be formed beyond the snow line, where the protoplanetary disk is cold enough for ice to condense, in the core accretion theory. Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics (MOA) group has conducted high cadence survey observations towards the Galactic bulge to detect exoplanets since 2006 at Mt.John University Observatory in NZ using MOA-II 1.8 meter telescope equipped with a very wide field-of-view MOA-cam3 CCD camera. MOA has alerted about 600 microlensing events every year and detected dozens of exoplanets in wide orbits. Future space telescope, WFIRST will conduct survey observations towards the Galactic bulge and is expected to detect thousands of planets in wide orbit via microlensing to complete the census of exoplanets begun by Kepler Space telescope which found planets in close orbits via transit method. To contribute to the WFIRST and make the microlensing community larger, MOA will open its data from 2006 to 2014 to the public. Through the off-line analysis, we have found some short binary events which were not detected in the real time analysis. Short-timescale microlensing events are important because they are candidates of free-floating or wide-separation planets. The poster will present the data release and some results of the analysis of short-timescale binary events.

  13. WFIRST: Microlensing Parallax Observations from K2 in the Exoplanet Microlensing Field

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ranc, Clement; Radek Poleski, David Bennett, K2C9 Microlensing Science Experiment Team

    2018-01-01

    The recent explosion in our understanding of exoplanetary systems has been driven primarily by the Kepler mission, which has replaced radial velocities as our main planet discovery method. While Kepler has provided a large sample of planets that will allow a robust statistical determination of the properties of exoplanets in close orbits about their host stars, the Kepler mission was stopped shortly after the start of its 5th year. This led to the Kepler 2 (K2) mission, which could observe up to 18 different fields in the ecliptic plane, including a fraction of the WFIRST microlensing field. The K2 mission has focused on lower mass host stars and spending one observing campaign in the Galactic bulge to make use of Kepler’s orbit to determine the masses and distances to microlensing systems via the microlensing parallax effect. These K2 Campaign 9 observations help to develop the microlensing planet detection method, which will be employed by the WFIRST mission that will extend the statistical census of exoplanets to include low-mass planets in wide orbits. While the photometric light curve of a microlensing event observed from the ground provides important constraints on the lens physical parameters, in many cases the lens mass and distance from Earth remain degenerated. The poster will show how simultaneous space- and ground-based observations can break this mass-distance degeneracy. This method will be used for a fraction of the events observed by WFIRST. Finally, the poster will present a new method to correct the K2 photometry from the correlated systematic noise. This investigation helps in characterizing the properties of the lens stars and source stars in one WFIRST field with high extinction.

  14. Unclassified Publications of Lincoln Laboratory, 1 January-31 December 1987. Volume 13

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1987-12-31

    Visible-Laser Photochemical Etching of Cr , Mo, and W 5901 High-Speed Electronic Beam Steering Using Injection Locking of a Laser-Diode Array...of High- Power Broad-Area Diode Lasers High-Temperature Point-Contact Transistors and Schottky Diodes Formed on Synthetic Boron- Doped Diamond...SPEECHES MS No. 593IB C02 Laser Radar 6550B Recent Advances in Transition-Metal- Doped Lasers 6714D Radiation Damage in Dry

  15. Photovoltaic device assembly and method

    DOEpatents

    Keenihan, James R.; Langmaid, Joseph A.; Cleereman, Robert J.; Graham, Andrew T.

    2015-09-29

    The present invention is premised upon a connector device and method that can more easily electrically connect a plurality of PV arrays and/or locate these arrays upon a building or structure. It also can optionally provide some additional components (e.g. a bypass diode and/or an indicator means) and can enhance the serviceability of the array.

  16. A Pt/TiO(2)/Ti Schottky-type selection diode for alleviating the sneak current in resistance switching memory arrays.

    PubMed

    Park, Woo Young; Kim, Gun Hwan; Seok, Jun Yeong; Kim, Kyung Min; Song, Seul Ji; Lee, Min Hwan; Hwang, Cheol Seong

    2010-05-14

    This study examined the properties of Schottky-type diodes composed of Pt/TiO(2)/Ti, where the Pt/TiO(2) and TiO(2)/Ti junctions correspond to the blocking and ohmic contacts, respectively, as the selection device for a resistive switching cross-bar array. An extremely high forward-to-reverse current ratio of approximately 10(9) was achieved at 1 V when the TiO(2) film thickness was 19 nm. TiO(2) film was grown by atomic layer deposition at a substrate temperature of 250 degrees C. Conductive atomic force microscopy revealed that the forward current flew locally, which limits the maximum forward current density to < 10 A cm(-2) for a large electrode (an area of approximately 60 000 microm(2)). However, the local current measurement showed a local forward current density as high as approximately 10(5) A cm(-2). Therefore, it is expected that this type of Schottky diode effectively suppresses the sneak current without adverse interference effects in a nano-scale resistive switching cross-bar array with high block density.

  17. Polarization effects associated with thermal processing of HY-80 structural steel using high-power laser diode array

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wu, Sheldon S. Q.; Baker, Bradford W.; Rotter, Mark D.; Rubenchik, Alexander M.; Wiechec, Maxwell E.; Brown, Zachary M.; Beach, Raymond J.; Matthews, Manyalibo J.

    2017-12-01

    Localized heating of roughened steel surfaces using highly divergent laser light emitted from high-power laser diode arrays was experimentally demonstrated and compared with theoretical predictions. Polarization dependence was analyzed using Fresnel coefficients to understand the laser-induced temperature rise of HY-80 steel plates under 383- to 612-W laser irradiation. Laser-induced, transient temperature distributions were directly measured using bulk thermocouple probes and thermal imaging. Finite-element analysis yielded quantitative assessment of energy deposition and heat transport in HY-80 steel using absorptivity as a tuning parameter. The extracted absorptivity values ranged from 0.62 to 0.75 for S-polarized and 0.63 to 0.85 for P-polarized light, in agreement with partially oxidized iron surfaces. Microstructural analysis using electron backscatter diffraction revealed a heat affected zone for the highest temperature conditions (612 W, P-polarized) as evidence of rapid quenching and an austenite to martensite transformation. The efficient use of diode arrays for laser-assisted advanced manufacturing technologies, such as hybrid friction stir welding, is discussed.

  18. Planetary System Physics

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Peale, S. J.

    2002-01-01

    Contents include a summary of publications followed by their abstracts titeled: 1. On microlensing rates and optical depth toward the Galactic center. 2. Newly discovered brown dwarfs not seen in microlensing timescale frequency distribution? 3. Origin and evolution of the natural satellites. 4. Probing the structure of the galaxy with microlensing. 5. Tides, Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics. 6. The Puzzle of the Titan-Hyperion 4:3 Orbital Resonance. 7. On the Validity of the Coagulation Equation and the Nature of Runaway Growth. 8. Making Hyperion. 9. The MESSENGER mission to Mercury: Scientific objectives and implementation. 10. A Survey of Numerical Solutions to the Coagulation. 11. Probability of detecting a planetary companion during a microlensing event. 12. Dynamics and origin of the 2:l orbital resonances of the GJ876 planets. 13. Planetary Interior Structure Revealed by Spin Dynamics. 14. A primordial origin of the Laplace relation among the Galilean Satellites. 15. A procedure for determining the nature of Mercury's core. 16. Secular evolution of hierarchical planetary systems. 17. Tidally induced volcanism. 18. Extrasolar planets and mean motion resonances. 19. Comparison of a ground-based microlensing search for planets with a search from space.

  19. Light-focusing human micro-lenses generated from pluripotent stem cells model lens development and drug-induced cataract in vitro

    PubMed Central

    Murphy, Patricia; Kabir, Md Humayun; Srivastava, Tarini; Mason, Michele E.; Dewi, Chitra U.; Lim, Seakcheng; Yang, Andrian; Djordjevic, Djordje; Killingsworth, Murray C.; Ho, Joshua W. K.; Harman, David G.

    2018-01-01

    ABSTRACT Cataracts cause vision loss and blindness by impairing the ability of the ocular lens to focus light onto the retina. Various cataract risk factors have been identified, including drug treatments, age, smoking and diabetes. However, the molecular events responsible for these different forms of cataract are ill-defined, and the advent of modern cataract surgery in the 1960s virtually eliminated access to human lenses for research. Here, we demonstrate large-scale production of light-focusing human micro-lenses from spheroidal masses of human lens epithelial cells purified from differentiating pluripotent stem cells. The purified lens cells and micro-lenses display similar morphology, cellular arrangement, mRNA expression and protein expression to human lens cells and lenses. Exposing the micro-lenses to the emergent cystic fibrosis drug Vx-770 reduces micro-lens transparency and focusing ability. These human micro-lenses provide a powerful and large-scale platform for defining molecular disease mechanisms caused by cataract risk factors, for anti-cataract drug screening and for clinically relevant toxicity assays. PMID:29217756

  20. Light-focusing human micro-lenses generated from pluripotent stem cells model lens development and drug-induced cataract in vitro.

    PubMed

    Murphy, Patricia; Kabir, Md Humayun; Srivastava, Tarini; Mason, Michele E; Dewi, Chitra U; Lim, Seakcheng; Yang, Andrian; Djordjevic, Djordje; Killingsworth, Murray C; Ho, Joshua W K; Harman, David G; O'Connor, Michael D

    2018-01-09

    Cataracts cause vision loss and blindness by impairing the ability of the ocular lens to focus light onto the retina. Various cataract risk factors have been identified, including drug treatments, age, smoking and diabetes. However, the molecular events responsible for these different forms of cataract are ill-defined, and the advent of modern cataract surgery in the 1960s virtually eliminated access to human lenses for research. Here, we demonstrate large-scale production of light-focusing human micro-lenses from spheroidal masses of human lens epithelial cells purified from differentiating pluripotent stem cells. The purified lens cells and micro-lenses display similar morphology, cellular arrangement, mRNA expression and protein expression to human lens cells and lenses. Exposing the micro-lenses to the emergent cystic fibrosis drug Vx-770 reduces micro-lens transparency and focusing ability. These human micro-lenses provide a powerful and large-scale platform for defining molecular disease mechanisms caused by cataract risk factors, for anti-cataract drug screening and for clinically relevant toxicity assays. © 2018. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

  1. MICROLENSING OF QUASAR BROAD EMISSION LINES: CONSTRAINTS ON BROAD LINE REGION SIZE

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

    Guerras, E.; Mediavilla, E.; Jimenez-Vicente, J.

    2013-02-20

    We measure the differential microlensing of the broad emission lines between 18 quasar image pairs in 16 gravitational lenses. We find that the broad emission lines are in general weakly microlensed. The results show, at a modest level of confidence (1.8{sigma}), that high ionization lines such as C IV are more strongly microlensed than low ionization lines such as H{beta}, indicating that the high ionization line emission regions are more compact. If we statistically model the distribution of microlensing magnifications, we obtain estimates for the broad line region size of r{sub s} = 24{sup +22} {sub -15} and r{sub s}more » = 55{sup +150} {sub -35} lt-day (90% confidence) for the high and low ionization lines, respectively. When the samples are divided into higher and lower luminosity quasars, we find that the line emission regions of more luminous quasars are larger, with a slope consistent with the expected scaling from photoionization models. Our estimates also agree well with the results from local reveberation mapping studies.« less

  2. Advanced Wavefront Sensor Concepts.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1981-01-01

    internal optics (a) Characteristics (see Figure 47) - Intensification with a 256 element linear self scanned diode array - Optical input; lenticular ...34 diameter - Lenticular array input to fiber optics which spread out to tubes - Photon counting for low noise fac- tor (b) Pe r fo rmance - Bialkali...problem in making the lenslet arrays in the pupil divider rectangular. The last optical elements are the lenticular lens arrays. In this group, the first

  3. Reconfigurable and responsive droplet-based compound micro-lenses.

    PubMed

    Nagelberg, Sara; Zarzar, Lauren D; Nicolas, Natalie; Subramanian, Kaushikaram; Kalow, Julia A; Sresht, Vishnu; Blankschtein, Daniel; Barbastathis, George; Kreysing, Moritz; Swager, Timothy M; Kolle, Mathias

    2017-03-07

    Micro-scale optical components play a crucial role in imaging and display technology, biosensing, beam shaping, optical switching, wavefront-analysis, and device miniaturization. Herein, we demonstrate liquid compound micro-lenses with dynamically tunable focal lengths. We employ bi-phase emulsion droplets fabricated from immiscible hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon liquids to form responsive micro-lenses that can be reconfigured to focus or scatter light, form real or virtual images, and display variable focal lengths. Experimental demonstrations of dynamic refractive control are complemented by theoretical analysis and wave-optical modelling. Additionally, we provide evidence of the micro-lenses' functionality for two potential applications-integral micro-scale imaging devices and light field display technology-thereby demonstrating both the fundamental characteristics and the promising opportunities for fluid-based dynamic refractive micro-scale compound lenses.

  4. Reconfigurable and responsive droplet-based compound micro-lenses

    PubMed Central

    Nagelberg, Sara; Zarzar, Lauren D.; Nicolas, Natalie; Subramanian, Kaushikaram; Kalow, Julia A.; Sresht, Vishnu; Blankschtein, Daniel; Barbastathis, George; Kreysing, Moritz; Swager, Timothy M.; Kolle, Mathias

    2017-01-01

    Micro-scale optical components play a crucial role in imaging and display technology, biosensing, beam shaping, optical switching, wavefront-analysis, and device miniaturization. Herein, we demonstrate liquid compound micro-lenses with dynamically tunable focal lengths. We employ bi-phase emulsion droplets fabricated from immiscible hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon liquids to form responsive micro-lenses that can be reconfigured to focus or scatter light, form real or virtual images, and display variable focal lengths. Experimental demonstrations of dynamic refractive control are complemented by theoretical analysis and wave-optical modelling. Additionally, we provide evidence of the micro-lenses' functionality for two potential applications—integral micro-scale imaging devices and light field display technology—thereby demonstrating both the fundamental characteristics and the promising opportunities for fluid-based dynamic refractive micro-scale compound lenses. PMID:28266505

  5. Probing the gravitational Faraday rotation using quasar X-ray microlensing.

    PubMed

    Chen, Bin

    2015-11-17

    The effect of gravitational Faraday rotation was predicted in the 1950s, but there is currently no practical method for measuring this effect. Measuring this effect is important because it will provide new evidence for correctness of general relativity, in particular, in the strong field limit. We predict that the observed degree and angle of the X-ray polarization of a cosmologically distant quasar microlensed by the random star field in a foreground galaxy or cluster lens vary rapidly and concurrently with flux during caustic-crossing events using the first simulation of quasar X-ray microlensing polarization light curves. Therefore, it is possible to detect gravitational Faraday rotation by monitoring the X-ray polarization of gravitationally microlensed quasars. Detecting this effect will also confirm the strong gravity nature of quasar X-ray emission.

  6. Microfluidic bead-based diodes with targeted circular microchannels for low Reynolds number applications.

    PubMed

    Sochol, Ryan D; Lu, Albert; Lei, Jonathan; Iwai, Kosuke; Lee, Luke P; Lin, Liwei

    2014-05-07

    Self-regulating fluidic components are critical to the advancement of microfluidic processors for chemical and biological applications, such as sample preparation on chip, point-of-care molecular diagnostics, and implantable drug delivery devices. Although researchers have developed a wide range of components to enable flow rectification in fluidic systems, engineering microfluidic diodes that function at the low Reynolds number (Re) flows and smaller scales of emerging micro/nanofluidic platforms has remained a considerable challenge. Recently, researchers have demonstrated microfluidic diodes that utilize high numbers of suspended microbeads as dynamic resistive elements; however, using spherical particles to block fluid flow through rectangular microchannels is inherently limited. To overcome this issue, here we present a single-layer microfluidic bead-based diode (18 μm in height) that uses a targeted circular-shaped microchannel for the docking of a single microbead (15 μm in diameter) to rectify fluid flow under low Re conditions. Three-dimensional simulations and experimental results revealed that adjusting the docking channel geometry and size to better match the suspended microbead greatly increased the diodicity (Di) performance. Arraying multiple bead-based diodes in parallel was found to adversely affect system efficacy, while arraying multiple diodes in series was observed to enhance device performance. In particular, systems consisting of four microfluidic bead-based diodes with targeted circular-shaped docking channels in series revealed average Di's ranging from 2.72 ± 0.41 to 10.21 ± 1.53 corresponding to Re varying from 0.1 to 0.6.

  7. Vacuum Nanohole Array Embedded Phosphorescent Organic Light Emitting Diodes

    PubMed Central

    Jeon, Sohee; Lee, Jeong-Hwan; Jeong, Jun-Ho; Song, Young Seok; Moon, Chang-Ki; Kim, Jang-Joo; Youn, Jae Ryoun

    2015-01-01

    Light extraction from organic light-emitting diodes that utilize phosphorescent materials has an internal efficiency of 100% but is limited by an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 30%. In this study, extremely high-efficiency organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) with an EQE of greater than 50% and low roll-off were produced by inserting a vacuum nanohole array (VNHA) into phosphorescent OLEDs (PhOLEDs). The resultant extraction enhancement was quantified in terms of EQE by comparing experimentally measured results with those produced from optical modeling analysis, which assumes the near-perfect electric characteristics of the device. A comparison of the experimental data and optical modeling results indicated that the VNHA extracts the entire waveguide loss into the air. The EQE obtained in this study is the highest value obtained to date for bottom-emitting OLEDs. PMID:25732061

  8. Detection, characterization and identification of crucifer phytoalexins using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

    PubMed

    Pedras, M Soledade C; Adio, Adewale M; Suchy, Mojmir; Okinyo, Denis P O; Zheng, Qing-An; Jha, Mukund; Sarwar, Mohammed G

    2006-11-10

    We have analyzed 23 crucifer phytoalexins (e.g. brassinin, dioxibrassinin, cyclobrassinin, brassicanals A and C) by HPLC with diode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS) using both negative and positive ion modes. Positive ion mode ESI-MS appeared more sensitive than negative ion mode ESI-MS in detecting this group of compounds. A new HPLC separation method, new LC-MS and LC-MS(2) data and proposed fragmentation pathways, LC retention times, and UV spectra for selected compounds are reported.

  9. Microcontroller interface for diode array spectrometry

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aguo, L.; Williams, R. R.

    An alternative to bus-based computer interfacing is presented using diode array spectrometry as a typical application. The new interface consists of an embedded single-chip microcomputer, known as a microcontroller, which provides all necessary digital I/O and analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) along with an unprecedented amount of intelligence. Communication with a host computer system is accomplished by a standard serial interface so this type of interfacing is applicable to a wide range of personal and minicomputers and can be easily networked. Data are acquired asynchronousty and sent to the host on command. New operating modes which have no traditional counterparts are presented.

  10. High-speed non-contact measuring apparatus for gauging the thickness of moving sheet material

    DOEpatents

    Grann, Eric B.; Holcomb, David E.

    2000-01-01

    An optical measurement apparatus is provided for measuring the thickness of a moving sheet material (18). The apparatus has a pair of optical measurement systems (21, 31) attached to opposing surfaces (14, 16) of a rigid support structure (10). A pair of high-power laser diodes (20,30) and a pair of photodetector arrays (22,32) are attached to the opposing surfaces. Light emitted from the laser diodes is reflected off of the sheet material surfaces (17, 19) and received by the respective photodetector arrays. An associated method for implementing the apparatus is also provided.

  11. Solid-state Image Sensor with Focal-plane Digital Photon-counting Pixel Array

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fossum, Eric R.; Pain, Bedabrata

    1997-01-01

    A solid-state focal-plane imaging system comprises an NxN array of high gain. low-noise unit cells. each unit cell being connected to a different one of photovoltaic detector diodes, one for each unit cell, interspersed in the array for ultra low level image detection and a plurality of digital counters coupled to the outputs of the unit cell by a multiplexer(either a separate counter for each unit cell or a row of N of counters time shared with N rows of digital counters). Each unit cell includes two self-biasing cascode amplifiers in cascade for a high charge-to-voltage conversion gain (greater than 1mV/e(-)) and an electronic switch to reset input capacitance to a reference potential in order to be able to discriminate detection of an incident photon by the photoelectron (e(-))generated in the detector diode at the input of the first cascode amplifier in order to count incident photons individually in a digital counter connected to the output of the second cascade amplifier. Reseting the input capacitance and initiating self-biasing of the amplifiers occurs every clock cycle of an integratng period to enable ultralow light level image detection by the may of photovoltaic detector diodes under such ultralow light level conditions that the photon flux will statistically provide only a single photon at a time incident on anyone detector diode during any clock cycle.

  12. Constraining the geometry and kinematics of the quasar broad emission line region using gravitational microlensing. I. Models and simulations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Braibant, L.; Hutsemékers, D.; Sluse, D.; Goosmann, R.

    2017-11-01

    Recent studies have shown that line profile distortions are commonly observed in gravitationally lensed quasar spectra. Often attributed to microlensing differential magnification, line profile distortions can provide information on the geometry and kinematics of the broad emission line region (BLR) in quasars. We investigate the effect of gravitational microlensing on quasar broad emission line profiles and their underlying continuum, combining the emission from simple representative BLR models with generic microlensing magnification maps. Specifically, we considered Keplerian disk, polar, and equatorial wind BLR models of various sizes. The effect of microlensing has been quantified with four observables: μBLR, the total magnification of the broad emission line; μcont, the magnification of the underlying continuum; as well as red/blue, RBI and wings/core, WCI, indices that characterize the line profile distortions. The simulations showed that distortions of line profiles, such as those recently observed in lensed quasars, can indeed be reproduced and attributed to the differential effect of microlensing on spatially separated regions of the BLR. While the magnification of the emission line μBLR sets an upper limit on the BLR size and, similarly, the magnification of the continuum μcont sets an upper limit on the size of the continuum source, the line profile distortions mainly depend on the BLR geometry and kinematics. We thus built (WCI,RBI) diagrams that can serve as diagnostic diagrams to discriminate between the various BLR models on the basis of quantitative measurements. It appears that a strong microlensing effect puts important constraints on the size of the BLR and on its distance to the high-magnification caustic. In that case, BLR models with different geometries and kinematics are more prone to produce distinctive line profile distortions for a limited number of caustic configurations, which facilitates their discrimination. When the microlensing effect is weak, there is a larger overlap between the characteristics of the line profile distortions produced by the different models, and constraints can only be derived on a statistical basis.

  13. Latest developments of 10μm pitch HgCdTe diode array from the legacy to the extrinsic technology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Péré-Laperne, Nicolas; Berthoz, Jocelyn; Taalat, Rachid; Rubaldo, Laurent; Kerlain, Alexandre; Carrère, Emmanuel; Dargent, Loïc.

    2016-05-01

    Sofradir recently presented Daphnis, its latest 10 μm pitch product family. Both Daphnis XGA and HD720 are 10μm pitch mid-wave infrared focal plane array. Development of small pixel pitch is opening the way to very compact products with a high spatial resolution. This new product is taking part in the HOT technology competition allowing reductions in size, weight and power of the overall package. This paper presents the recent developments achieved at Sofradir to make the 10μm pitch HgCdTe focal plane array based on the legacy technology. Electrical and electro-optical characterizations are presented to define the appropriate design of 10μm pitch diode array. The technological tradeoffs are explained to lower the dark current, to keep high quantum efficiency with a high operability above 110K, F/4. Also, Sofradir recently achieved outstanding Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) demonstration at this pixel pitch, which clearly demonstrates the benefit to users of adopting 10μm pixel pitch focal plane array based detectors. Furthermore, the HgCdTe technology has demonstrated an increase of the operating temperature, plus 40K, moving from the legacy to the P-on-n one at a 15μm pitch in mid-wave band. The first realizations using the extrinsic P-on-n technology and the characterizations of diodes with a 10μm pitch neighborhood will be presented in both mid-wave and long-wave bands.

  14. Enhanced out-coupling efficiency of organic light-emitting diodes using an nanostructure imprinted by an alumina nanohole array

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Endo, Kuniaki; Adachi, Chihaya

    2014-03-01

    We demonstrate organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with enhanced out-coupling efficiency containing nanostructures imprinted by an alumina nanohole array template that can be applied to large-emitting-area and flexible devices using a roll-to-roll process. The nanostructures are imprinted on a glass substrate by an ultraviolet nanoimprint process using an alumina nanohole array mold and then an OLED is fabricated on the nanostructures. The enhancement of out-coupling efficiency is proportional to the root-mean-square roughness of the nanostructures, and a maximum improvement of external electroluminescence quantum efficiency of 17% is achieved. The electroluminescence spectra of the OLEDs indicate that this improvement is caused by enhancement of the out-coupling of surface plasmon polaritons.

  15. Enhanced light extraction efficiency of micro-ring array AlGaN deep ultraviolet light-emitting diodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bekele Fayisa, Gabisa; Lee, Jong Won; Kim, Jungsub; Kim, Yong-Il; Park, Youngsoo; Kim, Jong Kyu

    2017-09-01

    An effective approach to overcome inherently poor light extraction efficiency of AlGaN-based deep ultraviolet (DUV) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is presented. We demonstrated the 5 × 5 array micro-ring DUV LED having an inclined sidewall at the outer perimeter and a p-GaN-removed inner circle of the micro-ring, together with MgF2/Al omnidirectional reflectors. The micro-ring array DUV LED shows remarkably higher light output power by 70% than the reference, consistent with the calculated result, as well as comparable turn-on and operational voltages, which are attributed to the effective extraction of strong transverse-magnetic polarized anisotropic emission and the reduction of the absorption loss by the p-GaN contact layer, simultaneously.

  16. A CMOS Time-Resolved Fluorescence Lifetime Analysis Micro-System

    PubMed Central

    Rae, Bruce R.; Muir, Keith R.; Gong, Zheng; McKendry, Jonathan; Girkin, John M.; Gu, Erdan; Renshaw, David; Dawson, Martin D.; Henderson, Robert K.

    2009-01-01

    We describe a CMOS-based micro-system for time-resolved fluorescence lifetime analysis. It comprises a 16 × 4 array of single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) fabricated in 0.35 μm high-voltage CMOS technology with in-pixel time-gated photon counting circuitry and a second device incorporating an 8 × 8 AlInGaN blue micro-pixellated light-emitting diode (micro-LED) array bump-bonded to an equivalent array of LED drivers realized in a standard low-voltage 0.35 μm CMOS technology, capable of producing excitation pulses with a width of 777 ps (FWHM). This system replaces instrumentation based on lasers, photomultiplier tubes, bulk optics and discrete electronics with a PC-based micro-system. Demonstrator lifetime measurements of colloidal quantum dot and Rhodamine samples are presented. PMID:22291564

  17. Reverse bias protected solar array with integrated bypass battery

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Landis, Geoffrey A (Inventor)

    2012-01-01

    A method for protecting the photovoltaic cells in a photovoltaic (PV) array from reverse bias damage by utilizing a rechargeable battery for bypassing current from a shaded photovoltaic cell or group of cells, avoiding the need for a bypass diode. Further, the method mitigates the voltage degradation of a PV array caused by shaded cells.

  18. Pinning, flux diodes and ratchets for vortices interacting with conformal pinning arrays

    DOE PAGES

    Olson Reichhardt, C. J.; Wang, Y. L.; Xiao, Z. L.; ...

    2016-05-31

    A conformal pinning array can be created by conformally transforming a uniform triangular pinning lattice to produce a new structure in which the six-fold ordering of the original lattice is conserved but where there is a spatial gradient in the density of pinning sites. Here we examine several aspects of vortices interacting with conformal pinning arrays and how they can be used to create a flux flow diode effect for driving vortices in different directions across the arrays. Under the application of an ac drive, a pronounced vortex ratchet effect occurs where the vortices flow in the easy direction ofmore » the array asymmetry. When the ac drive is applied perpendicular to the asymmetry direction of the array, it is possible to realize a transverse vortex ratchet effect where there is a generation of a dc flow of vortices perpendicular to the ac drive due to the creation of a noise correlation ratchet by the plastic motion of the vortices. We also examine vortex transport in experiments and compare the pinning effectiveness of conformal arrays to uniform triangular pinning arrays. In conclusion, we find that a triangular array generally pins the vortices more effectively at the first matching field and below, while the conformal array is more effective at higher fields where interstitial vortex flow occurs.« less

  19. LED traffic signal management system : tech summary.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2016-06-01

    The light source of a signal module is comprised of an array of multiple individual light emitting diodes (LEDs). : Fading of the array over its operational life is a serious concern of traffic engineers throughout the nation. The : Institute of Tran...

  20. Characterization of a novel two dimensional diode array the "magic plate" as a radiation detector for radiation therapy treatment.

    PubMed

    Wong, J H D; Fuduli, I; Carolan, M; Petasecca, M; Lerch, M L F; Perevertaylo, V L; Metcalfe, P; Rosenfeld, A B

    2012-05-01

    Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) utilizes the technology of multileaf collimators to deliver highly modulated and complex radiation treatment. Dosimetric verification of the IMRT treatment requires the verification of the delivered dose distribution. Two dimensional ion chamber or diode arrays are gaining popularity as a dosimeter of choice due to their real time feedback compared to film dosimetry. This paper describes the characterization of a novel 2D diode array, which has been named the "magic plate" (MP). It was designed to function as a 2D transmission detector as well as a planar detector for dose distribution measurements in a solid water phantom for the dosimetric verification of IMRT treatment delivery. The prototype MP is an 11 × 11 detector array based on thin (50 μm) epitaxial diode technology mounted on a 0.6 mm thick Kapton substrate using a proprietary "drop-in" technology developed by the Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong. A full characterization of the detector was performed, including radiation damage study, dose per pulse effect, percent depth dose comparison with CC13 ion chamber and build up characteristics with a parallel plane ion chamber measurements, dose linearity, energy response and angular response. Postirradiated magic plate diodes showed a reproducibility of 2.1%. The MP dose per pulse response decreased at higher dose rates while at lower dose rates the MP appears to be dose rate independent. The depth dose measurement of the MP agrees with ion chamber depth dose measurements to within 0.7% while dose linearity was excellent. MP showed angular response dependency due to the anisotropy of the silicon diode with the maximum variation in angular response of 10.8% at gantry angle 180°. Angular dependence was within 3.5% for the gantry angles ± 75°. The field size dependence of the MP at isocenter agrees with ion chamber measurement to within 1.1%. In the beam perturbation study, the surface dose increased by 12.1% for a 30 × 30 cm(2) field size at the source to detector distance (SDD) of 80 cm whilst the transmission for the MP was 99%. The radiation response of the magic plate was successfully characterized. The array of epitaxial silicon based detectors with "drop-in" packaging showed properties suitable to be used as a simplified multipurpose and nonperturbing 2D radiation detector for radiation therapy dosimetric verification.

  1. Ultra-high aggregate bandwidth two-dimensional multiple-wavelength diode laser arrays

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chang-Hasnain, Connie

    1994-04-01

    Two-dimensional (2D) multi-wavelength vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) arrays is promising for ultrahigh aggregate capacity optical networks. A 2D VCSEL array emitting 140 distinct wavelengths was reported by implementing a spatially graded layer in the VCSEL structure, which in turn creates a wavelength spread. In this program, we concentrated on novel epitaxial growth techniques to make reproducible and repeatable multi-wavelength VCSEL arrays.

  2. Quasar microlensing models with constraints on the Quasar light curves

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tie, S. S.; Kochanek, C. S.

    2018-01-01

    Quasar microlensing analyses implicitly generate a model of the variability of the source quasar. The implied source variability may be unrealistic yet its likelihood is generally not evaluated. We used the damped random walk (DRW) model for quasar variability to evaluate the likelihood of the source variability and applied the revized algorithm to a microlensing analysis of the lensed quasar RX J1131-1231. We compared estimates of the size of the quasar disc and the average stellar mass of the lens galaxy with and without applying the DRW likelihoods for the source variability model and found no significant effect on the estimated physical parameters. The most likely explanation is that unreliastic source light-curve models are generally associated with poor microlensing fits that already make a negligible contribution to the probability distributions of the derived parameters.

  3. First Mass Measurement of a 'Domestic' Microlens

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dong, Subo; Carey, Sean; Gould, Andrew; Zhu, Wei

    2017-11-01

    We propose to combine Spitzer, Gaia, and ground-based measurements to determine the mass, distance, and transverse velocity of the 'domestic' microlensing event J0507+2447. This is only the second 'domestic' event (microlensed source distance less than about 1 kpc) ever discovered, but this number is already 10 times higher than the number that are expected. Hence, determining the nature of these lenses would resolve a major puzzle. The low expected rate is what caused Einstein to delay publication of his microlensing idea by 24 years. By very good fortune, Spitzer's narrow 38 day window of observations overlaps magnified portions of the event. To determine the mass requires to measure both the 'microlens parallax' (courtesy of Spitzer) and the 'angular Einstein radius' (which can be derived from Gaia astrometry). Thus, this is a truly rare opportunity to probe the nature of 'domestic' microlenses.

  4. Modeling Spectral Variations of Dusty Circumstellar Envelopes During Microlensing Events

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bunker, Christina; Ignace, R.; Bjorkman, J. E.

    2007-12-01

    Microlensing surveys have proven to be tremendously fruitful in providing valuable data products for many fields of astrophysics, from eclipse lightcurves for substellar candidates to limb darkening in stellar atmospheres. We report on a program of modeling observables from microlensing of circumstellar envelopes, particularly those of red giant stars that are the most likely to show finite source effects. Recent modeling results for the time dependent spectral energy distributions from microlensing of dusty winds are presented. In effect, wavelength-dependent continuum variations that occur as the lens-star separation changes can provide information about the emissivity distribution of dust in the wind. This project was funded by a partnership between the National Science Foundation (NSF AST-0552798), Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), and the Department of Defense (DoD) ASSURE (Awards to Stimulate and Support Undergraduate Research Experiences) programs.

  5. Challenges in Timeseries Analysis from Microlensing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Street, R. A.

    2017-06-01

    Despite a flood of discoveries over the last ~ 20 years, our knowledge of the exoplanet population is incomplete owing to a gap between the sensitivities of different detection techniques. However, a census of exoplanets at all separations from their host stars is essential to fully understand planet formation mechanisms. Microlensing offers an effective way to bridge the gap around 1-10 AU and is therefore one of the major science goals of the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) mission. WFIRST's survey of the Galactic Bulge is expected to discover ~ 20,000 microlensing events, including ~ 3000 planets, which represents a substantial data analysis challenge with the modeling software currently available. This paper highlights areas where further work is needed. The community is encouraged to join new software development efforts aimed at making the modeling of microlensing events both more accessible and rigorous.

  6. Probing the gravitational Faraday rotation using quasar X-ray microlensing

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Bin

    2015-01-01

    The effect of gravitational Faraday rotation was predicted in the 1950s, but there is currently no practical method for measuring this effect. Measuring this effect is important because it will provide new evidence for correctness of general relativity, in particular, in the strong field limit. We predict that the observed degree and angle of the X-ray polarization of a cosmologically distant quasar microlensed by the random star field in a foreground galaxy or cluster lens vary rapidly and concurrently with flux during caustic-crossing events using the first simulation of quasar X-ray microlensing polarization light curves. Therefore, it is possible to detect gravitational Faraday rotation by monitoring the X-ray polarization of gravitationally microlensed quasars. Detecting this effect will also confirm the strong gravity nature of quasar X-ray emission. PMID:26574051

  7. GERLUMPH DATA RELEASE 1: HIGH-RESOLUTION COSMOLOGICAL MICROLENSING MAGNIFICATION MAPS AND eResearch TOOLS

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

    Vernardos, G.; Fluke, C. J.; Croton, D.

    2014-03-01

    As synoptic all-sky surveys begin to discover new multiply lensed quasars, the flow of data will enable statistical cosmological microlensing studies of sufficient size to constrain quasar accretion disk and supermassive black hole properties. In preparation for this new era, we are undertaking the GPU-Enabled, High Resolution cosmological MicroLensing parameter survey (GERLUMPH). We present here the GERLUMPH Data Release 1, which consists of 12,342 high resolution cosmological microlensing magnification maps and provides the first uniform coverage of the convergence, shear, and smooth matter fraction parameter space. We use these maps to perform a comprehensive numerical investigation of the mass-sheet degeneracy,more » finding excellent agreement with its predictions. We study the effect of smooth matter on microlensing induced magnification fluctuations. In particular, in the minima and saddle-point regions, fluctuations are enhanced only along the critical line, while in the maxima region they are always enhanced for high smooth matter fractions (≈0.9). We describe our approach to data management, including the use of an SQL database with a Web interface for data access and online analysis, obviating the need for individuals to download large volumes of data. In combination with existing observational databases and online applications, the GERLUMPH archive represents a fundamental component of a new microlensing eResearch cloud. Our maps and tools are publicly available at http://gerlumph.swin.edu.au/.« less

  8. Stripe-teeth metamaterial Al- and Nb-based rectennas (Presentation Recording)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Osgood, Richard M.; Giardini, Stephen A.; Carlson, Joel B.; Joghee, Prabhuram; O'Hayre, Ryan P.; Diest, Kenneth; Rothschild, Mordechai

    2015-09-01

    Unlike a semiconductor, where the absorption is limited by the band gap, a "microrectenna array" could theoretically very efficiently rectify any desired portion of the infrared frequency spectrum (25 - 400 THz). We investigated vertical metal-insulator-metal (MIM) diodes that rectify vertical high-frequency fields produced by a metamaterial planar stripe-teeth Al or Au array (above the diodes), similar to stripe arrays that have demonstrated near-perfect absorption in the infrared due to critical coupling [1]. Using our design rules that maximize asymmetry (and therefore the component of the electric field pointed into the substrate, analogous to Second Harmonic Generation), we designed, fabricated, and analyzed these metamaterial-based microrectenna arrays. NbOx and Al2O3 were produced by anodization and ALD, respectively. Smaller visible-light Pt-NbOx-Nb rectennas have produced output power when illuminated by visible (514 nm) light [2]. The resonances of these new Au/NbOx/Nb and Al/Al2O3/Al microrectenna arrays, with larger dimensions and more complex nanostructures than in Ref. 1, were characterized by microscopic FTIR microscopy and agreed well with FDTD models, once the experimental refractive index values were entered into the model. Current-voltage measurements were carried out, showed that the Al/Al2O3/Al diodes have very large barrier heights and breakdown voltages, and were compared to our model of the MIM diode. We calculate expected THz-rectification using classical [3] and quantum [4] rectification models, and compare to measurements of direct current output, under infrared illumination. [1] C. Wu, et. al., Phys. Rev. B 84 (2011) 075102. [2] R. M. Osgood III, et. al., Proc. SPIE 8096, 809610 (2011). [3] A. Sanchez, et. al., J. Appl. Phys. 49 (1978) 5270. [4] J. R. Tucker and M. J. Feldman, Rev. of Mod. Phys. 57, (1985)1055.

  9. Multiple-Diode-Laser Gas-Detection Spectrometer

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Webster, Christopher R.; Beer, Reinhard; Sander, Stanley P.

    1988-01-01

    Small concentrations of selected gases measured automatically. Proposed multiple-laser-diode spectrometer part of system for measuring automatically concentrations of selected gases at part-per-billion level. Array of laser/photodetector pairs measure infrared absorption spectrum of atmosphere along probing laser beams. Adaptable to terrestrial uses as monitoring pollution or control of industrial processes.

  10. Increasing Electrochemiluminescence Intensity of a Wireless Electrode Array Chip by Thousands of Times Using a Diode for Sensitive Visual Detection by a Digital Camera.

    PubMed

    Qi, Liming; Xia, Yong; Qi, Wenjing; Gao, Wenyue; Wu, Fengxia; Xu, Guobao

    2016-01-19

    Both a wireless electrochemiluminescence (ECL) electrode microarray chip and the dramatic increase in ECL by embedding a diode in an electromagnetic receiver coil have been first reported. The newly designed device consists of a chip and a transmitter. The chip has an electromagnetic receiver coil, a mini-diode, and a gold electrode array. The mini-diode can rectify alternating current into direct current and thus enhance ECL intensities by 18 thousand times, enabling a sensitive visual detection using common cameras or smart phones as low cost detectors. The detection limit of hydrogen peroxide using a digital camera is comparable to that using photomultiplier tube (PMT)-based detectors. Coupled with a PMT-based detector, the device can detect luminol with higher sensitivity with linear ranges from 10 nM to 1 mM. Because of the advantages including high sensitivity, high throughput, low cost, high portability, and simplicity, it is promising in point of care testing, drug screening, and high throughput analysis.

  11. SU-E-I-107: Suitability of Various Radiation Detectors Used in Radiation Therapy for X-Ray Dosimetry in Computed Tomography.

    PubMed

    Liebmann, M; Poppe, B; von Boetticher, H

    2012-06-01

    Assessment of suitability for X-ray dosimetry in computed tomography of various ionization chambers, diodes and two-dimensional detector arrays primarily used in radiation therapy. An Oldelft X-ray simulation unit was used to irradiate PTW 60008, 60012 dosimetry diodes, PTW 23332, 31013, 31010, 31006 axial symmetrical ionization chambers, PTW 23343, 34001 plane parallel ionization chambers and PTW Starcheck and 2D-Array seven29 as well as a prototype Farmer chamber with a copper wall. Peak potential was varied from 50 kV up to 125 kV and beam qualities were quantified through half-value-layer measurements. Energy response was investigated free in air as well as in 2 cm depth in a solid water phantom and refers to a manufacturer calibrated PTW 60004 diode for kV-dosimetry. The thimble ionization chambers PTW 31010, 31013, the uncapsuled diode PTW 60012 and the PTW 2D-Array seven29 exhibit an energy response deviation in the investigated energy region of approximately 10% or lower thus proving good usability in X-ray dosimetry if higher spatial resolution is needed or rotational irradiations occur. It could be shown that in radiation therapy routinely used detectors are usable in a much lower energy region. The rotational symmetry is of advantage in computed tomography dosimetry and enables dose profile as well as point dose measurements in a suitable phantom for estimation of organ doses. Additional the PTW 2D-Array seven29 can give a quick overview of radiation fields in non-rotating tasks. © 2012 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

  12. Microlensing makes lensed quasar time delays significantly time variable

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tie, S. S.; Kochanek, C. S.

    2018-01-01

    The time delays of gravitationally lensed quasars are generally believed to be unique numbers whose measurement is limited only by the quality of the light curves and the models for the contaminating contribution of gravitational microlensing to the light curves. This belief is incorrect - gravitational microlensing also produces changes in the actual time delays on the ∼day(s) light-crossing time-scale of the emission region. This is due to a combination of the inclination of the disc relative to the line of sight and the differential magnification of the temperature fluctuations producing the variability. We demonstrate this both mathematically and with direct calculations using microlensing magnification patterns. Measuring these delay fluctuations can provide a physical scale for microlensing observations, removing the need for priors on either the microlens masses or the component velocities. That time delays in lensed quasars are themselves time variable likely explains why repeated delay measurements of individual lensed quasars appear to vary by more than their estimated uncertainties. This effect is also a new important systematic problem for attempts to use time delays in lensed quasars for cosmology or to detect substructures (satellites) in lens galaxies.

  13. Ground-based Parallax Confirmed by Spitzer: Binary Microlensing Event MOA-2015-BLG-020

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Tianshu; Zhu, Wei; Mao, Shude; Bond, I. A.; Gould, A.; Udalski, A.; Sumi, T.; Bozza, V.; Ranc, C.; Cassan, A.; Yee, J. C.; Han, C.; Abe, F.; Asakura, Y.; Barry, R.; Bennett, D. P.; Bhattacharya, A.; Donachie, M.; Evans, P.; Fukui, A.; Hirao, Y.; Itow, Y.; Kawasaki, K.; Koshimoto, N.; Li, M. C. A.; Ling, C. H.; Masuda, K.; Matsubara, Y.; Miyazaki, S.; Muraki, Y.; Nagakane, M.; Ohnishi, K.; Rattenbury, N.; Saito, To.; Sharan, A.; Shibai, H.; Sullivan, D. J.; Suzuki, D.; Tristram, P. J.; Yamada, T.; Yonehara, A.; MOA Collaboration; KozŁowski, S.; Mróz, P.; Pawlak, M.; Pietrukowicz, P.; Poleski, R.; Skowron, J.; Soszyński, I.; Szymański, M. K.; Ulaczyk, K.; OGLE Collaboration; Beichman, C.; Bryden, G.; Calchi Novati, S.; Carey, S.; Fausnaugh, M.; Gaudi, B. S.; Henderson, C. B.; Shvartzvald, Y.; Wibking, B.; Spitzer Team; Albrow, M. D.; Chung, S.-J.; Hwang, K.-H.; Jung, Y. K.; Ryu, Y.-H.; Shin, I.-G.; Cha, S.-M.; Kim, D.-J.; Kim, H.-W.; Kim, S.-L.; Lee, C.-U.; Lee, Y.; Park, B.-G.; Pogge, R. W.; KMTNet Collaboration; Street, R. A.; Tsapras, Y.; Hundertmark, M.; Bachelet, E.; Dominik, M.; Horne, K.; Figuera Jaimes, R.; Wambsganss, J.; Bramich, D. M.; Schmidt, R.; Snodgrass, C.; Steele, I. A.; Menzies, J.; RoboNet Collaboration

    2017-08-01

    We present the analysis of the binary gravitational microlensing event MOA-2015-BLG-020. The event has a fairly long timescale (˜63 days) and thus the light curve deviates significantly from the lensing model that is based on the rectilinear lens-source relative motion. This enables us to measure the microlensing parallax through the annual parallax effect. The microlensing parallax parameters constrained by the ground-based data are confirmed by the Spitzer observations through the satellite parallax method. By additionally measuring the angular Einstein radius from the analysis of the resolved caustic crossing, the physical parameters of the lens are determined. It is found that the binary lens is composed of two dwarf stars with masses {M}1=0.606+/- 0.028 {M}⊙ and {M}2=0.125 +/- 0.006 {M}⊙ in the Galactic disk. Assuming that the source star is at the same distance as the bulge red clump stars, we find the lens is at a distance {D}L=2.44+/- 0.10 {kpc}. We also provide a summary and short discussion of all of the published microlensing events in which the annual parallax effect is confirmed by other independent observations.

  14. Discovery and Mass Measurements of a Cold, Sub-Neptune Mass Planet and Its Host Star

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Barry, Richard K., Jr.

    2011-01-01

    The gravitational microlensing exoplanet detection method is uniquely sensitive to cold, low-mass planets which orbit beyond the snow-line, where the most massive planets are thought to form. The early statistical results from microlensing indicate that Neptune-Saturn mass planets located beyond the snow-line are substantially more common than their counterparts in closer orbits that have found by the Doppler radial velocity method. We present the discovery of the planet MOA-2009-BLG-266Lb, which demonstrates that the gravitational microlensing method also has the capability to measure the masses of cold, low-mass planets. The mass measurements of the host star and the planet are made possible by the detection of the microlensing parallax signal due to the orbital motion or the Earth as well as observations from the EPOXI spacecraft in a Heliocentric orbit. The microlensing light curve indicates a planetary host star mass of M(sun) = 0.54 + / - 0.05M(sun) located at a distance of DL= 2.94 _ 0.21 kpc, orbited by a planet of mass mp= 9.8 +/-1.1M(Earth) with a semi-major axis of a = 3.1(+1.9-0.4)MAU.

  15. Infographic: Finding Planets With Microlensing

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2015-04-14

    This infographic explains how NASA Spitzer Space Telescope can be used in tandem with a telescope on the ground to measure the distances to planets discovered using the microlensing technique. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA19332

  16. A digital optical phase-locked loop for diode lasers based on field programmable gate array.

    PubMed

    Xu, Zhouxiang; Zhang, Xian; Huang, Kaikai; Lu, Xuanhui

    2012-09-01

    We have designed and implemented a highly digital optical phase-locked loop (OPLL) for diode lasers in atom interferometry. The three parts of controlling circuit in this OPLL, including phase and frequency detector (PFD), loop filter and proportional integral derivative (PID) controller, are implemented in a single field programmable gate array chip. A structure type compatible with the model MAX9382∕MCH12140 is chosen for PFD and pipeline and parallelism technology have been adapted in PID controller. Especially, high speed clock and twisted ring counter have been integrated in the most crucial part, the loop filter. This OPLL has the narrow beat note line width below 1 Hz, residual mean-square phase error of 0.14 rad(2) and transition time of 100 μs under 10 MHz frequency step. A main innovation of this design is the completely digitalization of the whole controlling circuit in OPLL for diode lasers.

  17. A digital optical phase-locked loop for diode lasers based on field programmable gate array

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xu, Zhouxiang; Zhang, Xian; Huang, Kaikai; Lu, Xuanhui

    2012-09-01

    We have designed and implemented a highly digital optical phase-locked loop (OPLL) for diode lasers in atom interferometry. The three parts of controlling circuit in this OPLL, including phase and frequency detector (PFD), loop filter and proportional integral derivative (PID) controller, are implemented in a single field programmable gate array chip. A structure type compatible with the model MAX9382/MCH12140 is chosen for PFD and pipeline and parallelism technology have been adapted in PID controller. Especially, high speed clock and twisted ring counter have been integrated in the most crucial part, the loop filter. This OPLL has the narrow beat note line width below 1 Hz, residual mean-square phase error of 0.14 rad2 and transition time of 100 μs under 10 MHz frequency step. A main innovation of this design is the completely digitalization of the whole controlling circuit in OPLL for diode lasers.

  18. Diode pumped, regenerative Nd:YAG ring amplifier for space application

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Coyle, D. B.; Kay, Richard B.; Degnan, John J.; Krebs, Danny J.; Seery, Bernard D.

    1992-01-01

    The study reviews the research and development of a prototype laser used to study one possible method of short-pulse production and amplification, in particular, a pulsed Nd:YAG ring laser pumped by laser diode arrays and injected seeded by a 100-ps source. The diode array pumped, regenerative amplifier consists of only five optical elements, two mirrors, one thin film polarizer, one Nd:YAG crystal, and one pockels cell. The pockels cell performed both as a Q-switch and a cavity dumper for amplified pulse ejection through the thin film polarizer. The total optical efficiency was low principally due to the low gain provided by the 2-bar pumped laser head. After comparison with a computer model, a real seed threshold of about 10 exp -15 J was achieved because only about 0.1 percent of the injected energy mode-matched with the ring.

  19. High Power Laser Diode Arrays for 2-Micron Solid State Coherent Lidars Applications

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Amzajerdian, Farzin; Meadows, Byron; Kavaya, Michael J.; Singh, Upendra; Sudesh, Vikas; Baker, Nathaniel

    2003-01-01

    Laser diode arrays are critical components of any diode-pumped solid state laser systems, constraining their performance and reliability. Laser diode arrays (LDAs) are used as the pump source for energizing the solid state lasing media to generate an intense coherent laser beam with a high spatial and spectral quality. The solid state laser design and the characteristics of its lasing materials define the operating wavelength, pulse duration, and power of the laser diodes. The pump requirements for high pulse energy 2-micron solid state lasers are substantially different from those of more widely used 1-micron lasers and in many aspects more challenging [1]. Furthermore, the reliability and lifetime demanded by many coherent lidar applications, such as global wind profiling from space and long-range clear air turbulence detection from aircraft, are beyond the capability of currently available LDAs. In addition to the need for more reliable LDAs with longer lifetime, further improvement in the operational parameters of high power quasi-cw LDAs, such as electrical efficiency, brightness, and duty cycle, are also necessary for developing cost-effective 2-micron coherent lidar systems for applications that impose stringent size, heat dissipation, and power constraints. Global wind sounding from space is one of such applications, which is the main driver for this work as part of NASA s Laser Risk Reduction Program. This paper discusses the current state of the 792 nm LDA technology and the technology areas being pursued toward improving their performance. The design and development of a unique characterization facility for addressing the specific issues associated with the LDAs for pumping 2-micron coherent lidar transmitters and identifying areas of technological improvement will be described. Finally, the results of measurements to date on various standard laser diode packages, as well as custom-designed packages with potentially longer lifetime, will be reported.

  20. High power vertical stacked and horizontal arrayed diode laser bar development based on insulation micro-channel cooling (IMCC) and hard solder bonding technology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Boxue; Jia, Yangtao; Zhang, Haoyu; Jia, Shiyin; Liu, Jindou; Wang, Weifeng; Liu, Xingsheng

    2018-02-01

    An insulation micro-channel cooling (IMCC) has been developed for packaging high power bar-based vertical stack and horizontal array diode lasers, which eliminates many issues caused in its congener packaged by commercial copper formed micro-channel cooler(MCC), such as coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between cooler and diode laser bar, high coolant quality requirement (DI water) and channel corrosion and electro-corrosion induced by DI water if the DI-water quality is not well maintained The IMCC cooler separates water flow route and electrical route, which allows tap-water as coolant without electro-corrosion and therefore prolongs cooler lifetime dramatically and escalated the reliability of these diode lasers. The thickness of ceramic and copper in an IMCC cooler is well designed to minimize the CTE mismatch between laser bar and cooler, consequently, a very low "SMILE" of the laser bar can be achieved for small fast axis divergence after collimation. In additional, gold-tin hard solder bonding technology was also developed to minimize the risk of solder electromigration at high current density and thermal fatigue under hard-pulse operation mode. Testing results of IMCC packaged diode lasers are presented in this report.

  1. Searching for dark matter

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mateo, Mario

    1994-01-01

    Three teams of astronomers believe they have independently found evidence for dark matter in our galaxy. A brief history of the search for dark matter is presented. The use of microlensing-event observation for spotting dark matter is described. The equipment required to observe microlensing events and three groups working on dark matter detection are discussed. The three groups are the Massive Compact Halo Objects (MACHO) Project team, the Experience de Recherche d'Objets Sombres (EROS) team, and the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE) team. The first apparent detections of microlensing events by the three teams are briefly reported.

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

    Gould, A.; Yee, J. C.; Pinsonneault, M. H.

    The Galactic bulge source MOA-2010-BLG-523S exhibited short-term deviations from a standard microlensing light curve near the peak of an A {sub max} {approx} 265 high-magnification microlensing event. The deviations originally seemed consistent with expectations for a planetary companion to the principal lens. We combine long-term photometric monitoring with a previously published high-resolution spectrum taken near peak to demonstrate that this is an RS CVn variable, so that planetary microlensing is not required to explain the light-curve deviations. This is the first spectroscopically confirmed RS CVn star discovered in the Galactic bulge.

  3. VizieR Online Data Catalog: OGLE-II DIA microlensing events (Wozniak+, 2001)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wozniak, P. R.; Udalski, A.; Szymanski, M.; Kubiak, M.; Pietrzynski, G.; Soszynski, I.; Zebrun, K.

    2002-11-01

    We present a sample of microlensing events discovered in the Difference Image Analysis (DIA) of the OGLE-II images collected during three observing seasons, 1997-1999. 4424 light curves pass our criteria on the presence of a brightening episode on top of a constant baseline. Among those, 512 candidate microlensing events were selected visually. We designed an automated procedure, which unambiguously selects up to 237 best events. Including eight candidate events recovered by other means, a total of 520 light curves are presented in this work. (4 data files).

  4. Accurately Mapping M31's Microlensing Population

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Crotts, Arlin

    2004-07-01

    We propose to augment an existing microlensing survey of M31 with source identifications provided by a modest amount of ACS {and WFPC2 parallel} observations to yield an accurate measurement of the masses responsible for microlensing in M31, and presumably much of its dark matter. The main benefit of these data is the determination of the physical {or "einstein"} timescale of each microlensing event, rather than an effective {"FWHM"} timescale, allowing masses to be determined more than twice as accurately as without HST data. The einstein timescale is the ratio of the lensing cross-sectional radius and relative velocities. Velocities are known from kinematics, and the cross-section is directly proportional to the {unknown} lensing mass. We cannot easily measure these quantities without knowing the amplification, hence the baseline magnitude, which requires the resolution of HST to find the source star. This makes a crucial difference because M31 lens m ass determinations can be more accurate than those towards the Magellanic Clouds through our Galaxy's halo {for the same number of microlensing events} due to the better constrained geometry in the M31 microlensing situation. Furthermore, our larger survey, just completed, should yield at least 100 M31 microlensing events, more than any Magellanic survey. A small amount of ACS+WFPC2 imaging will deliver the potential of this large database {about 350 nights}. For the whole survey {and a delta-function mass distribution} the mass error should approach only about 15%, or about 6% error in slope for a power-law distribution. These results will better allow us to pinpoint the lens halo fraction, and the shape of the halo lens spatial distribution, and allow generalization/comparison of the nature of halo dark matter in spiral galaxies. In addition, we will be able to establish the baseline magnitude for about 50, 000 variable stars, as well as measure an unprecedentedly deta iled color-magnitude diagram and luminosity function over much of M31.

  5. No large population of unbound or wide-orbit Jupiter-mass planets.

    PubMed

    Mróz, Przemek; Udalski, Andrzej; Skowron, Jan; Poleski, Radosław; Kozłowski, Szymon; Szymański, Michał K; Soszyński, Igor; Wyrzykowski, Łukasz; Pietrukowicz, Paweł; Ulaczyk, Krzysztof; Skowron, Dorota; Pawlak, Michał

    2017-08-10

    Planet formation theories predict that some planets may be ejected from their parent systems as result of dynamical interactions and other processes. Unbound planets can also be formed through gravitational collapse, in a way similar to that in which stars form. A handful of free-floating planetary-mass objects have been discovered by infrared surveys of young stellar clusters and star-forming regions as well as wide-field surveys, but these studies are incomplete for objects below five Jupiter masses. Gravitational microlensing is the only method capable of exploring the entire population of free-floating planets down to Mars-mass objects, because the microlensing signal does not depend on the brightness of the lensing object. A characteristic timescale of microlensing events depends on the mass of the lens: the less massive the lens, the shorter the microlensing event. A previous analysis of 474 microlensing events found an excess of ten very short events (1-2 days)-more than known stellar populations would suggest-indicating the existence of a large population of unbound or wide-orbit Jupiter-mass planets (reported to be almost twice as common as main-sequence stars). These results, however, do not match predictions of planet-formation theories and surveys of young clusters. Here we analyse a sample of microlensing events six times larger than that of ref. 11 discovered during the years 2010-15. Although our survey has very high sensitivity (detection efficiency) to short-timescale (1-2 days) microlensing events, we found no excess of events with timescales in this range, with a 95 per cent upper limit on the frequency of Jupiter-mass free-floating or wide-orbit planets of 0.25 planets per main-sequence star. We detected a few possible ultrashort-timescale events (with timescales of less than half a day), which may indicate the existence of Earth-mass and super-Earth-mass free-floating planets, as predicted by planet-formation theories.

  6. New limits on primordial black hole dark matter from an analysis of Kepler source microlensing data.

    PubMed

    Griest, Kim; Cieplak, Agnieszka M; Lehner, Matthew J

    2013-11-01

    We present new limits on the allowed masses of a dark matter (DM) halo consisting of primordial black holes (PBH) (or any other massive compact halo object). We analyze two years of data from the Kepler satellite, searching for short-duration bumps caused by gravitational microlensing. After removing background events consisting of variable stars, flare events, and comets or asteroids moving through the Kepler field, we find no microlensing candidates. We measure the efficiency of our selection criteria by adding millions of simulated microlensing lensing events into the Kepler light curves. We find that PBH DM with masses in the range 2 × 10(-9) M[Symbol: see text] to 10(-7)M[Symbol: see text] cannot make up the entirety of the DM in the Milky Way. At the low-mass end, this decreases the allowed mass range by more than an order of magnititude.

  7. Microlensing of Kepler stars as a method of detecting primordial black hole dark matter.

    PubMed

    Griest, Kim; Lehner, Matthew J; Cieplak, Agnieszka M; Jain, Bhuvnesh

    2011-12-02

    If the dark matter consists of primordial black holes (PBHs), we show that gravitational lensing of stars being monitored by NASA's Kepler search for extrasolar planets can cause significant numbers of detectable microlensing events. A search through the roughly 150,000 light curves would result in large numbers of detectable events for PBHs in the mass range 5×10(-10) M(⊙) to 10(-4) M(⊙). Nondetection of these events would close almost 2 orders of magnitude of the mass window for PBH dark matter. The microlensing rate is higher than previously noticed due to a combination of the exceptional photometric precision of the Kepler mission and the increase in cross section due to the large angular sizes of the relatively nearby Kepler field stars. We also present a new formalism for calculating optical depth and microlensing rates in the presence of large finite-source effects. © 2011 American Physical Society

  8. Accelerating gravitational microlensing simulations using the Xeon Phi coprocessor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, B.; Kantowski, R.; Dai, X.; Baron, E.; Van der Mark, P.

    2017-04-01

    Recently Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) have been used to speed up very CPU-intensive gravitational microlensing simulations. In this work, we use the Xeon Phi coprocessor to accelerate such simulations and compare its performance on a microlensing code with that of NVIDIA's GPUs. For the selected set of parameters evaluated in our experiment, we find that the speedup by Intel's Knights Corner coprocessor is comparable to that by NVIDIA's Fermi family of GPUs with compute capability 2.0, but less significant than GPUs with higher compute capabilities such as the Kepler. However, the very recently released second generation Xeon Phi, Knights Landing, is about 5.8 times faster than the Knights Corner, and about 2.9 times faster than the Kepler GPU used in our simulations. We conclude that the Xeon Phi is a very promising alternative to GPUs for modern high performance microlensing simulations.

  9. Low-cost, high-precision micro-lensed optical fiber providing deep-micrometer to deep-nanometer-level light focusing.

    PubMed

    Wen, Sy-Bor; Sundaram, Vijay M; McBride, Daniel; Yang, Yu

    2016-04-15

    A new type of micro-lensed optical fiber through stacking appropriate high-refractive microspheres at designed locations with respect to the cleaved end of an optical fiber is numerically and experimentally demonstrated. This new type of micro-lensed optical fiber can be precisely constructed with low cost and high speed. Deep micrometer-scale and submicrometer-scale far-field light spots can be achieved when the optical fibers are multimode and single mode, respectively. By placing an appropriate teardrop dielectric nanoscale scatterer at the far-field spot of this new type of micro-lensed optical fiber, a deep-nanometer near-field spot can also be generated with high intensity and minimum joule heating, which is valuable in high-speed, high-resolution, and high-power nanoscale detection compared with traditional near-field optical fibers containing a significant portion of metallic material.

  10. Test apparatus for locating shorts during assembly of electrical buses

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Deboo, G. J.; Devine, D. L. (Inventor)

    1981-01-01

    A test apparatus is described for locating electrical shorts that is especially suited for use while an electrical circuit is being fabricated or assembled. A ring counter derives input pulses from a square wave oscillator. The outputs of the counter are fed through transistors to an array of light emitting diodes. Each diode is connected to an electrical conductor, such as a bus bar, that is to be tested. In the absence of a short between the electrical conductors the diodes are sequentially illuminated. When a short occurs, a comparator/multivibrator circuit triggers an alarm and stops the oscillator and the sequential energization of the diodes. The two diodes that remain illuminated identify the electrical conductors that are shorted.

  11. Integrating qualitative and quantitative characterization of traditional Chinese medicine injection by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection and tandem mass spectrometry.

    PubMed

    Xie, Yuan-yuan; Xiao, Xue; Luo, Juan-min; Fu, Chan; Wang, Qiao-wei; Wang, Yi-ming; Liang, Qiong-lin; Luo, Guo-an

    2014-06-01

    The present study aims to describe and exemplify an integrated strategy of the combination of qualitative and quantitative characterization of a multicomponent mixture for the quality control of traditional Chinese medicine injections with the example of Danhong injection (DHI). The standardized chemical profile of DHI has been established based on liquid chromatography with diode array detection. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray multistage tandem ion-trap mass spectrometry have been developed to identify the major constituents in DHI. The structures of 26 compounds including nucleotides, phenolic acids, and flavonoid glycosides were identified or tentatively characterized. Meanwhile, the simultaneous determination of seven marker constituents, including uridine, adenosine, danshensu, protocatechuic aldehyde, p-coumaric acid, rosmarinic acid, and salvianolic acid B, in DHI was performed by multiwavelength detection based on high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. The integrated qualitative and quantitative characterization strategy provided an effective and reliable pattern for the comprehensive and systematic characterization of the complex traditional Chinese medicine system. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  12. Operating scheme for the light-emitting diode array of a volumetric display that exhibits multiple full-color dynamic images

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hirayama, Ryuji; Shiraki, Atsushi; Nakayama, Hirotaka; Kakue, Takashi; Shimobaba, Tomoyoshi; Ito, Tomoyoshi

    2017-07-01

    We designed and developed a control circuit for a three-dimensional (3-D) light-emitting diode (LED) array to be used in volumetric displays exhibiting full-color dynamic 3-D images. The circuit was implemented on a field-programmable gate array; therefore, pulse-width modulation, which requires high-speed processing, could be operated in real time. We experimentally evaluated the developed system by measuring the luminance of an LED with varying input and confirmed that the system works appropriately. In addition, we demonstrated that the volumetric display exhibits different full-color dynamic two-dimensional images in two orthogonal directions. Each of the exhibited images could be obtained only from the prescribed viewpoint. Such directional characteristics of the system are beneficial for applications, including digital signage, security systems, art, and amusement.

  13. Miniaturized high throughput detection system for capillary array electrophoresis on chip with integrated light emitting diode array as addressed ring-shaped light source.

    PubMed

    Ren, Kangning; Liang, Qionglin; Mu, Xuan; Luo, Guoan; Wang, Yiming

    2009-03-07

    A novel miniaturized, portable fluorescence detection system for capillary array electrophoresis (CAE) on a microfluidic chip was developed, consisting of a scanning light-emitting diode (LED) light source and a single point photoelectric sensor. Without charge coupled detector (CCD), lens, fibers and moving parts, the system was extremely simplified. Pulsed driving of the LED significantly increased the sensitivity, and greatly reduced the power consumption and photobleaching effect. The highly integrated system was robust and easy to use. All the advantages realized the concept of a portable micro-total analysis system (micro-TAS), which could work on a single universal serial bus (USB) port. Compared with traditional CAE detecting systems, the current system could scan the radial capillary array with high scanning rate. An 8-channel CAE of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled arginine (Arg) on chip was demonstrated with this system, resulting in a limit of detection (LOD) of 640 amol.

  14. Strong light extraction enhancement using TiO2 nanoparticles-based microcone arrays embossed on III-Nitride light emitting diodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Désières, Yohan; Chen, Ding Yuan; Visser, Dennis; Schippers, Casper; Anand, Srinivasan

    2018-06-01

    Colloidal TiO2 nanoparticles were used for embossing of composite microcone arrays on III-Nitride vertical-thin-film blue light emitting diodes (LEDs) as well as on silicon, glass, gallium arsenide, and gallium nitride surfaces. Ray tracing simulations were performed to optimize the design of microcones for light extraction and to explain the experimental results. An optical power enhancement of ˜2.08 was measured on III-Nitride blue LEDs embossed with a hexagonal array of TiO2 microcones of ˜1.35 μm in height and ˜2.6 μm in base width, without epoxy encapsulation. A voltage increase in ˜70 mV at an operating current density of ˜35 A/cm2 was measured for the embossed LEDs. The TiO2 microcone arrays were embossed on functioning LEDs, using low pressures (˜100 g/cm2) and temperatures ≤100 °C.

  15. SU-F-T-32: Evaluation of the Performance of a Multiple-Array-Diode Detector for Quality Assurance Tests in High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy with Ir-192 Source

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

    Harpool, K; De La Fuente Herman, T; Ahmad, S

    Purpose: To evaluate the performance of a two-dimensional (2D) array-diode- detector for geometric and dosimetric quality assurance (QA) tests of high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy with an Ir-192-source. Methods: A phantom setup was designed that encapsulated a two-dimensional (2D) array-diode-detector (MapCheck2) and a catheter for the HDR brachytherapy Ir-192 source. This setup was used to perform both geometric and dosimetric quality assurance for the HDR-Ir192 source. The geometric tests included: (a) measurement of the position of the source and (b) spacing between different dwell positions. The dosimteric tests include: (a) linearity of output with time, (b) end effect and (c) relative dosemore » verification. The 2D-dose distribution measured with MapCheck2 was used to perform the previous tests. The results of MapCheck2 were compared with the corresponding quality assurance testes performed with Gafchromic-film and well-ionization-chamber. Results: The position of the source and the spacing between different dwell-positions were reproducible within 1 mm accuracy by measuring the position of maximal dose using MapCheck2 in contrast to the film which showed a blurred image of the dwell positions due to limited film sensitivity to irradiation. The linearity of the dose with dwell times measured from MapCheck2 was superior to the linearity measured with ionization chamber due to higher signal-to-noise ratio of the diode readings. MapCheck2 provided more accurate measurement of the end effect with uncertainty < 1.5% in comparison with the ionization chamber uncertainty of 3%. Although MapCheck2 did not provide absolute calibration dosimeter for the activity of the source, it provided accurate tool for relative dose verification in HDR-brachytherapy. Conclusion: The 2D-array-diode-detector provides a practical, compact and accurate tool to perform quality assurance for HDR-brachytherapy with an Ir-192 source. The diodes in MapCheck2 have high radiation sensitivity and linearity that is superior to Gafchromic-films and ionization chamber used for geometric and dosimetric QA in HDR-brachytherapy, respectively.« less

  16. Testing LMC Microlensing Scenarios: The Discrimination Power of the SuperMACHO Microlensing Survey

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

    Rest, A; Stubbs, C; Becker, A C

    Characterizing the nature and spatial distribution of the lensing objects that produce the observed microlensing optical depth toward the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) remains an open problem. They present an appraisal of the ability of the SuperMACHO Project, a next-generation microlensing survey pointed toward the LMC, to discriminate between various proposed lensing populations. they consider two scenarios: lensing by a uniform foreground screen of objects and self-lensing of LMC stars. The optical depth for ''screen-lensing'' is essentially constant across the face of the LMC; whereas, the optical depth for self-lensing shows a strong spatial dependence. they have carried out extensivemore » simulations, based upon actual data obtained during the first year of the project, to assess the SuperMACHO survey's ability to discriminate between these two scenarios. In the simulations they predict the expected number of observed microlensing events for each of their fields by adding artificial stars to the images and estimating the spatial and temporal efficiency of detecting microlensing events using Monte-Carlo methods. They find that the event rate itself shows significant sensitivity to the choice of the LMC luminosity function shape and other parameters, limiting the conclusions which can be drawn from the absolute rate. By instead determining the differential event rate across the LMC, they can decrease the impact of these systematic uncertainties rendering the conclusions more robust. With this approach the SuperMACHO Project should be able to distinguish between the two categories of lens populations and provide important constraints on the nature of the lensing objects.« less

  17. Laterally stacked Schottky diodes for infrared sensor applications

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lin, True-Lon (Inventor)

    1991-01-01

    Laterally stacked Schottky diodes for infrared sensor applications are fabricated utilizing porous silicon having pores. A Schottky metal contract is formed in the pores, such as by electroplating. The sensors may be integrated with silicon circuits on the same chip with a high quantum efficiency, which is ideal for IR focal plane array applications due to uniformity and reproducibility.

  18. Cosmic Ray Measurements by Scintillators with Metal Resistor Semiconductor Avalanche Photo Diodes

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Blanco, Francesco; La Rocca, Paola; Riggi, Francesco; Akindinov, Alexandre; Mal'kevich, Dmitry

    2008-01-01

    An educational set-up for cosmic ray physics experiments is described. The detector is based on scintillator tiles with a readout through metal resistor semiconductor (MRS) avalanche photo diode (APD) arrays. Typical measurements of the cosmic angular distribution at sea level and a study of the East-West asymmetry obtained by such a device are…

  19. Exploring Faraday's Law of Electrolysis Using Zinc-Air Batteries with Current Regulative Diodes

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kamata, Masahiro; Paku, Miei

    2007-01-01

    Current regulative diodes (CRDs) are applied to develop new educational experiments on Faraday's law by using a zinc-air battery (PR2330) and a resistor to discharge it. The results concluded that the combination of zinc-air batteries and the CRD array is simpler, less expensive, and quantitative and gives accurate data.

  20. Complete indium-free CW 200W passively cooled high power diode laser array using double-side cooling technology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Jingwei; Zhu, Pengfei; Liu, Hui; Liang, Xuejie; Wu, Dihai; Liu, Yalong; Yu, Dongshan; Zah, Chung-en; Liu, Xingsheng

    2017-02-01

    High power diode lasers have been widely used in many fields. To meet the requirements of high power and high reliability, passively cooled single bar CS-packaged diode lasers must be robust to withstand thermal fatigue and operate long lifetime. In this work, a novel complete indium-free double-side cooling technology has been applied to package passively cooled high power diode lasers. Thermal behavior of hard solder CS-package diode lasers with different packaging structures was simulated and analyzed. Based on these results, the device structure and packaging process of double-side cooled CS-packaged diode lasers were optimized. A series of CW 200W 940nm high power diode lasers were developed and fabricated using hard solder bonding technology. The performance of the CW 200W 940nm high power diode lasers, such as output power, spectrum, thermal resistance, near field, far field, smile, lifetime, etc., is characterized and analyzed.

  1. A New Digital Holographic Instrument for Measuring Microphysical Properties of Contrails in the SASS (Subsonic Assessment) Program

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lawson, R. Paul

    2000-01-01

    SPEC incorporated designed, built and operated a new instrument, called a pi-Nephelometer, on the NASA DC-8 for the SUCCESS field project. The pi-Nephelometer casts an image of a particle on a 400,000 pixel solid-state camera by freezing the motion of the particle using a 25 ns pulsed, high-power (60 W) laser diode. Unique optical imaging and particle detection systems precisely detect particles and define the depth-of-field so that at least one particle in the image is almost always in focus. A powerful image processing engine processes frames from the solid-state camera, identifies and records regions of interest (i.e. particle images) in real time. Images of ice crystals are displayed and recorded with 5 micron pixel resolution. In addition, a scattered light system simultaneously measures the scattering phase function of the imaged particle. The system consists of twenty-eight 1-mm optical fibers connected to microlenses bonded on the surface of avalanche photo diodes (APDs). Data collected with the pi-Nephelometer during the SUCCESS field project was reported in a special issue of Geophysical Research Letters. The pi-Nephelometer provided the basis for development of a commercial imaging probe, called the cloud particle imager (CPI), which has been installed on several research aircraft and used in More than a dozen field programs.

  2. Photosensitive biosensor array system using optical addressing without an addressing circuit on array biochips

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ahn, Chang-Geun; Ah, Chil Seong; Kim, Tae-Youb; Park, Chan Woo; Yang, Jong-Heon; Kim, Ansoon; Sung, Gun Yong

    2010-09-01

    This paper introduces a photosensitive biosensor array system with a simple photodiode array that detects photocurrent changes caused by reactions between probe and target molecules. Using optical addressing, the addressing circuit on the array chip is removed for low-cost application, and real cell addressing is achieved using an externally located computer-controllable light-emitting diode array module. The fabricated biosensor array chip shows a good dynamic range of 1-100 ng/mL under prostate-specific antigen detection, with an on-chip resolution of roughly 1 ng/mL.

  3. Understanding EROS2 observations toward the spiral arms within a classical Galactic model framework

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moniez, M.; Sajadian, S.; Karami, M.; Rahvar, S.; Ansari, R.

    2017-08-01

    Aims: EROS (Expérience de Recherche d'Objets Sombres) has searched for microlensing toward four directions in the Galactic plane away from the Galactic center. The interpretation of the catalog optical depth is complicated by the spread of the source distance distribution. We compare the EROS microlensing observations with Galactic models (including the Besançon model), tuned to fit the EROS source catalogs, and take into account all observational data such as the microlensing optical depth, the Einstein crossing durations, and the color and magnitude distributions of the catalogued stars. Methods: We simulated EROS-like source catalogs using the HIgh-Precision PARallax COllecting Satellite (Hipparcos) database, the Galactic mass distribution, and an interstellar extinction table. Taking into account the EROS star detection efficiency, we were able to produce simulated color-magnitude diagrams that fit the observed diagrams. This allows us to estimate average microlensing optical depths and event durations that are directly comparable with the measured values. Results: Both the Besançon model and our Galactic model allow us to fully understand the EROS color-magnitude data. The average optical depths and mean event durations calculated from these models are in reasonable agreement with the observations. Varying the Galactic structure parameters through simulation, we were also able to deduce contraints on the kinematics of the disk, the disk stellar mass function (at a few kpc distance from the Sun), and the maximum contribution of a thick disk of compact objects in the Galactic plane (Mthick< 5 - 7 × 1010M⊙ at 95%, depending on the model). We also show that the microlensing data toward one of our monitored directions are significantly sensitive to the Galactic bar parameters, although much larger statistics are needed to provide competitive constraints. Conclusions: Our simulation gives a better understanding of the lens and source spatial distributions in the microlensing events. The goodness of a global fit taking into account all the observables (from the color-magnitude diagrams and microlensing observations) shows the validity of the Galactic models. Our tests with the parameters excursions show the unique sensitivity of the microlensing data to the kinematical parameters and stellar initial mass function. http://www.lal.in2p3.fr/recherche/eros

  4. AlGaInN laser diode technology and systems for defence and security applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Najda, Stephen P.; Perlin, Piotr; Suski, Tadek; Marona, Lujca; Boćkowski, Mike; Leszczyński, Mike; Wisniewski, Przemek; Czernecki, Robert; Kucharski, Robert; Targowski, Grzegorz; Watson, Scott; Kelly, Antony E.

    2015-10-01

    AlGaInN laser diodes is an emerging technology for defence and security applications such as underwater communications and sensing, atomic clocks and quantum information. The AlGaInN material system allows for laser diodes to be fabricated over a very wide range of wavelengths from u.v., ~380nm, to the visible ~530nm, by tuning the indium content of the laser GaInN quantum well. Thus AlGaInN laser diode technology is a key enabler for the development of new disruptive system level applications in displays, telecom, defence and other industries. Ridge waveguide laser diodes are fabricated to achieve single mode operation with optical powers up to 100mW with the 400-440nm wavelength range with high reliability. Visible free-space and underwater communication at frequencies up to 2.5GHz is reported using a directly modulated 422nm GaN laser diode. Low defectivity and highly uniform GaN substrates allow arrays and bars to be fabricated. High power operation operation of AlGaInN laser bars with up to 20 emitters have been demonstrated at optical powers up to 4W in a CS package with common contact configuration. An alternative package configuration for AlGaInN laser arrays allows for each individual laser to be individually addressable allowing complex free-space or optical fibre system integration with a very small form-factor.

  5. An optical wavefront sensor based on a double layer microlens array.

    PubMed

    Lin, Vinna; Wei, Hsiang-Chun; Hsieh, Hsin-Ta; Su, Guo-Dung John

    2011-01-01

    In order to determine light aberrations, Shack-Hartmann optical wavefront sensors make use of microlens arrays (MLA) to divide the incident light into small parts and focus them onto image planes. In this paper, we present the design and fabrication of long focal length MLA with various shapes and arrangements based on a double layer structure for optical wavefront sensing applications. A longer focal length MLA could provide high sensitivity in determining the average slope across each microlens under a given wavefront, and spatial resolution of a wavefront sensor is increased by numbers of microlenses across a detector. In order to extend focal length, we used polydimethysiloxane (PDMS) above MLA on a glass substrate. Because of small refractive index difference between PDMS and MLA interface (UV-resin), the incident light is less refracted and focused in further distance. Other specific focal lengths could also be realized by modifying the refractive index difference without changing the MLA size. Thus, the wavefront sensor could be improved with better sensitivity and higher spatial resolution.

  6. The First Year of Robotic Science with MINERVA

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McCrady, Nate; Johnson, John A.; Wright, Jason; Wittenmyer, Robert; Eastman, Jason; Beatty, Thomas G.; Bottom, Michael; Johnson, Samson

    2016-01-01

    Detection of low-mass exoplanets orbiting Sun-like stars requires high cadence, long time-baseline observations that are impossible to obtain on shared large telescopes. MINERVA is a dedicated observatory for exoplanet detection that consists of four robotic 0.7-meter PlaneWave telescopes located at Whipple Observatory on Mt Hopkins, Arizona. First light science began in May 2015 with photometric monitoring of transit and microlensing events. The four telescopes can observe different targets, or provide simultaneous multi-color light curves of a single event. We will add a purpose-built, temperature-stabilized, high precision iodine cell spectrometer from Callaghan Innovation in 2016 to facilitate velocimetric search for low-mass exoplanets around nearby stars. The flexibility of the MINERVA array provides a natural avenue for educational and public outreach activities. One telescope in the array can break formation to observe targets from a queue or respond to remote operations from astronomy courses at a partner institution. MINERVA is a collaboration among Harvard U., Penn State U., U. Montana, and U. New South Wales.

  7. Fabrication of microlens array with controllable high NA and tailored optical characteristics using confined ink-jetting

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Li; Luo, Yu; Liu, ZengZeng; Feng, Xueming; Lu, Bingheng

    2018-06-01

    This work presents an economic and controllable fabricating method of high numerical aperture (NA) polymer microlens array (MLA) based on ink-jetting technology. The MLAs are ink-jetted to align on micro platforms patterned flexible PDMS substrate. The shape of a sole lens is constructed by the ink-jetted pre-cured polymer volume confined on a micro platform. In this way, MLAs with targeted geometries-as well as tailored optical characteristics-can be printed, leading to freely designed optical properties. High NA from 0.446 to 0.885 and focal lengths between 99.26 μm and 39.45 μm are demonstrated, confirming theoretical predictions. Particularly, both the simulations and experimental measurements in optical properties are carried out, demonstrating that microlenses with shapes beyond a hemisphere (CA > 90°) exhibits higher light utilization efficiency and wider viewing angle. Meanwhile, the MLAs are fabricated on flexible PDMS substrates and can be attached to other curved surfaces for wider field of view imaging and higher sensitivity.

  8. GaAs optoelectronic neuron arrays

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lin, Steven; Grot, Annette; Luo, Jiafu; Psaltis, Demetri

    1993-01-01

    A simple optoelectronic circuit integrated monolithically in GaAs to implement sigmoidal neuron responses is presented. The circuit integrates a light-emitting diode with one or two transistors and one or two photodetectors. The design considerations for building arrays with densities of up to 10,000/sq cm are discussed.

  9. Innovative Techniques for the Production of Low Cost 2D Laser Diode Arrays

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1991-11-26

    electrically isolated and liquid cooled. (Deliverables: 5 5-bar arrays.) The following global issues not mentioned above will be investigated...house facet coating station. All global issues mentioned in Section 2.0 will be addressed and continuously investigated during this program. Very

  10. The Impact of Microlensing on the Standardisation of Strongly Lensed Type Ia Supernovae

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Foxley-Marrable, Max; Collett, Thomas E.; Vernardos, Georgios; Goldstein, Daniel A.; Bacon, David

    2018-05-01

    We investigate the effect of microlensing on the standardisation of strongly lensed Type Ia supernovae (GLSNe Ia). We present predictions for the amount of scatter induced by microlensing across a range of plausible strong lens macromodels. We find that lensed images in regions of low convergence, shear and stellar density are standardisable, where the microlensing scatter is ≲ 0.15 magnitudes, comparable to the intrinsic dispersion of for a typical SN Ia. These standardisable configurations correspond to asymmetric lenses with an image located far outside the Einstein radius of the lens. Symmetric and small Einstein radius lenses (≲ 0.5 arcsec) are not standardisable. We apply our model to the recently discovered GLSN Ia iPTF16geu and find that the large discrepancy between the observed flux and the macromodel predictions from More et al. (2017) cannot be explained by microlensing alone. Using the mock GLSNe Ia catalogue of Goldstein et al. (2017), we predict that ˜ 22% of GLSNe Ia discovered by LSST will be standardisable, with a median Einstein radius of 0.9 arcseconds and a median time-delay of 41 days. By breaking the mass-sheet degeneracy the full LSST GLSNe Ia sample will be able to detect systematics in H0 at the 0.5% level.

  11. The First Simultaneous Microlensing Observations by Two Space Telescopes: Spitzer and Swift Reveal a Brown Dwarf in Event OGLE-2015-BLG-1319

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shvartzvald, Y.; Li, Z.; Udalski, A.; Gould, A.; Sumi, T.; Street, R. A.; Calchi Novati, S.; Hundertmark, M.; Bozza, V.; Beichman, C.; hide

    2016-01-01

    Simultaneous observations of microlensing events from multiple locations allow for the breaking of degeneracies between the physical properties of the lensing system, specifically by exploring different regions of the lens plane and by directly measuring the "microlens parallax". We report the discovery of a 30-65M J brown dwarf orbiting a K dwarf in the microlensing event OGLE-2015-BLG-1319. The system is located at a distance of approximately 5 kpc toward the Galactic Bulge. The event was observed by several ground-based groups as well as by Spitzer and Swift, allowing a measurement of the physical properties. However, the event is still subject to an eight-fold degeneracy, in particular the well-known close-wide degeneracy, and thus the projected separation between the two lens components is either approximately 0.25 au or approximately 45 au. This is the first microlensing event observed by Swift, with the UVOT camera. We study the region of microlensing parameter space to which Swift is sensitive, finding that though Swift could not measure the microlens parallax with respect to ground-based observations for this event, it can be important for other events. Specifically, it is important for detecting nearby brown dwarfs and free-floating planets in high magnification events.

  12. 885-nm laser diode array pumped ceramic Nd:YAG master oscillator power amplifier system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yu, Anthony W.; Li, Steven X.; Stephen, Mark A.; Seas, Antonios; Troupaki, Elisavet; Vasilyev, Aleksey; Conley, Heather; Filemyr, Tim; Kirchner, Cynthia; Rosanova, Alberto

    2010-04-01

    The objective of this effort is to develop more reliable, higher efficiency diode pumped Nd:YAG laser systems for space applications by leveraging technology investments from the DoD and other commercial industries. Our goal is to design, build, test and demonstrate the effectiveness of combining 885 nm laser pump diodes and the use of ceramic Nd:YAG for future flight missions. The significant reduction in thermal loading on the gain medium by the use of 885 nm pump lasers will improve system efficiency.

  13. Performance Improvement of Long-Wave Infrared InAs/GaSb Strained-Layer Superlattice Detectors Through Sulfur-Based Passivation

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-01-01

    14]. The detector material was processed into a variable area diode array (VADA) of square and circular mesa diodes with the size of diode mesa sides...processed as single element detectors with 410 lm 410 lm square mesas having circular apertures ranging in diameter from 25 to 300 lm. The processing was...passivations schemes with perimeter-to-area ratio (P/A) of 1600 cm1 ( mesa side size is 25 lm). Fig. 3. Inverse of the dynamic resistance area product (RdA

  14. Forward voltage short-pulse technique for measuring high power laser array junction temperature

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Meadows, Byron L. (Inventor); Amzajerdian, Frazin (Inventor); Barnes, Bruce W. (Inventor); Baker, Nathaniel R. (Inventor)

    2012-01-01

    The present invention relates to a method of measuring the temperature of the P-N junction within the light-emitting region of a quasi-continuous-wave or pulsed semiconductor laser diode device. A series of relatively short and low current monitor pulses are applied to the laser diode in the period between the main drive current pulses necessary to cause the semiconductor to lase. At the sufficiently low current level of the monitor pulses, the laser diode device does not lase and behaves similar to an electronic diode. The voltage across the laser diode resulting from each of these low current monitor pulses is measured with a high degree of precision. The junction temperature is then determined from the measured junction voltage using their known linear relationship.

  15. Gaia16aye binary microlensing event is rising for the 5th time

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wyrzykowski, L.; Mroz, P.; Rybicki, K.; Altavilla, G.; Bakis, V.; Bendjoya, P.; Birenbaum, G.; Blagorodnova, N.; Blanco-Cuaresma, S.; Bonanos, A.; Bozza, V.; Britavskiy, N.; Burgaz, U.; Butterley, T.; Capuozzo, P.; Carrasco, J. M.; Chruslinska, M.; Damljanovic, G.; Dapergolas, T.; Dennefeld, M.; Dhillon, V. S.; Dominik, M.; Esenoglu, H.; Fossey, S.; Gomboc, A.; Hallokoun, N.; Hamanowicz, A.; Hardy, L. K.; Hudec, R.; Khamitov, I.; Klencki, J.; Kolaczkowski, Z.; Kolb, U.; Leonini, S.; Leto, G.; Lewis, F.; Liakos, A.; Littlefair, S. P.; Maoz, D.; Maund, J. R.; Mikolajczyk, P.; Palaversa, L.; Pawlak, M.; Penny, M.; Piascik, A.; Reig, P.; Rhodes, L.; Russell, D.; Sanchez, R. Z.; Shappee, B.; Shvartzvald, Y.; Sitek, M.; Sniegowska, M.; Sokolovsky, K.; Steele, I.; Street, R.; Tomasella, L.; Trascinelli, L.; Wiersema, K.; Wilson, R. W.; Zharkov, I.; Zola, S.; Zubareva, A.

    2017-05-01

    Gaia16aye, nicknamed Ayers Rock (19:40:01.13 +30:07:53.4, J2000) was detected in August 2016 and continue on-going, becoming the longest microlensing event found in the Galactic Disk (ATEL #9376, #9507).

  16. A simple and cost-effective molecular diagnostic system and DNA probes synthesized by light emitting diode photolithography

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Oleksandrov, Sergiy; Kwon, Jung Ho; Lee, Ki-chang; Sujin-Ku; Paek, Mun Cheol

    2014-09-01

    This work introduces a novel chip to be used in the future as a simple and cost-effective method for creating DNA arrays using light emission diode (LED) photolithography. The DNA chip platform contains 24 independent reaction sites, which allows for the testing of a corresponding amount of patients' samples in hospital. An array of commercial UV LEDs and lens systems was combined with a microfluidic flow system to provide patterning of 24 individual reaction sites, each with 64 independent probes. Using the LED array instead of conventional laser exposure systems or micro-mirror systems significantly reduces the cost of equipment. The microfluidic system together with microfluidic flow cells drastically reduces the amount of used reagents, which is important due to the high cost of commercial reagents. The DNA synthesis efficiency was verified by fluorescence labeling and conventional hybridization.

  17. Vertical pillar-superlattice array and graphene hybrid light emitting diodes.

    PubMed

    Lee, Jung Min; Choung, Jae Woong; Yi, Jaeseok; Lee, Dong Hyun; Samal, Monica; Yi, Dong Kee; Lee, Chul-Ho; Yi, Gyu-Chul; Paik, Ungyu; Rogers, John A; Park, Won Il

    2010-08-11

    We report a type of device that combines vertical arrays of one-dimensional (1D) pillar-superlattice (PSL) structures with 2D graphene sheets to yield a class of light emitting diode (LED) with interesting mechanical, optical, and electrical characteristics. In this application, graphene sheets coated with very thin metal layers exhibit good mechanical and electrical properties and an ability to mount, in a freely suspended configuration, on the PSL arrays as a top window electrode. Optical characterization demonstrates that graphene exhibits excellent optical transparency even after deposition of the thin metal films. Thermal annealing of the graphene/metal (Gr/M) contact to the GaAs decreases the contact resistance, to provide enhanced carrier injection. The resulting PSL-Gr/M LEDs exhibit bright light emission over large areas. The result suggests the utility of graphene-based materials as electrodes in devices with unusual, nonplanar 3D architectures.

  18. Gravitational lens system SDSS J1339+1310: microlensing factory and time delay

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Goicoechea, L. J.; Shalyapin, V. N.

    2016-12-01

    We spectroscopically re-observed the gravitational lens system SDSS J1339+1310 using OSIRIS on the GTC. We also monitored the r-band variability of the two quasar images (A and B) with the LT over 143 epochs in the period 2009-2016. These new data in both the wavelength and time domains have confirmed that the system is an unusual microlensing factory. The C iv emission line is remarkably microlensed, since the microlensing magnification of B relative to that for A, μBA, reaches a value of 1.4 ( 0.4 mag) for its core. Moreover, the B image shows a red wing enhancement of C iv flux (relative to A), and μBA = 2 (0.75 mag) for the C iv broad-line emission. Regarding the nuclear continuum, we find a chromatic behaviour of μBA, which roughly varies from 5 (1.75 mag) at 7000 Å to 6 (1.95 mag) at 4000 Å. We also detect significant microlensing variability in the r band, and this includes a number of microlensing events on timescales of 50-100 d. Fortunately, the presence of an intrinsic 0.7 mag dip in the light curves of A and B, permitted us to measure the time delay between both quasar images. This delay is ΔtAB = 47 d (1σ confidence interval; A is leading), in good agreement with predictions of lens models. Tables 1-3 are only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (http://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/596/A77

  19. Contamination in the MACHO data set and the puzzle of Large Magellanic Cloud microlensing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Griest, Kim; Thomas, Christian L.

    2005-05-01

    In a recent series of three papers, Belokurov, Evans & Le Du and Evans & Belokurov reanalysed the MACHO collaboration data and gave alternative sets of microlensing events and an alternative optical depth to microlensing towards the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Although these authors examined less than 0.2 per cent of the data, they reported that by using a neural net program they had reliably selected a better (and smaller) set of microlensing candidates. Estimating the optical depth from this smaller set, they claimed that the MACHO collaboration overestimated the optical depth by a significant factor and that the MACHO microlensing experiment is consistent with lensing by known stars in the Milky Way and LMC. As we show below, the analysis by these authors contains several errors, and as a result their conclusions are incorrect. Their efficiency analysis is in error, and since they did not search through the entire MACHO data set, they do not know how many microlensing events their neural net would find in the data nor what optical depth their method would give. Examination of their selected events suggests that their method misses low signal-to-noise ratio events and thus would have lower efficiency than the MACHO selection criteria. In addition, their method is likely to give many more false positives (non-lensing events identified as lensing). Both effects would increase their estimated optical depth. Finally, we note that the EROS discovery that LMC event 23 is a variable star reduces the MACHO collaboration estimates of optical depth and the Macho halo fraction by around 8 per cent, and does open the question of additional contamination.

  20. Detection, characterization and identification of phenolic acids in Danshen using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

    PubMed

    Liu, Ai-Hua; Guo, Hui; Ye, Min; Lin, Yan-Hua; Sun, Jiang-Hao; Xu, Man; Guo, De-An

    2007-08-17

    By using HPLC-diode array detection-electrospray ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS(n)) in negative ion mode, we have analyzed the fragmentation pathways of 11 phenolic acids which were isolated from Danshen. Then the extract of Danshen was analyzed, and a total of 42 phenolic acids, including sixteen new minor constituents, were identified or tentatively identified for the first time. A new solid-phase extraction (SPE) method, new HPLC separation method, new liquid chromatography (LC)-MS and LC-MS(n) (n=3-5) data and proposed fragmentation pathways, LC retention time for phenolic acids are reported.

  1. A Single-Photon Avalanche Diode Array for Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy.

    PubMed

    Schwartz, David Eric; Charbon, Edoardo; Shepard, Kenneth L

    2008-11-21

    We describe the design, characterization, and demonstration of a fully integrated single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) imager for use in time-resolved fluorescence imaging. The imager consists of a 64-by-64 array of active SPAD pixels and an on-chip time-to-digital converter (TDC) based on a delay-locked loop (DLL) and calibrated interpolators. The imager can perform both standard time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) and an alternative gated-window detection useful for avoiding pulse pile-up when measuring bright signal levels. To illustrate the use of the imager, we present measurements of the decay lifetimes of fluorescent dyes of several types with a timing resolution of 350 ps.

  2. Phase-front measurements of an injection-locked AlGaAs laser-diode array

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cornwell, Donald M., Jr.; Rall, Jonathan A. R.; Abshire, James B.

    1989-01-01

    The phase-front quality of the primary spatial lobe emitted from an injection-locked gain-guided AlGaAs laser-diode array is measured by using an equal-path, phase-shifting Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Root-mean-square phase errors of 0.037 + or - 0.003 wave are measured for the single spatial lobe, which contained 240-mW cw output power in a single longitudinal mode. This phase-front quality corresponds to a Strehl ratio of S = 0.947, which results in a 0.23-dB power loss from the single lobe's ideal diffraction-limited power. These values are comparable with those measured for single-stripe index-guided AlGaAs lasers.

  3. A Single-Photon Avalanche Diode Array for Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy

    PubMed Central

    Schwartz, David Eric; Charbon, Edoardo; Shepard, Kenneth L.

    2013-01-01

    We describe the design, characterization, and demonstration of a fully integrated single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) imager for use in time-resolved fluorescence imaging. The imager consists of a 64-by-64 array of active SPAD pixels and an on-chip time-to-digital converter (TDC) based on a delay-locked loop (DLL) and calibrated interpolators. The imager can perform both standard time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) and an alternative gated-window detection useful for avoiding pulse pile-up when measuring bright signal levels. To illustrate the use of the imager, we present measurements of the decay lifetimes of fluorescent dyes of several types with a timing resolution of 350 ps. PMID:23976789

  4. MCT Detectors and ROICS for Various Format MWIR and LWIR Arrays

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-10-01

    ABSTRACT Silicon ROICs for MCT LWIR (4x288, 6x576) and MWIR (128x128) diode matrix arrays were designed, manufactured and tested. MCT layers...of polysilicon and two metallization levels. MCT Detectors and ROICs for Various Format MWIR and LWIR Arrays RTO-MP-SET-151 7 - 1...Format MWIR and LWIR Arrays 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f

  5. Discovery of a Jupiter/Saturn analog with gravitational microlensing.

    PubMed

    Gaudi, B S; Bennett, D P; Udalski, A; Gould, A; Christie, G W; Maoz, D; Dong, S; McCormick, J; Szymanski, M K; Tristram, P J; Nikolaev, S; Paczynski, B; Kubiak, M; Pietrzynski, G; Soszynski, I; Szewczyk, O; Ulaczyk, K; Wyrzykowski, L; Depoy, D L; Han, C; Kaspi, S; Lee, C-U; Mallia, F; Natusch, T; Pogge, R W; Park, B-G; Abe, F; Bond, I A; Botzler, C S; Fukui, A; Hearnshaw, J B; Itow, Y; Kamiya, K; Korpela, A V; Kilmartin, P M; Lin, W; Masuda, K; Matsubara, Y; Motomura, M; Muraki, Y; Nakamura, S; Okumura, T; Ohnishi, K; Rattenbury, N J; Sako, T; Saito, To; Sato, S; Skuljan, L; Sullivan, D J; Sumi, T; Sweatman, W L; Yock, P C M; Albrow, M D; Allan, A; Beaulieu, J-P; Burgdorf, M J; Cook, K H; Coutures, C; Dominik, M; Dieters, S; Fouqué, P; Greenhill, J; Horne, K; Steele, I; Tsapras, Y; Chaboyer, B; Crocker, A; Frank, S; Macintosh, B

    2008-02-15

    Searches for extrasolar planets have uncovered an astonishing diversity of planetary systems, yet the frequency of solar system analogs remains unknown. The gravitational microlensing planet search method is potentially sensitive to multiple-planet systems containing analogs of all the solar system planets except Mercury. We report the detection of a multiple-planet system with microlensing. We identify two planets with masses of approximately 0.71 and approximately 0.27 times the mass of Jupiter and orbital separations of approximately 2.3 and approximately 4.6 astronomical units orbiting a primary star of mass approximately 0.50 solar mass at a distance of approximately 1.5 kiloparsecs. This system resembles a scaled version of our solar system in that the mass ratio, separation ratio, and equilibrium temperatures of the planets are similar to those of Jupiter and Saturn. These planets could not have been detected with other techniques; their discovery from only six confirmed microlensing planet detections suggests that solar system analogs may be common.

  6. A Neptune-mass Free-floating Planet Candidate Discovered by Microlensing Surveys

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mróz, Przemek; Ryu, Y.-H.; Skowron, J.; Udalski, A.; Gould, A.; Szymański, M. K.; Soszyński, I.; Poleski, R.; Pietrukowicz, P.; Kozłowski, S.; Pawlak, M.; Ulaczyk, K.; OGLE Collaboration; Albrow, M. D.; Chung, S.-J.; Jung, Y. K.; Han, C.; Hwang, K.-H.; Shin, I.-G.; Yee, J. C.; Zhu, W.; Cha, S.-M.; Kim, D.-J.; Kim, H.-W.; Kim, S.-L.; Lee, C.-U.; Lee, D.-J.; Lee, Y.; Park, B.-G.; Pogge, R. W.; KMTNet Collaboration

    2018-03-01

    Current microlensing surveys are sensitive to free-floating planets down to Earth-mass objects. All published microlensing events attributed to unbound planets were identified based on their short timescale (below two days), but lacked an angular Einstein radius measurement (and hence lacked a significant constraint on the lens mass). Here, we present the discovery of a Neptune-mass free-floating planet candidate in the ultrashort (t E = 0.320 ± 0.003 days) microlensing event OGLE-2016-BLG-1540. The event exhibited strong finite-source effects, which allowed us to measure its angular Einstein radius of θ E = 9.2 ± 0.5 μas. There remains, however, a degeneracy between the lens mass and distance. The combination of the source proper motion and source-lens relative proper motion measurements favors a Neptune-mass lens located in the Galactic disk. However, we cannot rule out that the lens is a Saturn-mass object belonging to the bulge population. We exclude stellar companions up to ∼15 au.

  7. The advantages of using a Lucky Imaging camera for observations of microlensing events

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sajadian, Sedighe; Rahvar, Sohrab; Dominik, Martin; Hundertmark, Markus

    2016-05-01

    In this work, we study the advantages of using a Lucky Imaging camera for the observations of potential planetary microlensing events. Our aim is to reduce the blending effect and enhance exoplanet signals in binary lensing systems composed of an exoplanet and the corresponding parent star. We simulate planetary microlensing light curves based on present microlensing surveys and follow-up telescopes where one of them is equipped with a Lucky Imaging camera. This camera is used at the Danish 1.54-m follow-up telescope. Using a specific observational strategy, for an Earth-mass planet in the resonance regime, where the detection probability in crowded fields is smaller, Lucky Imaging observations improve the detection efficiency which reaches 2 per cent. Given the difficulty of detecting the signal of an Earth-mass planet in crowded-field imaging even in the resonance regime with conventional cameras, we show that Lucky Imaging can substantially improve the detection efficiency.

  8. Measuring the Microlensing Parallax from Various Space Observatories

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bachelet, E.; Hinse, T. C.; Street, R.

    2018-05-01

    A few observational methods allow the measurement of the mass and distance of the lens-star for a microlensing event. A first estimate can be obtained by measuring the microlensing parallax effect produced by either the motion of the Earth (annual parallax) or the contemporaneous observation of the lensing event from two (or more) observatories (space or terrestrial parallax) sufficiently separated from each other. Further developing ideas originally outlined by Gould as well as Mogavero & Beaulieu, we review the possibility of measuring systematically the microlensing parallax using a telescope based on the Moon surface and other space-based observing platforms, including the upcoming WFIRST space-telescope. We first generalize the Fisher matrix formulation and present results demonstrating the advantage for each observing scenario. We conclude by outlining the limitation of the Fisher matrix analysis when submitted to a practical data modeling process. By considering a lunar-based parallax observation, we find that parameter correlations introduce a significant loss in detection efficiency of the probed lunar parallax effect.

  9. The MACHO Project: Microlensing Results from 5.7 Years of LMC Observations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Becker, A. C.; Alcock, C.; Allsman, R. A.; Alves, D.; Axelrod, T. S.; Bennett, D. P.; Cook, K. H.; Drake, A. J.; Freeman, K. C.; Geha, M.; Griest, K.; Lehner, M. J.; Marshall, S. L.; Minniti, D.; Nelson, C. A.; Peterson, B. A.; Popowski, P.; Pratt, M. R.; Quinn, P. J.; Rodgers, A. W.; Stubbs, C. W.; Sutherland, W.; Tomaney, A. B.; Vandehei, T.; Welch, D. L.; MACHO Collaboration

    1999-12-01

    We report on our search for microlensing towards the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Analysis of 5.7 years of photometry on 11.9 million stars in the LMC reveals 17 candidate microlensing events. A careful treatment of our detection efficiency shows that this is significantly more than the 2 to 4 events expected from lensing by known stellar populations. The timescales (t) of the events range from 34 to 230 days. The spatial distribution of events is probably inconsistent with LMC/LMC disk self-lensing, but consistent with an extended lens distribution such as a Milky Way or LMC halo. The optical depth results appear consistent with, but are lower than, our previous 2.1 year results. Besides a factor of 3.4 increase in exposure, this new work also includes an improved efficiency determination, improved likelihood analysis, and more thorough testing of robustness and systematic errors, especially in regards to the treatment of potential backgrounds to microlensing, such as supernovae in galaxies behind the LMC.

  10. Results from the MACHO Galactic Pixel Lensing Search

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Drake, Andrew J.; Minniti, Dante; Alcock, Charles; Allsman, Robyn A.; Alves, David; Axelrod, Tim S.; Becker, Andrew C.; Bennett, David; Cook, Kem H.; Freeman, Ken C.; Griest, Kim; Lehner, Matt; Marshall, Stuart; Peterson, Bruce; Pratt, Mark; Quinn, Peter; Rodgers, Alex; Stubbs, Chris; Sutherland, Will; Tomaney, Austin; Vandehei, Thor; Welch, Doug L.

    The MACHO, EROS, OGLE and AGAPE collaborations have been studying nature of the galactic halo for a number of years using microlensing events. The MACHO group undertakes observations of the LMC, SMC and Galactic Bulge monitoring the light curves of millions of stars to detect microlensing. Most of these fields are crowded to the extent that all the monitored stars are blended. Such crowding makes the performance of accurate photometry difficult. We apply the new technique of Difference Image Analysis (DIA) on archival data to improve the photometry and increase both the detection sensitivity and effective search area. The application of this technique also allows us to detect so called `pixel lensing' events. These are microlensing events where the source star is only detectable during lensing. The detection of these events will allow us to make a large increase in the number of detected microlensing events. We present a light curve demonstrating the detection of a pixel lensing event with this technique.

  11. Detecting and Discriminating Gravitational Microlensing in the SuperMACHO Survey

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Garg, Arti

    2010-02-01

    The SuperMACHO Project is a 5 year survey to determine the nature of the lens population responsible for the excess gravitational microlensing rate toward the Large Magellanic Cloud observed by the MACHO project. The MACHO results indicate a large population of compact lenses toward the clouds, and the observed lensing rate is consistent with a Milky Way halo comprised of up to ˜20% Massive Compact Halo Objects (MACHO's), dark matter that is most likely baryonic. This work describes the method by which gravitational microlensing is detected in the SuperMACHO survey. Based on the MACHO findings and the SuperMACHO observing strategy and selection criteria, we expect <10-6 of the sources monitored to be lensed at any time. Our detection criteria are designed to minimize false positives while preserving a statistically significant detection rate. We provide an overview of the detection criteria. We also discuss the selection criteria used to discriminate between microlensing and other astrophysical transients. )

  12. A Robust Design Approach to Cost Estimation: Solar Energy for Marine Corps Expeditionary Operations

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-07-14

    solutions in such areas as photovoltaic arrays for power harvesting, light emitting diodes (LED) for decreased energy consumption, and improved battery...generation and conversion system that allows Marines to power systems with solar energy. Each GREENS is comprised of eight photovoltaic array panels...renewable power sources such as photovoltaic arrays and wind turbines. The HOMER model has been utilized for years by organizations and companies

  13. Stellar, Remnant, Planetary, and Dark-Object Masses from Astrometric Microlensing

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gould, Andrew P.; Bennett, David P.; Boden, Andrew; Depoy, Darren L.; Gaudi, Scott B.; Griest, Kim; Han, Cheongho; Paczynski, Bohdan; Reid, I. Neill

    2004-01-01

    The primary goal of our project is to make a complete census of the stellar population of the Galaxy. We are broadening the term stellar here to include both ordinary stars and dark stars. Ordinary stars, burning their nuclear fuel and shining, can perhaps best be studied with traditional astronomical techniques, but dark stars, by which we include old brown dwarfs, black holes, old white dwarfs, neutron stars, and perhaps exotic objects such as mirror matter stars or primordial black holes, can only be studied by their gravitational effects. Traditionally, these objects have been probed in binaries, and thus selected in a way that may or may not be representative of their respective field populations. The only way to examine the field population of these stars is through microlensing, the deflection of light from a visible star in the background by an object (dark or not) in the foreground. When lensed, there are two images of the background star. Although these images cannot be resolved when the lens has a stellar mass, the lensing effect can be detected in two ways: photometrically, i.e. by measuring the magnification of the source by the lens, and astrometrically, i.e. by measuring the shift in the centroid of the two images. Photometric microlensing experiments have detected hundreds of microlensing events over the past decade. Despite its successes, photometric microlensing has so far been somewhat frustrating because these events are difficult to interpret. Almost nothing is known about the masses of individual lenses and very little is known about the statistical properties of the lenses treated as a whole, such as their average mass. Although probably over 100 of the lenses are in fact dark objects, we can't determine which they are, let alone investigate finer details such as what their masses are, and where they are in the Galaxy. With SIM, we will break the microlensing degeneracy, and allow detailed interpretation of individual microlensing events. We will thus develop a detailed census of the dark and luminous stellar population of the Galaxy.

  14. Experimental study on an S-band near-field microwave magnetron power transmission system on hundred-watt level

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Biao; Jiang, Wan; Yang, Yang; Yu, Chengyang; Huang, Kama; Liu, Changjun

    2015-11-01

    A multi-magnetron microwave source, a metamaterial transmitting antenna, and a large power rectenna array are presented to build a near-field 2.45 GHz microwave power transmission system. The square 1 m2 rectenna array consists of sixteen rectennas with 2048 Schottky diodes for large power microwave rectifying. It receives microwave power and converts them into DC power. The design, structure, and measured performance of a unit rectenna as well as the entail rectenna array are presented in detail. The multi-magnetron microwave power source switches between half and full output power levels, i.e. the half-wave and full-wave modes. The transmission antenna is formed by a double-layer metallic hole array, which is applied to combine the output power of each magnetron. The rectenna array DC output power reaches 67.3 W on a 1.2 Ω DC load at a distance of 5.5 m from the transmission antenna. DC output power is affected by the distance, DC load, and the mode of microwave power source. It shows that conventional low power Schottky diodes can be applied to a microwave power transmission system with simple magnetrons to realise large power microwave rectifying.

  15. Simulated Space Environment Effects on the Blocking Force of Silicone Adhesive

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Boeder, Paul; Mikatarian, Ron; Koontz, Steve; Albyn, Keith; Finckenor, Miria

    2005-01-01

    The International Space Station (ISS) solar arrays utilize MD-944 diode tape to protect the underlying diodes in the solar array panel circuit and also provide thermal conditioning and mechanical support. The diode tape consists of silicone pressure sensitive adhesive (Dow Coming QC-7725) with a protective Kapton over-layer. On-orbit, the Kapton over-layer will erode under exposure to atomic oxygen (AO) and the underlying exposed silicone adhesive will ultimately convert, under additional AO exposure, to a glass like silicate. The current operational plan is to retract ISS solar array P6 and leave it stored under load for a long duration (6 months or more) during ISS assembly. With the Kapton over-layer eroded away, the exposed silicone adhesive must not cause the solar array to stick to itself or cause the solar array to fail during redeployment. Previous testing by Lockheed-Martin Space Systems (LMSS) characterized silicone blocking following exposure to low energy atomic oxygen (AO) in an asher facility, but this is believed to be conservative. An additional series of tests was performed by the Environmental Effects Group at MSFC under direction from the ISS Program Office Environments Team. This test series included high energy AO (5 eV), near ultraviolet (NUV) radiation and ionizing radiation, singly and in combination. Additional samples were exposed to thermal energy AO (<0.1 ev) for comparison to the LMSS tests. Diode tape samples were exposed to each environment constituent individually, put under preload for seven days and then the resulting blocking force was measured using a tensile machine. Additional samples were exposed to AO, NUV and electrons in series and then put under long term (three to ten months) preload to determine the effect of preload duration on the resulting blocking force of the silicone-to-silicone bond. Test results indicate that high energy AO, ultraviolet radiation and electron ionizing radiation exposure all reduce the blocking force for a silicone-to-silicone bond. AO exposure produces the most significant reduction in blocking force.

  16. A digital optical phase-locked loop for diode lasers based on field programmable gate array

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

    Xu Zhouxiang; Zhang Xian; Huang Kaikai

    2012-09-15

    We have designed and implemented a highly digital optical phase-locked loop (OPLL) for diode lasers in atom interferometry. The three parts of controlling circuit in this OPLL, including phase and frequency detector (PFD), loop filter and proportional integral derivative (PID) controller, are implemented in a single field programmable gate array chip. A structure type compatible with the model MAX9382/MCH12140 is chosen for PFD and pipeline and parallelism technology have been adapted in PID controller. Especially, high speed clock and twisted ring counter have been integrated in the most crucial part, the loop filter. This OPLL has the narrow beat notemore » line width below 1 Hz, residual mean-square phase error of 0.14 rad{sup 2} and transition time of 100 {mu}s under 10 MHz frequency step. A main innovation of this design is the completely digitalization of the whole controlling circuit in OPLL for diode lasers.« less

  17. Nanoscale cross-point diode array accessing embedded high density PCM

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Heng; Liu, Yan; Liu, Bo; Gao, Dan; Xu, Zhen; Zhan, Yipeng; Song, Zhitang; Feng, Songlin

    2017-08-01

    The main bottlenecks in the development of current embedded phase change memory (PCM) technology are the current density and data storage density. In this paper, we present a PCM with 4F2 cross-point diode selector and blade-type bottom electrode contact (BEC). A blade TiN BEC with a cross-sectional area of 630 nm2 (10 nm × 63 nm) reduces the reset current down to about 750 μA. The optimized diode array could supply this 750 μA reset current at about 1.7 V and low off-current 1 × 10-4 μA at about -5.05 V. The on-off ratio of this device is 7.5 × 106. The proposed nanoscale PCM device simultaneously exhibits an operation voltage as low as 3 V and a high density drive current with an ultra small cell size of 4F2 (108 nm × 108 nm). Over 106 cycling endurance properties guarantee that it can work effectively on the embedded memory.

  18. The silicon vidicon: Integration, storage and slow scan capability - Experimental observation of a secondary mode of operation.

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ando, K. J.

    1971-01-01

    Description of the performance of the silicon diode array vidicon - an imaging sensor which possesses wide spectral response, high quantum efficiency, and linear response. These characteristics, in addition to its inherent ruggedness, simplicity, and long-term stability and operating life make this device potentially of great usefulness for ground-base and spaceborne planetary and stellar imaging applications. However, integration and charged storage for periods greater than approximately five seconds are not possible at room temperature because of diode saturation from dark current buildup. Since dark current can be reduced by cooling, measurements were made in the range from -65 to 25 C. Results are presented on the extension of integration, storage, and slow scan capabilities achievable by cooling. Integration times in excess of 20 minutes were achieved at the lowest temperatures. The measured results are compared with results obtained with other types of sensors and the advantages of the silicon diode array vidicon for imaging applications are discussed.

  19. Linear LIDAR versus Geiger-mode LIDAR: impact on data properties and data quality

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ullrich, A.; Pfennigbauer, M.

    2016-05-01

    LIDAR has become the inevitable technology to provide accurate 3D data fast and reliably even in adverse measurement situations and harsh environments. It provides highly accurate point clouds with a significant number of additional valuable attributes per point. LIDAR systems based on Geiger-mode avalanche photo diode arrays, also called single photon avalanche photo diode arrays, earlier employed for military applications, now seek to enter the commercial market of 3D data acquisition, advertising higher point acquisition speeds from longer ranges compared to conventional techniques. Publications pointing out the advantages of these new systems refer to the other category of LIDAR as "linear LIDAR", as the prime receiver element for detecting the laser echo pulses - avalanche photo diodes - are used in a linear mode of operation. We analyze the differences between the two LIDAR technologies and the fundamental differences in the data they provide. The limitations imposed by physics on both approaches to LIDAR are also addressed and advantages of linear LIDAR over the photon counting approach are discussed.

  20. Macroscopic Violation of Three Cauchy-Schwarz Inequalities Using Correlated Light Beams From an Infra-Red Emitting Semiconductor Diode Array

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Edwards, P. J.; Huang, X.; Li, Y. Q. (Editor); Wang, Y. Z. (Editor)

    1996-01-01

    We briefly review quantum mechanical and semi-classical descriptions of experiments which demonstrate the macroscopic violation of the three Cauchy-Schwarz inequalities: g(sup 2)(sub 11)(0) greater than or equal to 1; g(sup 2)(sub 11)(0) greater than or equal to g(sup 2)(sub 11)(t), (t approaches infinity); (the absolute value of g(sup 2)(sub 11)(0))(exp 2) less than or equal to g(sup 2)(sub 11)(0) g(sup 2)(sub 11)(0). Our measurements demonstrate the violation, at macroscopic intensities, of each of these inequalities. We show that their violation, although weak, can be demonstrated through photodetector current covariance measurements on correlated sub-Poissonian Poissonian, and super Poissonian light beams. Such beams are readily generated by a tandem array of infrared-emitting semiconductor junction diodes. Our measurements utilize an electrically coupled array of one or more infrared-emitting diodes, optically coupled to a detector array. The emitting array is operated in such a way as to generate highly correlated beams of variable photon Fano Factor. Because the measurements are made on time scales long compared with the first order coherence time and with detector areas large compared with the corresponding coherence areas, first order interference effects are negligible. The first and second inequalities are violated, as expected, when a sub-Poissonian light beam is split and the intensity fluctuations of the two split beams are measured by two photodetectors and subsequently cross-correlated. The third inequality is violated by bunched (as well as anti-bunched) beams of equal intensity provided the measured cross correlation coefficient exceeds (F - 1)/F, where F is the measured Fano Factor of each beam. We also investigate the violation for the case of unequal beams.

  1. Temperature dependent current transport of Pd/ZnO nanowire Schottky diodes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gayen, R. N.; Bhattacharyya, S. R.; Jana, P.

    2014-09-01

    Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowire based Schottky barrier diodes are fabricated by depositing Pd metal contact on top of vertically well-aligned ZnO nanowire arrays. A vertical array of ZnO nanowires on indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates is synthesized by hybrid wet chemical route. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurement confirm the formation of stoichiometric well-aligned hexagonal (h-ZnO) nanowire arrays with wurtzite structure. Temperature dependent current-voltage (I-V) measurements on palladium-ZnO (Pd/ZnO) nanowire Schottky junctions in the temperature range 303-383 K exhibit excellent rectifying character. From these nonlinear I-V plots, different electrical parameters of diode-like reverse saturation current, barrier height and ideality factor are determined as a function of temperature assuming pure thermionic emission model. The ideality factor is found to decrease while the barrier height increases with the increase in temperature. The series resistance values calculated from Cheung’s functions also show temperature dependency. Such behavior can be attributed to the presence of defects that traps carriers, and barrier height inhomogeneity at the interface of the barrier junction. After barrier height inhomogeneity correction, considering a Gaussian distributed barrier height fluctuation across the Pd/ZnO interface, the estimated values of mean barrier height and modified Richardson constant are more closely matched to the theoretically predicted value for Pd/ZnO Schottky barrier diodes. The variation of density of interface states as a function of interface state energy is also calculated.

  2. Simultaneous Determination of Iron, Copper and Cobalt in Food Samples by CCD-diode Array Detection-Flow Injection Analysis with Partial Least Squares Calibration Model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mi, Jiaping; Li, Yuanqian; Zhou, Xiaoli; Zheng, Bo; Zhou, Ying

    2006-01-01

    A flow injection-CCD diode array detection spectrophotometry with partial least squares (PLS) program for simultaneous determination of iron, copper and cobalt in food samples has been established. The method was based on the chromogenic reaction of the three metal ions and 2- (5-Bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol, 5-Br-PADAP in acetic acid - sodium acetate buffer solution (pH5) with Triton X-100 and ascorbic acid. The overlapped spectra of the colored complexes were collected by charge-coupled device (CCD) - diode array detector and the multi-wavelength absorbance data was processed using partial least squares (PLS) algorithm. Optimum reaction conditions and parameters of flow injection analysis were investigated. The samples of tea, sesame, laver, millet, cornmeal, mung bean and soybean powder were determined by the proposed method. The average recoveries of spiked samples were 91.80%~100.9% for Iron, 92.50%~108.0% for Copper, 93.00%~110.5% for Cobalt, respectively with relative standard deviation (R.S.D) of 1.1%~12.1%. The sampling rate is 45 samples h-1. The determination results of the food samples were in good agreement between the proposed method and ICP-AES.

  3. Design of a portable noninvasive photoacoustic glucose monitoring system integrated laser diode excitation with annular array detection

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zeng, Lvming; Liu, Guodong; Yang, Diwu; Ren, Zhong; Huang, Zhen

    2008-12-01

    A near-infrared photoacoustic glucose monitoring system, which is integrated dual-wavelength pulsed laser diode excitation with eight-element planar annular array detection technique, is designed and fabricated during this study. It has the characteristics of nonivasive, inexpensive, portable, accurate location, and high signal-to-noise ratio. In the system, the exciting source is based on two laser diodes with wavelengths of 905 nm and 1550 nm, respectively, with optical pulse energy of 20 μJ and 6 μJ. The laser beam is optically focused and jointly projected to a confocal point with a diameter of 0.7 mm approximately. A 7.5 MHz 8-element annular array transducer with a hollow structure is machined to capture photoacoustic signal in backward mode. The captured signals excitated from blood glucose are processed with a synthetic focusing algorithm to obtain high signal-to-noise ratio and accurate location over a range of axial detection depth. The custom-made transducer with equal area elements is coaxially collimated with the laser source to improve the photoacoustic excite/receive efficiency. In the paper, we introduce the photoacoustic theory, receive/process technique, and design method of the portable noninvasive photoacoustic glucose monitoring system, which can potentially be developed as a powerful diagnosis and treatment tool for diabetes mellitus.

  4. Liquid chromatography with diode array detection combined with spectral deconvolution for the analysis of some diterpene esters in Arabica coffee brew.

    PubMed

    Erny, Guillaume L; Moeenfard, Marzieh; Alves, Arminda

    2015-02-01

    In this manuscript, the separation of kahweol and cafestol esters from Arabica coffee brews was investigated using liquid chromatography with a diode array detector. When detected in conjunction, cafestol, and kahweol esters were eluted together, but, after optimization, the kahweol esters could be selectively detected by setting the wavelength at 290 nm to allow their quantification. Such an approach was not possible for the cafestol esters, and spectral deconvolution was used to obtain deconvoluted chromatograms. In each of those chromatograms, the four esters were baseline separated allowing for the quantification of the eight targeted compounds. Because kahweol esters could be quantified either using the chromatogram obtained by setting the wavelength at 290 nm or using the deconvoluted chromatogram, those compounds were used to compare the analytical performances. Slightly better limits of detection were obtained using the deconvoluted chromatogram. Identical concentrations were found in a real sample with both approaches. The peak areas in the deconvoluted chromatograms were repeatable (intraday repeatability of 0.8%, interday repeatability of 1.0%). This work demonstrates the accuracy of spectral deconvolution when using liquid chromatography to mathematically separate coeluting compounds using the full spectra recorded by a diode array detector. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  5. OGLE-2016-BLG-0168 Binary Microlensing Event: Prediction and Confirmation of the Microlens Parallax Effect from Space-based Observations

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

    Shin, I.-G.; Yee, J. C.; Jung, Y. K.

    The microlens parallax is a crucial observable for conclusively identifying the nature of lens systems in microlensing events containing or composed of faint (even dark) astronomical objects such as planets, neutron stars, brown dwarfs, and black holes. With the commencement of a new era of microlensing in collaboration with space-based observations, the microlens parallax can be routinely measured. In addition, space-based observations can provide opportunities to verify the microlens parallax measured from ground-only observations and to find a unique solution to the lensing light-curve analysis. Furthermore, since most space-based observations cannot cover the full light curves of lensing events, itmore » is also necessary to verify the reliability of the information extracted from fragmentary space-based light curves. We conduct a test based on the microlensing event OGLE-2016-BLG-0168, created by a binary lens system consisting of almost equal mass M-dwarf stars, to demonstrate that it is possible to verify the microlens parallax and to resolve degeneracies using the space-based light curve even though the observations are fragmentary. Since space-based observatories will frequently produce fragmentary light curves due to their short observing windows, the methodology of this test will be useful for next-generation microlensing experiments that combine space-based and ground-based collaboration.« less

  6. Structure formation and microlensing with axion miniclusters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fairbairn, Malcolm; Marsh, David J. E.; Quevillon, Jérémie; Rozier, Simon

    2018-04-01

    If the symmetry breaking responsible for axion dark matter production occurs during the radiation-dominated epoch in the early Universe, then this produces large amplitude perturbations that collapse into dense objects known as axion miniclusters. The characteristic minicluster mass, M0, is set by the mass inside the horizon when axion oscillations begin. For the QCD axion M0˜10-10 M⊙, however, for an axionlike particle, M0 can approach M⊙ or higher. Using the Press-Schechter formalism we compute the mass function of halos formed by hierarchical structure formation from these seeds. We compute the concentrations and collapse times of these halos and show that they can grow to be as massive as 1 06M0. Within the halos, miniclusters likely remain tightly bound, and we compute their gravitational microlensing signal taking the fraction of axion dark matter collapsed into miniclusters, fMC, as a free parameter. A large value of fMC severely weakens constraints on axion scenarios from direct detection experiments. We take into account the non-Gaussian distribution of sizes of miniclusters and determine how this affects the number of microlensing events. We develop the tools to consider microlensing by an extended mass function of nonpointlike objects, and we use microlensing data to place the first observational constraints on fMC. This opens a new window for the potential discovery of the axion.

  7. Faint-source-star planetary microlensing: the discovery of the cold gas-giant planet OGLE-2014-BLG-0676Lb

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rattenbury, N. J.; Bennett, D. P.; Sumi, T.; Koshimoto, N.; Bond, I. A.; Udalski, A.; Shvartzvald, Y.; Maoz, D.; Jørgensen, U. G.; Dominik, M.; Street, R. A.; Tsapras, Y.; Abe, F.; Asakura, Y.; Barry, R.; Bhattacharya, A.; Donachie, M.; Evans, P.; Freeman, M.; Fukui, A.; Hirao, Y.; Itow, Y.; Li, M. C. A.; Ling, C. H.; Masuda, K.; Matsubara, Y.; Muraki, Y.; Nagakane, M.; Ohnishi, K.; Oyokawa, H.; Saito, To.; Sharan, A.; Sullivan, D. J.; Suzuki, D.; Tristram, P. J.; Yonehara, A.; Poleski, R.; Skowron, J.; Mróz, P.; Szymański, M. K.; Soszyński, I.; Pietrukowicz, P.; Kozłowski, S.; Ulaczyk, K.; Wyrzykowski, Ł.; Friedmann, M.; Kaspi, S.; Alsubai, K.; Browne, P.; Andersen, J. M.; Bozza, V.; Calchi Novati, S.; Damerdji, Y.; Diehl, C.; Dreizler, S.; Elyiv, A.; Giannini, E.; Hardis, S.; Harpsøe, K.; Hinse, T. C.; Liebig, C.; Hundertmark, M.; Juncher, D.; Kains, N.; Kerins, E.; Korhonen, H.; Mancini, L.; Martin, R.; Mathiasen, M.; Rabus, M.; Rahvar, S.; Scarpetta, G.; Skottfelt, J.; Snodgrass, C.; Surdej, J.; Taylor, J.; Tregloan-Reed, J.; Vilela, C.; Wambsganss, J.; Williams, A.; D'Ago, G.; Bachelet, E.; Bramich, D. M.; Figuera Jaimes, R.; Horne, K.; Menzies, J.; Schmidt, R.; Steele, I. A.

    2017-04-01

    We report the discovery of a planet - OGLE-2014-BLG-0676Lb- via gravitational microlensing. Observations for the lensing event were made by the following groups: Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics; Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment; Wise Observatory; RoboNET/Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope; Microlensing Network for the Detection of Small Terrestrial Exoplanets; and μ-FUN. All analyses of the light-curve data favour a lens system comprising a planetary mass orbiting a host star. The most-favoured binary lens model has a mass ratio between the two lens masses of (4.78 ± 0.13) × 10-3. Subject to some important assumptions, a Bayesian probability density analysis suggests the lens system comprises a 3.09_{-1.12}^{+1.02} MJ planet orbiting a 0.62_{-0.22}^{+0.20} M⊙ host star at a deprojected orbital separation of 4.40_{-1.46}^{+2.16} au. The distance to the lens system is 2.22_{-0.83}^{+0.96} kpc. Planet OGLE-2014-BLG-0676Lb provides additional data to the growing number of cool planets discovered using gravitational microlensing against which planetary formation theories may be tested. Most of the light in the baseline of this event is expected to come from the lens and thus high-resolution imaging observations could confirm our planetary model interpretation.

  8. Searching for the QCD Axion with Gravitational Microlensing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fairbairn, Malcolm; Marsh, David J. E.; Quevillon, Jérémie

    2017-07-01

    The phase transition responsible for axion dark matter (DM) production can create large amplitude isocurvature perturbations, which collapse into dense objects known as axion miniclusters. We use microlensing data from the EROS survey and from recent observations with the Subaru Hyper Suprime Cam to place constraints on the minicluster scenario. We compute the microlensing event rate for miniclusters, treating them as spatially extended objects. Using the published bounds on the number of microlensing events, we bound the fraction of DM collapsed into miniclusters fMC. For an axion with temperature-dependent mass consistent with the QCD axion, we find fMC<0.083 (ma/100 μ eV )0.12 , which represents the first observational constraint on the minicluster fraction. We forecast that a high-efficiency observation of around ten nights with Subaru would be sufficient to constrain fMC≲0.004 over the entire QCD axion mass range. We make various approximations to derive these constraints, and dedicated analyses by the observing teams of EROS and Subaru are necessary to confirm our results. If accurate theoretical predictions for fMC can be made in the future, then microlensing can be used to exclude or discover the QCD axion. Further details of our computations are presented in a companion paper [M. Fairbairn, D. J. E. Marsh, J. Quevillon, and S. Rozier (to be published)].

  9. OGLE-2016-BLG-0168 Binary Microlensing Event: Prediction and Confirmation of the Microlens Parallax Effect from Space-based Observations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shin, I.-G.; Udalski, A.; Yee, J. C.; Calchi Novati, S.; Han, C.; Skowron, J.; Mróz, P.; Soszyński, I.; Poleski, R.; Szymański, M. K.; Kozłowski, S.; Pietrukowicz, P.; Ulaczyk, K.; Pawlak, M.; OGLE Collaboration; Albrow, M. D.; Gould, A.; Chung, S.-J.; Hwang, K.-H.; Jung, Y. K.; Ryu, Y.-H.; Zhu, W.; Cha, S.-M.; Kim, D.-J.; Kim, H.-W.; Kim, S.-L.; Lee, C.-U.; Lee, Y.; Park, B.-G.; Pogge, R. W.; KMTNet Group; Beichman, C.; Bryden, G.; Carey, S.; Gaudi, B. S.; Henderson, C. B.; Shvartzvald, Y.; Spitzer Team

    2017-11-01

    The microlens parallax is a crucial observable for conclusively identifying the nature of lens systems in microlensing events containing or composed of faint (even dark) astronomical objects such as planets, neutron stars, brown dwarfs, and black holes. With the commencement of a new era of microlensing in collaboration with space-based observations, the microlens parallax can be routinely measured. In addition, space-based observations can provide opportunities to verify the microlens parallax measured from ground-only observations and to find a unique solution to the lensing light-curve analysis. Furthermore, since most space-based observations cannot cover the full light curves of lensing events, it is also necessary to verify the reliability of the information extracted from fragmentary space-based light curves. We conduct a test based on the microlensing event OGLE-2016-BLG-0168, created by a binary lens system consisting of almost equal mass M-dwarf stars, to demonstrate that it is possible to verify the microlens parallax and to resolve degeneracies using the space-based light curve even though the observations are fragmentary. Since space-based observatories will frequently produce fragmentary light curves due to their short observing windows, the methodology of this test will be useful for next-generation microlensing experiments that combine space-based and ground-based collaboration.

  10. Limits on the Mass and Abundance of Primordial Black Holes from Quasar Gravitational Microlensing

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

    Mediavilla, E.; Jiménez-Vicente, J.; Calderón-Infante, J.

    The idea that dark matter can be made of intermediate-mass primordial black holes (PBHs) in the 10 M {sub ⊙} ≲ M ≲ 200 M {sub ⊙} range has recently been reconsidered, particularly in the light of the detection of gravitational waves by the LIGO experiment. The existence of even a small fraction of dark matter in black holes should nevertheless result in noticeable quasar gravitational microlensing. Quasar microlensing is sensitive to any type of compact objects in the lens galaxy, to their abundance, and to their mass. We have analyzed optical and X-ray microlensing data from 24 gravitationally lensedmore » quasars to estimate the abundance of compact objects in a very wide range of masses. We conclude that the fraction of mass in black holes or any type of compact objects is negligible outside of the 0.05 M {sub ⊙} ≲ M ≲ 0.45 M {sub ⊙} mass range and that it amounts to 20% ± 5% of the total matter, in agreement with the expected masses and abundances of the stellar component. Consequently, the existence of a significant population of intermediate-mass PBHs appears to be inconsistent with current microlensing observations. Therefore, primordial massive black holes are a very unlikely source of the gravitational radiation detected by LIGO.« less

  11. Time Delay in Microlensing Event

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2015-04-14

    This plot shows data obtained from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope and the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment, or OGLE, telescope located in Chile, during a "microlensing" event. Microlensing events occur when one star passes another, and the gravity of the foreground star causes the distant star's light to magnify and brighten. This magnification is evident in the plot, as both Spitzer and OGLE register an increase in the star's brightness. If the foreground star is circled by a planet, the planet's gravity can alter the magnification over a shorter period, seen in the plot in the form of spikes and a dip. The great distance between Spitzer, in space, and OGLE, on the ground, meant that Spitzer saw this particular microlensing event before OGLE. The offset in the timing can be used to measure the distance to the planet. In this case, the planet, called OGLE-2014-BLG-0124L, was found to be 13,000 light-years away, near the center of our Milky Way galaxy. The finding was the result of fortuitous timing because Spitzer's overall program to observe microlensing events was only just starting up in the week before the planet's effects were visible from Spitzer's vantage point. While Spitzer sees infrared light of 3.6 microns in wavelength, OGLE sees visible light of 0.8 microns. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA19331

  12. Faint-Source-Star Planetary Microlensing: The Discovery of the Cold Gas-Giant Planet OGLE-2014-BLG-0676Lb

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rattenbury, N. J.; Bennett, D. P.; Sumi, T.; Koshimoto, N.; Bond, I. A.; Udalski, A.; Shvartzvald, Y.; Maoz, D.; Jorgensen, U. G.; Barry, R.; hide

    2016-01-01

    We report the discovery of a planet OGLE-2014-BLG-0676Lb via gravitational microlensing. Observations for the lensing event were made by the following groups: Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics; Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment; Wise Observatory; RoboNETLas Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope; Microlensing Network for the Detection of Small Terrestrial Exoplanets; and -FUN. All analyses of the light-curve data favoura lens system comprising a planetary mass orbiting a host star. The most-favoured binary lens model has a mass ratio between the two lens masses of (4.78 +/- 0.13) 10(exp -3). Subject to some important assumptions, a Bayesian probability density analysis suggests the lens system comprises a 3.09(+1.02/-1.12) MJ planet orbiting a 0.62(+0.20/-0.22) solar mass host star at a deprojected orbital separation of 4.40(+2.16/-1.46) au. The distance to the lens system is 2.22(+0.96/-0.83) kpc. Planet OGLE-2014-BLG-0676Lb provides additional data to the growing number of cool planets discover redusing gravitational microlensing against which planetary formation theories may be tested. Most of the light in the baseline of this event is expected to come from the lens and thus high-resolution imaging observations could confirm our planetary model interpretation.

  13. Supernova and optical transient observations using the three wide-field telescope array of the KMTNet

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moon, Dae-Sik; Kim, Sang Chul; Lee, Jae-Joon; Pak, Mina; Park, Hong Soo; He, Matthias Y.; Antoniadis, John; Ni, Yuan Qi; Lee, Chung-Uk; Kim, Seung-Lee; Park, Byeong-Gon; Kim, Dong-Jin; Cha, Sang-Mok; Lee, Yongseok; Gonzalez, Santiago

    2016-08-01

    The Korea Microlensing Telescope Network (KMTNet) is a network of three new 1.6-m, wide-field telescopes spread over three different sites in Chile, South Africa and Australia. Each telescope is equipped with a four square degree wide-field CCD camera, making the KMTNet an ideal facility for discovering and monitoring early supernovae and other rapidly evolving optical transients by providing 24-hour continuous sky coverage. We describe our inaugurating program of observing supernovae and optical transients using about 20% of the KMTNet time in 2015-2019. Our early results include detection of infant supernovae, novae and peculiar transients as well as numerous variable stars and low surface brightness objects such as dwarf galaxies.

  14. The Evryscopes: monitoring the entire sky for exciting events

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Law, Nicholas; Corbett, Hank; Howard, Ward S.; Fors, Octavi; Ratzloff, Jeff; Barlow, Brad; Hermes, JJ

    2018-01-01

    The Evryscope is a new type of array telescope which monitors the entire accessible sky in each exposure. The system, with 700 MPix covering an 8000-square-degree field of view, is building many-year-length, high-cadence light curves for every accessible object brighter than ∼16th magnitude. Every night, we add 600 million object detections to our databases, including exoplanet transits, microlensing events, nearby extragalactic transients, and a wide range of other short timescale events. I will present our science plans, the status of our current Evryscope systems (operational in Chile and soon California), the big-data analysis required to explore the petabyte-scale dataset we are collecting over the next few years, and the first results from the telescopes.

  15. Fabrication of Nonperiodic Metasurfaces by Microlens Projection Lithography.

    PubMed

    Gonidec, Mathieu; Hamedi, Mahiar M; Nemiroski, Alex; Rubio, Luis M; Torres, Cesar; Whitesides, George M

    2016-07-13

    This paper describes a strategy that uses template-directed self-assembly of micrometer-scale microspheres to fabricate arrays of microlenses for projection photolithography of periodic, quasiperiodic, and aperiodic infrared metasurfaces. This method of "template-encoded microlens projection lithography" (TEMPL) enables rapid prototyping of planar, multiscale patterns of similarly shaped structures with critical dimensions down to ∼400 nm. Each of these structures is defined by local projection lithography with a single microsphere acting as a lens. This paper explores the use of TEMPL for the fabrication of a broad range of two-dimensional lattices with varying types of nonperiodic spatial distribution. The matching optical spectra of the fabricated and simulated metasurfaces confirm that TEMPL can produce structures that conform to expected optical behavior.

  16. Hybrid silica coarse wavelength-division multiplexer transmitter optical subassembly

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    An, Jun-Ming; Zhang, Jia-Shun; Wang, Liang-Liang; Zhu, Kaiwu; Sun, Bingli; Li, Yong; Hou, Jie; Li, Jian-Guang; Wu, Yuan-Da; Wang, Yue; Yin, Xiao-Jie

    2018-01-01

    Based on silica arrayed waveguide grating technology, a hybrid integrated transmitter optical subassembly was developed. Four direct-modulating distributed feedback lasers and four focusing microlenses were integrated to a coarse wavelength-division multiplexer (CWDM) on a CuW substrate. The four-channel silica-on-silicon CWDM was fabricated with 1.5% refractive index difference and 20-nm wavelength spacing. The experimental results showed that the output optical power was >3 mW with 45 mA of injection current, the slope efficiency was >0.0833 W/A, and the 3-dB bandwidth was broader than 18.15 GHz. The 1-dB compress points were higher than 18 and 15.8 dBm for frequency of 10 and 18 GHz, respectively.

  17. An Initiative Toward Reliable Long-Duration Operation of Diode Lasers in Space

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tratt, David M.; Amzajerdian, Farzin; Stephen, Mark A.; Shapiro, Andrew A.

    2006-01-01

    This viewgraph presentation reviews the workings of the Laser Diode Arrays (LDA) working group. The group facilitates focused interaction between the LDA user and provider communities and it will author standards document for the specification and qualification of LDA's for operation in the space environment. It also reviews the NASA test and evaluation facilities that are available to the community.

  18. Development of a drug assay using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Angel, S. M.; Roe, Jeffrey N.; Andresen, Brian D.; Myrick, Michael L.; Milanovich, Fred P.

    1990-07-01

    Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy has been used to detect low levels of several chemical compounds, including the drugs of abuse -cocaine hydrochloride and methamphetamme hydrochloride. Raman spectra of these substances have also been taken over optical fibers using red-wavelength excitation. These measurements demonstrate the feasibility of the remote determination of various target chemicals using diode laser excitation and diode array detection.

  19. Around Marshall

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1983-08-10

    One of the main components of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is the Solar Array Drive Electronics (SADE) system. This system interfaces with the Support System Module (SSM) for exchange of operational commands and telemetry data. SADE operates and controls the Solar Array Drive Mechanisms (SADM) for the orientation of the Solar Array Drive (SAD). It also monitors the position of the arrays and the temperature of the SADM. During the first HST servicing mission, the astronauts replaced the SADE component because of some malfunctions. This turned out to be a very challenging extravehicular activity (EVA). Two transistors and two diodes had been thermally stressed with the conformal coating discolored and charred. Soldered cornections became molten and reflowed between the two diodes. The failed transistors gave no indication of defective construction. All repairs were made and the HST was redeposited into orbit. Prior to undertaking this challenging mission, the orbiter's crew trained at Marshall Space Flight Center's (MSFC) Neutral Buoyancy Simulator (NBS) to prepare themselves for working in a low gravity environment. They also practiced replacing HST parts and exercised maneuverability and equipment handling. Pictured are crew members practicing on a space platform.

  20. Chalcogenide glass microlenses by inkjet printing

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

    Sanchez, Eric A.; Waldmann, Maike; Arnold, Craig B.

    We demonstrate micrometer scale mid-IR lenses for integrated optics, using solution-based inkjet printing techniques and subsequent processing. Arsenic sulfide spherical microlenses with diameters of 10-350 {mu}m and focal lengths of 10-700 {mu}m have been fabricated. The baking conditions can be used to tune the precise focal length.

  1. ASAS-SN Confirmation of the Bright Microlensing Event TCP J05074264+2447555

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jayasinghe, T.; Dong, Subo; Stanek, K. Z.; Kochanek, C. S.; Thompson, T. A.; Prieto, J. L.; Shappee, B. J.; Holoien, T. W.-S.

    2017-11-01

    The transient TCP J05074264+2447555 was first discovered by T. Kojima on UT 2017-10-25.688. The ASAS-SN Sky Patrol light curve (Shappee et al. 2014; Kochanek et al. 2017) and follow-up spectroscopy (ATel #10919) suggested this to be a probable microlensing event.

  2. Microlens array processor with programmable weight mask and direct optical input

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schmid, Volker R.; Lueder, Ernst H.; Bader, Gerhard; Maier, Gert; Siegordner, Jochen

    1999-03-01

    We present an optical feature extraction system with a microlens array processor. The system is suitable for online implementation of a variety of transforms such as the Walsh transform and DCT. Operating with incoherent light, our processor accepts direct optical input. Employing a sandwich- like architecture, we obtain a very compact design of the optical system. The key elements of the microlens array processor are a square array of 15 X 15 spherical microlenses on acrylic substrate and a spatial light modulator as transmissive mask. The light distribution behind the mask is imaged onto the pixels of a customized a-Si image sensor with adjustable gain. We obtain one output sample for each microlens image and its corresponding weight mask area as summation of the transmitted intensity within one sensor pixel. The resulting architecture is very compact and robust like a conventional camera lens while incorporating a high degree of parallelism. We successfully demonstrate a Walsh transform into the spatial frequency domain as well as the implementation of a discrete cosine transform with digitized gray values. We provide results showing the transformation performance for both synthetic image patterns and images of natural texture samples. The extracted frequency features are suitable for neural classification of the input image. Other transforms and correlations can be implemented in real-time allowing adaptive optical signal processing.

  3. Liquid-crystal microlenses with patterned ring-electrode arrays for multiple-mode two-dimensional imaging

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xie, Xingwang; Han, Xinjie; Long, Huabao; Dai, Wanwan; Xin, Zhaowei; Wei, Dong; Zhang, Xinyu; Wang, Haiwei; Xie, Changsheng

    2018-02-01

    In this paper, a new liquid-crystal microlens array (LCMLA) with patterned ring-electrode arrays (PREAs) is investigated, which has an ability to acquire multiple-mode two-dimensional images with better electrically tunable efficiency than common liquid-crystal devices. The new type of LCMLA can be used to overcome several remarkable disadvantage of conventional liquid-crystal microlens arrays switched and adjusted electrically by relatively complex mechanism. There are two layer electrodes in the LCMLA developed by us. The top electrode layer consists of PREAs with different featured diameter but the same center for each single cell, and the bottom is a plate electrode. When both electrode structures are driven independently by variable AC voltage signal, a gradient electric field distribution could be obtained, which can drive liquid-crystal molecules to reorient themselves along the gradient electric field shaped, so as to demonstrate a satisfactory refractive index distribution. The common experiments are carried out to validate the performances needed. As shown, the focal length of the LCMLA can be adjusted continuously according to the variable voltage signal applied. According to designing, the LCMLA will be integrated continuously with an image sensors to set up a camera with desired performances. The test results indicate that our camera based on the LCMLA can obtain distinct multiple-mode two-dimensional images under the condition of using relatively low driving signal voltage.

  4. Comparative study of fourteen alkaloids from Uncaria rhynchophylla hooks and leaves using HPLC-diode array detection-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/MS method.

    PubMed

    Qu, Jialin; Gong, Tianxing; Ma, Bin; Zhang, Lin; Kano, Yoshihiro; Yuan, Dan

    2012-01-01

    The purpose of the study is to compare alkaloid profile of Uncaria rhynchophylla hooks and leaves. Ten oxindole alkaloids and four glycosidic indole alkaloids were identified using HPLC-diode array detection (DAD) or LC-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI)-MS method, and a HPLC-UV method for simultaneous quantification of major alkaloids was validated. The hooks are characterized by high levels of four oxindole alkaloids rhynchophylline (R), isorhynchophylline (IR), corynoxeine (C) and isocorynoxeine (IC), while the leaves contained high level of two glycosidic indole alkaloids vincoside lactam (VL) and strictosidine (S). The presented methods have proven its usefulness in chemical characterization of U. rhynchophylla hooks and leaves.

  5. Nitrogen-polar core-shell GaN light-emitting diodes grown by selective area metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Shunfeng; Wang, Xue; Fündling, Sönke; Erenburg, Milena; Ledig, Johannes; Wei, Jiandong; Wehmann, Hergo H.; Waag, Andreas; Bergbauer, Werner; Mandl, Martin; Strassburg, Martin; Trampert, Achim; Jahn, Uwe; Riechert, Henning; Jönen, Holger; Hangleiter, Andreas

    2012-07-01

    Homogeneous nitrogen-polar GaN core-shell light emitting diode (LED) arrays were fabricated by selective area growth on patterned substrates. Transmission electron microscopy measurements prove the core-shell structure of the rod LEDs. Depending on the growth facets, the InGaN/GaN multi-quantum wells (MQWs) show different dimensions and morphology. Cathodoluminescence (CL) measurements reveal a MQWs emission centered at about 415 nm on sidewalls and another emission at 460 nm from top surfaces. CL line scans on cleaved rod also indicate the core-shell morphology. Finally, an internal quantum efficiency of about 28% at room temperature was determined by an all-optical method on a LED array.

  6. Radiation effects studies for the high-resolution spectrograph

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Smith, L. C.; Becher, J.

    1982-01-01

    The generation and collection of charge carriers created during the passage of energetic protons through a silicon photodiode array are modeled. Pulse height distributions of noise charge collected during exposure of a digicon type diode array to 21 and 75 MeV protons were obtained. The magnitude of charge collected by a diode from each proton event is determined not only by diffusion, but by statistical considerations involving the ionization process itself. Utilizing analytical solutions to the diffusion equation for transport of minority carriers, together with the Vavilov theory of energy loss fluctuations in thin absorbers, simulations of the pulse height spectra which follow the experimental distributions fairly well are presented and an estimate for the minority carrier diffusion length L sub d is provided.

  7. One joule output from a diode-array-pumped Nd:YAG laser with side-pumped rod geometry

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kasinski, Jeffrey J.; Hughes, Will; Dibiase, Don; Bournes, Patrick; Burnham, Ralph

    1992-01-01

    Output of 1.25 J per pulse (1.064 micron) with an absolute optical efficiency of 28 percent and corresponding electrical efficiency of 10 percent was demonstrated in a diode-array-pumped Nd:YAG laser using a side-pumped rod geometry in a master-oscillator/power-amplifier configuration. In Q-switched operation, an output of 0.75 J in a 17-ns pulse was obtained. The fundamental laser output was frequency doubled in KTP with 60 percent conversion efficiency to obtain 0.45 J in a 16-ns pulse at 532 nm. The output beam had high spatial quality with pointing stability better than 40 microrad and a shot-to-shot pulse energy fluctuation of less than +/-3 percent.

  8. Bremsstrahlung Diode Performance on Mercury MIV A

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2005-06-01

    generator, experiments are performed utilizing both carbon (C) and tantalum (Ta) converters. An array of CaF2 thermoluminescent dosimeters ( TLDs ...an Al cylinder of 4-mm wall thickness; this thickness is sufficient to isolate the TLDs from externally produced Compton electrons . The measured PD...production of Mercury, a series of large-area electron -beam (e-beam) diode experiments are performed in which the e-beam is deposited onto either a

  9. Biophysical Characterization of an Bifunctional Iron Regulating Enzyme

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2002-05-01

    of the direct assay 29 Citrate, cis- aconitate and d- isocitrate all absorb light in the UV-Vis region, a fact which was confirmed...experimentally using a Hewlard-Packard 8452 Diode UV-Vis Diode Array Spectrophotometer. The maximum absorbance of cis- aconitate was determined to be 240 nm...and isocitrate was 212 nm. The preponderance of cis- aconitate concentration versus the formation of isocitrate concentration made tracking a

  10. TWO STARS TWO WAYS: CONFIRMING A MICROLENSING BINARY LENS SOLUTION WITH A SPECTROSCOPIC MEASUREMENT OF THE ORBIT

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

    Yee, Jennifer C.; Johnson, John Asher; Eastman, Jason

    Light curves of microlensing events involving stellar binaries and planetary systems can provide information about the orbital elements of the system due to orbital modulations of the caustic structure. Accurately measuring the orbit in either the stellar or planetary case requires detailed modeling of subtle deviations in the light curve. At the same time, the natural, Cartesian parameterization of a microlensing binary is partially degenerate with the microlens parallax. Hence, it is desirable to perform independent tests of the predictions of microlens orbit models using radial velocity (RV) time series of the lens binary system. To this end, we presentmore » 3.5 years of RV monitoring of the binary lens system OGLE-2009-BLG-020 L, for which Skowron et al. constrained all internal parameters of the 200–700 day orbit. Our RV measurements reveal an orbit that is consistent with the predictions of the microlens light curve analysis, thereby providing the first confirmation of orbital elements inferred from microlensing events.« less

  11. Gravitational microlensing by low-mass objects in the globular cluster M22.

    PubMed

    Sahu, K C; Casertano, S; Livio, M; Gilliland, R L; Panagia, N; Albrow, M D; Potter, M

    2001-06-28

    Gravitational microlensing offers a means of determining directly the masses of objects ranging from planets to stars, provided that the distances and motions of the lenses and sources can be determined. A globular cluster observed against the dense stellar field of the Galactic bulge presents ideal conditions for such observations because the probability of lensing is high and the distances and kinematics of the lenses and sources are well constrained. The abundance of low-mass objects in a globular cluster is of particular interest, because it may be representative of the very early stages of star formation in the Universe, and therefore indicative of the amount of dark baryonic matter in such clusters. Here we report a microlensing event associated with the globular cluster M22. We determine the mass of the lens to be 0.13(+0.03)(-0.02) solar masses. We have also detected six events that are unresolved in time. If these are also microlensing events, they imply that a non-negligible fraction of the cluster mass resides in the form of free-floating planetary-mass objects.

  12. WFIRST Microlensing Exoplanet Characterization with HST Follow up

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bhattacharya, Aparna; David Bennett, Jay Anderson, J.P. Beaulieu.

    2018-01-01

    More than 50 planets are discovered with the different ground based telescopes available for microlensing. But the analysis of ground based data fails to provide a complete solution. To fulfill that gap, space based telescopes, like Hubble space telescope and Spitzer are used. My research work focuses on extracting the planet mass, host star mass, their separation and their distance in physical units from HST Follow-up observations. I will present the challenges faced in developing this method.This is the primary method to be used for NASA's top priority project (according to 2010 decadal survey) Wide Field InfraRed Survey Telescope (WFIRST) Exoplanet microlensing space observatory, to be launched in 2025. The unique ability of microlensing is that with WFIRST it can detect sub-earth- mass planets beyond the reach of Kepler at separation 1 AU to infinity. This will provide us the necessary statistics to study the formation and evolution of planetary systems. This will also provide us with necessary initial conditions to model the formation of planets and the habitable zones around M dwarf stars.

  13. PARALLAX AND ORBITAL EFFECTS IN ASTROMETRIC MICROLENSING WITH BINARY SOURCES

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

    Nucita, A. A.; Paolis, F. De; Ingrosso, G.

    2016-06-01

    In gravitational microlensing, binary systems may act as lenses or sources. Identifying lens binarity is generally easy, in particular in events characterized by caustic crossing since the resulting light curve exhibits strong deviations from a smooth single-lensing light curve. In contrast, light curves with minor deviations from a Paczyński behavior do not allow one to identify the source binarity. A consequence of gravitational microlensing is the shift of the position of the multiple image centroid with respect to the source star location — the so-called astrometric microlensing signal. When the astrometric signal is considered, the presence of a binary sourcemore » manifests with a path that largely differs from that expected for single source events. Here, we investigate the astrometric signatures of binary sources taking into account their orbital motion and the parallax effect due to the Earth’s motion, which turn out not to be negligible in most cases. We also show that considering the above-mentioned effects is important in the analysis of astrometric data in order to correctly estimate the lens-event parameters.« less

  14. REVIEWS OF TOPICAL PROBLEMS: Small-scale structure of dark matter and microlensing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gurevich, Aleksandr V.; Zybin, Kirill P.; Sirota, V. A.

    1997-09-01

    It has been revealed using microlensing that a considerable part, possibly more than half, of the dark matter in the halo of our Galaxy consists of objects with a mass spectrum ranging from 0.05 to 0.8 of the solar mass. What is the nature of these objects? There exist two hypotheses. According to one, these are Jupiter type planets or small stars (brown and white dwarfs) consisting of normal baryonic matter. According to the other, these are non-compact objects, i.e., small-scale formations in non-baryonic dark matter. Here, a theory is proposed describing the possibility of the existence of non-compact objects in the halo of our Galaxy, their structure and formation from non-baryonic matter. The theory of microlensing on compact and non-compact objects is considered in detail. The results of microlensing observations are described and compared with theory. Possible astrophysical manifestations of the presence of small-scale structure are pointed out. The field is being extensively studied and is of fundamental interest for cosmology and astrophysics.

  15. Widefield High Frame Rate Single-Photon SPAD Imagers for SPIM-FCS.

    PubMed

    Buchholz, Jan; Krieger, Jan; Bruschini, Claudio; Burri, Samuel; Ardelean, Andrei; Charbon, Edoardo; Langowski, Jörg

    2018-05-22

    Photon-counting sensors based on standard complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) represent an emerging class of imagers that enable the counting and/or timing of single photons at zero readout noise (better than high-speed electron-multiplying charge-coupling devices) and over large arrays. They have seen substantial progress over the last 15 years, increasing their spatial resolution, timing accuracy, and sensitivity while reducing spurious signals such as afterpulsing and dark counts. They are increasingly being applied for time-resolved applications with the added advantage of enabling real-time options such as autocorrelation. We report in this study on the use of such a state-of-the-art 512 × 128 SPAD array, capable of a time resolution of 10 -5 -10 -6 s for full frames while retaining acceptable photosensitivity thanks to the use of dedicated microlenses, in a selective plane illumination-fluorescence correlation spectroscopy setup. The latter allows us to perform thousands of fluorescence-correlation spectroscopy measurements simultaneously in a two-dimensional slice of the sample. This high-speed SPAD imager enables the measurement of molecular motion of small fluorescent particles such as single chemical dye molecules. Inhomogeneities in the molecular detection efficiency were compensated for by means of a global fit of the auto- and cross-correlation curves, which also made a calibration-free measurement of various samples possible. The afterpulsing effect could also be mitigated, making the measurement of the diffusion of Alexa-488 possible, and the overall result quality was further improved by spatial binning. The particle concentrations in the focus tend to be overestimated by a factor of 1.7 compared to a confocal setup; a calibration is thus required if absolute concentrations need to be measured. The first high-speed selective plane illumination-fluorescence correlation spectroscopy in vivo measurements to our knowledge were also recorded: although two-component fit models could not be employed because of noise, the diffusion of eGFP oligomers in HeLa cells could be measured. Sensitivity and noise will be further improved in the next generation of SPAD-based widefield sensors, which are currently under testing. Copyright © 2018 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  16. A 17 GHz molecular rectifier

    PubMed Central

    Trasobares, J.; Vuillaume, D.; Théron, D.; Clément, N.

    2016-01-01

    Molecular electronics originally proposed that small molecules sandwiched between electrodes would accomplish electronic functions and enable ultimate scaling to be reached. However, so far, functional molecular devices have only been demonstrated at low frequency. Here, we demonstrate molecular diodes operating up to 17.8 GHz. Direct current and radio frequency (RF) properties were simultaneously measured on a large array of molecular junctions composed of gold nanocrystal electrodes, ferrocenyl undecanethiol molecules and the tip of an interferometric scanning microwave microscope. The present nanometre-scale molecular diodes offer a current density increase by several orders of magnitude compared with that of micrometre-scale molecular diodes, allowing RF operation. The measured S11 parameters show a diode rectification ratio of 12 dB which is linked to the rectification behaviour of the direct current conductance. From the RF measurements, we extrapolate a cut-off frequency of 520 GHz. A comparison with the silicon RF-Schottky diodes, architecture suggests that the RF-molecular diodes are extremely attractive for scaling and high-frequency operation. PMID:27694833

  17. Identifying Microlensing Events in Large, Non-Uniformly Sampled Surveys: The Case of the Palomar Transient Factory

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Price-Whelan, Adrian M.; Agueros, M. A.; Fournier, A.; Street, R.; Ofek, E.; Levitan, D. B.; PTF Collaboration

    2013-01-01

    Many current photometric, time-domain surveys are driven by specific goals such as searches for supernovae or transiting exoplanets, or studies of stellar variability. These goals in turn set the cadence with which individual fields are re-imaged. In the case of the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF), several such sub-surveys are being conducted in parallel, leading to extremely non-uniform sampling over the survey's nearly 20,000 sq. deg. footprint. While the typical 7.26 sq. deg. PTF field has been imaged 20 times in R-band, ~2300 sq. deg. have been observed more than 100 times. We use the existing PTF data 6.4x107 light curves) to study the trade-off that occurs when searching for microlensing events when one has access to a large survey footprint with irregular sampling. To examine the probability that microlensing events can be recovered in these data, we also test previous statistics used on uniformly sampled data to identify variables and transients. We find that one such statistic, the von Neumann ratio, performs best for identifying simulated microlensing events. We develop a selection method using this statistic and apply it to data from all PTF fields with >100 observations to uncover a number of interesting candidate events. This work can help constrain all-sky event rate predictions and tests microlensing signal recovery in large datasets, both of which will be useful to future wide-field, time-domain surveys such as the LSST.

  18. Binary Sources and Binary Lenses in Microlensing Surveys of MACHOs

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Petrovic, N.; Di Stefano, R.; Perna, R.

    2003-12-01

    Microlensing is an intriguing phenomenon which may yield information about the nature of dark matter. Early observational searches identified hundreds of microlensing light curves. The data set consisted mainly of point-lens light curves and binary-lens events in which the light curves exhibit caustic crossings. Very few mildly perturbed light curves were observed, although this latter type should constitute the majority of binary lens light curves. Di Stefano (2001) has suggested that the failure to take binary effects into account may have influenced the estimates of optical depth derived from microlensing surveys. The work we report on here is the first step in a systematic analysis of binary lenses and binary sources and their impact on the results of statistical microlensing surveys. In order to asses the problem, we ran Monte-Carlo simulations of various microlensing events involving binary stars (both as the source and as the lens). For each event with peak magnification > 1.34, we sampled the characteristic light curve and recorded the chi squared value when fitting the curve with a point lens model; we used this to asses the perturbation rate. We also recorded the parameters of each system, the maximum magnification, the times at which each light curve started and ended and the number of caustic crossings. We found that both the binarity of sources and the binarity of lenses increased the lensing rate. While the binarity of sources had a negligible effect on the perturbation rates of the light curves, the binarity of lenses had a notable effect. The combination of binary sources and binary lenses produces an observable rate of interesting events exhibiting multiple "repeats" in which the magnification rises above and dips below 1.34 several times. Finally, the binarity of lenses impacted both the durations of the events and the maximum magnifications. This work was supported in part by the SAO intern program (NSF grant AST-9731923) and NASA contracts NAS8-39073 and NAS8-38248 (CXC).

  19. Self-Positioned Nanosized Mask for Transparent and Flexible Ferroelectric Polymer Nanodiodes Array.

    PubMed

    Hyun, Seung; Kwon, Owoong; Choi, Chungryong; Vincent Joseph, Kanniyambatti L; Kim, Yunseok; Kim, Jin Kon

    2016-10-12

    High density arrays of ferroelectric polymer nanodiodes have gained strong attention for next-generation transparent and flexible nonvolatile resistive memory. Here, we introduce a facile and innovative method to fabricate ferroelectric polymer nanodiode array on an ITO-coated poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) substrate by using block copolymer self-assembly and oxygen plasma etching. First, polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) copolymer (PS-b-P2VP) micelles were spin-coated on poly(vinylidene fluoride-ran-trifluoroethylene) copolymer (P(VDF-TrFE)) film/ITO-coated PET substrate. After the sample was immersed in a gold precursor (HAuCl 4 ) containing solution, which strongly coordinates with nitrogen group in P2VP, oxygen plasma etching was performed. During the plasma etching, coordinated gold precursors became gold nanoparticles (GNPs), which successfully acted as self-positioned etching mask to fabricate a high density array of P(VDF-TrFE)) nanoislands with GNP at the top. Each nanoisland shows clearly individual diode property, as confirmed by current-voltage (I-V) curve. Furthermore, due to the transparent and flexible nature of P(VDF-TrFE)) nanoisland as well as the substrate, the P(VDF-TrFE) nanodiode array was highly tranparent, and the diode property was maintained even after a large number of bendings (for instance, 1000 times). The array could be used as the next-generation tranparent and flexible nonvolatile memory device.

  20. Probing the Broad-Line Region and the Accretion Disk in the Lensed Quasars HE 0435-1223, WFI 2033-4723, and HE 2149-2745 Using Gravitational Microlensing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Motta, V.; Mediavilla, E.; Rojas, K.; Falco, E. E.; Jiménez-Vicente, J.; Muñoz, J. A.

    2017-02-01

    We use single-epoch spectroscopy of three gravitationally lensed quasars, HE 0435-1223, WFI 2033-4723, and HE 2149-2745, to study their inner structure (broad-line region [BLR] and continuum source). We detect microlensing-induced magnification in the wings of the broad emission lines of two of the systems (HE 0435-1223 and WFI 2033-4723). In the case of WFI 2033-4723, microlensing affects two “bumps” in the spectra that are almost symmetrically arranged on the blue (coincident with an Al III emission line) and red wings of C III]. These match the typical double-peaked profile that follows from disk kinematics. The presence of microlensing in the wings of the emission lines indicates the existence of two different regions in the BLR: a relatively small one with kinematics possibly related to an accretion disk, and another one that is substantially more extended and insensitive to microlensing. There is good agreement between the estimated size of the region affected by microlensing in the emission lines, {r}s={10}-7+15\\sqrt{M/{M}⊙ } lt-day (red wing of C IV in HE 0435-1223) and {r}s={11}-7+28\\sqrt{M/{M}⊙ } lt-day (C III] bumps in WFI 2033-4723), and the sizes inferred from the continuum emission, {r}s={13}-4+5\\sqrt{M/{M}⊙ } lt-day (HE 0435-1223) and {r}s={10}-2+3\\sqrt{M/{M}⊙ } lt-day (WFI 2033-4723). For HE 2149-2745 we measure an accretion disk size {r}s={8}-5+11\\sqrt{M/{M}⊙ } lt-day. The estimates of p, the exponent of the size versus wavelength ({r}s\\propto {λ }p), are 1.2 ± 0.6, 0.8 ± 0.2, and 0.4 ± 0.3 for HE 0435-1223, WFI 2033-4723, and HE 2149-2745, respectively. In conclusion, the continuum microlensing amplitude in the three quasars and chromaticity in WFI 2033-4723 and HE 2149-2745 are below expectations for the thin-disk model. The disks are larger and their temperature gradients are flatter than predicted by this model.

  1. Laser diode arrays for naval reconnaissance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Holloway, John H., Jr.; Crosby, Frank J.; Petee, Danny A.; Suiter, Harold R.; Witherspoon, Ned H.

    2003-09-01

    The Airborne Littoral Reconnaissance Technologies (ALRT) Project has demonstrated a nighttime operational minefield detection capability using commercial off-the-shelf high-power Laser Diode Arrays (LDAs). Historically, optical aerial detection of minefields has primarily been limited to daytime operations but LDAs promise compact and efficient lighting to allow for enhanced reconnaissance operations for future mine detection systems. When combined with high-resolution intensified imaging systems, LDAs can illuminate otherwise unseen areas. Future wavelength options will open the way for active multispectral imaging with LDAs. The Coastal Systems Station working for the Office of Naval Research on the ALRT project has designed, developed, integrated, and tested both prototype and commercial arrays from a Cessna airborne platform. Detailed test results show the ability to detect several targets of interest in a variety of background conditions. Initial testing of the prototype arrays, reported on last year, was completed and further investigations of the commercial versions were performed. Polarization-state detection studies were performed, and advantageous properties of the source-target-sensor geometry noted. Current project plans are to expand the field-of-view coverage for Naval exercises in the summer of 2003. This paper describes the test collection, data library products, array information, on-going test analysis results, and future planned testing of the LDAs.

  2. High intensity click statistics from a 10 × 10 avalanche photodiode array

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kröger, Johannes; Ahrens, Thomas; Sperling, Jan; Vogel, Werner; Stolz, Heinrich; Hage, Boris

    2017-11-01

    Photon-number measurements are a fundamental technique for the discrimination and characterization of quantum states of light. Beyond the abilities of state-of-the-art devices, we present measurements with an array of 100 avalanche photodiodes exposed to photon-numbers ranging from well below to significantly above one photon per diode. Despite each single diode only discriminating between zero and non-zero photon-numbers we were able to extract a second order moment, which acts as a nonclassicality indicator. We demonstrate a vast enhancement of the applicable intensity range by two orders of magnitude relative to the standard application of such devices. It turns out that the probabilistic mapping of arbitrary photon-numbers on a finite number of registered clicks is not per se a disadvantage compared with true photon counters. Such detector arrays can bridge the gap between single-photon and linear detection, by investigation of the click statistics, without the necessity of photon statistics reconstruction.

  3. Analysis of light emitting diode array lighting system based on human vision: normal and abnormal uniformity condition.

    PubMed

    Qin, Zong; Ji, Chuangang; Wang, Kai; Liu, Sheng

    2012-10-08

    In this paper, condition for uniform lighting generated by light emitting diode (LED) array was systematically studied. To take human vision effect into consideration, contrast sensitivity function (CSF) was novelly adopted as critical criterion for uniform lighting instead of conventionally used Sparrow's Criterion (SC). Through CSF method, design parameters including system thickness, LED pitch, LED's spatial radiation distribution and viewing condition can be analytically combined. In a specific LED array lighting system (LALS) with foursquare LED arrangement, different types of LEDs (Lambertian and Batwing type) and given viewing condition, optimum system thicknesses and LED pitches were calculated and compared with those got through SC method. Results show that CSF method can achieve more appropriate optimum parameters than SC method. Additionally, an abnormal phenomenon that uniformity varies with structural parameters non-monotonically in LALS with non-Lambertian LEDs was found and analyzed. Based on the analysis, a design method of LALS that can bring about better practicability, lower cost and more attractive appearance was summarized.

  4. Morphologies and optical and electrical properties of InGaN/GaN micro-square array light-emitting diode chips.

    PubMed

    Han, Dan; Ma, Shufang; Jia, Zhigang; Liu, Peizhi; Jia, Wei; Shang, Lin; Zhai, Guangmei; Xu, Bingshe

    2018-04-10

    InGaN/GaN micro-square array light-emitting diode (LED) chips (micro-chips) have been prepared via the focused ion beam (FIB) etching technique, which can not only reduce ohmic contact degradation but also control the aspect ratio precisely in three-dimensional (3D) structure LED (3D-LED) device fabrication. The effects of FIB beam current and micro-square array depth on morphologies and optical and electrical properties of the micro-chips have been studied. Our results show that sidewall surface morphology and optical and electrical properties of the micro-chips degrade with increased beam current. After potassium hydroxide etching with different times, an optimal current-voltage and luminescence performance can be obtained. Combining the results of cathodoluminescence mappings and light output-current characteristics, the light extraction efficiency of the micro-chips is reduced as FIB etch depth increases. The mechanisms of micro-square depth on light extraction have been revealed by 3D finite difference time domain.

  5. Micromirror arrays using KOH:H[sub 2]O micromachining of silicon for lens templates, geodesic lenses, and other applications

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

    Kendall, D.L.; Eaton, W.P.; Manginell, R.

    Micromirrors having diameters from a few micrometers to several millimeters have been produced on (100) silicon by wet-chemical etching in KOH:H[sub 2]O. The f/[number sign]'s range from about 2.5 to at least 10. The microroughness of an etched mirror with diameter 550 [mu]m and 9.6-[mu]m sagitta is less than 5 nm and its surface figure is within 0.5 [mu]m of a perfect sphere. Data over a wide range of diameters are presented and a semiempirical model is developed to explain the behavior. The concordance of the normalized etched profiles for all diameter mirrors demonstrates that the etching is dominated bymore » surface reaction rather than diffusion limitation. Design and fabrication schemes are presented for making a wide range of mirror diameters and focal lengths, for both single micromirrors and arrays. The etched depressions can be used as templates for microlenses and as substrates for geodesic waveguide lenses and arrays. Chem-mechanical polishing on the etched structures reduces the edge curvature and produces oblate spheroidal surfaces, both of which should improve geodesic lens behavior. The etched structures can also be used as variable crystal orientation substrates for epitaxial nucleation and various surface analysis studies.« less

  6. Micromirror arrays using KOH:H2O micromachining of silicon for lens templates, geodesic lenses, and other applications

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kendall, Don L.; Eaton, William P.; Manginell, Ronald P.; Digges, Thomas G.

    1994-11-01

    Micromirrors having diameters from a few micrometers to several millimeters have been produced on (100) silicon by wet-chemical etching in KOH:H2O. The f/#'s range from about 2.5 to at least 10. The microroughness of an etched mirror with diameter 550 micrometers and 9.6-micrometers sagitta is less than 5 nm and its surface figure is within 0.5 micrometers of a perfect sphere. Data over a wide range of diameters are presented and a semiempirical model is developed to explain the behavior. The concordance of the normalized etched profiles for all diameter mirrors demonstrates that the etching is dominated by surface reaction rather than diffusion limitation. Design and fabrication schemes are presented for making a wide range of mirror diameters and focal lengths, for both single micromirrors and arrays. The etched depressions can be used as templates for microlenses and as substrates for geodesic waveguide lenses and arrays. Chem-mechanical polishing on the etched structures reduces the edge curvature and produces oblate spheroidal surfaces, both of which should improve geodesic lens behavior. The etched structures can also be used as variable crystal orientation substrates for epitaxial nucleation and various surface analysis studies.

  7. An Optical Wavefront Sensor Based on a Double Layer Microlens Array

    PubMed Central

    Lin, Vinna; Wei, Hsiang-Chun; Hsieh, Hsin-Ta; Su, Guo-Dung John

    2011-01-01

    In order to determine light aberrations, Shack-Hartmann optical wavefront sensors make use of microlens arrays (MLA) to divide the incident light into small parts and focus them onto image planes. In this paper, we present the design and fabrication of long focal length MLA with various shapes and arrangements based on a double layer structure for optical wavefront sensing applications. A longer focal length MLA could provide high sensitivity in determining the average slope across each microlens under a given wavefront, and spatial resolution of a wavefront sensor is increased by numbers of microlenses across a detector. In order to extend focal length, we used polydimethysiloxane (PDMS) above MLA on a glass substrate. Because of small refractive index difference between PDMS and MLA interface (UV-resin), the incident light is less refracted and focused in further distance. Other specific focal lengths could also be realized by modifying the refractive index difference without changing the MLA size. Thus, the wavefront sensor could be improved with better sensitivity and higher spatial resolution. PMID:22346643

  8. Hybrid electronic tongue based on optical and electrochemical microsensors for quality control of wine.

    PubMed

    Gutiérrez, Manuel; Llobera, Andreu; Vila-Planas, Jordi; Capdevila, Fina; Demming, Stefanie; Büttgenbach, Stephanus; Mínguez, Santiago; Jiménez-Jorquera, Cecilia

    2010-07-01

    A multiparametric system able to classify red and white wines according to the grape varieties and for analysing some specific parameters is presented. The system, known as hybrid electronic tongue, consists of an array of electrochemical microsensors and a colorimetric optofluidic system. The array of electrochemical sensors is composed of six ISFETs based sensors, a conductivity sensor, a redox potential sensor and two amperometric electrodes, an Au microelectrode and a microelectrode for sensing electrochemical oxygen demand. The optofluidic system is entirely fabricated in polymer technology and comprises a hollow structure, air mirrors, microlenses and self-alignment structures. The data obtained from these sensors has been treated with multivariate advanced tools; Principal Component Analysis (PCA), for the patterning recognition and classification of wine samples, and Partial-Least Squares (PLS) regression, for quantification of several chemical and optical parameters of interest in wine quality. The results have demonstrated the utility of this system for distinguishing the samples according to the grape variety and year vintage and for quantifying several sample parameters of interest in wine quality control.

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

    Wang, P; Cammin, J; Solberg, T

    Purpose: Proton radiography and proton computed tomography (PCT) can be used to measure proton stopping power directly. However, practical and cost effective proton imaging detectors are not widely available. In this study, the authors investigated the feasibility of proton imaging using a silicon diode array. Methods: A one-dimensional silicon-diode detector array (1DSDA) was aligned with the central axis (CAX) of the proton beam. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) slabs were used to find the correspondence between the water equivalent thickness (WET) and 1DSDA channel number. 2D proton radiographs (PR) were obtained by translation and rotation of a phantom relative to CAX whilemore » the proton nozzle and 1DSDA were kept stationary. A PCT image of one slice of the phantom was reconstructed using filtered backprojection. Results: PR and PCT images of the PMMA cube were successfully acquired using the 1DSDA. The WET of the phantom was measured using PR data with an accuracy of 4.2% or better. Structures down to 1 mm in size could be resolved. Reconstruction of a PCT image showed very good agreement with simulation. Limitations in spatial resolution are attributed to limited spatial sampling, beam collimation, and proton scatter. Conclusion: The results demonstrate the feasibility of using silicon diode arrays for proton imaging. Such a device can potentially offer fast image acquisition, high spatial and energy resolution for PR and PCT.« less

  10. Metabolic profile of glyburide in human liver microsomes using LC-DAD-Q-TRAP-MS/MS.

    PubMed

    Ravindran, Selvan; Basu, Sudipta; Gorti, Santosh Kapil Kumar; Surve, Prashant; Sloka, Navya

    2013-05-01

    The sulfonylurea urea drug glyburide (glibenclamide) is widely used for the treatment of diabetes milletus and gestational diabetes. In previous studies monohydroxylated metabolites were identified and characterized for glyburide in different species, but the metabolite owing to the loss of cyclohexyl ring was identified only in mouse. Glyburide upon incubation with hepatic microsomes resulted in 10 metabolites for human. The current study identifies new metabolites of glyburide along with the hydroxylated metabolites that were reported earlier. The newly identified drug metabolites are dihydroxylated metabolites, a metabolite owing to the loss of cyclohexyl ring and one owing to hydroxylation with dehydrogenation. Among the 10 identified metabolites, there were six monohydroxylated metabolites, one dihydroxylated metabolite, two metabolites owing to hydroxylation and dehydrogenation, and one metabolite owing to the loss of cyclohexyl ring. New metabolites of glyburide were identified and characterized using liquid chromatography-diode array detector-quadruple-ion trap-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-DAD-Q-TRAP-MS/MS). An enhanced mass scan-enhanced product ion scan with information-dependent acquisition mode in a Q-TRAP-MS/MS system was used to characterize the metabolites. Liquid chromatography with diode array detection was used as a complimentary technique to confirm and identify the metabolites. Metabolites formed in higher amounts were detected in both diode array detection and mass spectrometry detection. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  11. Iceball Planet Artist's Concept

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2017-04-26

    This artist's concept shows OGLE-2016-BLG-1195Lb, a planet discovered through a technique called microlensing. The planet was reported in a 2017 study in the Astrophysical Journal Letters. Study authors used the Korea Microlensing Telescope Network (KMTNet), operated by the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, and NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, to track the microlensing event and find the planet. Although OGLE-2016-BLG-1195Lb is about the same mass as Earth, and the same distance from its host star as our planet is from our sun, the similarities may end there. This planet is nearly 13,000 light-years away and orbits a star so small, scientists aren't sure if it's a star at all. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21430

  12. Semiconductor laser devices having lateral refractive index tailoring

    DOEpatents

    Ashby, Carol I. H.; Hadley, G. Ronald; Hohimer, John P.; Owyoung, Adelbert

    1990-01-01

    A broad-area semiconductor laser diode includes an active lasing region interposed between an upper and a lower cladding layer, the laser diode further comprising structure for controllably varying a lateral refractive index profile of the diode to substantially compensate for an effect of junction heating during operation. In embodiments disclosed the controlling structure comprises resistive heating strips or non-radiative linear junctions disposed parallel to the active region. Another embodiment discloses a multi-layered upper cladding region selectively disordered by implanted or diffused dopant impurities. Still another embodiment discloses an upper cladding layer of variable thickness that is convex in shape and symmetrically disposed about a central axis of the active region. The teaching of the invention is also shown to be applicable to arrays of semiconductor laser diodes.

  13. Edge multi-energy soft x-ray diagnostic in Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak

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

    Li, Y. L.; Xu, G. S.; Wan, B. N.

    A multi-energy soft x-ray (ME-SXR) diagnostic has been built for electron temperature profile in the edge plasma region in Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) after two rounds of campaigns. Originally, five preamplifiers were mounted inside the EAST vacuum vessel chamber attached to five vertically stacked compact diode arrays. A custom mechanical structure was designed to protect the detectors and electronics under constraints of the tangential field of view for plasma edge and the allocation of space. In the next experiment, the mechanical structure was redesigned with a barrel structure to absolutely isolate it from the vacuum vessel. Multiple shielding structuresmore » were mounted at the pinhole head to protect the metal foils from lithium coating. The pre-amplifiers were moved to the outside of the vacuum chamber to avoid introducing interference. Twisted copper cooling tube was embedded into the back-shell near the diode to limit the temperature of the preamplifiers and diode arrays during vacuum vessel baking when the temperature reached 150 °C. Electron temperature profiles were reconstructed from ME-SXR measurements using neural networks.« less

  14. Sequential, progressive, equal-power, reflective beam-splitter arrays

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Manhart, Paul K.

    2017-11-01

    The equations to calculate equal-power reflectivity of a sequential series of beam splitters is presented. Non-sequential optical design examples are offered for uniform illumination using diode lasers. Objects created using Boolean operators and Swept Surfaces can create objects capable of reflecting light into predefined elevation and azimuth angles. Analysis of the illumination patterns for the array are also presented.

  15. Technique for Radiometer and Antenna Array Calibration with Two Antenna Noise Diodes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Srinivasan, Karthik; Limaye, Ashutosh; Laymon, Charles; Meyer, Paul

    2011-01-01

    This paper presents a new technique to calibrate a microwave radiometer and phased array antenna system. This calibration technique uses a radiated noise source in addition to an injected noise sources for calibration. The plane of reference for this calibration technique is the face of the antenna and therefore can effectively calibration the gain fluctuations in the active phased array antennas. This paper gives the mathematical formulation for the technique and discusses the improvements brought by the method over the existing calibration techniques.

  16. Use of a priori spectral information in the measurement of x-ray flux with filtered diode arrays

    DOE PAGES

    Marrs, R. E.; Widmann, K.; Brown, G. V.; ...

    2015-10-29

    Filtered x-ray diode (XRD) arrays are often used to measure x-ray spectra vs. time from spectrally continuous x-ray sources such as hohlraums. A priori models of the incident x-ray spectrum enable a more accurate unfolding of the x-ray flux as compared to the standard technique of modifying a thermal Planckian with spectral peaks or dips at the response energy of each filtered XRD channel. A model x-ray spectrum consisting of a thermal Planckian, a Gaussian at higher energy, and (in some cases) a high energy background provides an excellent fit to XRD-array measurements of x-ray emission from laser heated hohlraums.more » If high-resolution measurements of part of the x-ray emission spectrum are available, that information can be included in the a priori model. In cases where the x-ray emission spectrum is not Planckian, candidate x-ray spectra can be allowed or excluded by fitting them to measured XRD voltages. Here, examples are presented from the filtered XRD arrays, named Dante, at the National Ignition Facility and the Laboratory for Laser Energetics.« less

  17. The performance of Geiger mode avalanche photo-diodes in free space laser communication links

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Farrell, Thomas C.

    2018-05-01

    Geiger mode avalanche photo-diode (APD) arrays, when used as detectors in laser communication (lasercom) receivers, promise better performance at lower signal levels than APDs operated in the linear mode. In this paper, we describe the basic operation of the Geiger mode APD array as a lasercom detector, concentrating on aspects relevant to the link design engineer (rather than, for example, describing the details of the physics of the basic device operation itself). Equations are developed that describe the effects of defocus and hold-off time on the relation between the number of photons detected by the array and the output of photo-electron counts. We show how to incorporate these equations into a link budget. The resulting predictions are validated by comparison against simulation results. Finally, we compare the performance of linear mode APD based receivers and Geiger mode APD array based receivers. Results show the Geiger mode receivers yield better performance, in terms of probability of bit error, at lower signal levels, except on links where there is an exceptionally large amount of background noise. Under those conditions, not surprisingly, the hold-off time degrades performance.

  18. Around Marshall

    NASA Image and Video Library

    1983-08-10

    One of the main components of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is the Solar Array Drive Electronics (SADE) system. This system interfaces with the Support System Module (SSM) for exchange of operational commands and telemetry data. SADE operates and controls the Solar Array Drive Mechanisms (SADM) for the orientation of the Solar Array Drive (SAD). It also monitors the position of the arrays and the temperature of the SADM. During the first HST servicing mission, the astronauts replaced the SADE component because of some malfunctions. This turned out to be a very challenging extravehicular activity (EVA). Two transistors and two diodes had been thermally stressed with the conformal coating discolored and charred. Soldered cornections became molten and reflowed between the two diodes. The failed transistors gave no indication of defective construction. All repairs were made and the HST was redeposited into orbit. Prior to undertaking this challenging mission, the orbiter's crew trained at Marshall Space Flight Center's (MSFC) Neutral Buoyancy Simulator (NBS) to prepare themselves for working in a low gravity environment. They also practiced replacing HST parts and exercised maneuverability and equipment handling. Pictured is an astronaut practicing climbing a space platform that was necessary in making repairs on the HST.

  19. Neutral Buoyancy Simulator - SADE NBS Test

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1983-01-01

    One of the main components of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is the Solar Array Drive Electronics (SADE) system. This system interfaces with the Support System Module (SSM) for exchange of operational commands and telemetry data. SADE operates and controls the Solar Array Drive Mechanisms (SADM) for the orientation of the Solar Array Drive (SAD). It also monitors the position of the arrays and the temperature of the SADM. During the first HST servicing mission, the astronauts replaced the SADE component because of some malfunctions. This turned out to be a very challenging extravehicular activity (EVA). Two transistors and two diodes had been thermally stressed with the conformal coating discolored and charred. Soldered cornections became molten and reflowed between the two diodes. The failed transistors gave no indication of defective construction. All repairs were made and the HST was redeposited into orbit. Prior to undertaking this challenging mission, the orbiter's crew trained at Marshall Space Flight Center's (MSFC) Neutral Buoyancy Simulator (NBS) to prepare themselves for working in a low gravity environment. They also practiced replacing HST parts and exercised maneuverability and equipment handling. Pictured is an astronaut practicing climbing a space platform that was necessary in making repairs on the HST.

  20. Neutral Buoyancy Simulator-NB50B-SADE Training Exercises

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1983-01-01

    One of the main components of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is the Solar Array Drive Electronics (SADE) system. This system interfaces with the Support System Module (SSM) for exchange of operational commands and telemetry data. SADE operates and controls the Solar Array Drive Mechanisms (SADM) for the orientation of the Solar Array Drive (SAD). It also monitors the position of the arrays and the temperature of the SADM. During the first HST servicing mission, the astronauts replaced the SADE component because of some malfunctions. This turned out to be a very challenging extravehicular activity (EVA). Two transistors and two diodes had been thermally stressed with the conformal coating discolored and charred. Soldered cornections became molten and reflowed between the two diodes. The failed transistors gave no indication of defective construction. All repairs were made and the HST was redeposited into orbit. Prior to undertaking this challenging mission, the orbiter's crew trained at Marshall Space Flight Center's (MSFC) Neutral Buoyancy Simulator (NBS) to prepare themselves for working in a low gravity environment. They also practiced replacing HST parts and exercised maneuverability and equipment handling. Pictured are crew members practicing on a space platform.

  1. Structural characterization of phenolics and betacyanins in Gomphrena globosa by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection/electrospray ionization multi-stage mass spectrometry.

    PubMed

    Ferreres, Federico; Gil-Izquierdo, Angel; Valentão, Patrícia; Andrade, Paula B

    2011-11-30

    The metabolite profiling of Gomphrena globosa inflorescences was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection/electrospray ionization multi-stage mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS(n)). Based on the fragmentation patterns, 24 phenolic compounds were characterized. The identified phenolics include p-coumaric and ferulic acids, quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, and hydroxylated 6,7-methylenedioxyflavone derivatives, as well as their aglycones, none of them reported before in the species. This is also the first time that tetrahydroxy-methylenedioxyflavone derivatives and acetylglycosides are described in nature. Betacyanins were also found. This study significantly extends the knowledge of the G. globosa metabolome, by providing further insights into its phenolic composition. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  2. Separation and quantitation of colour pigments of chili powder (Capsicum frutescens) by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection.

    PubMed

    Cserháti, T; Forgács, E; Morais, M H; Mota, T; Ramos, A

    2000-10-27

    The performance of reversed-phase thin-layer (RP-TLC) and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) was compared for the separation and determination of the colour pigments of chili (Capsicum frutescens) powder using a wide variety of eluent systems. No separation of pigments was achieved in RP-TLC, however, it was established that tetrahydrofuran shows an unusually high solvent strength. RP-HPLC using water-methanol-acetonitrile gradient elution separated the chili pigments in many fractions. Diode array detection (DAD) indicated that yellow pigments are eluted earlier than the red ones and chili powder contains more yellow pigments than common paprika powders. It was established that the very different absorption spectra of pigments make the use of DAD necessary.

  3. High efficiency 2 micrometer laser utilizing wing-pumped Tm.sup.3+ and a laser diode array end-pumping architecture

    DOEpatents

    Beach, Raymond J.

    1997-01-01

    Wing pumping a Tm.sup.3+ doped, end pumped solid state laser generates 2 .mu.m laser radiation at high average powers with high efficiency. Using laser diode arrays to end-pump the laser rod or slab in the wing of the Tm.sup.3+ absorption band near 785 nm results in 2-for-1 quantum efficiency in Tm.sup.3+ because high Tm.sup.3+ concentrations can be used. Wing pumping allows the thermal power generated in the rod or slab to be distributed over a large enough volume to make thermal management practical in the laser gain medium even at high average power operation. The approach is applicable to CW, Q-switched, and rep-pulsed free-laser operation.

  4. High efficiency 2 micrometer laser utilizing wing-pumped Tm{sup 3+} and a laser diode array end-pumping architecture

    DOEpatents

    Beach, R.J.

    1997-11-18

    Wing pumping a Tm{sup 3+} doped, end pumped solid state laser generates 2 {micro}m laser radiation at high average powers with high efficiency. Using laser diode arrays to end-pump the laser rod or slab in the wing of the Tm{sup 3+} absorption band near 785 nm results in 2-for-1 quantum efficiency in Tm{sup 3+} because high Tm{sup 3+} concentrations can be used. Wing pumping allows the thermal power generated in the rod or slab to be distributed over a large enough volume to make thermal management practical in the laser gain medium even at high average power operation. The approach is applicable to CW, Q-switched, and rep-pulsed free-laser operation. 7 figs.

  5. Cost-effective elimination of lipofuscin fluorescence from formalin-fixed brain tissue by white phosphor light emitting diode array.

    PubMed

    Sun, Yulong; Chakrabartty, Avi

    2016-12-01

    Autofluorescence of aldehyde-fixed tissues greatly hinders fluorescence microscopy. In particular, lipofuscin, an autofluorescent component of aged brain tissue, complicates fluorescence imaging of tissue in neurodegenerative diseases. Background and lipofuscin fluorescence can be reduced by greater than 90% through photobleaching using white phosphor light emitting diode arrays prior to treatment with fluorescent probes. We compared the effect of photobleaching versus established chemical quenchers on the quality of fluorescent staining in formalin-fixed brain tissue of frontotemporal dementia with tau-positive inclusions. Unlike chemical quenchers, which reduced fluorescent probe signals as well as background, photobleaching treatment had no effect on probe fluorescence intensity while it effectively reduced background and lipofuscin fluorescence. The advantages and versatility of photobleaching over established methods are discussed.

  6. A Portable Diode Array Spectrophotometer.

    PubMed

    Stephenson, David

    2016-05-01

    A cheap portable visible light spectrometer is presented. The spectrometer uses readily sourced items and could be constructed by anyone with a knowledge of electronics. The spectrometer covers the wavelength range 450-725 nm with a resolution better than 5 nm. The spectrometer uses a diffraction grating to separate wavelengths, which are detected using a 128-element diode array, the output of which is analyzed using a microprocessor. The spectrum is displayed on a small liquid crystal display screen and can be saved to a micro SD card for later analysis. Battery life (2 × AAA) is estimated to be 200 hours. The overall dimensions of the unit are 120 × 65 × 60 mm, and it weighs about 200 g. © The Author(s) 2016.

  7. Late-time high-resolution images of the black hole candidate microlensing events, MACHO-96-BLG-5 and MACHO-98-BLG-6

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Forest Stephens, Haynes; Lu, Jessica

    2018-01-01

    Stellar-mass black holes (BHs) are predicted to be abundant in the Milky Way (N=10^8 - 10^9) but only a few dozen have been detected observationally, all of which are in binary systems and actively accreting. Isolated BHs have yet to be detected. One method for attempting to detect isolated BHs is via gravitational microlensing; when a BH passes in front of a star and briefly magnifies the star's observed brightness. However, during a microlensing event, there is no certain method for determining whether the lens is a BH or another star. We present follow-up observations of two microlensing events, MACHO-1996-BLG-5 and MACHO-1998-BLG-6, which were observed in 1996 and 1998, respectively, and are both long-duration events with a high probability that the lens is a black hole. The closest projected approach between the source and lens was over 20 years ago. If the lens is an isolated BH, then the source and lens should have moved apart enough to be resolved with high-resolution imaging. Using adaptive optics images from the W. M. Keck Observatory, we observed the two candidates in 2016 July. No new sources were found within 0.3 arcseconds of the lensed source, a reasonable angular distance considering the maximum possible relative proper motion of the lens and source. We will present constraints on the lens mass, distance, and proper motion for both microlensing candidates, and explore the likelihood that the lenses are isolated BHs.

  8. Adventures in the microlensing cloud: Large datasets, eResearch tools, and GPUs

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vernardos, G.; Fluke, C. J.

    2014-10-01

    As astronomy enters the petascale data era, astronomers are faced with new challenges relating to storage, access and management of data. A shift from the traditional approach of combining data and analysis at the desktop to the use of remote services, pushing the computation to the data, is now underway. In the field of cosmological gravitational microlensing, future synoptic all-sky surveys are expected to bring the number of multiply imaged quasars from the few tens that are currently known to a few thousands. This inflow of observational data, together with computationally demanding theoretical modeling via the production of microlensing magnification maps, requires a new approach. We present our technical solutions to supporting the GPU-Enabled, High Resolution cosmological MicroLensing parameter survey (GERLUMPH). This extensive dataset for cosmological microlensing modeling comprises over 70 000 individual magnification maps and ˜106 related results. We describe our approaches to hosting, organizing, and serving ˜ 30 TB of data and metadata products. We present a set of online analysis tools developed with PHP, JavaScript and WebGL to support access and analysis of GELRUMPH data in a Web browser. We discuss our use of graphics processing units (GPUs) to accelerate data production, and we release the core of the GPU-D direct inverse ray-shooting code (Thompson et al., 2010, 2014) used to generate the magnification maps. All of the GERLUMPH data and tools are available online from http://gerlumph.swin.edu.au. This project made use of gSTAR, the GPU Supercomputer for Theoretical Astrophysical Research.

  9. Photometric microlensing and stellar mass determination

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Samadi, R.

    Microlensing was suggested for stellar mass determination of nearby stars by several authors (e.g. Paczynski 1995 and Miralada-Escude 1996). There are two aspects in gravitational microlensing: photometry and astrometry. Here only the photometric aspect -i.e. magnification of a background source by a stellar lens- will be considered. The first study in this domain was done by Paczyński (1995). An attempt to investigate some observational constraints (Alard et al. 1996), takes its origin in this study. It will be shown here that blending of the source by the lens, not only induces a degeneracy which has been pointed out by Wozniak and Paczynski (1997) and can be removed by measuring the flux of the source outside the microlensing event, but also strongly reduces the photometric cross section as well as the duration of microlensing events. The expected number of events decreases strongly with blending. Blending effects can be reduced by selecting faint lens candidates. Unfortunately however, it is difficult to monitor a sufficient number of lens candidates per night, and restricting oneself to nearby and high proper motion objects would lead to a very small number of lens candidates. In the case of short duration events, the light curve must be sampled at short time intervals. When sampling daily, the condition is very strong and the expected rate of events very small. Observing from space would increase significantly the rate, but this gain is still insufficient. We conclude that the event rate will be very small and that the project does not seem to be feasible at least under current observing conditions and even in the near future.

  10. OGLE-2016-BLG-1190Lb: The First Spitzer Bulge Planet Lies Near the Planet/Brown-dwarf Boundary

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ryu, Y.-H.; Yee, J. C.; Udalski, A.; Bond, I. A.; Shvartzvald, Y.; Zang, W.; Figuera Jaimes, R.; Jørgensen, U. G.; Zhu, W.; Huang, C. X.; Jung, Y. K.; Albrow, M. D.; Chung, S.-J.; Gould, A.; Han, C.; Hwang, K.-H.; Shin, I.-G.; Cha, S.-M.; Kim, D.-J.; Kim, H.-W.; Kim, S.-L.; Lee, C.-U.; Lee, D.-J.; Lee, Y.; Park, B.-G.; Pogge, R. W.; KMTNet Collaboration; Calchi Novati, S.; Carey, S.; Henderson, C. B.; Beichman, C.; Gaudi, B. S.; Spitzer team; Mróz, P.; Poleski, R.; Skowron, J.; Szymański, M. K.; Soszyński, I.; Kozłowski, S.; Pietrukowicz, P.; Ulaczyk, K.; Pawlak, M.; OGLE Collaboration; Abe, F.; Asakura, Y.; Barry, R.; Bennett, D. P.; Bhattacharya, A.; Donachie, M.; Evans, P.; Fukui, A.; Hirao, Y.; Itow, Y.; Kawasaki, K.; Koshimoto, N.; Li, M. C. A.; Ling, C. H.; Masuda, K.; Matsubara, Y.; Miyazaki, S.; Muraki, Y.; Nagakane, M.; Ohnishi, K.; Ranc, C.; Rattenbury, N. J.; Saito, To.; Sharan, A.; Sullivan, D. J.; Sumi, T.; Suzuki, D.; Tristram, P. J.; Yamada, T.; Yamada, T.; Yonehara, A.; MOA Collaboration; Bryden, G.; Howell, S. B.; Jacklin, S.; UKIRT Microlensing Team; Penny, M. T.; Mao, S.; Fouqué, Pascal; Wang, T.; CFHT-K2C9 Microlensing Survey group; Street, R. A.; Tsapras, Y.; Hundertmark, M.; Bachelet, E.; Dominik, M.; Li, Z.; Cross, S.; Cassan, A.; Horne, K.; Schmidt, R.; Wambsganss, J.; Ment, S. K.; Maoz, D.; Snodgrass, C.; Steele, I. A.; RoboNet Team; Bozza, V.; Burgdorf, M. J.; Ciceri, S.; D’Ago, G.; Evans, D. F.; Hinse, T. C.; Kerins, E.; Kokotanekova, R.; Longa, P.; MacKenzie, J.; Popovas, A.; Rabus, M.; Rahvar, S.; Sajadian, S.; Skottfelt, J.; Southworth, J.; von Essen, C.; MiNDSTEp Team

    2018-01-01

    We report the discovery of OGLE-2016-BLG-1190Lb, which is likely to be the first Spitzer microlensing planet in the Galactic bulge/bar, an assignation that can be confirmed by two epochs of high-resolution imaging of the combined source–lens baseline object. The planet’s mass, M p = 13.4 ± 0.9 M J , places it right at the deuterium-burning limit, i.e., the conventional boundary between “planets” and “brown dwarfs.” Its existence raises the question of whether such objects are really “planets” (formed within the disks of their hosts) or “failed stars” (low-mass objects formed by gas fragmentation). This question may ultimately be addressed by comparing disk and bulge/bar planets, which is a goal of the Spitzer microlens program. The host is a G dwarf, M host = 0.89 ± 0.07 M ⊙, and the planet has a semimajor axis a ∼ 2.0 au. We use Kepler K2 Campaign 9 microlensing data to break the lens-mass degeneracy that generically impacts parallax solutions from Earth–Spitzer observations alone, which is the first successful application of this approach. The microlensing data, derived primarily from near-continuous, ultradense survey observations from OGLE, MOA, and three KMTNet telescopes, contain more orbital information than for any previous microlensing planet, but not quite enough to accurately specify the full orbit. However, these data do permit the first rigorous test of microlensing orbital-motion measurements, which are typically derived from data taken over <1% of an orbital period.

  11. Updating the MACHO fraction of the Milky Way dark halo with improved mass models

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Calcino, Josh; García-Bellido, Juan; Davis, Tamara M.

    2018-05-01

    Recent interest in primordial black holes as a possible dark matter candidate has motivated the reanalysis of previous methods for constraining massive astrophysical compact objects in the Milky Way halo and beyond. In order to derive these constraints, a model for the dark matter distribution around the Milky Way must be used. Previous microlensing searches have assumed a semi-isothermal density sphere for this task. We show this model is no longer consistent with data from the Milky Way rotation curve, and test two replacement models, namely NFW and power-law. The power-law model is the most flexible as it can break spherical symmetry, and best fits the data. Thus, we recommend the power-law model as a replacement, although it still lacks the flexibility to fully encapsulate all possible shapes of the Milky Way halo. We then use the power-law model to rederive some previous microlensing constraints in the literature, while propagating the primary halo-shape uncertainties through to our final constraints. Our analysis reveals that the microlensing constraints towards the Large Magellanic Cloud weaken somewhat for MACHO masses around 10 M⊙ when this uncertainty is taken into account, but the constraints tighten at lower masses. Exploring some of the simplifying assumptions of previous constraints we also study the effect of wide mass distributions of compact halo objects, as well as the effect of spatial clustering on microlensing constraints. We find that both effects induce a shift in the constraints towards smaller masses, and can effectively remove the microlensing constraints from M ˜ 1 - 10M⊙ for certain MACHO populations.

  12. Brown Dwarf Microlensing Diagram

    NASA Image and Video Library

    2016-11-10

    For the first time, two space-based telescopes have teamed up with ground-based observatories to observe a microlensing event, a magnification of the light of a distant star due to the gravitational effects of an unseen object in the foreground. In this case, the cause of the microlensing event was a brown dwarf, dubbed OGLE-2015-BLG-1319, orbiting a star. In terms of mass, brown dwarfs fall somewhere between the size of the largest planets and the smallest stars. Curiously, scientists have found that, for stars roughly the mass of our sun, less than 1 percent have a brown dwarf orbiting within 3 AU (1 AU is the distance between Earth and the sun). This newly discovered brown dwarf may fall in that distance range. This microlensing event was observed by ground-based telescopes looking for these uncommon events, and subsequently seen by NASA's Spitzer and Swift space telescopes. As the diagram shows, Spitzer and Swift offer additional vantage points for viewing this chance alignment. While Swift orbits close to Earth, and saw (blue diamonds) essentially the same change in light that the ground-based telescopes measured (grey markers), Spitzer's location much farther away from Earth gave it a very different perspective on the event (red circles). In particular, Spitzer's vantage point resulted in a time lag in the microlensing event it observed, compared to what was seen by Swift and the ground-based telescope. This offset allowed astronomers to determine the distance to OGLE-2015-BLG-1319 as well as its mass: around 30-65 times that of Jupiter. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21077

  13. Predicting the 4th caustic crossing in Gaia16aye binary microlensing event

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mroz, P.; Wyrzykowski, L.; Rybicki, K.; Altavilla, G.; Bakis, V.; Bendjoya, P.; Birenbaum, G.; Blagorodnova, N.; Blanco-Cuaresma, S.; Bonanos, A.; Bozza, V.; Britavskiy, N.; Burgaz, U.; Butterley, T.; Capuozzo, P.; Carrasco, J. M.; Chruslinska, M.; Damljanovic, G.; Dennefeld, M.; Dhillon, V. S.; Dominik, M.; Esenoglu, H.; Fossey, S.; Gomboc, A.; Hallokoun, N.; Hamanowicz, A.; Hardy, L. K.; Hudec, R.; Khamitov, I.; Klencki, J.; Kolaczkowski, Z.; Kolb, U.; Leonini, S.; Leto, G.; Lewis, F.; Liakos, A.; Littlefair, S. P.; Maoz, D.; Maund, J. R.; Mikolajczyk, P.; Palaversa, L.; Pawlak, M.; Penny, M.; Piascik, A.; Reig, P.; Rhodes, L.; Russell, D.; Sanchez, R. Z.; Shappee, B.; Shvartzvald, Y.; Sitek, M.; Sniegowska, M.; Sokolovsky, K.; Steele, I.; Street, R.; Tomasella, L.; Trascinelli, L.; Wiersema, K.; Wilson, R. W.; Zharkov, I.; Zola, S.; Zubareva, A.

    2016-11-01

    Gaia16aye, nicknamed Ayers Rock (19:40:01.13 +30:07:53.4, J2000) is a spectacular binary microlensing event in the Northern Galactic Plane. The event has been observed by Gaia, ASAS-SN survey and a network of follow-up telescopes, coordinated by the Time Domain WP of the EC's OPTICON grant.

  14. Deblending Microlensing Events Using Astrometric Shifts

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Goldberg, D. M.; Wozniak, P.; Paczynski, B.

    1997-12-01

    In this poster, we present the prospect that astrometric shifts can be used to identify blended microlensing events in crowded fields. Moreover, by measuring an astrometric shift, one can determine the position of the true lensed star with respect to the local field with very high precision. We first perform several simulations of microlensing searches in crowded fields and find that if we assume a dark lens, and that the lensed star obeys a power law luminosity function, n(L)~ L(-beta ) , over half the simulated events show a measurable astrometric shift. For simulations of 20000 stars on a 256x 256 Nyquist sampled CCD frame, we found that with beta =2, 58% of the events were significantly blended (F_{*}/Ftot <= 0.9), and of those, 73% had a large astrometric shift (>= 0.5 pixels). For beta =3, we found that 85% were significantly blended, and that 85% of those had a significant shift. Since we expect most blended events to show a significant shift, we look in the OGLE I database (Wozniak & Szymanski 1997), and find measurable and systematic shifts in over half the candidate microlensing events, including OGLE # 5, which was considered to be blended from photometric data.

  15. Galactic Distribution of Planets from Spitzer Microlens Parallaxes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gould, Andrew; Carey, Sean; Yee, Jennifer

    2014-12-01

    We will measure the 'microlens parallaxes' of about 120 microlensing events that peak during Spitzer's 'bulge window' (2015 Jun 09 - Jul 19), by comparing simultaneous Spitzer and ground-based microlensing lightcurves, making use of Spitzer's location about 1 AU from Earth. These measurements will enable mass and distance measurements of about 4 microlensing planets. The ensemble of planet and non-planet distance measurements will yield the first probe of the Galactic distribution of planets Microlens planet mass measurements are very rare and have proved extremely interesting in every case. Microlensing identifies planets at and beyond the snowline, probing unique parameter space and providing vital information to constrain planet formation and migration theories. But the sample of ground-based microlens-parallax measurements is highly biased toward special systems. Spitzer would provide the first unbiased study. The same survey would provide a unique probe of brown dwarf binaries, and yield the first mass-based (not light-based) measurement of the stellar mass function (i.e., including dark objects such as black holes). A very successful 2014 'Pilot Program' demonstrates that this project is technically and scientifically viable. (As in the previous 'Pilot Program', we request zero day proprietary period.)

  16. Interpreting the Strongly Lensed Supernova iPTF16geu: Time Delay Predictions, Microlensing, and Lensing Rates

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

    More, Anupreeta; Oguri, Masamune; More, Surhud

    2017-02-01

    We present predictions for time delays between multiple images of the gravitationally lensed supernova, iPTF16geu, which was recently discovered from the intermediate Palomar Transient Factory (iPTF). As the supernova is of Type Ia where the intrinsic luminosity is usually well known, accurately measured time delays of the multiple images could provide tight constraints on the Hubble constant. According to our lens mass models constrained by the Hubble Space Telescope F814W image, we expect the maximum relative time delay to be less than a day, which is consistent with the maximum of 100 hr reported by Goobar et al. but placesmore » a stringent upper limit. Furthermore, the fluxes of most of the supernova images depart from expected values suggesting that they are affected by microlensing. The microlensing timescales are small enough that they may pose significant problems to measure the time delays reliably. Our lensing rate calculation indicates that the occurrence of a lensed SN in iPTF is likely. However, the observed total magnification of iPTF16geu is larger than expected, given its redshift. This may be a further indication of ongoing microlensing in this system.« less

  17. Unbound or distant planetary mass population detected by gravitational microlensing.

    PubMed

    2011-05-19

    Since 1995, more than 500 exoplanets have been detected using different techniques, of which 12 were detected with gravitational microlensing. Most of these are gravitationally bound to their host stars. There is some evidence of free-floating planetary-mass objects in young star-forming regions, but these objects are limited to massive objects of 3 to 15 Jupiter masses with large uncertainties in photometric mass estimates and their abundance. Here, we report the discovery of a population of unbound or distant Jupiter-mass objects, which are almost twice (1.8(+1.7)(-0.8)) as common as main-sequence stars, based on two years of gravitational microlensing survey observations towards the Galactic Bulge. These planetary-mass objects have no host stars that can be detected within about ten astronomical units by gravitational microlensing. However, a comparison with constraints from direct imaging suggests that most of these planetary-mass objects are not bound to any host star. An abrupt change in the mass function at about one Jupiter mass favours the idea that their formation process is different from that of stars and brown dwarfs. They may have formed in proto-planetary disks and subsequently scattered into unbound or very distant orbits.

  18. Primordial black hole detection through diffractive microlensing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Naderi, T.; Mehrabi, A.; Rahvar, S.

    2018-05-01

    Recent observations of gravitational waves motivate investigations for the existence of primordial black holes (PBHs). We propose the observation of gravitational microlensing of distant quasars for the range of infrared to the submillimeter wavelengths by sublunar PBHs as lenses. The advantage of observations in the longer wavelengths, comparable to the Schwarzschild radius of the lens (i.e., Rsch≃λ ) is the detection of the wave optics features of the gravitational microlensing. The observation of diffraction pattern in the microlensing light curve of a quasar can break the degeneracy between the lens parameters and determine directly the lens mass as well as the distance of the lens from the observer. We estimate the wave optics optical-depth, also calculate the rate of ˜0.1 to ˜0.3 event per year per a quasar, assuming that hundred percent of dark matter is made of sublunar PBHs. Also, we propose a long-term survey of quasars with the cadence of almost one hour to few days to resolve the wave optics features of the light curves to discover PBHs and determine the fraction of dark matter made of sublunar PBHs as well as their mass function.

  19. New Self-lensing Models of the Small Magellanic Cloud: Can Gravitational Microlensing Detect Extragalactic Exoplanets?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mróz, Przemek; Poleski, Radosław

    2018-04-01

    We use three-dimensional distributions of classical Cepheids and RR Lyrae stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) to model the stellar density distribution of a young and old stellar population in that galaxy. We use these models to estimate the microlensing self-lensing optical depth to the SMC, which is in excellent agreement with the observations. Our models are consistent with the total stellar mass of the SMC of about 1.0× {10}9 {M}ȯ under the assumption that all microlensing events toward this galaxy are caused by self-lensing. We also calculate the expected event rates and estimate that future large-scale surveys, like the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), will be able to detect up to a few dozen microlensing events in the SMC annually. If the planet frequency in the SMC is similar to that in the Milky Way, a few extragalactic planets can be detected over the course of the LSST survey, provided significant changes in the SMC observing strategy are devised. A relatively small investment of LSST resources can give us a unique probe of the population of extragalactic exoplanets.

  20. One or more bound planets per Milky Way star from microlensing observations.

    PubMed

    Cassan, A; Kubas, D; Beaulieu, J-P; Dominik, M; Horne, K; Greenhill, J; Wambsganss, J; Menzies, J; Williams, A; Jørgensen, U G; Udalski, A; Bennett, D P; Albrow, M D; Batista, V; Brillant, S; Caldwell, J A R; Cole, A; Coutures, Ch; Cook, K H; Dieters, S; Prester, D Dominis; Donatowicz, J; Fouqué, P; Hill, K; Kains, N; Kane, S; Marquette, J-B; Martin, R; Pollard, K R; Sahu, K C; Vinter, C; Warren, D; Watson, B; Zub, M; Sumi, T; Szymański, M K; Kubiak, M; Poleski, R; Soszynski, I; Ulaczyk, K; Pietrzyński, G; Wyrzykowski, L

    2012-01-11

    Most known extrasolar planets (exoplanets) have been discovered using the radial velocity or transit methods. Both are biased towards planets that are relatively close to their parent stars, and studies find that around 17-30% (refs 4, 5) of solar-like stars host a planet. Gravitational microlensing, on the other hand, probes planets that are further away from their stars. Recently, a population of planets that are unbound or very far from their stars was discovered by microlensing. These planets are at least as numerous as the stars in the Milky Way. Here we report a statistical analysis of microlensing data (gathered in 2002-07) that reveals the fraction of bound planets 0.5-10 AU (Sun-Earth distance) from their stars. We find that 17(+6)(-9)% of stars host Jupiter-mass planets (0.3-10 M(J), where M(J) = 318 M(⊕) and M(⊕) is Earth's mass). Cool Neptunes (10-30 M(⊕)) and super-Earths (5-10 M(⊕)) are even more common: their respective abundances per star are 52(+22)(-29)% and 62(+35)(-37)%. We conclude that stars are orbited by planets as a rule, rather than the exception.

  1. Finding A Planet Through the Dust

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kohler, Susanna

    2018-05-01

    Finding planets in the crowded galactic center is a difficult task, but infrared microlensing surveys give us a fighting chance! Preliminary results from such a study have already revealed a new exoplanet lurking in the dust of the galactic bulge.Detection BiasesUKIRT-2017 microlensing survey fields (blue), plotted over a map showing the galactic-plane dust extinction. The location of the newly discovered giant planet is marked with blue crosshairs. [Shvartzvald et al. 2018]Most exoplanets weve uncovered thus far were found either via transits dips in a stars light as the planet passes in front of its host star or via radial velocity wobbles of the star as the orbiting planet tugs on it. These techniques, while highly effective, introduce a selection bias in the types of exoplanets we detect: both methods tend to favor discovery of close-in, large planets orbiting small stars; these systems produce the most easily measurable signals on short timescales.For this reason, microlensing surveys for exoplanets have something new to add to the field.Search for a LensIn gravitational microlensing, we observe a background star as it is briefly magnified by a passing foreground star acting as a lens. If that foreground star hosts a planet, we observe a characteristic shape in the observed brightening of the background star, and the properties of that shape can reveal information about the foreground planet.A diagram of how planets are detected via gravitational microlensing. The detectable planet is in orbit around the foreground lens star. [NASA]This technique for planet detection is unique in its ability to explore untapped regions of exoplanet parameter space with microlensing, we can survey for planets around all different types of stars (rather than primarily small, dim ones), planets of all masses near the further-out snowlines where gas and ice giants are likely to form, and even free-floating planets.In a new study led by a Yossi Shvartzvald, a NASA postdoctoral fellow at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a team of scientists now presents preliminary results from a near-infrared microlensing survey conducted with the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) in Hawaii. Though the full study has not yet been published, the team reports on their first outcome: the detection of a giant planet in the galactic bulge.Giant Planet FoundThe light curve of UKIRT-2017-BLG-001. The inset shows a close-up of the anomaly in the curve, produced by the presence of the planet. [Shvartzvald et al. 2018]UKIRT-2017-BLG-001 is a giant planet detected at an angle of just 0.35 from the dusty, crowded Galactic center. It suffers from a high degree of extinction, implying that this planet could only have been detected via a near-infrared survey. The mass ratio of UKIRT-2017-BLG-001 to its host star is about 1.5 times that of Jupiter to the Sun, and its host star appears to be about 80% the mass of the Sun.The starplanet pair is roughly 20,500 light-years from us, which likely places it in the galactic bulge. Intriguingly, evidence suggests that the source star the star that the foreground starplanet lensed lies in the far galactic disk. If this is true, this would be the first source star of a microlensing event to be identified as belonging to the far disk.Artists impression of the WFIRST mission. [NASA]Looking AheadWhats next for microlensing exoplanet studies? The goal of the UKIRT near-infrared microlensing survey isnt just to discover planets its to characterize the exoplanet occurrence rates in different parts of the galaxy to inform future surveys.In particular, the UKIRT survey explored potential fields for the upcoming Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) mission, slated to launch in the mid-2020s. This powerful space telescope stands to vastly expand the reach of infrared microlensing detection, broadly surveying our galaxy for planets hiding in the dust.CitationY. Shvartzvald et al 2018 ApJL 857 L8. doi:10.3847/2041-8213/aab71b

  2. Does the Galactic Bulge Have Fewer Planets?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kohler, Susanna

    2016-12-01

    The Milky Ways dense central bulge is a very different environment than the surrounding galactic disk in which we live. Do the differences affect the ability of planets to form in the bulge?Exploring Galactic PlanetsSchematic illustrating how gravitational microlensing by an extrasolar planet works. [NASA]Planet formation is a complex process with many aspects that we dont yet understand. Do environmental properties like host star metallicity, the density of nearby stars, or the intensity of the ambient radiation field affect the ability of planets to form? To answer these questions, we will ultimately need to search for planets around stars in a large variety of different environments in our galaxy.One way to detect recently formed, distant planets is by gravitational microlensing. In this process, light from a distant source star is bent by a lens star that is briefly located between us and the source. As the Earth moves, this momentary alignment causes a blip in the sources light curve that we can detect and planets hosted by the lens star can cause an additional observable bump.Artists impression of the Milky Way galaxy. The central bulge is much denserthan the surroundingdisk. [ESO/NASA/JPL-Caltech/M. Kornmesser/R. Hurt]Relative AbundancesMost source stars reside in the galactic bulge, so microlensing events can probe planetary systems at any distance between the Earth and the galactic bulge. This means that planet detections from microlensing could potentially be used to measure the relative abundances of exoplanets in different parts of our galaxy.A team of scientists led by Matthew Penny, a Sagan postdoctoral fellow at Ohio State University, set out to do just that. The group considered a sample of 31 exoplanetary systems detected by microlensing and asked the following question: are the planet abundances in the galactic bulge and the galactic disk the same?A Paucity of PlanetsTo answer this question, Penny and collaborators derived the expected distribution of host distances from a simulated microlensing survey, correcting for dominant selection effects. They then compared the distribution of distances in this model sample to the distribution of distances measured for the actual, observed systems.Histogram and cumulative distribution (black lines) of distance estimates for microlensing planet hosts. Red lines show the distributions predicted by the model if the disk and bulge abundances were the same. [Penny et al. 2016]Intriguingly, the two distributions dont match when you assume that the planet abundances in the disk and the bulge are the same. The relative abundances appear to be higher in the disk than in the bulge, according to the teams results: the observations agree with a model in which the bulge/disk abundance ratio is less than 0.54.Whats to Blame?There are a few ways to interpret this result: 1) distance measurements for the sample of planets discovered by microlensing have errors, 2) the model is too simplified; it needs to also include dependence of planet abundance and detection sensitivity on properties like host mass and metallicity, or 3) the galactic bulge actually has fewer planets than the disk.Penny and collaboratorssuspect some combination of the first two interpretations is most likely, but an actual paucity of planets in the galactic bulge cant be ruled out. Performing similar analysis on a larger sample of microlensing planets expected from upcoming, second-generation microlensing searches and obtaining more accurate distance measurements will help us to address this puzzlemore definitively in the future.CitationMatthew T. Penny et al 2016 ApJ 830 150. doi:10.3847/0004-637X/830/2/150

  3. Fast light-induced reversible wettability of a zinc oxide nanorod array coated with a thin gold layer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wei, Yuefan; Du, Hejun; Kong, Junhua; Tran, Van-Thai; Koh, Jia Kai; Zhao, Chenyang; He, Chaobin

    2017-11-01

    Zinc oxide (ZnO) has gained much attention recently due to its excellent physical and chemical properties, and has been extensively studied in energy harvesting applications such as photovoltaic and piezoelectric devices. In recent years, its reversible wettability has also attracted increasing interest. The wettability of ZnO nanostructures with various morphologies has been studied. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is still a lack of investigations on further modifications on ZnO to provide more benefits than pristine ZnO. Comprehensive studies on the reversible wettability are still needed. In this study, a ZnO nanorod array was prepared via a hydrothermal process and subsequently coated with thin gold layers with varied thickness. The morphologies and structures, optical properties and wettability were investigated. It is revealed that the ZnO-Au system possesses recoverable wettability upon switching between visible-ultraviolet light and a dark environment, which is verified by the contact angle change. The introduction of the thin gold layer to the ZnO nanorod array effectively increases the recovery rate of the wettability. The improvements are attributed to the hierarchical structures, which are formed by depositing thin gold layers onto the ZnO nanorod array, the visible light sensitivity due to the plasmonic effect of the deposited gold, as well as the fast charge-induced surface status change upon light illumination or dark storage. The improvement is beneficial to applications in environmental purification, energy harvesting, micro-lenses, and smart devices.

  4. Leveraging Crystal Anisotropy for Deterministic Growth of InAs Quantum Dots with Narrow Optical Linewidths

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2013-08-29

    similar layer thicknesses. This offset indicates that the electric field profile of our Schottky diode is different than for unpatterned samples, implying...sacrificing uniformity by further optimizing the substrate Figure 3. (a) Schematic of the Schottky diode heterostructure, indicating the patterned substrate...and negative (X−) trions are indicated . (c) Distribution of linewidths for 80 PL lines from dots grown in high density arrays such as those in Figure 2b

  5. Amber light-emitting diode comprising a group III-nitride nanowire active region

    DOEpatents

    Wang, George T.; Li, Qiming; Wierer, Jr., Jonathan J.; Koleske, Daniel

    2014-07-22

    A temperature stable (color and efficiency) III-nitride based amber (585 nm) light-emitting diode is based on a novel hybrid nanowire-planar structure. The arrays of GaN nanowires enable radial InGaN/GaN quantum well LED structures with high indium content and high material quality. The high efficiency and temperature stable direct yellow and red phosphor-free emitters enable high efficiency white LEDs based on the RGYB color-mixing approach.

  6. Wide-Band Monolithic Acoustoelectric Memory Correlators.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1982-11-01

    piezoelectric and non- earlier analysis of thin- oxide varactors . The new analysis ex- conducting. Tapped structures which satisfy this criterion are plains...for tapped LiNbO3/metal- oxide - important realization. The logical consequence is that only silicon [26] structures is, in fact, not applicable here. It...Clarke, "The GaAs SAW depletion layer of’ the diode array. A more complex structure, diode storage correlalor," in 1980 Ultrasonics Synp. Proc., pp a GaAs

  7. Development of a drug assay using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

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

    Angel, S.M.; Roe, J.N.; Andresen, B.D.

    1990-05-01

    Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy has been used to detect low levels of several chemical compounds, including the drugs of abuse -- cocaine hydrochloride and methamphetamine hydrochloride. Raman spectra of these substances have also been taken over optical fibers using red-wavelength excitation. These measurements demonstrate the feasibility of the remote red-wavelength excitation. These measurements demonstrate the feasibility of the remote determination of various target chemicals using diode excitation and diode array detection. 5 refs., 5 figs.

  8. Optofluidic lens with tunable focal length and asphericity

    PubMed Central

    Mishra, Kartikeya; Murade, Chandrashekhar; Carreel, Bruno; Roghair, Ivo; Oh, Jung Min; Manukyan, Gor; van den Ende, Dirk; Mugele, Frieder

    2014-01-01

    Adaptive micro-lenses enable the design of very compact optical systems with tunable imaging properties. Conventional adaptive micro-lenses suffer from substantial spherical aberration that compromises the optical performance of the system. Here, we introduce a novel concept of liquid micro-lenses with superior imaging performance that allows for simultaneous and independent tuning of both focal length and asphericity. This is achieved by varying both hydrostatic pressures and electric fields to control the shape of the refracting interface between an electrically conductive lens fluid and a non-conductive ambient fluid. Continuous variation from spherical interfaces at zero electric field to hyperbolic ones with variable ellipticity for finite fields gives access to lenses with positive, zero, and negative spherical aberration (while the focal length can be tuned via the hydrostatic pressure). PMID:25224851

  9. Gravitational microlensing of gamma-ray bursts

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mao, Shude

    1993-01-01

    A Monte Carlo code is developed to calculate gravitational microlensing in three dimensions when the lensing optical depth is low or moderate (not greater than 0.25). The code calculates positions of microimages and time delays between the microimages. The majority of lensed gamma-ray bursts should show a simple double-burst structure, as predicted by a single point mass lens model. A small fraction should show complicated multiple events due to the collective effects of several point masses (black holes). Cosmological models with a significant fraction of mass density in massive compact objects can be tested by searching for microlensing events in the current BATSE data. Our catalog generated by 10,000 Monte Carlo models is accessible through the computer network. The catalog can be used to take realistic selection effects into account.

  10. Label-free specific detection of femtomolar cardiac troponin using an integrated nanoslit array fluidic diode.

    PubMed

    Liu, Yifan; Yobas, Levent

    2014-12-10

    We demonstrate here for the first time the utility of an integrated nanofluidic diode for detecting and quantifying physiologically relevant macromolecules. Troponin T, a key human cardiac protein biomarker, was selectively and rapidly detected free of labels for concentrations down to 10 fg/mL (∼ 0.3 fM) in buffer as well as 10 pg/mL (∼ 300 fM) in untreated human serum. This ultrasensitive detection arises from monolithic integration of a unique nanofluidic diode structure that is highly robust and amenable to site-specific surface modification. The structure features a planar nanoslit array where each nanoslit is defined at a nominal width of 70 nm over a micrometer-scale silicon trench without the use of high-resolution patterning techniques. Through vapor deposition, a glass layer is placed at a nonuniform thickness, tapering the trench profile upward and contributing to the triangular nanoslit structure. This asymmetric profile is essential for ionic current rectification noted here at various pH values, ionic strengths, and captured target species, which modulate the surface-charge density within the sensitive region of the nanoslit. The nanoslit, unlike nanopores, offers only 1D confinement, which appears to be adequate for reasonable rectification. The measurements are found in quantitative agreement with the diode simulations for the first time based on a pH- and salt-dependent surface-charge model.

  11. Revisiting Black Holes as Dark Matter

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kohler, Susanna

    2017-02-01

    Could dark matter be made of intermediate-mass black holes formed in the beginning of the universe? A recent study takes a renewed look at this question.Galactic LurkersThe nature of dark matter has long been questioned, but the recent discovery of gravitational waves by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) has renewed interest in the possibility that dark matter could consist of primordial black holes in the mass range of 101000 solar masses.The relative amounts of the different constituents of the universe. Dark matter makes up roughly 27%. [ESA/Planck]According to this model, the extreme density of matter present during the universes early expansion led to the formation of a large number of intermediate-mass black holes. These black holes now hide in the halos of galaxies, constituting the mass that weve measured dynamically but remains unseen.LIGOs first gravitational-wave detection revealed the merger of two black holes that were both tens of solar masses in size. If primordial black holes are indeed a major constituent of dark matter, then LIGOs detection is consistent with what we would expect to find: occasional mergers of the intermediate-mass black holes that formed in the early universe and now lurk in galactic halos.Quasar MicrolensingTheres a catch, however. If there truly were a large number of intermediate-mass primordial black holes hiding in galactic halos, they wouldnt go completely unnoticed: we would see signs of their presence in the gravitational microlensing of background quasars. Unseen primordial black holes in a foreground galaxy could cause an image of a background quasar to briefly brighten which would provide us with clear evidence of such black holes despite our not being able to detect them directly.A depiction of quasar microlensing (click for a closer look!). The microlensing object in the foreground galaxy could be a star (as depicted), a primordial black hole, or any other compact object. [NASA/Jason Cowan (Astronomy Technology Center)]A team of scientists led by Evencio Mediavilla (Institute of Astrophysics of the Canaries, University of La Laguna) has now used our observations of quasar microlensing to place constraints on the amount of dark matter that could be made up of intermediate-mass primordial black holes.Poor Outlook for Primordial Black HolesMediavilla and collaborators used simulations to estimate the effects of a distribution of masses on light from distant quasars, and they then compared their results to microlensing magnification measurements from 24 gravitationally lensed quasars. In this way, they were able to determine both the abundance and masses of possible objects causing the quasar microlensing effects we see.The authors find that the observations constrain the mass of the possible microlensing objects to be between 0.05 and 0.45 solar masses not at all the intermediate-mass black holes postulated. Whats more, they find that the lensing objects make up 20% of the total matter, which is barely more than expected for normal stellar matter. This suggests that normal stars are doing the majority of the quasar microlensing, not a large population of intermediate-mass black holes.What does this mean for primordial black holes as dark matter? Black holes in the range of 10200 stellar masses are unlikely to account for much (if any) dark matter, Mediavilla and collaborators conclude which means that LIGOs detection of gravitational waves likely came from two black holes collapsed from stars, not primordial black holes.CitationE. Mediavilla et al 2017 ApJL 836 L18. doi:10.3847/2041-8213/aa5dab

  12. Water equivalent path length measurement in proton radiotherapy using time resolved diode dosimetry

    PubMed Central

    Gottschalk, B.; Tang, S.; Bentefour, E. H.; Cascio, E. W.; Prieels, D.; Lu, H.-M.

    2011-01-01

    Purpose: To verify water equivalent path length (WEPL) before treatment in proton radiotherapy using time resolved in vivo diode dosimetry. Methods: Using a passively scattered range modulated proton beam, the output of a diode driving a fast current-to-voltage amplifier is recorded at a number of depths in a water tank. At each depth, a burst of overlapping single proton pulses is observed. The rms duration of the burst is computed and the resulting data set is fitted with a cubic polynomial. Results: When the diode is subsequently set to an arbitrary depth and the polynomial is used as a calibration curve, the “unknown” depth is determined within 0.3 mm rms. Conclusions: A diode or a diode array, placed (for instance) in the rectum in conjunction with a rectal balloon, can potentially determine the WEPL at that point, just prior to treatment, with submillimeter accuracy, allowing the beam energy to be adjusted. The associated unwanted dose is about 0.2% of a typical single fraction treatment dose. PMID:21626963

  13. Soft lithography microlens fabrication and array for enhanced light extraction from organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs)

    DOEpatents

    Leung, Wai Y.; Park, Joong-Mok; Gan, Zhengqing; Constant, Kristen P.; Shinar, Joseph; Shinar, Ruth; ho, Kai-Ming

    2014-06-03

    Provided are microlens arrays for use on the substrate of OLEDs to extract more light that is trapped in waveguided modes inside the devices and methods of manufacturing same. Light extraction with microlens arrays is not limited to the light emitting area, but is also efficient in extracting light from the whole microlens patterned area where waveguiding occurs. Large microlens array, compared to the size of the light emitting area, extract more light and result in over 100% enhancement. Such a microlens array is not limited to (O)LEDs of specific emission, configuration, pixel size, or pixel shape. It is suitable for all colors, including white, for microcavity OLEDs, and OLEDs fabricated directly on the (modified) microlens array.

  14. Coupled-mode analysis of gain and wavelength oscillation characteristics of diode laser phased arrays

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Butler, J. K.; Ettenberg, M.; Ackley, D. E.

    1985-01-01

    The lasing wavelengths and gain characteristics of the modes of phase-locked arrays of channel-substrate-planar (CSP) lasers are presented. The gain values for the array modes are determined from complex coupling coefficients calculated using the fields of neighboring elements of the array. The computations show that, for index guided lasers which have nearly planar phase fronts, the highest order array mode will be preferred. The 'in-phase' or fundamental mode, which produces only one major lobe in the far-field radiation pattern, has the lowest modal gain of all array modes. The modal gain differential between the highest order and fundamental modes is less than 10/cm for weak coupling between the elements.

  15. Bit-systolic arithmetic arrays using dynamic differential gallium arsenide circuits

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Beagles, Grant; Winters, Kel; Eldin, A. G.

    1992-01-01

    A new family of gallium arsenide circuits for fine grained bit-systolic arithmetic arrays is introduced. This scheme combines features of two recent techniques of dynamic gallium arsenide FET logic and differential dynamic single-clock CMOS logic. The resulting circuits are fast and compact, with tightly constrained series FET propagation paths, low fanout, no dc power dissipation, and depletion FET implementation without level shifting diodes.

  16. Microlensing Signature of Binary Black Holes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Schnittman, Jeremy; Sahu, Kailash; Littenberg, Tyson

    2012-01-01

    We calculate the light curves of galactic bulge stars magnified via microlensing by stellar-mass binary black holes along the line-of-sight. We show the sensitivity to measuring various lens parameters for a range of survey cadences and photometric precision. Using public data from the OGLE collaboration, we identify two candidates for massive binary systems, and discuss implications for theories of star formation and binary evolution.

  17. Resonantly diode laser pumped 1.6-μm Er:YAG laser

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Garbuzov, Dmitri; Kudryashov, Igor; Dubinskii, Mark

    2005-06-01

    We report what is believed to be the first demonstration of direct resonant diode pumping of a 1.6-mm Er3+-doped bulk solid-state laser (DPSSL). The most of the results is obtained with pumping Er:YAG by the single mode diode laser packaged in fibered modules. The fibered modules, emitting at 1470 nm and 1530 nm wavelength with and without fiber grating (FBG) stabilization, have been used in pumping experiments. The very first results on high power DPSSL operation achieved with diode array pumping also will be presented. The highest absorbed photon conversion efficiency of 26% has been obtained for Er:YAG DPSSL using the 1470-nm single-mode module. Analysis of the DPSSL input-output characteristics suggests that the obtained slope efficiency can be increased at least up to 40% through the reduction of intracavity losses and pumping efficiency improvement. Diode pumped SSL (DPSSL) operates at a wavelength of 1617 nm and 1645 nm.

  18. Millimeter-wave monolithic diode-grid frequency multiplier

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Maserjian, Joseph (Inventor)

    1990-01-01

    A semiconductor diode structure useful for harmonic generation of millimeter or submillimeter wave radiation from a fundamental input wave is fabricated on a GaAs substrate. A heavily doped layer of n(sup ++) GaAs is produced on the substrate and then a layer of intrinsic GaAs on said heavily doped layer on top of which a sheet of heavy doping (++) is produced. A thin layer of intrinsic GaAs grown over the sheet is capped with two metal contacts separated by a gap to produce two diodes connected back to back through the n(sup ++) layer for multiplication of frequency by an odd multiple. If only one metal contact caps the thin layer of intrinsic GaAs, the second diode contact is produced to connect to the n(sup ++) layer for multiplication of frequency by an even number. The odd or even frequency multiple is selected by a filter. A phased array of diodes in a grid will increase the power of the higher frequency generated.

  19. Integrated Lens Antennas for Multi-Pixel Receivers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lee, Choonsup; Chattopadhyay, Goutam

    2011-01-01

    Future astrophysics and planetary experiments are expected to require large focal plane arrays with thousands of detectors. Feedhorns have excellent performance, but their mass, size, fabrication challenges, and expense become prohibitive for very large focal plane arrays. Most planar antenna designs produce broad beam patterns, and therefore require additional elements for efficient coupling to the telescope optics, such as substrate lenses or micromachined horns. An antenna array with integrated silicon microlenses that can be fabricated photolithographically effectively addresses these issues. This approach eliminates manual assembly of arrays of lenses and reduces assembly errors and tolerances. Moreover, an antenna array without metallic horns will reduce mass of any planetary instrument significantly. The design has a monolithic array of lens-coupled, leaky-wave antennas operating in the millimeter- and submillimeter-wave frequencies. Electromagnetic simulations show that the electromagnetic fields in such lens-coupled antennas are mostly confined in approximately 12 15 . This means that one needs to design a small-angle sector lens that is much easier to fabricate using standard lithographic techniques, instead of a full hyper-hemispherical lens. Moreover, this small-angle sector lens can be easily integrated with the antennas in an array for multi-pixel imager and receiver implementation. The leaky antenna is designed using double-slot irises and fed with TE10 waveguide mode. The lens implementation starts with a silicon substrate. Photoresist with appropriate thickness (optimized for the lens size) is spun on the substrate and then reflowed to get the desired lens structure. An antenna array integrated with individual lenses for higher directivity and excellent beam profile will go a long way in realizing multi-pixel arrays and imagers. This technology will enable a new generation of compact, low-mass, and highly efficient antenna arrays for use in multi-pixel receivers and imagers for future planetary and astronomical instruments. These antenna arrays can also be used in radars and imagers for contraband detection at stand-off distances. This will be enabling technology for future balloon-borne, smaller explorer class mission (SMEX), and other missions, and for a wide range of proposed planetary sounders and radars for planetary bodies.

  20. Compact "diode-based" multi-energy soft x-ray diagnostic for NSTX.

    PubMed

    Tritz, K; Clayton, D J; Stutman, D; Finkenthal, M

    2012-10-01

    A novel and compact, diode-based, multi-energy soft x-ray (ME-SXR) diagnostic has been developed for the National Spherical Tokamak Experiment. The new edge ME-SXR system tested on NSTX consists of a set of vertically stacked diode arrays, each viewing the plasma tangentially through independent pinholes and filters providing an overlapping view of the plasma midplane which allows simultaneous SXR measurements with coarse sub-sampling of the x-ray spectrum. Using computed x-ray spectral emission data, combinations of filters can provide fast (>10 kHz) measurements of changes in the electron temperature and density profiles providing a method to "fill-in" the gaps of the multi-point Thomson scattering system.

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