High-performance imaging of stem cells using single-photon emissions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wagenaar, Douglas J.; Moats, Rex A.; Hartsough, Neal E.; Meier, Dirk; Hugg, James W.; Yang, Tang; Gazit, Dan; Pelled, Gadi; Patt, Bradley E.

2011-10-01

Radiolabeled cells have been imaged for decades in the field of autoradiography. Recent advances in detector and microelectronics technologies have enabled the new field of "digital autoradiography" which remains limited to ex vivo specimens of thin tissue slices. The 3D field-of-view (FOV) of single cell imaging can be extended to millimeters if the low energy (10-30 keV) photon emissions of radionuclides are used for single-photon nuclear imaging. This new microscope uses a coded aperture foil made of highly attenuating elements such as gold or platinum to form the image as a kind of "lens". The detectors used for single-photon emission microscopy are typically silicon detectors with a pixel pitch less than 60 μm. The goal of this work is to image radiolabeled mesenchymal stem cells in vivo in an animal model of tendon repair processes. Single-photon nuclear imaging is an attractive modality for translational medicine since the labeled cells can be imaged simultaneously with the reparative processes by using the dual-isotope imaging technique. The details our microscope's two-layer gold aperture and the operation of the energy-dispersive, pixellated silicon detector are presented along with the first demonstration of energy discrimination with a 57Co source. Cell labeling techniques have been augmented by genetic engineering with the sodium-iodide symporter, a type of reporter gene imaging method that enables in vivo uptake of free 99mTc or an iodine isotope at a time point days or weeks after the insertion of the genetically modified stem cells into the animal model. This microscopy work in animal research may expand to the imaging of reporter-enabled stem cells simultaneously with the expected biological repair process in human clinical trials of stem cell therapies.

Two-photon spectral fluorescence lifetime and second-harmonic generation imaging of the porcine cornea with a 12-femtosecond laser microscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Batista, Ana; Breunig, Hans Georg; Uchugonova, Aisada; Morgado, António Miguel; König, Karsten

2016-03-01

Five dimensional microscopy with a 12-fs laser scanning microscope based on spectrally resolved two-photon autofluorescence lifetime and second-harmonic generation (SHG) imaging was used to characterize all layers of the porcine cornea. This setup allowed the simultaneous excitation of both metabolic cofactors, NAD(P)H and flavins, and their discrimination based on their spectral emission properties and fluorescence decay characteristics. Furthermore, the architecture of the stromal collagen fibrils was assessed by SHG imaging in both forward and backward directions. Information on the metabolic state and the tissue architecture of the porcine cornea were obtained with subcellular resolution, and high temporal and spectral resolutions.

Two-photon spectral fluorescence lifetime and second-harmonic generation imaging of the porcine cornea with a 12-femtosecond laser microscope.

PubMed

Batista, Ana; Breunig, Hans Georg; Uchugonova, Aisada; Morgado, António Miguel; König, Karsten

2016-03-01

Five dimensional microscopy with a 12-fs laser scanning microscope based on spectrally resolved two-photon autofluorescence lifetime and second-harmonic generation (SHG) imaging was used to characterize all layers of the porcine cornea. This setup allowed the simultaneous excitation of both metabolic cofactors, NAD(P)H and flavins, and their discrimination based on their spectral emission properties and fluorescence decay characteristics. Furthermore, the architecture of the stromal collagen fibrils was assessed by SHG imaging in both forward and backward directions. Information on the metabolic state and the tissue architecture of the porcine cornea were obtained with subcellular resolution, and high temporal and spectral resolutions.

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

Kuhlmann, Andreas V.; Houel, Julien; Warburton, Richard J.

Optically active quantum dots, for instance self-assembled InGaAs quantum dots, are potentially excellent single photon sources. The fidelity of the single photons is much improved using resonant rather than non-resonant excitation. With resonant excitation, the challenge is to distinguish between resonance fluorescence and scattered laser light. We have met this challenge by creating a polarization-based dark-field microscope to measure the resonance fluorescence from a single quantum dot at low temperature. We achieve a suppression of the scattered laser exceeding a factor of 10{sup 7} and background-free detection of resonance fluorescence. The same optical setup operates over the entire quantum dotmore » emission range (920–980 nm) and also in high magnetic fields. The major development is the outstanding long-term stability: once the dark-field point has been established, the microscope operates for days without alignment. The mechanical and optical designs of the microscope are presented, as well as exemplary resonance fluorescence spectroscopy results on individual quantum dots to underline the microscope's excellent performance.« less

Designed Er(3+)-singly doped NaYF4 with double excitation bands for simultaneous deep macroscopic and microscopic upconverting bioimaging.

PubMed

Wen, Xuanyuan; Wang, Baoju; Wu, Ruitao; Li, Nana; He, Sailing; Zhan, Qiuqiang

2016-06-01

Simultaneous deep macroscopic imaging and microscopic imaging is in urgent demand, but is challenging to achieve experimentally due to the lack of proper fluorescent probes. Herein, we have designed and successfully synthesized simplex Er(3+)-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) with double excitation bands for simultaneous deep macroscopic and microscopic imaging. The material structure and the excitation wavelength of Er(3+)-singly doped UCNPs were further optimized to enhance the upconversion emission efficiency. After optimization, we found that NaYF4:30%Er(3+)@NaYF4:2%Er(3+) could simultaneously achieve efficient two-photon excitation (2PE) macroscopic tissue imaging and three-photon excitation (3PE) deep microscopic when excited by 808 nm continuous wave (CW) and 1480 nm CW lasers, respectively. In vitro cell imaging and in vivo imaging have also been implemented to demonstrate the feasibility and potential of the proposed simplex Er(3+)-doped UCNPs as bioprobe.

Fiber optic light collection system for scanning-tunneling-microscope-induced light emission.

PubMed

Watkins, Neil J; Long, James P; Kafafi, Zakya H; Mäkinen, Antti J

2007-05-01

We report a compact light collection scheme suitable for retrofitting a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) for STM-induced light emission experiments. The approach uses a pair of optical fibers with large core diameters and high numerical apertures to maximize light collection efficiency and to moderate the mechanical precision required for alignment. Bench tests indicate that efficiency reduction is almost entirely due to reflective losses at the fiber ends, while losses due to fiber misalignment have virtually been eliminated. Photon-map imaging with nanometer features is demonstrated on a stepped Au(111) surface with signal rates exceeding 10(4) counts/s.

A dark-field microscope for background-free detection of resonance fluorescence from single semiconductor quantum dots operating in a set-and-forget mode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuhlmann, Andreas V.; Houel, Julien; Brunner, Daniel; Ludwig, Arne; Reuter, Dirk; Wieck, Andreas D.; Warburton, Richard J.

2013-07-01

Optically active quantum dots, for instance self-assembled InGaAs quantum dots, are potentially excellent single photon sources. The fidelity of the single photons is much improved using resonant rather than non-resonant excitation. With resonant excitation, the challenge is to distinguish between resonance fluorescence and scattered laser light. We have met this challenge by creating a polarization-based dark-field microscope to measure the resonance fluorescence from a single quantum dot at low temperature. We achieve a suppression of the scattered laser exceeding a factor of 107 and background-free detection of resonance fluorescence. The same optical setup operates over the entire quantum dot emission range (920-980 nm) and also in high magnetic fields. The major development is the outstanding long-term stability: once the dark-field point has been established, the microscope operates for days without alignment. The mechanical and optical designs of the microscope are presented, as well as exemplary resonance fluorescence spectroscopy results on individual quantum dots to underline the microscope's excellent performance.

Optical quantitation of absorbers in variously shaped turbid media based on the microscopic Beer-Lambert law. A new approach to optical computerized tomography.

PubMed

Tsuchiya, Y; Urakami, T

1998-02-09

To determine the concentrations of an absorber in variously shaped turbid media such as human tissue, we propose analytical expressions for diffuse re-emission in time and frequency domains, based on the microscopic Beer-Lambert law that holds true when we trace a zigzag photon path in the medium. Our expressions are implicit for the scattering properties, the volume shape, and the source-detector separation. We show that three observables are sufficient to determine the changes in the concentration and the absolute concentrations of an absorber in scattering media as long as the scattering property remains constant. The three observables are: the re-emission, the mean pathlength or group delay, and the extinction coefficient of the absorber. We also show that our equations can be extended to describe photon migration in nonuniform media. The validity of the predictions is confirmed by measuring a tissue-like phantom.

Microscopic theory of multiple-phonon-mediated dephasing and relaxation of quantum dots near a photonic band gap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, Chiranjeeb; John, Sajeev

2010-02-01

We derive a quantum theory of the role of acoustic and optical phonons in modifying the optical absorption line shape, polarization dynamics, and population dynamics of a two-level atom (quantum dot) in the “colored” electromagnetic vacuum of a photonic band-gap (PBG) material. This is based on a microscopic Hamiltonian describing both radiative and vibrational processes quantum mechanically. We elucidate the extent to which phonon-assisted decay limits the lifetime of a single photon-atom bound state and derive the modified spontaneous emission dynamics due to coupling to various phonon baths. We demonstrate that coherent interaction with undamped phonons can lead to an enhanced lifetime of a photon-atom bound state in a PBG. This results in reduction of the steady-state atomic polarization but an increase in the fractionalized upper state population in the photon-atom bound state. We demonstrate, on the other hand, that the lifetime of the photon-atom bound state in a PBG is limited by the lifetime of phonons due to lattice anharmonicities (breakup of phonons into lower energy phonons) and purely nonradiative decay. We also derive the modified polarization decay and dephasing rates in the presence of such damping. This leads to a microscopic, quantum theory of the optical absorption line shapes. Our model and formalism provide a starting point for describing dephasing and relaxation in the presence of external coherent fields and multiple quantum dot interactions in electromagnetic reservoirs with radiative memory effects.

Simple and versatile modifications allowing time gated spectral acquisition, imaging and lifetime profiling on conventional wide-field microscopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pal, Robert; Beeby, Andrew

2014-09-01

An inverted microscope has been adapted to allow time-gated imaging and spectroscopy to be carried out on samples containing responsive lanthanide probes. The adaptation employs readily available components, including a pulsed light source, time-gated camera, spectrometer and photon counting detector, allowing imaging, emission spectroscopy and lifetime measurements. Each component is controlled by a suite of software written in LabVIEW and is powered via conventional USB ports.

A single-photon fluorescence and multi-photon spectroscopic study of atherosclerotic lesions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, Michael S. D.; Ko, Alex C. T.; Ridsdale, Andrew; Schattka, Bernie; Pegoraro, Adrian; Hewko, Mark D.; Shiomi, Masashi; Stolow, Albert; Sowa, Michael G.

2009-06-01

In this study we compare the single-photon autofluorescence and multi-photon emission spectra obtained from the luminal surface of healthy segments of artery with segments where there are early atherosclerotic lesions. Arterial tissue was harvested from atherosclerosis-prone WHHL-MI rabbits (Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbit-myocardial infarction), an animal model which mimics spontaneous myocardial infarction in humans. Single photon fluorescence emission spectra of samples were acquired using a simple spectrofluorometer set-up with 400 nm excitation. Samples were also investigated using a home built multi-photon microscope based on a Ti:sapphire femto-second oscillator. The excitation wavelength was set at 800 nm with a ~100 femto-second pulse width. Epi-multi-photon spectroscopic signals were collected through a fibre-optics coupled spectrometer. While the single-photon fluorescence spectra of atherosclerotic lesions show minimal spectroscopic difference from those of healthy arterial tissue, the multi-photon spectra collected from atherosclerotic lesions show marked changes in the relative intensity of two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) and second-harmonic generation (SHG) signals when compared with those from healthy arterial tissue. The observed sharp increase of the relative SHG signal intensity in a plaque is in agreement with the known pathology of early lesions which have increased collagen content.

Direct evidence of single quantum dot emission from GaN islands formed at threading dislocations using nanoscale cathodoluminescence: A source of single photons in the ultraviolet

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

Schmidt, Gordon, E-mail: Gordon.Schmidt@ovgu.de; Berger, Christoph; Veit, Peter

2015-06-22

Intense emission from GaN islands embedded in AlN resulting from GaN/AlN quantum well growth is directly resolved by performing cathodoluminescence spectroscopy in a scanning transmission electron microscope. Line widths down to 440 μeV are measured in a wavelength region between 220 and 310 nm confirming quantum dot like electronic properties in the islands. These quantum dot states can be structurally correlated to islands of slightly enlarged thicknesses of the GaN/AlN quantum well layer preferentially formed in vicinity to dislocations. The quantum dot states exhibit single photon emission in Hanbury Brown-Twiss experiments with a clear antibunching in the second order correlation function atmore » zero time delay.« less

Non linear optical investigations of silver nanoparticles synthesised by curcumin reduction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dhanya, N. P.

2017-11-01

Metal nanoparticles have considerable applications in assorted fields like medicine, biology, photonics, metallurgy etc. Optical applications of Silver nanoparticles are of significant interest among researchers nowadays. In this paper, we report a single step chemical reduction of silver nanoparticles with Curcumin both as a reducing and stabilising agent at room temperature. Structural, plasmonic and non linear optical properties of the prepared nanoparticles are explored using Scanning Electron Microscope, Transmission Electron Microscope, UV absorption spectrometry, Spectroflurometry and Z scan. UV-Vis absorption studies affirm the Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) absorption and spectroflurometric studies announce the emission spectrum of the prepared silvernanoparticles at 520 nm. SEM and TEM images uphold the existence of uniform sized, spherical silvernanoparticles. Nonlinear optical studies are accomplished with the open aperture z scan technique in the nanosecond regime. The nonlinearity is in virtue of saturable absorption, two-photon absorption and excited state absorption. The marked nonlinearity and optical limiting of the Curcumin reduced silvernanoparticles enhances its photonic applications.

The hydrogen molecule under the reaction microscope: single photon double ionization at maximum cross section and threshold (doubly differential cross sections)

DOE PAGES

Weber, Thorsten; Foucar, Lutz; Jahnke, Till; ...

2017-07-07

In this paper, we studied the photo double ionization of hydrogen molecules in the threshold region (50 eV) and the complete photo fragmentation of deuterium molecules at maximum cross section (75 eV) with single photons (linearly polarized) from the Advanced Light Source, using the reaction microscope imaging technique. The 3D-momentum vectors of two recoiling ions and up to two electrons were measured in coincidence. We present the kinetic energy sharing between the electrons and ions, the relative electron momenta, the azimuthal and polar angular distributions of the electrons in the body-fixed frame. We also present the dependency of the kineticmore » energy release in the Coulomb explosion of the two nuclei on the electron emission patterns. We find that the electronic emission in the body-fixed frame is strongly influenced by the orientation of the molecular axis to the polarization vector and the internuclear distance as well as the electronic energy sharing. Finally, traces of a possible breakdown of the Born–Oppenheimer approximation are observed near threshold.« less

The hydrogen molecule under the reaction microscope: single photon double ionization at maximum cross section and threshold (doubly differential cross sections)

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

Weber, Thorsten; Foucar, Lutz; Jahnke, Till

In this paper, we studied the photo double ionization of hydrogen molecules in the threshold region (50 eV) and the complete photo fragmentation of deuterium molecules at maximum cross section (75 eV) with single photons (linearly polarized) from the Advanced Light Source, using the reaction microscope imaging technique. The 3D-momentum vectors of two recoiling ions and up to two electrons were measured in coincidence. We present the kinetic energy sharing between the electrons and ions, the relative electron momenta, the azimuthal and polar angular distributions of the electrons in the body-fixed frame. We also present the dependency of the kineticmore » energy release in the Coulomb explosion of the two nuclei on the electron emission patterns. We find that the electronic emission in the body-fixed frame is strongly influenced by the orientation of the molecular axis to the polarization vector and the internuclear distance as well as the electronic energy sharing. Finally, traces of a possible breakdown of the Born–Oppenheimer approximation are observed near threshold.« less

Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy using near-infrared contrast agents.

PubMed

Nothdurft, R; Sarder, P; Bloch, S; Culver, J; Achilefu, S

2012-08-01

Although single-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is widely used to image molecular processes using a wide range of excitation wavelengths, the captured emission of this technique is confined to the visible spectrum. Here, we explore the feasibility of utilizing near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent molecular probes with emission >700 nm for FLIM of live cells. The confocal microscope is equipped with a 785 nm laser diode, a red-enhanced photomultiplier tube, and a time-correlated single photon counting card. We demonstrate that our system reports the lifetime distributions of NIR fluorescent dyes, cypate and DTTCI, in cells. In cells labelled separately or jointly with these dyes, NIR FLIM successfully distinguishes their lifetimes, providing a method to sort different cell populations. In addition, lifetime distributions of cells co-incubated with these dyes allow estimate of the dyes' relative concentrations in complex cellular microenvironments. With the heightened interest in fluorescence lifetime-based small animal imaging using NIR fluorophores, this technique further serves as a bridge between in vitro spectroscopic characterization of new fluorophore lifetimes and in vivo tissue imaging. © 2012 The Author Journal of Microscopy © 2012 Royal Microscopical Society.

Zero-phonon-line emission of single molecules for applications in quantum information processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiraz, Alper; Ehrl, M.; Mustecaplioglu, O. E.; Hellerer, T.; Brauchle, C.; Zumbusch, A.

2005-07-01

A single photon source which generates transform limited single photons is highly desirable for applications in quantum optics. Transform limited emission guarantees the indistinguishability of the emitted single photons. This, in turn brings groundbreaking applications in linear optics quantum information processing within an experimental reach. Recently, self-assembled InAs quantum dots and trapped atoms have successfully been demonstrated as such sources for highly indistinguishable single photons. Here, we demonstrate that nearly transform limited zero-phonon-line (ZPL) emission from single molecules can be obtained by using vibronic excitation. Furthermore we report the results of coincidence detection experiments at the output of a Michelson-type interferometer. These experiments reveal Hong-Ou-Mandel correlations as a proof of the indistinguishability of the single photons emitted consecutively from a single molecule. Therefore, single molecules constitute an attractive alternative to single InAs quantum dots and trapped atoms for applications in linear optics quantum information processing. Experiments were performed with a home-built confocal microscope keeping the sample in a superfluid liquid Helium bath at 1.4K. We investigated terrylenediimide (TDI) molecules highly diluted in hexadecane (Shpol'skii matrix). A continuous wave single mode dye laser was used for excitation of vibronic transitions of individual molecules. From the integral fluorescence, the ZPL of single molecules was selected with a spectrally narrow interference filter. The ZPL emission was then sent to a scanning Fabry-Perot interferometer for linewidth measurements or a Michelson-type interferometer for coincidence detection.

Electrothermally Driven Fluorescence Switching by Liquid Crystal Elastomers Based On Dimensional Photonic Crystals.

PubMed

Lin, Changxu; Jiang, Yin; Tao, Cheng-An; Yin, Xianpeng; Lan, Yue; Wang, Chen; Wang, Shiqiang; Liu, Xiangyang; Li, Guangtao

2017-04-05

In this article, the fabrication of an active organic-inorganic one-dimensional photonic crystal structure to offer electrothermal fluorescence switching is described. The film is obtained by spin-coating of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) and TiO 2 nanoparticles alternatively. By utilizing the property of LCEs that can change their size and shape reversibly under external thermal stimulations, the λ max of the photonic band gap of these films is tuned by voltage through electrothermal conversion. The shifted photonic band gap further changes the matching degree between the photonic band gap of the film and the emission spectrum of organic dye mounting on the film. With rhodamine B as an example, the enhancement factor of its fluorescence emission is controlled by varying the matching degree. Thus, the fluorescence intensity is actively switched by voltage applied on the system, in a fast, adjustable, and reversible manner. The control chain of using the electrothermal stimulus to adjust fluorescence intensity via controlling the photonic band gap is proved by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and UV-vis reflectance. This mechanism also corresponded to the results from the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulation. The comprehensive usage of photonic crystals and liquid crystal elastomers opened a new possibility for active optical devices.

Picosecond imaging of signal propagation in integrated circuits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frohmann, Sven; Dietz, Enrico; Dittrich, Helmar; Hübers, Heinz-Wilhelm

2017-04-01

Optical analysis of integrated circuits (IC) is a powerful tool for analyzing security functions that are implemented in an IC. We present a photon emission microscope for picosecond imaging of hot carrier luminescence in ICs in the near-infrared spectral range from 900 to 1700 nm. It allows for a semi-invasive signal tracking in fully operational ICs on the gate or transistor level with a timing precision of approximately 6 ps. The capabilities of the microscope are demonstrated by imaging the operation of two ICs made by 180 and 60 nm process technology.

Intensity fluctuations in bimodal micropillar lasers enhanced by quantum-dot gain competition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leymann, H. A. M.; Hopfmann, C.; Albert, F.; Foerster, A.; Khanbekyan, M.; Schneider, C.; Höfling, S.; Forchel, A.; Kamp, M.; Wiersig, J.; Reitzenstein, S.

2013-05-01

We investigate correlations between orthogonally polarized cavity modes of a bimodal micropillar laser with a single layer of self-assembled quantum dots in the active region. While one emission mode of the microlaser demonstrates a characteristic S-shaped input-output curve, the output intensity of the second mode saturates and even decreases with increasing injection current above threshold. Measuring the photon autocorrelation function g(2)(τ) of the light emission confirms the onset of lasing in the first mode with g(2)(0) approaching unity above threshold. In contrast, strong photon bunching associated with superthermal values of g(2)(0) is detected for the other mode for currents above threshold. This behavior is attributed to gain competition of the two modes induced by the common gain material, which is confirmed by photon cross-correlation measurements revealing a clear anticorrelation between emission events of the two modes. The experimental studies are in qualitative agreement with theoretical studies based on a microscopic semiconductor theory, which we extend to the case of two modes interacting with the common gain medium. Moreover, we treat the problem by a phenomenological birth-death model extended to two interacting modes, which reveals that the photon probability distribution of each mode has a double-peak structure, indicating switching behavior of the modes for pump rates around threshold.

Probing Electron-Phonon Interaction through Two-Photon Interference in Resonantly Driven Semiconductor Quantum Dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reigue, Antoine; Iles-Smith, Jake; Lux, Fabian; Monniello, Léonard; Bernard, Mathieu; Margaillan, Florent; Lemaitre, Aristide; Martinez, Anthony; McCutcheon, Dara P. S.; Mørk, Jesper; Hostein, Richard; Voliotis, Valia

2017-06-01

We investigate the temperature dependence of photon coherence properties through two-photon interference (TPI) measurements from a single quantum dot (QD) under resonant excitation. We show that the loss of indistinguishability is related only to the electron-phonon coupling and is not affected by spectral diffusion. Through these measurements and a complementary microscopic theory, we identify two independent separate decoherence processes, both of which are associated with phonons. Below 10 K, we find that the relaxation of the vibrational lattice is the dominant contribution to the loss of TPI visibility. This process is non-Markovian in nature and corresponds to real phonon transitions resulting in a broad phonon sideband in the QD emission spectra. Above 10 K, virtual phonon transitions to higher lying excited states in the QD become the dominant dephasing mechanism, this leads to a broadening of the zero phonon line, and a corresponding rapid decay in the visibility. The microscopic theory we develop provides analytic expressions for the dephasing rates for both virtual phonon scattering and non-Markovian lattice relaxation.

Optical and tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy at the ultimate spatial limit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Chi

2009-12-01

The combination of optical detection system with a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) leads to the possibility of resolving radiative transition probability with the ultrahigh spatial resolution of STM in real space. This opens an innovative approach toward revealing the correlation between molecular structure, electronic characteristics, and optical properties. This thesis describes a series of experiments that manifests this correlation, including atomic silver chains and single porphine molecules. In atomic silver chains, the number and positions of the emission maxima in the photon images match the nodes in the dI/d V images of "particle-in-a-box" states. This surprising correlation between the emission maxima and nodes in the density of states is a manifestation of Fermi's golden rule in real space for radiative transitions, which provides an understanding of the mechanism of STM induced light emission. From single porphine molecules, orthogonal spatial contrast of two types of vibronic coupling is resolved by both photon spectroscopy and vibronic-mode-selected photon images. Intramolecular transitions from the two orthogonal LUMOs individually couple to different molecular normal modes. This is the first demonstration of the photon emission probability of a single molecule and its direct correlations with the molecular orbitals. This also provides the first real space experimental evidence to separate the tangled effects of molecular conformations and nano-environments on the inhomogeneity of molecular emission. DSB molecules are found to have two conformational isomers and one of them shows surface chirality. All these conformers and enantiomers can be switched to each other by electron injection. Different DSB conformers present distinct manipulation dynamics, which demonstrate how different conformations and their preferred adsorption geometries can have pronounced influence on the molecular mechanics on the surface. Overall, this thesis studies the very fundamental nature of single molecules and artificial nanostructures by integrating all kinds of important functions of STM: topography, spectroscopy, manipulation, and photon emission. Detailed correlations between the emission patterns and orbital structures are revealed by the ultimate spatial resolution of our "STM photon microscopy".

Laser-produced lithium plasma as a narrow-band extended ultraviolet radiation source for photoelectron spectroscopy.

PubMed

Schriever, G; Mager, S; Naweed, A; Engel, A; Bergmann, K; Lebert, R

1998-03-01

Extended ultraviolet (EUV) emission characteristics of a laser-produced lithium plasma are determined with regard to the requirements of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The main features of interest are spectral distribution, photon flux, bandwidth, source size, and emission duration. Laser-produced lithium plasmas are characterized as emitters of intense narrow-band EUV radiation. It can be estimated that the lithium Lyman-alpha line emission in combination with an ellipsoidal silicon/molybdenum multilayer mirror is a suitable EUV source for an x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy microscope with a 50-meV energy resolution and a 10-mum lateral resolution.

Excess noise in gain-guided amplifiers

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

Deutsch, I.H.; Garrison, J.C.; Wright, E.M.

1991-06-01

A second-quantized theory of the radiation field is used to study the origin of the excess noise observed in gain-guided amplifiers. We find that the reduction of the signal-to-noise ratio is a function of the length of the amplifier, and thus the enhancement of the noise is a propagation effect arising from longitudinally inhomogeneous gain of the noise rather than from an excess of local spontaneous emission. We confirm this conclusion by showing that the microscopic rate of spontaneous emission into a given non-power-orthogonal cavity mode is not enhanced by the Petermann factor. In addition, we illustrate the difficulties associatedmore » with photon statistics for this and other open systems by showing that no acceptable family of photon-number operators corresponds to a set of non-power-orthogonal cavity modes.« less

Selective scanning tunneling microscope light emission from rutile phase of VO2.

PubMed

Sakai, Joe; Kuwahara, Masashi; Hotsuki, Masaki; Katano, Satoshi; Uehara, Yoichi

2016-09-28

We observed scanning tunneling microscope light emission (STM-LE) induced by a tunneling current at the gap between an Ag tip and a VO2 thin film, in parallel to scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) profiles. The 34 nm thick VO2 film grown on a rutile TiO2 (0 0 1) substrate consisted of both rutile (R)- and monoclinic (M)-structure phases of a few 10 nm-sized domains at room temperature. We found that STM-LE with a certain photon energy of 2.0 eV occurs selectively from R-phase domains of VO2, while no STM-LE was observed from M-phase. The mechanism of STM-LE from R-phase VO2 was determined to be an interband transition process rather than inverse photoemission or inelastic tunneling processes.

Superluminescence from an optically pumped molecular tunneling junction by injection of plasmon induced hot electrons

PubMed Central

Braun, Kai; Wang, Xiao; Kern, Andreas M; Adler, Hilmar; Peisert, Heiko; Chassé, Thomas; Zhang, Dai

2015-01-01

Summary Here, we demonstrate a bias-driven superluminescent point light-source based on an optically pumped molecular junction (gold substrate/self-assembled molecular monolayer/gold tip) of a scanning tunneling microscope, operating at ambient conditions and providing almost three orders of magnitude higher electron-to-photon conversion efficiency than electroluminescence induced by inelastic tunneling without optical pumping. A positive, steadily increasing bias voltage induces a step-like rise of the Stokes shifted optical signal emitted from the junction. This emission is strongly attenuated by reversing the applied bias voltage. At high bias voltage, the emission intensity depends non-linearly on the optical pump power. The enhanced emission can be modelled by rate equations taking into account hole injection from the tip (anode) into the highest occupied orbital of the closest substrate-bound molecule (lower level) and radiative recombination with an electron from above the Fermi level (upper level), hence feeding photons back by stimulated emission resonant with the gap mode. The system reflects many essential features of a superluminescent light emitting diode. PMID:26171286

Compact scanning transmission x-ray microscope at the photon factory

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

Takeichi, Yasuo, E-mail: yasuo.takeichi@kek.jp; Inami, Nobuhito; Ono, Kanta

We report the design and performance of a compact scanning transmission X-ray microscope developed at the Photon Factory. Piezo-driven linear stages are used as coarse stages of the microscope to realize excellent compactness, mobility, and vibrational and thermal stability. An X-ray beam with an intensity of ∼10{sup 7} photons/s was focused to a diameter of ∼40 nm at the sample. At the soft X-ray undulator beamline used with the microscope, a wide range of photon energies (250–1600 eV) is available. The microscope has been used to research energy materials and in environmental sciences.

Perspectives: Nanofibers and nanowires for disordered photonics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pisignano, Dario; Persano, Luana; Camposeo, Andrea

2017-03-01

As building blocks of microscopically non-homogeneous materials, semiconductor nanowires and polymer nanofibers are emerging component materials for disordered photonics, with unique properties of light emission and scattering. Effects found in assemblies of nanowires and nanofibers include broadband reflection, significant localization of light, strong and collective multiple scattering, enhanced absorption of incident photons, synergistic effects with plasmonic particles, and random lasing. We highlight recent related discoveries, with a focus on material aspects. The control of spatial correlations in complex assemblies during deposition, the coupling of modes with efficient transmission channels provided by nanofiber waveguides, and the embedment of random architectures into individually coded nanowires will allow the potential of these photonic materials to be fully exploited, unconventional physics to be highlighted, and next-generation optical devices to be achieved. The prospects opened by this technology include enhanced random lasing and mode-locking, multi-directionally guided coupling to sensors and receivers, and low-cost encrypting miniatures for encoders and labels.

Development of confocal laser microscope system for examination of microscopic characteristics of radiophotoluminescence glass dosemeters.

PubMed

Maki, Daisuke; Ishii, Tetsuya; Sato, Fuminobu; Kato, Yushi; Yamamoto, Takayoshi; Iida, Toshiyuki

2011-03-01

A confocal laser microscope system was developed for the measurement of radiophotoluminescence (RPL) photons emitted from a minute alpha-ray-irradiated area in an RPL glass dosemeter. The system was composed mainly of an inverted-type microscope, an ultraviolet laser, an XY movable stage and photon-counting circuits. The photon-counting circuits were effective in the reduction of the background noise level in the measurement of RPL photons. The performance of this microscope system was examined by the observation of standard RPL glass samples irradiated using (241)Am alpha rays. The spatial resolution of this system was ∼ 3 μm, and with regard to the sensitivity of this system, a hit of more than four to five alpha rays in unit area produced enough amount of RPL photons to construct the image.

Photon event distribution sampling: an image formation technique for scanning microscopes that permits tracking of sub-diffraction particles with high spatial and temporal resolutions.

PubMed

Larkin, J D; Publicover, N G; Sutko, J L

2011-01-01

In photon event distribution sampling, an image formation technique for scanning microscopes, the maximum likelihood position of origin of each detected photon is acquired as a data set rather than binning photons in pixels. Subsequently, an intensity-related probability density function describing the uncertainty associated with the photon position measurement is applied to each position and individual photon intensity distributions are summed to form an image. Compared to pixel-based images, photon event distribution sampling images exhibit increased signal-to-noise and comparable spatial resolution. Photon event distribution sampling is superior to pixel-based image formation in recognizing the presence of structured (non-random) photon distributions at low photon counts and permits use of non-raster scanning patterns. A photon event distribution sampling based method for localizing single particles derived from a multi-variate normal distribution is more precise than statistical (Gaussian) fitting to pixel-based images. Using the multi-variate normal distribution method, non-raster scanning and a typical confocal microscope, localizations with 8 nm precision were achieved at 10 ms sampling rates with acquisition of ~200 photons per frame. Single nanometre precision was obtained with a greater number of photons per frame. In summary, photon event distribution sampling provides an efficient way to form images when low numbers of photons are involved and permits particle tracking with confocal point-scanning microscopes with nanometre precision deep within specimens. © 2010 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2010 The Royal Microscopical Society.

An integrated single- and two-photon non-diffracting light-sheet microscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lau, Sze Cheung; Chiu, Hoi Chun; Zhao, Luwei; Zhao, Teng; Loy, M. M. T.; Du, Shengwang

2018-04-01

We describe a fluorescence optical microscope with both single-photon and two-photon non-diffracting light-sheet excitations for large volume imaging. With a special design to accommodate two different wavelength ranges (visible: 400-700 nm and near infrared: 800-1200 nm), we combine the line-Bessel sheet (LBS, for single-photon excitation) and the scanning Bessel beam (SBB, for two-photon excitation) light sheet together in a single microscope setup. For a transparent thin sample where the scattering can be ignored, the LBS single-photon excitation is the optimal imaging solution. When the light scattering becomes significant for a deep-cell or deep-tissue imaging, we use SBB light-sheet two-photon excitation with a longer wavelength. We achieved nearly identical lateral/axial resolution of about 350/270 nm for both imagings. This integrated light-sheet microscope may have a wide application for live-cell and live-tissue three-dimensional high-speed imaging.

Chemical-state-selective mapping at nanometer scale using synchrotron radiation and photoelectron emission microscopy.

PubMed

Hirao, Norie; Baba, Yuji; Sekiguchi, Tetsuhiro; Shimoyama, Iwao; Honda, Mitsunori

2010-01-01

For surface analyses of semiconductor devices and various functional materials, it has become indispensable to analyze valence states at nanometer scale due to the rapid developments of nanotechnology. Since a method for microscopic mapping dependent on the chemical bond states has not been established so far, we have developed a photoelectron emission microscopy (PEEM) system combined with synchrotron soft X-ray excitation. The samples investigated were Si/SiO(x) micro-patterns prepared by O(2)(+) ion implantation in Si(001) wafer using a mask. PEEM images excited by various photon energies around the Si K-edge were observed. The lateral spatial resolution of the system was about 41 nm. The brightness of each spot in PEEM images changed depending on the photon energy, due to the X-ray absorption intensity of the respective chemical state. Since the surface of this sample was topographically flat, it has been demonstrated that the present method can be applied to observations of the microscopic pattern, depending not on the morphology, but only on the valence states of silicon. We have also in-situ measured the changes of the PEEM images upon annealing, and elucidated the mechanism of the lateral diffusion of oxygen and valence states of silicon at the nanometer scale.

Tunneling-Electron-Induced Light Emission from Single Gold Nanoclusters.

PubMed

Yu, Arthur; Li, Shaowei; Czap, Gregory; Ho, W

2016-09-14

The coupling of tunneling electrons with the tip-nanocluster-substrate junction plasmon was investigated by monitoring light emission in a scanning tunneling microscope (STM). Gold atoms were evaporated onto the ∼5 Å thick Al2O3 thin film grown on the NiAl (110) surface where they formed nanoclusters 3-7 nm wide. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) of these nanoclusters revealed quantum-confined electronic states. Spatially resolved photon imaging showed localized emission hot spots. Size dependent study and light emission from nanocluster dimers further support the viewpoint that coupling of tunneling electrons to the junction plasmon is the main radiative mechanism. These results showed the potential of the STM to reveal the electronic and optical properties of nanoscale metallic systems in the confined geometry of the tunnel junction.

Visible-to-visible four-photon ultrahigh resolution microscopic imaging with 730-nm diode laser excited nanocrystals.

PubMed

Wang, Baoju; Zhan, Qiuqiang; Zhao, Yuxiang; Wu, Ruitao; Liu, Jing; He, Sailing

2016-01-25

Further development of multiphoton microscopic imaging is confronted with a number of limitations, including high-cost, high complexity and relatively low spatial resolution due to the long excitation wavelength. To overcome these problems, for the first time, we propose visible-to-visible four-photon ultrahigh resolution microscopic imaging by using a common cost-effective 730-nm laser diode to excite the prepared Nd(3+)-sensitized upconversion nanoparticles (Nd(3+)-UCNPs). An ordinary multiphoton scanning microscope system was built using a visible CW diode laser and the lateral imaging resolution as high as 161-nm was achieved via the four-photon upconversion process. The demonstrated large saturation excitation power for Nd(3+)-UCNPs would be more practical and facilitate the four-photon imaging in the application. A sample with fine structure was imaged to demonstrate the advantages of visible-to-visible four-photon ultrahigh resolution microscopic imaging with 730-nm diode laser excited nanocrystals. Combining the uniqueness of UCNPs, the proposed visible-to-visible four-photon imaging would be highly promising and attractive in the field of multiphoton imaging.

Two-photon microscopy and spectroscopy based on a compact confocal scanning head

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diaspro, Alberto; Chirico, Giberto; Federici, Federico; Cannone, Fabio; Beretta, Sabrina; Robello, Mauro; Olivini, Francesca; Ramoino, Paola

2001-07-01

We have combined a confocal laser scanning head modified for TPE (two-photon excitation) microscopy with some spectroscopic modules to study single molecules and molecular aggregates. The behavior of the TPE microscope unit has been characterized by means of point spread function measurements and of the demonstration of its micropatterning abilities. One-photon and two-photon mode can be simply accomplished by switching from a mono-mode optical fiber (one-photon) coupled to conventional laser sources to an optical module that allows IR laser beam (two- photon/TPE) delivery to the confocal laser scanning head. We have then described the characterization of the two-photon microscope for spectroscopic applications: fluorescence correlation, lifetime and fluorescence polarization anisotropy measurements. We describe the measurement of the response of the two-photon microscope to the light polarization and discuss fluorescence polarization anisotropy measurements on Rhodamine 6G as a function of the viscosity and on a globular protein, the Beta-lactoglobulin B labeled with Alexa 532 at very high dilutions. The average rotational and translational diffusion coefficients measured with fluorescence polarization anisotropy and fluorescence correlation methods are in good agreement with the protein size, therefore validating the use of the microscope for two-photon spectroscopy on biomolecules.

Enhanced Photon Extraction from a Nanowire Quantum Dot Using a Bottom-Up Photonic Shell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeannin, Mathieu; Cremel, Thibault; Häyrynen, Teppo; Gregersen, Niels; Bellet-Amalric, Edith; Nogues, Gilles; Kheng, Kuntheak

2017-11-01

Semiconductor nanowires offer the possibility to grow high-quality quantum-dot heterostructures, and, in particular, CdSe quantum dots inserted in ZnSe nanowires have demonstrated the ability to emit single photons up to room temperature. In this paper, we demonstrate a bottom-up approach to fabricate a photonic fiberlike structure around such nanowire quantum dots by depositing an oxide shell using atomic-layer deposition. Simulations suggest that the intensity collected in our NA =0.6 microscope objective can be increased by a factor 7 with respect to the bare nanowire case. Combining microphotoluminescence, decay time measurements, and numerical simulations, we obtain a fourfold increase in the collected photoluminescence from the quantum dot. We show that this improvement is due to an increase of the quantum-dot emission rate and a redirection of the emitted light. Our ex situ fabrication technique allows a precise and reproducible fabrication on a large scale. Its improved extraction efficiency is compared to state-of-the-art top-down devices.

Two-Photon Excitation, Fluorescence Microscopy, and Quantitative Measurement of Two-Photon Absorption Cross Sections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

DeArmond, Fredrick Michael

As optical microscopy techniques continue to improve, most notably the development of super-resolution optical microscopy which garnered the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2014, renewed emphasis has been placed on the development and use of fluorescence microscopy techniques. Of particular note is a renewed interest in multiphoton excitation due to a number of inherent properties of the technique including simplified optical filtering, increased sample penetration, and inherently confocal operation. With this renewed interest in multiphoton fluorescence microscopy, comes an increased demand for robust non-linear fluorescent markers, and characterization of the associated tool set. These factors have led to an experimental setup to allow a systematized approach for identifying and characterizing properties of fluorescent probes in the hopes that the tool set will provide researchers with additional information to guide their efforts in developing novel fluorophores suitable for use in advanced optical microscopy techniques as well as identifying trends for their synthesis. Hardware was setup around a software control system previously developed. Three experimental tool sets were set up, characterized, and applied over the course of this work. These tools include scanning multiphoton fluorescence microscope with single molecule sensitivity, an interferometric autocorrelator for precise determination of the bandwidth and pulse width of the ultrafast Titanium Sapphire excitation source, and a simplified fluorescence microscope for the measurement of two-photon absorption cross sections. Resulting values for two-photon absorption cross sections and two-photon absorption action cross sections for two standardized fluorophores, four commercially available fluorophores, and ten novel fluorophores are presented as well as absorption and emission spectra.

Measurement of two-photon-absorption spectra through nonlinear fluorescence produced by a line-shaped excitation beam.

PubMed

Hasani, E; Parravicini, J; Tartara, L; Tomaselli, A; Tomassini, D

2018-05-01

We propose an innovative experimental approach to estimate the two-photon absorption (TPA) spectrum of a fluorescent material. Our method develops the standard indirect fluorescence-based method for the TPA measurement by employing a line-shaped excitation beam, generating a line-shaped fluorescence emission. Such a configuration, which requires a relatively high amount of optical power, permits to have a greatly increased fluorescence signal, thus avoiding the photon counterdetection devices usually used in these measurements, and allowing to employ detectors such as charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras. The method is finally tested on a fluorescent isothiocyanate sample, whose TPA spectrum, which is measured with the proposed technique, is compared with the TPA spectra reported in the literature, confirming the validity of our experimental approach. © 2018 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2018 Royal Microscopical Society.

Density-matrix approach for the electroluminescence of molecules in a scanning tunneling microscope.

PubMed

Tian, Guangjun; Liu, Ji-Cai; Luo, Yi

2011-04-29

The electroluminescence (EL) of molecules confined inside a nanocavity in the scanning tunneling microscope possesses many intriguing but unexplained features. We present here a general theoretical approach based on the density-matrix formalism to describe the EL from molecules near a metal surface induced by both electron tunneling and localized surface plasmon excitations simultaneously. It reveals the underlying physical mechanism for the external bias dependent EL. The important role played by the localized surface plasmon on the EL is highlighted. Calculations for porphyrin derivatives have reproduced corresponding experimental spectra and nicely explained the observed unusual large variation of emission spectral profiles. This general theoretical approach can find many applications in the design of molecular electronic and photonic devices.

Two-Photon Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zimmerli, Gregory A.; Fischer, David G.

2002-01-01

We will describe a two-photon microscope currently under development at the NASA Glenn Research Center. It is composed of a Coherent Mira 900 tunable, pulsed Titanium:Sapphire laser system, an Olympus Fluoview 300 confocal scanning head, and a Leica DM IRE inverted microscope. It will be used in conjunction with a technique known as fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) to study intracellular protein dynamics. We will briefly explain the advantages of the two-photon system over a conventional confocal microscope, and provide some preliminary experimental results.

Tribute to Emil Wolf: Science and Engineering Legacy of Physical Optics

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-09-23

K̂jm(x1, x2)σ̂= 0̂, where jkl is a Levi - Civita -unit antisymmetric tensor and x denotes spatial and temporal variables. From these equations of...6.2 Microscopic Origin of Source Correlations / 143 6.3 Source Correlation-Induced Two -Photon Resonance / 145 6.4 Spatial Coherence and Emission in...University, and the organizer of the two previous SPIE Conferences—also tributes to pioneers in optics (AdolphW. Lohmann; Yuri N. Denisyuk and Emmett N

Hyperspectral imaging of microalgae using two-photon excitation.

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

Sinclair, Michael B.; Melgaard, David Kennett; Reichardt, Thomas A.

2010-10-01

A considerable amount research is being conducted on microalgae, since microalgae are becoming a promising source of renewable energy. Most of this research is centered on lipid production in microalgae because microalgae produce triacylglycerol which is ideal for biodiesel fuels. Although we are interested in research to increase lipid production in algae, we are also interested in research to sustain healthy algal cultures in large scale biomass production farms or facilities. The early detection of fluctuations in algal health, productivity, and invasive predators must be developed to ensure that algae are an efficient and cost-effective source of biofuel. Therefore wemore » are developing technologies to monitor the health of algae using spectroscopic measurements in the field. To do this, we have proposed to spectroscopically monitor large algal cultivations using LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) remote sensing technology. Before we can deploy this type of technology, we must first characterize the spectral bio-signatures that are related to algal health. Recently, we have adapted our confocal hyperspectral imaging microscope at Sandia to have two-photon excitation capabilities using a chameleon tunable laser. We are using this microscope to understand the spectroscopic signatures necessary to characterize microalgae at the cellular level prior to using these signatures to classify the health of bulk samples, with the eventual goal of using of LIDAR to monitor large scale ponds and raceways. By imaging algal cultures using a tunable laser to excite at several different wavelengths we will be able to select the optimal excitation/emission wavelengths needed to characterize algal cultures. To analyze the hyperspectral images generated from this two-photon microscope, we are using Multivariate Curve Resolution (MCR) algorithms to extract the spectral signatures and their associated relative intensities from the data. For this presentation, I will show our two-photon hyperspectral imaging results on a variety of microalgae species and show how these results can be used to characterize algal ponds and raceways.« less

Ultrafast photon counting applied to resonant scanning STED microscopy.

PubMed

Wu, Xundong; Toro, Ligia; Stefani, Enrico; Wu, Yong

2015-01-01

To take full advantage of fast resonant scanning in super-resolution stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy, we have developed an ultrafast photon counting system based on a multigiga sample per second analogue-to-digital conversion chip that delivers an unprecedented 450 MHz pixel clock (2.2 ns pixel dwell time in each scan). The system achieves a large field of view (∼50 × 50 μm) with fast scanning that reduces photobleaching, and advances the time-gated continuous wave STED technology to the usage of resonant scanning with hardware-based time-gating. The assembled system provides superb signal-to-noise ratio and highly linear quantification of light that result in superior image quality. Also, the system design allows great flexibility in processing photon signals to further improve the dynamic range. In conclusion, we have constructed a frontier photon counting image acquisition system with ultrafast readout rate, excellent counting linearity, and with the capacity of realizing resonant-scanning continuous wave STED microscopy with online time-gated detection. © 2014 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2014 Royal Microscopical Society.

Study of energy transfer and spectral downshifting in Ce, RE (RE = Nd and Yb) co-doped lanthanum phosphate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sawala, N. S.; Omanwar, S. K.

2017-03-01

The phosphors LaPO4 (Lanthanum phosphate) doped with Ce(III)/Ce3+ and co-doped with Ce3+-Nd3+ and Ce3+-Yb3+ were effectively synthesized by conventional solid state reaction method. The prepared samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and surface morphology was studied by scanning electronic microscope (SEM). The photoluminescence (PL) properties were studied by spectrophotometers in near infrared (NIR) and ultraviolet visible (UV-VIS) region. Additionally the luminescence time decay curves of samples were investigated to confirm energy transfer (ET) process. The Ce3+-Nd3+ ion co-doped LaPO4 phosphors can convert a photon of UV region (278 nm) into photons of NIR region (1058 nm). While Ce3+-Yb3+ ion doped LaPO4 phosphors convert photons of UV region (278 nm) into photons of NIR region (979 nm). The Ce3+ ion acts like sensitizer and Nd3+/Yb3+ ions act as activators. Both kinds of emissions are suitable for improving spectral response of solar cells.

Microsphere-aided optical microscopy and its applications for super-resolution imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Upputuri, Paul Kumar; Pramanik, Manojit

2017-12-01

The spatial resolution of a standard optical microscope (SOM) is limited by diffraction. In visible spectrum, SOM can provide ∼ 200 nm resolution. To break the diffraction limit several approaches were developed including scanning near field microscopy, metamaterial super-lenses, nanoscale solid immersion lenses, super-oscillatory lenses, confocal fluorescence microscopy, techniques that exploit non-linear response of fluorophores like stimulated emission depletion microscopy, stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy, etc. Recently, photonic nanojet generated by a dielectric microsphere was used to break the diffraction limit. The microsphere-approach is simple, cost-effective and can be implemented under a standard microscope, hence it has gained enormous attention for super-resolution imaging. In this article, we briefly review the microsphere approach and its applications for super-resolution imaging in various optical imaging modalities.

A STED-FLIM microscope applied to imaging the natural killer cell immune synapse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lenz, M. O.; Brown, A. C. N.; Auksorius, E.; Davis, D. M.; Dunsby, C.; Neil, M. A. A.; French, P. M. W.

2011-03-01

We present a stimulated emission depletion (STED) fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) microscope, excited by a microstructured optical fibre supercontinuum source that is pumped by a femtosecond Ti:Sapphire-laser, which is also used for depletion. Implemented using a piezo-scanning stage on a laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscope system with FLIM realised using time correlated single photon counting (TCSPC), this provides convenient switching between confocal and STED-FLIM with spatial resolution down to below 60 nm. We will present our design considerations to make a robust instrument for biological applications including a comparison between fixed phase plate and spatial light modulator (SLM) approaches to shape the STED beam and the correlation of STED and confocal FLIM microscopy. Following our previous application of FLIM-FRET to study intercellular signalling at the immunological synapse (IS), we are employing STED microscopy to characterize the spatial distribution of cellular molecules with subdiffraction resolution at the IS. In particular, we are imaging cytoskeletal structure at the Natural Killer cell activated immune synapse. We will also present our progress towards multilabel STED microscopy to determine how relative spatial molecular organization, previously undetectable by conventional microscopy techniques, is important for NK cell cytotoxic function. Keywords: STED, Stimulated Emission Depletion Microscopy, Natural Killer (NK) cell, Fluorescence lifetime imaging, FLIM, Super resolution microscopy.

Trace Element Mapping of a Biological Specimen by a Full-Field X-ray Fluorescence Imaging Microscope with a Wolter Mirror

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoshino, Masato; Yamada, Norimitsu; Ishino, Toyoaki; Namiki, Takashi; Watanabe, Norio; Aoki, Sadao

2007-01-01

A full-field X-ray fluorescence imaging microscope with a Wolter mirror was applied to the element mapping of alfalfa seeds. The X-ray fluorescence microscope was built at the Photon Factory BL3C2 (KEK). X-ray fluorescence images of several growing stages of the alfalfa seeds were obtained. X-ray fluorescence energy spectra were measured with either a solid state detector or a CCD photon counting method. The element distributions of iron and zinc which were included in the seeds were obtained using a photon counting method.

Three-photon fluorescence imaging of melanin with a dual-wedge confocal scanning system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mega, Yair; Kerimo, Joseph; Robinson, Joseph; Vakili, Ali; Johnson, Nicolette; DiMarzio, Charles

2012-03-01

Confocal microscopy can be used as a practical tool in non-invasive applications in medical diagnostics and evaluation. In particular, it is being used for the early detection of skin cancer to identify pathological cellular components and, potentially, replace conventional biopsies. The detection of melanin and its spatial location and distribution plays a crucial role in the detection and evaluation of skin cancer. Our previous work has shown that the visible emission from melanin is strong and can be easily observed with a near-infrared CW laser using low power. This is due to a unique step-wise, (SW) three-photon excitation of melanin. This paper shows that the same SW, 3-photon fluorescence can also be achieved with an inexpensive, continuous-wave laser using a dual-prism scanning system. This demonstrates that the technology could be integrated into a portable confocal microscope for clinical applications. The results presented here are in agreement with images obtained with the larger and more expensive femtosecond laser system used earlier.

Electrically pumped graphene-based Landau-level laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brem, Samuel; Wendler, Florian; Winnerl, Stephan; Malic, Ermin

2018-03-01

Graphene exhibits a nonequidistant Landau quantization with tunable Landau-level (LL) transitions in the technologically desired terahertz spectral range. Here, we present a strategy for an electrically driven terahertz laser based on Landau-quantized graphene as the gain medium. Performing microscopic modeling of the coupled electron, phonon, and photon dynamics in such a laser, we reveal that an inter-LL population inversion can be achieved resulting in the emission of coherent terahertz radiation. The presented paper provides a concrete recipe for the experimental realization of tunable graphene-based terahertz laser systems.

Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy Using Near-Infrared Contrast Agents

PubMed Central

Nothdurft, Ralph; Sarder, Pinaki; Bloch, Sharon; Culver, Joseph; Achilefu, Samuel

2013-01-01

Although single-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) is widely used to image molecular processes using a wide range of excitation wavelengths, the captured emission of this technique is confined to the visible spectrum. Here, we explore the feasibility of utilizing near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent molecular probes with emission >700 nm for FLIM of live cells. The confocal microscope is equipped with a 785 nm laser diode, a red-enhanced photomultiplier tube, and a time-correlated single photon counting card. We demonstrate that our system reports the lifetime distributions of NIR fluorescent dyes, cypate and DTTCI, in cells. In cells labeled separately or jointly with these dyes, NIR FLIM successfully distinguishes their lifetimes, providing a method to sort different cell populations. In addition, lifetime distributions of cells co-incubated with these dyes allow estimate of the dyes’ relative concentrations in complex cellular microenvironments. With the heightened interest in fluorescence lifetime-based small animal imaging using NIR fluorophores, this technique further serves as a bridge between in vitro spectroscopic characterization of new fluorophore lifetimes and in vivo tissue imaging. PMID:22788550

Wide field video-rate two-photon imaging by using spinning disk beam scanner

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maeda, Yasuhiro; Kurokawa, Kazuo; Ito, Yoko; Wada, Satoshi; Nakano, Akihiko

2018-02-01

The microscope technology with wider view field, deeper penetration depth, higher spatial resolution and higher imaging speed are required to investigate the intercellular dynamics or interactions of molecules and organs in cells or a tissue in more detail. The two-photon microscope with a near infrared (NIR) femtosecond laser is one of the technique to improve the penetration depth and spatial resolution. However, the video-rate or high-speed imaging with wide view field is difficult to perform with the conventional two-photon microscope. Because point-to-point scanning method is used in conventional one, so it's difficult to achieve video-rate imaging. In this study, we developed a two-photon microscope with spinning disk beam scanner and femtosecond NIR fiber laser with around 10 W average power for the microscope system to achieve above requirements. The laser is consisted of an oscillator based on mode-locked Yb fiber laser, a two-stage pre-amplifier, a main amplifier based on a Yb-doped photonic crystal fiber (PCF), and a pulse compressor with a pair of gratings. The laser generates a beam with maximally 10 W average power, 300 fs pulse width and 72 MHz repetition rate. And the beam incident to a spinning beam scanner (Yokogawa Electric) optimized for two-photon imaging. By using this system, we achieved to obtain the 3D images with over 1mm-penetration depth and video-rate image with 350 x 350 um view field from the root of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Thermodynamic Laws of Neutrino and Photon Emission.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walsh, P. J.; Gallo, C. F.

1980-01-01

Compares neutrino and photon emissions, develops the thermodynamic blackbody laws of neutrino emission analogous to laws governing photon emission, points out that combined radiation from a "true blackbody" consists of both photon and neutrino emissions of comparable magnitude, and speculates upon the existence of blackbody neutrino…

Ultra-weak photon emission as a non-invasive tool for monitoring of oxidative processes in the epidermal cells of human skin: comparative study on the dorsal and the palm side of the hand.

PubMed

Rastogi, Anshu; Pospísil, Pavel

2010-08-01

All living organisms emit spontaneous ultra-weak photon emission as a result of cellular metabolic processes. Exposure of living organisms to exogenous factors results in oxidative processes and enhancement in ultra-weak photon emission. Here, hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), as a strongly oxidizing molecule, was used to induce oxidative processes and enhance ultra-weak photon emission in human hand skin. The presented work intends to compare both spontaneous and peroxide-induced ultra-weak photon emission from the epidermal cells on the dorsal and the palm side of the hand. A highly sensitive photomultiplier tube and a charge-coupled device camera were used to detect ultra-weak photon emission from human hand skin. Spontaneous ultra-weak photon emission from the epidermal cells on the dorsal side of the hand was 4 counts/s. Topical application of 500 mM H(2)O(2) to the dorsal side of the hand caused enhancement in ultra-weak photon emission to 40 counts/s. Interestingly, both spontaneous and peroxide-induced ultra-weak photon emission from the epidermal cells on the palm side of the hand were observed to increase twice their values, i.e. 8 and 80 counts/s, respectively. Similarly, the two-dimensional image of ultra-weak photon emission observed after topical application of H(2)O(2) to human skin reveals that photon emission from the palm side exceeds the photon emission from the dorsal side of the hand. The results presented indicate that the ultra-weak photon emission originating from the epidermal cells on the dorsal and the palm side of the hand is related to the histological structure of the human hand skin. Ultra-weak photon emission is shown as a non-destructive technique for monitoring of oxidative processes in the epidermal cells of the human hand skin and as a diagnostic tool for skin diseases.

Modification of emission photon statistics from single quantum dots using metal/SiO2 core/shell nanostructures.

PubMed

Naiki, Hiroyuki; Oikawa, Hidetoshi; Masuo, Sadahiro

2017-04-12

Emission photon statistics, i.e., single-photon and multi-photon emissions, of isolated QDs is required for tailoring optoelectronic applications. In this article, we demonstrate that the emission photon statistics can be modified by the control of the spectral overlap of the QDs with the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of the metal nanoparticle (metal NP) and by the distance between the QD and the metal NP. Moreover, the contribution to the modification of the emission photon statistics, which is the excitation and emission enhancements and the quenching generated by the spectral overlap and the distance, is elucidated. By fabricating well-defined SiO 2 -coated AgNPs and AuNPs (metal/SiO 2 ), the spectral overlap originated from the metal species of Ag and Au and the distance constituted by the thickness of the SiO 2 shell are controlled. The probability of single-photon emission of single QD was increased by the enhancement of the excitation rate via adjusting the distance using Ag/SiO 2 while the single-photon emission was converted to multi-photon emission by the effect of exciton quenching at a short distance and a small spectral overlap. By contrast, the probability of multi-photon emission was increased by enhancement of the multi-photon emission rate and the quenching via the spectral overlap using Au/SiO 2 . These results indicated the fundamental finding to control emission photon statistics in single QDs by controlling the spectral overlap and the distance, and understand the interaction of plasmonic nanostructures and single QD systems.

A quantum dot single-photon source with on-the-fly all-optical polarization control and timed emission.

PubMed

Heinze, Dirk; Breddermann, Dominik; Zrenner, Artur; Schumacher, Stefan

2015-10-05

Sources of single photons are key elements for applications in quantum information science. Among the different sources available, semiconductor quantum dots excel with their integrability in semiconductor on-chip solutions and the potential that photon emission can be triggered on demand. Usually, the photon is emitted from a single-exciton ground state. Polarization of the photon and time of emission are either probabilistic or pre-determined by electronic properties of the system. Here, we study the direct two-photon emission from the biexciton. The two-photon emission is enabled by a laser pulse driving the system into a virtual state inside the band gap. From this intermediate state, the single photon of interest is then spontaneously emitted. We show that emission through this higher-order transition provides a versatile approach to generate a single photon. Through the driving laser pulse, polarization state, frequency and emission time of the photon can be controlled on-the-fly.

Nanoscale coupling of photons to vibrational excitation of Ag nanoparticle 2D array studied by scanning tunneling microscope light emission spectroscopy.

PubMed

Katano, Satoshi; Toma, Koji; Toma, Mana; Tamada, Kaoru; Uehara, Yoichi

2010-11-28

Scanning tunneling microscope light emission (STM-LE) spectroscopy has been utilized to elucidate the luminescence phenomena of Ag nanoparticles capped with myristate (myristate-capped AgNP) and 2-methyl-1-propanethiolate (C(4)S-capped AgNP) on the dodecanethiol-precovered Au substrate. The STM imaging revealed that myristate-capped AgNPs form an ordered hexagonal array whereas C(4)S-capped AgNPs show imperfect ordering, indicating that a shorter alkyl chain of C(4)S-capped AgNP is not sufficient to form rigid interdigitation. It should be noted that such a nanoparticle ordering affects the luminescence properties of the Ag nanoparticle. We found that the STM-LE is only detected from the Ag nanoparticles forming the two-dimensional superlattice. This indicates that the STM-LE of the Ag nanoparticle is radiated via the collective excitation of the local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) spread over the Ag nanoparticles. Note that the STM-LE spectra of the Ag nanoparticles exhibit spike-like peaks superimposed on the broad light emission peak. Using Raman spectroscopy, we concluded that the spike-like structure appearing in the STM-LE spectra is associated with the vibrational excitation of the molecule embedded between Ag nanoparticles.

Low-mass e+e- mass distributions from 1.23A GeV Au+Au collisions with HADES

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galatyuk, Tetyana; Hades Collaboration

2017-11-01

We present measurements of low-mass electron pairs for the Au+Au system based on a data sample of 2.6 billion events of the 40% most central collisions. In order to understand the microscopic structure of matter in the region of high baryochemical potential HADES pursues a strategy, which relies on systematic measurements of virtual photons emission in elementary and heavy-ion collisions. As of now, HADES has completed measurements of rare penetrating probes in p+p, n+p, C+C, p+Nb and Ar+KCl collisions. In continuation of a systematic investigation of the emissivity of strongly interacting matter, HADES has recently measured the dielectron emission in Au+Au collisions at 1.23A GeV beam energy. This measurement is part of the beam energy scan and marks lowest point in the excitation function of low-mass thermal dilepton radiation.

Macroscopic irreversibility and microscopic paradox: A Constructal law analysis of atoms as open systems

PubMed Central

Lucia, Umberto

2016-01-01

The relation between macroscopic irreversibility and microscopic reversibility is a present unsolved problem. Constructal law is introduced to develop analytically the Einstein’s, Schrödinger’s, and Gibbs’ considerations on the interaction between particles and thermal radiation (photons). The result leads to consider the atoms and molecules as open systems in continuous interaction with flows of photons from their surroundings. The consequent result is that, in any atomic transition, the energy related to the microscopic irreversibility is negligible, while when a great number of atoms (of the order of Avogadro’s number) is considered, this energy related to irreversibility becomes so large that its order of magnitude must be taken into account. Consequently, macroscopic irreversibility results related to microscopic irreversibility by flows of photons and amount of atoms involved in the processes. PMID:27762333

A high performance, cost-effective, open-source microscope for scanning two-photon microscopy that is modular and readily adaptable.

PubMed

Rosenegger, David G; Tran, Cam Ha T; LeDue, Jeffery; Zhou, Ning; Gordon, Grant R

2014-01-01

Two-photon laser scanning microscopy has revolutionized the ability to delineate cellular and physiological function in acutely isolated tissue and in vivo. However, there exist barriers for many laboratories to acquire two-photon microscopes. Additionally, if owned, typical systems are difficult to modify to rapidly evolving methodologies. A potential solution to these problems is to enable scientists to build their own high-performance and adaptable system by overcoming a resource insufficiency. Here we present a detailed hardware resource and protocol for building an upright, highly modular and adaptable two-photon laser scanning fluorescence microscope that can be used for in vitro or in vivo applications. The microscope is comprised of high-end componentry on a skeleton of off-the-shelf compatible opto-mechanical parts. The dedicated design enabled imaging depths close to 1 mm into mouse brain tissue and a signal-to-noise ratio that exceeded all commercial two-photon systems tested. In addition to a detailed parts list, instructions for assembly, testing and troubleshooting, our plan includes complete three dimensional computer models that greatly reduce the knowledge base required for the non-expert user. This open-source resource lowers barriers in order to equip more laboratories with high-performance two-photon imaging and to help progress our understanding of the cellular and physiological function of living systems.

A High Performance, Cost-Effective, Open-Source Microscope for Scanning Two-Photon Microscopy that Is Modular and Readily Adaptable

PubMed Central

Rosenegger, David G.; Tran, Cam Ha T.; LeDue, Jeffery; Zhou, Ning; Gordon, Grant R.

2014-01-01

Two-photon laser scanning microscopy has revolutionized the ability to delineate cellular and physiological function in acutely isolated tissue and in vivo. However, there exist barriers for many laboratories to acquire two-photon microscopes. Additionally, if owned, typical systems are difficult to modify to rapidly evolving methodologies. A potential solution to these problems is to enable scientists to build their own high-performance and adaptable system by overcoming a resource insufficiency. Here we present a detailed hardware resource and protocol for building an upright, highly modular and adaptable two-photon laser scanning fluorescence microscope that can be used for in vitro or in vivo applications. The microscope is comprised of high-end componentry on a skeleton of off-the-shelf compatible opto-mechanical parts. The dedicated design enabled imaging depths close to 1 mm into mouse brain tissue and a signal-to-noise ratio that exceeded all commercial two-photon systems tested. In addition to a detailed parts list, instructions for assembly, testing and troubleshooting, our plan includes complete three dimensional computer models that greatly reduce the knowledge base required for the non-expert user. This open-source resource lowers barriers in order to equip more laboratories with high-performance two-photon imaging and to help progress our understanding of the cellular and physiological function of living systems. PMID:25333934

Temporal and spatial binning of TCSPC data to improve signal-to-noise ratio and imaging speed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walsh, Alex J.; Beier, Hope T.

2016-03-01

Time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) is the most robust method for fluorescence lifetime imaging using laser scanning microscopes. However, TCSPC is inherently slow making it ineffective to capture rapid events due to the single photon product per laser pulse causing extensive acquisition time limitations and the requirement of low fluorescence emission efficiency to avoid bias of measurement towards short lifetimes. Furthermore, thousands of photons per pixel are required for traditional instrument response deconvolution and fluorescence lifetime exponential decay estimation. Instrument response deconvolution and fluorescence exponential decay estimation can be performed in several ways including iterative least squares minimization and Laguerre deconvolution. This paper compares the limitations and accuracy of these fluorescence decay analysis techniques to accurately estimate double exponential decays across many data characteristics including various lifetime values, lifetime component weights, signal-to-noise ratios, and number of photons detected. Furthermore, techniques to improve data fitting, including binning data temporally and spatially, are evaluated as methods to improve decay fits and reduce image acquisition time. Simulation results demonstrate that binning temporally to 36 or 42 time bins, improves accuracy of fits for low photon count data. Such a technique reduces the required number of photons for accurate component estimation if lifetime values are known, such as for commercial fluorescent dyes and FRET experiments, and improve imaging speed 10-fold.

Note: optical optimization for ultrasensitive photon mapping with submolecular resolution by scanning tunneling microscope induced luminescence.

PubMed

Chen, L G; Zhang, C; Zhang, R; Zhang, X L; Dong, Z C

2013-06-01

We report the development of a custom scanning tunneling microscope equipped with photon collection and detection systems. The optical optimization includes the comprehensive design of aspherical lens for light collimation and condensing, the sophisticated piezo stages for in situ lens adjustment inside ultrahigh vacuum, and the fiber-free coupling of collected photons directly onto the ultrasensitive single-photon detectors. We also demonstrate submolecular photon mapping for the molecular islands of porphyrin on Ag(111) under small tunneling currents down to 10 pA and short exposure time down to 1.2 ms/pixel. A high quantum efficiency up to 10(-2) was also observed.

Fabrication et caracterisation de cristaux photoniques pour exaltation de fluorescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gascon, Annabelle

2011-12-01

In today's world, there is a pressing need for point-of-care molecular analysis that is fast, inexpensive and transportable. Lab-on-a- chips are designed to fulfill that need. They are micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), fabricated with microelectronic techniques, that use the analytes physical properties to detect their presence in liquid samples. This detection can be performed by attaching the analyte to quantum dots. These quantum dots are semiconducting nanoparticles with narrow fluorescence band. In our project, we use a tuneable system with a two-slab photonic crystal that serves as a tuneable optical filter, detecting the presence and wavelength of these quantum dots. Photonic crystals are dielectrics with a variable refractive index, with a period near the visible light wavelength. They are called photonic crystals because they have a photonic band gap just as atomic crystals, periodic structure of atoms, have an electronic band gap. They are photonic because photons instead of electrons propagate through them. They can also enhance fluorescence from quantum dots at the photonic crystals guided resonance wavelength. My project objectives are to: (1) Fabricate two-slab photonic crystal, (2) Characterize photonic crystals, (3) Place quantum dots on photonic crystals, (4) Measure fluorescence enhancement. The device made during this project consists of a silicon wafer on which were deposited a 200 nm silicon nitride layer, then a 200 nm silicon dioxide layer and finally another 200 nm silicon nitride layer. An electron-beam lithography defines the photonic crystals and the MEMS. The photonic crystals are square lattices of holes 180 nm in diameter, at a period of 460 nm, etched through the two silicon nitride slabs. The two slabs are etched in a single step of Reactive Ion Etching (RIE). Then, the silicon under the photonic crystal is etched from the backside up to the nitride by deep-RIE. Finally, the oxide layer is removed in order to completely suspend the two-slab photonic crystal. The M EMS can change the gap between the two slabs in order to tune the guided resonance wavelength. An optical set-up is used to trace the photonic crystals transmission and reflection spectrum, in order to know the guided resonance position. A supercontinuum source illuminates the device at a normal incidence angle for wavelength between 400 nm and 800 nm. High-resolution spectra are obtained with a CCD camera spectrometer. Different types of one-slab photonic crystals are analyzed with this approach: we observe guided resonance peaks near 550 nm, 615 nm and 700 nm. Finally, a quantum dots microdrop is placed on the photonic crystal. The quantum dots emission wavelength matches with the photonic crystal guided resonance. A hyperspectral fluorescence microscope excites quantum dots between 436 nm and 483 nm, detects emission greater than 500 nm and plots a fluorescence wavelength spectrum. This set-up measures and compares the fluorescence of the quantum dots placed on and next to the photonic crystals. Our results show that the fluorescence is 30 times higher on the photonic crystals, but the fluorescence wavelength corresponds neither to the quantum dots emission nor to the photonic crystal guided resonance. In conclusion, this master thesis project demonstrates that it is possible to fabricate two-slab photonic crystals in silicon nitride and to plot their transmission and reflection spectra in order to find their guided resonance position. A fluorescence enhancement is visible, but at a different wavelength than of the quantum dots.

Plasmonic nanofocusing of light in an integrated silicon photonics platform.

PubMed

Desiatov, Boris; Goykhman, Ilya; Levy, Uriel

2011-07-04

The capability to focus electromagnetic energy at the nanoscale plays an important role in nanoscinece and nanotechnology. It allows enhancing light matter interactions at the nanoscale with applications related to nonlinear optics, light emission and light detection. It may also be used for enhancing resolution in microscopy, lithography and optical storage systems. Hereby we propose and experimentally demonstrate the nanoscale focusing of surface plasmons by constructing an integrated plasmonic/photonic on chip nanofocusing device in silicon platform. The device was tested directly by measuring the optical intensity along it using a near-field microscope. We found an order of magnitude enhancement of the intensity at the tip's apex. The spot size is estimated to be 50 nm. The demonstrated device may be used as a building block for "lab on a chip" systems and for enhancing light matter interactions at the apex of the tip.

Fano Description of Single-Hydrocarbon Fluorescence Excited by a Scanning Tunneling Microscope.

PubMed

Kröger, Jörg; Doppagne, Benjamin; Scheurer, Fabrice; Schull, Guillaume

2018-06-13

The detection of fluorescence with submolecular resolution enables the exploration of spatially varying photon yields and vibronic properties at the single-molecule level. By placing individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecules into the plasmon cavity formed by the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope and a NaCl-covered Ag(111) surface, molecular light emission spectra are obtained that unravel vibrational progression. In addition, light spectra unveil a signature of the molecule even when the tunneling current is injected well separated from the molecular emitter. This signature exhibits a distance-dependent Fano profile that reflects the subtle interplay between inelastic tunneling electrons, the molecular exciton and localized plasmons in at-distance as well as on-molecule fluorescence. The presented findings open the path to luminescence of a different class of molecules than investigated before and contribute to the understanding of single-molecule luminescence at surfaces in a unified picture.

Optical microscope using an interferometric source of two-color, two-beam entangled photons

DOEpatents

Dress, William B.; Kisner, Roger A.; Richards, Roger K.

2004-07-13

Systems and methods are described for an optical microscope using an interferometric source of multi-color, multi-beam entangled photons. A method includes: downconverting a beam of coherent energy to provide a beam of multi-color entangled photons; converging two spatially resolved portions of the beam of multi-color entangled photons into a converged multi-color entangled photon beam; transforming at least a portion of the converged multi-color entangled photon beam by interaction with a sample to generate an entangled photon specimen beam; and combining the entangled photon specimen beam with an entangled photon reference beam within a single beamsplitter. An apparatus includes: a multi-refringent device providing a beam of multi-color entangled photons; a condenser device optically coupled to the multi-refringent device, the condenser device converging two spatially resolved portions of the beam of multi-color entangled photons into a converged multi-color entangled photon beam; a beam probe director and specimen assembly optically coupled to the condenser device; and a beam splitter optically coupled to the beam probe director and specimen assembly, the beam splitter combining an entangled photon specimen beam from the beam probe director and specimen assembly with an entangled photon reference beam.

Report on cascade energy relaxation from PVP to Tb3+:Bi2SiO5 nanophosphor through salicylic acid in composite polymeric film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumari, Pushpa; Dwivedi, Y.

2018-05-01

The present article reports structural and spectroscopic properties of Tb:Bi2SiO5 nanophosphors dispersed in Polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer film, in presence of Salicylic acid (SA) molecule, which acts as a sensitizer. Detailed structural and spectroscopic characterizations were carried out using X-ray diffraction patterns, Scanning Electron Microscope, Fourier Transform Infrared and Excitation and photoluminescence techniques. The mean crystallite size of Tb3+:Bi2SiO5 nanophosphor and Tb3+:Bi2SiO5 in Polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer composite was estimated ∼22 nm and ∼28 nm, respectively. We have report atleast two times enhancement in Tb3+ ions emission intensity due to the efficient energy transfer from salicylic acid molecule to Tb ions. In addition to energy transfer from salicylic acid, the Polyvinylpyrrolidone polymeric host was also reported to serve as a sensitizer for SA molecule and Tb3+ ions through a cascade energy relaxation process while exciting with 248 nm photons. On 248 nm photon excitation, atleast five improvements in Tb3+ ion emission intensity are reported. Presence of SA molecule facilitates precise colour tuning as obvious from the CIE coordinates.

Two-photon probes for in vivo multicolor microscopy of the structure and signals of brain cells.

PubMed

Ricard, Clément; Arroyo, Erica D; He, Cynthia X; Portera-Cailliau, Carlos; Lepousez, Gabriel; Canepari, Marco; Fiole, Daniel

2018-05-11

Imaging the brain of living laboratory animals at a microscopic scale can be achieved by two-photon microscopy thanks to the high penetrability and low phototoxicity of the excitation wavelengths used. However, knowledge of the two-photon spectral properties of the myriad fluorescent probes is generally scarce and, for many, non-existent. In addition, the use of different measurement units in published reports further hinders the design of a comprehensive imaging experiment. In this review, we compile and homogenize the two-photon spectral properties of 280 fluorescent probes. We provide practical data, including the wavelengths for optimal two-photon excitation, the peak values of two-photon action cross section or molecular brightness, and the emission ranges. Beyond the spectroscopic description of these fluorophores, we discuss their binding to biological targets. This specificity allows in vivo imaging of cells, their processes, and even organelles and other subcellular structures in the brain. In addition to probes that monitor endogenous cell metabolism, studies of healthy and diseased brain benefit from the specific binding of certain probes to pathology-specific features, ranging from amyloid-β plaques to the autofluorescence of certain antibiotics. A special focus is placed on functional in vivo imaging using two-photon probes that sense specific ions or membrane potential, and that may be combined with optogenetic actuators. Being closely linked to their use, we examine the different routes of intravital delivery of these fluorescent probes according to the target. Finally, we discuss different approaches, strategies, and prerequisites for two-photon multicolor experiments in the brains of living laboratory animals.

Enhanced Single-Photon Emission from Carbon-Nanotube Dopant States Coupled to Silicon Microcavities.

PubMed

Ishii, Akihiro; He, Xiaowei; Hartmann, Nicolai F; Machiya, Hidenori; Htoon, Han; Doorn, Stephen K; Kato, Yuichiro K

2018-06-13

Single-walled carbon nanotubes are a promising material as quantum light sources at room temperature and as nanoscale light sources for integrated photonic circuits on silicon. Here, we show that the integration of dopant states in carbon nanotubes and silicon microcavities can provide bright and high-purity single-photon emitters on a silicon photonics platform at room temperature. We perform photoluminescence spectroscopy and observe the enhancement of emission from the dopant states by a factor of ∼50, and cavity-enhanced radiative decay is confirmed using time-resolved measurements, in which a ∼30% decrease of emission lifetime is observed. The statistics of photons emitted from the cavity-coupled dopant states are investigated by photon-correlation measurements, and high-purity single photon generation is observed. The excitation power dependence of photon emission statistics shows that the degree of photon antibunching can be kept high even when the excitation power increases, while the single-photon emission rate can be increased to ∼1.7 × 10 7 Hz.

Enhanced Single-Photon Emission from Carbon-Nanotube Dopant States Coupled to Silicon Microcavities

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

Ishii, Akihiro; He, Xiaowei; Hartmann, Nicolai F.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes are a promising material as quantum light sources at room temperature and as nanoscale light sources for integrated photonic circuits on silicon. Here, we show that the integration of dopant states in carbon nanotubes and silicon microcavities can provide bright and high-purity single-photon emitters on a silicon photonics platform at room temperature. We perform photoluminescence spectroscopy and observe the enhancement of emission from the dopant states by a factor of ~50, and cavity-enhanced radiative decay is confirmed using time-resolved measurements, in which a ~30% decrease of emission lifetime is observed. The statistics of photons emitted from themore » cavity-coupled dopant states are investigated by photon-correlation measurements, and high-purity single photon generation is observed. The excitation power dependence of photon emission statistics shows that the degree of photon antibunching can be kept high even when the excitation power increases, while the single-photon emission rate can be increased to ~1.7 × 10 7 Hz.« less

Enhanced Single-Photon Emission from Carbon-Nanotube Dopant States Coupled to Silicon Microcavities

DOE PAGES

Ishii, Akihiro; He, Xiaowei; Hartmann, Nicolai F.; ...

2018-05-21

Single-walled carbon nanotubes are a promising material as quantum light sources at room temperature and as nanoscale light sources for integrated photonic circuits on silicon. Here, we show that the integration of dopant states in carbon nanotubes and silicon microcavities can provide bright and high-purity single-photon emitters on a silicon photonics platform at room temperature. We perform photoluminescence spectroscopy and observe the enhancement of emission from the dopant states by a factor of ~50, and cavity-enhanced radiative decay is confirmed using time-resolved measurements, in which a ~30% decrease of emission lifetime is observed. The statistics of photons emitted from themore » cavity-coupled dopant states are investigated by photon-correlation measurements, and high-purity single photon generation is observed. The excitation power dependence of photon emission statistics shows that the degree of photon antibunching can be kept high even when the excitation power increases, while the single-photon emission rate can be increased to ~1.7 × 10 7 Hz.« less

Deterministic photon-emitter coupling in chiral photonic circuits.

PubMed

Söllner, Immo; Mahmoodian, Sahand; Hansen, Sofie Lindskov; Midolo, Leonardo; Javadi, Alisa; Kiršanskė, Gabija; Pregnolato, Tommaso; El-Ella, Haitham; Lee, Eun Hye; Song, Jin Dong; Stobbe, Søren; Lodahl, Peter

2015-09-01

Engineering photon emission and scattering is central to modern photonics applications ranging from light harvesting to quantum-information processing. To this end, nanophotonic waveguides are well suited as they confine photons to a one-dimensional geometry and thereby increase the light-matter interaction. In a regular waveguide, a quantum emitter interacts equally with photons in either of the two propagation directions. This symmetry is violated in nanophotonic structures in which non-transversal local electric-field components imply that photon emission and scattering may become directional. Here we show that the helicity of the optical transition of a quantum emitter determines the direction of single-photon emission in a specially engineered photonic-crystal waveguide. We observe single-photon emission into the waveguide with a directionality that exceeds 90% under conditions in which practically all the emitted photons are coupled to the waveguide. The chiral light-matter interaction enables deterministic and highly directional photon emission for experimentally achievable on-chip non-reciprocal photonic elements. These may serve as key building blocks for single-photon optical diodes, transistors and deterministic quantum gates. Furthermore, chiral photonic circuits allow the dissipative preparation of entangled states of multiple emitters for experimentally achievable parameters, may lead to novel topological photon states and could be applied for directional steering of light.

Deterministic photon-emitter coupling in chiral photonic circuits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Söllner, Immo; Mahmoodian, Sahand; Hansen, Sofie Lindskov; Midolo, Leonardo; Javadi, Alisa; Kiršanskė, Gabija; Pregnolato, Tommaso; El-Ella, Haitham; Lee, Eun Hye; Song, Jin Dong; Stobbe, Søren; Lodahl, Peter

2015-09-01

Engineering photon emission and scattering is central to modern photonics applications ranging from light harvesting to quantum-information processing. To this end, nanophotonic waveguides are well suited as they confine photons to a one-dimensional geometry and thereby increase the light-matter interaction. In a regular waveguide, a quantum emitter interacts equally with photons in either of the two propagation directions. This symmetry is violated in nanophotonic structures in which non-transversal local electric-field components imply that photon emission and scattering may become directional. Here we show that the helicity of the optical transition of a quantum emitter determines the direction of single-photon emission in a specially engineered photonic-crystal waveguide. We observe single-photon emission into the waveguide with a directionality that exceeds 90% under conditions in which practically all the emitted photons are coupled to the waveguide. The chiral light-matter interaction enables deterministic and highly directional photon emission for experimentally achievable on-chip non-reciprocal photonic elements. These may serve as key building blocks for single-photon optical diodes, transistors and deterministic quantum gates. Furthermore, chiral photonic circuits allow the dissipative preparation of entangled states of multiple emitters for experimentally achievable parameters, may lead to novel topological photon states and could be applied for directional steering of light.

Biocompatible near-infrared fluorescent nanoparticles for macro and microscopic in vivo functional bioimaging

PubMed Central

Chu, Liliang; Wang, Shaowei; Li, Kanghui; Xi, Wang; Zhao, Xinyuan; Qian, Jun

2014-01-01

Near-infrared (NIR) imaging technology has been widely used for biomedical research and applications, since it can achieve deep penetration in biological tissues due to less absorption and scattering of NIR light. In our research, polymer nanoparticles with NIR fluorophores doped were synthesized. The morphology, absorption/emission features and chemical stability of the fluorescent nanoparticles were characterized, separately. NIR fluorescent nanoparticles were then utilized as bright optical probes for macro in vivo imaging of mice, including sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping, as well as distribution and excretion monitoring of nanoparticles in animal body. Furthermore, we applied the NIR fluorescent nanoparticles in in vivo microscopic bioimaging via a confocal microscope. Under the 635 nm-CW excitation, the blood vessel architecture in the ear and the brain of mice, which were administered with nanoparticles, was visualized very clearly. The imaging depth of our one-photon microscopy, which was assisted with NIR fluorescent nanoprobes, can reach as deep as 500 μm. Our experiments show that NIR fluorescent nanoparticles have great potentials in various deep-tissue imaging applications. PMID:25426331

Two-Photon Imaging with Diffractive Optical Elements

PubMed Central

Watson, Brendon O.; Nikolenko, Volodymyr; Yuste, Rafael

2009-01-01

Two-photon imaging has become a useful tool for optical monitoring of neural circuits, but it requires high laser power and serial scanning of each pixel in a sample. This results in slow imaging rates, limiting the measurements of fast signals such as neuronal activity. To improve the speed and signal-to-noise ratio of two-photon imaging, we introduce a simple modification of a two-photon microscope, using a diffractive optical element (DOE) which splits the laser beam into several beamlets that can simultaneously scan the sample. We demonstrate the advantages of DOE scanning by enhancing the speed and sensitivity of two-photon calcium imaging of action potentials in neurons from neocortical brain slices. DOE scanning can easily improve the detection of time-varying signals in two-photon and other non-linear microscopic techniques. PMID:19636390

Magneto-acupuncture stimuli effects on ultraweak photon emission from hands of healthy persons.

PubMed

Park, Sang-Hyun; Kim, Jungdae; Koo, Tae-Hoi

2009-03-01

We investigated ultraweak photon emissions from the hands of 45 healthy persons before and after magneto-acupuncture stimuli. Photon emissions were measured by using two photomultiplier tubes in the spectral range of UV and visible. Several statistical quantities such as the average intensity, the standard deviation, the delta-value, and the degree of asymmetry were calculated from the measurements of photon emissions before and after the magneto-acupuncture stimuli. The distributions of the quantities from the measurements with the magneto-acupuncture stimuli were more differentiable than those of the groups without any stimuli and with the sham magnets. We also analyzed the magneto-acupuncture stimuli effects on the photon emissions through a year-long measurement for two subjects. The individualities of the subjects increased the differences of photon emissions compared to the above group study before and after magnetic stimuli. The changes on the ultraweak photon emission rates of hand for the magnet group were detected conclusively in the quantities of the averages and standard deviations.

Transition of lasing modes in polymeric opal photonic crystal resonating cavity.

PubMed

Shi, Lan-Ting; Zheng, Mei-Ling; Jin, Feng; Dong, Xian-Zi; Chen, Wei-Qiang; Zhao, Zhen-Sheng; Duan, Xuan-Ming

2016-06-10

We demonstrate the transition of lasing modes in the resonating cavity constructed by polystyrene opal photonic crystals and 7 wt. % tert-butyl Rhodamine B doped polymer film. Both single mode and multiple mode lasing emission are observed from the resonating cavity. The lasing threshold is determined to be 0.81  μJ/pulse for single mode lasing emission and 2.25  μJ/pulse for multiple mode lasing emission. The single mode lasing emission is attributed to photonic lasing resulting from the photonic bandgap effect of the opal photonic crystals, while the multiple mode lasing emission is assigned to random lasing due to the defects in the photonic crystals. The result would benefit the development of low threshold polymeric solid state photonic crystal lasers.

Remote activation and detection of up-converted luminescence via surface plasmon polaritons propagating in a silver nanowire.

PubMed

Prymaczek, A; Cwierzona, M; Grzelak, J; Kowalska, D; Nyk, M; Mackowski, S; Piatkowski, D

2018-06-27

In this paper, we demonstrate remote activation and detection of the 2-photon up-conversion luminescence via surface plasmon polaritons propagating in a long silver nanowire. The hybrid nanostructure was assembled by locally depositing a submicron droplet of nanocrystal-containing colloidal solution on one of the ends of the metallic nanowire. When - using a classic confocal microscope - the second end of the nanowire, without the nanocrystals, is illuminated with infrared laser light, we observe strong emission from the same end. Therefore, it indicates that surface plasmon polaritons activated with infrared light at the second end of the nanowire propagate along it and can excite nanocrystals in the droplet at the opposite end. Subsequently, the excited nanocrystals up-convert the energy and by launching surface plasmon polaritons can guide the up-converted luminescence back to the starting point. The emergence of this effect is much more pronounced for a laser polarized along the nanowire. The spectral and temporal character of this emission reveals strong interactions between surface plasmon polaritons and electronic states of the nanocrystals. The details of local and non-local aspects of the effects of remote excitation and guiding of energy in a silver nanowire are elucidated using a unique experimental setup, based on two microscope objectives for spatial separation and control of both excitation and emission beams.

Confocal Microscopy Imaging with an Optical Transition Edge Sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fukuda, D.; Niwa, K.; Hattori, K.; Inoue, S.; Kobayashi, R.; Numata, T.

2018-05-01

Fluorescence color imaging at an extremely low excitation intensity was performed using an optical transition edge sensor (TES) embedded in a confocal microscope for the first time. Optical TES has the ability to resolve incident single photon energy; therefore, the wavelength of each photon can be measured without spectroscopic elements such as diffraction gratings. As target objects, animal cells labeled with two fluorescent dyes were irradiated with an excitation laser at an intensity below 1 μW. In our confocal system, an optical fiber-coupled TES device is used to detect photons instead of the pinhole and photomultiplier tube used in typical confocal microscopes. Photons emitted from the dyes were collected by the objective lens, and sent to the optical TES via the fiber. The TES measures the wavelength of each photon arriving in an exposure time of 70 ms, and a fluorescent photon spectrum is constructed. This measurement is repeated by scanning the target sample, and finally a two-dimensional RGB-color image is obtained. The obtained image showed that the photons emitted from the dyes of mitochondria and cytoskeletons were clearly resolved at a detection intensity level of tens of photons. TES exhibits ideal performance as a photon detector with a low dark count rate (< 1 Hz) and wavelength resolving power. In the single-mode fiber-coupled system, the confocal microscope can be operated in the super-resolution mode. These features are very promising to realize high-sensitivity and high-resolution photon spectral imaging, and would help avoid cell damage and photobleaching of fluorescence dyes.

Mechanical design of a precision linear flexural stage for 3D x-ray diffraction microscope at the Advanced Photon Source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shu, D.; Liu, W.; Kearney, S.; Anton, J.; Tischler, J. Z.

2015-09-01

The 3-D X-ray diffraction microscope is a new nondestructive tool for the three-dimensional characterization of mesoscopic materials structure. A flexural-pivot-based precision linear stage has been designed to perform a wire scan as a differential aperture for the 3-D diffraction microscope at the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory. The mechanical design and finite element analyses of the flexural stage, as well as its initial mechanical test results with laser interferometer are described in this paper.

Single-photon counting multicolor multiphoton fluorescence microscope.

PubMed

Buehler, Christof; Kim, Ki H; Greuter, Urs; Schlumpf, Nick; So, Peter T C

2005-01-01

We present a multicolor multiphoton fluorescence microscope with single-photon counting sensitivity. The system integrates a standard multiphoton fluorescence microscope, an optical grating spectrograph operating in the UV-Vis wavelength region, and a 16-anode photomultiplier tube (PMT). The major technical innovation is in the development of a multichannel photon counting card (mC-PhCC) for direct signal collection from multi-anode PMTs. The electronic design of the mC-PhCC employs a high-throughput, fully-parallel, single-photon counting scheme along with a high-speed electrical or fiber-optical link interface to the data acquisition computer. There is no electronic crosstalk among the detection channels of the mC-PhCC. The collected signal remains linear up to an incident photon rate of 10(8) counts per second. The high-speed data interface offers ample bandwidth for real-time readout: 2 MByte lambda-stacks composed of 16 spectral channels, 256 x 256 pixel image with 12-bit dynamic range can be transferred at 30 frames per second. The modular design of the mC-PhCC can be readily extended to accommodate PMTs of more anodes. Data acquisition from a 64-anode PMT has been verified. As a demonstration of system performance, spectrally resolved images of fluorescent latex spheres and ex-vivo human skin are reported. The multicolor multiphoton microscope is suitable for highly sensitive, real-time, spectrally-resolved three-dimensional imaging in biomedical applications.

Photon emission from massive projectile impacts on solids.

PubMed

Fernandez-Lima, F A; Pinnick, V T; Della-Negra, S; Schweikert, E A

2011-01-01

First evidence of photon emission from individual impacts of massive gold projectiles on solids for a number of projectile-target combinations is reported. Photon emission from individual impacts of massive Au(n) (+q) (1 ≤ n ≤ 400; q = 1-4) projectiles with impact energies in the range of 28-136 keV occurs in less than 10 ns after the projectile impact. Experimental observations show an increase in the photon yield from individual impacts with the projectile size and velocity. Concurrently with the photon emission, electron emission from the impact area has been observed below the kinetic emission threshold and under unlikely conditions for potential electron emission. We interpret the puzzling electron emission and correlated luminescence observation as evidence of the electronic excitation resulting from the high-energy density deposited by massive cluster projectiles during the impact.

Photon emission from massive projectile impacts on solids

PubMed Central

Fernandez-Lima, F. A.; Pinnick, V. T.; Della-Negra, S.; Schweikert, E. A.

2011-01-01

First evidence of photon emission from individual impacts of massive gold projectiles on solids for a number of projectile-target combinations is reported. Photon emission from individual impacts of massive Aun+q (1 ≤ n ≤ 400; q = 1–4) projectiles with impact energies in the range of 28–136 keV occurs in less than 10 ns after the projectile impact. Experimental observations show an increase in the photon yield from individual impacts with the projectile size and velocity. Concurrently with the photon emission, electron emission from the impact area has been observed below the kinetic emission threshold and under unlikely conditions for potential electron emission. We interpret the puzzling electron emission and correlated luminescence observation as evidence of the electronic excitation resulting from the high-energy density deposited by massive cluster projectiles during the impact. PMID:21603128

Relaxation dynamics of light-induced photon emission by mammalian cells and nuclei

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Van Wijk, R.; Van Aken, J. M.; Laerdal, H. E.; Souren, J. E. M.

1995-12-01

Photon emission from mammalian cells has been the subject of study for many years. Throughout the history of this field of research the question of a functional biological role of the low intensity emission has been repeatedly raised. The discussion concerns the possible participation of biophotons in intra- and intercellular communication. In this paper we consider the significance of the studies on light-induced photon emission of isolated mammalian cells. Furthermore we report on the source of this light-induced photon emission.

Wide field-of-view, multi-region two-photon imaging of neuronal activity in the mammalian brain

PubMed Central

Stirman, Jeffrey N.; Smith, Ikuko T.; Kudenov, Michael W.; Smith, Spencer L.

2016-01-01

Two-photon calcium imaging provides an optical readout of neuronal activity in populations of neurons with subcellular resolution. However, conventional two-photon imaging systems are limited in their field of view to ~1 mm2, precluding the visualization of multiple cortical areas simultaneously. Here, we demonstrate a two-photon microscope with an expanded field of view (>9.5 mm2) for rapidly reconfigurable simultaneous scanning of widely separated populations of neurons. We custom designed and assembled an optimized scan engine, objective, and two independently positionable, temporally multiplexed excitation pathways. We used this new microscope to measure activity correlations between two cortical visual areas in mice during visual processing. PMID:27347754

Collimator-free photon tomography

DOEpatents

Dilmanian, F. Avraham; Barbour, Randall L.

1998-10-06

A method of uncollimated single photon emission computed tomography includes administering a radioisotope to a patient for producing gamma ray photons from a source inside the patient. Emissivity of the photons is measured externally of the patient with an uncollimated gamma camera at a plurality of measurement positions surrounding the patient for obtaining corresponding energy spectrums thereat. Photon emissivity at the plurality of measurement positions is predicted using an initial prediction of an image of the source. The predicted and measured photon emissivities are compared to obtain differences therebetween. Prediction and comparison is iterated by updating the image prediction until the differences are below a threshold for obtaining a final prediction of the source image.

A comparison of two micro-beam X-ray emission techniques for actinide elemental distribution in microscopic particles originating from the hydrogen bombs involved in the Palomares (Spain) and Thule (Greenland) accidents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jimenez-Ramos, M. C.; Eriksson, M.; García-López, J.; Ranebo, Y.; García-Tenorio, R.; Betti, M.; Holm, E.

2010-09-01

In order to validate and to gain confidence in two micro-beam techniques: particle induced X-ray emission with nuclear microprobe technique (μ-PIXE) and synchrotron radiation induced X-ray fluorescence in a confocal alignment (confocal SR μ-XRF) for characterization of microscopic particles containing actinide elements (mixed plutonium and uranium) a comparative study has been performed. Inter-comparison of the two techniques is essential as the X-ray production cross-sections for U and Pu are different for protons and photons and not well defined in the open literature, especially for Pu. The particles studied consisted of nuclear weapons material, and originate either in the so called Palomares accident in Spain, 1966 or in the Thule accident in Greenland, 1968. In the determination of the average Pu/U mass ratios (not corrected by self-absorption) in the analysed microscopic particles the results from both techniques show a very good agreement. In addition, the suitability of both techniques for the analysis with good resolution (down to a few μm) of the Pu/U distribution within the particles has been proved. The set of results obtained through both techniques has allowed gaining important information concerning the characterization of the remaining fissile material in the areas affected by the aircraft accidents. This type of information is essential for long-term impact assessments of contaminated sites.

Strong Photonic-Band-Gap Effect on the Spontaneous Emission in 3D Lead Halide Perovskite Photonic Crystals.

PubMed

Zhou, Xue; Li, Mingzhu; Wang, Kang; Li, Huizeng; Li, Yanan; Li, Chang; Yan, Yongli; Zhao, Yongsheng; Song, Yanlin

2018-03-25

Stimulated emission in perovskite-embedded polymer opal structures is investigated. A polymer opal structure is filled with a perovskite, and perovskite photonic crystals are prepared. The spontaneous emission of the perovskite embedded in the polymer opal structures exhibits clear signatures of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) via gain modulation. The difference in refractive-index contrast between the perovskite and the polymer opal is large enough for retaining photonic-crystals properties. The photonic band gap has a strong effect on the fluorescence emission intensity and lifetime. The stimulated emission spectrum exhibits a narrow ASE rather than a wide fluorescence peak in the thin film. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Measurement of X-ray emission efficiency for K-lines.

PubMed

Procop, M

2004-08-01

Results for the X-ray emission efficiency (counts per C per sr) of K-lines for selected elements (C, Al, Si, Ti, Cu, Ge) and for the first time also for compounds and alloys (SiC, GaP, AlCu, TiAlC) are presented. An energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) of known detection efficiency (counts per photon) has been used to record the spectra at a takeoff angle of 25 degrees determined by the geometry of the secondary electron microscope's specimen chamber. Overall uncertainty in measurement could be reduced to 5 to 10% in dependence on the line intensity and energy. Measured emission efficiencies have been compared with calculated efficiencies based on models applied in standardless analysis. The widespread XPP and PROZA models give somewhat too low emission efficiencies. The best agreement between measured and calculated efficiencies could be achieved by replacing in the modular PROZA96 model the original expression for the ionization cross section by the formula given by Casnati et al. (1982) A discrepancy remains for carbon, probably due to the high overvoltage ratio.

Quantum theory of phonon-mediated decoherence and relaxation of two-level systems in a structured electromagnetic reservoir

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, Chiranjeeb

In this thesis we study the role of nonradiative degrees of freedom on quantum optical properties of mesoscopic quantum dots placed in the structured electromagnetic reservoir of a photonic crystal. We derive a quantum theory of the role of acoustic and optical phonons in modifying the optical absorption lineshape, polarization dynamics, and population dynamics of a two-level atom (quantum dot) in the "colored" electromagnetic vacuum of a photonic band gap (PBG) material. This is based on a microscopic Hamiltonian describing both radiative and vibrational processes quantum mechanically. Phonon sidebands in an ordinary electromagnetic reservoir are recaptured in a simple model of optical phonons using a mean-field factorization of the atomic and lattice displacement operators. Our formalism is then used to treat the non-Markovian dynamics of the same system within the structured electromagnetic density of states of a photonic crystal. We elucidate the extent to which phonon-assisted decay limits the lifetime of a single photon-atom bound state and derive the modified spontaneous emission dynamics due to coupling to various phonon baths. We demonstrate that coherent interaction with undamped phonons can lead to enhanced lifetime of a photon-atom bound state in a PBG by (i) dephasing and reducing the transition electric dipole moment of the atom and (ii) reducing the quantum mechanical overlap of the state vectors of the excited and ground state (polaronic shift). This results in reduction of the steady-state atomic polarization but an increase in the fractionalized upper state population in the photon-atom bound state. We demonstrate, on the other hand, that the lifetime of the photon-atom bound state in a PBG is limited by the lifetime of phonons due to lattice anharmonicities (break-up of phonons into lower energy phonons) and purely nonradiative decay. We demonstrate how these additional damping effects limit the extent of the polaronic (Franck-Condon) shift of the atomic excited state. We also derive the modified polarization decay and dephasing rates in the presence of such damping. This leads to a microscopic, quantum theory of the optical absorption lineshapes. Our model and formalism provide a starting point for describing dephasing and relaxation in the presence of external coherent fields and multiple quantum dot interactions in electromagnetic reservoirs with radiative memory effects.

Collimator-free photon tomography

DOEpatents

Dilmanian, F.A.; Barbour, R.L.

1998-10-06

A method of uncollimated single photon emission computed tomography includes administering a radioisotope to a patient for producing gamma ray photons from a source inside the patient. Emissivity of the photons is measured externally of the patient with an uncollimated gamma camera at a plurality of measurement positions surrounding the patient for obtaining corresponding energy spectrums thereat. Photon emissivity at the plurality of measurement positions is predicted using an initial prediction of an image of the source. The predicted and measured photon emissivities are compared to obtain differences therebetween. Prediction and comparison is iterated by updating the image prediction until the differences are below a threshold for obtaining a final prediction of the source image. 6 figs.

Photon emissions from rice cells elicited by N-acetylchitooligosaccharide are generated through phospholipid signaling in close association with the production of reactive oxygen species.

PubMed

Kageyama, C; Kato, K; Iyozumi, H; Inagaki, H; Yamaguchi, A; Furuse, K; Baba, K

2006-01-01

Biophotons are ultraweak light emissions from biochemical reactions in a living body. They increase in suspension-cultured rice (Oryza sativa L.) cells when elicited by N-acetylchitooligosaccharide. Biochemical analyses were undertaken to investigate the relationship between disease response and biophotons in order to clarify the emission mechanism of biophotons caused by this elicitor. Photon emissions induced by N-acetylchitohexaose were suppressed when cells were pretreated with the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating inhibitors: pyrocatechol-3,5-disulfonic acid disodium salt (Tiron); diphenylene iodonium (DPI); and salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM). Conversely, exogenously applied ROS (superoxide and hydrogen peroxide) were able to induce photon emissions. The effects of protein phosphorylation (K-252a) and the Ca(2+) signaling inhibitors, ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) and LaCl(3), caused photon emissions to decrease. It is clear that photon emissions from rice cells elicited by N-acetylchitohexaose are closely associated with the ROS-generating system, and are regulated by Ca(2+) signaling and protein phosphorylation. Exogenously applied phosphatidic acid (PA), the second messenger in the signal transduction of disease response, raised photon emissions in rice cells. Comparisons of photon emissions from PA and N-acetylchitohexaose regarding time courses, spectral compositions, and the inhibition ratios of several inhibitors, as well as a loss- and gain-of-function assay using the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide (CHX) and PA, showed the possibility that photon emissions from rice cells elicited by N-acetylchitooligosaccharide were generated through PA, an intermediate of phospholipid signaling.

Linoleic Acid-Induced Ultra-Weak Photon Emission from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as a Tool for Monitoring of Lipid Peroxidation in the Cell Membranes

PubMed Central

Prasad, Ankush; Pospíšil, Pavel

2011-01-01

Reactive oxygen species formed as a response to various abiotic and biotic stresses cause an oxidative damage of cellular component such are lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Lipid peroxidation is considered as one of the major processes responsible for the oxidative damage of the polyunsaturated fatty acid in the cell membranes. Various methods such as a loss of polyunsaturated fatty acids, amount of the primary and the secondary products are used to monitor the level of lipid peroxidation. To investigate the use of ultra-weak photon emission as a non-invasive tool for monitoring of lipid peroxidation, the involvement of lipid peroxidation in ultra-weak photon emission was studied in the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Lipid peroxidation initiated by addition of exogenous linoleic acid to the cells was monitored by ultra-weak photon emission measured with the employment of highly sensitive charged couple device camera and photomultiplier tube. It was found that the addition of linoleic acid to the cells significantly increased the ultra-weak photon emission that correlates with the accumulation of lipid peroxidation product as measured using thiobarbituric acid assay. Scavenging of hydroxyl radical by mannitol, inhibition of intrinsic lipoxygenase by catechol and removal of molecular oxygen considerably suppressed ultra-weak photon emission measured after the addition of linoleic acid. The photon emission dominated at the red region of the spectrum with emission maximum at 680 nm. These observations reveal that the oxidation of linoleic acid by hydroxyl radical and intrinsic lipoxygenase results in the ultra-weak photon emission. Electronically excited species such as excited triplet carbonyls are the likely candidates for the primary excited species formed during the lipid peroxidation, whereas chlorophylls are the final emitters of photons. We propose here that the ultra-weak photon emission can be used as a non-invasive tool for the detection of lipid peroxidation in the cell membranes. PMID:21799835

Two-Photon Fluorescence Microscope for Microgravity Research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fischer, David G.; Zimmerli, Gregory A.; Asipauskas, Marius

2005-01-01

A two-photon fluorescence microscope has been developed for the study of biophysical phenomena. Two-photon microscopy is a novel form of laser-based scanning microscopy that enables three-dimensional imaging without many of the problems inherent in confocal microscopy. Unlike one-photon optical microscopy, two-photon microscopy utilizes the simultaneous nonlinear absorption of two near-infrared photons. However, the efficiency of two-photon absorption is much lower than that of one-photon absorption, so an ultra-fast pulsed laser source is typically employed. On the other hand, the critical energy threshold for two-photon absorption leads to fluorophore excitation that is intrinsically localized to the focal volume. Consequently, two-photon microscopy enables optical sectioning and confocal performance without the need for a signal-limiting pinhole. In addition, there is a reduction (relative to one-photon optical microscopy) in photon-induced damage because of the longer excitation wavelength. This reduction is especially advantageous for in vivo studies. Relative to confocal microscopy, there is also a reduction in background fluorescence, and, because of a reduction in Rayleigh scattering, there is a 4 increase of penetration depth. The prohibitive cost of a commercial two-photon fluorescence-microscope system, as well as a need for modularity, has led to the construction of a custom-built system (see Figure 1). This system includes a coherent mode-locked titanium: sapphire laser emitting 120-fs-duration pulses at a repetition rate of 80 MHz. The pulsed laser has an average output power of 800 mW and a wavelength tuning range of 700 to 980 nm, enabling the excitation of a variety of targeted fluorophores. The output from the laser is attenuated, spatially filtered, and then directed into a confocal scanning head that has been modified to provide for side entry of the laser beam. The laser output coupler has been replaced with a dichroic filter that reflects the longer-wavelength excitation light and passes the shorter-wavelength fluorescence light. Also, the confocal pinhole has been removed to increase the signal strength. The laser beam is scanned by a twoperpendicular- axis pair of galvanometer mirrors through a pupil transfer lens into the side port of an inverted microscope. Finally, the beam is focused by a 63-magnification, 1.3-numerical- aperture oil-immersion objective lens onto a specimen. The pupil transfer lens serves to match the intermediate image planes of the scanning head and the microscope, and its location is critical. In order to maximize the quality of the image, (that is, the point spread function of the objective lens for all scan positions), the entire system was modeled in optical-design software, and the various free design parameters (the parameters of the spatial-filter components as well as the separations of all of the system components) were determined through an iterative optimization process. A modular design was chosen to facilitate access to the optical train for future fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and fluorescence-lifetime experiments.

Pulse-Shaping-Based Nonlinear Microscopy: Development and Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flynn, Daniel Christopher

The combination of optical microscopy and ultrafast spectroscopy make the spatial characterization of chemical kinetics on the femtosecond time scale possible. Commercially available octave-spanning Ti:Sapphire oscillators with sub-8 fs pulse durations can drive a multitude of nonlinear transitions across a significant portion of the visible spectrum with minimal average power. Unfortunately, dispersion from microscope objectives broadens pulse durations, decreases temporal resolution and lowers the peak intensities required for driving nonlinear transitions. In this dissertation, pulse shaping is used to compress laser pulses after the microscope objective. By using a binary genetic algorithm, pulse-shapes are designed to enable selective two-photon excitation. The pulse-shapes are demonstrated in two-photon fluorescence of live COS-7 cells expressing GFP-variants mAmetrine and tdTomato. The pulse-shaping approach is applied to a new multiphoton fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) stoichiometry method that quantifies donor and acceptor molecules in complex, as well as the ratio of total donor to acceptor molecules. Compared to conventional multi-photon imaging techniques that require laser tuning or multiple laser systems to selectively excite individual fluorophores, the pulse-shaping approach offers rapid selective multifluorphore imaging at biologically relevant time scales. By splitting the laser beam into two beams and building a second pulse shaper, a pulse-shaping-based pump-probe microscope is developed. The technique offers multiple imaging modalities, such as excited state absorption (ESA), ground state bleach (GSB), and stimulated emission (SE), enhancing contrast of structures via their unique quantum pathways without the addition of contrast agents. Pulse-shaping based pump-probe microscopy is demonstrated for endogenous chemical-contrast imaging of red blood cells. In the second section of this dissertation, ultrafast spectroscopic techniques are used to characterize structure-function relationships of two-photon absorbing GFP-type probes and optical limiting materials. Fluorescence lifetimes of GFP-type probes are shown to depend on functional group substitution position, therefore, enabling the synthesis of designer probes for the possible study of conformation changes and aggregation in biological systems. Similarly, it is determined that small differences in the structure and dimensionality of organometallic macrocycles result in a diverse set of optical properties, which serves as a basis for the molecular level design of nonlinear optical materials.

Ion-induced electron emission microscopy

DOEpatents

Doyle, Barney L.; Vizkelethy, Gyorgy; Weller, Robert A.

2001-01-01

An ion beam analysis system that creates multidimensional maps of the effects of high energy ions from an unfocussed source upon a sample by correlating the exact entry point of an ion into a sample by projection imaging of the secondary electrons emitted at that point with a signal from a detector that measures the interaction of that ion within the sample. The emitted secondary electrons are collected in a strong electric field perpendicular to the sample surface and (optionally) projected and refocused by the electron lenses found in a photon emission electron microscope, amplified by microchannel plates and then their exact position is sensed by a very sensitive X Y position detector. Position signals from this secondary electron detector are then correlated in time with nuclear, atomic or electrical effects, including the malfunction of digital circuits, detected within the sample that were caused by the individual ion that created these secondary electrons in the fit place.

Photon theory hypothesis about photon tunneling microscope's subwavelength resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Yanbin; Ma, Junfu

1995-09-01

The foundation for the invention of the photon scanning tunneling microscope (PSTM) are the near field scanning optical microscope, the optical fiber technique, the total internal reflection, high sensitive opto-electronic detecting technique and computer technique etc. Recent research results show the subwavelength resolution of 1 - 3 nm is obtained. How to explain the PSTM has got such high subwavelength resolution? What value is the PSTM's limiting of subwavelength resolution? For resolving these problems this paper presented a photon theory hypothesis about PSTM that is based on the following two basic laws: (1) Photon is not only a carrier bringing energy and optical information, but also is a particle occupied fixed space size. (2) When a photon happened reflection, refraction, scattering, etc., only changed its energy and optical information carried, its particle size doesn't change. g (DOT) pphoton equals constant. Using these two basic laws to PSTM, the `evanescent field' is practically a weak photon distribution field and the detecting fiber tip diameter is practically a `gate' which size controlled the photon numbers into fiber tip. Passing through some calculation and inference, the following three conclusions can be given: (1) Under the PSTM's detection system sensitivity is high enough, the diameter D of detecting fiber tip and the near field detecting distance Z are the two most important factors to decide the subwavelength resolution of PSTM. (2) The limiting of PSTM's resolution will be given upon the conditions of D equals pphoton and Z equals pphoton, where pphoton is one photon size. (2) The final resolution limit R of PSTM will be lim R equals pphoton, D yields pphoton, Z yields pphoton.

New Details of the Human Corneal Limbus Revealed With Second Harmonic Generation Imaging.

PubMed

Park, Choul Yong; Lee, Jimmy K; Zhang, Cheng; Chuck, Roy S

2015-09-01

To report novel findings of the human corneal limbus by using second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging. Corneal limbus was imaged by using an inverted two-photon excitation fluorescence microscope. Laser (Ti:Sapphire) was tuned at 850 nm for two-photon excitation. Backscatter signals of SHG and autofluorescence (AF) were collected through a 425/30-nm emission filter and a 525/45-emission filter, respectively. Multiple, consecutive, and overlapping image stacks (z-stack) were acquired for the corneal limbal area. Two novel collagen structures were revealed by SHG imaging at the limbus: an anterior limbal cribriform layer and presumed anchoring fibers. Anterior limbal cribriform layer is an intertwined reticular collagen architecture just beneath the limbal epithelial niche and is located between the peripheral cornea and Tenon's/scleral tissue. Autofluorescence imaging revealed high vascularity in this structure. Central to the anterior limbal cribriform layer, radial strands of collagen were found to connect the peripheral cornea to the limbus. These presumed anchoring fibers have both collagen and elastin and were found more extensively in the superficial layers than deep layer and were absent in very deep limbus near Schlemm's canal. By using SHG imaging, new details of the collagen architecture of human corneal limbal area were elucidated. High resolution images with volumetric analysis revealed two novel collagen structures.

Two-photon autofluorescence spectroscopy of oral mucosa tissue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Edward, Kert; Shilagard, Tuya; Qiu, Suimin; Vargas, Gracie

2011-03-01

The survival rate for individuals diagnosed with oral cancer is correlated with the stage of detection. Thus the development of novel techniques for the earliest possible detection of malignancies is of critical importance. Single photon (1P) autofluorescence spectroscopy has proven to be a powerful diagnostic tool in this regard, but 2P (two photon) spectroscopy remains essentially unexplored. In this investigation, a spectroscopic system was incorporated into a custom-built 2P laser scanning microscope. Oral cancer was induced in the buccal pouch of Syrian Golden hamsters by tri-weekly topical application of 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA).Three separated sites where investigated in each hamster at four excitation wavelengths from 780 nm to 890 nm. A Total of 8 hamsters were investigated (4 normal and 4 DMBA treated). All investigated sites were imaged via 2p imaging, marked for biopsy, processed for histology and H&E staining, and graded by a pathologist. The in vivo emission spectrum for normal, mild/high grade dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma is presented. It is shown that the hamsters with various stages of dysplasia are characterized by spectral differences as a function of depth and excitation wavelength, compared to normal hamsters.

Mechanism and applications of new fluorescent compounds produced by femtosecond laser surgery in biological tissue (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qu, Jianan Y.; Sun, Qiqi

2017-02-01

The single or multi-photon microscopy based on fluorescent labelling and staining is a sensitive and quantitative method that is widely used in molecular biology and medical research for a variety of experimental, analytical, and quality control applications. However, label-free method is highly desirable in biology and medicine when performing long term live imaging of biological system and obtaining instant tissue examination during surgery procedures. Recently, our group found that femtosecond laser surgery turned a variety of biological tissues and protein samples into highly fluorescent substances. The newly formed fluorescent compounds produced during the laser surgery can be excited via single- and two-photon processes over broad wavelength ranges. We developed a combined confocal and two-photon spectroscopic microscope to characterize the fluorescence from the new compound systematically. The structures of the femtosecond laser treated tissue were studied using Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Our study revealed the mechanisms of the fluorescence emission form the new compound. Furthermore, we demonstrated the applications of the fluorescent compounds for instant evaluation of femtosecond laser microsurgery, study of stem cell responses to muscle injury and neuro-regeneration after spinal cord injury.

Microscopic Perspective on Photovoltaic Reciprocity in Ultrathin Solar Cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aeberhard, Urs; Rau, Uwe

2017-06-01

The photovoltaic reciprocity theory relates the electroluminescence spectrum of a solar cell under applied bias to the external photovoltaic quantum efficiency of the device as measured at short circuit conditions. Its derivation is based on detailed balance relations between local absorption and emission rates in optically isotropic media with nondegenerate quasiequilibrium carrier distributions. In many cases, the dependence of density and spatial variation of electronic and optical device states on the point of operation is modest and the reciprocity relation holds. In nanostructure-based photovoltaic devices exploiting confined modes, however, the underlying assumptions are no longer justifiable. In the case of ultrathin absorber solar cells, the modification of the electronic structure with applied bias is significant due to the large variation of the built-in field. Straightforward use of the external quantum efficiency as measured at short circuit conditions in the photovoltaic reciprocity theory thus fails to reproduce the electroluminescence spectrum at large forward bias voltage. This failure is demonstrated here by numerical simulation of both spectral quantities at normal incidence and emission for an ultrathin GaAs p -i -n solar cell using an advanced quantum kinetic formalism based on nonequilibrium Green's functions of coupled photons and charge carriers. While coinciding with the semiclassical relations under the conditions of their validity, the theory provides a consistent microscopic relationship between absorption, emission, and charge carrier transport in photovoltaic devices at arbitrary operating conditions and for any shape of optical and electronic density of states.

Microscopic Perspective on Photovoltaic Reciprocity in Ultrathin Solar Cells.

PubMed

Aeberhard, Urs; Rau, Uwe

2017-06-16

The photovoltaic reciprocity theory relates the electroluminescence spectrum of a solar cell under applied bias to the external photovoltaic quantum efficiency of the device as measured at short circuit conditions. Its derivation is based on detailed balance relations between local absorption and emission rates in optically isotropic media with nondegenerate quasiequilibrium carrier distributions. In many cases, the dependence of density and spatial variation of electronic and optical device states on the point of operation is modest and the reciprocity relation holds. In nanostructure-based photovoltaic devices exploiting confined modes, however, the underlying assumptions are no longer justifiable. In the case of ultrathin absorber solar cells, the modification of the electronic structure with applied bias is significant due to the large variation of the built-in field. Straightforward use of the external quantum efficiency as measured at short circuit conditions in the photovoltaic reciprocity theory thus fails to reproduce the electroluminescence spectrum at large forward bias voltage. This failure is demonstrated here by numerical simulation of both spectral quantities at normal incidence and emission for an ultrathin GaAs p-i-n solar cell using an advanced quantum kinetic formalism based on nonequilibrium Green's functions of coupled photons and charge carriers. While coinciding with the semiclassical relations under the conditions of their validity, the theory provides a consistent microscopic relationship between absorption, emission, and charge carrier transport in photovoltaic devices at arbitrary operating conditions and for any shape of optical and electronic density of states.

Detection of cell and tissue surface antigens using up-converting phosphors: a new reporter technology.

PubMed

Zijlmans, H J; Bonnet, J; Burton, J; Kardos, K; Vail, T; Niedbala, R S; Tanke, H J

1999-02-01

A novel luminescent reporter for the sensitive detection of antigens in tissue sections or on cell membranes is described. It consists of submicron-size phosphor crystals (0.2-0.4 microm), which are surface labeled with avidin or antibodies and capable of binding specifically to antigens on intact cells or in tissue sections. These phosphor reporters exhibit two-photon, anti-Stokes luminescence by up-converting infrared to visible light and are named Up-converting Phosphor Technology (UPT). They typically consist of yttriumoxysulfides doped with two different lanthanides exhibiting photostable, strong emission in the visible (blue, green, and red) upon excitation in the infrared. This report describes the conjugation of phosphor particles to NeutrAvidin with the subsequent use of this conjugate in a model system consisting of prostate-specific antigen in tissue sections and the CD4 membrane antigen on human lymphocytes. An epi-illumination fluorescence microscope was adapted to provide near-IR excitation using a xenon lamp for visualization of the visible emission. Advantages of UPT are (i) permanent, strong, anti-Stokes emission of discrete wavelengths; (ii) unmatched contrast in biological specimens due to the absence of autofluorescence upon excitation with IR light; (iii) simultaneous detection of multiple target analytes; and (iv) low-cost microscope modifications. The new methodology has not only high potential value in diagnostic pathology as described here, but may offer advantages for the detection of proteins or nucleic acids when applied to molecular biology, genomic research, virology, and microbiology. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Photonic Crystals-Inhibited Spontaneous Emission: Optical Antennas-Enhanced Spontaneous Emission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yablonovitch, Eli

Photonic crystals are also part of everyday technological life in opto-electronic telecommunication devices that provide us with internet, cloud storage, and email. But photonic crystals have also been identified in nature, in the coloration of peacocks, parrots, chameleons, butterflies and many other species.In spite of its broad applicability, the original motivation of photonic crystals was to create a ``bandgap'' in which the spontaneous emission of light would be inhibited. Conversely, the opposite is now possible. The ``optical antenna'' can accelerate spontaneous emission. Over 100 years after the radio antenna, we finally have tiny ``optical antennas'' which can act on molecules and quantum dots. Employing optical antennas, spontaneous light emission can become faster than stimulated emission.

Tapered fiber coupling of single photons emitted by a deterministically positioned single nitrogen vacancy center

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

Liebermeister, Lars, E-mail: lars.liebermeister@physik.uni-muenchen.de; Petersen, Fabian; Münchow, Asmus v.

2014-01-20

A diamond nano-crystal hosting a single nitrogen vacancy (NV) center is optically selected with a confocal scanning microscope and positioned deterministically onto the subwavelength-diameter waist of a tapered optical fiber (TOF) with the help of an atomic force microscope. Based on this nano-manipulation technique, we experimentally demonstrate the evanescent coupling of single fluorescence photons emitted by a single NV-center to the guided mode of the TOF. By comparing photon count rates of the fiber-guided and the free-space modes and with the help of numerical finite-difference time domain simulations, we determine a lower and upper bound for the coupling efficiency ofmore » (9.5 ± 0.6)% and (10.4 ± 0.7)%, respectively. Our results are a promising starting point for future integration of single photon sources into photonic quantum networks and applications in quantum information science.« less

Adapting a compact confocal microscope system to a two-photon excitation fluorescence imaging architecture.

PubMed

Diaspro, A; Corosu, M; Ramoino, P; Robello, M

1999-11-01

Within the framework of a national National Institute of Physics of Matter (INFM) project, we have realised a two-photon excitation (TPE) fluorescence microscope based on a new generation commercial confocal scanning head. The core of the architecture is a mode-locked Ti:Sapphire laser (Tsunami 3960, Spectra Physics Inc., Mountain View, CA) pumped by a high-power (5 W, 532 nm) laser (Millennia V, Spectra Physics Inc.) and an ultracompact confocal scanning head, Nikon PCM2000 (Nikon Instruments, Florence, Italy) using a single-pinhole design. Three-dimensional point-spread function has been measured to define spatial resolution performances. The TPE microscope has been used with a wide range of excitable fluorescent molecules (DAPI, Fura-2, Indo-1, DiOC(6)(3), fluoresceine, Texas red) covering a single photon spectral range from UV to green. An example is reported on 3D imaging of the helical structure of the sperm head of the Octopus Eledone cirrhosa labelled with an UV excitable dye, i.e., DAPI. The system can be easily switched for operating both in conventional and two-photon mode. Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Frequency dependence of coherently amplified two-photon emission from hydrogen molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hara, Hideaki; Miyamoto, Yuki; Hiraki, Takahiro; Masuda, Takahiko; Sasao, Noboru; Uetake, Satoshi; Yoshimi, Akihiro; Yoshimura, Koji; Yoshimura, Motohiko

2017-12-01

We investigate how the efficiency of coherently amplified two-photon emission depends on the frequency of one of the two emitted photons, namely the signal photon. This is done over the wavelength range of 5.048-10.21 μ m by using the vibrational transition of parahydrogen. The efficiency increases with the frequency of the signal photon. Considering experimental errors, our results are consistent with the theoretical prediction for the present experimental conditions. This study is an experimental demonstration of the frequency dependence of coherently amplified two-photon emission, and also presents its potential as a light source.

Ultra-compact fiber-optic two-photon microscope for functional fluorescence imaging in vivo.

PubMed

Engelbrecht, Christoph J; Johnston, Richard S; Seibel, Eric J; Helmchen, Fritjof

2008-04-14

We present a small, lightweight two-photon fiberscope and demonstrate its suitability for functional imaging in the intact brain. Our device consists of a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber for efficient delivery of near-IR femtosecond laser pulses, a spiral fiber-scanner for resonant beam steering, and a gradient-index lens system for fluorescence excitation, dichroic beam splitting, and signal collection. Fluorescence light is remotely detected using a standard photomultiplier tube. All optical components have 1 mm dimensions and the microscope's headpiece weighs only 0.6 grams. The instrument achieves micrometer resolution at frame rates of typically 25 Hz with a field-of-view of up to 200 microns. We demonstrate functional imaging of calcium signals in Purkinje cell dendrites in the cerebellum of anesthetized rats. The microscope will be easily portable by a rat or mouse and thus should enable functional imaging in freely behaving animals.

Thermal conductivity and dielectric functions of alkali chloride XCl (X = Li, Na, K and Rb): a first-principles study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, M.; Yang, J. Y.; Liu, L. H.

2016-07-01

The macroscopic physical properties of solids are fundamentally determined by the interactions among microscopic electrons, phonons and photons. In this work, the thermal conductivity and infrared-visible-ultraviolet dielectric functions of alkali chlorides and their temperature dependence are fully investigated at the atomic level, seeking to unveil the microscopic quantum interactions beneath the macroscopic properties. The microscopic phonon-phonon interaction dominates the thermal conductivity which can be investigated by the anharmonic lattice dynamics in combination with Peierls-Boltzmann transport equation. The photon-phonon and electron-photon interaction intrinsically induce the infrared and visible-ultraviolet dielectric functions, respectively, and such microscopic processes can be simulated by first-principles molecular dynamics without empirical parameters. The temperature influence on dielectric functions can be effectively included by choosing the thermally equilibrated configurations as the basic input to calculate the total dipole moment and electronic band structure. The overall agreement between first-principles simulations and literature experiments enables us to interpret the macroscopic thermal conductivity and dielectric functions of solids in a comprehensive way.

Host sensitized near-infrared emission in Nd3+ doped different alkaline-sodium-phosphate phosphors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balakrishna, A.; Swart, H. C.; Kroon, R. E.; Ntwaeaborwa, O. M.

2018-04-01

Near-infrared (NIR) emitting phosphors of different alkaline based sodium-phosphate (MNa[PO4], where M = Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba were prepared by a conventional solution combustion method with fixed doping concentration of Nd3+ (1.0 mol%). The phosphors were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy and fluorescent spectrophotometry. The optical properties including reflectance, excitation and emission were investigated. The excitation spectra of the phosphors were characterized by a broadband extending from 450 to 900 nm. Upon excitation with a wavelength of 580 nm, the phosphor emits intensely infrared region at 872 nm, 1060 nm and 1325 nm which correspond to the 4F3/2 → 4I9/2, 4F3/2 → 4I11/2 and 4F3/2 → 4I13/2 transitions of Nd3+ ions and were found to vary for the different hosts. The strongest emission wavelength reaches 1060 nm. The most intense emission of Nd3+ was observed from Ca2+ incorporated host. The down conversion emissions of the material fall in the NIR region suggesting that the prepared phosphors have potential application in the development of photonic devices emitting in the NIR.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Green emission and bandgap narrowing due to two-photon excitation in thin film CdS formed by spray pyrolysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ullrich, B.; Schroeder, R.

2001-08-01

Thin (10 µm) film CdS on Pyrex® formed by spray pyrolysis is excited below the gap at 804 nm with 200 fs laser pulses at room temperature. Excitation intensities up to 250 GW cm-2 evoke green bandgap emission due to two-photon transitions. This two-photon photoluminescence does not show a red emission contribution in contrast to the single-photon excited emission, which is dominated by broad emission in the red spectral range. It is demonstrated that two-photon excitation causes photo-induced bandgap narrowing due to Debye screening. At 250 GW cm-2 bandgap narrowing of 47 meV is observed, which corresponds to an excited electron density of 1.6×1018 cm-3.

Comparison of HORACE and PHOTOS Algorithms for Multi-Photon Emission in the Context of the W Boson Mass Measurement

DOE PAGES

Kotwal, Ashutosh V.; Jayatilaka, Bodhitha

2016-01-01

W boson mass measurement is sensitive to QED radiative corrections due to virtual photon loops and real photon emission. The largest shift in the measured mass, which depends on the transverse momentum spectrum of the charged lepton from the boson decay, is caused by the emission of real photons from the final-state lepton. There are a number of calculations and codes available to model the final-state photon emission. We perform a detailed study, comparing the results from HORACE and PHOTOS implementations of the final-state multiphoton emission in the context of a direct measurement ofW boson mass at Tevatron. Mass fitsmore » are performed using a simulation of the CDF II detector.« less

Infrared photonic bandgap materials and structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sundaram, S. K.; Keller, P. E.; Riley, B. J.; Martinez, J. E.; Johnson, B. R.; Allen, P. J.; Saraf, L. V.; Anheier, N. C., Jr.; Liau, F.

2006-02-01

Three-dimensional periodic dielectric structure can be described by band theory, analogous to electron waves in a crystal. Photonic band gap (PBG) structures were introduced in 1987. The PBG is an energy band in which optical modes, spontaneous emission, and zero-point fluctuations are all absent. It was first theoretically predicted that a three-dimensional photonic crystal could have a complete band gap. E. Yablonovitch built the first three-dimensional photonic crystal (Yablonovite) on microwave length scale, with a complete PBG. In nature, photonic crystals occur as semiprecious opal and the microscopic structures on the wings of some tropical butterflies, which are repeating structures (PBG structure/materials) that inhibit the propagation of some frequencies of light. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has been developing tunable (between 3.5 and 16 μm) quantum cascade lasers (QCL), chalcogenides, and all other components for an integrated approach to chemical sensing. We have made significant progress in modeling and fabrication of infrared photonic band gap (PBG) materials and structures. We modeled several 2-D designs and defect configurations. Transmission spectra were computed by the Finite Difference Time Domain Method (with FullWAVE TM). The band gaps were computed by the Plane Wave Expansion Method (with BandSOLVE TM). The modeled designs and defects were compared and the best design was identified. On the experimental front, chalcogenide glasses were used as the starting materials. As IIS 3, a common chalcogenide, is an important infrared (IR) transparent material with a variety of potential applications such as IR sensors, waveguides, and photonic crystals. Wet-chemical lithography has been extended to PBG fabrication and challenges identified. An overview of results and challenges will be presented.

Multiscale Imaging of the Mouse Cortex Using Two-Photon Microscopy and Wide-Field Illumination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bumstead, Jonathan R.

The mouse brain can be studied over vast spatial scales ranging from microscopic imaging of single neurons to macroscopic measurements of hemodynamics acquired over the majority of the mouse cortex. However, most neuroimaging modalities are limited by a fundamental trade-off between the spatial resolution and the field-of-view (FOV) over which the brain can be imaged, making it difficult to fully understand the functional and structural architecture of the healthy mouse brain and its disruption in disease. My dissertation has focused on developing multiscale optical systems capable of imaging the mouse brain at both microscopic and mesoscopic spatial scales, specifically addressing the difference in spatial scales imaged with two-photon microscopy (TPM) and optical intrinsic signal imaging (OISI). Central to this work has been the formulation of a principled design strategy for extending the FOV of the two-photon microscope. Using this design approach, we constructed a TPM system with subcellular resolution and a FOV area 100 times greater than a conventional two-photon microscope. To image the ellipsoidal shape of the mouse cortex, we also developed the microscope to image arbitrary surfaces within a single frame using an electrically tunable lens. Finally, to address the speed limitations of the TPM systems developed during my dissertation, I also conducted research in large-scale neural phenomena occurring in the mouse brain imaged with high-speed OISI. The work conducted during my dissertation addresses some of the fundamental principles in designing and applying optical systems for multiscale imaging of the mouse brain.

Absorption and emission properties of photonic crystals and metamaterials

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

Peng, Lili

We study the emission and absorption properties of photonic crystals and metamaterials using Comsol Multiphysics and Ansoft HFSS as simulation tools. We calculate the emission properties of metallic designs using drude model and the results illustrate that an appropriate termination of the surface of the metallic structure can significantly increase the absorption and therefore the thermal emissivity. We investigate the spontaneous emission rate modifications that occur for emitters inside two-dimensional photonic crystals and find the isotropic and directional emissions with respect to different frequencies as we have expected.

From Single Atoms to Nanoparticles — Spectroscopy on the Atomic Level

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nilius, Niklas

2003-12-01

The scanning tunneling microscope is not only a well-established tool for a topographic characterization of the sample surface on the atomic scale. It also provides a variety of spectroscopic techniques to examine electronic, magnetic, vibrational and optical properties of a localized system. The following presentation gives an overview, how scanning tunneling spectroscopy, inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy and photon emission spectroscopy with the STM can be employed to investigate spatially confined metal systems and their interaction with molecular gases. The experiments were performed on single Pd and Au atoms, mono-atomic chains and individual Ag clusters on a NiAl support and a Al2O3 thin film.

Regulatory aspects of low intensity photon emission.

PubMed

Van Wijk, R; Schamhart, D H

1988-07-15

Photon emission from unicellular and multicellular organisms has been a subject of study for many decennia. In contrast to the well-known phenomenon of bioluminescence originating in luciferin-luciferase reactions, low intensity emission in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum has been found in almost every species studied so far. At present, the nomenclature of this phenomenon has not crystallized and it is referred to by a variety of names, such as mitogenetic radiation 29, dark luminescence 7, low-level chemiluminescence 20,36, and biophotons 57. Particular attention has been focussed on the relationship between photon emission and the regulation of various aspects of cellular metabolism, although in many cases quantitative data are still lacking. Throughout the history of this field of research the question of a functional biological role of the low intensity emission has been repeatedly raised; this is reflected, for instance, in the heterogeneity of the terms used to describe it. The discussion concerns the possible participation of photons of low intensity in intra- and intercellular communication. This paper reviews literature on the metabolic regulation of low intensity emission, as well as the regulation of photon emission initiated by external light. Furthermore, recent data are discussed with respect to a possible biocommunicative function of low intensity photon emission.

Imaging of ultraweak spontaneous photon emission from human body displaying diurnal rhythm.

PubMed

Kobayashi, Masaki; Kikuchi, Daisuke; Okamura, Hitoshi

2009-07-16

The human body literally glimmers. The intensity of the light emitted by the body is 1000 times lower than the sensitivity of our naked eyes. Ultraweak photon emission is known as the energy released as light through the changes in energy metabolism. We successfully imaged the diurnal change of this ultraweak photon emission with an improved highly sensitive imaging system using cryogenic charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. We found that the human body directly and rhythmically emits light. The diurnal changes in photon emission might be linked to changes in energy metabolism.

The National Ignition Facility modular Kirkpatrick-Baez microscope

DOE PAGES

Pickworth, L. A.; Ayers, J.; Bell, P.; ...

2016-08-10

Current two-dimensional X-ray imaging at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) uses time resolved pinhole cameras with ~10-25µm pinholes. This method has limitations in the smallest resolvable features that can be imaged with reasonable photon statistics for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) applications. ICF sources have a broadband self-emission spectrum that causes the pinhole images obtained, through thin foil filters, to contain a similarly broadband spectrum complicating the interpretation of structure in the source. In order to study phenomena on the scale of ~5 µm, such as dopant mix in the ICF capsule, a narrow energy band, higher spatial resolution microscope systemmore » with improved signal/noise has been developed using X-ray optics. Utilizing grazing incidence mirrors in a Kirkpatrick-Baez microscope (KBM) configuration, an X-ray microscope has been designed and fielded on NIF with four imaging channels. The KBM has ~12x magnification, <8 µm resolution and higher throughput in comparison to similar pinhole systems. The first KBM mirrors are coated with a multilayer mirror to allow a ‘narrow band’ energy response at 10.2keV with ΔE~3keV. By adjusting the mirror coating only, the energy response can be matched to future experimental requirements. Here, several mirror packs have been commissioned and are interchangeable in the diagnostic snout.« less

The National Ignition Facility modular Kirkpatrick-Baez microscope

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

Pickworth, L. A.; Ayers, J.; Bell, P.

Current two-dimensional X-ray imaging at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) uses time resolved pinhole cameras with ~10-25µm pinholes. This method has limitations in the smallest resolvable features that can be imaged with reasonable photon statistics for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) applications. ICF sources have a broadband self-emission spectrum that causes the pinhole images obtained, through thin foil filters, to contain a similarly broadband spectrum complicating the interpretation of structure in the source. In order to study phenomena on the scale of ~5 µm, such as dopant mix in the ICF capsule, a narrow energy band, higher spatial resolution microscope systemmore » with improved signal/noise has been developed using X-ray optics. Utilizing grazing incidence mirrors in a Kirkpatrick-Baez microscope (KBM) configuration, an X-ray microscope has been designed and fielded on NIF with four imaging channels. The KBM has ~12x magnification, <8 µm resolution and higher throughput in comparison to similar pinhole systems. The first KBM mirrors are coated with a multilayer mirror to allow a ‘narrow band’ energy response at 10.2keV with ΔE~3keV. By adjusting the mirror coating only, the energy response can be matched to future experimental requirements. Here, several mirror packs have been commissioned and are interchangeable in the diagnostic snout.« less

The National Ignition Facility modular Kirkpatrick-Baez microscope.

PubMed

Pickworth, L A; Ayers, J; Bell, P; Brejnholt, N F; Buscho, J G; Bradley, D; Decker, T; Hau-Riege, S; Kilkenny, J; McCarville, T; Pardini, T; Vogel, J; Walton, C

2016-11-01

Current two-dimensional X-ray imaging at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) uses time resolved pinhole cameras with ∼10-25 μm pinholes. This method has limitations in the smallest resolvable features that can be imaged with reasonable photon statistics for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) applications. ICF sources have a broadband self-emission spectrum that causes the pinhole images obtained, through thin foil filters, to contain a similarly broadband spectrum complicating the interpretation of structure in the source. In order to study phenomena on the scale of ∼5 μm, such as dopant mix in the ICF capsule, a narrow energy band, higher spatial resolution microscope system with improved signal/noise has been developed using X-ray optics. Utilizing grazing incidence mirrors in a Kirkpatrick-Baez microscope (KBM) configuration [P. Kirkpatrick and A. V. Baez, J. Opt. Soc. Am. 38, 766-774 (1948)], an X-ray microscope has been designed and fielded on NIF with four imaging channels. The KBM has ∼12 × magnification, <8 μm resolution, and higher throughput in comparison to similar pinhole systems. The first KBM mirrors are coated with a multilayer mirror to allow a "narrow band" energy response at 10.2 keV with ΔE ∼ 3 keV. By adjusting the mirror coating only, the energy response can be matched to the future experimental requirements. Several mirror packs have been commissioned and are interchangeable in the diagnostic snout.

Image scanning fluorescence emission difference microscopy based on a detector array.

PubMed

Li, Y; Liu, S; Liu, D; Sun, S; Kuang, C; Ding, Z; Liu, X

2017-06-01

We propose a novel imaging method that enables the enhancement of three-dimensional resolution of confocal microscopy significantly and achieve experimentally a new fluorescence emission difference method for the first time, based on the parallel detection with a detector array. Following the principles of photon reassignment in image scanning microscopy, images captured by the detector array were arranged. And by selecting appropriate reassign patterns, the imaging result with enhanced resolution can be achieved with the method of fluorescence emission difference. Two specific methods are proposed in this paper, showing that the difference between an image scanning microscopy image and a confocal image will achieve an improvement of transverse resolution by approximately 43% compared with that in confocal microscopy, and the axial resolution can also be enhanced by at least 22% experimentally and 35% theoretically. Moreover, the methods presented in this paper can improve the lateral resolution by around 10% than fluorescence emission difference and 15% than Airyscan. The mechanism of our methods is verified by numerical simulations and experimental results, and it has significant potential in biomedical applications. © 2017 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2017 Royal Microscopical Society.

Nanosecond fluorescence microscopy. Emission kinetics of fura-2 in single cells.

PubMed Central

Keating, S M; Wensel, T G

1991-01-01

A microscope based time-correlated single photon counting instrument has been constructed to measure fluorescence intensity and emission anisotropy decays from fluorophores in single cells on a nanosecond time scale. The sample is excited and the emission collected using epi-illumination optics with frequency-doubled pulses from the cavity-dumped output of a synchronously pumped dye laser serving as an excitation source. Collection of decays from a single cell is possible due to the presence of an iris in the emission path that can be reduced to less than the diameter of a single cell. Using the instrument the decay of 60 nM 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene was measured, demonstrating that adequate data for lifetime analysis can be recorded from fewer 10(3) molecules of the fluorophore in an illuminated volume of 23 fl. In addition, the intensity and anisotropy decays of fura-2 in single adherent cells and in suspensions of fura-2 loaded cells in suspension, although the relative amplitudes and decay constants vary somewhat from cell to cell. The results indicate that a significant but variable fraction of fura-2 is bound to relatively immobile macromolecular components in these cells. PMID:2015383

Free-standing GaN grating couplers and rib waveguide for planar photonics at telecommunication wavelength

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Qifa; Wang, Wei

2018-01-01

Gallium Nitride (GaN) free-standing planar photonic device at telecommunication wavelength based on GaN-on-silicon platform was presented. The free-standing structure was realized by particular double-side fabrication process, which combining GaN front patterning, Si substrate back releasing and GaN slab etching. The actual device parameters were identified via the physical characterizations employing scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM) and reflectance spectra testing. High coupling efficiency and good light confinement properties of the gratings and rib waveguide at telecommunication wavelength range were verified by finite element method (FEM) simulation. This work illustrates the potential of new GaN photonic structure which will enable new functions for planar photonics in communication and sensing applications, and is favorable for the realization of integrated optical circuit.

Single-molecule photon emission statistics for systems with explicit time dependence: Generating function approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Yonggang; Xie, Shijie; Zheng, Yujun; Brown, Frank L. H.

2009-12-01

Generating function calculations are extended to allow for laser pulse envelopes of arbitrary shape in numerical applications. We investigate photon emission statistics for two-level and V- and Λ-type three-level systems under time-dependent excitation. Applications relevant to electromagnetically induced transparency and photon emission from single quantum dots are presented.

Bimodal exciton-plasmon light sources controlled by local charge carrier injection.

PubMed

Merino, Pablo; Rosławska, Anna; Große, Christoph; Leon, Christopher C; Kuhnke, Klaus; Kern, Klaus

2018-05-01

Electrical charges can generate photon emission in nanoscale quantum systems by two independent mechanisms. First, radiative recombination of pairs of oppositely charged carriers generates sharp excitonic lines. Second, coupling between currents and collective charge oscillations results in broad plasmonic bands. Both luminescence modes can be simultaneously generated upon charge carrier injection into thin C 60 crystallites placed in the plasmonic nanocavity of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM). Using the sharp tip of the STM as a subnanometer-precise local electrode, we show that the two types of electroluminescence are induced by two separate charge transport channels. Holes injected into the valence band promote exciton generation, whereas electrons extracted from the conduction band cause plasmonic luminescence. The different dynamics of the two mechanisms permit controlling their relative contribution in the combined bimodal emission. Exciton recombination prevails for low charge injection rates, whereas plasmon decay outshines for high tunneling currents. The continuous transition between both regimes is described by a rate model characterizing emission dynamics on the nanoscale. Our work provides the basis for developing blended exciton-plasmon light sources with advanced functionalities.

Stimulated photon emission and two-photon Raman scattering in a coupled-cavity QED system

PubMed Central

Li, C.; Song, Z.

2016-01-01

We study the scattering problem of photon and polariton in a one-dimensional coupled-cavity system. Analytical approximate analysis and numerical simulation show that a photon can stimulate the photon emission from a polariton through polariton-photon collisions. This observation opens the possibility of photon-stimulated transition from insulating to radiative phase in a coupled-cavity QED system. Inversely, we also find that a polariton can be generated by a two-photon Raman scattering process. This paves the way towards single photon storage by the aid of atom-cavity interaction. PMID:26877252

Enhancement of ultraweak photon emission with 3 MHz ultrasonic irradiation on transplanted tumor tissues of mice.

PubMed

Kim, Hongbae; Ahn, Saeyoung; Kim, Jungdae; Soh, Kwang-Sup

2008-07-01

We investigated photon emissions of various bio-samples which were induced by ultrasonic stimulation. It has been reported that ultrasonic stimulations induced the thermal excitation of the bio-tissues. After ultrasonic stimulation, any measurement of photon radiation in the visible spectral range has not been carried out yet. The instruments consisted of electronic devices for an ultrasonic generator of the frequency 3 MHz and a photomultiplier tube (PMT) system counting photons from bio-tissues. The transplanted tumor tissues of mice were prepared for the experiments and their liver and spleen tissues were also used for the controls. It was found that the continuous ultrasonic stimulations with the electrical power 2300 mW induced ultraweak photon emissions from the tumor tissues. The number of induced photon was dependent of the type of the tissues and the stimulation time intervals. The level of photon emission was increased from the mouse tumor exposed to the ultrasonic stimulations, and the changes were discriminated from those of the spleens and livers.

Two-Photon Emission of a Hydrogenlike Atom with Photon Polarization and Electron Spin States Taken into Account

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skobelev, V. V.

2017-02-01

The process of two-photon emission ( Ze)* → ( Ze) + 2 γ of a hydrogenlike atom is considered with spin states of the electron and polarization of the photons taken into account, which had not been done before. A general expression for the probability of the process per unit time has been obtained for different polarization states of the photons with a formulation of hard and soft selection rules for the quantum numbers m and l. It is shown that by virtue of the established specifics of the properties of the two-photon emission process (absence of a Zeeman effect and dependence of the probability on the polarization states of the photons), it can in principle be identified against the background of single-photon emission ( Ze)* → ( Ze) + γ, despite the presence of additional small factors: 1) α = e 2/ ћc ≈ 1/137 of the perturbation theory in e, and 2) the square of the atomic expansion parameter ( Zα)2 in the expression for the probability.

Coupling of Ag Nanoparticle with Inverse Opal Photonic Crystals as a Novel Strategy for Upconversion Emission Enhancement of NaYF4: Yb(3+), Er(3+) Nanoparticles.

PubMed

Shao, Bo; Yang, Zhengwen; Wang, Yida; Li, Jun; Yang, Jianzhi; Qiu, Jianbei; Song, Zhiguo

2015-11-18

Rare-earth-ion-doped upconversion (UC) nanoparticles have generated considerable interest because of their potential application in solar cells, biological labeling, therapeutics, and imaging. However, the applications of UC nanoparticles were still limited because of their low emission efficiency. Photonic crystals and noble metal nanoparticles are applied extensively to enhance the UC emission of rare earth ions. In the present work, a novel substrate consisting of inverse opal photonic crystals and Ag nanoparticles was prepared by the template-assisted method, which was used to enhance the UC emission of NaYF4: Yb(3+), Er(3+) nanoparticles. The red or green UC emissions of NaYF4: Yb(3+), Er(3+) nanoparticles were selectively enhanced on the inverse opal substrates because of the Bragg reflection of the photonic band gap. Additionally, the UC emission enhancement of NaYF4: Yb(3+), Er(3+) nanoparticles induced by the coupling of metal nanoparticle plasmons and photonic crystal effects was realized on the Ag nanoparticles included in the inverse opal substrate. The present results demonstrated that coupling of Ag nanoparticle with inverse opal photonic crystals provides a useful strategy to enhance UC emission of rare-earth-ion-doped nanoparticles.

Generalized emission functions for photon emission from quark-gluon plasma

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

Suryanarayana, S. V.

The Landau-Pomeranchuk-Migdal effects on photon emission from the quark-gluon plasma have been studied as a function of photon mass, at a fixed temperature of the plasma. The integral equations for the transverse vector function [f-tilde)(p-tilde){sub (perpendicular)})] and the longitudinal function [g-tilde)(p-tilde){sub (perpendicular)})] consisting of multiple scattering effects are solved by the self-consistent iterations method and also by the variational method for the variable set {l_brace}p{sub 0},q{sub 0},Q{sup 2}{r_brace}. We considered the bremsstrahlung and the off shell annihilation (aws) processes. We define two new dynamical scaling variables, x{sub T},x{sub L}, for bremsstrahlung and aws processes which are functions of variables p{submore » 0},q{sub 0},Q{sup 2}. We define four new emission functions for massive photon emission represented by g{sub T}{sup b},g{sub T}{sup a},g{sub L}{sup b},g{sub L}{sup a} and we constructed these using the exact numerical solutions of the integral equations. These four emission functions have been parametrized by suitable simple empirical fits. Using the empirical emission functions, we calculated the imaginary part of the photon polarization tensor as a function of photon mass and energy.« less

Controlled fluorescence in a beetle's photonic structure and its sensitivity to environmentally induced changes

PubMed Central

Kaczmarek, Anna M.; Vukusic, Peter; Deparis, Olivier; Van Hooijdonk, Eloise

2016-01-01

The scales covering the elytra of the male Hoplia coerulea beetle contain fluorophores embedded within a porous photonic structure. The photonic structure controls both insect colour (reflected light) and fluorescence emission. Herein, the effects of water-induced changes on the fluorescence emission from the beetle were investigated. The fluorescence emission peak wavelength was observed to blue-shift on water immersion of the elytra whereas its reflectance peak wavelength was observed to red-shift. Time-resolved fluorescence measurements, together with optical simulations, confirmed that the radiative emission is controlled by a naturally engineered photonic bandgap while the elytra are in the dry state, whereas non-radiative relaxation pathways dominate the emission response of wet elytra. PMID:28003460

Photonic engineering of highly linearly polarized quantum dot emission at telecommunication wavelengths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mrowiński, P.; Emmerling, M.; Schneider, C.; Reithmaier, J. P.; Misiewicz, J.; Höfling, S.; Sek, G.

2018-04-01

In this work, we discuss a method to control the polarization anisotropy of spontaneous emission from neutral excitons confined in quantum-dot-like nanostructures, namely single epitaxial InAs quantum dashes emitting at telecom wavelengths. The nanostructures are embedded inside lithographically defined, in-plane asymmetric photonic mesa structures, which generate polarization-dependent photonic confinement. First, we study the influence of the photonic confinement on the polarization anisotropy of the emission by photoluminescence spectroscopy, and we find evidence of different contributions to a degree of linear polarization (DOLP), i.e., from the quantum dash and the photonic mesa, in total giving rise to DOLP =0.85 . Then, we perform finite-difference time-domain simulations of photonic confinement, and we calculate the DOLP in a dipole approximation showing well-matched results for the established model. Furthermore, by using numerical calculations, we demonstrate several types of photonic confinements where highly linearly polarized emission with DOLP of about 0.9 is possible by controlling the position of a quantum emitter inside the photonic structure. Then, we elaborate on anisotropic quantum emitters allowing for exceeding DOLP =0.95 in an optimized case, and we discuss the ways towards efficient linearly polarized single photon source at telecom bands.

Thermal emission and absorption of radiation in finite inverted-opal photonic crystals

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

Florescu, Marian; Stimpson, Andrew J.; Lee, Hwang

We study theoretically the optical properties of a finite inverted-opal photonic crystal. The light-matter interaction is strongly affected by the presence of the three-dimensional photonic crystal and the alterations of the light emission and absorption processes can be used to suppress or enhance the thermal emissivity and absorptivity of the dielectric structure. We investigate the influence of the absorption present in the system on the relevant band edge frequencies that control the optical response of the photonic crystal. Our study reveals that the absorption processes cause spectral broadening and shifting of the band edge optical resonances, and determine a strongmore » reduction of the photonic band gap spectral range. Using the angular and spectral dependence of the band edge frequencies for stop bands along different directions, we argue that by matching the blackbody emission spectrum peak with a prescribed maximum of the absorption coefficient, it is possible to achieve an angle-sensitive enhancement of the thermal emission/absorption of radiation. This result opens a way to realize a frequency-sensitive and angle-sensitive photonic crystal absorbers/emitters.« less

Two-photon excitation of 2,5-diphenyloxazole using a low power green solid state laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luchowski, Rafal

2011-01-01

This Letter concerns two-photon excitation of 2,5-diphenyloxazole (PPO) upon illumination from a pulsed 532 nm solid state laser, with an average power of 30 mW, and a repetition rate of 20 MHz. A very agreeable emission spectrum position and shape has been achieved for PPO receiving one- and two-photon excitation, which suggests that the same excited state is involved for both excitation modes. Also, a perfect quadratic dependence of laser power in the emission intensity function has been recorded. We tested the application of a small solid state green laser to two-photon induced time-resolved fluorescence, revealing the emission anisotropy of PPO to be considerably higher for two-photon than for one-photon excitation.

Two-photon microscope for multisite microphotolysis of caged neurotransmitters in acute brain slices

PubMed Central

Losavio, Bradley E.; Iyer, Vijay; Saggau, Peter

2009-01-01

We developed a two-photon microscope optimized for physiologically manipulating single neurons through their postsynaptic receptors. The optical layout fulfills the stringent design criteria required for high-speed, high-resolution imaging in scattering brain tissue with minimal photodamage. We detail the practical compensation of spectral and temporal dispersion inherent in fast laser beam scanning with acousto-optic deflectors, as well as a set of biological protocols for visualizing nearly diffraction-limited structures and delivering physiological synaptic stimuli. The microscope clearly resolves dendritic spines and evokes electrophysiological transients in single neurons that are similar to endogenous responses. This system enables the study of multisynaptic integration and will assist our understanding of single neuron function and dendritic computation. PMID:20059271

Manipulation of spontaneous emission in a tapered photonic crystal fibre

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Myers, S. J.; Fussell, D. P.; Dawes, J. M.; Mägi, E.; McPhedran, R. C.; Eggleton, B. J.; de Sterke, C. Martijn

2006-12-01

We characterize the spontaneous emission of dye that is introduced into the central core of a tapered photonic crystal fiber. Since the photonic crystal period in the fibre cladding varies along the taper, the transmission and spontaneous emission spectra over a wide range of relative frequencies can be observed. The spontaneous emission spectra of the fibre transverse to the fiber axis show suppression due to partial band-gaps of the structure, and also enhancement of spontaneous emission near the band edges. We associate these with van Hove features, as well as finite cluster size effects.

Spin polarized photons from an axially charged plasma at weak coupling: Complete leading order

DOE PAGES

Mamo, Kiminad A.; Yee, Ho-Ung

2016-03-24

In the presence of (approximately conserved) axial charge in the QCD plasma at finite temperature, the emitted photons are spin aligned, which is a unique P- and CP-odd signature of axial charge in the photon emission observables. We compute this “P-odd photon emission rate” in a weak coupling regime at a high temperature limit to complete leading order in the QCD coupling constant: the leading log as well as the constant under the log. As in the P-even total emission rate in the literature, the computation of the P-odd emission rate at leading order consists of three parts: (1) Comptonmore » and pair annihilation processes with hard momentum exchange, (2) soft t- and u-channel contributions with hard thermal loop resummation, (3) Landau-Pomeranchuk-Migdal resummation of collinear bremsstrahlung and pair annihilation. In conclusion, we present analytical and numerical evaluations of these contributions to our P-odd photon emission rate observable.« less

Multi-photon excited coherent random laser emission in ZnO powders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tolentino Dominguez, Christian; Gomes, Maria De A.; Macedo, Zélia S.; de Araújo, Cid B.; Gomes, Anderson S. L.

2014-11-01

We report the observation and analysis of anti-Stokes coherent random laser (RL) emission from zinc oxide (ZnO) powders excited by one-, two- or three-photon femtosecond laser radiation. The ZnO powders were produced via a novel proteic sol-gel, low-cost and environmentally friendly route using coconut water in the polymerization step of the metal precursor. One- and two-photon excitation at 354 nm and 710 nm, respectively, generated single-band emissions centred at about 387 nm. For three-photon excitation, the emission spectra showed a strong ultraviolet (UV) band (380-396 nm) attributed to direct three-photon absorption from the valence band to the conduction band. The presence of an intensity threshold and a bandwidth narrowing of the UV band from about 20 to 4 nm are clear evidence of RL action. The observation of multiple sub-nanometre narrow peaks in the emission spectra for excitation above the RL threshold is consistent with random lasing by coherent feedback.

Tuning the photon statistics of a strongly coupled nanophotonic system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dory, Constantin; Fischer, Kevin A.; Müller, Kai; Lagoudakis, Konstantinos G.; Sarmiento, Tomas; Rundquist, Armand; Zhang, Jingyuan L.; Kelaita, Yousif; Sapra, Neil V.; Vučković, Jelena

2017-02-01

We investigate the dynamics of single- and multiphoton emission from detuned strongly coupled systems based on the quantum-dot-photonic-crystal resonator platform. Transmitting light through such systems can generate a range of nonclassical states of light with tunable photon counting statistics due to the nonlinear ladder of hybridized light-matter states. By controlling the detuning between emitter and resonator, the transmission can be tuned to strongly enhance either single- or two-photon emission processes. Despite the strongly dissipative nature of these systems, we find that by utilizing a self-homodyne interference technique combined with frequency filtering we are able to find a strong two-photon component of the emission in the multiphoton regime. In order to explain our correlation measurements, we propose rate equation models that capture the dominant processes of emission in both the single- and multiphoton regimes. These models are then supported by quantum-optical simulations that fully capture the frequency filtering of emission from our solid-state system.

Pulsed Rabi oscillations in quantum two-level systems: beyond the area theorem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fischer, Kevin A.; Hanschke, Lukas; Kremser, Malte; Finley, Jonathan J.; Müller, Kai; Vučković, Jelena

2018-01-01

The area theorem states that when a short optical pulse drives a quantum two-level system, it undergoes Rabi oscillations in the probability of scattering a single photon. In this work, we investigate the breakdown of the area theorem as both the pulse length becomes non-negligible and for certain pulse areas. Using simple quantum trajectories, we provide an analytic approximation to the photon emission dynamics of a two-level system. Our model provides an intuitive way to understand re-excitation, which elucidates the mechanism behind the two-photon emission events that can spoil single-photon emission. We experimentally measure the emission statistics from a semiconductor quantum dot, acting as a two-level system, and show good agreement with our simple model for short pulses. Additionally, the model clearly explains our recent results (Fischer and Hanschke 2017 et al Nat. Phys.) showing dominant two-photon emission from a two-level system for pulses with interaction areas equal to an even multiple of π.

Tunable room-temperature single-photon emission at telecom wavelengths from sp 3 defects in carbon nanotubes

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

He, Xiaowei; Hartmann, Nicolai F.; Ma, Xuedan

Generating quantum light emitters that operate at room temperature and at telecom wavelengths remains a significant materials challenge. To achieve this goal requires light sources that emit in the near-infrared wavelength region and that, ideally, are tunable to allow desired output wavelengths to be accessed in a controllable manner. Here, we show that exciton localization at covalently introduced aryl sp 3 defect sites in single-walled carbon nanotubes provides a route to room-temperature single-photon emission with ultrahigh single-photon purity (99%) and enhanced emission stability approaching the shot-noise limit. Moreover, we demonstrate that the inherent optical tunability of single-walled carbon nanotubes, presentmore » in their structural diversity, allows us to generate room-temperature single-photon emission spanning the entire telecom band. Furthermore, single-photon emission deep into the centre of the telecom C band (1.55 um) is achieved at the largest nanotube diameters we explore (0.936 nm).« less

Tunable room-temperature single-photon emission at telecom wavelengths from sp 3 defects in carbon nanotubes

DOE PAGES

He, Xiaowei; Hartmann, Nicolai F.; Ma, Xuedan; ...

2017-07-31

Generating quantum light emitters that operate at room temperature and at telecom wavelengths remains a significant materials challenge. To achieve this goal requires light sources that emit in the near-infrared wavelength region and that, ideally, are tunable to allow desired output wavelengths to be accessed in a controllable manner. Here, we show that exciton localization at covalently introduced aryl sp 3 defect sites in single-walled carbon nanotubes provides a route to room-temperature single-photon emission with ultrahigh single-photon purity (99%) and enhanced emission stability approaching the shot-noise limit. Moreover, we demonstrate that the inherent optical tunability of single-walled carbon nanotubes, presentmore » in their structural diversity, allows us to generate room-temperature single-photon emission spanning the entire telecom band. Furthermore, single-photon emission deep into the centre of the telecom C band (1.55 um) is achieved at the largest nanotube diameters we explore (0.936 nm).« less

Ultra-large field-of-view two-photon microscopy.

PubMed

Tsai, Philbert S; Mateo, Celine; Field, Jeffrey J; Schaffer, Chris B; Anderson, Matthew E; Kleinfeld, David

2015-06-01

We present a two-photon microscope that images the full extent of murine cortex with an objective-limited spatial resolution across an 8 mm by 10 mm field. The lateral resolution is approximately 1 µm and the maximum scan speed is 5 mm/ms. The scan pathway employs large diameter compound lenses to minimize aberrations and performs near theoretical limits. We demonstrate the special utility of the microscope by recording resting-state vasomotion across both hemispheres of the murine brain through a transcranial window and by imaging histological sections without the need to stitch.

10-fold detection range increase in quadrant-photodiode position sensing for photonic force microscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perrone, Sandro; Volpe, Giovanni; Petrov, Dmitri

2008-10-01

We propose a technique that permits one to increase by one order of magnitude the detection range of position sensing for the photonic force microscope with quadrant photodetectors (QPDs). This technique takes advantage of the unavoidable cross-talk between output signals of the QPD and does not assume that the output signals are linear in the probe displacement. We demonstrate the increase in the detection range from 150 to 1400 nm for a trapped polystyrene sphere with radius of 300 nm as probe.

10-fold detection range increase in quadrant-photodiode position sensing for photonic force microscope

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

Perrone, Sandro; Volpe, Giovanni; Petrov, Dmitri

2008-10-15

We propose a technique that permits one to increase by one order of magnitude the detection range of position sensing for the photonic force microscope with quadrant photodetectors (QPDs). This technique takes advantage of the unavoidable cross-talk between output signals of the QPD and does not assume that the output signals are linear in the probe displacement. We demonstrate the increase in the detection range from 150 to 1400 nm for a trapped polystyrene sphere with radius of 300 nm as probe.

10-fold detection range increase in quadrant-photodiode position sensing for photonic force microscope.

PubMed

Perrone, Sandro; Volpe, Giovanni; Petrov, Dmitri

2008-10-01

We propose a technique that permits one to increase by one order of magnitude the detection range of position sensing for the photonic force microscope with quadrant photodetectors (QPDs). This technique takes advantage of the unavoidable cross-talk between output signals of the QPD and does not assume that the output signals are linear in the probe displacement. We demonstrate the increase in the detection range from 150 to 1400 nm for a trapped polystyrene sphere with radius of 300 nm as probe.

Factors affecting ultraviolet-A photon emission from β-irradiated human keratinocyte cells.

PubMed

Le, M; Mothersill, C E; Seymour, C B; Ahmad, S B; Armstrong, A; Rainbow, A J; McNeill, F E

2015-08-21

The luminescence intensity of 340±5 nm photons emitted from HaCaT (human keratinocyte) cells was investigated using a single-photon-counting system during cellular exposure to (90)Y β-particles. Multiple factors were assessed to determine their influence upon the quantity and pattern of photon emission from β-irradiated cells. Exposure of 1 x 10(4) cells/5 mL to 703 μCi resulted in maximum UVA photoemission at 44.8 x 10(3)±2.5 x 10(3) counts per second (cps) from live HaCaT cells (background: 1-5 cps); a 16-fold increase above cell-free controls. Significant biophoton emission was achieved only upon stimulation and was also dependent upon presence of cells. UVA luminescence was measured for (90)Y activities 14 to 703 μCi where a positive relationship between photoemission and (90)Y activity was observed. Irradiation of live HaCaT cells plated at various densities produced a distinct pattern of emission whereby luminescence increased up to a maximum at 1 x 10(4) cells/5 mL and thereafter decreased. However, this result was not observed in the dead cell population. Both live and dead HaCaT cells were irradiated and were found to demonstrate different rates of photon emission at low β activities (⩽400 μCi). Dead cells exhibited greater photon emission rates than live cells which may be attributable to metabolic processes taking place to modulate the photoemissive effect. The results indicate that photon emission from HaCaT cells is perturbed by external stimulation, is dependent upon the activity of radiation delivered, the density of irradiated cells, and cell viability. It is postulated that biophoton emission may be modulated by a biological or metabolic process.

Analysis of photon emission induced by light and heavy ions in time-of-flight medium energy ion scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lohmann, S.; Sortica, M. A.; Paneta, V.; Primetzhofer, D.

2018-02-01

We present a systematic analysis of the photon emission observed due to impact of pulsed keV ion beams in time-of-flight medium energy ion scattering (ToF-MEIS) experiments. Hereby, hydrogen, helium and neon ions served as projectiles and thin gold and titanium nitride films on different substrates were employed as target materials. The present experimental evidence indicates that a significant fraction of the photons has energies of around 10 eV, i.e. on the order of typical valence and conduction band transitions in solids. Furthermore, the scaling properties of the photon emission with respect to several experimental parameters were studied. A dependence of the photon yield on the projectile velocity was observed in all experiments. The photon yield exhibits a dependence on the film thickness and the scattering angle, which can be explained by photon production along the path of the incident ion through the material. Additionally, a strong dependence on the projectile type was found with the photon emission being higher for heavier projectiles. This difference is larger than the respective difference in electronic stopping cross section. The photon yield shows a strong material dependence, and according to a comparison of SiO2 and Si seems to be subject to matrix effects.

Fluctuating exciton localization in giant π-conjugated spoked-wheel macrocycles.

PubMed

Aggarwal, A Vikas; Thiessen, Alexander; Idelson, Alissa; Kalle, Daniel; Würsch, Dominik; Stangl, Thomas; Steiner, Florian; Jester, Stefan-S; Vogelsang, Jan; Höger, Sigurd; Lupton, John M

2013-11-01

Conjugated polymers offer potential for many diverse applications, but we still lack a fundamental microscopic understanding of their electronic structure. Elementary photoexcitations (excitons) span only a few nanometres of a molecule, which itself can extend over microns, and how their behaviour is affected by molecular dimensions is not immediately obvious. For example, where is the exciton formed within a conjugated segment and is it always situated on the same repeat units? Here, we introduce structurally rigid molecular spoked wheels, 6 nm in diameter, as a model of extended π conjugation. Single-molecule fluorescence reveals random exciton localization, which leads to temporally varying emission polarization. Initially, this random localization arises after every photon absorption event because of temperature-independent spontaneous symmetry breaking. These fast fluctuations are slowed to millisecond timescales after prolonged illumination. Intramolecular heterogeneity is revealed in cryogenic spectroscopy by jumps in transition energy, but emission polarization can also switch without a spectral jump occurring, which implies long-range homogeneity in the local dielectric environment.

Fluctuating exciton localization in giant π-conjugated spoked-wheel macrocycles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aggarwal, A. Vikas; Thiessen, Alexander; Idelson, Alissa; Kalle, Daniel; Würsch, Dominik; Stangl, Thomas; Steiner, Florian; Jester, Stefan-S.; Vogelsang, Jan; Höger, Sigurd; Lupton, John M.

2013-11-01

Conjugated polymers offer potential for many diverse applications, but we still lack a fundamental microscopic understanding of their electronic structure. Elementary photoexcitations (excitons) span only a few nanometres of a molecule, which itself can extend over microns, and how their behaviour is affected by molecular dimensions is not immediately obvious. For example, where is the exciton formed within a conjugated segment and is it always situated on the same repeat units? Here, we introduce structurally rigid molecular spoked wheels, 6 nm in diameter, as a model of extended π conjugation. Single-molecule fluorescence reveals random exciton localization, which leads to temporally varying emission polarization. Initially, this random localization arises after every photon absorption event because of temperature-independent spontaneous symmetry breaking. These fast fluctuations are slowed to millisecond timescales after prolonged illumination. Intramolecular heterogeneity is revealed in cryogenic spectroscopy by jumps in transition energy, but emission polarization can also switch without a spectral jump occurring, which implies long-range homogeneity in the local dielectric environment.

Spectroscopic properties in Er3+-doped germanotellurite glasses and glass ceramics for mid-infrared laser materials.

PubMed

Kang, Shiliang; Xiao, Xiudi; Pan, Qiwen; Chen, Dongdan; Qiu, Jianrong; Dong, Guoping

2017-03-07

Transparent Er 3+ -doped germanotellurite glass ceramics (GCs) with variable Te/Ge ratio were prepared by controllable heat-treated process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) confirmed the formation of nanocrystals in glass matrix. Raman spectra were used to investigate the evolution of glass structure and photon energy. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra were introduced to characterize the change of hydroxyl group (OH - ) content. Enhanced 2.7 μm emission was achieved from Er 3+ -doped GCs upon excitation with a 980 nm laser diode (LD), and the influence of GeO 2 concentration and heat-treated temperature on the spectroscopic properties were also discussed in detail. It is found that the present Er 3+ -doped GC possesses large stimulated emission cross section at around 2.7 μm (0.85 × 10 -20  cm 2 ). The advantageous spectroscopic characteristics suggest that the obtained GC may be a promising material for mid-infrared fiber lasers.

Spectroscopic properties in Er3+-doped germanotellurite glasses and glass ceramics for mid-infrared laser materials

PubMed Central

Kang, Shiliang; Xiao, Xiudi; Pan, Qiwen; Chen, Dongdan; Qiu, Jianrong; Dong, Guoping

2017-01-01

Transparent Er3+-doped germanotellurite glass ceramics (GCs) with variable Te/Ge ratio were prepared by controllable heat-treated process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) confirmed the formation of nanocrystals in glass matrix. Raman spectra were used to investigate the evolution of glass structure and photon energy. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra were introduced to characterize the change of hydroxyl group (OH−) content. Enhanced 2.7 μm emission was achieved from Er3+-doped GCs upon excitation with a 980 nm laser diode (LD), and the influence of GeO2 concentration and heat-treated temperature on the spectroscopic properties were also discussed in detail. It is found that the present Er3+-doped GC possesses large stimulated emission cross section at around 2.7 μm (0.85 × 10−20 cm2). The advantageous spectroscopic characteristics suggest that the obtained GC may be a promising material for mid-infrared fiber lasers. PMID:28266570

Frequency-resolved Monte Carlo.

PubMed

López Carreño, Juan Camilo; Del Valle, Elena; Laussy, Fabrice P

2018-05-03

We adapt the Quantum Monte Carlo method to the cascaded formalism of quantum optics, allowing us to simulate the emission of photons of known energy. Statistical processing of the photon clicks thus collected agrees with the theory of frequency-resolved photon correlations, extending the range of applications based on correlations of photons of prescribed energy, in particular those of a photon-counting character. We apply the technique to autocorrelations of photon streams from a two-level system under coherent and incoherent pumping, including the Mollow triplet regime where we demonstrate the direct manifestation of leapfrog processes in producing an increased rate of two-photon emission events.

Ultrafast Room-Temperature Single Photon Emission from Quantum Dots Coupled to Plasmonic Nanocavities.

PubMed

Hoang, Thang B; Akselrod, Gleb M; Mikkelsen, Maiken H

2016-01-13

Efficient and bright single photon sources at room temperature are critical components for quantum information systems such as quantum key distribution, quantum state teleportation, and quantum computation. However, the intrinsic radiative lifetime of quantum emitters is typically ∼10 ns, which severely limits the maximum single photon emission rate and thus entanglement rates. Here, we demonstrate the regime of ultrafast spontaneous emission (∼10 ps) from a single quantum emitter coupled to a plasmonic nanocavity at room temperature. The nanocavity integrated with a single colloidal semiconductor quantum dot produces a 540-fold decrease in the emission lifetime and a simultaneous 1900-fold increase in the total emission intensity. At the same time, the nanocavity acts as a highly efficient optical antenna directing the emission into a single lobe normal to the surface. This plasmonic platform is a versatile geometry into which a variety of other quantum emitters, such as crystal color centers, can be integrated for directional, room-temperature single photon emission rates exceeding 80 GHz.

Controlling spontaneous emission with the local density of states of honeycomb photonic crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsai, Ya-Chih; Lin, Chien-Fan; Chang, Jui-Wen

2009-05-01

We calculated the local density of state for various positions in a photonic crystal of honeycomb lattice to study how the spontaneous emission rate of a radiating dipole is altered in the presence of the photonic crystal. The local density of states is found to be position-sensitive and its value can be enhanced or depressed relative to the density of states, depending on the location of the dipole. Our study shows that the density of states tends to underestimate the effect of a photonic crystal on the prohibition of light propagation, while on the contrary tends to overestimate the effect on the enhancement of light emission. The calculations also indicate that it is possible to tailor the spontaneous emission of an active medium by careful selecting its location in the photonic crystal. The results are helpful in determining the insertion location of the active medium and in evaluating the efficiency of active photonic crystal devices such as light-emitting diodes or lasers.

Tuning the Photon Statistics of a Strongly Coupled Nanophotonic System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dory, C.; Fischer, K. A.; Müller, K.; Lagoudakis, K. G.; Sarmiento, T.; Rundquist, A.; Zhang, J. L.; Kelaita, Y.; Sapra, N. V.; Vučković, J.

Strongly coupled quantum-dot-photonic-crystal cavity systems provide a nonlinear ladder of hybridized light-matter states, which are a promising platform for non-classical light generation. The transmission of light through such systems enables light generation with tunable photon counting statistics. By detuning the frequencies of quantum emitter and cavity, we can tune the transmission of light to strongly enhance either single- or two-photon emission processes. However, these nanophotonic systems show a strongly dissipative nature and classical light obscures any quantum character of the emission. In this work, we utilize a self-homodyne interference technique combined with frequency-filtering to overcome this obstacle. This allows us to generate emission with a strong two-photon component in the multi-photon regime, where we measure a second-order coherence value of g (2) [ 0 ] = 1 . 490 +/- 0 . 034 . We propose rate equation models that capture the dominant processes of emission both in the single- and multi-photon regimes and support them by quantum-optical simulations that fully capture the frequency filtering of emission from our solid-state system. Finally, we simulate a third-order coherence value of g (3) [ 0 ] = 0 . 872 +/- 0 . 021 . Army Research Office (ARO) (W911NF1310309), National Science Foundation (1503759), Stanford Graduate Fellowship.

Single colloidal quantum dots as sources of single photons for quantum cryptography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pisanello, Ferruccio; Qualtieri, Antonio; Leménager, Godefroy; Martiradonna, Luigi; Stomeo, Tiziana; Cingolani, Roberto; Bramati, Alberto; De Vittorio, Massimo

2011-02-01

Colloidal nanocrystals, i.e. quantum dots synthesized trough wet-chemistry approaches, are promising nanoparticles for photonic applications and, remarkably, their quantum nature makes them very promising for single photon emission at room temperature. In this work we describe two approaches to engineer the emission properties of these nanoemitters in terms of radiative lifetime and photon polarization, drawing a viable strategy for their exploitation as room-temperature single photon sources for quantum information and quantum telecommunications.

Emitters of N-photon bundles

PubMed Central

Muñoz, C. Sánchez; del Valle, E.; Tudela, A. González; Müller, K.; Lichtmannecker, S.; Kaniber, M.; Tejedor, C.; Finley, J.J.; Laussy, F.P.

2014-01-01

Controlling the ouput of a light emitter is one of the basic tasks of photonics, with landmarks such as the laser and single-photon sources. The development of quantum applications makes it increasingly important to diversify the available quantum sources. Here, we propose a cavity QED scheme to realize emitters that release their energy in groups, or “bundles” of N photons, for integer N. Close to 100% of two-photon emission and 90% of three-photon emission is shown to be within reach of state of the art samples. The emission can be tuned with system parameters so that the device behaves as a laser or as a N-photon gun. The theoretical formalism to characterize such emitters is developed, with the bundle statistics arising as an extension of the fundamental correlation functions of quantum optics. These emitters will be useful for quantum information processing and for medical applications. PMID:25013456

Details of the Collagen and Elastin Architecture in the Human Limbal Conjunctiva, Tenon's Capsule and Sclera Revealed by Two-Photon Excited Fluorescence Microscopy.

PubMed

Park, Choul Yong; Marando, Catherine M; Liao, Jason A; Lee, Jimmy K; Kwon, Jiwon; Chuck, Roy S

2016-10-01

To investigate the architecture and distribution of collagen and elastin in human limbal conjunctiva, Tenon's capsule, and sclera. The limbal conjunctiva, Tenon's capsule, and sclera of human donor corneal buttons were imaged with an inverted two-photon excited fluorescence microscope. No fixation process was necessary. The laser (Ti:sapphire) was tuned at 850 nm for two-photon excitation. Backscatter signals of second harmonic generation (SHG) and autofluorescence (AF) were collected through a 425/30-nm and a 525/45-nm emission filter, respectively. Multiple, consecutive, and overlapping (z-stack) images were acquired. Collagen signals were collected with SHG, whereas elastin signals were collected with AF. The size and density of collagen bundles varied widely depending on depth: increasing from conjunctiva to sclera. In superficial image planes, collagen bundles were <10 μm in width, in a loose, disorganized arrangement. In deeper image planes (episclera and superficial sclera), collagen bundles were thicker (near 100 μm in width) and densely packed. Comparatively, elastin fibers were thinner and sparse. The orientation of elastin fibers was independent of collagen fibers in superficial layers; but in deep sclera, elastin fibers wove through collagen interbundle gaps. At the limbus, both collagen and elastin fibers were relatively compact and were distributed perpendicular to the limbal annulus. Two-photon excited fluorescence microscopy has enabled us to understand in greater detail the collagen and elastin architecture of the human limbal conjunctiva, Tenon's capsule, and sclera.

X-ray nanoprobe project at Taiwan Photon Source

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

Yin, Gung-Chian, E-mail: gcyin@nsrrc.org.tw; Chang, Shih-Hung; Chen, Bo-Yi

2016-07-27

The hard X-ray nanoprobe facility at Taiwan Photon Source (TPS) provides versatile X-ray analysis techniques, with tens of nanometer resolution, including XRF, XAS, XEOL, projection microscope, CDI, etc. Resulting from the large numerical aperture obtained by utilizing Montel KB mirrors, the beamline with a moderate length 75 meters can conduct similar performance with those beamlines longer than 100 meters. The two silica-made Montel mirrors are 45 degree cut and placed in a V-shape to eliminate the gap loss and the deformation caused by gravity. The slope error of the KB mirror pair is less than 0.04 µrad accomplished by elasticmore » emission machining (EEM) method. For the beamline, a horizontal DCM and two-stage focusing in horizontal direction is applied. For the endstation, a combination of SEM for quickly positioning the sample, a fly scanning system with laser interferometers, a precise temperature control system, and a load lock transfer system will be implemented. In this presentation, the design and construction progress of the beamline and endstation is reported. The endstation is scheduled to be in commissioning phase in 2016.« less

NIR fluorescence lifetime sensing through a multimode fiber for intravascular molecular probing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ingelberts, H.; Hernot, S.; Debie, P.; Lahoutte, T.; Kuijk, M.

2016-04-01

Coronary artery disease (CAD) contributes to millions of deaths each year. The identification of vulnerable plaques is essential to the diagnosis of CAD but is challenging. Molecular probes can improve the detection of these plaques using intravascular imaging methods. Fluorescence lifetime sensing is a safe and robust method to image these molecular probes. We present two variations of an optical system for intravascular near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence lifetime sensing through a multimode fiber. Both systems are built around a recently developed fast and efficient CMOS detector, the current-assisted photonic sampler (CAPS) that is optimized for sub-nanosecond NIR fluorescence lifetime sensing. One system mimics the optical setup of an epifluorescence microscope while the other uses a practical fiber optic coupler to separate fluorescence excitation and emission. We test both systems by measuring the lifetime of several NIR dyes in DMSO solutions and we show that these systems are capable of detecting lifetimes of solutions with concentrations down to 370 nM and this with short acquisition times. These results are compared with time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) measurements for reference.

Impact of charge carrier injection on single-chain photophysics of conjugated polymers

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

Hofmann, Felix J.; Vogelsang, Jan, E-mail: jan.vogelsang@physik.uni-regensburg.de; Lupton, John M.

Charges in conjugated polymer materials have a strong impact on the photophysics and their interaction with the primary excited state species has to be taken into account in understanding device properties. Here, we employ single-molecule spectroscopy to unravel the influence of charges on several photoluminescence (PL) observables. The charges are injected either stochastically by a photochemical process or deterministically in a hole-injection sandwich device configuration. We find that upon charge injection, besides a blue-shift of the PL emission and a shortening of the PL lifetime due to quenching and blocking of the lowest-energy chromophores, the non-classical photon arrival time distributionmore » of the multichromophoric chain is modified towards a more classical distribution. Surprisingly, the fidelity of photon antibunching deteriorates upon charging, whereas one would actually expect the opposite: the number of chromophores to be reduced. A qualitative model is presented to explain the observed PL changes. The results are of interest to developing a microscopic understanding of the intrinsic charge-exciton quenching interaction in devices.« less

Improving multiphoton STED nanoscopy with separation of photons by LIfetime Tuning (SPLIT)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coto Hernández, Iván.; Lanzano, Luca; Castello, Marco; Jowett, Nate; Tortarolo, Giorgio; Diaspro, Alberto; Vicidomini, Giuseppe

2018-02-01

Stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy is a powerful bio-imaging technique since it provides molecular spatial resolution whilst preserving the most important assets of fluorescence microscopy. When combined with twophoton excitation (2PE) microscopy (2PE-STED), the sub-diffraction imaging ability of STED microscopy can be achieved also on thick biological samples. The most straightforward implementation of 2PE-STED microscopy is obtained by introducing a STED beam operating in continuous wave (CW) into a conventional Ti:Sapphire based 2PE microscope (2PE-CW-STED). In this implementation, an effective resolution enhancement is mainly obtained implementing a time-gated detection scheme, which however can drastically reduce the signal-to-noise/background ratio of the final image. Herein, we combine the lifetime tuning (SPLIT) approach with 2PE-CW-STED to overcome this limitation. The SPLIT approach is employed to discard fluorescence photons lacking super-resolution information, by means of a pixel-by-pixel phasor approach. Combining the SPLIT approach with image deconvolution further optimizes the signal-to-noise/background ratio.

Method to deterministically study photonic nanostructures in different experimental instruments.

PubMed

Husken, B H; Woldering, L A; Blum, C; Vos, W L

2009-01-01

We describe an experimental method to recover a single, deterministically fabricated nanostructure in various experimental instruments without the use of artificially fabricated markers, with the aim to study photonic structures. Therefore, a detailed map of the spatial surroundings of the nanostructure is made during the fabrication of the structure. These maps are made using a series of micrographs with successively decreasing magnifications. The graphs reveal intrinsic and characteristic geometric features that can subsequently be used in different setups to act as markers. As an illustration, we probe surface cavities with radii of 65 nm on a silica opal photonic crystal with various setups: a focused ion beam workstation; a scanning electron microscope (SEM); a wide field optical microscope and a confocal microscope. We use cross-correlation techniques to recover a small area imaged with the SEM in a large area photographed with the optical microscope, which provides a possible avenue to automatic searching. We show how both structural and optical reflectivity data can be obtained from one and the same nanostructure. Since our approach does not use artificial grids or markers, it is of particular interest for samples whose structure is not known a priori, like samples created solely by self-assembly. In addition, our method is not restricted to conducting samples.

Tunable and high-purity room temperature single-photon emission from atomic defects in hexagonal boron nitride

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

Grosso, Gabriele; Moon, Hyowon; Lienhard, Benjamin

Two-dimensional van der Waals materials have emerged as promising platforms for solid-state quantum information processing devices with unusual potential for heterogeneous assembly. Recently, bright and photostable single photon emitters were reported from atomic defects in layered hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), but controlling inhomogeneous spectral distribution and reducing multi-photon emission presented open challenges. Here, we demonstrate that strain control allows spectral tunability of hBN single photon emitters over 6 meV, and material processing sharply improves the single photon purity. We observe high single photon count rates exceeding 7 × 10 6 counts per second at saturation, after correcting for uncorrelated photonmore » background. Furthermore, these emitters are stable to material transfer to other substrates. High-purity and photostable single photon emission at room temperature, together with spectral tunability and transferability, opens the door to scalable integration of high-quality quantum emitters in photonic quantum technologies.« less

Tunable and high-purity room temperature single-photon emission from atomic defects in hexagonal boron nitride

DOE PAGES

Grosso, Gabriele; Moon, Hyowon; Lienhard, Benjamin; ...

2017-09-26

Two-dimensional van der Waals materials have emerged as promising platforms for solid-state quantum information processing devices with unusual potential for heterogeneous assembly. Recently, bright and photostable single photon emitters were reported from atomic defects in layered hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), but controlling inhomogeneous spectral distribution and reducing multi-photon emission presented open challenges. Here, we demonstrate that strain control allows spectral tunability of hBN single photon emitters over 6 meV, and material processing sharply improves the single photon purity. We observe high single photon count rates exceeding 7 × 10 6 counts per second at saturation, after correcting for uncorrelated photonmore » background. Furthermore, these emitters are stable to material transfer to other substrates. High-purity and photostable single photon emission at room temperature, together with spectral tunability and transferability, opens the door to scalable integration of high-quality quantum emitters in photonic quantum technologies.« less

Measurements of wavelength-dependent double photoelectron emission from single photons in VUV-sensitive photomultiplier tubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faham, C. H.; Gehman, V. M.; Currie, A.; Dobi, A.; Sorensen, P.; Gaitskell, R. J.

2015-09-01

Measurements of double photoelectron emission (DPE) probabilities as a function of wavelength are reported for Hamamatsu R8778, R8520, and R11410 VUV-sensitive photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). In DPE, a single photon strikes the PMT photocathode and produces two photoelectrons instead of a single one. It was found that the fraction of detected photons that result in DPE emission is a function of the incident photon wavelength, and manifests itself below ~250 nm. For the xenon scintillation wavelength of 175 nm, a DPE probability of 18-24% was measured depending on the tube and measurement method. This wavelength-dependent single photon response has implications for the energy calibration and photon counting of current and future liquid xenon detectors such as LUX, LZ, XENON100/1T, Panda-X and XMASS.

Virtual photon emission from a quark-gluon plasma

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

Suryanarayana, S. V.

We present phenomenological formulas for virtual photon emission rates from a thermalized quark-gluon plasma (QGP) that include bremsstrahlung and annihilation with scattering (AWS) mechanisms along with the Landau-Pomeranchuk-Migdal (LPM) effects. For this purpose we follow the approach of generalized emission functions (GEF) for virtual photon emission, we showed earlier for a fixed temperature and strong coupling constant. In the present work, we extend the LPM calculations for several temperatures and strong coupling strengths, photon energies (q{sub 0}), photon mass (Q{sup 2}), and quark energies (p{sub 0}). We generalize the dynamical scaling variables, x{sub T},x{sub L}, for bremsstrahlung and AWS processesmore » that are now functions of variables p{sub 0},q{sub 0},Q{sup 2},T,{alpha}{sub s}. The GEF introduced earlier, g{sub T}{sup b},g{sub T}{sup a},g{sub L}{sup b},g{sub L}{sup a}, are also generalized for any temperatures and coupling strengths. From this, the imaginary part of the photon polarization tensor as a function of photon mass and energy has been calculated as a one-dimensional integral over these GEF and parton distribution functions in the plasma. By fitting these polarization tensors obtained from GEF method, we obtained a phenomenological formula for virtual photon emission rates as a function of (q{sub 0},Q{sup 2},T,{alpha}{sub s}) that includes bremsstrahlung and AWS mechanisms with LPM effects.« less

Flexible random lasers with tunable lasing emissions.

PubMed

Lee, Ya-Ju; Chou, Chun-Yang; Yang, Zu-Po; Nguyen, Thi Bich Hanh; Yao, Yung-Chi; Yeh, Ting-Wei; Tsai, Meng-Tsan; Kuo, Hao-Chun

2018-04-19

In this study, we experimentally demonstrated a flexible random laser fabricated on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate with a high degree of tunability in lasing emissions. Random lasing oscillation arises mainly from the resonance coupling between the emitted photons of gain medium (Rhodamine 6G, R6G) and the localized surface plasmon (LSP) of silver nanoprisms (Ag NPRs), which increases the effective cross-section for multiple light scattering, thus stimulating the lasing emissions. More importantly, it was found that the random lasing wavelength is blue-shifted monolithically with the increase in bending strains exerted on the PET substrate, and a maximum shift of ∼15 nm was achieved in the lasing wavelength, when a 50% bending strain was exerted on the PET substrate. Such observation is highly repeatable and reversible, and this validates that we can control the lasing wavelength by simply bending the flexible substrate decorated with the Ag NPRs. The scattering spectrum of the Ag NPRs was obtained using a dark-field microscope to understand the mechanism for the dependence of the wavelength shift on the exerted bending strains. As a result, we believe that the experimental demonstration of tunable lasing emissions based on the revealed structure is expected to open up a new application field of random lasers.

Shifting wavelengths of ultraweak photon emissions from dying melanoma cells: their chemical enhancement and blocking are predicted by Cosic's theory of resonant recognition model for macromolecules.

PubMed

Dotta, Blake T; Murugan, Nirosha J; Karbowski, Lukasz M; Lafrenie, Robert M; Persinger, Michael A

2014-02-01

During the first 24 h after removal from incubation, melanoma cells in culture displayed reliable increases in emissions of photons of specific wavelengths during discrete portions of this interval. Applications of specific filters revealed marked and protracted increases in infrared (950 nm) photons about 7 h after removal followed 3 h later by marked and protracted increases in near ultraviolet (370 nm) photon emissions. Specific wavelengths within the visible (400 to 800 nm) peaked 12 to 24 h later. Specific activators or inhibitors for specific wavelengths based upon Cosic's resonant recognition model elicited either enhancement or diminishment of photons at the specific wavelength as predicted. Inhibitors or activators predicted for other wavelengths, even within 10 nm, were less or not effective. There is now evidence for quantitative coupling between the wavelength of photon emissions and intrinsic cellular chemistry. The results are consistent with initial activation of signaling molecules associated with infrared followed about 3 h later by growth and protein-structural factors associated with ultraviolet. The greater-than-expected photon counts compared with raw measures through the various filters, which also function as reflective material to other photons, suggest that photons of different wavelengths might be self-stimulatory and could play a significant role in cell-to-cell communication.

Thermally enhanced photoluminescence for energy harvesting: from fundamentals to engineering optimization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kruger, N.; Kurtulik, M.; Revivo, N.; Manor, A.; Sabapathy, T.; Rotschild, C.

2018-05-01

The radiance of thermal emission, as described by Planck’s law, depends only on the emissivity and temperature of a body, and increases monotonically with the temperature rise at any emitted wavelength. Non-thermal radiation, such as photoluminescence (PL), is a fundamental light–matter interaction that conventionally involves the absorption of an energetic photon, thermalization, and the emission of a redshifted photon. Such a quantum process is governed by rate conservation, which is contingent on the quantum efficiency. In the past, the role of rate conservation for significant thermal excitation had not been studied. Recently, we presented the theory and an experimental demonstration that showed, in contrast to thermal emission, that the PL rate is conserved when the temperature increases while each photon is blueshifted. A further rise in temperature leads to an abrupt transition to thermal emission where the photon rate increases sharply. We also demonstrated how such thermally enhanced PL (TEPL) generates orders of magnitude more energetic photons than thermal emission at similar temperatures. These findings show that TEPL is an ideal optical heat pump that can harvest thermal losses in photovoltaics with a maximal theoretical efficiency of 70%, and practical concepts potentially reaching 45% efficiency. Here we move the TEPL concept onto the engineering level and present Cr:Nd:YAG as device grade PL material, absorbing solar radiation up to 1 μm wavelength and heated by thermalization of energetic photons. Its blueshifted emission, which can match GaAs cells, is 20% of the absorbed power. Based on a detailed balance simulation, such a material coupled with proper photonic management can reach 34% power conversion efficiency. These results raise confidence in the potential of TEPL becoming a disruptive technology in photovoltaics.

Color Tunable and Upconversion Luminescence in Yb-Tm Co-Doped Yttrium Phosphate Inverse Opal Photonic Crystals.

PubMed

Wang, Siqin; Qiu, Jianbei; Wang, Qi; Zhou, Dacheng; Yang, Zhengwen

2016-04-01

For this paper, YPO4: Tm, Yb inverse opals with the photonic band gaps at 475 nm and 655 nm were prepared by polystyrene colloidal crystal templates. We investigated the influence of photonic band gaps on the Tm-Yb upconversion emission which was in the YPO4: Tm Yb inverse opal photonic crystals. Comparing with the reference sample, significant suppression of both the blue and red upconversion luminescence of Tm3+ ions were observed in the inverse opals. The color purity of the blue emission was improved in the inverse opal by the suppression of red upconversion emission. Additionally, mechanism of upconversion emission in the inverse opal was discussed. We believe that the present work will be valuable for not only the foundational study of upconversion emission modification but also the development of new optical devices in upconversion lighting and display.

Bright Single InAsP Quantum Dots at Telecom Wavelengths in Position-Controlled InP Nanowires: The Role of the Photonic Waveguide.

PubMed

Haffouz, Sofiane; Zeuner, Katharina D; Dalacu, Dan; Poole, Philip J; Lapointe, Jean; Poitras, Daniel; Mnaymneh, Khaled; Wu, Xiaohua; Couillard, Martin; Korkusinski, Marek; Schöll, Eva; Jöns, Klaus D; Zwiller, Valery; Williams, Robin L

2018-05-09

We report on the site-selected growth of bright single InAsP quantum dots embedded within InP photonic nanowire waveguides emitting at telecom wavelengths. We demonstrate a dramatic dependence of the emission rate on both the emission wavelength and the nanowire diameter. With an appropriately designed waveguide, tailored to the emission wavelength of the dot, an increase in the count rate by nearly 2 orders of magnitude (0.4 to 35 kcps) is obtained for quantum dots emitting in the telecom O-band, showing high single-photon purity with multiphoton emission probabilities down to 2%. Using emission-wavelength-optimized waveguides, we demonstrate bright, narrow-line-width emission from single InAsP quantum dots with an unprecedented tuning range of 880 to 1550 nm. These results pave the way toward efficient single-photon sources at telecom wavelengths using deterministically grown InAsP/InP nanowire quantum dots.

A System for Photon-Counting Spectrophotometry of Prompt Optical Emission from Gamma-Ray Bursts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vestrand, W. T.; Albright, K.; Casperson, D.; Fenimore, E.; Ho, C.; Priedhorsky, W.; White, R.; Wren, J.

2003-04-01

With the launch of HETE-2 and the coming launch of the Swift satellite, there will be many new opportunities to study the physics of the prompt optical emission with robotic ground-based telescopes. Time-resolved spectrophotometry of the rapidly varying optical emission is likely to be a rich area for discovery. We describe a program to apply state-of-the-art photon-counting imaging technology to the study of prompt optical emission from gamma-ray bursts. The Remote Ultra-Low Light Imaging (RULLI) project at Los Alamos National Laboratory has developed an imaging sensor which employs stacked microchannel plates and a crossed delay line readout with 200 picosecond photon timing to measure the time of arrival and positions for individual optical photons. RULLI detectors, when coupled with a transmission grating having 300 grooves/mm, can make photon-counting spectroscopic observations with spectral resolution that is an order of magnitude greater and temporal resolution three orders of magnitude greater than the most capable photon-counting imaging detectors that have been used for optical astronomy.

Fourier plane imaging microscopy

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

Dominguez, Daniel, E-mail: daniel.dominguez@ttu.edu; Peralta, Luis Grave de; Nano Tech Center, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409

We show how the image of an unresolved photonic crystal can be reconstructed using a single Fourier plane (FP) image obtained with a second camera that was added to a traditional compound microscope. We discuss how Fourier plane imaging microscopy is an application of a remarkable property of the obtained FP images: they contain more information about the photonic crystals than the images recorded by the camera commonly placed at the real plane of the microscope. We argue that the experimental results support the hypothesis that surface waves, contributing to enhanced resolution abilities, were optically excited in the studied photonicmore » crystals.« less

Ultra-large field-of-view two-photon microscopy

PubMed Central

Tsai, Philbert S.; Mateo, Celine; Field, Jeffrey J.; Schaffer, Chris B.; Anderson, Matthew E.; Kleinfeld, David

2015-01-01

We present a two-photon microscope that images the full extent of murine cortex with an objective-limited spatial resolution across an 8 mm by 10 mm field. The lateral resolution is approximately 1 µm and the maximum scan speed is 5 mm/ms. The scan pathway employs large diameter compound lenses to minimize aberrations and performs near theoretical limits. We demonstrate the special utility of the microscope by recording resting-state vasomotion across both hemispheres of the murine brain through a transcranial window and by imaging histological sections without the need to stitch. PMID:26072755

Multi-exciton emission from solitary dopant states of carbon nanotubes.

PubMed

Ma, Xuedan; Hartmann, Nicolai F; Velizhanin, Kirill A; Baldwin, Jon K S; Adamska, Lyudmyla; Tretiak, Sergei; Doorn, Stephen K; Htoon, Han

2017-11-02

By separating the photons from slow and fast decays of single and multi-exciton states in a time gated 2 nd order photon correlation experiment, we show that solitary oxygen dopant states of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) allow emission of photon pairs with efficiencies as high as 44% of single exciton emission. Our pump dependent time resolved photoluminescence (PL) studies further reveal diffusion-limited exciton-exciton annihilation as the key process that limits the emission of multi-excitons at high pump fluences. We further postulate that creation of additional permanent exciton quenching sites occurring under intense laser irradiation leads to permanent PL quenching. With this work, we bring out multi-excitonic processes of solitary dopant states as a new area to be explored for potential applications in lasing and entangled photon generation.

Broadband Enhancement of Spontaneous Emission in Two-Dimensional Semiconductors Using Photonic Hypercrystals.

PubMed

Galfsky, Tal; Sun, Zheng; Considine, Christopher R; Chou, Cheng-Tse; Ko, Wei-Chun; Lee, Yi-Hsien; Narimanov, Evgenii E; Menon, Vinod M

2016-08-10

The low quantum yield observed in two-dimensional semiconductors of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) has motivated the quest for approaches that can enhance the light emission from these systems. Here, we demonstrate broadband enhancement of spontaneous emission and increase in Raman signature from archetype two-dimensional semiconductors: molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and tungsten disulfide (WS2) by placing the monolayers in the near field of a photonic hypercrystal having hyperbolic dispersion. Hypercrystals are characterized by a large broadband photonic density of states due to hyperbolic dispersion while having enhanced light in/out coupling by a subwavelength photonic crystal lattice. This dual advantage is exploited here to enhance the light emission from the 2D TMDs and can be utilized for developing light emitters and solar cells using two-dimensional semiconductors.

Fast two-layer two-photon imaging of neuronal cell populations using an electrically tunable lens

PubMed Central

Grewe, Benjamin F.; Voigt, Fabian F.; van ’t Hoff, Marcel; Helmchen, Fritjof

2011-01-01

Functional two-photon Ca2+-imaging is a versatile tool to study the dynamics of neuronal populations in brain slices and living animals. However, population imaging is typically restricted to a single two-dimensional image plane. By introducing an electrically tunable lens into the excitation path of a two-photon microscope we were able to realize fast axial focus shifts within 15 ms. The maximum axial scan range was 0.7 mm employing a 40x NA0.8 water immersion objective, plenty for typically required ranges of 0.2–0.3 mm. By combining the axial scanning method with 2D acousto-optic frame scanning and random-access scanning, we measured neuronal population activity of about 40 neurons across two imaging planes separated by 40 μm and achieved scan rates up to 20–30 Hz. The method presented is easily applicable and allows upgrading of existing two-photon microscopes for fast 3D scanning. PMID:21750778

Bessel light sheet structured illumination microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noshirvani Allahabadi, Golchehr

Biomedical study researchers using animals to model disease and treatment need fast, deep, noninvasive, and inexpensive multi-channel imaging methods. Traditional fluorescence microscopy meets those criteria to an extent. Specifically, two-photon and confocal microscopy, the two most commonly used methods, are limited in penetration depth, cost, resolution, and field of view. In addition, two-photon microscopy has limited ability in multi-channel imaging. Light sheet microscopy, a fast developing 3D fluorescence imaging method, offers attractive advantages over traditional two-photon and confocal microscopy. Light sheet microscopy is much more applicable for in vivo 3D time-lapsed imaging, owing to its selective illumination of tissue layer, superior speed, low light exposure, high penetration depth, and low levels of photobleaching. However, standard light sheet microscopy using Gaussian beam excitation has two main disadvantages: 1) the field of view (FOV) of light sheet microscopy is limited by the depth of focus of the Gaussian beam. 2) Light-sheet images can be degraded by scattering, which limits the penetration of the excitation beam and blurs emission images in deep tissue layers. While two-sided sheet illumination, which doubles the field of view by illuminating the sample from opposite sides, offers a potential solution, the technique adds complexity and cost to the imaging system. We investigate a new technique to address these limitations: Bessel light sheet microscopy in combination with incoherent nonlinear Structured Illumination Microscopy (SIM). Results demonstrate that, at visible wavelengths, Bessel excitation penetrates up to 250 microns deep in the scattering media with single-side illumination. Bessel light sheet microscope achieves confocal level resolution at a lateral resolution of 0.3 micron and an axial resolution of 1 micron. Incoherent nonlinear SIM further reduces the diffused background in Bessel light sheet images, resulting in confocal quality images in thick tissue. The technique was applied to live transgenic zebra fish tg(kdrl:GFP), and the sub-cellular structure of fish vasculature genetically labeled with GFP was captured in 3D. The superior speed of the microscope enables us to acquire signal from 200 layers of a thick sample in 4 minutes. The compact microscope uses exclusively off-the-shelf components and offers a low-cost imaging solution for studying small animal models or tissue samples.

Modeling vehicle fuel consumption and emissions at signalized intersection approaches : integrating field-collected data into microscopic simulation.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-07-01

Microscopic models produce emissions and fuel consumption estimates with higher temporal resolution than other scales of : models. Most emissions and fuel consumption models were developed with data from dynamometer testing which are : sufficiently a...

Depth-of-interaction estimates in pixelated scintillator sensors using Monte Carlo techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Diksha; Sze, Christina; Bhandari, Harish; Nagarkar, Vivek; Badano, Aldo

2017-01-01

Image quality in thick scintillator detectors can be improved by minimizing parallax errors through depth-of-interaction (DOI) estimation. A novel sensor for low-energy single photon imaging having a thick, transparent, crystalline pixelated micro-columnar CsI:Tl scintillator structure has been described, with possible future application in small-animal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging when using thicker structures under development. In order to understand the fundamental limits of this new structure, we introduce cartesianDETECT2, an open-source optical transport package that uses Monte Carlo methods to obtain estimates of DOI for improving spatial resolution of nuclear imaging applications. Optical photon paths are calculated as a function of varying simulation parameters such as columnar surface roughness, bulk, and top-surface absorption. We use scanning electron microscope images to estimate appropriate surface roughness coefficients. Simulation results are analyzed to model and establish patterns between DOI and photon scattering. The effect of varying starting locations of optical photons on the spatial response is studied. Bulk and top-surface absorption fractions were varied to investigate their effect on spatial response as a function of DOI. We investigated the accuracy of our DOI estimation model for a particular screen with various training and testing sets, and for all cases the percent error between the estimated and actual DOI over the majority of the detector thickness was ±5% with a maximum error of up to ±10% at deeper DOIs. In addition, we found that cartesianDETECT2 is computationally five times more efficient than MANTIS. Findings indicate that DOI estimates can be extracted from a double-Gaussian model of the detector response. We observed that our model predicts DOI in pixelated scintillator detectors reasonably well.

(Gene sequencing by scanning molecular exciton microscopy)

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

Not Available

1991-01-01

This report details progress made in setting up a laboratory for optical microscopy of genes. The apparatus including a fluorescence microscope, a scanning optical microscope, various spectrometers, and supporting computers is described. Results in developing photon and exciton tips, and in preparing samples are presented. (GHH)

Ag@Aggregation-induced emission dye core/shell nanostructures with enhanced one- and two-photon fluorescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Cheng; Li, Yang; Xu, Qiujin; Luo, Liang

2017-10-01

Combining plasmonic nanostructures with two-photon fluorescence materials is a promising way to significantly enhance two-photon fluorescence. Ag@1,4-bis(2-cyano-2-phenylethenyl) benzene (BCPEB) core/shell nanostructures were fabricated by simply incubating the isolated Ag nanoparticles with BCPEB microrods in ethanol. BCPEB was chosen as the fluorescent organic molecule owing to the aggregation-induced-emission (AIE) nature which would reduce the emission loss as being practically applied in solid phase. By utilizing the match of the extinction spectrum of Ag nanoparticles and BCPEB's absorption band, the target Ag@BCPEB core/shell nanostructures showed an enhanced one-photon (12×) fluorescence, integrating with SERS signal as well. Moreover, the resultant second harmonic generation of Ag nanoparticles under two-photon excitation also well matched with the absorption band of BCPEB, and significant enhanced two-photon (17×) fluorescence was obtained. The confocal images of NIH-3T3 cells with these nanostructures under one- and two-photon excitation showed good contrast and brightness for bio-imaging.

Non-contact pumping of light emitters via non-radiative energy transfer

DOEpatents

Klimov, Victor I.; Achermann, Marc

2010-01-05

A light emitting device is disclosed including a primary light source having a defined emission photon energy output, and, a light emitting material situated near to said primary light source, said light emitting material having an absorption onset equal to or less in photon energy than the emission photon energy output of the primary light source whereby non-radiative energy transfer from said primary light source to said light emitting material can occur yielding light emission from said light emitting material.

Thermodynamics of photon-enhanced thermionic emission solar cells

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

Reck, Kasper, E-mail: kasper.reck@nanotech.dtu.dk; Hansen, Ole, E-mail: ole.hansen@nanotech.dtu.dk; CINF Center for Individual Nanoparticle Functionality, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby 2800

2014-01-13

Photon-enhanced thermionic emission (PETE) cells in which direct photon energy as well as thermal energy can be harvested have recently been suggested as a new candidate for high efficiency solar cells. Here, we present an analytic thermodynamical model for evaluation of the efficiency of PETE solar cells including an analysis of the entropy production due to thermionic emission of general validity. The model is applied to find the maximum efficiency of a PETE cell for given cathode and anode work functions and temperatures.

Selective two-photon absorption in carbon dots: a piece of the photoluminescence emission puzzle.

PubMed

Santos, Carla I M; Mariz, Inês F A; Pinto, Sandra N; Gonçalves, Gil; Bdikin, Igor; Marques, Paula A A P; Neves, Maria Graça P M S; Martinho, José M G; Maçôas, Ermelinda M S

2018-06-22

Carbon nanodots (Cdots) are now emerging as promising nonlinear fluorophores for applications in biological environments. A thorough and systematic approach to the two-photon induced emission of Cdots that could provide design guidelines to control their nonlinear emission properties is still missing. In this work, we address the nonlinear optical spectroscopy of Cdots prepared by controlled chemical cutting of graphene oxide (GO). The two-photon absorption in the 700-1000 nm region and the corresponding emission spectrum are carefully investigated. The highest two-photon absorption cross-section estimated was 130 GM at 720 nm. This value is comparable with the one reported for graphene nanoribbons with push-pull architecture. The emission spectrum depends on the excitation mode. At the same excitation energy, nonlinear excitation results in excitation-wavelength independent emission, while upon linear excitation the emission is excitation-wavelength dependent. The biphotonic interaction seems to be selective towards sp2 clusters bearing electron donor and acceptor groups found in push-pull architectures. Both linear and nonlinear emission can be understood based on the existence of isolated sp2 clusters involved in π-π stacking interactions with clusters in adjacent layers.

Anomalous photoelectric emission from Ag on zinc-phthalocyanine film

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

Tanaka, Senku, E-mail: senku@ele.kindai.ac.jp; Otani, Tomohiro; Fukuzawa, Ken

2014-05-12

Photoelectric emission from organic and metal thin films is generally observed with irradiation of photon energy larger than 4 eV. In this paper, however, we report photoelectric emission from Ag on a zinc-phthalocyanine (ZnPc) layer at a photon energy of 3.4 eV. The threshold energy for this photoelectric emission is much smaller than the work function of Ag estimated by conventional photoelectron spectroscopy. The photoelectric emission by low-energy photons is significant for Ag thicknesses of less than 1 nm. Photoelectron spectroscopy and morphological study of the Ag/ZnPc suggest that the anomalous photoelectric emission from the Ag surface is caused by a vacuum levelmore » shift at the Ag/ZnPc interface and by surface plasmons of the Ag nanoparticles.« less

Functionalized gold nanoparticles manifested as potent carriers for nucleolar targeting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shahbazi, Reza; Ozcicek, Ilyas; Ozturk, Gurkan; Ulubayram, Kezban

2017-01-01

It is generally known that gold nanoparticles are localised in the cytoplasm and, if synthesised in small sizes or functionalized with specific proteins, they enter the cell nucleus. However, there is no report emphasising the importance of surface functionalization in their accumulation in the nucleolus. Here, for the first time in the literature, it is proposed that functionalization of gold nanoparticles with a thin layer of polyethyleneimine (PEI) spearheads them to the nucleolus of hard-to-transfect post-mitotic dorsal root ganglion neurones in a size-independent manner. As a potential for theranostic applications, it was found that functionalization with a thin layer of PEI affected the emission signal intensity of gold nanoparticles so that the cellular biodistribution of nanoparticles was visualised clearly under both confocal and two-photon microscopes.

A laboratory 8 keV transmission full-field x-ray microscope with a polycapillary as condenser for bright and dark field imaging

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

Baumbach, S., E-mail: baumbach@rheinahrcampus.de; Wilhein, T.; Kanngießer, B.

2015-08-15

This article introduces a laboratory setup of a transmission full-field x-ray microscope at 8 keV photon energy. The microscope operates in bright and dark field imaging mode with a maximum field of view of 50 μm. Since the illumination geometry determines whether the sample is illuminated homogeneously and moreover, if different imaging methods can be applied, the condenser optic is one of the most significant parts. With a new type of x-ray condenser, a polycapillary optic, we realized bright field imaging and for the first time dark field imaging at 8 keV photon energy in a laboratory setup. A detectormore » limited spatial resolution of 210 nm is measured on x-ray images of Siemens star test patterns.« less

A laboratory 8 keV transmission full-field x-ray microscope with a polycapillary as condenser for bright and dark field imaging.

PubMed

Baumbach, S; Kanngießer, B; Malzer, W; Stiel, H; Wilhein, T

2015-08-01

This article introduces a laboratory setup of a transmission full-field x-ray microscope at 8 keV photon energy. The microscope operates in bright and dark field imaging mode with a maximum field of view of 50 μm. Since the illumination geometry determines whether the sample is illuminated homogeneously and moreover, if different imaging methods can be applied, the condenser optic is one of the most significant parts. With a new type of x-ray condenser, a polycapillary optic, we realized bright field imaging and for the first time dark field imaging at 8 keV photon energy in a laboratory setup. A detector limited spatial resolution of 210 nm is measured on x-ray images of Siemens star test patterns.

Design and performance of an ultra-flexible two-photon microscope for in vivo research.

PubMed

Mayrhofer, Johannes M; Haiss, Florent; Haenni, Dominik; Weber, Stefan; Zuend, Marc; Barrett, Matthew J P; Ferrari, Kim David; Maechler, Philipp; Saab, Aiman S; Stobart, Jillian L; Wyss, Matthias T; Johannssen, Helge; Osswald, Harald; Palmer, Lucy M; Revol, Vincent; Schuh, Claus-Dieter; Urban, Claus; Hall, Andrew; Larkum, Matthew E; Rutz-Innerhofer, Edith; Zeilhofer, Hanns Ulrich; Ziegler, Urs; Weber, Bruno

2015-11-01

We present a cost-effective in vivo two-photon microscope with a highly flexible frontend for in vivo research. Our design ensures fast and reproducible access to the area of interest, including rotation of imaging plane, and maximizes space for auxiliary experimental equipment in the vicinity of the animal. Mechanical flexibility is achieved with large motorized linear stages that move the objective in the X, Y, and Z directions up to 130 mm. 360° rotation of the frontend (rotational freedom for one axis) is achieved with the combination of a motorized high precision bearing and gearing. Additionally, the modular design of the frontend, based on commercially available optomechanical parts, allows straightforward updates to future scanning technologies. The design exceeds the mobility of previous movable microscope designs while maintaining high optical performance.

Design and performance of an ultra-flexible two-photon microscope for in vivo research

PubMed Central

Mayrhofer, Johannes M.; Haiss, Florent; Haenni, Dominik; Weber, Stefan; Zuend, Marc; Barrett, Matthew J. P.; Ferrari, Kim David; Maechler, Philipp; Saab, Aiman S.; Stobart, Jillian L.; Wyss, Matthias T.; Johannssen, Helge; Osswald, Harald; Palmer, Lucy M.; Revol, Vincent; Schuh, Claus-Dieter; Urban, Claus; Hall, Andrew; Larkum, Matthew E.; Rutz-Innerhofer, Edith; Zeilhofer, Hanns Ulrich; Ziegler, Urs; Weber, Bruno

2015-01-01

We present a cost-effective in vivo two-photon microscope with a highly flexible frontend for in vivo research. Our design ensures fast and reproducible access to the area of interest, including rotation of imaging plane, and maximizes space for auxiliary experimental equipment in the vicinity of the animal. Mechanical flexibility is achieved with large motorized linear stages that move the objective in the X, Y, and Z directions up to 130 mm. 360° rotation of the frontend (rotational freedom for one axis) is achieved with the combination of a motorized high precision bearing and gearing. Additionally, the modular design of the frontend, based on commercially available optomechanical parts, allows straightforward updates to future scanning technologies. The design exceeds the mobility of previous movable microscope designs while maintaining high optical performance. PMID:26600989

A Successful Attempt to Obtain the Linear Dependence Between One-Photon and Two-Photon Spectral Properties and Hammett Parameters of Various Aromatic Substituents in New π-Extended Asymmetric Organic Chromophores.

PubMed

Hu, Nvdan; Gong, Yulong; Wang, Xinchao; Lu, Yao; Peng, Guangyue; Yang, Long; Zhang, Shengtao; Luo, Ziping; Li, Hongru; Gao, Fang

2015-11-01

A series of new asymmetric chromophores containing aromatic substituents and possessing the excellent π-extension in space were prepared through multi-steps routes. One-photon and two-photon spectral properties of these new chromophores could be tuned by these substituents finely and simultaneously. The linear correlation of the wave numbers of the one-photon absorption and emission maxima to Hammett parameters of these substituents was presented. Near infrared two-photon absorption emission integrated areas of the target chromophores were correlated linearly to Hammett constants of these substituted groups.

All-Optical Fiber Hanbury Brown & Twiss Interferometer to study 1300 nm single photon emission of a metamorphic InAs Quantum Dot

PubMed Central

Muñoz-Matutano, G.; Barrera, D.; Fernández-Pousa, C.R.; Chulia-Jordan, R.; Seravalli, L.; Trevisi, G.; Frigeri, P.; Sales, S.; Martínez-Pastor, J.

2016-01-01

New optical fiber based spectroscopic tools open the possibility to develop more robust and efficient characterization experiments. Spectral filtering and light reflection have been used to produce compact and versatile fiber based optical cavities and sensors. Moreover, these technologies would be also suitable to study N-photon correlations, where high collection efficiency and frequency tunability is desirable. We demonstrated single photon emission of a single quantum dot emitting at 1300 nm, using a Fiber Bragg Grating for wavelength filtering and InGaAs Avalanche Photodiodes operated in Geiger mode for single photon detection. As we do not observe any significant fine structure splitting for the neutral exciton transition within our spectral resolution (46 μeV), metamorphic QD single photon emission studied with our all-fiber Hanbury Brown & Twiss interferometer could lead to a more efficient analysis of entangled photon sources at telecom wavelength. This all-optical fiber scheme opens the door to new first and second order interferometers to study photon indistinguishability, entangled photon and photon cross correlation in the more interesting telecom wavelengths. PMID:27257122

A stable wavelength-tunable triggered source of single photons and cascaded photon pairs at the telecom C-band

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeuner, Katharina D.; Paul, Matthias; Lettner, Thomas; Reuterskiöld Hedlund, Carl; Schweickert, Lucas; Steinhauer, Stephan; Yang, Lily; Zichi, Julien; Hammar, Mattias; Jöns, Klaus D.; Zwiller, Val

2018-04-01

The implementation of fiber-based long-range quantum communication requires tunable sources of single photons at the telecom C-band. Stable and easy-to-implement wavelength-tunability of individual sources is crucial to (i) bring remote sources into resonance, (ii) define a wavelength standard, and (iii) ensure scalability to operate a quantum repeater. So far, the most promising sources for true, telecom single photons are semiconductor quantum dots, due to their ability to deterministically and reliably emit single and entangled photons. However, the required wavelength-tunability is hard to attain. Here, we show a stable wavelength-tunable quantum light source by integrating strain-released InAs quantum dots on piezoelectric substrates. We present triggered single-photon emission at 1.55 μm with a multi-photon emission probability as low as 0.097, as well as photon pair emission from the radiative biexciton-exciton cascade. We achieve a tuning range of 0.25 nm which will allow us to spectrally overlap remote quantum dots or tuning distant quantum dots into resonance with quantum memories. This opens up realistic avenues for the implementation of photonic quantum information processing applications at telecom wavelengths.

Wide-band acousto-optic deflectors for large field of view two-photon microscope.

PubMed

Jiang, Runhua; Zhou, Zhenqiao; Lv, Xiaohua; Zeng, Shaoqun

2012-04-01

Acousto-optic deflector (AOD) is an attractive scanner for two-photon microscopy because it can provide fast and versatile laser scanning and does not involve any mechanical movements. However, due to the small scan range of available AOD, the field of view (FOV) of the AOD-based microscope is typically smaller than that of the conventional galvanometer-based microscope. Here, we developed a novel wide-band AOD to enlarge the scan angle. Considering the maximum acceptable acoustic attenuation in the acousto-optic crystal, relatively lower operating frequencies and moderate aperture were adopted. The custom AOD was able to provide 60 MHz 3-dB bandwidth and 80% peak diffraction efficiency at 840 nm wavelength. Based on a pair of such AOD, a large FOV two-photon microscope was built with a FOV up to 418.5 μm (40× objective). The spatiotemporal dispersion was compensated simultaneously with a single custom-made prism. By means of dynamic power modulation, the variation of laser intensity within the FOV was reduced below 5%. The lateral and axial resolution of the system were 0.58-2.12 μm and 2.17-3.07 μm, respectively. Pollen grain images acquired by this system were presented to demonstrate the imaging capability at different positions across the entire FOV. © 2012 American Institute of Physics

Heterogeneously Integrated Microwave Signal Generators with Narrow Linewidth Lasers

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-03-20

the linewidth in two ways: (1) increasing the photon lifetime due to effective cavity length enhancement, and (2) providing negative optical...structures. Some devices are also labeled. Figure 1. Microscope image of the photonic microwave generator comprising of two tunable lasers, a coupler...Integrated Photodiodes on Silicon,” IEEE JQE, vol.51, no.11, pp.1-6, Nov. 2015 Figure 9. (left) Optical spectra of two lasers comprising a photonic

Skin suturing and cortical surface viral infusion improves imaging of neuronal ensemble activity with head-mounted miniature microscopes.

PubMed

Li, Xinjian; Cao, Vania Y; Zhang, Wenyu; Mastwal, Surjeet S; Liu, Qing; Otte, Stephani; Wang, Kuan Hong

2017-11-01

In vivo optical imaging of neural activity provides important insights into brain functions at the single-cell level. Cranial windows and virally delivered calcium indicators are commonly used for imaging cortical activity through two-photon microscopes in head-fixed animals. Recently, head-mounted one-photon microscopes have been developed for freely behaving animals. However, minimizing tissue damage from the virus injection procedure and maintaining window clarity for imaging can be technically challenging. We used a wide-diameter glass pipette at the cortical surface for infusing the viral calcium reporter AAV-GCaMP6 into the cortex. After infusion, the scalp skin over the implanted optical window was sutured to facilitate postoperative recovery. The sutured scalp was removed approximately two weeks later and a miniature microscope was attached above the window to image neuronal activity in freely moving mice. We found that cortical surface virus infusion efficiently labeled neurons in superficial layers, and scalp skin suturing helped to maintain the long-term clarity of optical windows. As a result, several hundred neurons could be recorded in freely moving animals. Compared to intracortical virus injection and open-scalp postoperative recovery, our methods minimized tissue damage and dura overgrowth underneath the optical window, and significantly increased the experimental success rate and the yield of identified neurons. Our improved cranial surgery technique allows for high-yield calcium imaging of cortical neurons with head-mounted microscopes in freely behaving animals. This technique may be beneficial for other optical applications such as two-photon microscopy, multi-site imaging, and optogenetic modulation. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Photon Localization and Dicke Superradiance in Atomic Gases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akkermans, E.; Gero, A.; Kaiser, R.

2008-09-01

Photon propagation in a gas of N atoms is studied using an effective Hamiltonian describing photon-mediated atomic dipolar interactions. The density P(Γ) of photon escape rates is determined from the spectrum of the N×N random matrix Γij=sin⁡(xij)/xij, where xij is the dimensionless random distance between any two atoms. Varying disorder and system size, a scaling behavior is observed for the escape rates. It is explained using microscopic calculations and a stochastic model which emphasizes the role of cooperative effects in photon localization and provides an interesting relation with statistical properties of “small world networks.”

New Possibilities of Positron-Emission Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Volobuev, A. N.

2018-01-01

The reasons for the emergence of the angular distribution of photons generated as a result of annihilation of an electron and a positron in a positron-emission tomograph are investigated. It is shown that the angular distribution of the radiation intensity (i.e., the probability of photon emission at different angles) is a consequence of the Doppler effect in the center-of-mass reference system of the electron and the positron. In the reference frame attached to the electron, the angular distribution of the number of emitted photons does not exists but is replaced by the Doppler shift of the frequency of photons. The results obtained in this study make it possible to extend the potentialities of the positron-emission tomograph in the diagnostics of diseases and to obtain additional mechanical characteristics of human tissues, such as density and viscosity.

Broadband enhancement of single photon emission and polarization dependent coupling in silicon nitride waveguides.

PubMed

Bisschop, Suzanne; Guille, Antoine; Van Thourhout, Dries; Hens, Zeger; Brainis, Edouard

2015-06-01

Single-photon (SP) sources are important for a number of optical quantum information processing applications. We study the possibility to integrate triggered solid-state SP emitters directly on a photonic chip. A major challenge consists in efficiently extracting their emission into a single guided mode. Using 3D finite-difference time-domain simulations, we investigate the SP emission from dipole-like nanometer-sized inclusions embedded into different silicon nitride (SiNx) photonic nanowire waveguide designs. We elucidate the effect of the geometry on the emission lifetime and the polarization of the emitted SP. The results show that highly efficient and polarized SP sources can be realized using suspended SiNx slot-waveguides. Combining this with the well-established CMOS-compatible processing technology, fully integrated and complex optical circuits for quantum optics experiments can be developed.

Spontaneous emission from radiative chiral nematic liquid crystals at the photonic band-gap edge: an investigation into the role of the density of photon states near resonance.

PubMed

Mavrogordatos, Th K; Morris, S M; Wood, S M; Coles, H J; Wilkinson, T D

2013-06-01

In this article, we investigate the spontaneous emission properties of radiating molecules embedded in a chiral nematic liquid crystal, under the assumption that the electronic transition frequency is close to the photonic edge mode of the structure, i.e., at resonance. We take into account the transition broadening and the decay of electromagnetic field modes supported by the so-called "mirrorless"cavity. We employ the Jaynes-Cummings Hamiltonian to describe the electron interaction with the electromagnetic field, focusing on the mode with the diffracting polarization in the chiral nematic layer. As known in these structures, the density of photon states, calculated via the Wigner method, has distinct peaks on either side of the photonic band gap, which manifests itself as a considerable modification of the emission spectrum. We demonstrate that, near resonance, there are notable differences between the behavior of the density of states and the spontaneous emission profile of these structures. In addition, we examine in some detail the case of the logarithmic peak exhibited in the density of states in two-dimensional photonic structures and obtain analytic relations for the Lamb shift and the broadening of the atomic transition in the emission spectrum. The dynamical behavior of the atom-field system is described by a system of two first-order differential equations, solved using the Green's-function method and the Fourier transform. The emission spectra are then calculated and compared with experimental data.

Is e+e- pair emission important in the determination of the 3He+4He S factor?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Snover, K. A.; Hurd, A. E.

2003-05-01

We show that the cross section for direct E0 pair emission is related to the cross section for direct E2 photon emission, and is a negligible contribution to the total capture cross section for 3He+4He→7Be. E0 resonance emission, E1 pair emission, and internal conversion are also negligible. Thus there cannot be significant contributions to the 3He+4He→7Be capture cross section at low energies from electromagnetic emission processes other than single photon emission.

Photonic crystal light source

DOEpatents

Fleming, James G [Albuquerque, NM; Lin, Shawn-Yu [Albuquerque, NM; Bur, James A [Corrales, NM

2004-07-27

A light source is provided by a photonic crystal having an enhanced photonic density-of-states over a band of frequencies and wherein at least one of the dielectric materials of the photonic crystal has a complex dielectric constant, thereby producing enhanced light emission at the band of frequencies when the photonic crystal is heated. The dielectric material can be a metal, such as tungsten. The spectral properties of the light source can be easily tuned by modification of the photonic crystal structure and materials. The photonic crystal light source can be heated electrically or other heating means. The light source can further include additional photonic crystals that exhibit enhanced light emission at a different band of frequencies to provide for color mixing. The photonic crystal light source may have applications in optical telecommunications, information displays, energy conversion, sensors, and other optical applications.

Subwavelength micropillar array terahertz lasers.

PubMed

Krall, Michael; Brandstetter, Martin; Deutsch, Christoph; Detz, Hermann; Andrews, Aaron Maxwell; Schrenk, Werner; Strasser, Gottfried; Unterrainer, Karl

2014-01-13

We report on micropillar-based terahertz lasers with active pillars that are much smaller than the emission wavelength. These micropillar array lasers correspond to scaled-down band-edge photonic crystal lasers forming an active photonic metamaterial. In contrast to photonic crystal lasers which use significantly larger pillar structures, lasing emission is not observed close to high-symmetry points in the photonic band diagram, but in the effective medium regime. We measure stimulated emission at 4 THz for micropillar array lasers with pillar diameters of 5 µm. Our results not only demonstrate the integration of active subwavelength optics in a terahertz laser, but are also an important step towards the realization of nanowire-based terahertz lasers.

Optical spectral analysis of ultra-weak photon emission from tissue culture and yeast cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nerudová, Michaela; Červinková, Kateřina; Hašek, Jiří; Cifra, Michal

2015-01-01

Optical spectral analysis of the ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) could be utilized for non-invasive diagnostic of state of biological systems and for elucidation of underlying mechanisms of UPE generation. Optical spectra of UPE from differentiated HL-60 cells and yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were investigated. Induced photon emission of neutrophil-like cells and spontaneous photon emission of yeast cells were measured using highly sensitive photomultiplier module Hamamatsu H7360-01 in a thermally regulated light-tight chamber. The respiratory burst of neutrophil-like HL-60 cells was induced with the PMA (phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate). PMA activates an assembly of NADPH oxidase, which induces a rapid formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Long-pass edge filters (wavelength 350, from 400 to 600 with 25 nm resolution and 650 nm) were used for optical spectral analysis. Propagation of error of indirect measurements and standard deviation were used to assess reliability of the measured spectra. Results indicate that the photon emission from both cell cultures is detectable in the six from eight examined wavelength ranges with different percentage distribution of cell suspensions, particularly 450-475, 475-500, 500-525, 525-550, 550-575 and 575-600 nm. The wavelength range of spectra from 450 to 550 nm coincides with the range of photon emission from triplet excited carbonyls (350-550 nm). The both cells cultures emitted photons in wavelength range from 550 to 600 nm but this range does not correspond with any known emitter. To summarize, we have demonstrated a clear difference in the UPE spectra between two organisms using rigorous methodology and error analysis.

Engineering a light-emitting planar defect within three-dimensional photonic crystals

PubMed Central

Liu, Guiqiang; Chen, Yan; Ye, Zhiqing

2009-01-01

Sandwich structures, constructed from a planar defect of rhodamine-B (RhB)-doped titania (TiO2) and two photonic crystals, were synthesized via the self-assembly method combined with spin-coating. The modification of the spontaneous emission of RhB molecules in such structures was investigated experimentally. The spontaneous emission of RhB-doped TiO2 film with photonic crystals was reduced by a factor of 5.5 over a large bandwidth of 13% of the first-order Bragg diffraction frequency when compared with that of RhB-doped TiO2 film without photonic crystals. The angular dependence of the modification and the photoluminescence lifetime of RhB molecules demonstrate that the strong and wide suppression of the spontaneous emission of the RhB molecules is due to the presence of the photonic band gap. PMID:27877309

Coherent beam control through inhomogeneous media in multi-photon microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paudel, Hari Prasad

Multi-photon fluorescence microscopy has become a primary tool for high-resolution deep tissue imaging because of its sensitivity to ballistic excitation photons in comparison to scattered excitation photons. The imaging depth of multi-photon microscopes in tissue imaging is limited primarily by background fluorescence that is generated by scattered light due to the random fluctuations in refractive index inside the media, and by reduced intensity in the ballistic focal volume due to aberrations within the tissue and at its interface. We built two multi-photon adaptive optics (AO) correction systems, one for combating scattering and aberration problems, and another for compensating interface aberrations. For scattering correction a MEMS segmented deformable mirror (SDM) was inserted at a plane conjugate to the objective back-pupil plane. The SDM can pre-compensate for light scattering by coherent combination of the scattered light to make an apparent focus even at a depths where negligible ballistic light remains (i.e. ballistic limit). This problem was approached by investigating the spatial and temporal focusing characteristics of a broad-band light source through strongly scattering media. A new model was developed for coherent focus enhancement through or inside the strongly media based on the initial speckle contrast. A layer of fluorescent beads under a mouse skull was imaged using an iterative coherent beam control method in the prototype two-photon microscope to demonstrate the technique. We also adapted an AO correction system to an existing in three-photon microscope in a collaborator lab at Cornell University. In the second AO correction approach a continuous deformable mirror (CDM) is placed at a plane conjugate to the plane of an interface aberration. We demonstrated that this "Conjugate AO" technique yields a large field-of-view (FOV) advantage in comparison to Pupil AO. Further, we showed that the extended FOV in conjugate AO is maintained over a relatively large axial misalignment of the conjugate planes of the CDM and the aberrating interface. This dissertation advances the field of microscopy by providing new models and techniques for imaging deeply within strongly scattering tissue, and by describing new adaptive optics approaches to extending imaging FOV due to sample aberrations.

Single-Photon Routing for a L-Shaped Channel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Xiong; Hou, Jiao-Jiao; Wu, Chun

2018-02-01

We have investigated the transport properties of a single photon scattered by a two-level atom embedded in a L-shaped waveguide, which is made of two one-dimensional (1D) semi-infinite coupled-resonator waveguides (CRWs). Single photons can be directed from one CRW to the other due to spontaneous emission of the atom. The result shows that the spontaneous emission of the TLS still routes single photon from one CRW to the other; the boundary existing makes the probability of finding single photon in a CRW could reach one. Our the scheme is helpful to construct a ring quantum networks.

Investigations of the Nonlinear Optical Response of Composite and Photonic Band Gap Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-11-01

M. J. Bloemer, M. Scalora , J. P. Dowling, and C. M. Bowden, "Measurement of spontaneous-emission enhancement near the one-dimensional photonic band...with applications to photonic band structures," Phys. Rev. A 46, 612 (1992). 5. M. Scalora , J. P. Dowling, M. Tocci, M. J. Bloemer, C. M. Bowden, and...J. W. Haus, "Dipole emission rates in one-dimensional photonic band-gap materials," Appl. Phys. B 60, S57 (1995). 6. J. P. Dowling, M. Scalora , M. J

Three-photon excitation of 2,5-bis(4-biphenyl)oxazole: steady-state and time-resolved intensities and anisotropies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gryczynski, Ignacy; Malak, Henryk; Hell, Stefan W.; Lakowicz, Joseph R.

1996-10-01

Three-photon excitation of 2,5-bis(4-biphenyl) oxazole (BBO) was observed when it was excited with the fundamental output of a femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser above 820 nm. The emission spectrum of BBO was identical for one-, two-, and three-photon excitation at 320, 640, and 960 nm, respectively. In toluene and triacetin, the emission intensity of BBO depended on the square of the laser power for wavelengths below 820 nm and displayed a sharp transition to a cubic dependence at longer wavelengths. The spatial distribution of the emission of BBO with three- photon excitation was more strongly localized than for two- photon excitation of a coumarin fluorophore at the same wavelength. The same single exponential intensity decay was observed for one-, two-, and three-photon excitation. However, the frequency domain anisotropy decay with three- photon excitation at 960 nm revealed a larger time-zero anisotropy, larger differential polarized phase angle, and larger modulated anisotropy than is possible for two-photon excitation with colinear oscillators. In triacetin, the anisotropy is not constant for three-photon excitation at different wavelengths. Surprisingly, the fluorescence intensities for three-photon excitation were only about 100- fold less than for two-photon excitation. The increasing availability of Ti:sapphire lasers suggests that multiphoton excitation can become a common tool in fluorescence spectroscopy.

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

Koenenkamp, Rolf

We report on the design, assembly, operation and application of an aberration-corrected photoemission electron microscope. The instrument used novel hyperbolic mirror-correctors with two and three electrodes that allowed simultaneous correction of spherical and chromatic aberrations. A spatial resolution of 5.4nm was obtained with this instrument in 2009, and 4.7nm in subsequent years. New imaging methodology was introduced involving interferometric imaging of light diffraction. This methodology was applied in nano-photonics and in the characterization of surface-plasmon polaritons. Photonic crystals and waveguides, optical antennas and new plasmonic devices such as routers, localizers and filters were designed and demonstrated using the new capabilitiesmore » offered by the microscope.« less

Probing dynamical symmetry breaking using quantum-entangled photons

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

Li, Hao; Piryatinski, Andrei; Jerke, Jonathan

Here, we present an input/output analysis of photon-correlation experiments whereby a quantum mechanically entangled bi-photon state interacts with a material sample placed in one arm of a Hong–Ou–Mandel apparatus. We show that the output signal contains detailed information about subsequent entanglement with the microscopic quantum states in the sample. In particular, we apply the method to an ensemble of emitters interacting with a common photon mode within the open-system Dicke model. Our results indicate considerable dynamical information concerning spontaneous symmetry breaking can be revealed with such an experimental system.

Probing dynamical symmetry breaking using quantum-entangled photons

DOE PAGES

Li, Hao; Piryatinski, Andrei; Jerke, Jonathan; ...

2017-11-15

Here, we present an input/output analysis of photon-correlation experiments whereby a quantum mechanically entangled bi-photon state interacts with a material sample placed in one arm of a Hong–Ou–Mandel apparatus. We show that the output signal contains detailed information about subsequent entanglement with the microscopic quantum states in the sample. In particular, we apply the method to an ensemble of emitters interacting with a common photon mode within the open-system Dicke model. Our results indicate considerable dynamical information concerning spontaneous symmetry breaking can be revealed with such an experimental system.

Photon-enhanced thermionic emission for solar concentrator systems.

PubMed

Schwede, Jared W; Bargatin, Igor; Riley, Daniel C; Hardin, Brian E; Rosenthal, Samuel J; Sun, Yun; Schmitt, Felix; Pianetta, Piero; Howe, Roger T; Shen, Zhi-Xun; Melosh, Nicholas A

2010-09-01

Solar-energy conversion usually takes one of two forms: the 'quantum' approach, which uses the large per-photon energy of solar radiation to excite electrons, as in photovoltaic cells, or the 'thermal' approach, which uses concentrated sunlight as a thermal-energy source to indirectly produce electricity using a heat engine. Here we present a new concept for solar electricity generation, photon-enhanced thermionic emission, which combines quantum and thermal mechanisms into a single physical process. The device is based on thermionic emission of photoexcited electrons from a semiconductor cathode at high temperature. Temperature-dependent photoemission-yield measurements from GaN show strong evidence for photon-enhanced thermionic emission, and calculated efficiencies for idealized devices can exceed the theoretical limits of single-junction photovoltaic cells. The proposed solar converter would operate at temperatures exceeding 200 degrees C, enabling its waste heat to be used to power a secondary thermal engine, boosting theoretical combined conversion efficiencies above 50%.

Evidence for Secondary Emission as the Origin of Hard Spectra in TeV Blazars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Y. G.; Kang, T.

2013-02-01

We develop a model for the possible origin of hard, very high energy (VHE) spectra from a distant blazar. In the model, both the primary photons produced in the source and secondary photons produced outside it contribute to the observed high-energy γ-ray emission. That is, the primary photons are produced through the synchrotron self-Compton process, and the secondary photons are produced through high-energy proton interactions with background photons along the line of sight. We apply the model to a characteristic case of VHE γ-ray emission in the distant blazar 1ES 1101-232. Assuming suitable electron and proton spectra, we obtain excellent fits to the observed spectra of this blazar. This indicated that the surprisingly low attenuation of the high-energy γ-rays, especially the shape of the VHE γ-ray tail of the observed spectra, can be explained by secondary γ-rays produced in interactions of cosmic-ray protons with background photons in intergalactic space.

Electrically driven polarized single-photon emission from an InGaN quantum dot in a GaN nanowire.

PubMed

Deshpande, Saniya; Heo, Junseok; Das, Ayan; Bhattacharya, Pallab

2013-01-01

In a classical light source, such as a laser, the photon number follows a Poissonian distribution. For quantum information processing and metrology applications, a non-classical emitter of single photons is required. A single quantum dot is an ideal source of single photons and such single-photon sources in the visible spectral range have been demonstrated with III-nitride and II-VI-based single quantum dots. It has been suggested that short-wavelength blue single-photon emitters would be useful for free-space quantum cryptography, with the availability of high-speed single-photon detectors in this spectral region. Here we demonstrate blue single-photon emission with electrical injection from an In0.25Ga0.75N quantum dot in a single nanowire. The emitted single photons are linearly polarized along the c axis of the nanowire with a degree of linear polarization of ~70%.

Hybrid methods for witnessing entanglement in a microscopic-macroscopic system

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

Spagnolo, Nicolo; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze Fisiche della Materia, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Roma; Vitelli, Chiara

2011-09-15

We propose a hybrid approach to the experimental assessment of the genuine quantum features of a general system consisting of microscopic and macroscopic parts. We infer entanglement by combining dichotomic measurements on a bidimensional system and phase-space inference through the Wigner distribution associated with the macroscopic component of the state. As a benchmark, we investigate the feasibility of our proposal in a bipartite-entangled state composed of a single-photon and a multiphoton field. Our analysis shows that, under ideal conditions, maximal violation of a Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt-based inequality is achievable regardless of the number of photons in the macroscopic part of the state.more » The difficulty in observing entanglement when losses and detection inefficiency are included can be overcome by using a hybrid entanglement witness that allows efficient correction for losses in the few-photon regime.« less

Multisite two-photon imaging of neurons on multielectrode arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Potter, Steve M.; Lukina, Natalia; Longmuir, Kenneth J.; Wu, Yan

2001-04-01

We wish to understand how neural systems store, recall, and process information. We are using cultured networks of cortical neurons grown on microelectrode arrays as a model system for studying the emergent properties of ensembles of living neurons. We have developed a 2-way communication interface between the cultured network and a computer- generated animal, the Neurally Controlled Animat. Neural activity is used to control the behavior of the Animat, and 2- photon time-lapse imaging is carried out in order to observe the morphological changes that might underlie changes in neural processing. The 2-photon microscope is ideal for repeated imaging over hours or days, with submicron resolution and little photodamage. We have designed a computer-controlled microscope stage that allows imaging several locations in sequence, in order to collect more image data. For the latest progress, see: http://www.caltech.edu/~pinelab/PotterGroup.htm.

SU-F-T-507: Modeling Cerenkov Emissions From Medical Linear Accelerators: A Monte Carlo Study

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

Shrock, Z; Oldham, M; Adamson, J

2016-06-15

Purpose: Cerenkov emissions are a natural byproduct of MV radiotherapy but are typically ignored as inconsequential. However, Cerenkov photons may be useful for activation of drugs such as psoralen. Here, we investigate Cerenkov radiation from common radiotherapy beams using Monte Carlo simulations. Methods: GAMOS, a GEANT4-based framework for Monte Carlo simulations, was used to model 6 and 18MV photon beams from a Varian medical linac. Simulations were run to track Cerenkov production from these beams when irradiating a 50cm radius sphere of water. Electron contamination was neglected. 2 million primary photon histories were run for each energy, and values scoredmore » included integral dose and total track length of Cerenkov photons between 100 and 400 nm wavelength. By lowering process energy thresholds, simulations included low energy Bremsstrahlung photons to ensure comprehensive evaluation of UV production in the medium. Results: For the same number of primary photons, UV Cerenkov production for 18MV was greater than 6MV by a factor of 3.72 as determined by total track length. The total integral dose was a factor of 2.31 greater for the 18MV beam. Bremsstrahlung photons were a negligibly small component of photons in the wavelength range of interest, comprising 0.02% of such photons. Conclusion: Cerenkov emissions in water are 1.6x greater for 18MV than 6MV for the same integral dose. Future work will expand the analysis to include optical properties of tissues, and to investigate strategies to maximize Cerenkov emission per unit dose for MV radiotherapy.« less

Confocal multispot microscope for fast and deep imaging in semicleared tissues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adam, Marie-Pierre; Müllenbroich, Marie Caroline; Di Giovanna, Antonino Paolo; Alfieri, Domenico; Silvestri, Ludovico; Sacconi, Leonardo; Pavone, Francesco Saverio

2018-02-01

Although perfectly transparent specimens are imaged faster with light-sheet microscopy, less transparent samples are often imaged with two-photon microscopy leveraging its robustness to scattering; however, at the price of increased acquisition times. Clearing methods that are capable of rendering strongly scattering samples such as brain tissue perfectly transparent specimens are often complex, costly, and time intensive, even though for many applications a slightly lower level of tissue transparency is sufficient and easily achieved with simpler and faster methods. Here, we present a microscope type that has been geared toward the imaging of semicleared tissue by combining multispot two-photon excitation with rolling shutter wide-field detection to image deep and fast inside semicleared mouse brain. We present a theoretical and experimental evaluation of the point spread function and contrast as a function of shutter size. Finally, we demonstrate microscope performance in fixed brain slices by imaging dendritic spines up to 400-μm deep.

Improving z-tracking accuracy in the two-photon single-particle tracking microscope.

PubMed

Liu, C; Liu, Y-L; Perillo, E P; Jiang, N; Dunn, A K; Yeh, H-C

2015-10-12

Here, we present a method that can improve the z-tracking accuracy of the recently invented TSUNAMI (Tracking of Single particles Using Nonlinear And Multiplexed Illumination) microscope. This method utilizes a maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) to determine the particle's 3D position that maximizes the likelihood of the observed time-correlated photon count distribution. Our Monte Carlo simulations show that the MLE-based tracking scheme can improve the z-tracking accuracy of TSUNAMI microscope by 1.7 fold. In addition, MLE is also found to reduce the temporal correlation of the z-tracking error. Taking advantage of the smaller and less temporally correlated z-tracking error, we have precisely recovered the hybridization-melting kinetics of a DNA model system from thousands of short single-particle trajectories in silico . Our method can be generally applied to other 3D single-particle tracking techniques.

Improving z-tracking accuracy in the two-photon single-particle tracking microscope

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

Liu, C.; Liu, Y.-L.; Perillo, E. P.

Here, we present a method that can improve the z-tracking accuracy of the recently invented TSUNAMI (Tracking of Single particles Using Nonlinear And Multiplexed Illumination) microscope. This method utilizes a maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) to determine the particle's 3D position that maximizes the likelihood of the observed time-correlated photon count distribution. Our Monte Carlo simulations show that the MLE-based tracking scheme can improve the z-tracking accuracy of TSUNAMI microscope by 1.7 fold. In addition, MLE is also found to reduce the temporal correlation of the z-tracking error. Taking advantage of the smaller and less temporally correlated z-tracking error, we havemore » precisely recovered the hybridization-melting kinetics of a DNA model system from thousands of short single-particle trajectories in silico. Our method can be generally applied to other 3D single-particle tracking techniques.« less

Control of spontaneous emission from a microwave-field-driven four-level atom in an anisotropic photonic crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Duo; Li, Jiahua; Ding, Chunling; Yang, Xiaoxue

2012-05-01

The spontaneous emission properties of a microwave-field-driven four-level atom embedded in anisotropic double-band photonic crystals (PCs) are investigated. We discuss the influences of the band-edge positions, Rabi frequency and detuning of the microwave field on the emission spectrum. It is found that several interesting features such as spectral-line enhancement, spectral-line suppression, spectral-line overlap, and multi-peak structures can be observed in the spectra. The proposed scheme can be achieved by use of a microwave-coupled field into hyperfine levels in rubidium atom confined in a photonic crystal. These theoretical investigations may provide more degrees of freedom to manipulate the atomic spontaneous emission.

Temperature dependent optical properties of single, hierarchically self-assembled GaAs/AlGaAs quantum dots

PubMed Central

Rastelli, A; Schmidt, OG; Ulrich, SM; Michler, P

2006-01-01

We report on the experimental observation of bright photoluminescence emission at room temperature from single unstrained GaAs quantum dots (QDs). The linewidth of a single-QD ground-state emission (≈ 8.5 meV) is comparable to the ensemble inhomogeneous broadening (≈ 12.4 meV). At low temperature (T ≤ 40 K) photon correlation measurements under continuous wave excitation show nearly perfect single-photon emission from a single GaAs QD and reveal the single photon nature of the emitted light up to 77 K. The QD emission energies, homogeneous linewidths and the thermally activated behavior as a function of temperature are discussed.

Characterization of dehydration-induced luminescence of kaolinite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lahav, N.; Coyne, L.; Lawless, J. G.

1985-01-01

The dehydration-induced luminescence of a colloidal kaolinite is investigated experimentally, with particular attention given to the effect of various treatments on the luminescence characteristics. It is found that the total photon count of the emitted light is linearly related to the film thickness up to a thickness of 30 microns; mechanical stress in the form of grinding increases the photon output and produces extensive changes in the emission kinetics. A direct check of the emission wavelength dependence (by using color filters) indicates that roughly 75 percent of the emission occurs in the wavelength range below 410 nm. It is also found that incorporation of fluorescent molecules into the kaolinite paste increases the photon output and may indicate the transfer of ultraviolet photons to the fluorescent probe.

Dynamics of Single-Photon Emission from Electrically Pumped Color Centers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khramtsov, Igor A.; Agio, Mario; Fedyanin, Dmitry Yu.

2017-08-01

Low-power, high-speed, and bright electrically driven true single-photon sources, which are able to operate at room temperature, are vital for the practical realization of quantum-communication networks and optical quantum computations. Color centers in semiconductors are currently the best candidates; however, in spite of their intensive study in the past decade, the behavior of color centers in electrically controlled systems is poorly understood. Here we present a physical model and establish a theoretical approach to address single-photon emission dynamics of electrically pumped color centers, which interprets experimental results. We support our analysis with self-consistent numerical simulations of a single-photon emitting diode based on a single nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond and predict the second-order autocorrelation function and other emission characteristics. Our theoretical findings demonstrate remarkable agreement with the experimental results and pave the way to the understanding of single-electron and single-photon processes in semiconductors.

Signatures of photon-scalar interaction in astrophysical situations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ganguly, Avijit K.; Jaiswal, Manoj K.

2018-01-01

Dimension-5 photon ( γ) scalar ( ϕ) interaction term usually appear in the Lagrangians of bosonic sector of unified theories of electromagnetism and gravity. This interaction makes the medium dichoric and induces optical activity. Considering a toy model of an ultra-cold magnetized compact star (white dwarf (WD) or neutron star (NS)), we have modeled the propagation of very low energy photons with such interaction, in the environment of these stars. Assuming synchro-curvature process as the dominant mechanism of emission in such environments, we have tried to understand the polarimetric implications of photon-scalar coupling on the produced spectrum of the same. Further more assuming the `emission-energy vs emission-altitude' relation, that is believed to hold in such ( i.e., cold magnetized WD or NS) environments, we have tried to point out the possible modifications to the radiation spectrum when the same is incorporated along with dimension-5 photon-scalar mixing operator.

Study of Star Formation Regions with Molecular Hydrogen Emission Lines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pak, Soojong

The goal of my dissertation is to understand the large-scale, near-infrared (near-IR) H2 emission from the central kiloparsec (kpc) regions of galaxies, and to study the structure and physics of photon-dominated regions (or photodissociation regions, hereafter PDRs). In order to explore the near-IR H2 lines, our group built the University of Texas near-IR Fabry-Perot Spectrometer optimized for observations of extended, low surface brightness sources. In this instrument project, I designed and built a programmable high voltage DC amplifier for the Fabry-Perot piezoelectric transducers, a temperature-controlled cooling box for the Fabry-Perot etalon, instrument control software, and data reduction software. With this instrument, we observed H2 emission lines in the inner 400 pc of the Galaxy, the central ~1 kpc of NGC 253 and M82, and the star formation regions in the Magellanic Clouds. We also observed the Magellanic Clouds in the CO J=1/to0 line. We found that the H2 emission is very extended in the central kpc of the galaxies and is mostly UV-excited. The ratios of the H2 (1,0) S(1) luminosities to the far-IR continuum luminosities in the central kpc regions do not change from the Galactic center to starburst galaxies and to ultraluminous IR bright galaxies. Using the data from the Magellanic Clouds, we studied the microscopic structure of star forming clouds. We compiled data sets including our H2 (1,0) S(1) and CO J=1/to0 results and published (C scII) and far-IR data from the Magellanic Clouds, and compared these observations with models we made using a PDR code and a radiative transfer code. Assuming the cloud is spherical, we derived the physical sizes of H2, (C scII), and CO emission regions. The average cloud size appears to increase as the metallicity decreases. Our results agree with the theory of photoionization-regulated star formation in which the interplay between the ambipolar diffusion and ionization by far-UV photons determines the size of stable clouds.

Random lasing actions in self-assembled perovskite nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Shuai; Sun, Wenzhao; Li, Jiankai; Gu, Zhiyuan; Wang, Kaiyang; Xiao, Shumin; Song, Qinghai

2016-05-01

Solution-based perovskite nanoparticles have been intensively studied in the past few years due to their applications in both photovoltaic and optoelectronic devices. Here, based on the common ground between solution-based perovskite and random lasers, we have studied the mirrorless lasing actions in self-assembled perovskite nanoparticles. After synthesis from a solution, discrete lasing peaks have been observed from optically pumped perovskites without any well-defined cavity boundaries. We have demonstrated that the origin of the random lasing emissions is the scattering between the nanostructures in the perovskite microplates. The obtained quality (Q) factors and thresholds of random lasers are around 500 and 60 μJ/cm2, respectively. Both values are comparable to the conventional perovskite microdisk lasers with polygon-shaped cavity boundaries. From the corresponding studies on laser spectra and fluorescence microscope images, the lasing actions are considered random lasers that are generated by strong multiple scattering in random gain media. In additional to conventional single-photon excitation, due to the strong nonlinear effects of perovskites, two-photon pumped random lasers have also been demonstrated for the first time. We believe this research will find its potential applications in low-cost coherent light sources and biomedical detection.

Development of an ultralow-light-level luminescence image analysis system for dynamic measurements of transcriptional activity in living and migrating cells.

PubMed

Maire, E; Lelièvre, E; Brau, D; Lyons, A; Woodward, M; Fafeur, V; Vandenbunder, B

2000-04-10

We have developed an approach to study in single living epithelial cells both cell migration and transcriptional activation, which was evidenced by the detection of luminescence emission from cells transfected with luciferase reporter vectors. The image acquisition chain consists of an epifluorescence inverted microscope, connected to an ultralow-light-level photon-counting camera and an image-acquisition card associated to specialized image analysis software running on a PC computer. Using a simple method based on a thin calibrated light source, the image acquisition chain has been optimized following comparisons of the performance of microscopy objectives and photon-counting cameras designed to observe luminescence. This setup allows us to measure by image analysis the luminescent light emitted by individual cells stably expressing a luciferase reporter vector. The sensitivity of the camera was adjusted to a high value, which required the use of a segmentation algorithm to eliminate the background noise. Following mathematical morphology treatments, kinetic changes of luminescent sources were analyzed and then correlated with the distance and speed of migration. Our results highlight the usefulness of our image acquisition chain and mathematical morphology software to quantify the kinetics of luminescence changes in migrating cells.

[Gene sequencing by scanning molecular exciton microscopy]. Progress report, October 1, 1990--September 30, 1991

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

Not Available

1991-12-31

This report details progress made in setting up a laboratory for optical microscopy of genes. The apparatus including a fluorescence microscope, a scanning optical microscope, various spectrometers, and supporting computers is described. Results in developing photon and exciton tips, and in preparing samples are presented. (GHH)

Frequency Control of Single Quantum Emitters in Integrated Photonic Circuits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmidgall, Emma R.; Chakravarthi, Srivatsa; Gould, Michael; Christen, Ian R.; Hestroffer, Karine; Hatami, Fariba; Fu, Kai-Mei C.

2018-02-01

Generating entangled graph states of qubits requires high entanglement rates, with efficient detection of multiple indistinguishable photons from separate qubits. Integrating defect-based qubits into photonic devices results in an enhanced photon collection efficiency, however, typically at the cost of a reduced defect emission energy homogeneity. Here, we demonstrate that the reduction in defect homogeneity in an integrated device can be partially offset by electric field tuning. Using photonic device-coupled implanted nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in a GaP-on-diamond platform, we demonstrate large field-dependent tuning ranges and partial stabilization of defect emission energies. These results address some of the challenges of chip-scale entanglement generation.

Active photonic lattices: is greater than blackbody intensity possible?

DOE PAGES

Chow, W. W.; Waldmueller, I.

2006-11-10

In this paper, the emission from a radiating source embedded in a photonic lattice is investigated. The photonic lattice spectrum was found to deviate from the blackbody distribution, with intracavity emission suppressed at certain frequencies and significantly enhanced at others. For rapid population relaxation, where the photonic lattice and blackbody populations are described by the same thermal distribution, it was found that the enhancement does not result in output intensities exceeding those of the blackbody. Finally, however, for slow population relaxation, the photonic lattice population has a greater tendency to deviate from thermal equilibrium, resulting in output intensities exceeding thosemore » of the blackbody.« less

Frequency Control of Single Quantum Emitters in Integrated Photonic Circuits.

PubMed

Schmidgall, Emma R; Chakravarthi, Srivatsa; Gould, Michael; Christen, Ian R; Hestroffer, Karine; Hatami, Fariba; Fu, Kai-Mei C

2018-02-14

Generating entangled graph states of qubits requires high entanglement rates with efficient detection of multiple indistinguishable photons from separate qubits. Integrating defect-based qubits into photonic devices results in an enhanced photon collection efficiency, however, typically at the cost of a reduced defect emission energy homogeneity. Here, we demonstrate that the reduction in defect homogeneity in an integrated device can be partially offset by electric field tuning. Using photonic device-coupled implanted nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in a GaP-on-diamond platform, we demonstrate large field-dependent tuning ranges and partial stabilization of defect emission energies. These results address some of the challenges of chip-scale entanglement generation.

Shock compression dynamics under a microscope.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dlott, Dana

2015-06-01

We have developed a tabletop laser flyer launch system1 that solves many of the problems that plagued previous efforts. Using a novel mechanism where a spatially-uniform laser pulse creates a shock in a glass substrate just underneath a metal foil, we can launch tiny (0.7 mm diameter x 100 μm thick) flyers at speeds ranging from 0-5 km/s and the foils are flat, cold and intact. This tabletop launch system, where we often launch 100 flyers per day, provides a platform for a wide variety of time-resolved spectroscopies. The shocked material is viewed by a microscope objective that transmits near-infrared light from a photon Doppler velocimeter to monitor the flyer, and collects the light for spectroscopic and video images. Fluorescent probes, which have been highly developed for the biomedical sciences, have proven especially useful for these experiments. Using emission measurements, we have investigated the fundamental mechanisms of many shock wave effects including: viscoelastic compression of high molecular weight polymers, visualization of shocks in porous media such as sand, where we can observe the behavior of individual grains of sand, shock attenuation by passing the shock through reactive materials that undergo endothermic chemical reactions, and shock initiation of nanoenergetic materials.

Laser-ultraviolet-A-induced ultraweak photon emission in mammalian cells.

PubMed

Niggli, Hugo J; Tudisco, Salvatore; Privitera, Giuseppe; Applegate, Lee Ann; Scordino, Agata; Musumeci, Franco

2005-01-01

Photobiological research in the last 30 yr has shown the existence of ultraweak photon emission in biological tissue, which can be detected with sophisticated photomultiplier systems. Although the emission of this ultraweak radiation, often termed biophotons, is extremely low in mammalian cells, it can be efficiently increased by ultraviolet light. Most recently it was shown that UV-A (330 to 380 nm) releases such very weak cell radiation in differentiated human skin fibroblasts. Based on these findings, a new and powerful tool in the form of UV-A-laser-induced biophotonic emission of cultured cells was developed with the intention to detect biophysical changes between carcinogenic and normal cells. With suspension densities ranging from 1 to 8 x 10(6) cells/mL, it was evident that an increase of the UV-A-laser-light induced photon emission intensity could be observed in normal as well as melanoma cells. Using this new detection procedure of ultraweak light emission, photons in cell suspensions as low as 100 microL could be determined, which is a factor of 100 lower compared to previous procedures. Moreover, the detection procedure has been further refined by turning off the photomultiplier system electronically during irradiation leading to the first measurements of induced light emission in the cells after less than 10 micros instead of 150 ms, as reported in previous procedures. This improvement leads to measurements of light bursts up 10(7) photons/s instead of several hundred as found with classical designs. Overall, we find decreasing induction ratings between normal and melanoma cells as well as cancer-prone and melanoma cells. Therefore, it turns out that this highly sensitive and noninvasive device enables us to detect high levels of ultraweak photon emission following UV-A-laser-induced light stimulation within the cells, which enables future development of new biophysical strategies in cell research. Copyright 2005 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.

Single particle tracking through highly scattering media with multiplexed two-photon excitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perillo, Evan; Liu, Yen-Liang; Liu, Cong; Yeh, Hsin-Chih; Dunn, Andrew K.

2015-03-01

3D single-particle tracking (SPT) has been a pivotal tool to furthering our understanding of dynamic cellular processes in complex biological systems, with a molecular localization accuracy (10-100 nm) often better than the diffraction limit of light. However, current SPT techniques utilize either CCDs or a confocal detection scheme which not only suffer from poor temporal resolution but also limit tracking to a depth less than one scattering mean free path in the sample (typically <15μm). In this report we highlight our novel design for a spatiotemporally multiplexed two-photon microscope which is able to reach sub-diffraction-limit tracking accuracy and sub-millisecond temporal resolution, but with a dramatically extended SPT range of up to 200 μm through dense cell samples. We have validated our microscope by tracking (1) fluorescent nanoparticles in a prescribed motion inside gelatin gel (with 1% intralipid) and (2) labeled single EGFR complexes inside skin cancer spheroids (at least 8 layers of cells thick) for ~10 minutes. Furthermore we discuss future capabilities of our multiplexed two-photon microscope design, specifically to the extension of (1) simultaneous multicolor tracking (i.e. spatiotemporal co-localization analysis) and (2) FRET studies (i.e. lifetime analysis). The high resolution, high depth penetration, and multicolor features of this microscope make it well poised to study a variety of molecular scale dynamics in the cell, especially related to cellular trafficking studies with in vitro tumor models and in vivo.

Photonic jet with ultralong working distance by hemispheric shell.

PubMed

Hengyu, Zhu; Zaichun, Chen; Chong, Chong Tow; Minghui, Hong

2015-03-09

Micro-particle assisted nano-imaging has proven its success in the past few years since it can magnify the nano-objects, especially the metallic objects, into an image then collected by a conventional microscope. Micro-shell, which is a novel design of micro-particle in the configuration of a hemisphere with a hollow core region, is proposed and optimized in this paper in order to obtain a long photonic jet far away from its flat surface, thus increasing its working distance. Its dependence on the configuration and refractive index is investigated numerically. A micro-shell with the outer and inner radii of 5 and 2.5 µm and the refractive index of 1.5 can focus the incident light of 400 nm wavelength 2.7 µm away from the micro-shell flat surface, although the photonic jet intensity decreases to 25.8% compared to the solid hemisphere. Meanwhile, the photonic jet length of the micro-shell under the incident light of 400 nm and 1000 nm wavelengths are 1.7 µm and 4.3 µm, respectively, because its hollow core region tends to reduce the angle variation of the Poynting vectors in the photonic jet. With the long working distance and long photonic jet, the micro-shell could be used to scan over a sample to obtain a large area image when coupled with a conventional microscope, which is especially useful for the samples with the rough surfaces.

Multimodal microscopy and the stepwise multi-photon activation fluorescence of melanin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lai, Zhenhua

The author's work is divided into three aspects: multimodal microscopy, stepwise multi-photon activation fluorescence (SMPAF) of melanin, and customized-profile lenses (CPL) for on-axis laser scanners, which will be introduced respectively. A multimodal microscope provides the ability to image samples with multiple modalities on the same stage, which incorporates the benefits of all modalities. The multimodal microscopes developed in this dissertation are the Keck 3D fusion multimodal microscope 2.0 (3DFM 2.0), upgraded from the old 3DFM with improved performance and flexibility, and the multimodal microscope for targeting small particles (the "Target" system). The control systems developed for both microscopes are low-cost and easy-to-build, with all components off-the-shelf. The control system have not only significantly decreased the complexity and size of the microscope, but also increased the pixel resolution and flexibility. The SMPAF of melanin, activated by a continuous-wave (CW) mode near-infrared (NIR) laser, has potential applications for a low-cost and reliable method of detecting melanin. The photophysics of melanin SMPAF has been studied by theoretical analysis of the excitation process and investigation of the spectra, activation threshold, and photon number absorption of melanin SMPAF. SMPAF images of melanin in mouse hair and skin, mouse melanoma, and human black and white hairs are compared with images taken by conventional multi-photon fluorescence microscopy (MPFM) and confocal reflectance microscopy (CRM). SMPAF images significantly increase specificity and demonstrate the potential to increase sensitivity for melanin detection compared to MPFM images and CRM images. Employing melanin SMPAF imaging to detect melanin inside human skin in vivo has been demonstrated, which proves the effectiveness of melanin detection using SMPAF for medical purposes. Selective melanin ablation with micrometer resolution has been presented using the Target system. Compared to the traditional selective photothermolysis, this method demonstrates higher precision, higher specificity and deeper penetration. Therefore, the SMPAF guided selective ablation of melanin is a promising tool of removing melanin for both medical and cosmetic purposes. Three CPLs have been designed for low-cost linear-motion scanners, low-cost fast spinning scanners and high-precision fast spinning scanners. Each design has been tailored to the industrial manufacturing ability and market demands.

Long-Distance Single Photon Transmission from a Trapped Ion via Quantum Frequency Conversion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walker, Thomas; Miyanishi, Koichiro; Ikuta, Rikizo; Takahashi, Hiroki; Vartabi Kashanian, Samir; Tsujimoto, Yoshiaki; Hayasaka, Kazuhiro; Yamamoto, Takashi; Imoto, Nobuyuki; Keller, Matthias

2018-05-01

Trapped atomic ions are ideal single photon emitters with long-lived internal states which can be entangled with emitted photons. Coupling the ion to an optical cavity enables the efficient emission of single photons into a single spatial mode and grants control over their temporal shape. These features are key for quantum information processing and quantum communication. However, the photons emitted by these systems are unsuitable for long-distance transmission due to their wavelengths. Here we report the transmission of single photons from a single 40Ca+ ion coupled to an optical cavity over a 10 km optical fiber via frequency conversion from 866 nm to the telecom C band at 1530 nm. We observe nonclassical photon statistics of the direct cavity emission, the converted photons, and the 10 km transmitted photons, as well as the preservation of the photons' temporal shape throughout. This telecommunication-ready system can be a key component for long-distance quantum communication as well as future cloud quantum computation.

A bright triggered twin-photon source in the solid state

PubMed Central

Heindel, T.; Thoma, A.; von Helversen, M.; Schmidt, M.; Schlehahn, A.; Gschrey, M.; Schnauber, P.; Schulze, J. -H.; Strittmatter, A.; Beyer, J.; Rodt, S.; Carmele, A.; Knorr, A.; Reitzenstein, S.

2017-01-01

A non-classical light source emitting pairs of identical photons represents a versatile resource of interdisciplinary importance with applications in quantum optics and quantum biology. To date, photon twins have mostly been generated using parametric downconversion sources, relying on Poissonian number distributions, or atoms, exhibiting low emission rates. Here we propose and experimentally demonstrate the efficient, triggered generation of photon twins using the energy-degenerate biexciton–exciton radiative cascade of a single semiconductor quantum dot. Deterministically integrated within a microlens, this nanostructure emits highly correlated photon pairs, degenerate in energy and polarization, at a rate of up to (234±4) kHz. Furthermore, we verify a significant degree of photon indistinguishability and directly observe twin-photon emission by employing photon-number-resolving detectors, which enables the reconstruction of the emitted photon number distribution. Our work represents an important step towards the realization of efficient sources of twin-photon states on a fully scalable technology platform. PMID:28367950

Photon emission from quark-gluon plasma out of equilibrium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hauksson, Sigtryggur; Jeon, Sangyong; Gale, Charles

2018-01-01

The photon emission from a nonequilibrium quark-gluon plasma is analyzed. We derive an integral equation that describes photon production through quark-antiquark annihilation and quark bremsstrahlung. It includes coherence between different scattering sites, also known as the Landau-Pomeranchuk-Migdal effect. These leading-order processes are studied for the first time together in an out-of-equilibrium field theoretical treatment that enables the inclusion of viscous corrections to the calculation of electromagnetic emission rates. In the special case of an isotropic, viscous, plasma the integral equation only depends on three constants, which capture the nonequilibrium nature of the medium.

The diffuse galactic gamma radiation: The Compton contribution and component separation by energy interval and galactic coordinates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kniffen, D. A.; Fichtel, C.

1981-01-01

The radiation to be expected from cosmic ray interactions with matter and photons was examined. Particular emphasis is placed on the Compton emission. Both the photon density in and near the visible region and that in the region are deduced from the estimates of the emission functions throughout the Galaxy. The blackbody radiation is also included in the estimate of the total Compton emission. The result suggests that the gamma ray Compton radiation from cosmic ray ineractions with galactic visible and infrared photons is substantially larger than previously believed.

Circularly polarized vacuum field in three-dimensional chiral photonic crystals probed by quantum dot emission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takahashi, S.; Ota, Y.; Tajiri, T.; Tatebayashi, J.; Iwamoto, S.; Arakawa, Y.

2017-11-01

The modification of a circularly polarized vacuum field in three-dimensional chiral photonic crystals was measured by spontaneous emission from quantum dots in the structures. Due to the circularly polarized eigenmodes along the helical axis in the GaAs-based mirror-asymmetric structures we studied, we observed highly circularly polarized emission from the quantum dots. Both spectroscopic and time-resolved measurements confirmed that the obtained circularly polarized light was influenced by a large difference in the photonic density of states between the orthogonal components of the circular polarization in the vacuum field.

Emission polarization control in semiconductor quantum dots coupled to a photonic crystal microcavity.

PubMed

Gallardo, E; Martínez, L J; Nowak, A K; van der Meulen, H P; Calleja, J M; Tejedor, C; Prieto, I; Granados, D; Taboada, A G; García, J M; Postigo, P A

2010-06-07

We study the optical emission of single semiconductor quantum dots weakly coupled to a photonic-crystal micro-cavity. The linearly polarized emission of a selected quantum dot changes continuously its polarization angle, from nearly perpendicular to the cavity mode polarization at large detuning, to parallel at zero detuning, and reversing sign for negative detuning. The linear polarization rotation is qualitatively interpreted in terms of the detuning dependent mixing of the quantum dot and cavity states. The present result is relevant to achieve continuous control of the linear polarization in single photon emitters.

Light-induced damage and its diagnosis in two-photon excited autofluorescence imaging of retinal pigment epithelium cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Danni; Qu, Junle; Xu, Gaixia; Zhao, Lingling; Niu, Hanben

2007-05-01

In this paper, a novel method for the differentiation of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells after light-induced damage by two-photon excitation is presented. Fresh samples of RPE cells of pig eyes are obtained from local slaughterhouse. Light-induced damage is produced by the output from Ti: sapphire laser which is focused onto the RPE layer. We study the change of the autofluorescence properties of RPE after two-photon excitation with the same wavelength. Preliminary results show that after two-photon excitation, there are two clear changes in the emission spectrum. The first change is the blue-shift of the emission peak. The emission peak of the intact RPE is located at 592nm, and after excitation, it shifts to 540nm. It is supposed that the excitation has led to the increased autofluorescence of flavin whose emission peak is located at 540nm. The second change is the increased intensity of the emission peak, which might be caused by the accelerated aging because the autofluorescence of RPE would increase during aging process. Experimental results indicate that two-photon excitation could not only lead to the damage of the RPE cells in multiphoton RPE imaging, but also provide an evaluation of the light-induced damage.

Quantum squeezed state analysis of spontaneous ultra weak light photon emission of practitioners of meditation and control subjects.

PubMed

Van Wijk, Eduard P A; Van Wijk, Roeland; Bajpai, Rajendra P

2008-05-01

Research on human ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) has suggested a typical human emission anatomic percentage distribution pattern. It was demonstrated that emission intensities are lower in long-term practitioners of meditation as compared to control subjects. The percent contribution of emission from different anatomic locations was not significantly different for meditation practitioners and control subjects. Recently, a procedure was developed to analyze the fluctuations in the signals by measuring probabilities of detecting different numbers of photons in a bin and correct these for background noise. The procedure was tested utilizing the signal from three different body locations of a single subject, demonstrating that probabilities have non-classical features and are well described by the signal in a coherent state from the three body sites. The values indicate that the quantum state of photon emitted by the subject could be a coherent state in the subject being investigated. The objective in the present study was to systematically quantify, in subjects with long-term meditation experience and subjects without this experience, the photon count distribution of 12 different locations. Data show a variation in quantum state parameters within each individual subject as well as variation in quantum state parameters between the groups.

Where do the 3.5 keV photons come from? A morphological study of the Galactic Center and of Perseus

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

Carlson, Eric; Jeltema, Tesla; Profumo, Stefano, E-mail: erccarls@ucsc.edu, E-mail: tesla@ucsc.edu, E-mail: profumo@ucsc.edu

We test the origin of the 3.5 keV line photons by analyzing the morphology of the emission at that energy from the Galactic Center and from the Perseus cluster of galaxies. We employ a variety of different templates to model the continuum emission and analyze the resulting radial and azimuthal distribution of the residual emission. We then perform a pixel-by-pixel binned likelihood analysis including line emission templates and dark matter templates and assess the correlation of the 3.5 keV emission with these templates. We conclude that the radial and azimuthal distribution of the residual emission is incompatible with a darkmore » matter origin for both the Galactic center and Perseus; the Galactic center 3.5 keV line photons trace the morphology of lines at comparable energy, while the Perseus 3.5 keV photons are highly correlated with the cluster's cool core, and exhibit a morphology incompatible with dark matter decay. The template analysis additionally allows us to set the most stringent constraints to date on lines in the 3.5 keV range from dark matter decay.« less

On-chip electrically controlled routing of photons from a single quantum dot

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

Bentham, C.; Coles, R. J.; Royall, B.

2015-06-01

Electrical control of on-chip routing of photons emitted by a single InAs/GaAs self-assembled quantum dot (SAQD) is demonstrated in a photonic crystal cavity-waveguide system. The SAQD is located inside an H1 cavity, which is coupled to two photonic crystal waveguides. The SAQD emission wavelength is electrically tunable by the quantum-confined Stark effect. When the SAQD emission is brought into resonance with one of two H1 cavity modes, it is preferentially routed to the waveguide to which that mode is selectively coupled. This proof of concept provides the basis for scalable, low-power, high-speed operation of single-photon routers for use in integratedmore » quantum photonic circuits.« less

Plasmonic Structures for CMOS Photonics and Control of Spontaneous Emission

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-04-01

structures; v) developed CMOS Si photonic switching device based on the vanadium dioxide ( VO2 ) phase transition. vi) also engaged in a partnership with...CMOS Si photonic switching device based on the vanadium dioxide ( VO2 ) phase transition. vii. exploring approaches to enhance spontaneous emission in...size and bandwidth, we are exploring phase-change materials and, in particular, vanadium dioxide. VO2 undergoes an insulator-to-metal phase transition

Signatures of two-photon pulses from a quantum two-level system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fischer, Kevin A.; Hanschke, Lukas; Wierzbowski, Jakob; Simmet, Tobias; Dory, Constantin; Finley, Jonathan J.; Vučković, Jelena; Müller, Kai

2017-07-01

A two-level atom can generate a strong many-body interaction with light under pulsed excitation. The best known effect is single-photon generation, where a short Gaussian laser pulse is converted into a Lorentzian single-photon wavepacket. However, recent studies suggested that scattering of intense laser fields off a two-level atom may generate oscillations in two-photon emission that come out of phase with the Rabi oscillations, as the power of the pulse increases. Here, we provide an intuitive explanation for these oscillations using a quantum trajectory approach and show how they may preferentially result in emission of two-photon pulses. Experimentally, we observe the signatures of these oscillations by measuring the bunching of photon pulses scattered off a two-level quantum system. Our theory and measurements provide insight into the re-excitation process that plagues on-demand single-photon sources while suggesting the possibility of producing new multi-photon states.

Fluorescence kinetics of emission from a small finite volume of a biological system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dagen, A. J.; Alfano, R. R.; Zilinskas, B. A.; Swenberg, C. E.

1985-07-01

The fluorescence decay, apparent quantum yield and transmission from chromophores constrained to a microscopic volume using a single picosecond laser excitation were measured as a function of incident intensity. The β subunit of phycoeryhthrin aggregate isolated from the photosynthetic antenna system of Nostoc sp. was selected since it contains only four chromophores in a volume of less than 5.6×10 4 Å 3. The non-exponential fluorescence decay profiles were intensity independent for the intensity range studied (5 × 10 13 - 2 × 10 15 photon cm -2 per pulse). The apparent decrease in the relative fluorescence quantum yield and increase of the relative transmission with increasing excitation intensity is attributed to the combined effects of ground state depletion and upper excited state absorption. Evidence suggests that exciton annihilation is absent within isolated β subunits.

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

Murray, E.; Floether, F. F.; Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, J.J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE

Fundamental to integrated photonic quantum computing is an on-chip method for routing and modulating quantum light emission. We demonstrate a hybrid integration platform consisting of arbitrarily designed waveguide circuits and single-photon sources. InAs quantum dots (QD) embedded in GaAs are bonded to a SiON waveguide chip such that the QD emission is coupled to the waveguide mode. The waveguides are SiON core embedded in a SiO{sub 2} cladding. A tuneable Mach Zehnder interferometer (MZI) modulates the emission between two output ports and can act as a path-encoded qubit preparation device. The single-photon nature of the emission was verified using themore » on-chip MZI as a beamsplitter in a Hanbury Brown and Twiss measurement.« less

Electric-Field-Induced Energy Tuning of On-Demand Entangled-Photon Emission from Self-Assembled Quantum Dots.

PubMed

Zhang, Jiaxiang; Zallo, Eugenio; Höfer, Bianca; Chen, Yan; Keil, Robert; Zopf, Michael; Böttner, Stefan; Ding, Fei; Schmidt, Oliver G

2017-01-11

We explore a method to achieve electrical control over the energy of on-demand entangled-photon emission from self-assembled quantum dots (QDs). The device used in our work consists of an electrically tunable diode-like membrane integrated onto a piezoactuator, which is capable of exerting a uniaxial stress on QDs. We theoretically reveal that, through application of the quantum-confined Stark effect to QDs by a vertical electric field, the critical uniaxial stress used to eliminate the fine structure splitting of QDs can be linearly tuned. This feature allows experimental realization of a triggered source of energy-tunable entangled-photon emission. Our demonstration represents an important step toward realization of a solid-state quantum repeater using indistinguishable entangled photons in Bell state measurements.

Polarization, spectral, and spatial emission characteristics of chiral semiconductor nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maksimov, A. A.; Peshcherenko, A. B.; Filatov, E. V.; Tartakovskii, I. I.; Kulakovskii, V. D.; Tikhodeev, S. G.; Lobanov, S. V.; Schneider, C.; Höfling, S.

2017-11-01

A detailed study of the degree of circular polarization and the angular dependence of the emission spectra of an array of InAs quantum dots embedded in GaAs photonic nanostructures with chiral symmetry in the absence of an external magnetic field is carried out. A strong angular dependence of the spectra and the degree of circular polarization of radiation from quantum dots, as well as a significant effect of the lattice period of the photonic crystal on the radiation characteristics, is observed. The dispersion of photonic modes near the (±3, 0) and (±2, ±2) Bragg resonances is investigated in detail. The experimentally observed polarization, spectral, and angular characteristics of the quantum-dot emission are explained in the framework of a theory describing radiative processes in chiral photonic nanostructures.

Amplified Photon Upconversion by Photonic Shell of Cholesteric Liquid Crystals.

PubMed

Kang, Ji-Hwan; Kim, Shin-Hyun; Fernandez-Nieves, Alberto; Reichmanis, Elsa

2017-04-26

As an effective platform to exploit triplet-triplet-annihilation-based photon upconversion (TTA-UC), microcapsules composed of a fluidic UC core and photonic shell are microfluidically prepared using a triple emulsion as the template. The photonic shell consists of cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) with a periodic helical structure, exhibiting a photonic band gap. Combined with planar anchoring at the boundaries, the shell serves as a resonance cavity for TTA-UC emission and enables spectral tuning of the UC under low-power-density excitation. The CLC shell can be stabilized by introducing a polymerizable mesogen in the LC host. Because of the microcapsule spherical symmetry, spontaneous emission of the delayed fluorescence is omnidirectionally amplified at the edge of the stop band. These results demonstrate the range of opportunities provided by TTA-UC systems for the future design of low-threshold photonic devices.

Dirac directional emission in anisotropic zero refractive index photonic crystals.

PubMed

He, Xin-Tao; Zhong, Yao-Nan; Zhou, You; Zhong, Zhi-Chao; Dong, Jian-Wen

2015-08-14

A certain class of photonic crystals with conical dispersion is known to behave as isotropic zero-refractive-index medium. However, the discrete building blocks in such photonic crystals are limited to construct multidirectional devices, even for high-symmetric photonic crystals. Here, we show multidirectional emission from low-symmetric photonic crystals with semi-Dirac dispersion at the zone center. We demonstrate that such low-symmetric photonic crystal can be considered as an effective anisotropic zero-refractive-index medium, as long as there is only one propagation mode near Dirac frequency. Four kinds of Dirac multidirectional emitters are achieved with the channel numbers of five, seven, eleven, and thirteen, respectively. Spatial power combination for such kind of Dirac directional emitter is also verified even when multiple sources are randomly placed in the anisotropic zero-refractive-index photonic crystal.

Dirac directional emission in anisotropic zero refractive index photonic crystals

PubMed Central

He, Xin-Tao; Zhong, Yao-Nan; Zhou, You; Zhong, Zhi-Chao; Dong, Jian-Wen

2015-01-01

A certain class of photonic crystals with conical dispersion is known to behave as isotropic zero-refractive-index medium. However, the discrete building blocks in such photonic crystals are limited to construct multidirectional devices, even for high-symmetric photonic crystals. Here, we show multidirectional emission from low-symmetric photonic crystals with semi-Dirac dispersion at the zone center. We demonstrate that such low-symmetric photonic crystal can be considered as an effective anisotropic zero-refractive-index medium, as long as there is only one propagation mode near Dirac frequency. Four kinds of Dirac multidirectional emitters are achieved with the channel numbers of five, seven, eleven, and thirteen, respectively. Spatial power combination for such kind of Dirac directional emitter is also verified even when multiple sources are randomly placed in the anisotropic zero-refractive-index photonic crystal. PMID:26271208

Low efficiency upconversion nanoparticles for high-resolution coalignment of near-infrared and visible light paths on a light microscope

PubMed Central

Sundaramoorthy, Sriramkumar; Badaracco, Adrian Garcia; Hirsch, Sophia M.; Park, Jun Hong; Davies, Tim; Dumont, Julien; Shirasu-Hiza, Mimi; Kummel, Andrew C.; Canman, Julie C.

2017-01-01

The combination of near infrared (NIR) and visible wavelengths in light microscopy for biological studies is increasingly common. For example, many fields of biology are developing the use of NIR for optogenetics, in which an NIR laser induces a change in gene expression and/or protein function. One major technical barrier in working with both NIR and visible light on an optical microscope is obtaining their precise coalignment at the imaging plane position. Photon upconverting particles (UCPs) can bridge this gap as they are excited by NIR light but emit in the visible range via an anti-Stokes luminescence mechanism. Here, two different UCPs have been identified, high-efficiency micro540-UCPs and lower efficiency nano545-UCPs, that respond to NIR light and emit visible light with high photostability even at very high NIR power densities (>25,000 Suns). Both of these UCPs can be rapidly and reversibly excited by visible and NIR light and emit light at visible wavelengths detectable with standard emission settings used for Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), a commonly used genetically-encoded fluorophore. However, the high efficiency micro540-UCPs were suboptimal for NIR and visible light coalignment, due to their larger size and spatial broadening from particle-to-particle energy transfer consistent with a long lived excited state and saturated power dependence. In contrast, the lower efficiency nano-UCPs were superior for precise coalignment of the NIR beam with the visible light path (~2 µm versus ~8 µm beam broadening respectively) consistent with limited particle-to-particle energy transfer, superlinear power dependence for emission, and much smaller particle size. Furthermore, the nano-UCPs were superior to a traditional two-camera method for NIR and visible light path alignment in an in vivo Infrared-Laser-Evoked Gene Operator (IR-LEGO) optogenetics assay in the budding yeast S. cerevisiae. In summary, nano-UCPs are powerful new tools for coaligning NIR and visible light paths on a light microscope. PMID:28221018

Continuous-wave mid-infrared photonic crystal light emitters at room temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weng, Binbin; Qiu, Jijun; Shi, Zhisheng

2017-01-01

Mid-infrared photonic crystal enhanced lead-salt light emitters operating under continuous-wave mode at room temperature were investigated in this work. For the device, an active region consisting of 9 pairs of PbSe/Pb0.96Sr0.04Se quantum wells was grown by molecular beam epitaxy method on top of a Si(111) substrate which was initially dry-etched with a two-dimensional photonic crystal structure in a pattern of hexagonal holes. Because of the photonic crystal structure, an optical band gap between 3.49 and 3.58 µm was formed, which matched with the light emission spectrum of the quantum wells at room temperature. As a result, under optical pumping, using a near-infrared continuous-wave semiconductor laser, the device exhibited strong photonic crystal band-edge mode emissions and delivered over 26.5 times higher emission efficiency compared to the one without photonic crystal structure. The output power obtained was up to 7.68 mW (the corresponding power density was 363 mW/cm2), and a maximum quantum efficiency reached to 1.2%. Such photonic crystal emitters can be used as promising light sources for novel miniaturized gas-sensing systems.

On the uncertainty in single molecule fluorescent lifetime and energy emission measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, Emery N.; Zhang, Zhenhua; Mccollom, Alex D.

1995-01-01

Time-correlated single photon counting has recently been combined with mode-locked picosecond pulsed excitation to measure the fluorescent lifetimes and energy emissions of single molecules in a flow stream. Maximum likelihood (ML) and least square methods agree and are optimal when the number of detected photons is large however, in single molecule fluorescence experiments the number of detected photons can be less than 20, 67% of those can be noise and the detection time is restricted to 10 nanoseconds. Under the assumption that the photon signal and background noise are two independent inhomogeneous poisson processes, we derive the exact joint arrival time probably density of the photons collected in a single counting experiment performed in the presence of background noise. The model obviates the need to bin experimental data for analysis, and makes it possible to analyze formally the effect of background noise on the photon detection experiment using both ML or Bayesian methods. For both methods we derive the joint and marginal probability densities of the fluorescent lifetime and fluorescent emission. the ML and Bayesian methods are compared in an analysis of simulated single molecule fluorescence experiments of Rhodamine 110 using different combinations of expected background nose and expected fluorescence emission. While both the ML or Bayesian procedures perform well for analyzing fluorescence emissions, the Bayesian methods provide more realistic measures of uncertainty in the fluorescent lifetimes. The Bayesian methods would be especially useful for measuring uncertainty in fluorescent lifetime estimates in current single molecule flow stream experiments where the expected fluorescence emission is low. Both the ML and Bayesian algorithms can be automated for applications in molecular biology.

On the Uncertainty in Single Molecule Fluorescent Lifetime and Energy Emission Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, Emery N.; Zhang, Zhenhua; McCollom, Alex D.

1996-01-01

Time-correlated single photon counting has recently been combined with mode-locked picosecond pulsed excitation to measure the fluorescent lifetimes and energy emissions of single molecules in a flow stream. Maximum likelihood (ML) and least squares methods agree and are optimal when the number of detected photons is large, however, in single molecule fluorescence experiments the number of detected photons can be less than 20, 67 percent of those can be noise, and the detection time is restricted to 10 nanoseconds. Under the assumption that the photon signal and background noise are two independent inhomogeneous Poisson processes, we derive the exact joint arrival time probability density of the photons collected in a single counting experiment performed in the presence of background noise. The model obviates the need to bin experimental data for analysis, and makes it possible to analyze formally the effect of background noise on the photon detection experiment using both ML or Bayesian methods. For both methods we derive the joint and marginal probability densities of the fluorescent lifetime and fluorescent emission. The ML and Bayesian methods are compared in an analysis of simulated single molecule fluorescence experiments of Rhodamine 110 using different combinations of expected background noise and expected fluorescence emission. While both the ML or Bayesian procedures perform well for analyzing fluorescence emissions, the Bayesian methods provide more realistic measures of uncertainty in the fluorescent lifetimes. The Bayesian methods would be especially useful for measuring uncertainty in fluorescent lifetime estimates in current single molecule flow stream experiments where the expected fluorescence emission is low. Both the ML and Bayesian algorithms can be automated for applications in molecular biology.

Bright nanoscale source of deterministic entangled photon pairs violating Bell's inequality.

PubMed

Jöns, Klaus D; Schweickert, Lucas; Versteegh, Marijn A M; Dalacu, Dan; Poole, Philip J; Gulinatti, Angelo; Giudice, Andrea; Zwiller, Val; Reimer, Michael E

2017-05-10

Global, secure quantum channels will require efficient distribution of entangled photons. Long distance, low-loss interconnects can only be realized using photons as quantum information carriers. However, a quantum light source combining both high qubit fidelity and on-demand bright emission has proven elusive. Here, we show a bright photonic nanostructure generating polarization-entangled photon pairs that strongly violates Bell's inequality. A highly symmetric InAsP quantum dot generating entangled photons is encapsulated in a tapered nanowire waveguide to ensure directional emission and efficient light extraction. We collect ~200 kHz entangled photon pairs at the first lens under 80 MHz pulsed excitation, which is a 20 times enhancement as compared to a bare quantum dot without a photonic nanostructure. The performed Bell test using the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt inequality reveals a clear violation (S CHSH  > 2) by up to 9.3 standard deviations. By using a novel quasi-resonant excitation scheme at the wurtzite InP nanowire resonance to reduce multi-photon emission, the entanglement fidelity (F = 0.817 ± 0.002) is further enhanced without temporal post-selection, allowing for the violation of Bell's inequality in the rectilinear-circular basis by 25 standard deviations. Our results on nanowire-based quantum light sources highlight their potential application in secure data communication utilizing measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution and quantum repeater protocols.

Single photon generation through exciton-exciton annihilation in air-suspended carbon nanotubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishii, Akihiro; Uda, Takushi; Kato, Yuichiro K.

Carbon nanotubes have great potential for single photon sources as they have stable exciton states even at room temperature and their emission wavelengths cover the telecommunication bands. In recent years, single photon emission from carbon nanotubes has been achieved by creating localized states of excitons. In contrast to such an approach, here we utilize mobile excitons and show that single photons can be generated in air-suspended carbon nanotubes, where exciton diffusion length is as long as several hundred nanometers and exciton-exciton annihilation is efficient. We perform photoluminescence microscopy on as-grown air-suspended carbon nanotubes in order to determine their chirality and suspended length. Photon correlation measurements are performed on nanotube emission at room temperature using a Hanbury-Brown-Twiss setup with InGaAs/InP single photon detectors. We observe antibunching with a clear excitation power dependence, where we obtain g (2) (0) value less than 0.5 at low excitation powers, indicating single photon generation. We show such g (2) (0) data with different chiralities and suspended lengths, and the effects of exciton diffusion on single photon generation processes are discussed. Work supported by KAKENHI (26610080, 16H05962), The Canon Foundation, and MEXT (Photon Frontier Network Program, Nanotechnology Platform). A.I. is supported by MERIT and JSPS Research Fellowship, and T.U. is supported by ALPS.

Fast Purcell-enhanced single photon source in 1,550-nm telecom band from a resonant quantum dot-cavity coupling

PubMed Central

Birowosuto, Muhammad Danang; Sumikura, Hisashi; Matsuo, Shinji; Taniyama, Hideaki; van Veldhoven, Peter J.; Nötzel, Richard; Notomi, Masaya

2012-01-01

High-bit-rate nanocavity-based single photon sources in the 1,550-nm telecom band are challenges facing the development of fibre-based long-haul quantum communication networks. Here we report a very fast single photon source in the 1,550-nm telecom band, which is achieved by a large Purcell enhancement that results from the coupling of a single InAs quantum dot and an InP photonic crystal nanocavity. At a resonance, the spontaneous emission rate was enhanced by a factor of 5 resulting a record fast emission lifetime of 0.2 ns at 1,550 nm. We also demonstrate that this emission exhibits an enhanced anti-bunching dip. This is the first realization of nanocavity-enhanced single photon emitters in the 1,550-nm telecom band. This coupled quantum dot cavity system in the telecom band thus provides a bright high-bit-rate non-classical single photon source that offers appealing novel opportunities for the development of a long-haul quantum telecommunication system via optical fibres. PMID:22432053

Fast Purcell-enhanced single photon source in 1,550-nm telecom band from a resonant quantum dot-cavity coupling.

PubMed

Birowosuto, Muhammad Danang; Sumikura, Hisashi; Matsuo, Shinji; Taniyama, Hideaki; van Veldhoven, Peter J; Nötzel, Richard; Notomi, Masaya

2012-01-01

High-bit-rate nanocavity-based single photon sources in the 1,550-nm telecom band are challenges facing the development of fibre-based long-haul quantum communication networks. Here we report a very fast single photon source in the 1,550-nm telecom band, which is achieved by a large Purcell enhancement that results from the coupling of a single InAs quantum dot and an InP photonic crystal nanocavity. At a resonance, the spontaneous emission rate was enhanced by a factor of 5 resulting a record fast emission lifetime of 0.2 ns at 1,550 nm. We also demonstrate that this emission exhibits an enhanced anti-bunching dip. This is the first realization of nanocavity-enhanced single photon emitters in the 1,550-nm telecom band. This coupled quantum dot cavity system in the telecom band thus provides a bright high-bit-rate non-classical single photon source that offers appealing novel opportunities for the development of a long-haul quantum telecommunication system via optical fibres.

Enhanced photon indistinguishability in pulse-driven quantum emitters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fotso, Herbert F.

2017-04-01

Photon indistinguishability is an essential ingredient for the realization of scalable quantum networks. For quantum bits in the solid state, this is hindered by spectral diffusion, the uncontrolled random drift of the emission/absorption spectrum as a result of fluctuations in the emitter's environment. We study optical properties of a quantum emitter in the solid state when it is driven by a periodic sequence of optical pulses with finite detuning with respect to the emitter. We find that a pulse sequence can effectively mitigate spectral diffusion and enhance photon indistinguishability. The bulk of the emission occurs at a set target frequency; Photon indistinguishability is enhanced and is restored to its optimal value after every even pulse. Also, for moderate values of the sequence period and of the detuning, both the emission spectrum and the absorption spectrum have lineshapes with little dependence on the detuning. We describe the solution and the evolution of the emission/absorption spectrum as a function time.

Increased photon emission from the head while imagining light in the dark is correlated with changes in electroencephalographic power: support for Bókkon's biophoton hypothesis.

PubMed

Dotta, B T; Saroka, K S; Persinger, M A

2012-04-04

Bókkon's hypothesis that photons released from chemical processes within the brain produce biophysical pictures during visual imagery has been supported experimentally. In the present study measurements by a photomultiplier tube also demonstrated significant increases in ultraweak photon emissions (UPEs) or biophotons equivalent to about 5×10(-11)W/m(2) from the right sides of volunteer's heads when they imagined light in a very dark environment compared to when they did not. Simultaneous variations in regional quantitative electroencephalographic spectral power (μV(2)/Hz) and total energy in the range of ∼10(-12)J from concurrent biophoton emissions were strongly correlated (r=0.95). The calculated energy was equivalent to that associated with action potentials from about 10(7) cerebral cortical neurons. We suggest these results support Bókkon's hypothesis that specific visual imagery is strongly correlated with ultraweak photon emission coupled to brain activity. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Collective Evidence for Inverse Compton Emission from External Photons in High-Power Blazars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meyer, Eileen T.; Fossati, Giovanni; Georganopoulos, Markos; Lister, Matthew L.

2012-01-01

We present the first collective evidence that Fermi-detected jets of high kinetic power (L(sub kin)) are dominated by inverse Compton emission from upscattered external photons. Using a sample with a broad range in orientation angle, including radio galaxies and blazars, we find that very high power sources (L(sub kin) > 10(exp 45.5) erg/s) show a significant increase in the ratio of inverse Compton to synchrotron power (Compton dominance) with decreasing orientation angle, as measured by the radio core dominance and confirmed by the distribution of superluminal speeds. This increase is consistent with beaming expectations for external Compton (EC) emission, but not for synchrotron self Compton (SSC) emission. For the lowest power jets (L(sub kin) < 10(exp 43.5) erg /s), no trend between Compton and radio core dominance is found, consistent with SSC. Importantly, the EC trend is not seen for moderately high power flat spectrum radio quasars with strong external photon fields. Coupled with the evidence that jet power is linked to the jet speed, this finding suggests that external photon fields become the dominant source of seed photons in the jet comoving frame only for the faster and therefore more powerful jets.

Effects of electric fields on the photonic crystal formation from block copolymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Taekun; Ju, Jin-wook; Ryoo, Won

2012-03-01

Effects of electric fields on the self-assembly of block copolymers have been investigated for thin films of polystyrene-bpoly( 2-vinyl pyridine); PS-b-P2VP, 52 kg/mol-b-57 kg/mol and 133 kg/mol-b-132 kg/mol. Block copolymers of polystyrene and poly(2-vinyl pyridine) have been demonstrated to form photonic crystals of 1D lamellar structure with optical band gaps that correspond to UV-to-visible light. The formation of lamellar structure toward minimum freeenergy state needs increasing polymer chain mobility, and the self-assembly process is accelerated usually by annealing, that is exposing the thin film to solvent vapor such as chloroform and dichloromethane. In this study, thin films of block copolymers were spin-coated on substrates and placed between electrode arrays of various patterns including pin-points, crossing and parallel lines. As direct or alternating currents were applied to electrode arrays during annealing process, the final structure of thin films was altered from the typical 1D lamellae in the absence of electric fields. The formation of lamellar structure was spatially controlled depending on the shape of electrode arrays, and the photonic band gap also could be modulated by electric field strength. The spatial formation of lamellar structure was examined with simulated distribution of electrical potentials by finite difference method (FDM). P2VP layers in self-assembled film were quaternized with methyl iodide vapor, and the remaining lamellar structure was investigated by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The result of this work is expected to provide ways of fabricating functional structures for display devices utilizing photonic crystal array.

Cavity-assisted emission of polarization-entangled photons from biexcitons in quantum dots with fine-structure splitting.

PubMed

Schumacher, Stefan; Förstner, Jens; Zrenner, Artur; Florian, Matthias; Gies, Christopher; Gartner, Paul; Jahnke, Frank

2012-02-27

We study the quantum properties and statistics of photons emitted by a quantum-dot biexciton inside a cavity. In the biexciton-exciton cascade, fine-structure splitting between exciton levels degrades polarization-entanglement for the emitted pair of photons. However, here we show that the polarization-entanglement can be preserved in such a system through simultaneous emission of two degenerate photons into cavity modes tuned to half the biexciton energy. Based on detailed theoretical calculations for realistic quantum-dot and cavity parameters, we quantify the degree of achievable entanglement.

Frequency splitter based on the directional emission from surface modes in dielectric photonic crystal structures.

PubMed

Tasolamprou, Anna C; Zhang, Lei; Kafesaki, Maria; Koschny, Thomas; Soukoulis, Costas M

2015-06-01

We demonstrate the numerical design and the experimental validation of frequency dependent directional emission from a dielectric photonic crystal structure. The wave propagates through a photonic crystal line-defect waveguide, while a surface layer at the termination of the photonic crystal enables the excitation of surface modes and a subsequent grating layer transforms the surface energy into outgoing propagating waves of the form of a directional beam. The angle of the beam is controlled by the frequency and the structure operates as a frequency splitter in the intermediate and far field region.

Frequency splitter based on the directional emission from surface modes in dielectric photonic crystal structures

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

Tasolamprou, Anna C.; Zhang, Lei; Kafesaki, Maria

2015-05-19

We demonstrate the numerical design and the experimental validation of frequency dependent directional emission from a dielectric photonic crystal structure. The wave propagates through a photonic crystal line-defect waveguide, while a surface layer at the termination of the photonic crystal enables the excitation of surface modes and a subsequent grating layer transforms the surface energy into outgoing propagating waves of the form of a directional beam. Furthermore, the angle of the beam is controlled by the frequency and the structure operates as a frequency splitter in the intermediate and far field region.

Elliptical quantum dots as on-demand single photons sources with deterministic polarization states

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

Teng, Chu-Hsiang; Demory, Brandon; Ku, Pei-Cheng, E-mail: peicheng@umich.edu

In quantum information, control of the single photon's polarization is essential. Here, we demonstrate single photon generation in a pre-programmed and deterministic polarization state, on a chip-scale platform, utilizing site-controlled elliptical quantum dots (QDs) synthesized by a top-down approach. The polarization from the QD emission is found to be linear with a high degree of linear polarization and parallel to the long axis of the ellipse. Single photon emission with orthogonal polarizations is achieved, and the dependence of the degree of linear polarization on the QD geometry is analyzed.

Analysis of a photon assisted field emission device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jensen, K. L.; Lau, Y. Y.; McGregor, D. S.

2000-07-01

A field emitter array held at the threshold of emission by a dc gate potential from which current pulses are triggered by the application of a laser pulse on the backside of the semiconductor may produce electron bunches ("density modulation") at gigahertz frequencies. We develop an analytical model of such optically controlled emission from a silicon tip using a modified Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin and Airy function approach to solving Schrödinger's equation. Band bending and an approximation to the exchange-correlation effects on the image charge potential are included for an array of hyperbolic emitters with a distribution in tip radii and work function. For a simple relationship between the incident photon flux and the resultant electron density at the emission site, an estimation of the tunneling current is made. An example of the operation and design of such a photon-assisted field emission device is given.

Bright Single InAsP Quantum Dots at Telecom Wavelengths in Position-Controlled InP Nanowires: The Role of the Photonic Waveguide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haffouz, Sofiane; Zeuner, Katharina D.; Dalacu, Dan; Poole, Philip J.; Lapointe, Jean; Poitras, Daniel; Mnaymneh, Khaled; Wu, Xiaohua; Couillard, Martin; Korkusinski, Marek; Schöll, Eva; Jöns, Klaus D.; Zwiller, Valery; Williams, Robin L.

2018-05-01

We report on the site-selected growth of bright single InAsP quantum dots embedded within InP photonic nanowire waveguides emitting at telecom wavelengths. We demonstrate a dramatic dependence of the emission rate on both the emission wavelength and the nanowire diameter. With an appropriately designed waveguide, tailored to the emission wavelength of the dot, an increase in count rate by nearly two orders of magnitude (0.4kcps to 35kcps) is obtained for quantum dots emitting in the telecom O-band. Using emission-wavelength-optimised waveguides, we demonstrate bright, narrow linewidth emission from single InAsP quantum dots with an unprecedented tuning range from 880nm to 1550nm. These results pave the way towards efficient single photon sources at telecom wavelengths using deterministically grown InAsP/InP nanowire quantum dots.

Development of the Tagger Microscope & Analysis of Spin Density Matrix Elements in gamma-p -> phi-p for the GlueX Experiment

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

Barnes, Alexander E.

The quark model has been successful in classifying the spectrum of mesons observed since the 1960s, however, it fails to explain some of the measured bound states. Lattice QCD predictions have shown that an excited gluonic field may contribute to the quantum numbers of the bound state and form hybrid mesons, qq-bar-g, where g is a constituent gluon. It is possible for some hybrids to possess quantum numbers forbidden by the quark model and are known as \\smoking gun" hybrids due to their lack of mixing with conventional qq-bar states. The GlueX photoproduction experiment at Jefferson Lab in Newport News,more » VA is designed to study hybrid mesons and to map their spectrum. A 12 GeV electron beam produces 9 GeV linearly polarized photons via coherent bremsstrahlung in a diamond radiator which are incident on a liquid H2 target. In order to determine the photon energy, the use of a tagging spectrometer which measures the energy of the post-bremsstrahlung electron is required. The tagger microscope is a scintillating fiber detector designed to measure the energy of electrons corresponding to the polarized photons. The main focus of this work is the design and construction of the tagger microscope electronics as well as the calibration of the microscope within the experiment. Additionally, the analysis of the reaction gamma-p -> phi-p, where phi (1020) -> K+K-, is discussed. This analysis provides a high-level calibration for GlueX in regards to understanding the acceptance and sensitivity of the detectors to mesons with strange quark content. By studying the phi with linearly polarized photons, information on the production mechanism can be extracted. The measurement of the phi spin-density matrix elements are shown and compared with past data which are found to be in agreement.« less

The National Ignition Facility modular Kirkpatrick-Baez microscope

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

Pickworth, L. A., E-mail: pickworth1@llnl.gov; Ayers, J.; Bell, P.

Current two-dimensional X-ray imaging at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) uses time resolved pinhole cameras with ∼10-25 μm pinholes. This method has limitations in the smallest resolvable features that can be imaged with reasonable photon statistics for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) applications. ICF sources have a broadband self-emission spectrum that causes the pinhole images obtained, through thin foil filters, to contain a similarly broadband spectrum complicating the interpretation of structure in the source. In order to study phenomena on the scale of ∼5 μm, such as dopant mix in the ICF capsule, a narrow energy band, higher spatial resolution microscopemore » system with improved signal/noise has been developed using X-ray optics. Utilizing grazing incidence mirrors in a Kirkpatrick-Baez microscope (KBM) configuration [P. Kirkpatrick and A. V. Baez, J. Opt. Soc. Am. 38, 766–774 (1948)], an X-ray microscope has been designed and fielded on NIF with four imaging channels. The KBM has ∼12 × magnification, <8 μm resolution, and higher throughput in comparison to similar pinhole systems. The first KBM mirrors are coated with a multilayer mirror to allow a “narrow band” energy response at 10.2 keV with ΔE ∼ 3 keV. By adjusting the mirror coating only, the energy response can be matched to the future experimental requirements. Several mirror packs have been commissioned and are interchangeable in the diagnostic snout.« less

Stimulated emission from ladder-type two-photon coherent atomic ensemble.

PubMed

Park, Jiho; Moon, Han Seb

2018-05-28

We investigated the stimulated emission from a ladder-type two-photon coherent atomic ensemble, for the 5S 1/2 - 5P 3/2 - 5D 5/2 transition of 87 Rb atoms. Under the ladder-type two-photon resonance condition obtained using pump and coupling lasers, we observed broad four-wave mixing (FWM) light stimulated from two-photon coherence induced by the seed laser coupled between the ground state of 5S 1/2 and the first excited state of 5P 3/2 . A dip in the FWM spectrum was obtained for three-photon resonance due to V-type two-photon coherence using the pump and seed lasers. From the FWM spectra obtained for varying frequency detuning and seed-laser power, we determined that the seed laser acts as a stimulator for FWM generation, but also acts as a disturber of FWM due to V-type two-photon coherence.

Novel microfabrication stage allowing for one-photon and multi-photon light assisted molecular immobilization and for multi-photon microscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gonçalves, Odete; Snider, Scott; Zadoyan, Ruben; Nguyen, Quoc-Thang; Vorum, Henrik; Petersen, Steffen B.; Neves-Petersen, Maria Teresa

2017-02-01

Light Assisted Molecular Immobilization (LAMI) results in spatially oriented and localized covalent coupling of biomolecules onto thiol reactive surfaces. LAMI is possible due to the conserved spatial proximity between aromatic residues and disulfide bridges in proteins. When aromatic residues are excited with UV light (275-295nm), disulphide bridges are disrupted and the formed thiol groups covalently bind to surfaces. Immobilization hereby reported is achieved in a microfabrication stage coupled to a fs-laser, through one- or multi-photon excitation. The fundamental 840nm output is tripled to 280nm and focused onto the sample, leading to one-photon excitation and molecular immobilization. The sample rests on a xyz-stage with micrometer step resolution and is illuminated according to a pattern uploaded to the software controlling the stage and the shutter. Molecules are immobilized according to such pattern, with micrometer spatial resolution. Spatial masks inserted in the light path lead to light diffraction patterns used to immobilize biomolecules with submicrometer spatial resolution. Light diffraction patterns are imaged by an inbuilt microscope. Two-photon microscopy and imaging of the fluorescent microbeads is shown. Immobilization of proteins, e.g. C-reactive protein, and of an engineered molecular beacon has been successfully achieved. The beacon was coupled to a peptide containing a disulfide bridge neighboring a tryptophan residue, being this way possible to immobilize the beacon on a surface using one-photon LAMI. This technology is being implemented in the creation of point-of-care biosensors aiming at the detection of cancer and cardiovascular disease markers.

Plasmon-photon conversion to near-infrared emission from Yb(3+): (Au/Ag-nanoparticles) in tungsten-tellurite glasses.

PubMed

Rivera, V A G; Ledemi, Yannick; Pereira-da-Silva, Marcelo A; Messaddeq, Younes; Marega, Euclydes

2016-01-04

This manuscript reports on the interaction between (2)F5/2→(2)F7/2 radiative transition from Yb(3+) ions and localized surface plasmon resonance (from gold/silver nanoparticles) in a tungsten-tellurite glass. Such an interaction, similar to the down-conversion process, results in the Yb(3+) emission in the near-infrared region via resonant and non-resonant energy transfers. We associated such effects with the dynamic coupling described by the variations generated by the Hamiltonian HDC in either the oscillator strength, or the local crystal field, i.e. the line shape changes in the emission band. Here, the Yb(3+) ions emission is achieved through plasmon-photon coupling, observable as an enhancement or quenching in the luminescence spectra. Metallic nanoparticles have light-collecting capability in the visible spectrum and can accumulate almost all the photon energy on a nanoscale, which enable the excitation and emission of the Yb(3+) ions in the near-infrared region. This plasmon-photon conversion was evaluated from the cavity's quality factor (Q) and the coupling (g) between the nanoparticles and the Yb(3+) ions. We have found samples of low-quality cavities and strong coupling between the nanoparticles and the Yb(3+) ions. Our research can be extended towards the understanding of new plasmon-photon converters obtained from interactions between rare-earth ions and localized surface plasmon resonance.

Plasmon-photon conversion to near-infrared emission from Yb3+: (Au/Ag-nanoparticles) in tungsten-tellurite glasses

PubMed Central

Rivera, V. A. G.; Ledemi, Yannick; Pereira-da-Silva, Marcelo A.; Messaddeq, Younes; Marega Jr, Euclydes

2016-01-01

This manuscript reports on the interaction between 2F5/2→2F7/2 radiative transition from Yb3+ ions and localized surface plasmon resonance (from gold/silver nanoparticles) in a tungsten-tellurite glass. Such an interaction, similar to the down-conversion process, results in the Yb3+ emission in the near-infrared region via resonant and non-resonant energy transfers. We associated such effects with the dynamic coupling described by the variations generated by the Hamiltonian HDC in either the oscillator strength, or the local crystal field, i.e. the line shape changes in the emission band. Here, the Yb3+ ions emission is achieved through plasmon-photon coupling, observable as an enhancement or quenching in the luminescence spectra. Metallic nanoparticles have light-collecting capability in the visible spectrum and can accumulate almost all the photon energy on a nanoscale, which enable the excitation and emission of the Yb3+ ions in the near-infrared region. This plasmon-photon conversion was evaluated from the cavity’s quality factor (Q) and the coupling (g) between the nanoparticles and the Yb3+ ions. We have found samples of low-quality cavities and strong coupling between the nanoparticles and the Yb3+ ions. Our research can be extended towards the understanding of new plasmon-photon converters obtained from interactions between rare-earth ions and localized surface plasmon resonance. PMID:26725938

Amplified emission and modified spectral features in an opal hetero-structure mediated by passive defect mode localization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rout, Dipak; Kumar, Govind; Vijaya, R.

2018-01-01

A photonic crystal hetero-structure consisting of a passive planar defect of SiO2 thin film sandwiched between two identical opals grown by inward growing self-assembly method using Rhodamine-B dye-doped polystyrene microspheres is studied for the characteristics of dye emission. The optical properties and the defect mode characteristics of the hetero-structure are studied from the reflection and transmission measurements. Laser-induced fluorescence from the hetero-structure showed amplified and spectrally narrowed emission compared to the photonic crystal emphasizing the role of the defect mode and distributed feedback. The enhanced emission is also complemented by the reduction in fluorescence decay time in the case of the hetero-structure in comparison to the 3D photonic crystals.

1.3 μm single-photon emission from strain-coupled bilayer of InAs/GaAs quantum dots at the temperature up to 120 K

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xue, Yongzhou; Chen, Zesheng; Ni, Haiqiao; Niu, Zhichuan; Jiang, Desheng; Dou, Xiuming; Sun, Baoquan

2017-10-01

We report on 1.3 μm single-photon emission based on a self-assembled strain-coupled bilayer of InAs quantum dots (QDs) embedded in a micropillar Bragg cavity at temperature of liquid nitrogen or even as high as 120 K. The obtained single-photon flux into the first lens of the collection optics is 4.2 × 106 and 3.3 × 106/s at 82 and 120 K, respectively, corresponding to a second-order correlation function at zero delay times of 0.27(2) and 0.28(3). This work reports on the significant effect of the micropillar cavity-related enhancement of QD emission and demonstrates an opportunity to employ telecom band single-photon emitters at liquid nitrogen or even higher temperature.

Spontaneous ultra-weak light emissions from wheat seedlings are rhythmic and synchronized with the time profile of the local gravimetric tide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moraes, Thiago A.; Barlow, Peter W.; Klingelé, Emile; Gallep, Cristiano M.

2012-06-01

Semi-circadian rhythms of spontaneous photon emission from wheat seedlings germinated and grown in a constant environment (darkened chamber) were found to be synchronized with the rhythm of the local gravimetric (lunisolar) tidal acceleration. Time courses of the photon-count curves were also found to match the growth velocity profile of the seedlings. Pair-wise analyses of the data—growth, photon count, and tidal—by local tracking correlation always revealed significant coefficients ( P > 0.7) for more than 80% of any of the time periods considered. Using fast Fourier transform, the photon-count data revealed periodic components similar to those of the gravimetric tide. Time courses of biophoton emissions would appear to be an additional, useful, and innovative tool in both chronobiological and biophysical studies.

The difficulty of ultraviolet emssion from supernovae

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Colgate, S. A.

1971-01-01

There are certain conceptual difficulties in the theory of the generation of ultraviolet radiation which is presumed for the creation of the optical fluorescence mechanism of supernova light emission and ionization of a nebula as large as the Gum nebula. Requirements concerning the energy distribution of the ultraviolet photons are: 1) The energy of the greater part of the photons must be sufficient to cause both helium fluorescence and hydrogen ionization. 2) If the photons are emitted in an approximate black body spectrum, the fraction of energy emitted in the optical must be no more than what is already observed. Ultraviolet black body emission depends primarily on the energy source. The probability that the wide mixture of elements present in the interstellar medium and supernova ejecta results in an emission localized in a limited region with less than 0.001 emission in the visible, for either ionization or fluorescence ultraviolet, is remote. Therefore transparent emission must be excluded as unlikely, and black body or at least quasi-black-body emission is more probable.

Temperature Dependence of Wavelength Selectable Zero-Phonon Emission from Single Defects in Hexagonal Boron Nitride.

PubMed

Jungwirth, Nicholas R; Calderon, Brian; Ji, Yanxin; Spencer, Michael G; Flatté, Michael E; Fuchs, Gregory D

2016-10-12

We investigate the distribution and temperature-dependent optical properties of sharp, zero-phonon emission from defect-based single photon sources in multilayer hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) flakes. We observe sharp emission lines from optically active defects distributed across an energy range that exceeds 500 meV. Spectrally resolved photon-correlation measurements verify single photon emission, even when multiple emission lines are simultaneously excited within the same h-BN flake. We also present a detailed study of the temperature-dependent line width, spectral energy shift, and intensity for two different zero-phonon lines centered at 575 and 682 nm, which reveals a nearly identical temperature dependence despite a large difference in transition energy. Our temperature-dependent results are well described by a lattice vibration model that considers piezoelectric coupling to in-plane phonons. Finally, polarization spectroscopy measurements suggest that whereas the 575 nm emission line is directly excited by 532 nm excitation, the 682 nm line is excited indirectly.

Light Microscopy Module Imaging Tested and Demonstrated

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gati, Frank

2004-01-01

The Fluids Integrated Rack (FIR), a facility-class payload, and the Light Microscopy Module (LMM), a subrack payload, are integrated research facilities that will fly in the U.S. Laboratory module, Destiny, aboard the International Space Station. Both facilities are being engineered, designed, and developed at the NASA Glenn Research Center by Northrop Grumman Information Technology. The FIR is a modular, multiuser scientific research facility that is one of two racks that make up the Fluids and Combustion Facility (the other being the Combustion Integrated Rack). The FIR has a large volume dedicated for experimental hardware; easily reconfigurable diagnostics, power, and data systems that allow for unique experiment configurations; and customizable software. The FIR will also provide imagers, light sources, power management and control, command and data handling for facility and experiment hardware, and data processing and storage. The first payload in the FIR will be the LMM. The LMM integrated with the FIR is a remotely controllable, automated, on-orbit microscope subrack facility, with key diagnostic capabilities for meeting science requirements--including video microscopy to observe microscopic phenonema and dynamic interactions, interferometry to make thin-film measurements with nanometer resolution, laser tweezers to manipulate micrometer-sized particles, confocal microscopy to provide enhanced three-dimensional visualization of structures, and spectrophotometry to measure the photonic properties of materials. Vibration disturbances were identified early in the LMM development phase as a high risk for contaminating the science microgravity environment. An integrated FIR-LMM test was conducted in Glenn's Acoustics Test Laboratory to assess mechanical sources of vibration and their impact to microscopic imaging. The primary purpose of the test was to characterize the LMM response at the sample location, the x-y stage within the microscope, to vibration emissions from the FIR and LMM support structures.

SU-F-T-684: Analysis of Cherenkov Excitation in Tissue and the Feasibility of Cherenkov Excited Photodynamic Therapy

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

Saunders, Sara L; Andreozzi, Jacqueline M; Pogue, Brian W

Purpose: The irradiation of photodynamic agents with radiotherapy beams has been demonstrated to enhance tumor killing in various studies, and one proposed mechanism is the optical fluence of Cherenkov emission activating the photosensitizer. This mechanism is explored in Monte Carlo simulations of fluence as well as laboratory measurements of fluence and radical oxygen species. Methods: Simulations were completed using GAMOS/GEANT4 with a 6 MV photon beam in tissue. The effects of blood vessel diameter, blood oxygen saturation, and beam size were examined, recording spectral fluence. Experiments were carried out in solutions of photosensitizer and phantoms. Results: Cherenkov produced by amore » 100×100um{sup 2} 6 MV beam resulted in fluence of less than 1 nJ/cm{sup 2}/Gy per 1 nm wavelength. At this microscopic level, differences in absorption of blood and water in the tissue affected the fluence spectrum, but variation in blood oxygenation had little effect. Light in tissue resulting from larger (10mm ×10mm) 6 MV beams had greater fluence due to light transport and elastic scattering of optical photons, but this transport process also resulted in higher absorption shifts. Therefore, the spectrum produced by a microscopic beam was weighted more heavily in UV/blue wavelengths than the spectrum at the macroscopic level. At the macroscopic level, the total fluence available for absorption by Verteporfin (BPD) in tissue approached uJ/cm{sup 2} for a high radiation dose, indicating that photodynamic activation seems unlikely. Tissue phantom confirmation of these light levels supported this observation, and photosensitization measurements with a radical oxygen species reporter are ongoing. Conclusion: Simulations demonstrated that fluence produced by Cherenkov in tissue by 6 MV photon beams at typical radiotherapy doses appears insufficient to activate photosensitizers to the level required for threshold effects, yet this disagrees with published biological experiments. Experimental validation in tissue phantoms and cell studies are ongoing to clarify this discrepancy. Funding from NIH grant R01CA109558.« less

An introduction to human biophoton emission.

PubMed

Wijk, Roeland Van; Wijk, Eduard P A Van

2005-04-01

Biophoton emission is the spontaneous emission of ultraweak light emanating from all living systems, including man. The emission is linked to the endogenous production of excited states within the living system. The detection and characterisation of human biophoton emission has led to suggestions that it has potential future applications in medicine. An overview is presented of studies on ultraweak photon emission (UPE, biophotons) from the human whole body. Electronic searches of Medline, PsychLit, PubMed and references lists of relevant review articles and books were used to establish the literature database. Articles were then analysed for their main experimental setup and results. The, mostly, single case studies have resulted in a collection of observations. The collection presents information on the following fields of research: (1) influence of biological rhythms, age, and gender on emission, (2) the intensity of emission and its left-right symmetry in health and disease, (3) emission from the perspective of Traditional Chinese and Korean Medicine, (4) emission in different consciousness studies, (5) procedures for analysis of the photon signal from hands, (6) detection of peroxidative processes in the skin. Of each article the main findings are presented in a qualitative manner, quantitative data are presented where useful, and the technological or methodological limitations are discussed. Photon emission recording techniques have reached a stage that allows resolution of the signal in time and space. The published material is presented and includes aspects like spatial resolution of intensity, its relation to health and disease, the aspect of colour, and methods for analysis of the photon signal. The limited number of studies only allows first conclusions about the implications and significance of biophotons in relation to health and disease, or to mental states, or acupuncture. However, with the present data we consider that further research in the field is justified.

The use of light emission in failure analysis of CMOS ICs

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

Hawkins, C.F.; Soden, J.M.; Cole, E.I. Jr.

1990-01-01

The use of photon emission for analyzing failure mechanisms and defects in CMOS ICs is presented. Techniques are given for accurate identification and spatial localization of failure mechanisms and physical defects, including defects such as short and open circuits which do not themselves emit photons.

Single photon emission computed tomography in motor neuron disease with dementia.

PubMed

Sawada, H; Udaka, F; Kishi, Y; Seriu, N; Mezaki, T; Kameyama, M; Honda, M; Tomonobu, M

1988-01-01

Single photon emission computed tomography with [123 I] isopropylamphetamine was carried out on a patient with motor neuron disease with dementia. [123 I] uptake was decreased in the frontal lobes. This would reflect the histopathological findings such as neuronal loss and gliosis in the frontal lobes.

Photon path distribution and optical responses of turbid media: theoretical analysis based on the microscopic Beer-Lambert law.

PubMed

Tsuchiya, Y

2001-08-01

A concise theoretical treatment has been developed to describe the optical responses of a highly scattering inhomogeneous medium using functions of the photon path distribution (PPD). The treatment is based on the microscopic Beer-Lambert law and has been found to yield a complete set of optical responses by time- and frequency-domain measurements. The PPD is defined for possible photons having a total zigzag pathlength of l between the points of light input and detection. Such a distribution is independent of the absorption properties of the medium and can be uniquely determined for the medium under quantification. Therefore, the PPD can be calculated with an imaginary reference medium having the same optical properties as the medium under quantification except for the absence of absorption. One of the advantages of this method is that the optical responses, the total attenuation, the mean pathlength, etc are expressed by functions of the PPD and the absorption distribution.

Double core-hole emissivity of transient aluminum plasmas produced in the interaction with ultra-intense x-ray laser pulse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Cheng; Zeng, Jiaolong; Yuan, Jianmin

2015-11-01

Emissivity of single core-hole (SCH) and double core-hole (DCH) states of aluminum plasmas produced in the interaction with ultra-intense x-ray laser pulse interaction are investigated systematically by solving the time-dependent rate equation implemented in the detailed level accounting approximation. We first demonstrated the plasma density effects on level populations and charge state distribution. Compared with recent experiments, it is shown that the plasma density effects play important roles in the evolution dynamics. Then we systematically investigated the emissivity of the transient aluminum plasmas produced by the x-ray laser pulses with a few photon energies above the threshold photon energy to create DCH states. For the laser photon energy where there are resonant absorptions (RA), 1s-np transitions with both full 1s and SCH 1s states play important roles in time evolution of the population and DCH emission spectroscopy. The significant RA effects are illustrated in detail for x-ray pulses, which creates the 1s-2p resonant absorption from the SCH states of Al VII. With the increase of the photon energy, the emissions from lower charge states become larger.

Precise Two-Photon Photodynamic Therapy using an Efficient Photosensitizer with Aggregation-Induced Emission Characteristics.

PubMed

Gu, Bobo; Wu, Wenbo; Xu, Gaixia; Feng, Guangxue; Yin, Feng; Chong, Peter Han Joo; Qu, Junle; Yong, Ken-Tye; Liu, Bin

2017-07-01

Two-photon photodynamic therapy (PDT) is able to offer precise 3D manipulation of treatment volumes, providing a target level that is unattainable with current therapeutic techniques. The advancement of this technique is greatly hampered by the availability of photosensitizers with large two-photon absorption (TPA) cross section, high reactive-oxygen-species (ROS) generation efficiency, and bright two-photon fluorescence. Here, an effective photosensitizer with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics is synthesized, characterized, and encapsulated into an amphiphilic block copolymer to form organic dots for two-photon PDT applications. The AIE dots possess large TPA cross section, high ROS generation efficiency, and excellent photostability and biocompatibility, which overcomes the limitations of many conventional two-photon photosensitizers. Outstanding therapeutic performance of the AIE dots in two-photon PDT is demonstrated using in vitro cancer cell ablation and in vivo brain-blood-vessel closure as examples. This shows therapy precision up to 5 µm under two-photon excitation. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Boson Sampling with Single-Photon Fock States from a Bright Solid-State Source.

PubMed

Loredo, J C; Broome, M A; Hilaire, P; Gazzano, O; Sagnes, I; Lemaitre, A; Almeida, M P; Senellart, P; White, A G

2017-03-31

A boson-sampling device is a quantum machine expected to perform tasks intractable for a classical computer, yet requiring minimal nonclassical resources as compared to full-scale quantum computers. Photonic implementations to date employed sources based on inefficient processes that only simulate heralded single-photon statistics when strongly reducing emission probabilities. Boson sampling with only single-photon input has thus never been realized. Here, we report on a boson-sampling device operated with a bright solid-state source of single-photon Fock states with high photon-number purity: the emission from an efficient and deterministic quantum dot-micropillar system is demultiplexed into three partially indistinguishable single photons, with a single-photon purity 1-g^{(2)}(0) of 0.990±0.001, interfering in a linear optics network. Our demultiplexed source is between 1 and 2 orders of magnitude more efficient than current heralded multiphoton sources based on spontaneous parametric down-conversion, allowing us to complete the boson-sampling experiment faster than previous equivalent implementations.

Room temperature single photon source using fiber-integrated hexagonal boron nitride

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vogl, Tobias; Lu, Yuerui; Lam, Ping Koy

2017-07-01

Single photons are a key resource for quantum optics and optical quantum information processing. The integration of scalable room temperature quantum emitters into photonic circuits remains to be a technical challenge. Here we utilize a defect center in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) attached by Van der Waals force onto a multimode fiber as a single photon source. We perform an optical characterization of the source in terms of spectrum, state lifetime, power saturation and photostability. A special feature of our source is that it allows for easy switching between fiber-coupled and free space single photon generation modes. In order to prove the quantum nature of the emission we measure the second-order correlation function {{g}(2)}≤ft(τ \\right) . For both fiber-coupled and free space emission, the {{g}(2)}≤ft(τ \\right) dips below 0.5 indicating operation in the single photon regime. The results so far demonstrate the feasibility of 2D material single photon sources for scalable photonic quantum information processing.

Holographic photon production in heavy ion collisions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iatrakis, Ioannis; Kiritsis, Elias; Shen, Chun; Yang, Di-Lun

2017-04-01

The thermal-photon emission from strongly coupled gauge theories at finite temperature is calculated using holographic models for QCD in the Veneziano limit (V-QCD). The emission rates are then embedded in hydrodynamic simulations combined with prompt photons from hard scattering and the thermal photons from hadron gas to analyze the spectra and anisotropic flow of direct photons at RHIC and LHC. The results from different sources responsible for the thermal photons in QGP including the weakly coupled QGP (wQGP) from perturbative calculations, strongly coupled N = 4 super Yang-Mills (SYM) plasma (as a benchmark for reference), and Gubser's phenomenological holographic model are then compared. It is found that the direct-photon spectra are enhanced in the strongly coupled scenario compared with the ones in the wQGP, especially at high momenta. Moreover, both the elliptic flow and triangular flow of direct photons are amplified at high momenta for V-QCD and the SYM plasma. The results are further compared with experimental observations.

Two-photon imaging in living brain slices.

PubMed

Mainen, Z F; Maletic-Savatic, M; Shi, S H; Hayashi, Y; Malinow, R; Svoboda, K

1999-06-01

Two-photon excitation laser scanning microscopy (TPLSM) has become the tool of choice for high-resolution fluorescence imaging in intact neural tissues. Compared with other optical techniques, TPLSM allows high-resolution imaging and efficient detection of fluorescence signal with minimal photobleaching and phototoxicity. The advantages of TPLSM are especially pronounced in highly scattering environments such as the brain slice. Here we describe our approaches to imaging various aspects of synaptic function in living brain slices. To combine several imaging modes together with patch-clamp electrophysiological recordings we found it advantageous to custom-build an upright microscope. Our design goals were primarily experimental convenience and efficient collection of fluorescence. We describe our TPLSM imaging system and its performance in detail. We present dynamic measurements of neuronal morphology of neurons expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) and GFP fusion proteins as well as functional imaging of calcium dynamics in individual dendritic spines. Although our microscope is a custom instrument, its key advantages can be easily implemented as a modification of commercial laser scanning microscopes. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Soft x-ray spectromicroscopy using compact scanning transmission x-ray microscope at the photon factory

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

Takeichi, Yasuo, E-mail: yasuo.takeichi@kek.jp; Inami, Nobuhito; Ono, Kanta

We report the stability and recent performances of a new type of scanning transmission X-ray microscopy. The optics and compact design of the microscope realized mobility and robust performance. Detailed consideration to the vibration control will be described. The insertion device upgraded to elliptical polarization undulator enabled linear dichroism and circular dichroism experiments.

Direct-Photon Spectra and Anisotropic Flow in Heavy Ion Collisions from Holography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iatrakis, Ioannis; Kiritsis, Elias; Shen, Chun; Yang, Di-Lun

2017-03-01

The thermal-photon emission from strongly coupled gauge theories at finite temperature is calculated by using holographic models for QCD in the Veneziano limit (V-QCD). These emission rates are then embedded in hydrodynamic simulations combined with prompt photons from hard scattering and the thermal photons from hadron gas to analyze the spectra and anisotropic flow of direct photons at RHIC and LHC. The results from different sources responsible for the thermal photons in the quark gluon plasma (QGP) including the weakly coupled QGP (wQGP) from perturbative calculations, strongly coupled N = 4 super Yang-Mills (SYM) plasma (as a benchmark for reference), and Gubser's phenomenological model mimicking the strongly coupled QGP (sQGP) are then compared. It is found that the direct-photon spectra are enhanced in the strongly coupled scenario compared with the ones in the wQGP, especially at intermediate and high momenta, which improve the agreements with data. Moreover, by using IP-glassma initial states, both the elliptic flow and triangular flow of direct photons are amplified at high momenta (pT > 2.5 GeV) for V-QCD, while they are suppressed at low momenta compared to wQGP. The distinct results in holography stem from the blue-shift of emission rates in strong coupling. In addition, the spectra and flow in small collision systems were evaluated for future comparisons. It is found that thermal photons from the deconfined phase are substantial to reconcile the spectra and flow at high momenta.

Energy transfer and visible-infrared quantum cutting photoluminescence modification in Tm-Yb codoped YPO(4) inverse opal photonic crystals.

PubMed

Wang, Siqin; Qiu, Jianbei; Wang, Qi; Zhou, Dacheng; Yang, Zhengwen

2015-08-01

YPO₄:  Tm, Yb inverse opal photonic crystals were successfully synthesized by the colloidal crystal templates method, and the visible-infrared quantum cutting (QC) photoluminescence properties of YPO₄:  Tm, Yb inverse opal photonic crystals were investigated. We obtained tetragonal phase YPO₄ in all the samples when the samples sintered at 950°C for 5 h. The visible emission intensity of Tm³⁺ decreased significantly when the photonic bandgap was located at 650 nm under 480 nm excitation. On the contrary, the QC emission intensity of Yb³⁺ was enhanced as compared with the no photonic bandgap sample. When the photonic bandgap was located at 480 nm, the Yb³⁺ and Tm³⁺ light-emitting intensity weakened at the same time. We demonstrated that the energy transfer between Tm³⁺ and Yb³⁺ is enhanced by the suppression of the red emission of Tm³⁺. Additionally, the mechanisms for the influence of the photonic bandgap on the energy transfer process of the Tm³⁺, Yb³⁺ codoped YPO₄ inverse opal are discussed.

Periscope for noninvasive two-photon imaging of murine retina in vivo

PubMed Central

Stremplewski, Patrycjusz; Komar, Katarzyna; Palczewski, Krzysztof; Wojtkowski, Maciej; Palczewska, Grazyna

2015-01-01

Two-photon microscopy allows visualization of subcellular structures in the living animal retina. In previously reported experiments it was necessary to apply a contact lens to each subject. Extending this technology to larger animals would require fitting a custom contact lens to each animal and cumbersome placement of the living animal head on microscope stage. Here we demonstrate a new device, periscope, for coupling light energy into mouse eye and capturing emitted fluorescence. Using this periscope we obtained images of the RPE and their subcellular organelles, retinosomes, with larger field of view than previously reported. This periscope provides an interface with a commercial microscope, does not require contact lens and its design could be modified to image retina in larger animals. PMID:26417507

Wide-field two-photon microscopy with temporal focusing and HiLo background rejection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yew, Elijah Y. S.; Choi, Heejin; Kim, Daekeun; So, Peter T. C.

2011-03-01

Scanningless depth-resolved microscopy is achieved through spatial-temporal focusing and has been demonstrated previously. The advantage of this method is that a large area may be imaged without scanning resulting in higher throughput of the imaging system. Because it is a widefield technique, the optical sectioning effect is considerably poorer than with conventional spatial focusing two-photon microscopy. Here we propose wide-field two-photon microscopy based on spatio-temporal focusing and employing background rejection based on the HiLo microscope principle. We demonstrate the effects of applying HiLo microscopy to widefield temporally focused two-photon microscopy.

In-situ investigation of laser surface modifications of WC-Co hard metals inside a scanning electron microscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mueller, H.; Wetzig, K.; Schultrich, B.; Pompe, Wolfgang; Chapliev, N. I.; Konov, Vitaly I.; Pimenov, S. M.; Prokhorov, Alexander M.

1989-05-01

The investigation of laser interaction with solid surfaces and of the resulting mechanism of surface modification are of technical interest to optimize technological processes, and they are also of fundamental scientific importance. Most instructive indormation is available with the ail of the in-situ techniques. For instance, measuring of the photon emission of the irradiated surface ane the plasma torch (if it is produced) simultaneously to laser action, makes it possible to gain a global characterization of the laser-solid interaction. In order to obtain additional information about surface and structure modifications in microscopic detail , a laser and scanning electron microscope were combined in to a tandem equipment (LASEM). Inside this eqiipment the microscopic observation is carried out directly at the laser irradiated area without any displacement of the sample. In this way, the stepwise development of surface modification during multipulse irradiation is visible in microscopic details and much more reliable information about the surface modification process is obtainable in comparison to an external laser irradiation. Such kind of equipments were realized simultaneously and independently in the Institut of General Physics (Moscow) and the Central Institute of Solid State Physics and Material Research (Dresden) using a CO2 and a LTd-glass-laser, respectively. In the following the advantages and possibilities of a LASEM shall be demonstrated by some selected investigations of WC-CO hardmeta. The results were obtained in collaboration by both groups with the aid of the pulsed CO2-laser. The TEA CO2 laser was transmitted through a ZnSe-window into the sample chamber of the SEM and focused ofAo tfte sample surface. It was operated in TEM - oo mode with a repetition rate of about 1 pulse per second. A peak power density of about 160 MW/cm2 was achieved in front of the sample surface.

Gamma-burst emission from neutron-star accretion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Colgate, S. A.; Petschek, A. G.; Sarracino, R.

1983-01-01

A model for emission of the hard photons of gamma bursts is presented. The model assumes accretion at nearly the Eddington limited rate onto a neutron star without a magnetic field. Initially soft photons are heated as they are compressed between the accreting matter and the star. A large electric field due to relatively small charge separation is required to drag electrons into the star with the nuclei against the flux of photons leaking out through the accreting matter. The photon number is not increased substantially by Bremsstrahlung or any other process. It is suggested that instability in an accretion disc might provide the infalling matter required.

Study of Photon Emission with the Fission Event Generator FREYA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vogt, Ramona; Randrup, Jorgen

2017-09-01

The event-by-event fission model FREYA is employed to study photon observables. The model has been expanded beyond the simple statistical photon emission reported previously to include the discrete RIPL-3 lines. We update these prior results and discuss the sensitivity of the results to the FREYA input parameters sensitive to photon observables. The work of R.V. was performed under the auspices of the U.S. DOE by LLNL Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344, that of J.R. by LBNL Contract DE-AC02-05CH11231. The authors thank NNSA Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation R&D for support.

Deterministic radiative coupling of two semiconductor quantum dots to the optical mode of a photonic crystal nanocavity.

PubMed

Calic, M; Jarlov, C; Gallo, P; Dwir, B; Rudra, A; Kapon, E

2017-06-22

A system of two site-controlled semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) is deterministically integrated with a photonic crystal membrane nano-cavity. The two QDs are identified via their reproducible emission spectral features, and their coupling to the fundamental cavity mode is established by emission co-polarization and cavity feeding features. A theoretical model accounting for phonon interaction and pure dephasing reproduces the observed results and permits extraction of the light-matter coupling constant for this system. The demonstrated approach offers a platform for scaling up the integration of QD systems and nano-photonic elements for integrated quantum photonics applications.

Photon and radiowave emission from peeling pressure sensitive adhesives in air

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Donaldson, E. E.; Shen, X. A.; Dickinson, J. T.

1985-01-01

During separation of an adhesive from a polymer substrate in air, intense bursts of photons ('phE', for photon emission) and long wavelength electromagnetic radiation ('RE', for radiowave emission), similar to those reported earlier by Deryagin, et al. (1978) have been observed. In this paper, careful measurements of the phE time distributions, as well as time correlations between bursts of phE and RE, are reported. These results support the view that patches of electrical charge produced by charge separation between dissimilar materials lead to microdischarges in and near the crack tip. The role of these discharges in producing sustained phE after the discharge has been extinguished is also discussed.

Polarized quantum dot emission in electrohydrodynamic jet printed photonic crystals

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

See, Gloria G.; Xu, Lu; Nuzzo, Ralph G.

2015-08-03

Tailored optical output, such as color purity and efficient optical intensity, are critical considerations for displays, particularly in mobile applications. To this end, we demonstrate a replica molded photonic crystal structure with embedded quantum dots. Electrohydrodynamic jet printing is used to control the position of the quantum dots within the device structure. This results in significantly less waste of the quantum dot material than application through drop-casting or spin coating. In addition, the targeted placement of the quantum dots minimizes any emission outside of the resonant enhancement field, which enables an 8× output enhancement and highly polarized emission from themore » photonic crystal structure.« less

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

Flechsig, U.; Nolting, F.; Fraile Rodriguez, A.

The Surface/Interface: Microscopy beamline of the Swiss Light Source started operation in 2001. In 2007 the beamline has been significantly upgraded with a second refocusing section and a blazed grating optimized for high photon flux. Two Apple II type undulators with a plane grating monochromator using the collimated light scheme deliver photons with an energy from 90eV to about 2keV with variable polarization for the photoemission electron microscope (PEEM) as the primary user station. We measured a focus of (45x60) {mu}m({nu}xh) and a photon flux > 10{sup 12} photon/s for all gratings. Polarization switching within a few seconds is realizedmore » with the small bandpass of the monochromator and a slight detuning of the undulator.« less

Single and double core-hole ion emission spectroscopy of transient neon plasmas produced by ultraintense x-ray laser pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Cheng; Zeng, Jiaolong; Yuan, Jianmin

2016-05-01

Single core-hole (SCH) and double core-hole (DCH) spectroscopy is investigated systematically for neon gas in the interaction with ultraintense x-ray pulses with photon energy from 937 eV to 2000 eV. A time-dependent rate equation, implemented in the detailed level accounting approximation, is utilized to study the dynamical evolution of the level population and emission properties of the laser-produced highly transient plasmas. The plasma density effects on level populations are demonstrated with an x-ray photon energy of 2000 eV. For laser photon energy in the range of 937 - 1360 eV, resonant absorptions (RA) of 1s-np (n> = 2) transitions play important roles in time evolution of the population and DCH emission spectroscopy. For x-ray photon energy larger than 1360 eV, no RA exist and transient plasmas show different features in the DCH spectroscopy.

Single-photon emission of InAs/InP quantum dashes at 1.55 μm and temperatures up to 80 K

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

Dusanowski, Ł., E-mail: lukasz.dusanowski@pwr.edu.pl; Syperek, M.; Misiewicz, J.

2016-04-18

We report on single photon emission from a self-assembled InAs/InGaAlAs/InP quantum dash emitting at 1.55 μm at the elevated temperatures. The photon auto-correlation histograms of the emission from a charged exciton indicate clear antibunching dips with as-measured g{sup (2)}(0) values significantly below 0.5 recorded at temperatures up to 80 K. It proves that the charged exciton complex in a single quantum dash of the mature InP-based material system can act as a true single photon source up to at least liquid nitrogen temperature. This demonstrates the huge potential of InAs on InP nanostructures as the non-classical light emitters for long-distance fiber-based securemore » communication technologies.« less

Polarisation-controlled single photon emission at high temperatures from InGaN quantum dots.

PubMed

Wang, T; Puchtler, T J; Zhu, T; Jarman, J C; Nuttall, L P; Oliver, R A; Taylor, R A

2017-07-13

Solid-state single photon sources with polarisation control operating beyond the Peltier cooling barrier of 200 K are desirable for a variety of applications in quantum technology. Using a non-polar InGaN system, we report the successful realisation of single photon emission with a g (2) (0) of 0.21, a high polarisation degree of 0.80, a fixed polarisation axis determined by the underlying crystallography, and a GHz repetition rate with a radiative lifetime of 357 ps at 220 K in semiconductor quantum dots. The temperature insensitivity of these properties, together with the simple planar epitaxial growth method and absence of complex device geometries, demonstrates that fast single photon emission with polarisation control can be achieved in solid-state quantum dots above the Peltier temperature threshold, making this system a potential candidate for future on-chip applications in integrated systems.

Single-Photon Emitters in Boron Nitride Nanococoons.

PubMed

Ziegler, Joshua; Blaikie, Andrew; Fathalizadeh, Aidin; Miller, David; Yasin, Fehmi S; Williams, Kerisha; Mohrhardt, Jordan; McMorran, Benjamin J; Zettl, Alex; Alemán, Benjamín

2018-04-11

Quantum emitters in two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) are attractive for a variety of quantum and photonic technologies because they combine ultra-bright, room-temperature single-photon emission with an atomically thin crystal. However, the emitter's prominence is hindered by large, strain-induced wavelength shifts. We report the discovery of a visible-wavelength, single-photon emitter (SPE) in a zero-dimensional boron nitride allotrope (the boron nitride nanococoon, BNNC) that retains the excellent optical characteristics of few-layer hBN while possessing an emission line variation that is lower by a factor of 5 than the hBN emitter. We determined the emission source to be the nanometer-size BNNC through the cross-correlation of optical confocal microscopy with high-resolution scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Altogether, this discovery enlivens color centers in BN materials and, because of the BN nanococoon's size, opens new and exciting opportunities in nanophotonics, quantum information, biological imaging, and nanoscale sensing.

Excitation enhancement and extraction enhancement with photonic crystals

DOEpatents

Shapira, Ofer; Soljacic, Marin; Zhen, Bo; Chua, Song-Liang; Lee, Jeongwon; Joannopoulos, John

2015-03-03

Disclosed herein is a system for stimulating emission from at least one an emitter, such as a quantum dot or organic molecule, on the surface of a photonic crystal comprising a patterned dielectric substrate. Embodiments of this system include a laser or other source that illuminates the emitter and the photonic crystal, which is characterized by an energy band structure exhibiting a Fano resonance, from a first angle so as to stimulate the emission from the emitter at a second angle. The coupling between the photonic crystal and the emitter may result in spectral and angular enhancement of the emission through excitation and extraction enhancement. These enhancement mechanisms also reduce the emitter's lasing threshold. For instance, these enhancement mechanisms enable lasing of a 100 nm thick layer of diluted organic molecules solution with reduced threshold intensity. This reduction in lasing threshold enables more efficient organic light emitting devices and more sensitive molecular sensing.

Pulsed holographic system for imaging through spatially extended scattering media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kanaev, A. V.; Judd, K. P.; Lebow, P.; Watnik, A. T.; Novak, K. M.; Lindle, J. R.

2017-10-01

Imaging through scattering media is a highly sought capability for military, industrial, and medical applications. Unfortunately, nearly all recent progress was achieved in microscopic light propagation and/or light propagation through thin or weak scatterers which is mostly pertinent to medical research field. Sensing at long ranges through extended scattering media, for example turbid water or dense fog, still represents significant challenge and the best results are demonstrated using conventional approaches of time- or range-gating. The imaging range of such systems is constrained by their ability to distinguish a few ballistic photons that reach the detector from the background, scattered, and ambient photons, as well as from detector noise. Holography can potentially enhance time-gating by taking advantage of extra signal filtering based on coherence properties of the ballistic photons as well as by employing coherent addition of multiple frames. In a holographic imaging scheme ballistic photons of the imaging pulse are reflected from a target and interfered with the reference pulse at the detector creating a hologram. Related approaches were demonstrated previously in one-way imaging through thin biological samples and other microscopic scale scatterers. In this work, we investigate performance of holographic imaging systems under conditions of extreme scattering (less than one signal photon per pixel signal), demonstrate advantages of coherent addition of images recovered from holograms, and discuss image quality dependence on the ratio of the signal and reference beam power.

Organic Dots Based on AIEgens for Two-Photon Fluorescence Bioimaging.

PubMed

Lou, Xiaoding; Zhao, Zujin; Tang, Ben Zhong

2016-12-01

Two-photon fluorescence imaging technique is a powerful bioanalytical approach in terms of high photostability, low photodamage, high spatiotemporal resolution. Recently, fluorescent organic dots comprised of organic emissive cores and a polymeric matrix are emerging as promising contrast reagents for two-photon fluorescence imaging, owing to their numerous merits of high and tunable fluorescence, good biocompatibility, strong photobleaching resistance, and multiple surface functionality. The emissive core is crucial for organic dots to get high brightness but many conventional chromophores often encounter a severe problem of fluorescence quenching when they form aggregates. To solve this problem, fluorogens featuring aggregation-induced emission (AIE) can fluoresce strongly in aggregates, and thus become ideal candidates for fluorescent organic dots. In addition, two-photon absorption property of the dots can be readily improved by just increase loading contents of AIE fluorogen (AIEgen). Hence, organic dots based on AIEgens have exhibited excellent performances in two-photon fluorescence in vitro cellular imaging, and in vivo vascular architecture visualization of mouse skin, muscle, brain and skull bone. In view of the rapid advances in this important research field, here, we highlight representative fluorescent organic dots with an emissive core of AIEgen aggregate, and discuss their great potential in bioimaging applications. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Fast Heating of Imploded Core with Counterbeam Configuration.

PubMed

Mori, Y; Nishimura, Y; Hanayama, R; Nakayama, S; Ishii, K; Kitagawa, Y; Sekine, T; Sato, N; Kurita, T; Kawashima, T; Kan, H; Komeda, O; Nishi, T; Azuma, H; Hioki, T; Motohiro, T; Sunahara, A; Sentoku, Y; Miura, E

2016-07-29

A tailored-pulse-imploded core with a diameter of 70  μm is flashed by counterirradiating 110 fs, 7 TW laser pulses. Photon emission (>40  eV) from the core exceeds the emission from the imploded core by 6 times, even though the heating pulse energies are only one seventh of the implosion energy. The coupling efficiency from the heating laser to the core using counterirradiation is 14% from the enhancement of photon emission. Neutrons are also produced by counterpropagating fast deuterons accelerated by the photon pressure of the heating pulses. A collisional two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation reveals that the collisionless two counterpropagating fast-electron currents induce mega-Gauss magnetic filaments in the center of the core due to the Weibel instability. The counterpropagating fast-electron currents are absolutely unstable and independent of the core density and resistivity. Fast electrons with energy below a few MeV are trapped by these filaments in the core region, inducing an additional coupling. This might lead to the observed bright photon emissions.

Stokes parameter studies of spontaneous emission from chiral nematic liquid crystals as a one-dimensional photonic stopband crystal: experiment and theory.

PubMed

Woon, Kai L; O'Neill, Mary; Richards, Gary J; Aldred, Matthew P; Kelly, Stephen M

2005-04-01

The helical structure of uniformly aligned chiral nematic liquid crystals results in a photonic stopband for only one sense of circular polarization. The spectroscopic Stokes polarimeter is used to analyze spontaneous emission in the stopband. Highly polarized photoluminescence is found and the polarization properties vary with the excitation wavelength. Spontaneous emission is enhanced at the stopband edge and this Purcell effect is greater on excitation at wavelengths where the absorption coefficient is low. This is interpreted as greater overlap between the excited molecules and the electrical modal field of the resonant modes at the stopband edge. Photoluminescence detected from the excitation face of the liquid crystal cell is less polarized because of photon tunneling. Fermi's golden rule in conjunction with Stokes vectors is used to model the polarization of emission taking multiple reflections at the interfaces of the cell into account. The discrepancy between the experiment and the theoretical model is interpreted as direct experimental evidence that virtual photons, which originate from zero point fluctuations of quantum space, are randomly polarized.

Stimulated emission and lasing from all-inorganic perovskite quantum dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Handong; Wang, Yue; Li, Xiaoming; Haibo, Zeng

We present superior optical gain and lasing properties in a new class of emerging quantum materials, the colloidal all-inorganic cesium lead halide perovskite quantum dots (IPQDs) (CsPbX3, X = Cl, Br, I). Our result has indicated that such material system show combined merits of both colloidal quantum dots and halide perovskites. Low-threshold and ultrastable stimulated emission was demonstrated under atmospheric condition. The flexibility and advantageous optical gain properties of these CsPbX3 IPQDs were manifested by demonstration of an optically pumped micro-laser. The nonlinear optical properties including the multi-photon absorption and resultant photoluminescence of the CsPbX3 nanocrystals were investigated. A large two-photon absorption cross-section of up to ~1.2×105 GM is determined from 9 nm-sized CsPbBr3 nanocrystals. Moreover, low-threshold frequency-upconverted stimulated emission by two-photon absorption was observed from the thin films of close-packed CsPbBr3 nanocrystals. We further realize the three-photon pumped stimulated emission in green spectra range from colloidal IPQD.

New design of a cryostat-mounted scanning near-field optical microscope for single molecule spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Durand, Yannig; Woehl, Jörg C.; Viellerobe, Bertrand; Göhde, Wolfgang; Orrit, Michel

1999-02-01

Due to the weakness of the fluorescence signal from a single fluorophore, a scanning near-field optical microscope for single molecule spectroscopy requires a very efficient setup for the collection and detection of emitted photons. We have developed a home-built microscope for operation in a l-He cryostat which uses a solid parabolic mirror in order to optimize the fluorescence collection efficiency. This microscope works with Al-coated, tapered optical fibers in illumination mode. The tip-sample separation is probed by an optical shear-force detection. First results demonstrate the capability of the microscope to image single molecules and achieve a topographical resolution of a few nanometers vertically and better than 50 nm laterally.

A pragmatic guide to multiphoton microscope design

PubMed Central

Young, Michael D.; Field, Jeffrey J.; Sheetz, Kraig E.; Bartels, Randy A.; Squier, Jeff

2016-01-01

Multiphoton microscopy has emerged as a ubiquitous tool for studying microscopic structure and function across a broad range of disciplines. As such, the intent of this paper is to present a comprehensive resource for the construction and performance evaluation of a multiphoton microscope that will be understandable to the broad range of scientific fields that presently exploit, or wish to begin exploiting, this powerful technology. With this in mind, we have developed a guide to aid in the design of a multiphoton microscope. We discuss source selection, optical management of dispersion, image-relay systems with scan optics, objective-lens selection, single-element light-collection theory, photon-counting detection, image rendering, and finally, an illustrated guide for building an example microscope. PMID:27182429

Emission from quantum-dot high-β microcavities: transition from spontaneous emission to lasing and the effects of superradiant emitter coupling

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

Kreinberg, Sören; Chow, Weng W.; Wolters, Janik

Measured and calculated results are presented for the emission properties of a new class of emitters operating in the cavity quantum electrodynamics regime. The structures are based on high-finesse GaAs/AlAs micropillar cavities, each with an active medium consisting of a layer of InGaAs quantum dots (QDs) and the distinguishing feature of having a substantial fraction of spontaneous emission channeled into one cavity mode (high β-factor). This paper demonstrates that the usual criterion for lasing with a conventional (low β-factor) cavity, that is, a sharp non-linearity in the input–output curve accompanied by noticeable linewidth narrowing, has to be reinforced by themore » equal-time second-order photon autocorrelation function to confirm lasing. The article also shows that the equal-time second-order photon autocorrelation function is useful for recognizing superradiance, a manifestation of the correlations possible in high-β microcavities operating with QDs. In terms of consolidating the collected data and identifying the physics underlying laser action, both theory and experiment suggest a sole dependence on intracavity photon number. Evidence for this assertion comes from all our measured and calculated data on emission coherence and fluctuation, for devices ranging from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and cavity-enhanced LEDs to lasers, lying on the same two curves: one for linewidth narrowing versus intracavity photon number and the other for g( 2)(0) versus intracavity photon number.« less

Emission from quantum-dot high-β microcavities: transition from spontaneous emission to lasing and the effects of superradiant emitter coupling

DOE PAGES

Kreinberg, Sören; Chow, Weng W.; Wolters, Janik; ...

2017-02-28

Measured and calculated results are presented for the emission properties of a new class of emitters operating in the cavity quantum electrodynamics regime. The structures are based on high-finesse GaAs/AlAs micropillar cavities, each with an active medium consisting of a layer of InGaAs quantum dots (QDs) and the distinguishing feature of having a substantial fraction of spontaneous emission channeled into one cavity mode (high β-factor). This paper demonstrates that the usual criterion for lasing with a conventional (low β-factor) cavity, that is, a sharp non-linearity in the input–output curve accompanied by noticeable linewidth narrowing, has to be reinforced by themore » equal-time second-order photon autocorrelation function to confirm lasing. The article also shows that the equal-time second-order photon autocorrelation function is useful for recognizing superradiance, a manifestation of the correlations possible in high-β microcavities operating with QDs. In terms of consolidating the collected data and identifying the physics underlying laser action, both theory and experiment suggest a sole dependence on intracavity photon number. Evidence for this assertion comes from all our measured and calculated data on emission coherence and fluctuation, for devices ranging from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and cavity-enhanced LEDs to lasers, lying on the same two curves: one for linewidth narrowing versus intracavity photon number and the other for g( 2)(0) versus intracavity photon number.« less

Lymphatic Drainage from Renal Tumors In Vivo: A Prospective Sentinel Node Study Using SPECT/CT Imaging.

PubMed

Kuusk, Teele; De Bruijn, Roderick; Brouwer, Oscar R; De Jong, Jeroen; Donswijk, Maarten; Grivas, Nikolaos; Hendricksen, Kees; Horenblas, Simon; Prevoo, Warner; Valdés Olmos, Renato A; Van Der Poel, Henk G; Van Rhijn, Bas W G; Wit, Esther M; Bex, Axel

2018-06-01

Lymphatic drainage from renal tumors is unpredictable. In vivo drainage studies of primary lymphatic landing sites may reveal the variability and dynamics of lymphatic connections. The purpose of this study was to investigate the lymphatic drainage pattern of renal tumors in vivo with single photon emission/computerized tomography after intratumor radiotracer injection. We performed a phase II, prospective, single arm study to investigate the distribution of sentinel nodes from renal tumors on single photon emission/computerized tomography. Patients with cT1-3 (less than 10 cm) cN0M0 renal tumors of any subtype were enrolled in analysis. After intratumor ultrasound guided injection of 0.4 ml 99m Tc-nanocolloid we performed preoperative imaging of sentinel nodes with lymphoscintigraphy and single photon emission/computerized tomography. Sentinel and locoregional nonsentinel nodes were resected with a γ probe combined with a mobile γ camera. The primary study end point was the location of sentinel nodes outside the locoregional retroperitoneal templates on single photon emission/computerized tomography. Using a Simon minimax 2-stage design to detect a 25% extralocoregional retroperitoneal template location of sentinel nodes on imaging at α = 0.05 and 80% power at least 40 patients with sentinel node imaging on single photon emission/computerized tomography were needed. Of the 68 patients 40 underwent preoperative single photon emission/computerized tomography of sentinel nodes and were included in primary end point analysis. Lymphatic drainage outside the locoregional retroperitoneal templates was observed in 14 patients (35%). Eight patients (20%) had supradiaphragmatic sentinel nodes. Sentinel nodes from renal tumors were mainly located in the respective locoregional retroperitoneal templates. Simultaneous sentinel nodes were located outside the suggested lymph node dissection templates, including supradiaphragmatic sentinel nodes in more than a third of the patients. Copyright © 2018 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Self-Assembled Nanocrystals of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Show Photostable Single-Photon Emission.

PubMed

Pazzagli, Sofia; Lombardi, Pietro; Martella, Daniele; Colautti, Maja; Tiribilli, Bruno; Cataliotti, Francesco Saverio; Toninelli, Costanza

2018-05-22

Quantum technologies could largely benefit from the control of quantum emitters in sub-micrometric size crystals. These are naturally prone to integration in hybrid devices, including heterostructures and complex photonic devices. Currently available quantum emitters in nanocrystals suffer from spectral instability, preventing their use as single-photon sources for most quantum optics operations. In this work we report on the performances of single-photon emission from organic nanocrystals (average size of hundreds of nm), made of anthracene (Ac) and doped with dibenzoterrylene (DBT) molecules. The source has hours-long photostability with respect to frequency and intensity, both at room and at cryogenic temperature. When cooled to 3 K, the 00-zero phonon line shows linewidth values (50 MHz) close to the lifetime limit. Such optical properties in a nanocrystalline environment recommend the proposed organic nanocrystals as single-photon sources for integrated photonic quantum technologies.

Two-photon coincident emission from thick targets for 70-keV incident electrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, J.; Kahler, D. L.; Quarles, C. A.

1993-04-01

Two-photon coincidence yields have been measured in thick targets of C, Al, Ag, and Ta for 70 keV incident electrons and photons radiated at +/-45° to the incident beam. A theoretical model, which is more rigorous, has been developed to simulate the two-photon processes of coherent thick-target double bremsstrahlung (TTDB) and the incoherent emission of two single-bremsstrahlung (SBSB) photons in a thick-target environment. The model is based on an integration of the thin-target cross sections over the target thickness taking into account electron energy loss, electron backscattering, and photon attenuation. It predicts a yield that is much lower than that of the previous model. The prediction of the model fits the present experimental data well by adjusting the relative weight of the two competing processes, and we find that TTDB dominates at low Z and incoherent SBSB dominates at higher Z.

Two-photon excitation based photochemistry and neural imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hatch, Kevin Andrew

Two-photon microscopy is a fluorescence imaging technique which provides distinct advantages in three-dimensional cellular and molecular imaging. The benefits of this technology may extend beyond imaging capabilities through exploitation of the quantum processes responsible for fluorescent events. This study utilized a two-photon microscope to investigate a synthetic photoreactive collagen peptidomimetic, which may serve as a potential material for tissue engineering using the techniques of two-photon photolysis and two-photon polymerization. The combination of these techniques could potentially be used to produce a scaffold for the vascularization of engineered three-dimensional tissues in vitro to address the current limitations of tissue engineering. Additionally, two-photon microscopy was used to observe the effects of the application of the neurotransmitter dopamine to the mushroom body neural structures of Drosophila melanogaster to investigate dopamine's connection to cognitive degeneration.

Theory of lasing in a multiple-scattering medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

John, Sajeev; Pang, Gendi

1996-10-01

In several recent experiments, isotropic lasing action was observed in paints that contain rhodamine 640 dye molecules in methanol solution as gain media and titania particles as optical scatterers. These so-called paint-on laser systems are extraordinary because they are highly disordered systems. The microscopic mechanism for laser activity and the coherence properties of light emission in this multiple-light-scattering medium have not yet been elucidated. In this paper we derive the emission intensity properties of a model dye system with excited singlet and triplet electronic energy levels, which is immersed in a multiple-scattering medium with transport mean free path l*. Using physically reasonable estimates for the absorption and emission cross section for the singlet and triplet manifolds, and the singlet-triplet intersystem crossing rate, we solve the nonlinear laser rate equations for the dye molecules. This leads to a diffusion equation for the light intensity in the medium with a nonlinear intensity-dependent gain coefficient. Using this model we are able to account for nearly all of the experimentally observed properties of laser paint reported so far when l*>>λ0, the emission wavelength. This includes the dependence of the peak intensity of amplified emission on the mean free path l*, the dye concentration ρ, and the pump intensity characteristics. Our model recaptures the collapse of the emission linewidth at a specific threshold pump intensity and describes how this threshold intensity varies with l*. In addition, our model predicts a dramatic increase in the peak intensity and a further lowering of the lasing threshold for the strong scattering limit l*-->λ0. This suggests a striking enhancement of the characteristics of laser paint near the photon localization threshold in a disordered medium.

Radiation microscope for SEE testing using GeV ions.

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

Doyle, Barney Lee; Knapp, James Arthur; Rossi, Paolo

2009-09-01

Radiation Effects Microscopy is an extremely useful technique in failure analysis of electronic parts used in radiation environment. It also provides much needed support for development of radiation hard components used in spacecraft and nuclear weapons. As the IC manufacturing technology progresses, more and more overlayers are used; therefore, the sensitive region of the part is getting farther and farther from the surface. The thickness of these overlayers is so large today that the traditional microbeams, which are used for REM are unable to reach the sensitive regions. As a result, higher ion beam energies have to be used (>more » GeV), which are available only at cyclotrons. Since it is extremely complicated to focus these GeV ion beams, a new method has to be developed to perform REM at cyclotrons. We developed a new technique, Ion Photon Emission Microscopy, where instead of focusing the ion beam we use secondary photons emitted from a fluorescence layer on top of the devices being tested to determine the position of the ion hit. By recording this position information in coincidence with an SEE signal we will be able to indentify radiation sensitive regions of modern electronic parts, which will increase the efficiency of radiation hard circuits.« less

Two-photon excitation laser scanning microscopy of rabbit nasal septal cartilage following Nd:YAG-laser-mediated stress relaxation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Charlton C.; Wallace, Vincent P.; Coleno, Mariah L.; Dao, Xavier; Tromberg, Bruce J.; Wong, Brian J.

2000-04-01

Laser irradiation of hyaline cartilage result in stable shape changes due to temperature dependent stress relaxation. In this study, we determined the structural changes in chondrocytes within rabbit nasal septal cartilage tissue over a 12-day period using a two-photon laser scanning microscope (TPM) following Nd:YAG laser irradiation. During laser irradiation surface temperature, stress relaxation, and diffuse reflectance, were measured dynamically. Each specimen received one or two sequential laser exposures. The cartilage reached a peak surface temperature of about 61 degrees C during irradiation. Cartilage denatured in 50 percent EtOH was used as a positive control. TPM was performed to detect the fluorescence emission from the chondrocytes. Images of chondrocytes were obtained at depths up to 150 microns, immediately following laser exposure, and also following 12 days in culture. Few differences in the pattern or intensity of fluorescence was observed between controls and irradiated specimens imaged immediately following exposure, regardless of the number of laser pulses. However, following twelve days in tissue culture, the irradiated specimens increase, whereas the native tissue diminishes, in intensity and distribution of fluorescence in the cytoplasm. In contrast, the positive control shows only extracellular matrices and empty lacuna, feature consistent with cell membrane lysis.

A look at some systemic properties of self-bioluminescent emission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Creath, Katherine

2008-08-01

Self-bioluminescent emission (SBE) is a type of biological chemiluminescence where photons are emitted as part of chemical reactions occurring during metabolic processes. This emission is also known as biophoton emission, ultraweak photon emission and ultraweak bioluminescence. This paper outlines research over the past century on some systemic properties of SBE as measured with biological detectors, photomultiplier detectors and ultra-sensitive imaging arrays. There is an apparent consensus in the literature that emission in the deep blue and ultraviolet (150-450nm) is related to DNA / RNA processes while emission in the red and near infrared (600-1000nm) is related to mitochondria and oxidative metabolisms involving reactive oxygen species, singlet oxygen and free radicals in plant, animal and human cells along with chlorophyll fluorescent decay in plants. Additionally, there are trends showing that healthy, unstressed and uninjured samples have less emission than samples that are unhealthy, stressed or injured. Mechanisms producing this emission can be narrowed down by isolating the wavelength region of interest and waiting for short-term fluorescence to decay leaving the ultraweak long-term metabolic emission. Examples of imaging this emission in healthy versus unhealthy, stressed versus unstressed, and injured versus uninjured plant parts are shown. Further discussion poses questions still to be answered related to properties such as coherence, photon statistics, and methodological means of isolating mechanisms.

Compensation of temporal and spatial dispersion for multiphoton acousto-optic laser-scanning microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iyer, Vijay; Saggau, Peter

2003-10-01

In laser-scanning microscopy, acousto-optic (AO) deflection provides a means to quickly position a laser beam to random locations throughout the field-of-view. Compared to conventional laser-scanning using galvanometer-driven mirrors, this approach increases the frame rate and signal-to-noise ratio, and reduces time spent illuminating sites of no interest. However, random-access AO scanning has not yet been combined with multi-photon microscopy, primarily because the femtosecond laser pulses employed are subject to significant amounts of both spatial and temporal dispersion upon propagation through common AO materials. Left uncompensated, spatial dispersion reduces the microscope"s spatial resolution while temporal dispersion reduces the multi-photon excitation efficacy. In previous work, we have demonstrated, 1) the efficacy of a single diffraction grating scheme which reduces the spatial dispersion at least 3-fold throughout the field-of-view, and 2) the use of a novel stacked-prism pre-chirper for compensating the temporal dispersion of a pair of AODs using a shorter mechanical path length (2-4X) than standard prism-pair arrangements. In this work, we demonstrate for the first time the use of these compensation approaches with a custom-made large-area slow-shear TeO2 AOD specifically suited for the development of a high-resolution 2-D random-access AO scanning multi-photon laser-scanning microscope (AO-MPLSM).

Photon correlation study of background suppressed single InGaN nanocolumns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamamoto, Takatoshi; Maekawa, Michiru; Imanishi, Yusuke; Ishizawa, Shunsuke; Nakaoka, Toshihiro; Kishino, Katsumi

2016-04-01

We report on a linearly polarized non-classical light emission from a single InGaN/GaN nanocolumn, which is a site-controlled nanostructure allowing for pixel-like large-scale integration. We have developed a shadow mask technique to reduce background emissions arising from nitride deposits around single nanocolumns and defect states of GaN. The signal to background ratio is improved from 0.5:1 to 10:1, which allows for detailed polarization-dependent measurement and photon-correlation measurements. Polarization-dependent measurements show that linearly polarized emissions arise from excitonic recombination involving a heavy-hole-like electronic state, corresponding to the bulk exciton of an in-plane polarized A exciton. The second-order coherence function at time zero g (2)(0) is 0.52 at 20 K without background correction. This value is explained in terms of a statistical mixture of a single-photon emission with residual weak background emissions, as well as efficient carrier injection from other localized states.

Aberration corrected 1.2-MV cold field-emission transmission electron microscope with a sub-50-pm resolution

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

Akashi, Tetsuya; Takahashi, Yoshio; Tanigaki, Toshiaki, E-mail: toshiaki.tanigaki.mv@hitachi.com

2015-02-16

Atomic-resolution electromagnetic field observation is critical to the development of advanced materials and to the unveiling of their fundamental physics. For this purpose, a spherical-aberration corrected 1.2-MV cold field-emission transmission electron microscope has been developed. The microscope has the following superior properties: stabilized accelerating voltage, minimized electrical and mechanical fluctuation, and coherent electron emission. These properties have enabled to obtain 43-pm information transfer. On the bases of these performances, a 43-pm resolution has been obtained by correcting lens aberrations up to the third order. Observations of GaN [411] thin crystal showed a projected atomic locations with a separation of 44 pm.

Room-Temperature Single-Photon Emission from Micrometer-Long Air-Suspended Carbon Nanotubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishii, A.; Uda, T.; Kato, Y. K.

2017-11-01

Statistics of photons emitted by mobile excitons in individual carbon nanotubes are investigated. Photoluminescence spectroscopy is used to identify the chiralities and suspended lengths of air-suspended nanotubes, and photon-correlation measurements are performed at room temperature on telecommunication-wavelength nanotube emission with a Hanbury-Brown-Twiss setup. We obtain zero-delay second-order correlation g(2 )(0 ) less than 0.5, indicating single-photon generation. Excitation power dependence of the photon antibunching characteristics is examined for nanotubes with various chiralities and suspended lengths, where we find that the minimum value of g(2 )(0 ) is obtained at the lowest power. The influence of exciton diffusion and end quenching is studied by Monte Carlo simulations, and we derive an analytical expression for the minimum value of g(2 )(0 ). Our results indicate that mobile excitons in micrometer-long nanotubes can in principle produce high-purity single photons, leading to new design strategies for quantum photon sources.

Electrically driven quantum light emission in electromechanically tuneable photonic crystal cavities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petruzzella, M.; Pagliano, F. M.; Zobenica, Ž.; Birindelli, S.; Cotrufo, M.; van Otten, F. W. M.; van der Heijden, R. W.; Fiore, A.

2017-12-01

A single quantum dot deterministically coupled to a photonic crystal environment constitutes an indispensable elementary unit to both generate and manipulate single-photons in next-generation quantum photonic circuits. To date, the scaling of the number of these quantum nodes on a fully integrated chip has been prevented by the use of optical pumping strategies that require a bulky off-chip laser along with the lack of methods to control the energies of nano-cavities and emitters. Here, we concurrently overcome these limitations by demonstrating electrical injection of single excitonic lines within a nano-electro-mechanically tuneable photonic crystal cavity. When an electrically driven dot line is brought into resonance with a photonic crystal mode, its emission rate is enhanced. Anti-bunching experiments reveal the quantum nature of these on-demand sources emitting in the telecom range. These results represent an important step forward in the realization of integrated quantum optics experiments featuring multiple electrically triggered Purcell-enhanced single-photon sources embedded in a reconfigurable semiconductor architecture.

Enhanced photoemission from glancing angle deposited SiOx-TiO2 axial heterostructure nanowire arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dhar, J. C.; Mondal, A.; Singh, N. K.; Chattopadhyay, K. K.

2013-05-01

The glancing angle deposition technique has been employed to synthesize SiOx-TiO2 heterostructure nanowire (NW) arrays on indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrate. A field emission gun scanning electron microscopic image shows that the average diameter of the NWs is ˜50 nm. Transmission electron microscopy images show the formation of heterostructure NWs, which consist of ˜180 nm SiOx and ˜210 nm long TiO2. The selected-area electron diffraction shows the amorphous nature of the synthesized NWs, which was also confirmed by X-ray diffraction method. The main band absorption edges at 3.5 eV were found for both the SiOx-TiO2 and TiO2 NW arrays on ITO coated glass plate from optical absorption measurement. Ti3+ defect related sub-band gap transition at 2.5 eV was observed for TiO2 NWs, whereas heterostructure NWs revealed the SiOx optical band gap related transition at ˜2.2 eV. Two fold improved photon absorption as well as five times photoluminescence emission enhancement were observed for the SiOx-TiO2 multilayer NWs compared to TiO2 NWs.

Coverage and velocity dependent sticking coefficient and particle emission kinetics in the Cl2gas + Ksolid reaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hellberg, Lars; Kasemo, Bengt

Some strongly exothermic and non-adiabatic surface adsorption events, especially those where electronegative molecules adsorb on very electropositive (low work function) surfaces, are accompanied by emission of (exo)electrons, photons, excited atoms and negative ions. The reaction of halogen molecules with halogen surfaces constitute an efficient model system for such studies. We have previously reported data for the emission of negative particles and photons in the zero coverage limit for a range of velocities of Cl2 molecules impinging on cold potassium surfaces as well as the mechanism behind these emission processes. In the present work, we focus on measurements of the kinetics, i.e. the exposure/coverage dependence, of these processes for the same system. Specifically, we present data for, (i) the separated contributions from electrons and Cl- ions of the emitted negative particles, (ii) the photon emission stemming both from excited Potassium atoms and from the equivalent process causing electron emission, (iii) the change of the work function during the initial exposure and, finally, (iv) the sticking coefficient for different Cl2 velocities and exposures.

Nacre biomimetic design--a possible approach to prepare low infrared emissivity composite coatings.

PubMed

Zhang, Weigang; Xu, Guoyue; Ding, Ruya; Duan, Kaige; Qiao, Jialiang

2013-01-01

Mimicking the highly organized brick-and-mortar structure of nacre, a kind of nacre-like organic-inorganic composite material of polyurethane (PU)/flaky bronze composite coatings with low infrared emissivity was successfully designed and prepared by using PU and flaky bronze powders as adhesives and pigments, respectively. The infrared emissivity and microstructure of the coatings were systematically investigated by infrared emissometer and scanning electron microscopy, respectively, and the cause of low infrared emissivity of the coatings was discussed by using the theories of one-dimensional photonic structure. The results show that the infrared emissivity of the nacre-like PU/flaky bronze composite coatings can be as low as 0.206 at the bronze content of 60 wt. %, and it is significantly lower than the value of PU/sphere bronze composite coatings. Microstructure observation illustrated that the nacre-like PU/flaky bronze composite coatings have similar one-dimensional photonic structural characteristics. The low infrared emissivity of PU/flaky bronze composite coatings is derived from the similar one-dimensional photonic structure in the coatings. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Lasing in strongly scattering dielectric microstructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Florescu, Lucia

In the first part of this thesis, a detailed analysis of lasing in random multiple-light-scattering media with gain is presented. Random laser emission is analyzed using a time-dependent diffusion model for light propagating in the medium containing active atoms. We demonstrate the effects of scatterers to narrow the emission spectral linewidth and to shorten the emitted pulse duration at a specific threshold pump intensity. This threshold pump intensity decreases with scatterer density and excitation spot diameter, in excellent agreement with experimental results. The coherence properties of the random laser are studied using a generalized master equation. The random laser medium is treated as a collection of low quality-factor cavities, coupled by random photon diffusion. Laser-like coherence, on average, is demonstrated above a specific pumping threshold. We demonstrate that with stronger scattering, the pumping threshold for the transition from chaotic to isotropic coherent light emission decreases and enhanced optical coherence for the emitted light is achieved above threshold. The second part of this thesis presents a study of lasing in photonic crystals (PCs). The emission from an incoherently pumped atomic system in interaction with the electro-magnetic reservoir of a PC is analyzed using a set of generalized semiclassical Maxwell-Bloch equations. We demonstrate that the photonic band edge facilitates the enhancement of stimulated emission and the reduction of internal losses, leading to an important lowering of the laser threshold. In addition, an increase of the laser output at a photonic band edge is demonstrated. We next develop a detailed quantum theory of a coherently pumped two-level atom in a photonic band gap material, coupled to both a multi-mode wave-guide channel and a high-quality micro-cavity embedded within the PC. The cavity field characteristics are highly distinct from that of a corresponding high-Q cavity in ordinary vacuum. We demonstrate enhanced, inversionless, and nearly coherent light generation when the photon density of states (DOS) jump between the Mollow spectral components of atomic resonance fluorescence is large. In the case of a vanishing photon DOS on the lower Mollow sideband and no dipolar dephasing, the emitted photon statistics is Poissonian and the cavity field exhibits quadrature coherence.

Non-descanned multifocal multiphoton microscopy with a multianode photomultiplier tube

PubMed Central

Cha, Jae Won; Yew, Elijah Y. S.; Kim, Daekeun; Subramanian, Jaichandar; Nedivi, Elly; So, Peter T. C.

2015-01-01

Multifocal multiphoton microscopy (MMM) improves imaging speed over a point scanning approach by parallelizing the excitation process. Early versions of MMM relied on imaging detectors to record emission signals from multiple foci simultaneously. For many turbid biological specimens, the scattering of emission photons results in blurred images and degrades the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). We have recently demonstrated that a multianode photomultiplier tube (MAPMT) placed in a descanned configuration can effectively collect scattered emission photons from each focus into their corresponding anodes significantly improving image SNR for highly scattering specimens. Unfortunately, a descanned MMM has a longer detection path resulting in substantial emission photon loss. Optical design constraints in a descanned geometry further results in significant optical aberrations especially for large field-of-view (FOV), high NA objectives. Here, we introduce a non-descanned MMM based on MAPMT that substantially overcomes most of these drawbacks. We show that we improve signal efficiency up to fourfold with limited image SNR degradation due to scattered emission photons. The excitation foci can also be spaced wider to cover the full FOV of the objective with minimal aberrations. The performance of this system is demonstrated by imaging interneuron morphological structures deep in the brains of living mice. PMID:25874160

Monitoring synaptic and neuronal activity in 3D with synthetic and genetic indicators using a compact acousto-optic lens two-photon microscope☆

PubMed Central

Fernández-Alfonso, Tomás; Nadella, K.M. Naga Srinivas; Iacaruso, M. Florencia; Pichler, Bruno; Roš, Hana; Kirkby, Paul A.; Silver, R. Angus

2014-01-01

Background Two-photon microscopy is widely used to study brain function, but conventional microscopes are too slow to capture the timing of neuronal signalling and imaging is restricted to one plane. Recent development of acousto-optic-deflector-based random access functional imaging has improved the temporal resolution, but the utility of these technologies for mapping 3D synaptic activity patterns and their performance at the excitation wavelengths required to image genetically encoded indicators have not been investigated. New method Here, we have used a compact acousto-optic lens (AOL) two-photon microscope to make high speed [Ca2+] measurements from spines and dendrites distributed in 3D with different excitation wavelengths (800–920 nm). Results We show simultaneous monitoring of activity from many synaptic inputs distributed over the 3D arborisation of a neuronal dendrite using both synthetic as well as genetically encoded indicators. We confirm the utility of AOL-based imaging for fast in vivo recordings by measuring, simultaneously, visually evoked responses in 100 neurons distributed over a 150 μm focal depth range. Moreover, we explore ways to improve the measurement of timing of neuronal activation by choosing specific regions within the cell soma. Comparison with existing methods These results establish that AOL-based 3D random access two-photon microscopy has a wider range of neuroscience applications than previously shown. Conclusions Our findings show that the compact AOL microscope design has the speed, spatial resolution, sensitivity and wavelength flexibility to measure 3D patterns of synaptic and neuronal activity on individual trials. PMID:24200507

Ultra-weak photon emission of hands in aging prediction.

PubMed

Zhao, Xin; van Wijk, Eduard; Yan, Yu; van Wijk, Roeland; Yang, Huanming; Zhang, Yan; Wang, Jian

2016-09-01

Aging has been one of the several topics intensely investigated during recent decades. More scientists have been scrutinizing mechanisms behind the human aging process. Ultra-weak photon emission is known as one type of spontaneous photon emission that can be detected with a highly sensitive single photon counting photomultiplier tube (PMT) from the surface of human bodies. It may reflect the body's oxidative damage. Our aim was to examine whether ultra-weak photon emission from a human hand is able to predict one's chronological age. Sixty subjects were recruited and grouped by age. We examined four areas of each hand: palm side of fingers, palm side of hand, dorsum side of fingers, and dorsum side of hand. Left and right hand were measured synchronously with two independent PMTs. Mean strength and Fano factor values of photon counts were utilized to compare the UPE patterns of males and females of different age groups. Subsequently, we utilized UPE data from the most sensitive PMT to develop an age prediction model. We randomly picked 49 subjects to construct the model, whereas the remaining 11 subjects were utilized for validation. The results demonstrated that the model was a good regression compared to the observed values (Pearson's r=0.6, adjusted R square=0.4, p=9.4E-7, accuracy=49/60). Further analysis revealed that the average difference between the chronological age and predicted age was only 7.6±0.8years. It was concluded that this fast and non-invasive photon technology is sufficiently promising to be developed for the estimation of biological aging. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Hybrid of two-photon microscopy and optical multimodality imaging for multi-scale imaging of small animals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Tianmeng; Hui, Hui; Ma, He; Yang, Xin; Tian, Jie

2018-02-01

Non-invasive imaging technologies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optical multimodality imaging methods, are commonly used for diagnosing and supervising the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). These in vivo imaging methods can provide morphology changes information of IBD in macro-scale. However, it is difficult to investigate the intestinal wall in molecular and cellular level. State-of-art light-sheet and two-photon microscopy have the ability to acquire the changes for IBD in micro-scale. The aim of this work is to evaluate the size of the enterocoel and the thickness of colon wall using both MRI for in vivo imaging, and light-sheet and two-photon microscope for in vitro imaging. C57BL/6 mice were received 3.5% Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in the drinking water for 5 days to build IBD model. Mice were imaged with MRI on days 0, 6 to observe colitis progression. After MRI imaging, the mice were sacrificed to take colons for tissue clearing. Then, light-sheet and two-photon microscopies are used for in vitro imaging of the cleared samples. The experimental group showed symptoms of bloody stools, sluggishness and weight loss. It showed that the colon wall was thicker while the enterocoel was narrower compare to control group. The more details are observed using light-sheet and two-photon microscope. It is demonstrated that hybrid of MRI in macro-scale and light-sheet and two-photon microscopy in micro-scale imaging is feasible for colon inflammation diagnosing and supervising.

Development of Thermally Stable and Highly Fluorescent IR Dyes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bu, Xiu R.

2004-01-01

Fluorophores are the core component in various optical applications such as sensors and probes. Fluorphores with low-energy or long wavelength emission, in particular, in NIR region, possess advantages of low interference and high sensitivity. In this study, we has explored several classes of imidazole-based compounds for NIR fluorescent properties and concluded: (1) thiazole-based imidazole compounds are fluorescent; (2) emission energy is tunable by additional donor groups; (3) they also possess impressive two- photon absorption properties; and (4) fluorescence emission can be induced by two- photon input. This report summarizes (1) synthesis of new series of fluorophore; (2) impact of electron-withdrawing groups on fluorescent property; (3) unique property of two-photon absorption; and (4) on-going development.

Control of the spontaneous emission from a single quantum dash using a slow-light mode in a two-dimensional photonic crystal on a Bragg reflector

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

Chauvin, N.; Fiore, A.; Nedel, P.

2009-07-15

We demonstrate the coupling of a single InAs/InP quantum, emitting around 1.55 {mu}m, to a slow-light mode in a two-dimensional photonic crystal on Bragg reflector. These surface addressable 2.5D photonic crystal band-edge modes present the advantages of a vertical emission and the mode area and localization may be controlled, leading to a less critical spatial alignment with the emitter. An increase in the spontaneous emission rate by a factor of 1.5-2 is measured at low temperature and is compared to the Purcell factor predicted by three-dimensional time-domain electromagnetic simulations.

Radiating dipoles in photonic crystals

PubMed

Busch; Vats; John; Sanders

2000-09-01

The radiation dynamics of a dipole antenna embedded in a photonic crystal are modeled by an initially excited harmonic oscillator coupled to a non-Markovian bath of harmonic oscillators representing the colored electromagnetic vacuum within the crystal. Realistic coupling constants based on the natural modes of the photonic crystal, i.e., Bloch waves and their associated dispersion relation, are derived. For simple model systems, well-known results such as decay times and emission spectra are reproduced. This approach enables direct incorporation of realistic band structure computations into studies of radiative emission from atoms and molecules within photonic crystals. We therefore provide a predictive and interpretative tool for experiments in both the microwave and optical regimes.

Antibunched emission of photon pairs via quantum Zeno blockade.

PubMed

Huang, Yu-Ping; Kumar, Prem

2012-01-20

We propose a new methodology, namely, the "quantum Zeno blockade," for managing light scattering at a few-photon level in general nonlinear-optical media, such as crystals, fibers, silicon microrings, and atomic vapors. Using this tool, antibunched emission of photon pairs can be achieved, leading to potent quantum-optics applications such as deterministic entanglement generation without the need for heralding. In a practical implementation using an on-chip toroidal microcavity immersed in rubidium vapor, we estimate that high-fidelity entangled photons can be produced on-demand at MHz rates or higher, corresponding to an improvement of ≳10(7) times from the state-of-the-art. © 2012 American Physical Society

Generation and transfer of single photons on a photonic crystal chip.

PubMed

Englund, Dirk; Faraon, Andrei; Zhang, Bingyang; Yamamoto, Yoshihisa; Vucković, Jelena

2007-04-30

We present a basic building block of a quantum network consisting of a quantum dot coupled to a source cavity, which in turn is coupled to a target cavity via a waveguide. The single photon emission from the high-Q/V source cavity is characterized by twelve-fold spontaneous emission (SE) rate enhancement, SE coupling efficiency beta ~ 0.98 into the source cavity mode, and mean wavepacket indistinguishability of ~67%. Single photons are efficiently transferred into the target cavity via the waveguide, with a target/source field intensity ratio of 0.12 +/- 0.01. This system shows great promise as a building block of future on-chip quantum information processing systems.

Waveguide bends from nanometric silica wires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tong, Limin; Lou, Jingyi; Mazur, Eric

2005-02-01

We propose to use bent silica wires with nanometric diameters to guide light as optical waveguide bend. We bend silica wires with scanning tunneling microscope probes under an optical microscope, and wire bends with bending radius smaller than 5 μm are obtained. Light from a He-Ne laser is launched into and guided through the wire bends, measured bending loss of a single bend is on the order of 1 dB. Brief introductions to the optical wave guiding and elastic bending properties of silica wires are also provided. Comparing with waveguide bends based on photonic bandgap structures, the waveguide bends from silica nanometric wires show advantages of simple structure, small overall size, easy fabrication and wide useful spectral range, which make them potentially useful in the miniaturization of photonic devices.

Photonic-crystal membranes for optical detection of single nano-particles, designed for biosensor application.

PubMed

Grepstad, Jon Olav; Kaspar, Peter; Solgaard, Olav; Johansen, Ib-Rune; Sudbø, Aasmund S

2012-03-26

A sensor designed to detect bio-molecules is presented. The sensor exploits a planar 2D photonic crystal (PC) membrane with sub-micron thickness and through holes, to induce high optical fields that allow detection of nano-particles smaller than the diffraction limit of an optical microscope. We report on our design and fabrication of a PC membrane with a nano-particle trapped inside. We have also designed and built an imaging system where an optical microscope and a CCD camera are used to take images of the PC membrane. Results show how the trapped nano-particle appears as a bright spot in the image. In a first experimental realization of the imaging system, single particles with a radius of 75 nm can be detected.

Single photon emission from charged excitons in CdTe/ZnTe quantum dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belyaev, K. G.; Rakhlin, M. V.; Sorokin, S. V.; Klimko, G. V.; Gronin, S. V.; Sedova, I. V.; Mukhin, I. S.; Ivanov, S. V.; Toropov, A. A.

2017-11-01

We report on micro-photoluminescence studies of individual self-organized CdTe/ZnTe quantum dots intended for single-photon-source applications in a visible spectral range. The quantum dots surface density below 1010 per cm2 was achieved by using a thermally activated regime of molecular beam epitaxy that allowed fabrication of etched mesa-structures containing only a few emitting quantum dots. The single photon emission with the autocorrelation function g(2)(0)<0.2 was detected and identified as recombination of charged excitons in the individual quantum dot.

The measurement of Bethe-Heitler bremstrahlung in muon-hydrogen interactions at 200 GeV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aubert, J. J.; Bassompierre, G.; Becks, K. H.; Benchouk, C.; Best, C.; Böhm, E.; de Bouard, X.; Brasse, F. W.; Broll, C.; Brown, S.; Carr, J.; Clifft, R. W.; Cobb, J. H.; Coignet, G.; Combley, F.; Court, G. R.; D'Agostini, G.; Dau, W. D.; Davies, J. K.; Déclais, Y.; Dosselli, U.; Drees, J.; Edwards, A.; Edwards, M.; Favier, J.; Ferrero, M. I.; Flauger, W.; Forsbach, H.; Gabathuler, E.; Gamet, R.; Gayler, J.; Gerhardt, V.; Gössling, C.; Gregory, P.; Haas, J.; Hamacher, K.; Hayman, P.; Henckes, M.; Korbel, V.; Landgraf, U.; Leenen, M.; Maire, M.; Hinssieux, M.; Mohr, W.; Montgomery, H. E.; Moser, K.; Mount, R. P.; Nagy, E.; Nassalski, J.; Norton, P. R.; McNicholas, J.; Osborne, A. M.; Payre, P.; Peroni, C.; Pessard, H.; Pietrzyk, U.; Rith, K.; Schneegans, M.; Sloan, T.; Stier, H. E.; Stockhausen, W.; Thénard, J. M.; Thompson, J. C.; Urban, L.; Villers, M.; Wahlen, H.; Whalley, M.; Williams, D.; Williams, W. S. C.; Williamson, J.; Wimpenny, S. J.

1984-12-01

Using a lead glass detector installed in the EMC forward spectrometer radiative photons have been measured in 200 GeV muon-hydrogen collisions. The results are compared with the standard QED one photon emission theory of Mo and Tsai and also with the more recent predictions of a multiphoton emission theory of Chahine. We conclude that there is no evidence for any deviation from the standard theory, in terms of the yield and angular distribution of photons with fractional energy, z>0.7.

A setup for combined multiphoton laser scanning microscopic and multi-electrode patch clamp experiments on brain slices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Helm, P. Johannes; Reppen, Trond; Heggelund, Paul

2009-02-01

Multi Photon Laser Scanning Microscopy (MPLSM) appears today as one of the most powerful experimental tools in cellular neurophysiology, notably in studies of the functional dynamics of signal processing in single neurons. Simultaneous recording of fluorescence signals at high spatial and temporal resolution and electric signals by means of multi electrode patch clamp techniques have provided new paths for the systematic investigation of neuronal mechanisms. In particular, this approach has opened for direct studies of dendritic signal processing in neurons. We report about a setup optimized for simultaneous electrophysiological multi electrode patch clamp and multi photon laser scanning fluorescence microscopic experiments on brain slices. The microscopic system is based on a modified commercially available confocal scanning laser microscope (CLSM). From a technical and operational point of view, two developments are important: Firstly, in order to reduce the workload for the experimentalist, who in general is forced to concentrate on controlling the electrophysiological parameters during the recordings, a system of shutters has been installed together with dedicated electronic modules protecting the photo detectors against destructive light levels caused by erroneous opening or closing of microscopic light paths by the experimentalist. Secondly, the standard detection unit has been improved by installing the photomultiplier tubes (PMT) in a Peltier cooled thermal box shielding the detector from both room temperature and distortions caused by external electromagnetic fields. The electrophysiological system is based on an industrial standard multi patch clamp unit ergonomically arranged around the microscope stage. The electrophysiological and scanning processes can be time coordinated by standard trigger electronics.

Building a laboratory foundation for interpreting spectral emission from x-ray binary and black hole accretion disks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loisel, Guillaume

2016-10-01

Emission from accretion powered objects accounts for a large fraction of all photons in the universe and is a powerful diagnostic for their behavior and structure. Quantitative interpretation of spectrum emission from these objects requires a spectral synthesis model for photoionized plasma, since the ionizing luminosity is so large that photon driven atomic processes dominate over collisions. This is a quandary because laboratory experiments capable of testing the spectral emission models are non-existent. The models must predict the photoionized charge state distribution, the photon emission processes, and the radiation transport influence on the observed emission. We have used a decade of research at the Z facility to achieve the first simultaneous measurements of emission and absorption from photoionized plasmas. The extraordinary spectra are reproducible to within +/-2% and the E/dE 500 spectral resolution has enabled unprecedented tests of atomic structure calculations. The absorption spectra enable determination of plasma density, temperature, and charge state distribution. The emission spectra then enable tests of spectral emission models. The emission has been measured from plasmas with varying size to elucidate the radiation transport effects. This combination of measurements will provide strong constraints on models used in astrophysics. Sandia is a multi-program laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company, for the United States Department of Energy under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.

Photosynthetic photon flux, photoperiod, and temperature effects on emissions of (Z)-3-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexenol, and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate from lettuce

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Charron, C. S.; Cantliffe, D. J.; Wheeler, R. M.; Manukian, A.; Heath, R. R.

1996-01-01

To investigate the effects of environment on plant volatile emissions, 'Waldmann's Green' leaf lettuce was cultivated under different levels of photosynthetic photon flux (PPF), photoperiod, and temperature. A modified growth chamber was used to sample plant volatile emissions nondestructively, over time, and under controlled conditions. Total volatile emission rates were significantly higher from lettuce cultivated under PPF of 360 or 200 micromoles m-2 s-1 compared to 105 micromoles m-2 s-1, and significantly higher under a 16-h photoperiod than an 8-h photoperiod. No differences were detected among emission rates from different temperature treatments. In controlled environments, emissions could be regulated by adjusting environmental conditions accordingly.

Enhanced Emission from Single Isolated Gold Quantum Dots Investigated Using Two-Photon-Excited Fluorescence Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopy.

PubMed

Abeyasinghe, Neranga; Kumar, Santosh; Sun, Kai; Mansfield, John F; Jin, Rongchao; Goodson, Theodore

2016-12-21

New approaches in molecular nanoscopy are greatly desired for interrogation of biological, organic, and inorganic objects with sizes below the diffraction limit. Our current work investigates emergent monolayer-protected gold quantum dots (nanoclusters, NCs) composed of 25 Au atoms by utilizing two-photon-excited fluorescence (TPEF) near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) at single NC concentrations. Here, we demonstrate an approach to synthesize and isolate single NCs on solid glass substrates. Subsequent investigation of the NCs using TPEF NSOM reveals that, even when they are separated by distances of several tens of nanometers, we can excite and interrogate single NCs individually. Interestingly, we observe an enhanced two-photon absorption (TPA) cross section for single Au 25 NCs that can be attributed to few-atom local field effects and to local field-induced microscopic cascading, indicating their potential for use in ultrasensitive sensing, disease diagnostics, cancer cell therapy, and molecular computers. Finally, we report room-temperature aperture-based TPEF NSOM imaging of these NCs for the first time at 30 nm point resolution, which is a ∼5-fold improvement compared to the previous best result for the same technique. This report unveils the unique combination of an unusually large TPA cross section and the high photostability of Au NCs to (non-destructively) investigate stable isolated single NCs using TPEF NSOM. This is the first reported optical study of monolayer-protected single quantum clusters, opening some very promising opportunities in spectroscopy of nanosized objects, bioimaging, ultrasensitive sensing, molecular computers, and high-density data storage.

Inverse relationship between photon flux densities and nanotesla magnetic fields over cell aggregates: Quantitative evidence for energetic conservation.

PubMed

Persinger, Michael A; Dotta, Blake T; Karbowski, Lukasz M; Murugan, Nirosha J

2015-01-01

The quantitative relationship between local changes in magnetic fields and photon emissions within ∼2 mm of aggregates of 10(5)-10(6) cells was explored experimentally. The vertical component of the earth's magnetic field as measured by different magnetometers was ∼15 nT higher when plates of cells removed from incubation were measured compared to plates containing only medium. Additional experiments indicated an inverse relationship over the first ∼45 min between changes in photon counts (∼10(-12) W·m(-2)) following removal from incubation and similar changes in magnetic field intensity. Calculations indicated that the energy within the aqueous volume containing the cells was equivalent for that associated with the flux densities of the magnetic fields and the photon emissions. For every approximately 1 nT increase in magnetic field intensity value there was a decrease of ∼2 photons (equivalent of 10(-18) J). These results complement correlation studies and suggest there may be a conservation of energy between expression as magnetic fields that are subtracted or added to the adjacent geomagnetic field and reciprocal changes in photon emissions when aggregates of cells within a specific volume of medium (water) adapt to new environments.

Ultra-weak photon emission in healthy subjects and patients with type 2 diabetes: evidence for a non-invasive diagnostic tool.

PubMed

Yang, Meina; Ding, Wenyu; Liu, Yanli; Fan, Hua; Bajpai, Rajendra P; Fu, Jialei; Pang, Jingxiang; Zhao, Xiaolei; Han, Jinxiang

2017-05-17

Spontaneous ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) is a common phenomenon in biological systems and has been linked to pathological states. Researchers have always considered ultra-weak photon emission a potential non-invasive diagnostic tool, but its application in the medical field is stagnant due to the lack of relevant data for pathological states. Ultra-weak photon signals from five body sites (forehead, neck, heart, stomach, and navel) in fifty patients with type 2 diabetes and sixty age-matched healthy subjects were measured using a moveable whole-body biophoton detection system. Photon signal is measured for 10 min and detected in bins of 50 ms by a photomultiplier with a range of 290-630 nm. Each signal is a time series of 12 000 elements. Various parameters including photon intensity, Q value, squeezed state parameters (|α|, θ, ø, r) and SSI were analyzed. we found significant differences in the abovementioned parameters between groups, and all subjects could be clustered into two groups according to the results obtained by principal component analysis. Methods and results from this study could be useful for constructing a UPE database for a range of diseases, which would promote the application of UPE in clinical diagnosis in the future.

Constraining axion-like-particles with hard X-ray emission from magnetars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fortin, Jean-François; Sinha, Kuver

2018-06-01

Axion-like particles (ALPs) produced in the core of a magnetar will convert to photons in the magnetosphere, leading to possible signatures in the hard X-ray band. We perform a detailed calculation of the ALP-to-photon conversion probability in the magnetosphere, recasting the coupled differential equations that describe ALP-photon propagation into a form that is efficient for large scale numerical scans. We show the dependence of the conversion probability on the ALP energy, mass, ALP-photon coupling, magnetar radius, surface magnetic field, and the angle between the magnetic field and direction of propagation. Along the way, we develop an analytic formalism to perform similar calculations in more general n-state oscillation systems. Assuming ALP emission rates from the core that are just subdominant to neutrino emission, we calculate the resulting constraints on the ALP mass versus ALP-photon coupling space, taking SGR 1806-20 as an example. In particular, we take benchmark values for the magnetar radius and core temperature, and constrain the ALP parameter space by the requirement that the luminosity from ALP-to-photon conversion should not exceed the total observed luminosity from the magnetar. The resulting constraints are competitive with constraints from helioscope experiments in the relevant part of ALP parameter space.

Lensless Imaging for Battlefield On-Chip Blood Diagnostics

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-12-06

Applications” 7th International Conference on Optics-Photonics Design and Fabrication, (April 19-21 2010) Yokohoma, Japan 16. A. Ozcan, “Photonics based...MicroTAS 2010 - The 14th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences, October 3-7, 2010, Groningen, The...Chip Microscope,” MicroTAS 2010 - The 14th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences, October 3-7, 2010

Three dimensional two-photon brain imaging in freely moving mice using a miniature fiber coupled microscope with active axial-scanning.

PubMed

Ozbay, Baris N; Futia, Gregory L; Ma, Ming; Bright, Victor M; Gopinath, Juliet T; Hughes, Ethan G; Restrepo, Diego; Gibson, Emily A

2018-05-25

We present a miniature head mounted two-photon fiber-coupled microscope (2P-FCM) for neuronal imaging with active axial focusing enabled using a miniature electrowetting lens. We show three-dimensional two-photon imaging of neuronal structure and record neuronal activity from GCaMP6s fluorescence from multiple focal planes in a freely-moving mouse. Two-color simultaneous imaging of GFP and tdTomato fluorescence is also demonstrated. Additionally, dynamic control of the axial scanning of the electrowetting lens allows tilting of the focal plane enabling neurons in multiple depths to be imaged in a single plane. Two-photon imaging allows increased penetration depth in tissue yielding a working distance of 450 μm with an additional 180 μm of active axial focusing. The objective NA is 0.45 with a lateral resolution of 1.8 μm, an axial resolution of 10 μm, and a field-of-view of 240 μm diameter. The 2P-FCM has a weight of only ~2.5 g and is capable of repeatable and stable head-attachment. The 2P-FCM with dynamic axial scanning provides a new capability to record from functionally distinct neuronal layers, opening new opportunities in neuroscience research.

Quantum interference of electrically generated single photons from a quantum dot.

PubMed

Patel, Raj B; Bennett, Anthony J; Cooper, Ken; Atkinson, Paola; Nicoll, Christine A; Ritchie, David A; Shields, Andrew J

2010-07-09

Quantum interference lies at the foundation of many protocols for scalable quantum computing and communication with linear optics. To observe these effects the light source must emit photons that are indistinguishable. From a technological standpoint, it would be beneficial to have electrical control over the emission. Here we report of an electrically driven single-photon source emitting indistinguishable photons. The device consists of a layer of InAs quantum dots embedded in the intrinsic region of a p-i-n diode. Indistinguishability of consecutive photons is tested in a two-photon interference experiment under two modes of operation, continuous and pulsed current injection. We also present a complete theory based on the interference of photons with a Lorentzian spectrum which we compare to both our continuous wave and pulsed experiments. In the former case, a visibility was measured limited only by the timing resolution of our detection system. In the case of pulsed injection, we employ a two-pulse voltage sequence which suppresses multi-photon emission and allows us to carry out temporal filtering of photons which have undergone dephasing. The characteristic Hong-Ou-Mandel 'dip' is measured, resulting in a visibility of 64 +/- 4%.

Quantum-dot spin-photon entanglement via frequency downconversion to telecom wavelength.

PubMed

De Greve, Kristiaan; Yu, Leo; McMahon, Peter L; Pelc, Jason S; Natarajan, Chandra M; Kim, Na Young; Abe, Eisuke; Maier, Sebastian; Schneider, Christian; Kamp, Martin; Höfling, Sven; Hadfield, Robert H; Forchel, Alfred; Fejer, M M; Yamamoto, Yoshihisa

2012-11-15

Long-distance quantum teleportation and quantum repeater technologies require entanglement between a single matter quantum bit (qubit) and a telecommunications (telecom)-wavelength photonic qubit. Electron spins in III-V semiconductor quantum dots are among the matter qubits that allow for the fastest spin manipulation and photon emission, but entanglement between a single quantum-dot spin qubit and a flying (propagating) photonic qubit has yet to be demonstrated. Moreover, many quantum dots emit single photons at visible to near-infrared wavelengths, where silica fibre losses are so high that long-distance quantum communication protocols become difficult to implement. Here we demonstrate entanglement between an InAs quantum-dot electron spin qubit and a photonic qubit, by frequency downconversion of a spontaneously emitted photon from a singly charged quantum dot to a wavelength of 1,560 nanometres. The use of sub-10-picosecond pulses at a wavelength of 2.2 micrometres in the frequency downconversion process provides the necessary quantum erasure to eliminate which-path information in the photon energy. Together with previously demonstrated indistinguishable single-photon emission at high repetition rates, the present technique advances the III-V semiconductor quantum-dot spin system as a promising platform for long-distance quantum communication.

Multi-site recording and spectral analysis of spontaneous photon emission from human body.

PubMed

Wijk, Eduard P A Van; Wijk, Roeland Van

2005-04-01

In the past years, research on ultraweak photon emission (UPE) from human body has increased for isolated cells and tissues. However, there are only limited data on UPE from the whole body, in particular from the hands. To describe a protocol for the management of subjects that (1) avoids interference with light-induced longterm delayed luminescence, and (2) includes the time slots for recording photon emission. The protocol was utilised for multi-site recording of 4 subjects at different times of the day and different seasons, and for one subject to complete spectral analysis of emission from different body locations. An especially selected low-noise end-window photomultiplier was utilised for the detection of ultraviolet / visible light (200-650 nm) photon emission. For multi-site recording it was manipulated in three directions in a darkroom with a very low count rate. A series of cut-off filters was used for spectral analysis of UPE. 29 body sites were selected such that the distribution in UPE could be studied as right-left symmetry, dorsal-ventral symmetry, and the ratio between the central body part and extremities. Generally, the fluctuation in photon counts over the body was lower in the morning than in the afternoon. The thorax-abdomen region emitted lowest and most constantly. The upper extremities and the head region emitted most and increasingly over the day. Spectral analysis of low, intermediate and high emission from the superior frontal part of the right leg, the forehead and the palms in the sensitivity range of the photomultiplier showed the major spontaneous emission at 470-570 nm. The central palm area of hand emission showed a larger contribution of the 420-470 nm range in the spectrum of spontaneous emission from the hand in autumn/winter. The spectrum of delayed luminescence from the hand showed major emission in the same range as spontaneous emission. Examples of multi-site UPE recordings and spectral analysis revealed individual patterns and dynamics of spontaneous UPE over the body, and spectral differences over the body. The spectral data suggest that measurements might well provide quantitative data on the individual pattern of peroxidative and anti-oxidative processes in vivo. We expect that the measurements provide physiological information that can be useful in clinical examination.

Photon enhanced thermionic emission

DOEpatents

Schwede, Jared; Melosh, Nicholas; Shen, Zhixun

2014-10-07

Photon Enhanced Thermionic Emission (PETE) is exploited to provide improved efficiency for radiant energy conversion. A hot (greater than 200.degree. C.) semiconductor cathode is illuminated such that it emits electrons. Because the cathode is hot, significantly more electrons are emitted than would be emitted from a room temperature (or colder) cathode under the same illumination conditions. As a result of this increased electron emission, the energy conversion efficiency can be significantly increased relative to a conventional photovoltaic device. In PETE, the cathode electrons can be (and typically are) thermalized with respect to the cathode. As a result, PETE does not rely on emission of non-thermalized electrons, and is significantly easier to implement than hot-carrier emission approaches.

Leaf wound induced ultraweak photon emission is suppressed under anoxic stress: Observations of Spathiphyllum under aerobic and anaerobic conditions using novel in vivo methodology.

PubMed

Oros, Carl L; Alves, Fabio

2018-01-01

Plants have evolved a variety of means to energetically sense and respond to abiotic and biotic environmental stress. Two typical photochemical signaling responses involve the emission of volatile organic compounds and light. The emission of certain leaf wound volatiles and light are mutually dependent upon oxygen which is subsequently required for the wound-induced lipoxygenase reactions that trigger the formation of fatty acids and hydroperoxides; ultimately leading to photon emission by chlorophyll molecules. A low noise photomultiplier with sensitivity in the visible spectrum (300-720 nm) is used to continuously measure long duration ultraweak photon emission of dark-adapting whole Spathiphyllum leaves (in vivo). Leaves were mechanically wounded after two hours of dark adaptation in aerobic and anaerobic conditions. It was found that (1) nitrogen incubation did not affect the pre-wound basal photocounts; (2) wound induced leaf biophoton emission was significantly suppressed when under anoxic stress; and (3) the aerobic wound induced emission spectra observed was > 650 nm, implicating chlorophyll as the likely emitter. Limitations of the PMT photocathode's radiant sensitivity, however, prevented accurate analysis from 700-720 nm. Further examination of leaf wounding profile photon counts revealed that the pre-wounding basal state (aerobic and anoxic), the anoxic wounding state, and the post-wounding aerobic state statistics all approximate a Poisson distribution. It is additionally observed that aerobic wounding induces two distinct exponential decay events. These observations contribute to the body of plant wound-induced luminescence research and provide a novel methodology to measure this phenomenon in vivo.

Probe-Hole Field Emission Microscope System Controlled by Computer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gong, Yunming; Zeng, Haishan

1991-09-01

A probe-hole field emission microscope system, controlled by an Apple II computer, has been developed and operated successfully for measuring the work function of a single crystal plane. The work functions on the clean W(100) and W(111) planes are measured to be 4.67 eV and 4.45 eV, respectively.

Multidimensional custom-made non-linear microscope: from ex-vivo to in-vivo imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cicchi, R.; Sacconi, L.; Jasaitis, A.; O'Connor, R. P.; Massi, D.; Sestini, S.; de Giorgi, V.; Lotti, T.; Pavone, F. S.

2008-09-01

We have built a custom-made multidimensional non-linear microscope equipped with a combination of several non-linear laser imaging techniques involving fluorescence lifetime, multispectral two-photon and second-harmonic generation imaging. The optical system was mounted on a vertical honeycomb breadboard in an upright configuration, using two galvo-mirrors relayed by two spherical mirrors as scanners. A double detection system working in non-descanning mode has allowed both photon counting and a proportional regime. This experimental setup offering high spatial (micrometric) and temporal (sub-nanosecond) resolution has been used to image both ex-vivo and in-vivo biological samples, including cells, tissues, and living animals. Multidimensional imaging was used to spectroscopically characterize human skin lesions, as malignant melanoma and naevi. Moreover, two-color detection of two photon excited fluorescence was applied to in-vivo imaging of living mice intact neocortex, as well as to induce neuronal microlesions by femtosecond laser burning. The presented applications demonstrate the capability of the instrument to be used in a wide range of biological and biomedical studies.

Photon emission from melanoma cells during brief stimulation by patterned magnetic fields: is the source coupled to rotational diffusion within the membrane?

PubMed

Dotta, Blake T; Lafrenie, Robert M; Karbowski, Lukasz M; Persinger, Michael A

2014-01-01

If parameters for lateral diffusion of lipids within membranes are macroscopic metaphors of the angular magnetic moment of the Bohr magneton then the energy emission should be within the visible wavelength for applied ~1 µT magnetic fields. Single or paired digital photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) were placed near dishes of ~1 million B16 mouse melanoma cells that had been removed from incubation. In very dark conditions (10(-11) W/m(2)) different averaged (RMS) intensities between 5 nT and 3.5 µT were applied randomly in 4 min increments. Numbers of photons were recorded directly over or beside the cell dishes by PMTs placed in pairs within various planes. Spectral analyses were completed for photon power density. The peak photon emissions occurred around 1 µT as predicted by the equation. Spectra analyses showed reliable discrete peaks between 0.9 and 1.8 µT but not for lesser or greater intensities; these peak frequencies corresponded to the energy difference of the orbital-spin magnetic moment of the electron within the applied range of magnetic field intensities and the standard solution for Rydberg atoms. Numbers of photons from cooling cells can be modified by applying specific intensities of temporally patterned magnetic fields. There may be a type of "cellular" magnetic moment that, when stimulated by intensity-tuned magnetic fields, results in photon emissions whose peak frequencies reflect predicted energies for fundamental orbital/spin properties of the electron and atomic aggregates with large principal quantum numbers.

Low-noise cold-field emission current obtained between two opposed carbon cone nanotips during in situ transmission electron microscope biasing

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

Knoop, L. de; Gatel, C.; Houdellier, F.

2015-06-29

A dedicated transmission electron microscope sample holder has been used to study in situ the cold-field emission process of carbon cone nanotips (CCnTs). We show that when using a CCnT instead of a Au plate-anode, the standard deviation of the emission current noise can be decreased from the 10 nA range to the 1 nA range under vacuum conditions of 10{sup −5 }Pa. This shows the strong influence of the anode on the cold-field emission current noise.

Clinical coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering and multiphoton tomography of human skin with a femtosecond laser and photonic crystal fiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Breunig, Hans Georg; Weinigel, Martin; Bückle, Rainer; Kellner-Höfer, Marcel; Lademann, Jürgen; Darvin, Maxim E.; Sterry, Wolfram; König, Karsten

2013-02-01

We report on in vivo coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering spectroscopy (CARS), two-photon fluorescence and second-harmonic-generation imaging on human skin with a novel multimodal clinical CARS/multiphoton tomograph. CARS imaging is realized by a combination of femtosecond pulses with broadband continuum pulses generated by a photonic crystal fiber. The images reveal the microscopic distribution of (i) non-fluorescent lipids, (ii) endogenous fluorophores and (iii) the collagen network inside the human skin in vivo with subcellular resolution. Examples of healthy as well as cancer-affected skin are presented.

Enhanced Ultrafast Nonlinear Optics With Microstructure Fibers And Photonic Crystals

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-07-01

NANOHOLES FREQUENCY-TUNABLE ANTI-STOKES LINE EMISSION BY EIGENMODES OF A BIREFRINGENT MICROSTRUCTURE FIBER GENERATION OF FEMTOSECOND ANTI-STOKES PULSES...laser technologies, and ultrafast photonics. ANTI-STOKES GENERATION IN GUIDED MODES OF PHOTONIC-CRYSTAL FIBERS MODIFIED WITH AN ARRAY OF NANOHOLES

DFT study of anisotropy effects on the electronic properties of diamond nanowires with nitrogen-vacancy center.

PubMed

Solano, Jesús Ramírez; Baños, Alejandro Trejo; Durán, Álvaro Miranda; Quiroz, Eliel Carvajal; Irisson, Miguel Cruz

2017-09-26

In the development of quantum computing and communications, improvements in materials capable of single photon emission are of great importance. Advances in single photon emission have been achieved experimentally by introducing nitrogen-vacancy (N-V) centers on diamond nanostructures. However, theoretical modeling of the anisotropic effects on the electronic properties of these materials is almost nonexistent. In this study, the electronic band structure and density of states of diamond nanowires with N-V defects were analyzed through first principles approach using the density functional theory and the supercell scheme. The nanowires were modeled on two growth directions [001] and [111]. All surface dangling bonds were passivated with hydrogen (H) atoms. The results show that the N-V introduces multiple trap states within the energy band gap of the diamond nanowire. The energy difference between these states is influenced by the growth direction of the nanowires, which could contribute to the emission of photons with different wavelengths. The presence of these trap states could reduce the recombination rate between the conduction and the valence band, thus favoring the single photon emission. Graphical abstract Diamond nanowires with nitrogen-vacancy centerᅟ.

Transient Absorption of Attosecond Pulses by He Atoms in Presence of Near-Infrared Laser Fields: A TDDFT Analysis of Sub-Cycle Temporal Structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heslar, John; Telnov, Dmitry; Chu, Shih-I.

2013-05-01

We study transient absorption of extreme ultraviolet (XUV) attosecond pulses in presence of near-infrared (NIR) laser fields by analyzing the population and photon emission of excited atomic energy levels. We consider He atoms and apply a self-interaction-free fully ab initio time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). Our method is based on the Krieger-Li-Iafrate (KLI) treatment of the optimized effective potential and incorporates explicitly the self-interaction correction. We focus on the sub-cycle (with respect to NIR field) temporal behavior of the population of the excited energy levels and related dynamics of photon emission. We observe and identify sub-cycle shifts in the photon emission spectrum as a function of the time delay between the XUV and NIR pulses. In the region where the two pulses overlap, the photon emission peaks have an oscillatory structure with a period of 1.3 fs, which is half of the NIR laser optical cycle. Such a structure was also observed in recent experiments on transient absorption. This work was partially supported by DOE and by MOE-NSC-NTU-Taiwan.

Biophotons from stressed and dying organisms: toxicological aspects.

PubMed

Sławinski, Janusz

2003-05-01

Cells and organisms exposed to detrimental and toxic substances show different responses in photon emission dependent on amount, kind and exposure time of toxin as well as on the organism investigated. Radical reaction-generating substances and dehydrating, lipid dissolving and protein denaturating toxins which do not induce direct chemiluminescence resulting from reactive oxygen species were applied. Lethal doses of toxins and stress factors such as osmotics and temperature evoke increase in the intensity of photon emission resulting from a rapid and irreversible perturbation of homeostasis. Bacterial and fungal toxins that elicit hypersensitive death of plant cells or defense response correlated with photon emission are also briefly discussed. Collective molecular interactions contribute to the photon-generating degradative processes in stressed and dying organisms. The measurements of biophoton signals and analysis of their parameters are used to elucidate the possible mechanisms of the toxin-organism interaction and the resistance of organisms. Toxicological perspectives of the use of these sensitive and rapid measurements as a part of direct toxicity assessment are discussed.

Two-color single-photon emission from InAs quantum dots: toward logic information management using quantum light.

PubMed

Rivas, David; Muñoz-Matutano, Guillermo; Canet-Ferrer, Josep; García-Calzada, Raúl; Trevisi, Giovanna; Seravalli, Luca; Frigeri, Paola; Martínez-Pastor, Juan P

2014-02-12

In this work, we propose the use of the Hanbury-Brown and Twiss interferometric technique and a switchable two-color excitation method for evaluating the exciton and noncorrelated electron-hole dynamics associated with single photon emission from indium arsenide (InAs) self-assembled quantum dots (QDs). Using a microstate master equation model we demonstrate that our single QDs are described by nonlinear exciton dynamics. The simultaneous detection of two-color, single photon emission from InAs QDs using these nonlinear dynamics was used to design a NOT AND logic transference function. This computational functionality combines the advantages of working with light/photons as input/output device parameters (all-optical system) and that of a nanodevice (QD size of ∼ 20 nm) while also providing high optical sensitivity (ultralow optical power operational requirements). These system features represent an important and interesting step toward the development of new prototypes for the incoming quantum information technologies.

Two-photon laser scanning microscopy with electrowetting-based prism scanning

PubMed Central

Supekar, Omkar D.; Ozbay, Baris N.; Zohrabi, Mo; Nystrom, Philip D.; Futia, Gregory L.; Restrepo, Diego; Gibson, Emily A.; Gopinath, Juliet T.; Bright, Victor M.

2017-01-01

Laser scanners are an integral part of high resolution biomedical imaging systems such as confocal or 2-photon excitation (2PE) microscopes. In this work, we demonstrate the utility of electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) prisms as a lateral laser-scanning element integrated in a conventional 2PE microscope. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such demonstration for EWOD prisms. EWOD devices provide a transmissive, low power consuming, and compact alternative to conventional adaptive optics, and hence this technology has tremendous potential. We demonstrate 2PE microscope imaging of cultured mouse hippocampal neurons with a FOV of 130 × 130 μm2 using EWOD prism scanning. In addition, we show simulations of the optical system with the EWOD prism, to evaluate the effect of propagating a Gaussian beam through the EWOD prism on the imaging quality. Based on the simulation results a beam size of 0.91 mm full width half max was chosen to conduct the imaging experiments, resulting in a numerical aperture of 0.17 of the imaging system. PMID:29296477

Apertureless near-field/far-field CW two-photon microscope for biological and material imaging and spectroscopic applications.

PubMed

Nowak, Derek B; Lawrence, A J; Sánchez, Erik J

2010-12-10

We present the development of a versatile spectroscopic imaging tool to allow for imaging with single-molecule sensitivity and high spatial resolution. The microscope allows for near-field and subdiffraction-limited far-field imaging by integrating a shear-force microscope on top of a custom inverted microscope design. The instrument has the ability to image in ambient conditions with optical resolutions on the order of tens of nanometers in the near field. A single low-cost computer controls the microscope with a field programmable gate array data acquisition card. High spatial resolution imaging is achieved with an inexpensive CW multiphoton excitation source, using an apertureless probe and simplified optical pathways. The high-resolution, combined with high collection efficiency and single-molecule sensitive optical capabilities of the microscope, are demonstrated with a low-cost CW laser source as well as a mode-locked laser source.

Simulation of multi-photon emission isotopes using time-resolved SimSET multiple photon history generator

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

Chiang, Chih-Chieh; Lin, Hsin-Hon; Lin, Chang-Shiun

Abstract-Multiple-photon emitters, such as In-111 or Se-75, have enormous potential in the field of nuclear medicine imaging. For example, Se-75 can be used to investigate the bile acid malabsorption and measure the bile acid pool loss. The simulation system for emission tomography (SimSET) is a well-known Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) code in nuclear medicine for its high computational efficiency. However, current SimSET cannot simulate these isotopes due to the lack of modeling of complex decay scheme and the time-dependent decay process. To extend the versatility of SimSET for simulation of those multi-photon emission isotopes, a time-resolved multiple photon history generatormore » based on SimSET codes is developed in present study. For developing the time-resolved SimSET (trSimSET) with radionuclide decay process, the new MCS model introduce new features, including decay time information and photon time-of-flight information, into this new code. The half-life of energy states were tabulated from the Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File (ENSDF) database. The MCS results indicate that the overall percent difference is less than 8.5% for all simulation trials as compared to GATE. To sum up, we demonstrated that time-resolved SimSET multiple photon history generator can have comparable accuracy with GATE and keeping better computational efficiency. The new MCS code is very useful to study the multi-photon imaging of novel isotopes that needs the simulation of lifetime and the time-of-fight measurements. (authors)« less

Nursing benefits of using an automated injection system for ictal brain single photon emission computed tomography.

PubMed

Vonhofen, Geraldine; Evangelista, Tonya; Lordeon, Patricia

2012-04-01

The traditional method of administering radioactive isotopes to pediatric patients undergoing ictal brain single photon emission computed tomography testing has been by manual injections. This method presents certain challenges for nursing, including time requirements and safety risks. This quality improvement project discusses the implementation of an automated injection system for isotope administration and its impact on staffing, safety, and nursing satisfaction. It was conducted in an epilepsy monitoring unit at a large urban pediatric facility. Results of this project showed a decrease in the number of nurses exposed to radiation and improved nursing satisfaction with the use of the automated injection system. In addition, there was a decrease in the number of nursing hours required during ictal brain single photon emission computed tomography testing.

Model for bremsstrahlung emission accompanying interactions between protons and nuclei from low energies up to intermediate energies: Role of magnetic emission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maydanyuk, Sergei P.

2012-07-01

A model of the bremsstrahlung emission which accompanies proton decay and collisions of protons off nuclei in the low- to intermediate-energy region has been developed. This model includes spin formalism, a potential approach for describing the interaction between protons and nuclei, and an emission that includes a component of the magnetic emission (defined on the basis of the Pauli equation). For the problem of bremsstrahlung during proton decay the role of magnetic emission is studied by using such a model. For the 146Tm nucleus the following has been studied: (1) How much does the magnetic emission change the full bremsstrahlung spectrum? (2) At which angle is the magnetic emission the most intensive relative to the electric emission? (3) Is there some spatial region where the magnetic emission increases strongly relative to the electric emission? (4) How intensive is the magnetic emission in the tunneling region? (5) Which is the maximal probability? Which value does it equal to at the zero-energy limit of the emitted photons? It is demonstrated that the model is able to describe well enough experimental data of bremsstrahlung emission which accompanies collisions of protons off 9C, 64Cu, and 107Ag nuclei at an incident energy of Tlab=72 MeV (at a photon energy up to 60 MeV) and off 9Be, 12C, and 208Pb nuclei at an incident energy of Tlab=140 MeV (at a photon energy up to 120 MeV).

Quantum state reconstruction and photon number statistics for low dimensional semiconductor opto-electronic devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Böhm, Fabian; Grosse, Nicolai B.; Kolarczik, Mirco; Herzog, Bastian; Achtstein, Alexander; Owschimikow, Nina; Woggon, Ulrike

2017-09-01

Quantum state tomography and the reconstruction of the photon number distribution are techniques to extract the properties of a light field from measurements of its mean and fluctuations. These techniques are particularly useful when dealing with macroscopic or mesoscopic systems, where a description limited to the second order autocorrelation soon becomes inadequate. In particular, the emission of nonclassical light is expected from mesoscopic quantum dot systems strongly coupled to a cavity or in systems with large optical nonlinearities. We analyze the emission of a quantum dot-semiconductor optical amplifier system by quantifying the modifications of a femtosecond laser pulse propagating through the device. Using a balanced detection scheme in a self-heterodyning setup, we achieve precise measurements of the quadrature components and their fluctuations at the quantum noise limit1. We resolve the photon number distribution and the thermal-to-coherent evolution in the photon statistics of the emission. The interferometric detection achieves a high sensitivity in the few photon limit. From our data, we can also reconstruct the second order autocorrelation function with higher precision and time resolution compared with classical Hanbury Brown-Twiss experiments.

Pair Creation Transparency in Gamma-Ray Pulsars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Story, Sarah A.

Pulsars are rapidly rotating, highly magnetized neutron stars that produce photon pulses in energies from radio to gamma-rays. The population of known gamma-ray pulsars has been increased nearly twenty-fold in the past six years since the launch of the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope; it now exceeds 145 sources and has defined an important part of Fermi's science legacy. In order to understand the detectability of pulsars in gamma-rays, it is important to consider not only the radiative mechanisms that produce gamma-rays, but the processes that can attenuate photons before they can leave the pulsar magnetosphere. Here I explore two such processes, one-photon magnetic pair creation and two-photon pair creation. Magnetic pair creation has been at the core of radio pulsar paradigms and central to polar cap models of gamma-ray pulsars for over three decades. Among the population characteristics well established for Fermi pulsars is the common occurrence of exponential turnovers in the spectra in the 1-10 GeV range. These turnovers are too gradual to arise from magnetic pair creation in the strong magnetic fields of pulsar inner magnetospheres. By demanding insignificant photon attenuation precipitated by such single-photon pair creation, the energies of these turnovers for Fermi pulsars can be used to compute lower bounds for the typical altitude of GeV band emission. In this thesis, I explore such pair transparency constraints below the turnover energy and update earlier altitude bound determinations that have been deployed in various gamma-ray pulsar papers by the Fermi-LAT collaboration. For low altitude emission locales, general relativistic influences are found to be important, increasing cumulative opacity, shortening the photon attenuation lengths, and also reducing the maximum energy that permits escape of photons from a neutron star magnetosphere. Rotational aberration influences are also explored, and are found to be small at low altitudes, except near the magnetic pole. Our analysis clearly demonstrates that including near-threshold physics in the pair creation rate is essential to deriving accurate attenuation lengths and escape energies. The altitude bounds we compute for Fermi pulsars are typically in the range of 2-7 stellar radii and provide key information on the emission altitude in radio quiet pulsars that do not possess double peaked pulse profiles. The bound for the Crab pulsar is at a much higher altitude, with the detection by the atmospheric Cherenkov telescope MAGIC out to 350-400 GeV implying a lower bound of 310 km to the emission region, i.e., approximately 20% of the light cylinder radius. These results are also extended to the super-critical field domain, where it is found that emission in magnetars originating below around 10 stellar radii will not appear in the Fermi-LAT band. Two-photon pair creation becomes important at high altitudes and for photons produced by curvature radiation from charges flowing downward along magnetic field lines. Because the efficiency of two-photon pair creation does not depend on the local magnetic field strength, it can continue to be active in the weak-field regions far from the neutron star. It is found that two-photon pair creation can strongly attenuate photons emitted from downward-traveling charges except at very high altitudes of emission, but in the absence of rotational aberration, it is unable to produce significant opacity for upward-traveling charges unless unrealistically high neutron star surface temperatures are assumed.

Coincidence of biophoton emission by wheat seedlings during simultaneous, transcontinental germination tests.

PubMed

Gallep, Cristiano M; Moraes, Thiago A; Dos Santos, Samuel R; Barlow, Peter W

2013-06-01

Measurements of spontaneous ultra-weak light (biophoton) emission from native Brazilian and German wheat seedlings in three simultaneous series of germination tests are presented, two run in Germany and one in Brazil. Seedlings in both countries presented semi-circadian rhythms of emission that were in accordance with the local lunisolar gravimetric tidal acceleration, as did seeds which had been transported from Brazil to Germany. The simultaneity of the photon emission patterns in all tests argues for the lunisolar tide and its rhythmic variations as regulators of the natural rhythm of photon emission. However, seedlings from seed samples transported from Brazil to Germany showed, in addition, a temporary disturbance within the emission periodicity which may indicate a possible short-term acclimatization to the new location.

Ultraweak photon emission and proteomics analyses in soybean under abiotic stress.

PubMed

Komatsu, Setsuko; Kamal, Abu Hena Mostafa; Makino, Takahiro; Hossain, Zahed

2014-07-01

Biophotons are ultraweak photon emissions that are closely related to various biological activities and processes. In mammals, biophoton emissions originate from oxidative bursts in immunocytes during immunological responses. Biophotons emitted from plant organs provide novel information about the physiological state of plant under in vivo condition. In this review, the principles and recent advances in the measurement of biophoton emissions in plants are described. Furthermore, examples of biophoton emission and proteomics in soybean under abiotic stress are reviewed and discussed. Finally, this review suggests that the application of proteomics should provide a better interpretation of plant response to biophoton emission and allow the identification of genes that will allow the screening of crops able to produce maximal yields, even in stressful environments. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A bioaccumulative cyclometalated platinum(II) complex with two-photon-induced emission for live cell imaging.

PubMed

Koo, Chi-Kin; Wong, Ka-Leung; Man, Cornelia Wing-Yin; Lam, Yun-Wah; So, Leo King-Yan; Tam, Hoi-Lam; Tsao, Sai-Wah; Cheah, Kok-Wai; Lau, Kai-Chung; Yang, Yang-Yi; Chen, Jin-Can; Lam, Michael Hon-Wah

2009-02-02

The cyclometalated platinum(II) complex [Pt(L)Cl], where HL is a new cyclometalating ligand 2-phenyl-6-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine containing C(phenyl), N(pyridyl), and N(pyrazolyl) donor moieties, was found to possess two-photon-induced luminescent properties. The two-photon-absorption cross section of the complex in N,N-dimethylformamide at room temperature was measured to be 20.8 GM. Upon two-photon excitation at 730 nm from a Ti:sapphire laser, bright-green emission was observed. Besides its two-photon-induced luminescent properties, [Pt(L)Cl] was able to be rapidly accumulated in live HeLa and NIH3T3 cells. The two-photon-induced luminescence of the complex was retained after live cell internalization and can be observed by two-photon confocal microscopy. Its bioaccumulation properties enabled time-lapse imaging of the internalization process of the dye into living cells. Cytotoxicity of [Pt(L)Cl] to both tested cell lines was low, according to MTT assays, even at loadings as high as 20 times the dose concentration for imaging for 6 h.

Photon antibunching from a single quantum-dot-microcavity system in the strong coupling regime.

PubMed

Press, David; Götzinger, Stephan; Reitzenstein, Stephan; Hofmann, Carolin; Löffler, Andreas; Kamp, Martin; Forchel, Alfred; Yamamoto, Yoshihisa

2007-03-16

We observe antibunching in the photons emitted from a strongly coupled single quantum dot and pillar microcavity in resonance. When the quantum dot was spectrally detuned from the cavity mode, the cavity emission remained antibunched, and also anticorrelated from the quantum dot emission. Resonant pumping of the selected quantum dot via an excited state enabled these observations by eliminating the background emitters that are usually coupled to the cavity. This device demonstrates an on-demand single-photon source operating in the strong coupling regime, with a Purcell factor of 61+/-7 and quantum efficiency of 97%.

Thermal Emission Control via Bandgap Engineering in Aperiodically Designed Nanophotonic Devices.

PubMed

Maciá, Enrique

2015-05-20

Aperiodic photonic crystals can open up novel routes for more efficient photon management due to increased degrees of freedom in their design along with the unique properties brought about by the long-range aperiodic order as compared to their periodic counterparts. In this work we first describe the fundamental notions underlying the idea of thermal emission/absorption control on the basis of the systematic use of aperiodic multilayer designs in photonic quasicrystals. Then, we illustrate the potential applications of this approach in order to enhance the performance of daytime radiative coolers and solar thermoelectric energy generators.

Thermal Emission Control via Bandgap Engineering in Aperiodically Designed Nanophotonic Devices

PubMed Central

Maciá, Enrique

2015-01-01

Aperiodic photonic crystals can open up novel routes for more efficient photon management due to increased degrees of freedom in their design along with the unique properties brought about by the long-range aperiodic order as compared to their periodic counterparts. In this work we first describe the fundamental notions underlying the idea of thermal emission/absorption control on the basis of the systematic use of aperiodic multilayer designs in photonic quasicrystals. Then, we illustrate the potential applications of this approach in order to enhance the performance of daytime radiative coolers and solar thermoelectric energy generators. PMID:28347037

The rayleigh: interpretation of the unit in terms of column emission rate or apparent radiance expressed in SI units.

PubMed

Baker, D J; Romick, G J

1976-08-01

The rayleigh, originally defined as a unit to express the total column light emission rate [10(10) photons sec(-1) (m(2)column) (-1)] can equivalently be defined as a unit for apparent photon radiance ((1/4)pi 10(10) photons sec(-1) m(-2) sr(-1)). The selection of the appropriate definition will depend upon the physical situation and the interests of the user. The applicability of the unit for expressing the quantitative measurement of all extended light sources, including optically thick media, is both handy and valid.

Flexible nanomembrane photonic-crystal cavities for tensilely strained-germanium light emission

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

Yin, Jian; Wang, Xiaowei; Paiella, Roberto

2016-06-13

Flexible photonic-crystal cavities in the form of Si-column arrays embedded in polymeric films are developed on Ge nanomembranes using direct membrane assembly. The resulting devices can sustain large biaxial tensile strain under mechanical stress, as a way to enhance the Ge radiative efficiency. Pronounced emission peaks associated with photonic-crystal cavity resonances are observed in photoluminescence measurements. These results show that ultrathin nanomembrane active layers can be effectively coupled to an optical cavity, while still preserving their mechanical flexibility. Thus, they are promising for the development of strain-enabled Ge lasers, and more generally uniquely flexible optoelectronic devices.

Time evolution of the Lamb shift.

PubMed

Wang, Da-Wei; Li, Zheng-Hong; Wang, Li-Gang; Zhu, Shi-Yao; Zubairy, M Suhail

2010-09-01

The time evolution of the Lamb shift that accompanies the real photon emission is studied for the first time (to our knowledge). The investigation of the explicit time dependence of the Lamb shift becomes possible because the self-energy of the free electron, which is divergent, is subtracted from the Hamiltonian after a unitary transformation. The Lamb shift can then be separated into two parts: one is the time-independent shift due to the virtual photon exchange, and the other is the time-dependent shift due to the real photon emission. The time evolution depends on the nature of the coupling spectrum of the reservoir.

Enhanced weak-signal sensitivity in two-photon microscopy by adaptive illumination.

PubMed

Chu, Kengyeh K; Lim, Daryl; Mertz, Jerome

2007-10-01

We describe a technique to enhance both the weak-signal relative sensitivity and the dynamic range of a laser scanning optical microscope. The technique is based on maintaining a fixed detection power by fast feedback control of the illumination power, thereby transferring high measurement resolution to weak signals while virtually eliminating the possibility of image saturation. We analyze and demonstrate the benefits of adaptive illumination in two-photon fluorescence microscopy.

Reassignment of scattered emission photons in multifocal multiphoton microscopy.

PubMed

Cha, Jae Won; Singh, Vijay Raj; Kim, Ki Hean; Subramanian, Jaichandar; Peng, Qiwen; Yu, Hanry; Nedivi, Elly; So, Peter T C

2014-06-05

Multifocal multiphoton microscopy (MMM) achieves fast imaging by simultaneously scanning multiple foci across different regions of specimen. The use of imaging detectors in MMM, such as CCD or CMOS, results in degradation of image signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) due to the scattering of emitted photons. SNR can be partly recovered using multianode photomultiplier tubes (MAPMT). In this design, however, emission photons scattered to neighbor anodes are encoded by the foci scan location resulting in ghost images. The crosstalk between different anodes is currently measured a priori, which is cumbersome as it depends specimen properties. Here, we present the photon reassignment method for MMM, established based on the maximum likelihood (ML) estimation, for quantification of crosstalk between the anodes of MAPMT without a priori measurement. The method provides the reassignment of the photons generated by the ghost images to the original spatial location thus increases the SNR of the final reconstructed image.

Room temperature three-photon pumped CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskite microlasers.

PubMed

Gao, Yisheng; Wang, Shuai; Huang, Can; Yi, Ningbo; Wang, Kaiyang; Xiao, Shumin; Song, Qinghai

2017-03-28

Hybrid lead halide perovskites have made great strides in next-generation light-harvesting and light emitting devices. Recently, they have also shown great potentials in nonlinear optical materials. Two-photon absorption and two-photon light emission have been thoroughly studied in past two years. However, the three-photon processes are rarely explored, especially for the laser emissions. Here we synthesized high quality CH 3 NH 3 PbBr 3 perovskite microstructures with solution processed precipitation method and studied their optical properties. When the microstructures are pumped with intense 1240 nm lasers, we have observed clear optical limit effect and the band-to-band photoluminescence at 540 nm. By increasing the pumping density, whispering-gallery-mode based microlasers have been achieved from CH 3 NH 3 PbBr 3 perovskite microplate and microrod for the first time. This work demonstrates the potentials of hybrid lead halide perovskites in nonlinear photonic devices.

Room temperature three-photon pumped CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskite microlasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Yisheng; Wang, Shuai; Huang, Can; Yi, Ningbo; Wang, Kaiyang; Xiao, Shumin; Song, Qinghai

2017-03-01

Hybrid lead halide perovskites have made great strides in next-generation light-harvesting and light emitting devices. Recently, they have also shown great potentials in nonlinear optical materials. Two-photon absorption and two-photon light emission have been thoroughly studied in past two years. However, the three-photon processes are rarely explored, especially for the laser emissions. Here we synthesized high quality CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskite microstructures with solution processed precipitation method and studied their optical properties. When the microstructures are pumped with intense 1240 nm lasers, we have observed clear optical limit effect and the band-to-band photoluminescence at 540 nm. By increasing the pumping density, whispering-gallery-mode based microlasers have been achieved from CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskite microplate and microrod for the first time. This work demonstrates the potentials of hybrid lead halide perovskites in nonlinear photonic devices.

Self-Assembly of Electron Donor-Acceptor-Based Carbazole Derivatives: Novel Fluorescent Organic Nanoprobes for Both One- and Two-Photon Cellular Imaging.

PubMed

Zhang, Jinfeng; Chen, Wencheng; Kalytchuk, Sergii; Li, King Fai; Chen, Rui; Adachi, Chihaya; Chen, Zhan; Rogach, Andrey L; Zhu, Guangyu; Yu, Peter K N; Zhang, Wenjun; Cheah, Kok Wai; Zhang, Xiaohong; Lee, Chun-Sing

2016-05-11

In this study, we report fluorescent organic nanoprobes with intense blue, green, and orange-red emissions prepared by self-assembling three carbazole derivatives into nanorods/nanoparticles. The three compounds consist of two or four electron-donating carbazole groups linked to a central dicyanobenzene electron acceptor. Steric hindrance from the carbazole groups leads to noncoplanar 3D molecular structures favorable to fluorescence in the solid state, while the donor-acceptor structures endow the molecules with good two-photon excited emission properties. The fluorescent organic nanoprobes exhibit good water dispersibility, low cytotoxicity, superior resistance against photodegradation and photobleaching. Both one- and two-photon fluorescent imaging were shown in the A549 cell line. Two-photon fluorescence imaging with the fluorescent probes was demonstrated to be more effective in visualizing and distinguishing cellular details compared to conventional one-photon fluorescence imaging.

Dynamics of superconducting qubits in open transmission lines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Juan Jose, Garcia-Ripoll; Zueco, David; Porras, Diego; Peropadre, Borja

2014-03-01

The time and space resolved dynamics of a superconducting qubit with an Ohmic coupling to propagating 1D photons is studied, from weak coupling to the ultrastrong coupling regime (USC). A nonperturbative study based on Matrix Product States (MPS) shows the following results: (i) The ground state of the combined systems contains excitations of both the qubit and the surrounding bosonic field. (ii) An initially excited qubit equilibrates through spontaneous emission to a state, which under certain conditions, is locally close to that ground state, both in the qubit and the field. (iii) The resonances of the combined qubit-photon system match those of the spontaneous emission process and also the predictions of the adiabatic renormalisation. These results set the foundations for future studies and engineering of the interactions between superconducting qubits and propagating photons, as well as the design of photon-photon interactions based on artificial materials built from these qubits.

Microscopic description of exciton polaritons in direct two-band semiconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, Van Trong; Mahler, Günter

1999-07-01

Based on a quantum electrodynamical formulation, a microscopic description of exciton polaritons in a two-band semiconductor is presented. We show that the interband exchange Coulomb interaction, responsible for the coupling of the exciton with the longitudinal part of the induced field, should be treated on equal footing together with the coupling to the transverse part of the induced field (the photon field). The constitutive relation is established to connect the current density with the total electric field of polaritons. The classical Maxwell equations are derived from the quantum representation of photons to get a closed system of equations. The temporal evolution for an initial excited exciton state is studied in detail and an anisotropic polariton vacuum Rabi splitting is shown to occur. A number of up-to-now unresolved discrepancies in the literature are clarified.

Polarization anisotropy in fiber-optic second harmonic generation microscopy.

PubMed

Fu, Ling; Gu, Min

2008-03-31

We report the investigation and implementation of a compact second harmonic generation microscope that uses a single-mode fiber coupler and a double-clad photonic crystal fiber. Second harmonic polarization anisotropy through the fiber-optic microscope systems is quantitatively measured with KTP microcrystals, fish scale and rat tail tendon. It is demonstrated that the polarized second harmonic signals can be excited and collected through the single-mode fiber coupler to analyze the molecular orientations of structural proteins. It has been discovered that a double-clad photonic crystal fiber can preserve the linear polarization in the core, although a depolarization effect is observed in the inner cladding region. The feasibility of polarization anisotropy measurements in fiber-optic second harmonic generation microscopy will benefit the in vivo study of collagen-related diseases with a compact imaging probe.

Chemically non-equilibrated QGP and thermal photon elliptic flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monnai, Akihiko

2016-07-01

It has been discovered in recent heavy-ion experiments that elliptic and triangular flow of direct photons are underpredicted by most hydrodynamic models. I discuss possible enhancement mechanisms based on late chemical equilibration of the QGP and in-medium modification of parton distributions. Numerical hydrodynamic analyses indicate that they suppress early photon emission and visibly enhance thermal photon elliptic flow.

Deterministic filtering of breakdown flashing at telecom wavelengths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marini, Loris; Camphausen, Robin; Eggleton, Benjamin J.; Palomba, Stefano

2017-11-01

Breakdown flashes are undesired photo-emissions from the active area of single-photon avalanche photo-diodes. They arise from radiative recombinations of hot carriers generated during an avalanche and can induce crosstalk, compromise the measurement of optical quantum states, and hinder the security of quantum communications. Although the spectrum of this emission extends over hundreds of nanometers, active quenching may lead to a smaller uncertainty in the time of emission, thus enabling deterministic filtering. Our results pave the way to broadband interference mitigation in time-correlated single-photon applications.

Relativistic thermal plasmas - Effects of magnetic fields

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Araki, S.; Lightman, A. P.

1983-01-01

Processes and equilibria in finite, relativistic, thermal plasmas are investigated, taking into account electron-positron creation and annihilation, photon production by internal processes, and photon production by a magnetic field. Inclusion of the latter extends previous work on such plasmas. The basic relations for thermal, Comptonized synchrotron emission are analyzed, including emission and absorption without Comptonization, Comptonized thermal synchrotron emission, and the Comptonized synchrotron and bremsstrahlung luminosities. Pair equilibria are calculated, including approximations and dimensionless parameters, the pair balance equation, maximum temperatures and field strengths, and individual models and cooling curves.

Differential phase microscope and micro-tomography with a Foucault knife-edge scanning filter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watanabe, N.; Hashizume, J.; Goto, M.; Yamaguchi, M.; Tsujimura, T.; Aoki, S.

2013-10-01

An x-ray differential phase microscope with a Foucault knife-edge scanning filter was set up at the bending magnet source BL3C, Photon Factory. A reconstructed phase profile from the differential phase image of an aluminium wire at 5.36 keV was fairly good agreement with the numerical simulation. Phase tomography of a biological specimen, such as an Artemia cyst, could be successfully demonstrated.

Single- and double-core-hole ion emission spectroscopy of transient neon plasmas produced by ultraintense x-ray laser pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Cheng; Zeng, Jiaolong; Yuan, Jianmin

2016-02-01

Single-core-hole (SCH) and double-core-hole (DCH) spectroscopy is investigated systematically for neon gas in the interaction with ultraintense x-ray pulses with photon energy from 937 eV to 2000 eV. A time-dependent rate equation, implemented in detailed level accounting approximation, is utilized to study the dynamical evolution of the level population and emission properties of the laser-produced highly transient plasmas. The plasma-density effects on level populations and charge-state distribution are demonstrated with an x-ray photon energy of 2000 eV. It is shown that atomic number density of relevant experiment is about 1 × 1018 cm-3, which is comparable to a recent experiment. At this density, we systematically investigate the emissivity of the transient neon plasmas. For laser photon energy in the range 937-1360 eV, resonant absorptions (RA) of 1s\\to {np} (n≥slant 2) transitions play important roles in time evolution of the population and DCH emission spectroscopy. The RA effects are illustrated in detail for an x-ray pulse of 944 eV photon energy, which creates the 1s\\to 2p RA from the SCH states (1s2{s}22{p}4, 1s2s2p5, and 1s2p6) of Ne3+. After averaging over the space and time distribution of x-ray pulse, DCH emission spectroscopy is studied at x-ray photon energies of 937, 944, 955, 968, 980, and 990 eV, where there exist 1s\\to 2p resonances from SCH states of Ne2+-Ne7+. The processes with producing DCH states are discussed. For x-ray photon energy larger than 1360 eV, no RA exist and transient plasmas show different features in the DCH spectroscopy.

Bridging visible and telecom wavelengths with a single-mode broadband photon pair source

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

Soeller, C.; Brecht, B.; Mosley, P. J.

We present a spectrally decorrelated photon pair source bridging the visible and telecom wavelength regions. Tailored design and fabrication of a solid-core photonic crystal fiber (PCF) lead to the emission of signal and idler photons into only a single spectral and spatial mode. Thus no narrowband filtering is necessary and the heralded generation of pure photon number states in ultrafast wave packets at telecom wavelengths becomes possible.

Volume-scalable high-brightness three-dimensional visible light source

DOEpatents

Subramania, Ganapathi; Fischer, Arthur J; Wang, George T; Li, Qiming

2014-02-18

A volume-scalable, high-brightness, electrically driven visible light source comprises a three-dimensional photonic crystal (3DPC) comprising one or more direct bandgap semiconductors. The improved light emission performance of the invention is achieved based on the enhancement of radiative emission of light emitters placed inside a 3DPC due to the strong modification of the photonic density-of-states engendered by the 3DPC.

Comprehensive study of unexpected microscope condensers formed in sample arrangements commonly used in optical microscopy.

PubMed

Desai, Darshan B; Aldawsari, Mabkhoot Mudith S; Alharbi, Bandar Mohammed H; Sen, Sanchari; Grave de Peralta, Luis

2015-09-01

We show that various setups for optical microscopy which are commonly used in biomedical laboratories behave like efficient microscope condensers that are responsible for observed subwavelength resolution. We present a series of experiments and simulations that reveal how inclined illumination from such unexpected condensers occurs when the sample is perpendicularly illuminated by a microscope's built-in white-light source. In addition, we demonstrate an inexpensive add-on optical module that serves as an efficient and lightweight microscope condenser. Using such add-on optical module in combination with a low-numerical-aperture objective lens and Fourier plane imaging microscopy technique, we demonstrate detection of photonic crystals with a period nearly eight times smaller than the Rayleigh resolution limit.

Hyperspectral stimulated emission depletion microscopy and methods of use thereof

DOEpatents

Timlin, Jerilyn A; Aaron, Jesse S

2014-04-01

A hyperspectral stimulated emission depletion ("STED") microscope system for high-resolution imaging of samples labeled with multiple fluorophores (e.g., two to ten fluorophores). The hyperspectral STED microscope includes a light source, optical systems configured for generating an excitation light beam and a depletion light beam, optical systems configured for focusing the excitation and depletion light beams on a sample, and systems for collecting and processing data generated by interaction of the excitation and depletion light beams with the sample. Hyperspectral STED data may be analyzed using multivariate curve resolution analysis techniques to deconvolute emission from the multiple fluorophores. The hyperspectral STED microscope described herein can be used for multi-color, subdiffraction imaging of samples (e.g., materials and biological materials) and for analyzing a tissue by Forster Resonance Energy Transfer ("FRET").

High-efficiency AlxGa1-xAs/GaAs cathode for photon-enhanced thermionic emission solar energy converters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Cheng; Zhang, Yijun; Qian, Yunsheng; Wang, Ziheng; Liu, Jian; Chang, Benkang; Shi, Feng; Jiao, Gangcheng

2018-04-01

A theoretical emission model for AlxGa1-xAs/GaAs cathode with complex structure based on photon-enhanced thermionic emission is developed by utilizing one-dimensional steady-state continuity equations. The cathode structure comprises a graded-composition AlxGa1-xAs window layer and an exponential-doping GaAs absorber layer. In the deduced model, the physical properties changing with the Al composition are taken into consideration. Simulated current-voltage characteristics are presented and some important factors affecting the conversion efficiency are also illustrated. Compared with the graded-composition and uniform-doping cathode structure, and the uniform-composition and uniform-doping cathode structure, the graded-composition and exponential-doping cathode structure can effectively improve the conversion efficiency, which is ascribed to the twofold built-in electric fields. More strikingly, this graded bandgap structure is especially suitable for photon-enhanced thermionic emission devices since a higher conversion efficiency can be achieved at a lower temperature.

Cascaded emission of single photons from the biexciton in monolayered WSe2

PubMed Central

He, Yu-Ming; Iff, Oliver; Lundt, Nils; Baumann, Vasilij; Davanco, Marcelo; Srinivasan, Kartik; Höfling, Sven; Schneider, Christian

2016-01-01

Monolayers of transition metal dichalcogenide materials emerged as a new material class to study excitonic effects in solid state, as they benefit from enormous Coulomb correlations between electrons and holes. Especially in WSe2, sharp emission features have been observed at cryogenic temperatures, which act as single photon sources. Tight exciton localization has been assumed to induce an anharmonic excitation spectrum; however, the evidence of the hypothesis, namely the demonstration of a localized biexciton, is elusive. Here we unambiguously demonstrate the existence of a localized biexciton in a monolayer of WSe2, which triggers an emission cascade of single photons. The biexciton is identified by its time-resolved photoluminescence, superlinearity and distinct polarization in micro-photoluminescence experiments. We evidence the cascaded nature of the emission process in a cross-correlation experiment, which yields a strong bunching behaviour. Our work paves the way to a new generation of quantum optics experiments with two-dimensional semiconductors. PMID:27830703

Biomimetic Photonic Crystals based on Diatom Algae Frustules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mishler, Jonathan; Alverson, Andrew; Herzog, Joseph

2015-03-01

Diatom algae are unicellular, photosynthetic microorganisms with a unique external shell known as a frustule. Frustules, which are composed of amorphous silica, exhibit a unique periodic nano-patterning, distinguishing diatoms from other types of phytoplankton. Diatoms have been studied for their distinctive optical properties due to their resemblance of photonic crystals. In this regard, diatoms are not only considered for their applications as photonic crystals, but also for their use as biomimetic templates for artificially fabricated photonic crystals. Through the examination and measurement of the physical characteristics of many scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of diatom frustules, a biomimetic photonic crystal derived from diatom frustules can be recreated and modeled with the finite element method. In this approach, the average geometries of the diatom frustules are used to recreate a 2-dimensional photonic crystal, after which the electric field distribution and optical transmission through the photonic crystal are both measured. The optical transmission is then compared to the transmission spectra of a regular hexagonal photonic crystal, revealing the effects of diatom geometry on their optical properties. Finally, the dimensions of the photonic crystal are parametrically swept, allowing for further control over the transmission of light through the photonic crystal.

Implementing microscopic charcoal in a global climate-aerosol model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gilgen, Anina; Lohmann, Ulrike; Brügger, Sandra; Adolf, Carole; Ickes, Luisa

2017-04-01

Information about past fire activity is crucial to validate fire models and to better understand their deficiencies. Several paleofire records exist, among them ice cores and sediments, which preserve fire tracers like levoglucosan, vanillic acid, or charcoal particles. In this work, we implement microscopic charcoal particles (maximum dimension 10-100 μm) into the global climate-aerosol model ECHAM6.3HAM2.3. Since we are not aware of any reliable estimates of microscopic charcoal emissions, we scaled black carbon emissions from GFAS to capture the charcoal fluxes from a calibration dataset. After that, model results were compared with a validation dataset. The coarse model resolution (T63L31; 1.9°x1.9°) impedes the model to capture local variability of charcoal fluxes. However, variability on the global scale is pronounced due to highly-variable fire emissions. In future, we plan to model charcoal fluxes in the past 1-2 centuries using fire emissions provided from fire models. Furthermore, we intend to compare modelled charcoal fluxes from prescribed fire emissions with those calculated by an interactive fire model.

Two-Photon Pumped Synchronously Mode-Locked Bulk GaAs Laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, W. L.; Vaucher, A. M.; Ling, J. D.; Lee, C. H.

1982-04-01

Pulses 7 picoseconds or less in duration have been generated from a bulk GaAs crystal by a synchronous mode-locking technique. The GaAs crystal was optically pumped by two-photon absorption of the emission from a mode-locked Nd:glass laser. Two-photon absorption as the means of excitation increases the volume of the gain medium by increasing the pene-tration depth of the pump intensity, enabling generation of intra-cavity pulses with peak power in the megawatt range. Tuning of the wavelength of the GaAs emission is achieved by varying the temperature. A tuning range covering 840 nm to 885 nm has been observed over a temperature range from 97°K to 260°K. The intensity of the GaAs emission has also been observed to decrease as the temperature of the crystal is increased.

Spontaneous emission near the edge of a photonic band gap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

John, Sajeev; Quang, Tran

1994-08-01

The spectral and dynamical features of spontaneous emission from two and three-level atoms in which one transition frequency lay near the edge of a photonic band gap (PBG) were derived. These features included temporal oscillations, fractionalized steady-state atomic population on the excited state, spectral splitting and subnatural bandwidth. The effect of N-1 unexcited atoms were also taken into account. The direct consequences of photon localization as embodied in the photon-atom bound state were observed. One feasible experimental accomplishment of these effects may ensue from laser-cooled atoms in the void regions of a PBG medium. Another option is the application of an organic impurity molecule such as pentacene. Such molecules were known to show extremely narrow linewidths when placed in fitting solid hosts.

Emission turn-on and solubility turn-off in conjugated polymers: one- and two-photon-induced removal of fluorescence-quenching solubilizing groups.

PubMed

Schelkle, Korwin M; Becht, Steffy; Faraji, Shirin; Petzoldt, Martin; Müllen, Klaus; Buckup, Tiago; Dreuw, Andreas; Motzkus, Marcus; Hamburger, Manuel

2015-01-01

The synthesis of highly efficient two-photon uncaging groups and their potential use in functional conjugated polymers for post-polymerization modification are reported. Careful structural design of the employed nitrophenethyl caging groups allows to efficiently induce bond scission by a two-photon process through a combination of exceptionally high two-photon absorption cross-sections and high reaction quantum yields. Furthermore, π-conjugated polyfluorenes are functionalized with these photocleavable side groups and it is possible to alter their emission properties and solubility behavior by simple light irradiation. Cleavage of side groups leads to a turn-on of the fluorescence while solubility of the π-conjugated materials is drastically reduced. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Feasibility of efficient room-temperature solid-state sources of indistinguishable single photons using ultrasmall mode volume cavities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wein, Stephen; Lauk, Nikolai; Ghobadi, Roohollah; Simon, Christoph

2018-05-01

Highly efficient sources of indistinguishable single photons that can operate at room temperature would be very beneficial for many applications in quantum technology. We show that the implementation of such sources is a realistic goal using solid-state emitters and ultrasmall mode volume cavities. We derive and analyze an expression for photon indistinguishability that accounts for relevant detrimental effects, such as plasmon-induced quenching and pure dephasing. We then provide the general cavity and emitter conditions required to achieve efficient indistinguishable photon emission and also discuss constraints due to phonon sideband emission. Using these conditions, we propose that a nanodiamond negatively charged silicon-vacancy center combined with a plasmonic-Fabry-Pérot hybrid cavity is an excellent candidate system.

Photon Beaming in External Compton models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hutter, Anne; Spanier, Felix

In attempt to model blazar emission spectra, External Compton models have been employed to fit the observed data. In these models photons from the accretion disk or the CMB are upscat-tered via the Compton effect by the electrons and contribute to the emission. In previous works the resulting scattered photon angular distribution has been calculated for ultrarelativistic elec-trons. This work aims to extend the result to the case of mildly relativistic electrons. Hence, the beaming pattern produced by a relativistic moving blob consisting of isotropic distributed electrons, which scatter photons of an isotropic external radiation is calculated numerically. The isotropic photon density distribution in the blob frame is Lorentz-transformed into the rest frame of the electron and results in an anisotropic distribution with a preferred direction where it is upscattered by the electrons. The photon density distribution is determined and transformed back into the blob frame. As the photons in the rest frame of the electrons are dis-tributed anisotropically the scattering does not reproduce this anisotropic distribution. When transforming back into the blob frame the resulting photon distribution won't be isotropic. Approximations have shown that the resulting photon distribution is boosted more strongly than a distribution assumed to be isotropic in the rest frame of the electrons. Hence, in order to obtain the beaming caused by external Compton it is of particular interest to derive a more exact approximation of the resulting photon angular distribution.

Pre and post annealed low cost ZnO nanorods on seeded substrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nordin, M. N.; Kamil, Wan Maryam Wan Ahmad

2017-05-01

We wish to report the photonic band gap (where light is confined) in low cost ZnO nanorods created by two-step chemical bath deposition (CBD) method where the glass substrates were pre-treated with two different seeding thicknesses, 100 nm (sample a) and 150 nm (sample b), of ZnO using radio frequency magnetron sputtering. Then the samples were annealed at 600°C for 1 hour in air before and after immersed into the chemical solution for CBD process. To observe the presence of photonic band gap on the sample, UV-Visible-NIR spectrophotometer was utilized and showed that sample a and sample b both achieved wide band gap between 240 nm and 380 nm, within the UV range for typical ZnO, however sample b provided a better light confinement that may be attributed by the difference in average nanorods size. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) of the samples revealed better oriented nanorods uniformly scattered across the surface when substrates were coated with 100 nm of seeding layer whilst the 150 nm seeding sample showed a poor distribution of nanorods probably due to defects in the sample. Finally, the crystal structure of the ZnO crystallite is revealed by employing X-ray diffraction and both samples showed polycrystalline with hexagonal wurtzite structure that matched with JCPDS No. 36-1451. The 100 nm pre-seeded samples was recognized to have bigger average crystallite size, however sample b was suggested as having a higher crystalline quality. In conclusion, the sample b is recognized as a better candidate for future photonic applications due to its more apparent of photonic band gap and this may be contributed by more random distribution of the nanorods as observed in FESEM images as well as higher crystalline quality as suggested from XRD measurements.

Widefield Two-Photon Excitation without Scanning: Live Cell Microscopy with High Time Resolution and Low Photo-Bleaching

PubMed Central

Amor, Rumelo; McDonald, Alison; Trägårdh, Johanna; Robb, Gillian; Wilson, Louise; Abdul Rahman, Nor Zaihana; Dempster, John; Amos, William Bradshaw; Bushell, Trevor J.; McConnell, Gail

2016-01-01

We demonstrate fluorescence imaging by two-photon excitation without scanning in biological specimens as previously described by Hwang and co-workers, but with an increased field size and with framing rates of up to 100 Hz. During recordings of synaptically-driven Ca2+ events in primary rat hippocampal neurone cultures loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator Fluo-4 AM, we have observed greatly reduced photo-bleaching in comparison with single-photon excitation. This method, which requires no costly additions to the microscope, promises to be useful for work where high time-resolution is required. PMID:26824845

Fabrication of 2D and 3D photonic structures using laser lithography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaso, P.; Jandura, D.; Pudis, D.

2016-12-01

In this paper we demonstrate possibilities of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology based on two photon polymerization. We used three-dimensional dip-in direct-laser-writing (DLW) optical lithography to fabricate 2D and 3D optical structures for optoelectronics and for optical sensing applications. DLW lithography allows us use a non conventional way how to couple light into the waveguide structure. We prepared ring resonator and we investigated its transmission spectral characteristic. We present 3D inverse opal structure from its design to printing and scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging. Finally, SEM images of some prepared photonic crystal structures were performed.

Deconvolution improves the accuracy and depth sensitivity of time-resolved measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diop, Mamadou; St. Lawrence, Keith

2013-03-01

Time-resolved (TR) techniques have the potential to distinguish early- from late-arriving photons. Since light travelling through superficial tissue is detected earlier than photons that penetrate the deeper layers, time-windowing can in principle be used to improve the depth sensitivity of TR measurements. However, TR measurements also contain instrument contributions - referred to as the instrument-response-function (IRF) - which cause temporal broadening of the measured temporal-point-spread-function (TPSF). In this report, we investigate the influence of the IRF on pathlength-resolved absorption changes (Δμa) retrieved from TR measurements using the microscopic Beer-Lambert law (MBLL). TPSFs were acquired on homogeneous and two-layer tissue-mimicking phantoms with varying optical properties. The measured IRF and TPSFs were deconvolved to recover the distribution of time-of-flights (DTOFs) of the detected photons. The microscopic Beer-Lambert law was applied to early and late time-windows of the TPSFs and DTOFs to access the effects of the IRF on pathlength-resolved Δμa. The analysis showed that the late part of the TPSFs contains substantial contributions from early-arriving photons, due to the smearing effects of the IRF, which reduced its sensitivity to absorption changes occurring in deep layers. We also demonstrated that the effects of the IRF can be efficiently eliminated by applying a robust deconvolution technique, thereby improving the accuracy and sensitivity of TR measurements to deep-tissue absorption changes.

Possible Mechanism for the Generation of a Fundamental Unit of Charge (long version)

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

Lestone, John Paul

2017-06-16

Various methods for calculating particle-emission rates from hot systems are reviewed. Semi-classically derived photon-emission rates often contain the term exp(-ε/T) which needs to be replaced with the corresponding Planckian factor of [exp(-ε/T)-1] -1 to obtain the correct rate. This replacement is associated with the existence of stimulated emission. Simple arguments are used to demonstrate that black holes can also undergo stimulated emission, as previously determined by others. We extend these concepts to fundamental particles, and assume they can be stimulated to emit virtual photons with a cross section of πλ 2, in the case of an isolated particle when themore » incident virtual-photon energy is < 2πmc 2. Stimulated-virtual photons can be exchanged with other particles generating a force. With the inclusion of near-field effects, the model choices presented give a calculated fundamental unit of charge of 1.6022x10 -19 C. If these choices are corroborated by detailed calculations then an understanding of the numerical value of the fine structure constant may emerge. The present study suggests charge might be an emergent property generated by a simple interaction mechanism between point-like particles and the electromagnetic vacuum, similar to the process that generates the Lamb shift.« less

Measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution for Scarani-Acin-Ribordy-Gisin 04 protocol

PubMed Central

Mizutani, Akihiro; Tamaki, Kiyoshi; Ikuta, Rikizo; Yamamoto, Takashi; Imoto, Nobuyuki

2014-01-01

The measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (MDI QKD) was proposed to make BB84 completely free from any side-channel in detectors. Like in prepare & measure QKD, the use of other protocols in MDI setting would be advantageous in some practical situations. In this paper, we consider SARG04 protocol in MDI setting. The prepare & measure SARG04 is proven to be able to generate a key up to two-photon emission events. In MDI setting we show that the key generation is possible from the event with single or two-photon emission by a party and single-photon emission by the other party, but the two-photon emission event by both parties cannot contribute to the key generation. On the contrary to prepare & measure SARG04 protocol where the experimental setup is exactly the same as BB84, the measurement setup for SARG04 in MDI setting cannot be the same as that for BB84 since the measurement setup for BB84 in MDI setting induces too many bit errors. To overcome this problem, we propose two alternative experimental setups, and we simulate the resulting key rate. Our study highlights the requirements that MDI QKD poses on us regarding with the implementation of a variety of QKD protocols. PMID:24913431

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

Nyhan, Marguerite; Sobolevsky, Stanislav; Kang, Chaogui

Air pollution related to traffic emissions pose an especially significant problem in cities; this is due to its adverse impact on human health and well-being. Previous studies which have aimed to quantify emissions from the transportation sector have been limited by either simulated or coarsely resolved traffic volume data. Emissions inventories form the basis of urban pollution models, therefore in this study, Global Positioning System (GPS) trajectory data from a taxi fleet of over 15,000 vehicles were analyzed with the aim of predicting air pollution emissions for Singapore. This novel approach enabled the quantification of instantaneous drive cycle parameters inmore » high spatio-temporal resolution, which provided the basis for a microscopic emissions model. Carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM) emissions were thus estimated. Highly localized areas of elevated emissions levels were identified, with a spatio-temporal precision not possible with previously used methods for estimating emissions. Relatively higher emissions areas were mainly concentrated in a few districts that were the Singapore Downtown Core area, to the north of the central urban region and to the east of it. Daily emissions quantified for the total motor vehicle population of Singapore were found to be comparable to another emissions dataset Results demonstrated that high resolution spatio-temporal vehicle traces detected using GPS in large taxi fleets could be used to infer highly localized areas of elevated acceleration and air pollution emissions in cities, and may become a complement to traditional emission estimates, especially in emerging cities and countries where reliable fine-grained urban air quality data is not easily available. This is the first study of its kind to investigate measured microscopic vehicle movement in tandem with microscopic emissions modeling for a substantial study domain.« less

Stimulated Terahertz Stokes Emission of Silicon Crystals Doped with Antimony Donors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pavlov, S. G.; Hübers, H.-W.; Hovenier, J. N.; Klaassen, T. O.; Carder, D. A.; Phillips, P. J.; Redlich, B.; Riemann, H.; Zhukavin, R. Kh.; Shastin, V. N.

2006-01-01

Stimulated Stokes emission has been observed from silicon crystals doped by antimony donors when optically excited by radiation from a tunable infrared free electron laser. The photon energy of the emission is equal to the pump photon energy reduced by the energy of the intervalley transverse acoustic (TA) g phonon in silicon (≈2.92THz). The emission frequency covers the range of 4.6-5.8 THz. The laser process occurs due to a resonant coupling of the 1s(E) and 1s(A1) donor states (separation ≈2.97THz) via the g-TA phonon, which conserves momentum and energy within a single impurity center.

All-near-infrared multiphoton microscopy interrogates intact tissues at deeper imaging depths than conventional single- and two-photon near-infrared excitation microscopes

PubMed Central

Sarder, Pinaki; Yazdanfar, Siavash; Akers, Walter J.; Tang, Rui; Sudlow, Gail P.; Egbulefu, Christopher

2013-01-01

Abstract. The era of molecular medicine has ushered in the development of microscopic methods that can report molecular processes in thick tissues with high spatial resolution. A commonality in deep-tissue microscopy is the use of near-infrared (NIR) lasers with single- or multiphoton excitations. However, the relationship between different NIR excitation microscopic techniques and the imaging depths in tissue has not been established. We compared such depth limits for three NIR excitation techniques: NIR single-photon confocal microscopy (NIR SPCM), NIR multiphoton excitation with visible detection (NIR/VIS MPM), and all-NIR multiphoton excitation with NIR detection (NIR/NIR MPM). Homologous cyanine dyes provided the fluorescence. Intact kidneys were harvested after administration of kidney-clearing cyanine dyes in mice. NIR SPCM and NIR/VIS MPM achieved similar maximum imaging depth of ∼100  μm. The NIR/NIR MPM enabled greater than fivefold imaging depth (>500  μm) using the harvested kidneys. Although the NIR/NIR MPM used 1550-nm excitation where water absorption is relatively high, cell viability and histology studies demonstrate that the laser did not induce photothermal damage at the low laser powers used for the kidney imaging. This study provides guidance on the imaging depth capabilities of NIR excitation-based microscopic techniques and reveals the potential to multiplex information using these platforms. PMID:24150231

Theoretical estimation of Photons flow rate Production in quark gluon interaction at high energies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Agealy, Hadi J. M.; Hamza Hussein, Hyder; Mustafa Hussein, Saba

2018-05-01

photons emitted from higher energetic collisions in quark-gluon system have been theoretical studied depending on color quantum theory. A simple model for photons emission at quark-gluon system have been investigated. In this model, we use a quantum consideration which enhances to describing the quark system. The photons current rate are estimation for two system at different fugacity coefficient. We discussion the behavior of photons rate and quark gluon system properties in different photons energies with Boltzmann model. The photons rate depending on anisotropic coefficient : strong constant, photons energy, color number, fugacity parameter, thermal energy and critical energy of system are also discussed.

Formation of the 0.511.-MeV line in solar flares. [statistical mechanics of line spectra for gamma rays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crannell, C. J.; Joyce, G.; Ramaty, R.; Werntz, C.

1976-01-01

The gamma-ray line produced at 0.51-MeV was studied and is shown to be the result of either of free annihilation of positrons with electrons or of the decay of positronium by 2-photon emission. Positron annihilation from the bound state of positronium may also proceed by 3-photon emission, resulting in a continuum with energies up to 0.51-MeV. Accurate calculations of the rates of free annihilation and positronium formation in a solar-flare plasma are presented. Estimates of the positronium-formulation rates by charge exchange and the rates of dissociation and quenching are also considered. The temperature and density dependence of the ratio of 3-photon to 2-photon emission was obtained. It is shown that when the ratio of free electrons to neutral atoms in the plasma is approximately unity or greater, the Doppler width of the 0.51-MeV line is a function of the temperature of the annihilation region. For the small ion densities characteristics of the photosphere, the width is predominantly a function of the density.

Entangled Two Photon Absorption Cross Section on the 808 nm Region for the Common Dyes Zinc Tetraphenylporphyrin and Rhodamine B.

PubMed

Villabona-Monsalve, Juan P; Calderón-Losada, Omar; Nuñez Portela, M; Valencia, Alejandra

2017-10-19

We report the measurement of the entangled two-photon absorption (ETPA) cross section, σ E , at 808 nm on organic chromophores in solution in a low photon flux regime. We performed measurements on zinc tetraphenylporphyrin (ZnTPP) in toluene and rhodamine B (RhB) in methanol. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first time that σ E is measured for RhB. Additionally, we report a study of the dependence of σ E on the molecular concentration for both molecular systems. In contrast to previous experiments, our measurements are based on detecting the pairs of photons that are transmitted by the molecular system. By using a coincidence count circuit it was possible to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. This type of work is important for the development of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques using entangled photons.

Self-assisted optothermal trapping of gold nanorods under two-photon excitation

PubMed Central

Chen, Hongtao; Gratton, Enrico; Digman, Michelle A

2017-01-01

We report a self-assisted optothermal trapping and patterning of gold nanorods (GNRs) on glass surfaces with a femtosecond laser. We show that GNRs are not only the trapping targets, but also can enhance the optothermal trapping of other particles. This trapping phenomenon is the net result of thermophoresis and a convective flow caused by localized heating. The heating is due to the conversion of absorbed photons into heat at GNR’s longitudinal surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) wavelength. First, we investigated the optothermal trapping of GNRs at their LSPR wavelength on the glass surface with as low as 0.5 mW laser power. The trapping range was observed to be larger than a typical field of view, e.g. 210 μm × 210 μm here. Second, by adjusting the distance between the laser focus and the glass surface, ring patterns of GNRs on the glass surface were obtained. These patterns could be controlled by the laser power and the numerical aperture of the microscope objective. Moreover, we examined the spectral emission of GNRs under different trapping conditions using the spectral phasor approach to reveal the temperature and association status of GNRs. Our study will help understanding manipulation of flows in solution and in biological systems that can be applied in future investigations of GNR-induced heating and flows. PMID:28355163

Thulium-170-labeled microparticles for local radiotherapy: preliminary studies.

PubMed

Polyak, Andras; Das, Tapas; Chakraborty, Sudipta; Kiraly, Reka; Dabasi, Gabriella; Joba, Robert Peter; Jakab, Csaba; Thuroczy, Julianna; Postenyi, Zita; Haasz, Veronika; Janoki, Gergely; Janoki, Gyozo A; Pillai, Maroor R A; Balogh, Lajos

2014-10-01

The present article describes the preparation, characterization, and biological evaluation of Thulium-170 ((170)Tm) [T1/2 = 128.4 days; Eβmax = 968 keV; Eγ = 84 keV (3.26%)] labeled tin oxide microparticles for its possible use in radiation synovectomy (RSV) of medium-sized joints. (170)Tm was produced by irradiation of natural thulium oxide target. 170Tm-labeled microparticles were synthesized with high yield and radionuclidic purity (> 99%) along with excellent in vitro stability by following a simple process. Particle sizes and morphology of the radiolabeled particles were examined by light microscope, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscope and found to be of stable spherical morphology within the range of 1.4-3.2 μm. The preparation was injected into the knee joints of healthy Beagle dogs intraarticularly for biological studies. Serial whole-body and regional images were taken by single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) and SPECT-CT cameras up to 9 months postadministration, which showed very low leakage (< 8% of I.D.) of the instilled particles. The majority of leaked radiocolloid particles were found in inguinal lymph nodes during the 9 months of follow-up. All the animals tolerated the treatment well; the compound did not show any possible radiotoxicological effect. These preliminary studies showed that 170Tm-labeled microparticles could be a promising nontoxic and effective radiopharmaceutical for RSV applications or later local antitumor therapy.

Synthesis of novel fluorene-based two-photon absorbing molecules and their applications in optical data storage, microfabrication, and stimulated emission depletion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yanez, Ciceron

2009-12-01

Two-photon absorption (2PA) has been used for a number of scientific and technological applications, exploiting the fact that the 2PA probability is directly proportional to the square of the incident light intensity (while one-photon absorption bears a linear relation to the incident light intensity). This intrinsic property of 2PA leads to 3D spatial localization, important in fields such as optical data storage, fluorescence microscopy, and 3D microfabrication. The spatial confinement that 2PA enables has been used to induce photochemical and photophysical events in increasingly smaller volumes and allowed nonlinear, 2PA-based, technologies to reach sub-diffraction limit resolutions. The primary focus of this dissertation is the development of novel, efficient 2PA, fluorene-based molecules to be used either as photoacid generators (PAGs) or fluorophores. A second aim is to develop more effective methods of synthesizing these compounds. As a third and final objective, the new molecules were used to develop a write-once-read many (WORM) optical data storage system, and stimulated emission depletion probes for bioimaging. In Chapter I, the microwave-assisted synthesis of triarylsulfonium salt photoacid generators (PAGs) from their diphenyliodonium counterparts is reported. The microwave-assisted synthesis of these novel sulfonium salts afforded reaction times 90 to 420 times faster than conventional thermal conditions, with photoacid quantum yields of new sulfonium PAGs ranging from 0.01 to 0.4. These PAGs were used to develop a fluorescence readout-based, nonlinear three-dimensional (3D) optical data storage system (Chapter II). In this system, writing was achieved by acid generation upon two-photon absorption (2PA) of a PAG (at 710 or 730 nm). Readout was then performed by interrogating two-photon absorbing dyes, after protonation, at 860 nm. Two-photon recording and readout of voxels was demonstrated in five and eight consecutive, crosstalk-free layers within a polymer matrix, generating a data storage capacity of up to 1.8 x 1013 bits/cm3. The possibility of using these PAGs in microfabrication is described in Chapter III, where two-photon induced cationic ring-opening polymerization (CROP) crosslinking of an SU8 resin is employed to produce free-standing microstructures. Chapter IV describes the investigation of one- and two-photon stimulated emission transitions by the fluorescence quenching of a sulfonyl-containing fluorene compound in solution at room temperate using a picosecond pump-probe technique. The nature of stimulated transitions under various fluorescence excitation and quenching conditions were analyzed theoretically, and good agreement with experimental data was demonstrated. Two-photon stimulated transitions S1 → S0 were shown at lambdaq = 1064 nm. The two-photon stimulated emission cross section of the sulfonyl fluorophore was estimated as delta2PE (lambda q) ≈ 240--280 GM, making this compound a good candidate for use in two-photon stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy.

Determination of photon emission probabilities for the main gamma-rays of ²²³Ra in equilibrium with its progeny.

PubMed

Pibida, L; Zimmerman, B; Fitzgerald, R; King, L; Cessna, J T; Bergeron, D E

2015-07-01

The currently published (223)Ra gamma-ray emission probabilities display a wide variation in the values depending on the source of the data. The National Institute of Standards and Technology performed activity measurements on a (223)Ra solution that was used to prepare several sources that were used to determine the photon emission probabilities for the main gamma-rays of (223)Ra in equilibrium with its progeny. Several high purity germanium (HPGe) detectors were used to perform the gamma-ray spectrometry measurements. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Nuclear-Recoil Differential Cross Sections for the Two Photon Double Ionization of Helium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdel Naby, Shahin; Ciappina, M. F.; Lee, T. G.; Pindzola, M. S.; Colgan, J.

2013-05-01

In support of the reaction microscope measurements at the free-electron laser facility at Hamburg (FLASH), we use the time-dependent close-coupling method (TDCC) to calculate fully differential nuclear-recoil cross sections for the two-photon double ionization of He at photon energy of 44 eV. The total cross section for the double ionization is in good agreement with previous calculations. The nuclear-recoil distribution is in good agreement with the experimental measurements. In contrast to the single-photon double ionization, maximum nuclear recoil triple differential cross section is obtained at small nuclear momenta. This work was supported in part by grants from NSF and US DoE. Computational work was carried out at NERSC in Oakland, California and the National Institute for Computational Sciences in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Development of a two photon microscope for tracking Drosophila larvae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karagyozov, Doycho; Mihovilovic Skanata, Mirna; Gershow, Marc

Current in vivo methods for measuring neural activity in Drosophila larva require immobilization of the animal. Although we can record neural signals while stimulating the sensory organs, we cannot read the behavioral output because we have prevented the animal from moving. Many research questions cannot be answered without observation of neural activity in behaving (freely-moving) animals. We incorporated a Tunable Acoustic Gradient (TAG) lens into a two-photon microscope to achieve a 70kHz axial scan rate, enabling volumetric imaging at tens of hertz. We then implemented a tracking algorithm based on a Kalman filter to maintain the neurons of interest in the field of view and in focus during the rapid three dimensional motion of a free larva. Preliminary results show successful tracking of a neuron moving at speeds reaching 500 μm/s. NIH Grant 1DP2EB022359 and NSF Grant PHY-1455015.

Preparation of Murine Submandibular Salivary Gland for Upright Intravital Microscopy.

PubMed

Ficht, Xenia; Thelen, Flavian; Stolp, Bettina; Stein, Jens V

2018-05-07

The submandibular salivary gland (SMG) is one of the three major salivary glands, and is of interest for many different fields of biological research, including cell biology, oncology, dentistry, and immunology. The SMG is an exocrine gland comprised of secretory epithelial cells, myofibroblasts, endothelial cells, nerves, and extracellular matrix. Dynamic cellular processes in the rat and mouse SMG have previously been imaged, mostly using inverted multi-photon microscope systems. Here, we describe a straightforward protocol for the surgical preparation and stabilization of the murine SMG in anesthetized mice for in vivo imaging with upright multi-photon microscope systems. We present representative intravital image sets of endogenous and adoptively transferred fluorescent cells, including the labeling of blood vessels or salivary ducts and second harmonic generation to visualize fibrillar collagen. In sum, our protocol allows for surgical preparation of mouse salivary glands in upright microscopy systems, which are commonly used for intravital imaging in the field of immunology.

Theory of triplet-triplet annihilation in optically detected magnetic resonance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keevers, T. L.; McCamey, D. R.

2016-01-01

Triplet-triplet annihilation allows two low-energy photons to be upconverted into a single high-energy photon. By essentially engineering the solar spectrum, this allows solar cells to be made more efficient and even exceed the Shockley-Quiesser limit. Unfortunately, optimizing the reaction pathway is difficult, especially with limited access to the microscopic time scales and states involved in the process. Optical measurements can provide detailed information: triplet-triplet annihilation is intrinsically spin dependent and exhibits substantial magnetoluminescence in the presence of a static magnetic field. Pulsed optically detected magnetic resonance is especially suitable, since it combines high spin sensitivity with coherent manipulation. In this paper, we develop a time-domain theory of triplet-triplet annihilation for complexes with arbitrary spin-spin coupling. We identify unique "Rabi fingerprints" for each coupling regime and show that this can be used to characterize the microscopic Hamiltonian.

The Design and Construction of a Simple Transmission Electron Microscope for Educational Purposes.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hearsey, Paul K.

This document presents a model for a simple transmission electron microscope for educational purposes. This microscope could demonstrate thermonic emission, particle acceleration, electron deflection, and flourescence. It is designed to be used in high school science courses, particularly physics, taking into account the size, weight, complexity…

pH and chloride recordings in living cells using two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lahn, Mattes; Hille, Carsten; Koberling, Felix; Kapusta, Peter; Dosche, Carsten

2010-02-01

Today fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) has become an extremely powerful technique in life sciences. The independency of the fluorescence decay time on fluorescence dye concentration and emission intensity circumvents many artefacts arising from intensity based measurements. To minimize cell damage and improve scan depth, a combination with two-photon (2P) excitation is quite promising. Here, we describe the implementation of a 2P-FLIM setup for biological applications. For that we used a commercial fluorescence lifetime microscope system. 2P-excitation at 780nm was achieved by a non-tuneable, but inexpensive and easily manageable mode-locked fs-fiber laser. Time-resolved fluorescence image acquisition was performed by objective-scanning with the reversed time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) technique. We analyzed the suitability of the pH-sensitive dye BCECF and the chloride-sensitive dye MQAE for recordings in an insect tissue. Both parameters are quite important, since they affect a plethora of physiological processes in living tissues. We performed a straight forward in situ calibration method to link the fluorescence decay time with the respective ion concentration and carried out spatially resolved measurements under resting conditions. BCECF still offered only a limited dynamic range regarding fluorescence decay time changes under physiologically pH values. However, MQAE proofed to be well suited to record chloride concentrations in the physiologically relevant range. Subsequently, several chloride transport pathways underlying the intracellular chloride homeostasis were investigated pharmacologically. In conclusion, 2P-FLIM is well suited for ion detection in living tissues due to precise and reproducible decay time measurements in combination with reduced cell and dye damages.

The Role of Generation Volume and Photon Recycling in Transport Imaging of Bulk Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-12-01

cobalt . The value and uniformity of the mobility-lifetime product determine the quality of spectral resolution that can be obtained. Figure 1 137...on dopants and defects. Figure 24 Schematic of photon recycling effect To measure the photon recycling in a material, the full emission spectrum

New two-photon excitation chromophores for cellular imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Alfonso, Laura; Chirico, Giuseppe; Collini, Maddalena; Baldini, Giancarlo; Diaspro, Alberto; Ramoino, Paola; Abbotto, Alessandro; Beverina, Luca; Pagani, Giorgio A.

2003-10-01

The one photon and two photon excitation spectral properties (absorption, emission spectra, singlet lifetime) of a very efficient two photon absorber, dimethyl-pepep, have been measured in solution. The one photon excitation peak lye near 525 nm and the emission falls at 600 nm, where autofluorescence of cells is weak. The value of the singlet-triplet conversion rate, obtained by two-photon excitation fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, has a quadratic dependence on the excitation power and is comparable to that shown by the dye rhodamine. Preliminary results on stained cells from yeast Saccaromices cerevisiae and Paramecium primaurelia show that the dye preferentially stains DNA in the cell. A direct comparison with a DNA stainer, Dapi, is also performed. Some measurements of the dye functionalized to react with lysine and n-terminal residues of protein are presented. Moreover, this dye can be employed in order to follow in detail some cellular processes such as nuclei division. In vitro fluorescence titration of dimethyl-pepep with calf thymus DNA allowed to estimate the values of the dye-DNA association constant versus ionic strength, and an affinity close to that of ethidium bromide is found.

Integrated femtosecond stimulated Raman scattering and two-photon fluorescence imaging of subcellular lipid and vesicular structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xuesong; Lam, Wen Jiun; Cao, Zhe; Hao, Yan; Sun, Qiqi; He, Sicong; Mak, Ho Yi; Qu, Jianan Y.

2015-11-01

The primary goal of this study is to demonstrate that stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) as a new imaging modality can be integrated into a femtosecond (fs) nonlinear optical (NLO) microscope system. The fs sources of high pulse peak power are routinely used in multimodal nonlinear microscopy to enable efficient excitation of multiple NLO signals. However, with fs excitations, the SRS imaging of subcellular lipid and vesicular structures encounters significant interference from proteins due to poor spectral resolution and a lack of chemical specificity, respectively. We developed a unique NLO microscope of fs excitation that enables rapid acquisition of SRS and multiple two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) signals. In the in vivo imaging of transgenic C. elegans animals, we discovered that by cross-filtering false positive lipid signals based on the TPEF signals from tryptophan-bearing endogenous proteins and lysosome-related organelles, the imaging system produced highly accurate assignment of SRS signals to lipid. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the multimodal NLO microscope system could sequentially image lipid structure/content and organelles, such as mitochondria, lysosomes, and the endoplasmic reticulum, which are intricately linked to lipid metabolism.

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

Komppula, J., E-mail: jani.komppula@jyu.fi; Tarvainen, O.

A theoretical framework for power dissipation in low temperature plasmas in corona equilibrium is developed. The framework is based on fundamental conservation laws and reaction cross sections and is only weakly sensitive to plasma parameters, e.g., electron temperature and density. The theory is applied to low temperature atomic and molecular hydrogen laboratory plasmas for which the plasma heating power dissipation to photon emission, ionization, and chemical potential is calculated. The calculated photon emission is compared to recent experimental results.

Method for taking into account hard-photon emission in four-fermion processes

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

Aleksejevs, A. G., E-mail: aaleksejevs@swgc.mun.ca; Barkanova, S. G., E-mail: svetlana.barkanova@acadiau.ca; Zykunov, V. A., E-mail: vladimir.zykunov@cern.ch

2016-01-15

A method for taking into account hard-photon emission in four-fermion processes proceeding in the s channel is described. The application of this method is exemplified by numerically estimating one-loop electroweak corrections to observables (cross sections and asymmetries) of the reaction e{sup −}e{sup +} → μ{sup −}μ{sup +}(γ) involving longitudinally polarized electrons and proceeding at energies below the Z-resonance energy.

Determination of photon emission probability for the main gamma ray and half-life measurements of 64Cu.

PubMed

Pibida, L; Zimmerman, B; Bergeron, D E; Fitzgerald, R; Cessna, J T; King, L

2017-11-01

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) performed new standardization measurements for 64 Cu. As part of this work the photon emission probability for the main gamma-ray line and the half-life were determined using several high-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors. Half-life determinations were also carried out with a NaI(Tl) well counter and two pressurized ionization chambers. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Observing microscopic structures of a relativistic object using a time-stretch strategy.

PubMed

Roussel, E; Evain, C; Le Parquier, M; Szwaj, C; Bielawski, S; Manceron, L; Brubach, J-B; Tordeux, M-A; Ricaud, J-P; Cassinari, L; Labat, M; Couprie, M-E; Roy, P

2015-05-28

Emission of light by a single electron moving on a curved trajectory (synchrotron radiation) is one of the most well-known fundamental radiation phenomena. However experimental situations are more complex as they involve many electrons, each being exposed to the radiation of its neighbors. This interaction has dramatic consequences, one of the most spectacular being the spontaneous formation of spatial structures inside electrons bunches. This fundamental effect is actively studied as it represents one of the most fundamental limitations in electron accelerators, and at the same time a source of intense terahertz radiation (Coherent Synchrotron Radiation, or CSR). Here we demonstrate the possibility to directly observe the electron bunch microstructures with subpicosecond resolution, in a storage ring accelerator. The principle is to monitor the terahertz pulses emitted by the structures, using a strategy from photonics, time-stretch, consisting in slowing-down the phenomena before recording. This opens the way to unpreceeded possibilities for analyzing and mastering new generation high power coherent synchrotron sources.

Observing microscopic structures of a relativistic object using a time-stretch strategy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roussel, E.; Evain, C.; Le Parquier, M.; Szwaj, C.; Bielawski, S.; Manceron, L.; Brubach, J.-B.; Tordeux, M.-A.; Ricaud, J.-P.; Cassinari, L.; Labat, M.; Couprie, M.-E.; Roy, P.

2015-05-01

Emission of light by a single electron moving on a curved trajectory (synchrotron radiation) is one of the most well-known fundamental radiation phenomena. However experimental situations are more complex as they involve many electrons, each being exposed to the radiation of its neighbors. This interaction has dramatic consequences, one of the most spectacular being the spontaneous formation of spatial structures inside electrons bunches. This fundamental effect is actively studied as it represents one of the most fundamental limitations in electron accelerators, and at the same time a source of intense terahertz radiation (Coherent Synchrotron Radiation, or CSR). Here we demonstrate the possibility to directly observe the electron bunch microstructures with subpicosecond resolution, in a storage ring accelerator. The principle is to monitor the terahertz pulses emitted by the structures, using a strategy from photonics, time-stretch, consisting in slowing-down the phenomena before recording. This opens the way to unpreceeded possibilities for analyzing and mastering new generation high power coherent synchrotron sources.

Review of advanced imaging techniques

PubMed Central

Chen, Yu; Liang, Chia-Pin; Liu, Yang; Fischer, Andrew H.; Parwani, Anil V.; Pantanowitz, Liron

2012-01-01

Pathology informatics encompasses digital imaging and related applications. Several specialized microscopy techniques have emerged which permit the acquisition of digital images (“optical biopsies”) at high resolution. Coupled with fiber-optic and micro-optic components, some of these imaging techniques (e.g., optical coherence tomography) are now integrated with a wide range of imaging devices such as endoscopes, laparoscopes, catheters, and needles that enable imaging inside the body. These advanced imaging modalities have exciting diagnostic potential and introduce new opportunities in pathology. Therefore, it is important that pathology informaticists understand these advanced imaging techniques and the impact they have on pathology. This paper reviews several recently developed microscopic techniques, including diffraction-limited methods (e.g., confocal microscopy, 2-photon microscopy, 4Pi microscopy, and spatially modulated illumination microscopy) and subdiffraction techniques (e.g., photoactivated localization microscopy, stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy, and stimulated emission depletion microscopy). This article serves as a primer for pathology informaticists, highlighting the fundamentals and applications of advanced optical imaging techniques. PMID:22754737

Second Harmonic Generation Imaging Analysis of Collagen Arrangement in Human Cornea.

PubMed

Park, Choul Yong; Lee, Jimmy K; Chuck, Roy S

2015-08-01

To describe the horizontal arrangement of human corneal collagen bundles by using second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging. Human corneas were imaged with an inverted two photon excitation fluorescence microscope. The excitation laser (Ti:Sapphire) was tuned to 850 nm. Backscatter signals of SHG were collected through a 425/30-nm bandpass emission filter. Multiple, consecutive, and overlapping image stacks (z-stacks) were acquired to generate three dimensional data sets. ImageJ software was used to analyze the arrangement pattern (irregularity) of collagen bundles at each image plane. Collagen bundles in the corneal lamellae demonstrated a complex layout merging and splitting within a single lamellar plane. The patterns were significantly different in the superficial and limbal cornea when compared with deep and central regions. Collagen bundles were smaller in the superficial layer and larger in deep lamellae. By using SHG imaging, the horizontal arrangement of corneal collagen bundles was elucidated at different depths and focal regions of the human cornea.

Cavity polariton in a quasilattice of qubits and its selective radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ian, Hou; Liu, Yu-xi

2014-04-01

In a circuit quantum eletrodynamic system, a chain of N qubits inhomogeneously coupled to a cavity field forms a mesoscopic quasilattice, which is characterized by its degree of deformation from a normal lattice. This deformation is a function of the relative spacing, that is the ratio of the qubit spacing to the cavity wavelength. A polariton mode arises in the quasilattice as the dressed mode of the lattice excitation by the cavity photon. We show that the transition probability of the polariton mode is either enhanced or decreased compared to that of a single qubit by the deformation, giving a selective spontaneous radiation spectrum. Further, unlike a microscopic lattice with large-N limit and nearly zero relative spacing, the polariton in the quasilattice has uneven decay rate over the relative spacing. We show that this unevenness coincides with the cooperative emission effect expected from the superradiance model, where alternative excitations in the qubits of the lattice result in maximum decay.

Discovery of Very High Energy Gamma-Ray Emission from Rbs 0723 with the Magic Telescopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mirzoyan, Razmik

2014-01-01

The MAGIC collaboration reports the discovery of very high energy (VHE; E>100 GeV) gamma-ray emission from RBS 0723 (RA: 08:47:12.9 DEC: +11:33:50, J2000.0) RBS 0723 is a BL Lac object at redshift z=0.198. The source has been detected by Fermi-LAT, in the Second Fermi-LAT source Catalogue (2FGL; Nolan et al. 2012) with F(>1 GeV) = (5.3+-1.2)e-10 cm^-2 s^-1 and with photon index 1.48+-0.16. It also belongs to the first Fermi-LAT catalog of >10 GeV sources (1FHL; Ackermann et al, 2013), showing a hard (photon index = 1.4 +- 0.4) and bright (photon flux = 9.6e-11 ph cm^-2 s^-1) emission above 10 GeV, and identified as a good candidate for VHE detection.

On the passive probing of fiber optic quantum communication channels

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

Korol'kov, A. V., E-mail: sergei.kulik@gmail.co; Katamadze, K. G.; Kulik, S. P.

2010-04-15

Avalanche photodetectors based on InGaAs:P are the most sensitive and only detectors operating in the telecommunication wavelength range 1.30-1.55 {mu}m in the fiber optic quantum cryptography systems that can operate in the single photon count mode. In contrast to the widely used silicon photodetectors for wavelengths up to 1 {mu}m operating in a waiting mode, these detectors always operate in a gated mode. The production of an electron-hole pair in the process of the absorption of a photon and the subsequent appearance of an avalanche of carriers can be accompanied by the inverse processes of the recombination and emission ofmore » photons. Such a backward emission can present a potential serious problem for the stability of fiber optic quantum cryptography systems against passive probing. The results of analyzing the detection of backscattered radiation are reported. The probability of such an emission has been estimated.« less

Fluorescence anisotropy of tyrosinate anion using one-, two- and three-photon excitation: tyrosinate anion fluorescence.

PubMed

Kierdaszuk, Borys

2013-03-01

We examined the emission spectra and steady-state anisotropy of tyrosinate anion fluorescence with one-photon (250-310 nm), two-photon (570-620 nm) and three-photon (750-930 nm) excitation. Similar emission spectra of the neutral (pH 7.2) and anionic (pH 13) forms of N-acetyl-L-tyrosinamide (NATyrA) (pKa 10.6) were observed for all modes of excitation, with the maxima at 302 and 352 nm, respectively. Two-photon excitation (2PE) and three-photon excitation (3PE) spectra of the anionic form were the same as that for one-photon excitation (1PE). In contrast, 2PE spectrum from the neutral form showed ~30-nm shift to shorter wavelengths relative to 1PE spectrum (λmax 275 nm) at two-photon energy (550 nm), the latter being overlapped with 3PE spectrum, both at two-photon energy (550 nm). Two-photon cross-sections for NATyrA anion at 565-580 nm were 10 % of that for N-acetyl-L-tryptophanamide (NATrpA), and increased to 90 % at 610 nm, while for the neutral form of NATyrA decreased from 2 % of that for NATrpA at 570 nm to near zero at 585 nm. Surprisingly, the fundamental anisotropy of NATyrA anion in vitrified solution at -60 °C was ~0.05 for 2PE at 610 nm as compared to near 0.3 for 1PE at 305 nm, and wavelength-dependence appears to be a basic feature of its anisotropy. In contrast, the 3PE anisotropy at 900 nm was about 0.5, and 3PE and 1PE anisotropy values appear to be related by the cos(6) θ to cos(2) θ photoselection factor (approx. 10/6) independently of excitation wavelength. Attention is drawn to the possible effect of tyrosinate anions in proteins on their multi-photon induced fluorescence emission and excitation spectra as well as excitation anisotropy spectra.

Free radicals and low-level photon emission in human pathogenesis: state of the art.

PubMed

Van Wijk, Roeland; Van Wijk, Eduard P A; Wiegant, Fred A C; Ives, John

2008-05-01

Convincing evidence supports a role for oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases. The model includes the formation of radical oxygen species (ROS) and the misassembly and aggregation of proteins when three tiers of cellular defence are insufficient: (a) direct antioxidative systems, (b) molecular damage repairing systems, and (c) compensatory chaperone synthesis. The aim of the present overview is to introduce (a) the basics of free radical and antioxidant metabolism, (b) the role of the protein quality control system in protecting cells from free radical damage and its relation to chronic diseases, (c) the basics of the ultraweak luminescence as marker of the oxidant status of biological systems, and (d) the research in human photon emission as a non-invasive marker of oxidant status in relation to chronic diseases. In considering the role of free radicals in disease, both their generation and their control by the antioxidant system are part of the story. Excessive free radical production leads to the production of heat shock proteins and chaperone proteins as a second line of protection against damage. Chaperones at the molecular level facilitate stress regulation vis-à-vis protein quali y control mechanisms. The manifestation of misfolded proteins and aggregates is a hallmark of a range of neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amylotrophic lateral sclerosis, polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases, diabetes and many others. Each of these disorders exhibits aging-dependent onset and a progressive, usually fatal clinical course. The second part reviews the current status of human photon emission techniques and protocols for recording the human oxidative status. Sensitive photomultiplier tubes may provide a tool for non-invasive and continuous monitoring of oxidative metabolism. In that respect, recording ultraweak luminescence has been favored compared to other indirect assays. Several biological models have been used to illustrate the technique in cell cultures and organs in vivo. This initiated practical applications addressing specific human pathological issues. Systematic studies on human emission have presented information on: (a) procedures for reliable measurements, and spectral analysis, (b) anatomic intensity of emission and left-right symmetries, (c) biological rhythms in emission, (d) physical and psychological influences on emission, (e) novel physical characteristics of emission, and (f) the identification of ultraweak photon emission with the staging of ROS-related damage and disease. It is concluded that both patterns and physical properties of ultraweak photon emission hold considerable promise as measure for the oxidative status.

Superradiance for Atoms Trapped along a Photonic Crystal Waveguide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goban, A.; Hung, C.-L.; Hood, J. D.; Yu, S.-P.; Muniz, J. A.; Painter, O.; Kimble, H. J.

2015-08-01

We report observations of superradiance for atoms trapped in the near field of a photonic crystal waveguide (PCW). By fabricating the PCW with a band edge near the D1 transition of atomic cesium, strong interaction is achieved between trapped atoms and guided-mode photons. Following short-pulse excitation, we record the decay of guided-mode emission and find a superradiant emission rate scaling as Γ¯SR∝N ¯Γ1 D for average atom number 0.19 ≲N ¯≲2.6 atoms, where Γ1 D/Γ'=1.0 ±0.1 is the peak single-atom radiative decay rate into the PCW guided mode, and Γ' is the radiative decay rate into all the other channels. These advances provide new tools for investigations of photon-mediated atom-atom interactions in the many-body regime.

Ultralow mode-volume photonic crystal nanobeam cavities for high-efficiency coupling to individual carbon nanotube emitters

PubMed Central

Miura, R.; Imamura, S.; Ohta, R.; Ishii, A.; Liu, X.; Shimada, T.; Iwamoto, S.; Arakawa, Y.; Kato, Y. K.

2014-01-01

The unique emission properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes are attractive for achieving increased functionality in integrated photonics. In addition to being room-temperature telecom-band emitters that can be directly grown on silicon, they are ideal for coupling to nanoscale photonic structures. Here we report on high-efficiency coupling of individual air-suspended carbon nanotubes to silicon photonic crystal nanobeam cavities. Photoluminescence images of dielectric- and air-mode cavities reflect their distinctly different mode profiles and show that fields in the air are important for coupling. We find that the air-mode cavities couple more efficiently, and estimated spontaneous emission coupling factors reach a value as high as 0.85. Our results demonstrate advantages of ultralow mode-volumes in air-mode cavities for coupling to low-dimensional nanoscale emitters. PMID:25420679

Encoding photonic angular momentum information onto surface plasmon polaritons with plasmonic lens.

PubMed

Liu, Aiping; Rui, Guanghao; Ren, Xifeng; Zhan, Qiwen; Guo, Guangcan; Guo, Guoping

2012-10-22

Both spin angular momentum (SAM) and orbital angular momentum (OAM) can be used to carry information in classical optics and quantum optics. In this paper, the encoding of angular momentum (AM) information of photons onto surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) is demonstrated using a nano-ring plasmonic lens. Near-field energy distribution on the metal surface is measured using a near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) when the plasmonic lens is excited by photons with different combinations of SAM and OAM. It is found that both the SAM and OAM can influence the near field energy distribution of SPPs. More interestingly, numerical and experimental studies reveal that the energy distribution on the plasmonic lens surface is determined by the absolute value of the total AM. This gives direct evidences that SPPs can be encoded with the photonic SAM and OAM information simultaneously and the spin degeneracy of the photons can be removed using the interactions between photonic OAM and plasmonic lens. The findings are useful not only for the fundamental understanding of the photonic AM but also for the future design of plasmonic quantum optics devices and systems.

Macroscopic response in active nonlinear photonic crystals.

PubMed

Alagappan, Gandhi; John, Sajeev; Li, Er Ping

2013-09-15

We derive macroscopic equations of motion for the slowly varying electric field amplitude in three-dimensional active nonlinear optical nanostructures. We show that the microscopic Maxwell equations and polarization dynamics can be simplified to a macroscopic one-dimensional problem in the direction of group velocity. For a three-level active material, we derive the steady-state equations for normal mode frequency, threshold pumping, nonlinear Bloch mode amplitude, and lasing in photonic crystals. Our analytical results accurately recapture the results of exact numerical methods.

New Materials Directions for the Realization of Ultra-High Performance 3rd Order Non-Linear Optical Organics

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-03-13

Nowacki, H.S. Oh, C. Zanlorenzi, H.S. Jee, A. Baev, P.N. Prasad, and L. Akcelrud, "Design and synthesis of polymers for chiral photonics ...rationally design and create organic materials with high nonlinear refractive index and low single· and two- photon absorption at wavelengths relevant to...can also enhance 3rd-order NLO response through microscopic cascading of 2nd-order nonlinearity. Chiral control of nonlinearity bas also been

Intra-operative label-free multimodal multiphoton imaging of breast cancer margins and microenvironment (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Yi; You, Sixian; Tu, Haohua; Spillman, Darold R.; Marjanovic, Marina; Chaney, Eric J.; Liu, George Z.; Ray, Partha S.; Higham, Anna; Boppart, Stephen A.

2017-02-01

Label-free multi-photon imaging has been a powerful tool for studying tissue microstructures and biochemical distributions, particularly for investigating tumors and their microenvironments. However, it remains challenging for traditional bench-top multi-photon microscope systems to conduct ex vivo tumor tissue imaging in the operating room due to their bulky setups and laser sources. In this study, we designed, built, and clinically demonstrated a portable multi-modal nonlinear label-free microscope system that combined four modalities, including two- and three- photon fluorescence for studying the distributions of FAD and NADH, and second and third harmonic generation, respectively, for collagen fiber structures and the distribution of micro-vesicles found in tumors and the microenvironment. Optical realignments and switching between modalities were motorized for more rapid and efficient imaging and for a light-tight enclosure, reducing ambient light noise to only 5% within the brightly lit operating room. Using up to 20 mW of laser power after a 20x objective, this system can acquire multi-modal sets of images over 600 μm × 600 μm at an acquisition rate of 60 seconds using galvo-mirror scanning. This portable microscope system was demonstrated in the operating room for imaging fresh, resected, unstained breast tissue specimens, and for assessing tumor margins and the tumor microenvironment. This real-time label-free nonlinear imaging system has the potential to uniquely characterize breast cancer margins and the microenvironment of tumors to intraoperatively identify structural, functional, and molecular changes that could indicate the aggressiveness of the tumor.

Design and Fabrication of Calibration Device for Scintillating Fibers of Tagger Microscope: For use in GlueX's QCD Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Briere, Emily

2012-10-01

For decades, scientists have struggled to understand the chromo-electromagnetic field which confines quarks and gluons within the hadron. GlueX is a QCD experiment centered at Jefferson Lab, Virginia, seeking to better understand this gluonic field by exciting it and mapping the spectrum of exotic hybrid mesons that it generates. The experiment uses coherent bremsstrahlung radiation to produce a beam of photons, which due to their polarity act as virtual vector mesons. When incident on a liquid hydrogen target, these mesons are expected to form exotic hybrid mesons. Such particles quickly decay into new particles which are captured in a solenoid detector. The decays can then be reconstructed to examine the properties of the original exotic hybrid meson, although the initial energy of the photon is required to draw meaningful conclusions. The post-bremsstrahlung degraded electrons are bent from the main beam into the tagger microscope where they strike an array of scintillating optical fibers. Given the correlation between momentum and radial bend, the Silicon Photmultiplier sensors attached to the optical fibers are able to ``tag'' the electrons', and thus the photons', initial energies based on which fibers were hit. Providing central data for GlueX, the tagger microscope must be accurate. This paper details the design and fabrication of a scintillating fiber calibration device that moves horizontally above fiber bundles, using a green laser diode to direct light pulses into the fibers. This calibration method has been tested mechanically and via a Monte Carlo Matlab simulation, and has proven to be effective.

Direction-division multiplexed holographic free-electron-driven light sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clarke, Brendan P.; MacDonald, Kevin F.; Zheludev, Nikolay I.

2018-01-01

We report on a free-electron-driven light source with a controllable direction of emission. The source comprises a microscopic array of plasmonic surface-relief holographic domains, each tailored to direct electron-induced light emission at a selected wavelength into a collimated beam in a prescribed direction. The direction-division multiplexed source is tested by driving it with the 30 kV electron beam of a scanning electron microscope: light emission, at a wavelength of 800 nm in the present case, is switched among different output angles by micron-scale repositioning of the electron injection point among domains. Such sources, with directional switching/tuning possible at picosecond timescales, may be applied to field-emission and surface-conduction electron-emission display technologies, optical multiplexing, and charged-particle-beam position metrology.

High Resolution Higher Energy X-ray Microscope for Mesoscopic Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Snigireva, I.; Snigirev, A.

2013-10-01

We developed a novel X-ray microscopy technique to study mesoscopically structured materials, employing compound refractive lenses. The easily seen advantage of lens-based methodology is the possibility to retrieve high resolution diffraction pattern and real-space images in the same experimental setup. Methodologically the proposed approach is similar to the studies of crystals by high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The proposed microscope was applied for studying of mesoscopic materials such as natural and synthetic opals, inverted photonic crystals.

Excitation-scanning hyperspectral imaging microscope

PubMed Central

Favreau, Peter F.; Hernandez, Clarissa; Heaster, Tiffany; Alvarez, Diego F.; Rich, Thomas C.; Prabhat, Prashant; Leavesley, Silas J.

2014-01-01

Abstract. Hyperspectral imaging is a versatile tool that has recently been applied to a variety of biomedical applications, notably live-cell and whole-tissue signaling. Traditional hyperspectral imaging approaches filter the fluorescence emission over a broad wavelength range while exciting at a single band. However, these emission-scanning approaches have shown reduced sensitivity due to light attenuation from spectral filtering. Consequently, emission scanning has limited applicability for time-sensitive studies and photosensitive applications. In this work, we have developed an excitation-scanning hyperspectral imaging microscope that overcomes these limitations by providing high transmission with short acquisition times. This is achieved by filtering the fluorescence excitation rather than the emission. We tested the efficacy of the excitation-scanning microscope in a side-by-side comparison with emission scanning for detection of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing endothelial cells in highly autofluorescent lung tissue. Excitation scanning provided higher signal-to-noise characteristics, as well as shorter acquisition times (300  ms/wavelength band with excitation scanning versus 3  s/wavelength band with emission scanning). Excitation scanning also provided higher delineation of nuclear and cell borders, and increased identification of GFP regions in highly autofluorescent tissue. These results demonstrate excitation scanning has utility in a wide range of time-dependent and photosensitive applications. PMID:24727909

Excitation-scanning hyperspectral imaging microscope.

PubMed

Favreau, Peter F; Hernandez, Clarissa; Heaster, Tiffany; Alvarez, Diego F; Rich, Thomas C; Prabhat, Prashant; Leavesley, Silas J

2014-04-01

Hyperspectral imaging is a versatile tool that has recently been applied to a variety of biomedical applications, notably live-cell and whole-tissue signaling. Traditional hyperspectral imaging approaches filter the fluorescence emission over a broad wavelength range while exciting at a single band. However, these emission-scanning approaches have shown reduced sensitivity due to light attenuation from spectral filtering. Consequently, emission scanning has limited applicability for time-sensitive studies and photosensitive applications. In this work, we have developed an excitation-scanning hyperspectral imaging microscope that overcomes these limitations by providing high transmission with short acquisition times. This is achieved by filtering the fluorescence excitation rather than the emission. We tested the efficacy of the excitation-scanning microscope in a side-by-side comparison with emission scanning for detection of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing endothelial cells in highly autofluorescent lung tissue. Excitation scanning provided higher signal-to-noise characteristics, as well as shorter acquisition times (300  ms/wavelength band with excitation scanning versus 3  s/wavelength band with emission scanning). Excitation scanning also provided higher delineation of nuclear and cell borders, and increased identification of GFP regions in highly autofluorescent tissue. These results demonstrate excitation scanning has utility in a wide range of time-dependent and photosensitive applications.

The light environment and cellular optics of the snow alga Chlamydomonas nivalis (Bauer) Wille.

PubMed

Gorton, H L; Williams, W E; Vogelmann, T C

2001-06-01

The alga Chlamydomonas nivalis lives in a high-light, cold environment: persistent alpine snowfields. Since the algae in snow receive light from all angles, the photon fluence rate is the critical parameter for photosynthesis, but it is rarely measured. We measured photon irradiance and photon fluence rate in the snow that contained blooms of C. nivalis. On a cloudless day the photon fluence rate at the snow surface was nearly twice the photon irradiance, and it can be many times greater than the photon irradiance when the solar angle is low or the light is diffuse. Beneath the surface the photon fluence rate can be five times the photon irradiance. Photon irradiance and photon fluence rate declined exponentially with depth, approximating the Bouguer-Lambert relationship. We used an integrating sphere to measure the spectral characteristics of a monolayer of cells and microscopic techniques to examine the spectral characteristics of individual cells. Astaxanthin blocked blue light and unknown absorbers blocked UV radiation; the penetration of these wavelengths through whole cells was negligible. We extracted astaxanthin, measured absorbance on a per-cell basis and estimated that the layer of astaxanthin within cells would allow only a small percentage of the blue light to reach the chloroplast, potentially protecting the chloroplast from excessive light.

Detailed Observation of Multiphoton Emission Enhancement from a Single Colloidal Quantum Dot Using a Silver-Coated AFM Tip.

PubMed

Takata, Hiroki; Naiki, Hiroyuki; Wang, Li; Fujiwara, Hideki; Sasaki, Keiji; Tamai, Naoto; Masuo, Sadahiro

2016-09-14

The enhancement of multiphoton emission from a single colloidal nanocrystal quantum dot (NQD) interacting with a plasmonic nanostructure was investigated using a silver-coated atomic force microscopy tip (AgTip) as the plasmonic nanostructure. Using the AgTip, which exhibited a well-defined localized surface plasmon (LSP) resonance band, we controlled the spectral overlap and the distance between the single NQD and the AgTip. The emission behavior of the single NQD when approaching the AgTip at the nanometer scale was measured using off-resonance (405 nm) and resonance (465 nm) excitation of the LSP. We directly observed the conversion of the single-photon emission from a single NQD to multiphoton emission with reduction of the emission lifetime at both excitation wavelengths as the NQD-AgTip distance decreased, whereas a decrease and increase in the emission intensity were observed at 405 and 465 nm excitation, respectively. By combining theoretical analysis and the numerical simulation of the AgTip, we deduced that the enhancement of the multiphoton emission was caused by the quenching of the single-exciton state due to the energy transfer from the NQD to the AgTip and that the emission intensity was increased by enhancement of the excitation rate due to the electric field of the LSP on the AgTip. These results provide evidence that the photon statistics and the photon flux from the single NQD can be manipulated by the plasmonic nanostructure through control of the spectral overlap and the distance.

Generating single microwave photons in a circuit.

PubMed

Houck, A A; Schuster, D I; Gambetta, J M; Schreier, J A; Johnson, B R; Chow, J M; Frunzio, L; Majer, J; Devoret, M H; Girvin, S M; Schoelkopf, R J

2007-09-20

Microwaves have widespread use in classical communication technologies, from long-distance broadcasts to short-distance signals within a computer chip. Like all forms of light, microwaves, even those guided by the wires of an integrated circuit, consist of discrete photons. To enable quantum communication between distant parts of a quantum computer, the signals must also be quantum, consisting of single photons, for example. However, conventional sources can generate only classical light, not single photons. One way to realize a single-photon source is to collect the fluorescence of a single atom. Early experiments measured the quantum nature of continuous radiation, and further advances allowed triggered sources of photons on demand. To allow efficient photon collection, emitters are typically placed inside optical or microwave cavities, but these sources are difficult to employ for quantum communication on wires within an integrated circuit. Here we demonstrate an on-chip, on-demand single-photon source, where the microwave photons are injected into a wire with high efficiency and spectral purity. This is accomplished in a circuit quantum electrodynamics architecture, with a microwave transmission line cavity that enhances the spontaneous emission of a single superconducting qubit. When the qubit spontaneously emits, the generated photon acts as a flying qubit, transmitting the quantum information across a chip. We perform tomography of both the qubit and the emitted photons, clearly showing that both the quantum phase and amplitude are transferred during the emission. Both the average power and voltage of the photon source are characterized to verify performance of the system. This single-photon source is an important addition to a rapidly growing toolbox for quantum optics on a chip.

On-ground detection of an electron-positron annihilation line from thunderclouds.

PubMed

Umemoto, D; Tsuchiya, H; Enoto, T; Yamada, S; Yuasa, T; Kawaharada, M; Kitaguchi, T; Nakazawa, K; Kokubun, M; Kato, H; Okano, M; Tamagawa, T; Makishima, K

2016-02-01

Thunderclouds can produce bremsstrahlung gamma-ray emission, and sometimes even positrons. At 00:27:00 (UT) on 13 January 2012, an intense burst of gamma rays from a thundercloud was detected by the GROWTH experiment, located in Japan, facing the Sea of Japan. The event started with a sharp gamma-ray flash with a duration of <300 ms coincident with an intracloud discharge, followed by a decaying longer gamma-ray emission lasting for ∼60 s. The spectrum of this prolonged emission reached ∼10 MeV, and contained a distinct line emission at 508±3(stat.)±5(sys.) keV, to be identified with an electron-positron annihilation line. The line was narrow within the instrumental energy resolution (∼80keV), and contained 520±50 photons which amounted to ∼10% of the total signal photons of 5340±190 detected over 0.1-10 MeV. As a result, the line equivalent width reached 280±40 keV, which implies a nontrivial result. The result suggests that a downward positron beam produced both the continuum and the line photons.

AURORA on MEGSAT 1: a photon counting observatory for the Earth UV night-sky background and Aurora emission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monfardini, A.; Trampus, P.; Stalio, R.; Mahne, N.; Battiston, R.; Menichelli, M.; Mazzinghi, P.

2001-08-01

A low-mass, low-cost photon-counting scientific payload has been developed and launched on a commercial microsatellite in order to study the near-UV night-sky background emission with a telescope nicknamed ``Notte'' and the Aurora emission with ``Alba''. AURORA, this is the name of the experiment, will determine, with the ``Notte'' channel, the overall night-side photon background in the 300-400nm spectral range, together with a particular 2+N2 line (λc=337nm). The ``Alba'' channel, on the other hand, will study the Aurora emissions in four different spectral bands (FWHM=8.4-9.6nm) centered on: 367nm (continuum evaluation), 391nm (1-N+2), 535nm (continuum evaluation), 560nm (OI). The instrument has been launched on the 26 September, 2000 from the Baikonur cosmodrome on a modified SS18 Dnepr-1 ``Satan'' rocket. The satellite orbit is nearly circular (hapogee=648km, /e=0.0022), and the inclination of the orbital plane is 64.56°. An overview of the techniques adopted is given in this paper.

On-ground detection of an electron-positron annihilation line from thunderclouds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Umemoto, D.; Tsuchiya, H.; Enoto, T.; Yamada, S.; Yuasa, T.; Kawaharada, M.; Kitaguchi, T.; Nakazawa, K.; Kokubun, M.; Kato, H.; Okano, M.; Tamagawa, T.; Makishima, K.

2016-02-01

Thunderclouds can produce bremsstrahlung gamma-ray emission, and sometimes even positrons. At 00:27:00 (UT) on 13 January 2012, an intense burst of gamma rays from a thundercloud was detected by the GROWTH experiment, located in Japan, facing the Sea of Japan. The event started with a sharp gamma-ray flash with a duration of <300 ms coincident with an intracloud discharge, followed by a decaying longer gamma-ray emission lasting for ˜60 s. The spectrum of this prolonged emission reached ˜10 MeV, and contained a distinct line emission at 508 ±3 (stat .)±5 (sys .) keV, to be identified with an electron-positron annihilation line. The line was narrow within the instrumental energy resolution (˜80 keV) , and contained 520 ±50 photons which amounted to ˜10 % of the total signal photons of 5340 ±190 detected over 0.1-10 MeV. As a result, the line equivalent width reached 280 ±40 keV, which implies a nontrivial result. The result suggests that a downward positron beam produced both the continuum and the line photons.

Gamma ray astronomy above 30 TeV and the IceCube results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vernetto, Silvia; Lipari, Paolo

2017-03-01

The study of the diffuse Galactic gamma ray emission is of fundamental importance to understand the properties of cosmic ray propagation in the Milky Way, and extending the measurements to E ≳ 30 TeV is of great interest. In the same energy range the IceCube detector has also recently observed a flux of astrophysical neutrinos, and it is important to test experimentally if the neutrino production is accompanied by a comparable emission of high energy photons. For E ≳ 30 TeV, the absorption effects due to e+e- pair production when the high energy photons interact with radiation fields present in space are not negligible and must be taken into account. Gamma rays, in good approximation, are completely absorbed if they have an extragalactic origin, but the absorption is significant also for Galactic photons. In this case the size and angular dependence of the absorption depends on the space distribution of the emission. In this work we estimate the absorption for different models of the space distribution of the gamma ray emission, and discuss the potential of future detectors.

A semiconductor nanowire Josephson junction microwave laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cassidy, Maja; Uilhoorn, Willemijn; Kroll, James; de Jong, Damaz; van Woerkom, David; Nygard, Jesper; Krogstrup, Peter; Kouwenhoven, Leo

We present measurements of microwave lasing from a single Al/InAs/Al nanowire Josephson junction strongly coupled to a high quality factor superconducting cavity. Application of a DC bias voltage to the Josephson junction results in photon emission into the cavity when the bias voltage is equal to a multiple of the cavity frequency. At large voltage biases, the strong non-linearity of the circuit allows for efficient down conversion of high frequency microwave photons down to multiple photons at the fundamental frequency of the cavity. In this regime, the emission linewidth narrows significantly below the bare cavity linewidth to < 10 kHz and real time analysis of the emission statistics shows above threshold lasing with a power conversion efficiency > 50%. The junction-cavity coupling and laser emission can be tuned rapidly via an external gate, making it suitable to be integrated into a scalable qubit architecture as a versatile source of coherent microwave radiation. This work has been supported by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO/OCW), Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM), European Research Council (ERC), and Microsoft Corporation Station Q.