Three-dimensional dynamic optical manipulation by combining a diffractive optical element and a spatial light modulator

Since the introduction of computer-controlled spatial light modulators (SLMs), holographic optical tweezers have become an important tool for dynamic parallel optical manipulation. In this paper we clarify the usefulness of a new configuration for optical trapping that creates light patterns using the combination of a diffractive optical element (DOE) and an SLM. This configuration not only enables the use of the higher part of the SLM’s diffraction efficiency curve, because a simple hologram can be chosen for the SLM, but also achieves three-dimensional dynamic optical manipulation over a large spatial range. By switching blaze-like holograms displayed on the SLM, we demonstrated simultaneous transportation of three 6-μm-diameter polystyrene beads over a range of 90 μm in the vertical direction and 37.5 μm in the horizontal direction. Compared with the same manipulation executed using only the SLM, the range of this method is extended four-fold in the vertical direction and three-fold in the horizontal direction.     

Modeling of electrically actuated elastomer structures for electro-optical modulation

A transparent elastomer layer sandwiched between two metal electrodes deforms upon voltage application due to electrostatic forces. This structure can be used as tunable waveguide. We investigate structures of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layer with 1–30 μm thickness and 40 nm gold electrodes. For extended electrodes the effect size may be calculated analytically as a function of the Poisson ratio. A fully coupled finite-element method (FEM) is used for calculation of the position-dependent deformation in case of structured electrodes. Different geometries are compared concerning actuation effect size and homogeneity. Structuring of the top electrode results in high effect magnitude, but non-uniform deformation concentrated at the electrode edges. Structured bottom electrodes provide good compromise between effect size and homogeneity for electrode widths of 2.75 times the elastomer thickness.     

Hydrophobic recovery of UV/ozone treated poly(dimethylsiloxane): adhesion studies by contact mechanics and mechanism of surface modification

Silicone elastomers (Sylgard 184 and 170), based on poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), were surface treated by a combined exposure to UV and ozone. The effects of the treatments were analyzed as a function of time elapsed after stopping the treatments using different standard surface characterization techniques, such as water contact angle measurements, XPS and atomic force microscopy (AFM). However, the primary focus of this study was to apply the Johnson–Kendall–Roberts (JKR) contact mechanics approach to investigate PDMS samples prior to and following UV/ozone surface treatment. A gradual formation of a hydrophilic, silica-like surface layer with increasing modulus was observed with increasing UV/ozone exposure. A subsequent hydrophobic recovery after UV/ozone exposure was observed, as indicated by increasing contact angles. This supports the hypothesis that the hydrophobic recovery is mainly caused by the gradual coverage of a permanent silica-like structure with free siloxanes and/or reorientation of polar groups. PDMS containing a homogenously dispersed filler (Sylgard 184), exhibited a decreasing surface roughness (by AFM) when the oxidized surface region “collapsed” into a smooth SiO_x layer (final surface roughness <2 nm). PDMS containing heterogeneously distributed, aggregated filler particles (Sylgard 170), exhibited an increasing surface roughness with treatment dose, which was attributed to the “collapse” of the oxidized surface region thus exposing the contours of the underlying filler aggregates (final surface roughness ∼140 nm). A dedicated device was designed and built to study the contact mechanics behavior of PDMS prior to, and following surface treatment. The value of the combined elastic modulus obtained for PDMS lens and semi-infinite flat surface system showed an increase in full agreement with the formation of a silica-like layer exhibiting a high elastic modulus (compared with untreated PDMS). The work of adhesion observed in JKR experiments exhibited an increasing trend as a function of treatment done in agreement with contact angle data. JKR experiments showed hydrophobic recovery behavior as anticipated from contact angle measurements. Single pull-off force measurements by JKR and numerical analysis of full-approach JKR curves were in quantitative agreement regarding practical work of adhesion values.     

Elastomeric microwire-based optical gas flowmeter with stretching-enabled tunability in measurement range

We report the utilization of transparent poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microwires as the transducer for optical gas flowmetry. The elasticity of the PDMS microwire was exploited not only to miniaturize and simplify the flowmeter but also to widen and tune the measurement range through mechanical stretching. Using a 9 mm long microwire, we achieved 2.8~9.8 dB/SLM sensitivity. A 500 μm stretching of the microwire also shifted the measurement range from 1 to 4?SLM. The experimental results agreed well with predictions based on the fluid dynamic/optical model.     

Polyaniline nanoparticles with controlled sizes using a cross-linked carboxymethyl chitin template

Polyaniline (PANI) nanoparticles were chemically synthesized in the presence of a cross-linked carboxymethyl chitin (CM-chitin) acting as a template. The reaction was performed under acidic conditions and the template was removed after the polymerization of aniline was completed. The morphology of the synthesized PANI was globular with a diameter in the nanometer range. The degree of cross-linking of the CM-chitin played an important role in determining the size of the obtained PANI nanoparticles, which decreased from approximately 392 to 160 nm with increase in concentration of the cross-linking agent, glutaraldehyde, from 0 to 9 μmol, respectively. At a higher glutaraldehyde concentration (18 μmol), an aggregated PANI network was observed due to the incomplete removal of the more highly cross-linked CM-chitin. Molecular characterization (including UV-Visible, FTIR, TGA, and XRD techniques) revealed that the structure of the synthesized PANI nanoparticles is identical to that of conventional PANI. A mechanism is proposed for the formation of PANI nanoparticles in the presence of the cross-linked CM-chitin template.     

Large area expansion of a soft dielectric membrane triggered by a liquid gaseous phase change

Soft dielectric membranes are easily deformed by external stimuli. Large area expansions are known in dielectric elastomer actuators, where the deformation is triggered by an applied electric field. Here we show large deformations of a soft elastomer membrane using the phase transition of an encapsulated liquid from the liquid to the gaseous state. The voltage required for actuating the soft membrane is only 10 V, as compared to 1000 V typically used in dielectric elastomer actuators. We report an area expansion of 120%, with large blocking forces from 1 to 6 N for 9 mm wide and 80 μm thick membranes. The proposed actuator concept is prone to miniaturization.     

Physical characteristics of polyimide films for flexible sensors

Physical characteristics of polyimide films, including optical, micro/nano mechanical, and thermophysical characteristics were investigated using a photometric, a nanoindentation, and a thermomechanical analyzer for applications in flexible sensors. Experimental results show that UV light cannot transmit into the polyimide films. The transmittances, with a maximum of about 86%, at VIS and near IR lights decrease with increasing PI film thicknesses. The mechanical characteristics were determined using tensile, bending moment, and nanoindentation testing. The stress–strain curve approximated bilinear characteristics, the load–unload bending moment exhibited hysteresis, and nanoindentation generated elastic energy dissipation in the loading–unloading region. Nanoindentation showed an almost uniform hardness and a reduced Young’s modulus of about 0.181±0.03 and 3.21±0.06 GPa, respectively, when the penetrating depth was more than about 2 μm. Thermophysical characteristics were greatly influenced on 8.3 and 25 μm specimens due to the higher relaxation of thin PI films. The thermal expansion remained steady when the thickness was over 50 μm. The results show that PI films have potential in flexible sensing and higher temperature fabrication.     

Single longitudinal mode pulse from a TEA CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> laser by using a three-mirror resonator with a Fabry–Pérot etalon

We present a single longitudinal mode (SLM) TEA CO₂ laser oscillation by using a three-mirror resonator with a Fabry–Pérot etalon. The etalon was inserted in the optical path taken out from the main resonator of the CO₂ laser for protecting the etalon from damage on the surface. A modified numerical model of the three- mirror resonator was investigated for design the laser. SLM pulse from the TEA CO₂ laser was achieved, and the experimentally measure values were found to have good agreement with the numerical model. The maximum pulse energy of reliable SLM emission is obtained in excess of 200 mJ at 9.57 μm. The reliability of producing SLM pulses was higher than 90%, and there was no damage on the etalon PACS  42.55.Lt; 42.60.Fc     

Quantitative measurement of dynamic flow induced by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetrahymena pyriformis</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">T. pyriformis</Emphasis>) using micro-particle image velocimetry

Abstract  

In-depth quantitative visualization studies are required to understand the flow induced by swimming micro-organisms and find potential applications. The present study visualized the flow induced by Tetrahymena pyriformis of size 45–50 μm, which swam freely and via stimulation by galvanotaxis in a PDMS micro-chamber using a micro-particle image velocimetry system. The results showed that the maximum velocity of the induced flow was around 430 μm/s for free swimming and 700 μm/s for galvanotactic-controlled swimming. Due to the applied electric field, the electro-osmosis flow led to increased velocity of roughly 135 μm/s at 3 V/mm. The increased velocity stems from the increased motility of the cell under the electric field. Therefore, it was demonstrated that galvanotaxis can control the swimming direction and increase the induced velocity.     

Integrated optical attenuator based on mechanical deformation of an elastomer layer

We propose an optical attenuator concept based on a polymer waveguide coupled to an elastomer thin film. The thickness of the elastomer layer can be controlled by Coulomb force-induced squeezing in a capacitor geometry. Thereby resonant coupling between the light modes in the waveguide and the elastomer layer is achieved. We predict close to 100% modulation contrast and about 40% transmission for an about 200 μm long device. In addition, we demonstrate experimentally a proof-of-principle of the attenuator device.     

Stimulated rotational Raman scattering at multiwavelength under tea CO2 laser pumping with a multiple-pass cell

Stimulated rotational Raman scattering (SRRS) at multiwavelength pumped by TEA CO₂ laser was demonstrated in this paper. Raman mediums were cooled by liquid-N₂ and a multiple-pass cell (MPC) with 25 passes was designed and used. When the para-H2 was pumped by single-longitudinal-mode (SLM) circular polarized TEA CO₂ laser on 10P(20), 9P(20), and 10R(20), 50 mJ 16.95 μm, 350 mJ 14.44 μm, and 536 mJ 16.9 μm radiations were obtained, corresponding to energy conversion efficiency of 1.2, 11.7, and 13.4%, respectively. When the ortho-D₂ was pumped by CO₂ laser on 10R(18), 108 mJ 12.57 μm Raman laser was obtained with energy conversion efficiency of 2.9%.     

Short-term and long-term frequency characteristics of 2 μm single frequency Tm:YAG laser at room temperature

Placing one 0.1 mm YAG F-P etalon at nearly Brewster angle and combined use 1 mm fused silica in the cavity, a diode-pumped linear-polarized single-longitudinal-mode (SLM) Tm:YAG laser operating at 2 μm is achieved. This paper is focused on the stability of the linear-polarized SLM laser, including power stability, long-term frequency stability and short-term frequency stability. And the factors affecting the frequency characteristics of laser were also analyzed. The instability of the linear-polarization SLM laser is less than 1%. The long-term frequency stability is in the range from 1.16 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.75 × 10⁻⁷ monitored by the wave meter. And the short-term frequency stability is 97 Hz/μs measured with the self-beating heterodyne detection method.     

Effect of elastomer matrix type on electromechanical response of conductive polypyrrole/elastomer blends

Electrorheological properties of prestine elastomers and polypyrrole/elastomer blends were investigated to identify the most suitable elastomer to be used in electroactive actuator applications. Seven types of elastomer: poly(acrylate) copolymers (AR70, AR71, AR72, and SAR), poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS), poly (styrene butadiene) (SBR), and poly(styrene isoprene styrene) (SIS) were chosen as the candidate dielectric elastomers. For the pure elastomers, the storage modulus responses, ΔG′, amongst the elastomers differ by 6 orders of magnitude at the electric field strength of 2 kV/mm. The storage modulus sensitivity, ΔG′/G′₀, increases with electric field strength and attains maximum values of 97% for SBR, 148% for SAR, 232% for AR70, 13% for PDMS, 69% for AR71, 54% for AR72, and 10% for SIS at the electric field strength of 2 kV/mm. Correlations are identified between the elastomer storage modulus sensitivity and G′₀ and/or electrical conductivity. For the undoped polypyrrole/elastomer blends with the particle concentrations of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 vol%, ΔG′ increases linearly with concentration in the absence of electric field but nonlinearly with electric field on, due to the obstruction of the matrix-dipole interaction at small concentrations and the nonuniform polypyrrole particle dispersion in the matrix at high concentrations.     

Simulation of variations in mechanical properties of polyurethane elastomers modified with carbon nanotubes

The addition of extremely small portions of single-wall carbon nanotubes causes an anomalous change in mechanical properties of a cross-linked polyurethane-amide-urea elastomer containing 10% of polyamide-6; namely, with a nanofiller content of hundredths and thousandths of a percent, local maxima of elastic modulus and ultimate stress are observed. In the work, the anomalous variation in the elastic modulus is simulated relying on the concept of intermediate phase layer formation at the boundary of contacting particles of the initial material.     

Research on single-longitudinal-mode selection of 2 μm solid-state-lasers

As the light source of the coherent Doppler LIDAR, a single-longitudinal-mode (SLM) with narrow linewidth and high frequency stability are typically required as the seed laser of the injection locking systems. Many scholars make point on the research about SLM selection in laser diode pumped all solid states lasers on theoretically and experimentally. In this paper, we will introduce and discuss the SLM selection work on 2 μm SLM lasers. SLM selection methods mainly include micro-cavity, double cavities, ring laser, inserting F-P etalons into the cavity, inserting birefringent filter into the cavity and so on. The advantages and disadvantages of these methods will be generalized and discussed.     

Strength and Fracture Toughness of Polyurethane Elastomers Modified with Carbon Nanotubes

Very small additions of single-wall carbon nanotubes produce an anomalous change in the mechanical properties of a cross-linked polyurethane-amide-urea elastomer containing 10% of polyamide-6: its elastic modulus and ultimate stress reveal local maxima at a nanofiller content of hundredths and thousandths of a percent. Previously, the behavior of the elastic modulus was simulated reasoning from the formation of an intermediate phase layer in the elastomer at particle contact boundaries. Here, on the same basis, we simulate the behavior of its strength as a function of nanotube concentration and consider crack models accounting for the influence of nanotubes on the crack tip zone and fracture toughness.     

The use of the platinum electrode coated with ultrathin poly(allylamine hydrochloride)/Nafion films for selective detection of hydrogen peroxide

In this paper, a novel polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) film-coated platinum electrode for the selective detection of H₂O₂ was presented. The PEM film was formed by the layer-by-layer assembly technique. The quartz crystal microbalance experiments showed that the thickness of the prepared Nafion layer was about 8 nm and depended on the pH of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) solution. The combination of different polyanions and polycations layers was investigated, and it is found that ploy(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and Nafion composited film functioned best as a diffusion barrier toward uric acid (UA) and ascorbic acid (AA) while allowed H₂O₂ to pass through smoothly. When the platinum electrode coated with two-bilayer film, (PAH/Nafion)₂, the amperometric responses of 0.1 mM UA and 0.1 mM AA were respectively 0.008 and 0.006 μA, which were only 0.2% or less of the response of 0.1 mM H₂O₂ (4.0 μA). The linear response range of the electrode toward H₂O₂ was from 1.0 μM to 1.0 mM, and the detection limit was 0.3 μM. The electrode also displayed high operational stability and long-term storage stability.     

Regulation of the elastic modulus of polyurethane microarrays and its influence on gecko-inspired dry adhesion

We studied the influence of the elastic modulus on the gecko-inspired dry adhesion by regulating the elastic modulus of bulk polyurethane combined with changing the size of microarrays. Segmented polyurethane (PU) was utilized to fabricate micro arrays by the porous polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) membrane molding method. The properties of the micro arrays, such as the elastic modulus and adhesion, were investigated by Triboindenter. The study demonstrates that bulk surfaces show the highest elastic modulus, with similar values at around 175 MPa and decreasing the arrays radius causes a significant decrease in E, down to 0.62 MPa. The corresponding adhesion experiments show that decrease of the elastic modulus can enhance the adhesion which is consistent with the recent theoretical models.     

Application of Functionalized ZnSe Nanoparticles to Determinate Heavy Metal Ions

In this paper, ZnSe nanoparticles, which were modified with mercaptoacetic acid (MAA), worked as novel fluorescence sensors for the quantitative determination of copper(II) and nickel(II). Under the optimal conditions, the fluorescence intensities of functionalized ZnSe nanoparticles were quenched by the addtion of copper(II) or nickel(II) ions, there were linear relationships between the relative fluorescence intensity (logF₀/F) and the concentration in the range of 140–2,000 μg/L for copper(II) (R = 0.9973) and 30–1,000 μg/L for nickel(II) (R = 0.9992), the limits of detection were 50 μg/L and 5 μg/L, respectively.