Real-time optodynamic monitoring of pulsed laser decoating rate

This paper deals with a laser-cleaning process for removing a layer of paint. The effects of each individual laser pulse were monitored by a three-probe system. Ultrasonic signals from the rear surface of the substrate were obtained using an arm compensated Michelson interferometer, the optoacoustic waves in the surrounding air were detected using a laser beam deflection probe and the shape of the growing crater was measured using a laser anamorph profilometer. Two different cleaning lasers were used: an Excimer and a Nd:YAG laser. Typical parameters of the optodynamic signals versus the laser-pulse number are presented. A linear correlation between the quantity of ablated material and the integral of the ultrasonic signals was found together with an exponential relationship between the time-of-flight of the optoacoustic signals and the decoating rate.     

Application of the optoacoustic effect in optically pumped submillimeter lasers

The dependence of the optoacoustic signal generated in an optically pumped submillimetre laser system on gas pressure and modulation frequency has been studied experimentally and the results accounted for theoretically. With care an extracavity optoacoustic cell containing the laser gas diluted with air can be used to stablize the pump laser frequency to maximum absorption but this does not always optimise laser output.     

液体光击穿阈值的研究

运用声学基础理论,讨论了激光入射到液体中,激光能量与声信号强度间的变化关系.发现激光能量与声信号强度之间存在着对数线形关系.根据液体中光声信号的连续性,得到了一种求取液体光击穿阈值的新方法.     

Control of tissue mechanics upon the repetitive-pulse laser heating of cartilage

The viscoelastic properties of laser-irradiated cartilages are studied with optoacoustic methods upon the thermal excitation of mechanical oscillations by repetitive-pulse laser radiation. The effect of laser power, pulse duration, repetition rate, and irradiation time on the shape of the optoacoustic signal is analyzed. It is demonstrated that the optoacoustic response of the cartilage to the repetitive-pulse radiation of a fiber laser depends on the softening of the tissue upon the variation in its shape. Under repetitive-pulse laser irradiation, the optoacoustic response of the cartilage depends on the mechanical characteristics of the biotissue (elastic modulus, hydraulic permeability, and thickness). A simple model that makes it possible to estimate the contribution of the viscoelastic properties to the formation of the optoacoustic response at various laser repetition rates is proposed.     

Continuous-wave CO2 laser spectroscopy of SF6, WF6, and UF6

The linear absorption of CO₂ laser radiation in SF₆, WF₆, and UF₆ has been measured by using optoacoustic detection techniques. Absolute absorption coefficients per Torr as low as 1 × 10^?7 cm^?1 Torr^?1 in a 2-cm active path length could be measured by taking advantage of calibration measurements performed with SF₆.     

Use of a beam expanding telescope in a grating-tuned waveguide CO2 laser

A Galilean telescope is used as a beam expander in a grating tuned CO₂ waveguide laser to improve line selection while minimizing cavity length to maximise the frequency tuning range. The laser has been used in optoacoustic measurements of saturation of absorption on the transition pumping the 891 m CH₂CF₂ laser.     

Tunneling ionization of air in the strong field of femtosecond laser pulses

The effect of the tunneling ionization of air excited by individual intense femtosecond pulses with subcritical peak powers has been investigated by the optoacoustic method. With an increase in the laser radiation intensity in the range of 0.5–20 PW/cm², the saturation of the amplitude of acoustic pressure with the corresponding decrease in the nonlinearity index of this dependence is observed. The analysis of the ionization of air molecules in the Ammosov-Delone-Krainov model of tunneling ionization predicts a weakly nonlinear increase and saturation of the yield of singly charged ions at an air ionization degree close to 50% under these conditions of the effect of femtosecond laser radiation.     

Optoacoustic technique for thickness measurement of submicron metal coatings

The new nondestructive method for thickness measurement of submicron metal coatings on transparent substrate is developed. The method is based on the optoacoustic (OA) transformation in the system, where the coating is covered by an optically transparent liquid. Theoretical treatment of the problem consists of two steps. At the first step laser-induced thermal field in the system is calculated, taking into account the large thermal conductivity of the metal film and partial heat diffusion into the liquid. At the second step the system of wave equations for scalar potential of vibration velocities is solved. Heat sources, determined at the first step, are free form of wave equations. Three chrome coatings of different thickness (approximately 0.2, 0.3, and 0.6 μm) deposited on the quartz substrate are tested experimentally. Two different organic liquids (acetone and ethanol) are used to cover chrome coatings. Nanosecond diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser operated at the main harmonic is used to perform OA transformation (laser pulse duration is τ _L = 12 ns, the laser energy is about 0.2 mJ). Two detection modes are used. In forward mode laser pulse irradiates the film from the side of the substrate and in backward mode—from the side of the liquid. Detection of induced ultrasonic pulses is performed by the wide-band piezoelectric transducer in the liquid in both cases. The thickness of the coatings is determined by the least squares fitting of the theoretical dependencies of spectral transfer functions of OA transformation to experimental data. It is demonstrated, that the developed technique can be used for measurement of metal coatings thickness within the range from 50 nm to 5 μm with the error about 50 nm.     

Laser micro/nano patterning of hydrophobic surface by contact particle lens array

Direct laser surface micro/nanopatterning by using Contact Particle Lens Array (CPLA) has been widely utilized. The method involves laser scanning of a monolayer of transparent particles arranged on the substrate to be patterned. Despite the different techniques available for CPLA deposition; the particles monolayer can only be formed on hydrophilic surfaces, which restrict the range of substrates that could be patterned by this method. In this study, a technique for patterning of hydrophobic surfaces by using CPLA has been proposed. In the proposed technique, monolayer of CPLA is formed on a hydrophilic substrate and then transported to a hydrophobic substrate by using a flexible sticky plastic. The transported CPLA is then scanned by a laser for patterning the hydrophobic substrate. The plastic pre-selected for this work was transparent to the laser. Experimental investigations were carried out to generate bumps and bowl shaped patterns using transported particles. Features smaller than the diffraction limit have been generated. The optical near field and associated temperatures around the particles were numerically simulated with a coupled electromagnetic and thermal modelling technique.     

Optodynamic analysis of direct laser writing of graduation lines

The direct laser writing of graduation lines in Cr thin films on glass substrates has been investigated. The Nd-YAG laser and the astigmatic optical system have been used to write rectangular holes in the Cr film. The optimal writing parameters: the laser pulse energy, the Cr layer thickness and the substrate-objective distance were determined using the optoacoustic probe beam deflection method to detect the evaporation of the material. The evaporation is concluded to be the essential process in the laser writing of graduation lines. The rims formed by the surface tension gradient at the hole edges indicate that the laser writing of graduation lines is a typical two-phase removal process.     

Optoacoustic Laser Stark spectroscopy and FIR laser action on CH3Br using a waveguide CO2 laser

The optoacoustic spectrum of CH₃Br around 10 m band lines of a tunable cw waveguide CO₂ laser is investigated. Several new infrared absorptions are observed and most of the correspond ing molecular transitions are assigned. Far infra red laser action is reported by pumping with the same CO₂ laser: pump offsets are given using the Transferred Lambs dip (TLD) technique. A new FIR laser emission is obtained and assigned. An optoacoustic Laser Stark spectroscopy technique is used to investigate off resonance infrared tran sitions.     

Pulsed optoacoustic detection of multiple photon excitation in molecules

Multiple photon excitation, saturation, and linear absorption of SF₆-argon mixtures when irradiated by a high power CO₂ TEA laser is investigated using a pulsed optoacoustic technique. At low intensities the expected linear dependence of the absorption on laser intensity is observed. At intermediate intensities the absorption exhibits a square root dependence on the incident laser intensity, a dependence which is typical for saturation of an inhomogeneously broadened absorption. At even higher intensities, the absorption shows an intensity dependence typical of multiple photon excitation. The laser intensity was varied between 0.016 kW/cm² and 5 MW/cm², values lower than that needed to produce multiple photon dissociation of SF₆. Increasing the collision frequency of the absorbing molecules with an inert buffer gas is observed to quench the multiple photon excitation.     

Optical and optoacoustic measurements of the absorption properties of spherical gold nanoparticles within a highly scattering medium

In the present paper the requirements for optical parameter characterization of absorbing materials located within a highly scattering medium has been addressed. The measurement scheme incorporates the optoacoustic technique where a single acoustic transducer is used to detect ultrasonic transients generated from laser irradiation. The absorbing medium is based on different concentrations of spherical gold nanoparticles (SGNP’s), these are currently being considered as non-toxic targeted optical contrast agents for both medical imaging and cancer therapeutics. In this paper we present results which demonstrate the two main advantages the optoacoustic technique has over other measurement schemes. These are the possibility to obtain information on the position and dimensions of absorbing bodies using a time of flight analysis (TOF) and secondly, the higher sensitivity of the optoacoustics compared to optical transmission techniques. The former advantage is of particular interest for imaging applications and the latter for detection and characterization of absorbing materials surrounded by high levels of high scattering mediums. We present for the first time the characterization of SGNP within a highly scattering medium. To further demonstrate the feasibility of the optoacoustic technique, the scattering coefficient of the surrounding medium has also been characterized.     

Optoacoustic detection of multiple photon molecular absorption in a strong IR field

A new method based on the optoacoustic effect has been proposed to measure multiple photon absorption at vibrational molecular transitions in a strong IR laser field. Comparison measurements of the average absorbed energy have been done by this method for molecules with different dissociation limits in a strong CO₂-laser field, the field intensity changed therewith by four orders. For the poly-atomic molecules C₂H₄ and SF₆ having a comparatively low dissociation limit, the absorption increases monotonously as the power density of laser radiation P increases up to the dissociation limit. For three-atom molecules, such as D₂O and OCS, absorption saturation takes place with P ? 10 MW/cm².     

Doppler-free optoacoustic spectroscopy

The first observation of Doppler-free optoacoustic spectroscopy is reported. As a first example the P (193) line of the 11-0 band of the B←X transition of ¹²⁷I₂ is used. The output of cw single mode dye laser is split into two equal intensity beams chopped at frequencies ω₁ and ω₂. The nonlinear compoment of the optoacoustic signal at the frequency (ω₁ + ω₂) is detected and Doppler-free resolution is obtained. Comparing the Doppler-free optoacoustic and fluorescence spectra of iodine measured under similar conditions, good agreement is found. Since optoacoustic and fluorescence methods complement each other, this opens up new possibilities for weakly or nonfluorescing molecules.     

Femto-, Picosecond,and Terahertz Optoacoustics

The possibilities offered by the optoacoustic monitoring of the sea shelf are considered, based on the development of reliable laser sources of femto- and picosecond pulse duration and new ways of detecting and processing high-frequency signals. The basis of these new possibilities is a volume source of sound produced as a result of the breakdown of the medium under the action of ultrashort laser pulses. An overview of new worldwide achievements is presented. The results from a number of model experiments on the optoacoustic monitoring of low concentrations of gas impurities, and on the precise monitoring of the sea shelf, are interpreted.     

Design of an optoacoustic cell for laser-Stark spectroscopy

We report on the development of an optoacoustic cell that is suitable for high-resolution laser-Stark spectroscopy. It is a small volume non-resonant device that has been operated with strong electric fields, up to 36 kV/cm. A Doppler-free Stark spectrum of NH₃, obtained with a CO₂ laser, is given as an example of its performances.     

Infrared laser multiple photon dissociation of thiophene in gas phase

Infrared laser multiple photon excitation/dissociation of Thiophene (Th) was studied as a function of Th pressure, laser pulse energy, pulse duration and added buffer gas. While the excitation process was probed via optoacoustic technique, the stable reaction products were analyzed by IR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Although C₂H₂ and CH₃CCH were the major hydrocarbon products under all experimental conditions, the distribution of these, as well as higher hydrocarbons of lower yield, was found to be very much dependent upon the experimental conditions. The laser induced reaction under dielectric breakdown conditions with either high substrate pressure or laser energy produced significant amount of CS₂ and unidentified polymer as well. We propose a mechanism involving breakage of the C–S bond in Th to form an unstable 1,5-diradical which further decomposed via different channels. However, at higher substrate pressures, radical-Th reactions complicated the overall chemistry of the system. Evidences for collisional energy-pooling and rotational hole-filling were also obtained.     

Optoacoustic imaging with synthetic aperture focusing and coherence weighting

Optoacoustic imaging takes advantage of high optical contrast and low acoustic scattering and has found several biomedical applications. In the common backward mode a laser beam illuminates the image object, and an acoustic transducer located on the same side as the laser beam detects the optoacoustic signal produced by thermoelastic effects. A cross-sectional image is formed by laterally scanning the laser beam and the transducer. Although the laser beam width is generally narrow to provide good lateral resolution, strong optical scattering in tissue broadens the optical illumination pattern and thus degrades the lateral resolution. To solve this problem, a combination of the synthetic aperture focusing technique with coherence weighting is proposed. This method synthesizes a large aperture by summing properly delayed signals received at different positions. The focusing quality is further improved by using the signal coherence as an image quality index. A phantom comprising hair threads in a 1% milk solution was imaged with an optoacoustic imaging system. The results show that the proposed technique improved lateral resolution by 400-800% and the signal-to-noise ratio by 7-23 dB over conventional techniques.     

Detection of nanosecond optoacoustic pulses in steel

The optoacoustic transformation of 5-ns laser pulses was used to excite broadband longitudinal acoustic pulses in a 0.4-mm-thick steel plate. An electromagnetic acoustic transducer that incorporated a flat wire coil with a diameter of 5 mm and an amplifier was proposed as a device for contactless ultrasound detection. A permanent cylindrical magnet and a coil close to the printed-circuit board of an operational amplifier were placed on one side of the sample, thus allowing the detection of the alternating electromagnetic field produced by pressure pulses excited on the opposite side. The frequency spectrum of detected pulses ranged from 5 to 200 MHz.