Study of absorption spectrum and dynamics evaluation of the indocyanine‐green first singlet excited state

Excited state absorption and excited state dynamics of indocyanine‐green (ICG) dissolved in dymethyl sulfoxide were measured using white‐light continuum Z‐scan (WLCZScan) and white‐light continuum pump–probe (WLCPP) techniques. The excited state absorption spectrum, obtained through Z‐scan measurements, revealed saturable absorption (SA) for wavelengths longer than 630 nm, while reverse saturable absorption (RSA) appeared, as indicated by a band at approximately 570 nm. Both processes were modeled by a three‐energy‐level diagram, from which the excited state cross‐section values were determined. SA and RSA were also observed in pump–probe experiments, with a recovery time in the hundreds of picoseconds time scale due to the long lifetime of the first excited state of ICG. Such results contribute to the understanding of ICG optical properties, allowing application in photonics and medicine. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fraction‐Dimensional Accessible Solitons in a Parity‐Time Symmetric Potential

By using the modified Snyder‐Mitchell (MSM) model, which can describe the propagation of a paraxial beam in fractional dimensions (FDs), we find the exact "accessible soliton” solutions in the strongly nonlocal nonlinear media with a self‐consistent parity‐time (PT) symmetric complex potential. The exact solutions are constructed with the help of two special functions: the complex Gegenbauer and the generalized Laguerre polynomials in polar coordinates, parametrized by two nonnegative integer indices ‐ the radial and azimuthal mode numbers (n,m), and the beam modulation depth. By the choice of different soliton parameters, the intensity and angular profiles display symmetric and asymmetric structures. We believe that it is important to explore the MSM model in FDs and PT‐symmetric potentials, for a better understanding of nonlinear FD physical phenomena. Different physical systems in which the model might be of relevance are briefly discussed.     

Atomic spectroscopy and quantum optics in hollow‐core waveguides

Atomic spectroscopy is a well‐established, integral part of the physicist's toolbox with an extremely broad range of applications ranging from astronomy to single atom quantum optics. While highly desirable, miniaturization of atomic spectroscopy techniques on the chip scale was hampered by the apparent incompatibility of conventional solid‐state integrated optics and gaseous media. Here, the state of the art of atomic spectroscopy in hollow‐core optical waveguides is reviewed The two main approaches to confining light in low index atomic vapors are described: hollow‐core photonic crystal fiber (HC‐PCF) and planar antiresonant reflecting optical waveguides (ARROWs). Waveguide design, fabrication, and characterization are reviewed along with the current performance as compact atomic spectroscopy devices. The article specifically focuses on the realization of quantum interference effects in alkali atoms which may enable radically new optical devices based on low‐level nonlinear interactions on the single photon level for frequency standards and quantum communication systems.     

Silicon Photonics Rectangular Universal Interferometer

Universal multiport photonic interferometers that can implement any arbitrary unitary transformation between input and output optical modes are essential to support advanced optical functions. Integrated versions of these components can be implemented by means of either a fixed triangular or a fixed rectangular arrangement of the same components. We propose the implementation of a fixed rectangular universal interferometer using a reconfigurable hexagonal waveguide mesh circuit. A suitable adaptation synthesis algorithm tailored to this mesh configuration is provided and the experimental demonstration of a rectangular multiport interferometer by means of a fabricated silicon photonics chip is reported. The 7‐hexagonal cell chip can implement 2 × 2, 3 × 3 and 4 × 4 arbitrary unitary transformations. The proposed hexagonal waveguide mesh operates in a similar way as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) in electronics. We believe that this work represents an important step‐forward towards fully programmable and integrable multiport interferometers.     

Femtosecond opto‐magnetism: ultrafast laser manipulation of magnetic materials

This review summarizes the recent progress in the study of ultrafast nonthermal effects of light on magnetic materials. It is demonstrated that due to opto‐magnetic phenomena an intense 100 fs circularly polarized laser pulse acts on the spins similar to an equivalently short effective magnetic field pulse up to 1 T. The review shows that using such opto‐magnetic phenomena one may selectively excite different modes of magnetic resonance, realize quantum control of magnons, trigger magnetic phase transitions and switch spins on a subpicosecond time‐scale. All these findings open new insights into the understanding of ultrafast magnetic excitation and, considering recent progress in the development of compact ultrafast lasers, may provide new prospects for applications of ultrafast opto‐magnetic phenomena in magnetic storage and information processing technology.     

Active demultiplexing of single photons from a solid‐state source

A scheme for active temporal‐to‐spatial demultiplexing of single photons generated by a solid‐state source is introduced. The scheme scales quasi‐polynomially with photon number, providing a viable technological path for routing n photons in the one temporal stream from a single emitter to n different spatial modes. Active demultiplexing is demonstrated using a state‐of‐the‐art photon source—a quantum‐dot deterministically coupled to a micropillar cavity—and a custom‐built demultiplexer—a network of electro‐optically reconfigurable waveguides monolithically integrated in a lithium niobate chip. The measured demultiplexer performance can enable a six‐photon rate three orders of magnitude higher than the equivalent heralded SPDC source, providing a platform for intermediate quantum computation protocols.

     

Multiband processing of multimode light: combining 3D photonic lanterns with waveguide Bragg gratings

The first demonstration of narrowband spectral filtering of multimode light on a 3D integrated photonic chip using photonic lanterns and waveguide Bragg gratings is reported. The photonic lanterns with multi‐notch waveguide Bragg gratings were fabricated using the femtosecond direct‐write technique in boro‐aluminosilicate glass (Corning, Eagle 2000). Transmission dips of up to 5 dB were measured in both photonic lanterns and reference single‐mode waveguides with 10.4‐mm‐long gratings. The result demonstrates efficient and symmetrical performance of each of the gratings in the photonic lantern. Such devices will be beneficial to space‐division multiplexed communication systems as well as for units for astronomical instrumentation for suppression of the atmospheric telluric emission from OH lines.     

Aberration theory of plane‐symmetric grating systems

Aberration theory of plane‐symmetric optical systems of mirror and grating has been developed based on the wavefront aberration method. A toroidal reference wavefront surface is used to define the wavefront aberration. Based on the ray geometry, the coordinate mapping relationships of the ray between the optical element and the incident and aberrated wavefronts are derived using a polynomial‐fit method; this enables the resultant coefficients of the wavefront and the transverse aberration to be kept to the fourth‐order accuracy of the aperture‐ray coordinates. By setting up the transfer equations of the field and aperture rays, the contribution to wavefront aberrations from each mirror and grating can be added to make the aberration calculation of multi‐element systems feasible. The theory is validated by the analytic formulae of the spot diagram.     

Characterization of an X‐ray mirror mechanical bender for the European XFEL

One of the classical devices used to tune a mirror on an X‐ray optical setup is a mechanical bender. This is often designed in such a way that the mirror is held with clamps on both ends; a motor is then used to put a torque on the clamps, inducing a cylindrical shape of the mirror surface. A mechanical bender with this design was recently characterized, to bend a 950 mm‐long mirror up to a radius of curvature of 10 km. The characterization was performed using a large‐aperture Fizeau interferometer with an angled incidence setup. Some particular and critical effects were investigated, such as calibration, hysteresis, twisting and long‐term stability.     

Ultra‐fast heralded single photon source based on telecom technology

The realization of an ultra‐fast source of heralded single photons emitted at the wavelength of 1540 nm is reported. The presented strategy is based on state‐of‐the‐art telecom technology, combined with off‐the‐shelf fiber components and waveguide non‐linear stages pumped by a 10 GHz repetition rate laser. The single photons are heralded at a rate as high as 2.1 MHz with a heralding efficiency of 42%. Single‐photon character of the source is inferred by measuring the second‐order autocorrelation function. For the highest heralding rate, a value as low as 0.023 is found. This not only proves negligible multi‐photon contributions but also represents one of the best measured values reported to date for heralding rates in the MHz regime. These performances, associated with a device‐like configuration, are key ingredients for both fast and secure quantum communication protocols.

     

Microcrystallography using single‐bounce monocapillary optics

X‐ray microbeams have become increasingly valuable in protein crystallography. A number of synchrotron beamlines worldwide have adapted to handling smaller and more challenging samples by providing a combination of high‐precision sample‐positioning hardware, special visible‐light optics for sample visualization, and small‐diameter X‐ray beams with low background scatter. Most commonly, X‐ray microbeams with diameters ranging from 50 µm to 1 µm are produced by Kirkpatrick and Baez mirrors in combination with defining apertures and scatter guards. A simple alternative based on single‐bounce glass monocapillary X‐ray optics is presented. The basic capillary design considerations are discussed and a practical and robust implementation that capitalizes on existing beamline hardware is presented. A design for mounting the capillary is presented which eliminates parasitic scattering and reduces deformations of the optic to a degree suitable for use on next‐generation X‐ray sources. Comparison of diffraction data statistics for microcrystals using microbeam and conventional aperture‐collimated beam shows that capillary‐focused beam can deliver significant improvement. Statistics also confirm that the annular beam profile produced by the capillary optic does not impact data quality in an observable way. Examples are given of new structures recently solved using this technology. Single‐bounce monocapillary optics can offer an attractive alternative for retrofitting existing beamlines for microcrystallography.     

Tests and characterization of a laterally graded multilayer Montel mirror

Multilayers are becoming an increasingly important tool in X‐ray optics. The essential parameters to design a pair of laterally graded multilayer mirrors arranged in a Montel‐type configuration for use as an X‐ray collimating device are provided. The results of X‐ray reflectometry tests carried out on the optics in addition to metrology characterization are also shown. Finally, using experimental data and combined with X‐ray tracing simulations it is demonstrated that the mirror meets all stringent specifications as required for a novel ultra‐high‐resolution inelastic X‐ray scattering spectrometer at the Advanced Photon Source.     

Generation of quantum‐entangled twin photons by waveguide nonlinear‐optic devices

This paper reviews the quasi‐phase‐matched (QPM) waveguide nonlinear‐optic device technologies for generation of quantum‐entangled twin photons indispensable for quantum‐information techniques. After a brief introduction to the concept of entanglement, quantum theory analysis of twin‐photon generation (TPG) is outlined to clarify the properties of twin photons. Then, methods for entangled‐photon generation are discussed. Practical design and theoretical performances of LiNbO₃ waveguide QPM TPG devices, as well as the fabrication techniques, are described. Finally, experimental demonstrations of polarization‐entangled twin‐photon generation by waveguide Type‐I and Type‐II QPM TPG devices are presented.     

Hybrid photonic circuit for multiplexed heralded single photons

A key resource for quantum optics experiments is an on‐demand source of single and multiple photon states at telecommunication wavelengths. This letter presents a heralded single photon source based on a hybrid technology approach, combining high efficiency periodically poled lithium niobate waveguides, low‐loss laser inscribed circuits, and fast (>1 MHz) fibre coupled electro‐optic switches. Hybrid interfacing different platforms is a promising route to exploiting the advantages of existing technology and has permitted the demonstration of the multiplexing of four identical sources of single photons to one output. Since this is an integrated technology, it provides scalability and can immediately leverage any improvements in transmission, detection and photon production efficiencies.     

Graphene supports the propagation of subwavelength optical solitons

Nonlinear propagation of light in a graphene monolayer is studied theoretically. It is shown how the large intrinsic nonlinearity of graphene at optical frequencies enables the formation of quasi one‐dimensional self‐guided beams (spatial solitons) featuring subwavelength widths at moderate electric‐field peak intensities. A novel class of nonlinear self‐confined modes resulting from the hybridization of surface plasmon polaritons with graphene optical solitons is also demonstrated.     

Generation of One‐Way Gaussian Steering by Gaussian Channel and Converting One‐Way Gaussian Steering by Beamsplitters

Gaussian steering is used to characterize the intrinsic quantum correlation of Gaussian states under Gaussian measurement. Here we study the generation of one‐way Gaussian steering and the conversion of one‐way Gaussian steering. It is found that one‐way Gaussian steering could be generated by using Gaussian channels, either the Gaussian lossy channel or the Gaussian amplification channel. Exploiting the one‐way Gaussian steering in a two‐partite quantum system consists of two subsystems marked with A and B, one‐way Gaussian steering (steering from A to B) can be converted to the other one‐way Gaussian steering (steering from B to A) using linear optics, and vice versa.     

Integrated all‐optical switch with 10 ps time resolution enabled by ALD

Abstract The potential of GaAs‐based photonic crystals for fast all‐optical switching in the telecom spectral range is exploited by controlling the surface recombination and, thereby, the carrier relaxation dynamics. The structure is entirely coated with a layer of aluminium oxide using atomic layer deposition. This results in a carrier lifetime of about 10 ps, as determined by spectrally resolved pump–probe measurements. We show that the nonlinear response of the resonator is optimized when it is excited with a few‐picoseconds pulse. This dynamics is perfectly captured by our model accounting for the carrier diffusion with an impulse response function. Moreover, the suppression of photo‐induced oxidation is revealed to be crucial to demonstrate all‐optical operation at GHz rates with average coupled pump power of 0.5 mW (hence 100 fJ/bit). The switching window is 12 ps wide (1/e), as resolved by homodyne pump–probe measurements. The devices respond to a sequence of closely spaced pump pulses demonstrating a gating window close to 10 ps, with a contrast as high as 7 dB.

     

Protective radiolucent aluminium oxide coatings for beryllium X‐ray optics

Beryllium, being one of the most transparent materials to X‐ray radiation, has become the material of choice for X‐ray optics instrumentation at synchrotron radiation sources and free‐electron laser facilities. However, there are concerns due to its high toxicity and, consequently, there is a need for special safety regulations. The authors propose to apply protective coatings in order to seal off beryllium from the ambient atmosphere, thus preventing degradation processes providing additional protection for users and prolonging the service time of the optical elements. This paper presents durability test results for Be windows coated with atomic‐layer‐deposition alumina layers run at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. Expositions were performed under monochromatic, pink and white beams, establishing conditions that the samples could tolerate without radiation damage. X‐ray treatment was implemented in various environments, i.e. vacuum, helium, nitrogen, argon and dry air at different pressures. Post‐process analysis revealed their efficiency for monochromatic and pink beams.