Monte carlo simulation of signals from model biological tissues measured by an optical coherence tomograph and an optical coherence Doppler tomograph

The results of Monte Carlo simulation of optical coherence tomograph (OCT) signals from layers of a suspension of erythrocytes and an aqueous solution of Intralipid are presented. It is shown that the rear boundary of a layer of an erythrocyte suspension 0.5 mm thick is distinguished in the OCT signal for all the hematocrits considered (5, 10, and 35%). This is explained by fact that the greatest contribution to the signal is made by low-order scattered photons, which ensures good differentiation of internal inclusions and the rear boundary. In the case of the Intralipid solution, the main contribution is made by multiply scattered photons and the signal from the rear boundary is indistinguishable. Signals of an optical coherence Doppler tomograph (OCDT) from a plane-parallel flow of Intralipid between glass plates are also simulated. The effect of the Intralipid concentration on the velocity profile reconstructed from the OCDT signal is studied. It is shown that an increase in the Intralipid concentration leads to a shift in the maximum of the reconstructed velocity profile and to an stretching of the profile. The reason for these distortions is the contribution to the signal from multiple scattering. OCDT signals from a blood layer immersed in an optical phantom of skin are also simulated, and the distortions of the reconstructed profile are analyzed in relation to the depth of the layer.     

Experimental state tomography of itinerant single microwave photons

A wide range of experiments studying microwave photons localized in superconducting cavities have made important contributions to our understanding of the quantum properties of radiation. Propagating microwave photons, however, have so far been studied much less intensely. Here we present measurements in which we reconstruct the quantum state of itinerant single photon Fock states and their superposition with the vacuum by analyzing moments of the measured amplitude distribution up to fourth order. Using linear amplifiers and quadrature amplitude detectors, we have developed efficient methods to separate the detected single photon signal from the noise added by the amplifier. From our measurement data we have also reconstructed the corresponding Wigner function.     

基于差分光密度差异的组织内异质体的快速定位方法

基于近红外光谱法对组织内的异质体进行无创检测时,光源-探测器(S-D)相对于异质体的位置对检测效果有着重要影响。为实现对组织内异质体的快速定位,该研究基于一源多探的检测结构针对不同水平位置、不同深度和不同直径的异质体进行光密度分布有限元分析,计算各探测器之间的差分光密度差异。仿真实验结果表明,根据多探测器形成的差分光密度差异曲线可快速定位组织内异质体的水平位置。曲线的高斯拟合特征量与异质体的水平位置、深度和直径有着强相关性。基于差分光密度差异曲线可以实现组织内感兴趣区域的快速定位,对采用近红外光谱法的组织肿瘤检测、光学脑功能成像等领域的源-探位置放置提供重要参考,提高其检测精度。     

Estimation of optical abnormalities in breast phantom by diffuse equation

Optical imaging is an emerging method for bio-imaging. The advantages of this imaging provide non-ionizing and safe radiation, non-invasive and functional medical imaging. Due to diffusion of photons inside biological tissues, its image processing is complicated. So in spite of these advantages, this imaging method has not been progressed like ultrasound imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Also, the penetration depth of photons inside biological phantom is low. To overcome this problem, the complicated diffusion of photons through tissue must be modeled. The diffuse equation can be applied to simulate photons through turbid media like biological tissues. In this paper, the diffuse equation is used to study propagation of diffuse photons. The green function method is applied to solve this equation, and then the optical properties of abnormalities in breast phantom are estimated. This fast method can be applied for image processing.     

Coherence of radiation as studied by multiple coincidences of photons and particles

Coincidences of photons and particles are measured by counting the number of events occurring simultaneously in two or more detectors. Coherent and incoherent radiation may have different behavior when the number of coincidence counts is studied with different arrangements of the coincidence detectors: the coincidence rate for the coherent radiation field, such as that obtained from a single-mode laser, is independent on the transverse separation between the detectors as long as the intensity of the radiation stays constant. On the other hand, with incoherent thermal radiation, using suitable monochromatization, the coincidence rate can show a significant bunching effect at detector separations smaller than the transverse coherence length. As a third alternative, photon antibunching may be observed if the radiation field is prepared in a number state, such as that available from resonance fluorescence of atoms, ions or molecules. If the time resolution of the detectors is not sufficient to resolve separate counts, corresponding effects can be observed in experiments, where the analog outputs of the detectors are multiplied to produce an intensity correlation signal. Intensity correlation and coincidence studies of photons and particles are reviewed in this report starting from the early experiments in the 1950’s and including recent work on X-ray coincidences and three-pion correlations. New results are presented for three- and four-photon coincidences at the X-ray wavelengths.     

Time-resolved multiple imaging by detecting photons with changeable wavelengths

Transporting information is one of the important functions of photons and is also the essential duty of information science. Here, we realize multiple imaging by detecting photons with changeable wavelengths based on time-resolved correlation measurements. In our system, information from multiple objects can be transported.During this process, the wavelength of the photons illuminating the objects is different from the wavelength of the photons detected by the detectors. More importantly, the wavelength of the photons that are utilized to record images can also be changed to match the sensitive range of the used detectors. In our experiment, images of the objects are reconstructed clearly by detecting the photons at wavelengths of 650, 810, and 1064 nm,respectively. These properties should have potential applications in information science.     

Single-photon and two-photon decay channels of superfluid current in thin rings irradiated by a low-frequency coherent electromagnetic field

The decay of a superconducting current in thin rings irradiated by a low-frequency coherent electromagnetic field has been predicted. Coherent oscillations induced in the superconducting condensate by this field lead to the emission of photons with the energy predominantly determined by discrete values of the energy of the superconducting ring. The thickness of the ring should be smaller than the skin depth of this field and than the London penetration depth. The discrete decay of the superconducting current accompanied by emission of one and two photons has been investigated for the first time. Numerical results have been presented for the angular and energy distributions of photons, as well as for the lifetime of the supercurrent states as a function of the size of the superconducting ring and the number of fluxoids in the initial state.     

Automatic analysis of microscopic photo-pictures of undeveloped and developed nuclear emulsions

Methods of automatic computer analyses of images have large impotence in numerous physical problems with different kinds of radiations, which use such solid-state detectors as nuclear photographic emulsions, plastics and others. We described a method of expanding boundaries of dark areas for such computer analyses of micro-pictures. We demonstrated effectiveness of this method by the example of the search of microcrystals size distributions in two undeveloped nuclear emulsions and similar distribution of background grains in the developed emulsion.     

Single photon frequency up-conversion and its applications

Optical frequency up-conversion is a technique, based on sum frequency generation in a non-linear optical medium, in which signal light from one frequency (wavelength) is converted to another frequency. By using this technique, near infrared light can be converted to light in the visible or near visible range and therefore detected by commercially available visible detectors with high efficiency and low noise. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has adapted the frequency up-conversion technique to develop highly efficient and sensitive single photon detectors and a spectrometer for use at telecommunication wavelengths. The NIST team used these single photon up-conversion detectors and spectrometer in a variety of pioneering research projects including the implementation of a quantum key distribution system; the demonstration of a detector with a temporal resolution beyond the jitter limitation of commercial single photon detectors; the characterization of an entangled photon pair source, including a direct spectrum measurement for photons generated in spontaneous parametric down-conversion; the characterization of single photons from quantum dots including the measurement of carrier lifetime with escalated high accuracy and the demonstration of the converted quantum dot photons preserving their non-classical features; the observation of 2nd, 3rd and 4th order temporal correlations of near infrared single photons from coherent and pseudo-thermal sources following frequency up-conversion; a study on the time-resolving measurement capability of the detectors using a short pulse pump and; evaluating the modulation of a single photon wave packet for better interfacing of independent sources. In this article, we will present an overview of the frequency up-conversion technique, introduce its applications in quantum information systems and discuss its unique features and prospects for the future.     

On the distribution of 1550-nm photon pairs efficiently generated using a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide

We report on efficient generation of 1550-nm photon pairs in a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide using the spontaneous parametric down-conversion process. Such photon pairs are expected to find applications in fiber-based long-distance quantum communication. Pumping the waveguide with a pulsed semiconductor laser with a pulse rate of 800 kHz and a maximum average pump power of 50 μW, we obtain a coincidence rate of 600 s⁻¹. Despite only two single-photon detectors are used, we gain some information about the photon-number distribution. Our measurements are found to be in agreement with a Poissonian photon-pair distribution, but clearly differ from the expected outcomes for both conventional and two-mode squeezed states, the latter corresponding to a thermal photon-pair distribution. The Poissonian photon-pair distribution is also explained by comparing the coherence time of the pump light and of the detected photons. An average of 0.9 generated photon pairs per pulse can thus be inferred.     

Scattering and absorption differential cross sections for double photon Compton scattering

The scattering and absorption differential cross sections for nonlinear QED process such as double photon Compton scattering have been measured as a function of independent final photon energy. The incident gamma photons are of 0.662 MeV in energy as produced by an 8 Ci¹³⁷Cs radioactive source and thin aluminum foils are used as scatterer. The two simultaneously emitted photons in this process are detected in coincidence using two Nal(T1) scintillation detectors and a slow-fast coincidence set-up of 30 nsec resolving time. The measured values of scattering and absorption differential cross sections agree with theory within experimental estimated error.     

Imaging in turbid media using quasi-ballistic photons

We study by means of experiments and Monte Carlo simulations, the scattering of light in random media, to determine the distance up to which photons travel along almost undeviated paths within a scattering medium, and are therefore capable of casting a shadow of an opaque inclusion embedded within the medium. Such photons are isolated by polarisation discrimination wherein the plane of linear polarisation of the input light is continuously rotated and the polarisation preserving component of the emerging light is extracted by means of a Fourier transform. This technique is a software implementation of lock-in detection. We find that images may be recovered to a depth far in excess of that predicted by the diffusion theory of photon propagation. To understand our experimental results, we perform Monte Carlo simulations to model the random walk behaviour of the multiply scattered photons. We present a new definition of a diffusing photon in terms of the memory of its initial direction of propagation, which we then quantify in terms of an angular correlation function. This redefinition yields the penetration depth of the polarisation preserving photons. Based on these results, we have formulated a model to understand shadow formation in a turbid medium, the predictions of which are in good agreement with our experimental results.     

浅表组织后向散射检测中偏振门的蒙特卡罗研究

已有实验表明偏振门和斜入射技术能有效地抑止深层散射光子,实现浅表组织光学特性的检测。采用蒙特卡罗方法,分析了斜入射、偏振门的特性,研究了组织光学参量和入射角等参量对平均探测深度的影响。结果表明,组织的各向异性因子和入射角对平均探测深度影响较大。当各向异性因子较小(小于0.8)或者入射角较大(大于1.4 rad)时,组织的平均探测深度能满足小于2倍平均自由程的要求。偏振门和斜入射技术均可使探测光子经历的散射次数和探测深度有明显减小,因此,结合偏振门和斜入射技术能够更有效地分辨来自浅层的信号光,抑止来自深层的背景光。     

深度分辨漫反射测量光纤探头设计及特性

漫反射光谱人体成分检测研究中,光纤探头接收漫反射光子穿透深度及传输路径对检测效率及灵敏度影响较大,而传统的检测光纤探头无法实现对特定深度漫反射光子选择性接收。针对人体成分检测需要,提出了采用一定入射-接收角度及半球透镜耦合的漫反射测量光纤探头结构。在三层皮肤模型基础上,结合光纤探头形式改进Monte Carlo程序,计算光纤探头接收漫反射光子穿透深度,有效光子比例,有效信息载荷以及真皮层检测灵敏度。结果表明,设计的光纤探头可实现真皮层漫反射光子选择性接收,检测效率以及测量光谱受非目标层组织结构及光学参数影响较小,可有效提高人体成分无创检测灵敏度。     

Statistical properties of thermal radiation in a Kerr nonlinear blackbody

We study the statistical properties of thermal radiation in a Kerr nonlinear blackbody in which bare photons with opposite wave vectors and helities are bound into pairs and unpaired photons are transformed into a different kind of quasiparticle, the nonpolariton. This paper investigates the statistical properties of the photon blackbody field by using the second-order correlation function, the phase space distribution function, the photon number distribution and the nonclassical depth. The numerical computation and a discussion of the results are present.     

皮肤组织容积脉搏波400~1000 nm光谱特性仿真研究

根据皮肤组织解剖结构特性建立了六层层状模型,并给出了皮肤组织各层的特性参数;考虑了氧合血红蛋白和还原血红蛋白的吸收特性,依据皮肤组织各层的水、血、脂肪、血氧饱和度含量以及血管大小给出了皮肤组织各层的光谱吸收系数;对不同波长散射系数做了适当简化,给出了皮肤组织各层的光谱散射系数。利用蒙特卡罗方法仿真血管组织在收缩与舒张两种状态下, 400~1 000 nm波长光在皮肤组织多层模型中的传输过程,并通过统计大量光子的分布特性,获得了皮肤组织光谱反射系数,并利用模拟所得的两种状态下的反射系数计算得到了光谱容积脉搏波幅度。仿真结果表明,当入射光强一定时,绿光的容积脉搏波幅度优于红光和蓝光。通过计算不同波长光沿皮肤组织深度方向光能流率衰减为1/e时对应的皮肤组织深度,获得了皮肤组织光谱穿透深度。结果显示,血管舒张状态下蓝光和绿光的穿透深度较小,蓝光大部分只能达到表皮层,绿光能到达微循环层,红光可直达真皮层。考虑到光在皮肤组织中传播包含了一个从收缩到舒张的动态过程,基于此,根据穿透深度定义了脉搏波信号产生深度,利用血管舒张与收缩两种不同状态下的穿透深度计算得到了光谱产生深度。结果表明,不同波长光产生深度大于其穿透深度,蓝光产生深度较浅,且其受到的血液吸收调制较小,因而其获得的脉搏信号易受噪声干扰;红光的容积脉搏波产生深度较大,但是相比于绿光其受血液吸收调制较小,且绿光产生深度足够达到真皮血管层,因而红光容积脉搏波的幅度小于绿光。上述仿真结果明确了皮肤组织部分光谱特性,为皮肤组织多光谱容积脉搏波的精确获取及其他相关研究提供了一定的理论基础。     

Superbunched bright squeezed vacuum state

In this Letter, we experimentally study the statistical properties of a bright squeezed vacuum state containing up to 10(13) photons per mode (10 μJ per pulse), produced via high-gain parametric down conversion (PDC). The effects of bunching and superbunching of photons were observed for a single-mode PDC radiation by second-order intensity correlation function measurements with analog detectors.     

Investigating the bit rate of a quantum key over free space,depending on the conditions of transmission

An experimental setup for investigating the distribution of a quantum key over free space is described. The results from experiments to study the rate of key generation and that of the quantum bit error as a function of the quantum efficiency of single-photon detectors and the average number of photons per pulse is given.     

Path-length distribution and path-length-resolved Doppler measurements of multiply scattered photons by use of low-coherence interferometry

We report first results of measurements by low-coherence Doppler interferometry of the path-length distribution of photons undergoing multiple scattering in a highly turbid medium. We use a Mach-Zehnder interferometer with multimode graded-index fibers and a superluminescent diode as the light source. The path-length distribution is obtained by recording of the heterodyne fluctuations that arise from the Brownian motion of particles in an Intralipid suspension as a function of the optical path length. The experimental path-length distribution is in good agreement with predictions of Monte Carlo simulations. In the heterodyne spectrum, an increase of the mean Doppler frequency with path length is observed.     

两个独立全光纤多通道光子纠缠源的Hong-Ou-Mandel干涉

独立光子源的干涉是实现复杂量子体系应用(比如多光子纠缠态产生和量子隐形传态等)的核心技术.利用100 GHz密集波分复用技术,实现了1.55μm全光纤多通道独立纠缠光子源的Hong-Ou-Mandel干涉,在不去除暗符合(随机符合计数)的情况下,可见度为53.2%±8.4%,去除暗符合可见度可达到82.9%±5.3%.给出了关于色散位移光纤中基于自发四波混频过程产生的单光子光谱纯度严格的理论描述,模拟了抽运脉冲宽度和滤波器带宽对单光子光谱纯度的影响,并给出了理论上的最佳条件(最佳的抽运脉冲宽度为8 ps,高斯滤波器带宽为40 GHz及以下).在测量Hong-Ou-Mandel干涉之前,先测量了液氮冷却状态下的色散位移光纤关联光子源的符合和随机符合比率,在抽运功率为23μW的情况下,最大比率可以达到131.Hong-Ou-Mandel干涉在高精度光学测量、测量装置无关的量子密钥分配等应用中扮演着极为重要的角色.