Sensing of ultrasonic fields based on polarization parametric indirect microscopic imaging

This Letter tackles the issue of non-contact detection of ultrasonic fields by utilizing a novel optical method based on the parametric indirect microscopic imaging(PIMI) technique. A general theoretical model describing the three-dimensional anisotropic photoelastic effect in solid was developed. The mechanism of polarization status variations of light passing through the stress and strain fields was analyzed. Non-contact measurements of the ultrasonic field propagating in an isotropic quartz glass have been fulfilled by the PIMI technique under different ultrasonic excitation conditions. PIMI parameters such as sin δ, Φ, and the Stokes parameters have been found to be sensitive to ultrasonic fields.     

Modeling the pulse shape of Q-switched lasers to account for terminal-level relaxation

To account for the effect of lower-level relaxation,we have derived a characteristic equation for describing the laser pulse from the modified rate equations for Q-switched lasers.The pulse temporal profile is related to the ratio of the lower-level lifetime to the cavity lifetime and the number of times the population inversion density is above the threshold.By solving the coupled rate equations numerically,the effect of terminal-level lifetime on pulse temporal behaviour is analysed.The mode is applied to the case of a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser that is passively Q-switched by a Cr 4+:YAG absorber.Theoretical results show good agreement with the experiments.