Sensitivity of integrated optical sensors based on a prism coupler

Errors of registration of complex mode propagation constant increments for the sensors with a film waveguiding structure deposited on the base of the prism coupler are investigated. Possibilities for minimization of mean square errors of the registration by choosing parameters of the waveguiding structure and the exciting light beam are determined. As an example, the optimized sensor of ammonia concentration in air is analysed.     

Spectra of optical characteristics of titanium with a binary surface layer

The solution of the inverse problem of spectral ellipsometry is obtained for titanium with a surface layer of titanium oxide that was formed as a result of thermal (450°C) oxidation of the metal substrate. Using the Drude-Zener and Cauchy dispersion models, it is shown that a rather thick (46 nm) inhomogeneous binary surface layer including about 23% of titanium and 77% of titanium oxide is present on the studied samples of pure polycrystalline titanium. A natural weakly absorbing surface layer with a thickness of 13 nm is on this layer.     

Waveguide technique for measuring thin film parameters

A waveguide technique for measuring the absorption coefficient, refractive index, and thickness of thin films is suggested. It is based on taking the angular dependence of the light beam reflection coefficient in an optical scheme involving a prism coupler. Application of the technique to determining the parameters of thin-film waveguides, insulating coatings, and metal films is considered.     

Calculation of the diffraction field in a layered medium illuminated through a phase mask

Optics and Spectroscopy - A local mode technique has been developed for calculating a diffraction field in a layered medium illuminated by the TE-polarized light through a phase mask with a...     

Reflectometry technique for studying metal nanolayers on a substrate

A new noncontact technique is proposed for determining the parameters of nanosized metal coatings (absorption coefficients, refractive indices, and thicknesses). It is based on processing the measured angular dependence of the energy reflection coefficient of a polarized laser beam reflected by a thin-film structure surface. Features of determining the parameters of films on silicon substrates have been considered.     

Mode attenuation in microstructured optical fibers with absorbing coating

The characteristics of leaky modes in microstructured fibers with finite-thickness absorbing coatings are studied theoretically and experimentally. It is shown that, if the thickness of the coating is constant, the fiber has a quasi-periodic transmission spectrum. The period and depth of modulation of the spectrum are determined by resonance coupling between the modes of the fiber and coating. Since the constants of mode propagation in the coating are very sensitive to environmental parameters, the discovered effect seems to be promising for sensor applications.     

Waveguide spectroscopy of bilayer structures

A least-squares procedure is proposed for the reconstruction of optical parameters of bilayer structures. The objective function is constructed using experimental and calculated data on the reflectance of a coupling prism. A structure consisting of two different silicon oxynitride films on a silicon substrate is studied. The effect of scattering on the solution of the inverse problem is analyzed.     

Modes of capillary photonic-crystal fibers with hollow core

A rigorous method of integral equations has been used to calculate the dispersion characteristics, fields, and radiation patterns of the leaky modes of photonic-crystal fibers with a shell in the form of a bounded 2D photonic crystal composed of parallel quartz capillaries contacting each other and a core in the form of a defect of a photonic crystal with one capillary removed. It is shown that, when thick-walled capillaries (with an air content in the shell of about 28%) are used, these fibers can be single mode and have an overlap integral of the fundamental-mode field with the dielectric medium that is smaller by a factor of more than two (in comparison with similar fibers formed by air channels of circular cross section). The significant dispersion of the group velocity of the fundamental modes of fibers near the edge of the photonic crystal band gap has been found.