Novel comprehension of “common path” principle

The idea of “common path” has been widely applied in optical instrument design for 30 years and even today. But the meaning of “common path” has not yet been explained clearly and sometimes confusion has been created. In this paper an “adaptive principle” is proposed and recommended on optical instrument system. It suggests that the designer not only arranges the measurement system to obtain measurement signal but also sets a channel to give prediction of noise or disturbance in real time or short term. Such a recommendation is based on the recent studies on nonlinear dynamics and atmospheric disturbance by means of experiments as well as theoretical analysis.     

Beyond nanosizing: an approach to shape analysis of fluorescent nanostructures by SMI-microscopy

Using spatially modulated illumination (SMI) light microscopy it is possible to measure the sizes of fluorescent structures that have an extension far below the conventional optical resolution limit (“subresolution size”). Presently, the sizes are determined as the object extension along the optical axis of the SMI microscope. For this, however, “a priori” assumptions on the fluorochrome distribution (“shape”) within the examined fluorescent structure have to be made. Usually it is assumed that the fluorochrome follows a Gauss-distribution or a spherical distribution. In this report we overcome the necessity to make an assumption on the shape of the fluorochrome distribution. We introduce two new experimentally obtained parameters which allow the determination of a shape measure to describe the spatial distribution of the fluorescent dye. This becomes possible by independent measurements with different excitation wavelengths. As an example, we present shape parameter measurements on individual fluorescent microspheres with a nominal geometrical diameter (“size”) of 190 nm. In the case investigated, the experimental shape correlated well with a homogeneous fluorochrome distribution (“spherical shape”) but not with a variety of other “shapes”.     

On search and identification of tracks due to short-lived SHE nuclei in extraterrestrial crystals

The unique approach for search and unambiguous identification of short-lived (T_1/2=10³–10⁷ years) superheavy nuclei in cosmic-ray products of the recent nucleosynthesis in our Galaxy are discussed.It is based on: (a) the ability of non-conducting crystals to register and to store for many million years the tracks due to fast nuclei with atomic number Z20 (“fossil” tracks);(b) calibrations of the said crystals with accelerated heavy ions (20Z92) and on revealing the volume etchable track length (VETL) of the fast nuclei coming to rest inside crystals—both of fossil and “fresh” tracks—to determine the charge distribution of cosmic-ray nuclei tracks and(c) the so-called “four-zone” model of tracks in crystals (and also glasses) which provides not only the VETL track length dependence for 20Z92 nuclei but also demonstrates the regular annealing behavior of VETL of 20Z92 nuclei in a broad temperature interval.This approach was first applied in the early 1980s to investigate the “fossil” tracks due to 22Z92 cosmic-ray nuclei in olivine crystals from meteorites-pallasite Marjalahti and Eagle Station.The discovery of Th–U cosmic-ray nuclei tracks in 1980 was unambiguously confirmed by calibrations of the same crystals with ²³⁸U, ¹⁹⁷Au and ²⁰⁸Pb accelerated ions in the late 1980s. More than 1600 tracks due to cosmic-ray actinide nuclei were measured during the last two decades of the 20th century.Also, 11 anomalously long tracks (track length exceeds by a factor (1.6±0.1) the track length due to Th–U nuclei were measured. The detailed analysis shows that at least 5 of these tracks could not be attributed to the Th–U nuclei. It means that now we have a preliminary proof on the existence Z110 nuclei in cosmic-rays. The abundance is Z110/Th–U=(1–3)×10⁻³ in Z110 freshly formed cosmic-rays (time interval 10³–10⁷ years).The method proposed can provide the necessary and sufficient conditions for the discovery of Z110 nuclei in nature.     

Rigorous Mode Analysis of Coupled Cavity Waveguides in Two-Dimensional Photonic Crystals*

A new approach for modal analysis of coupled cavity waveguides (CCW) in two-dimensional photonic crystals is presented. The mode propagation constants and the mode field profiles can be accurately derived by a simple matrix calculation, using a one-dimensional lattice sums, a T-matrix of an isolated circular cylinder, and generalized reflection matrices. Numerical examples have confirmed that the convergence of numerical solutions is very fast and the accuracy is very high.* Supported by the 21^st Century COE Program “Reconstruction of Social Insfrastructure Related to Information Science and Electrical Engineerings”.     

Nucleation and growth mechanism for flame synthesis of MoO2 hollow microchannels with nanometer wall thickness

The growth and morphological evolution of molybdenum-oxide microstructures formed in the high temperature environment of a counter-flow oxy-fuel flame using molybdenum probes is studied. Experiments conducted using various probe retention times show the sequence of the morphological changes. The morphological row begins with micron size objects exhibiting polygonal cubic shape, develops into elongated channels, changes to large structures with leaf-like shape, and ends in dendritic structures. Time of probe–flame interaction is found to be a governing parameter controlling the wide variety of morphological patterns; a molecular level growth mechanism is attributed to their development. This study reveals that the structures are grown in several consecutive stages: material “evaporation and transportation”, “transformation”, “nucleation”, “initial growth”, “intermediate growth”, and “final growth”. XRD analysis shows that the chemical compositions of all structures correspond to MoO₂.     

Modification of photonic properties in porphyrin-infiltrated opal crystals

Structural, optical and magnetic properties of porphyrin-infiltrated opal hybrid structures were investigated. Bulk samples of synthetic opal were grown by sedimentation technique from colloidal solution of SiO₂ spheres of diameter 250 nm. The structure of the samples was examined by atomic force microscopy. The photonic properties of crystals were investigated by optical measurements in transmission and reflection modes. The stop band was observed in the region 510–550 nm. The photonic properties of synthetic opal crystals were modified by infiltration with aqueous basic solution of iron–porphyrin (FeTPPS) of concentration 1.0 mM. In hybrid samples the absorption bands typical of FeTPPS were observed in the vicinity of the opal stop band. Magnetic properties of FeTPPS-infiltrated opal samples have been studied at 5–300 K in magnetic fields up to 5 T. The FeTPPS-infiltrated opal crystals can be considered as the structures perspective for magnetophotonic devices.     

The superprism effect using large area 2D-periodic photonic crystal slabs

The “superprism effect” is an effect observed in photonic crystal structures whereby the direction of light propagation is extremely sensitive to the wavelength and angle of incidence. To realize the superprism effect, new structures are presented which rely on the sensitivity of the phase velocity in a two-dimensional (2D) photonic crystal slab to observe angular magnification outside the photonic crystal medium. Constant frequency contour calculations for a photonic crystal slab of finite thickness are used to predict the phase velocity superprism effect. Further analysis using 2D finite-difference time-domain simulations indicate that a large area photonic crystal and wide excitation beam are necessary for clear observation of the superprism effect. A fabrication technique is demonstrated to achieve the structure's required nanometer-sized features over centimeter-scale areas.     

Surface wave-induced enhancement of the Goos-Hänchen effect in one-dimensional photonic crystals

The excitation conditions of surface electromagnetic waves in one-dimensional photonic crystals (Bragg reflectors) are studied. Surface electromagnetic waves are visualized by the far-field optical microscopy of the surface of the photonic crystal. The enhancement of the Goos-Hänchen effect by surface electromagnetic waves excited in one-dimensional photonic crystals has been experimentally observed. The Goos-Hänchen shift reaches 30λ for a wavelength of λ = 532 nm.     

Compositionally asymmetrical multiquantum wells: “Pseudo-molecules” for giant optical nonlinearities in the infrared (9–11 μm)

Intersubband transitions in quantum well have extremely large oscillator strengths and induce strong nonlinear effects in structures where inversion symmetry is broken, realized by growing AlGaAs quantum wells with asymmetrical A1 gradients. These compositionally asymmetrical multiquantum wells may thus be viewed as giant “quasimolecules” optimized for optimal nonlinearities in the mid infrared. Optical rectification as well as second harmonic generation have been measured in those structures using a continuous CO₂ laser. At 10.6 μm the nonlinear coefficients are more than 3 orders of magnitude higher in these samples than for bulk GaAs (i.e. χ₀⁽²⁾ = 5.3 × 10⁻⁶m/V, χ_2ω⁽²⁾ = 7.2 × 10⁻⁷ m/V) and are in good agreement with theoretical predictions. We present more complex “pseudo-molecules” involving weakly coupled quantum wells. The optical rectification effects in these devices are so large χ₀⁽²⁾ = 1.6 × 10⁻³ m/V) that application to infrared detection may be envisioned.     

Gamma-ray bursts and related phenomena

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) have puzzled astronomers since their accidental discovery in the sixties. The BATSE detector on the COMPTON-GRO satellite has been detecting one burst per day for the last six years. Its findings have revolutionized our ideas about the nature of these objects. They have shown that GRBs are at cosmological distances. This idea was accepted with difficulties at first. However, the recent discovery of an X-ray afterglow by the Italian/Dutch satellite BeppoSAX led to a detection of high red-shift absorption lines in the optical afterglow of GRB970508 and to a confirmation of its cosmological origin. The simplest and practically inevitable interpretation of these observations is that GRBs result from the conversion of the kinetic energy of ultra-relativistic particles flux to radiation in an optically thin region. The “inner engine” that accelerates the particles is hidden from direct observations. Recent studies suggest the “internal-external” model: internal shocks that take place within the relativistic flow produce the GRB while the subsequent interaction of the flow with the external medium produce the afterglow. The “inner engine” that produces the flow is, however, hidden from direct observations. We review this model with a specific emphasis on its implications to underground physics.     

Thermally Stimulated Luminescence (TSL) and Conductivity (TSC) of synthetic crystalline quartz

A comparative and simultaneous study of TSL and TSC above room temperature (20–400°C) has been performed on “as-grown” and “hydrogen-swept” synthetic quartz crystals. Following X- irradiations, TSL spectra (heating RATE = 1°C/s) feature a number of peaks: at 75°C an intense structure is observed (the well-known “100°C” peak of quartz); the analysis of this peak obtained by numerical methods has shown that it follows monomolecular kinetics, giving a value of 0.83 eV for the trap depth. Additional peaks are observed at 110°C and 160°C, followed by weaker and less resolved emissions above 200°C. TSC peaks at 80°C, 120°C and 160°C, particularly evident in as-grown samples when measured with the electric field applied along the x-axis, can be associated to the corresponding TSL peaks. However, spectra performed with the electric field applied along the z-axis evidence different features. In as-grown samples a strong and broad peak at approximately 132°C is observed, while hydrogen-swept samples are characterized by two peaks at 180°C and 275°C. Such an anisotropic character, and the fact that no TSL structures are observed in the same temperature range, support the hyporthesis of an ionic nature for the latter peaks. TSC “pre-dose” measurements of the 75°C peak show that no current enhancement is observed upon irradiational and heating treatment: this result is in accordance with previous radioluminescence and thermally stimulated exoelectron emission experiments and supports the proposed model of the dynamics of this effect.     

Electromagnetic crystals in microstrip technology

Recently, new promising periodic structures called photonic crystals (PCs), or more appropriately electromagnetic crystal (ECs), for the microwave and millimetre wave range, have been considered for both microwave and photonic applications. Planar microstrip waveguides are very attractive in microwave engineering and several innovative designs have been proposed for them to expand the scope of application of the new PC concepts to the microwave domain. We review some of these microstrip EC structures looking at them as counterparts of their analogues in optical wavelengths. Moreover, very recent solutions that open new promising applications both in microwave and millimetre wave integrated circuits and antennas are presented.     

Tunable photonic band-gaps in one-dimensional photonic crystals containing linear graded index material

We have demonstrated control of the photonic band gaps (PBGs) in 1-D photonic crystals using linear graded index material. The analysis of PBG has been done in THz region by considering photonic crystals in the form of ten periods of second, third and fourth generation of the Fibonacci sequence as unit cell. The unit cells are constituted of two kinds of layers; one is taken of linear graded index material and other of normal dielectric material. For this investigation, we used a theoretical model based on transfer matrix method. We have obtained a large number of PBGs and their bandwidths can be tuned by changing the grading profile and thicknesses of linear graded index layers. The number of PBGs increases with increase in the thicknesses of layers and their bandwidths can be controlled by the contrast of initial and final refractive index of the graded layers. In this way, we provide more design freedom for photonic devices such as reflectors, filters, optical sensors, couplers, etc.     

Schlieren “PIV” for turbulent flows

The possibility of using commercial PIV equipment combined with schlieren optics to measure the velocity fields of turbulent flows is explored. Given a sufficiently high Reynolds number and adequate refractive flow differences, turbulent eddies can serve as the PIV “particles” in a schlieren image or shadowgram. The PIV software analyzes motion between consecutive schlieren or shadowgraph frames to obtain velocity fields. Velocimetry examples of an axisymmetric sonic helium jet in air and a 2D turbulent boundary layer at Mach 3 are shown. Due to optical path integration, axisymmetric flows require the inverse Abel transform to extract center-plane velocity data. Conditions for optimum schlieren sensitivity are examined. In its present embodiment, “schlieren PIV” is not useful for laminar flows nor for fully 3D flows. Otherwise it functions much like standard PIV under conditions where individual particles are not resolved and velocimetry is instead based on correlation of the motion of turbulent structures. “Schlieren PIV” shows significant promise for general refractive turbulent flow velocimetry if its integrative nature can be overcome through sharp-focusing optics.     

Analysis of Off-Axial Optical Systems (2)

The extended 4×4 Gaussian bracket matrix Gij represents the lowest order quantity of “aberration coefficient tensor quantities” which are defined to as the peculiarity of off-axial optical systems and are independent of azimuths. We newly confirmed this extended 4×4 Gaussian bracket matrix of deflection (refraction or reflection), transmission and “twisting.” The result determined by use of a new representative method of asymmetrical surfaces and a method of paraxial expansion along the folded reference axis shows that the 4×4 Gaussian bracket matrix is the extended form of the 2x2 Gaussian bracket matrix which is used in co-axial rotational symmetric optical systems. Furthermore, we analyze and formalize the crossterm effects, which are the most serious problem in optical systems having multiple off-axial surfaces, using the concept of a chain of “optical systems divided into former and latter” and the vector-tensor analysis method. The result of this analysis reveals the structure of the cross-term effects and proves the usefulness of the vector-tensor analysis method in general image analysis.     

Optical properties of one-dimensional photonic crystals obtained by micromatchining silicon (a review)

The theoretical and experimental investigations of photonic band gaps in one-dimensional photonic crystals created by micromatchining silicon, which have been performed by the author as part of his doctoral dissertation, are presented. The most important result of the work is the development of a method of modeling photonic crystals based on photonic band gap maps plotted in structure–property coordinates, which can be used with any optical materials and in any region of electromagnetic radiation, and also for nonperiodic structures. This method made it possible to realize the targeted control of the optical contrast of photonic crystals and to predict the optical properties of optical heterostructures and three-component and composite photonic crystals. The theoretical findings were experimentally implemented using methods of micromatchining silicon, which can be incorporated into modern technological lines for the production of microchips. In the IR spectra of a designed and a fabricated optical heterostructure (a composite photonic crystal), extended bands with high reflectivities were obtained. In a Si-based three-component photonic crystal, broad transmission bands and photonic band gaps in the middle IR region have been predicted and experimentally demonstrated for the first time. Si–liquid crystal periodic structures with electric-field tunable photonic band-gap edges have been investigated. The one-dimensional photonic crystals developed based on micromatchining silicon can serve as a basis for creating components of optical processors, as well as highly sensitive chemical and biological sensors in a wide region of the IR spectrum (from 1 to 20 μm) for lab-on-a-chip applications.     

Laser nanosources based on planar photonic crystals as new platforms for nanophotonic devices

Two-dimensional photonic crystal lasers have been fabricated on III–V semiconductor slabs. Tuning of the spontaneous emission in micro and nanocavities has been achieved by accurate control of the slab thickness. Different structures, some of them of new application to photonic crystal lasers, have been fabricated like the Suzuki-phase or the coupled-cavity ring-like resonators. Laser emission has been obtained by pulsed optical pumping. Optical characterization of the lasing modes have been performed showing one or more laser peaks centred around 1.55 μm. Far field characterization of the emission pattern has been realized showing different patterns depending on the geometrical shape of the structures. These kinds of devices may be used as efficient nanolaser sources for optical communications or optical sensors.     

Si-based two-dimensional photonic crystals coupled to one-dimensional Bragg mirrors

Planar two-dimensional photonic crystals can be combined with a one-dimensional Bragg mirror to control the quality factor and out-of-plane coupling of optical Bloch modes. We have investigated the optical properties of such structures fabricated on silicon. The photonic crystals are fabricated in the upper Si layer deposited on top of quarter-wave thick SiO₂-polycrystalline Si layers. The optical properties are probed by the room-temperature photoluminescence of Ge/Si self-assembled islands as an internal source. We show that an enhancement of the quality factor can be obtained by controlling the thickness of the silicon upper layer in which the two-dimensional photonic crystal is etched and by controlling the air filling factor of the photonic crystal. Quality factors of 2200 around 1100 nm are obtained by this method for defect-free photonic crystals with a square lattice pattern. The experimental results are supported by three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) calculations of the radiated modes for the investigated structures.     

Exact solution of a modified El Farol's bar problem: Efficiency and the role of market impact

We discuss a model of heterogeneous, inductive rational agents inspired by the El Farol Bar problem and the Minority Game. As in markets, agents interact through a collective aggregate variable — which plays a role similar to price — whose value is fixed by all of them. Agents follow a simple reinforcement-learning dynamics where the reinforcement, for each of their available strategies, is related to the payoff delivered by that strategy. We derive the exact solution of the model in the “thermodynamic” limit of infinitely many agents using tools of statistical physics of disordered systems. Our results show that the impact of agents on the market price plays a key role: even though price has a weak dependence on the behavior of each individual agent, the collective behavior crucially depends on whether agents account for such dependence or not. Remarkably, if the adaptive behavior of agents accounts even “infinitesimally” for this dependence they can, in a whole range of parameters, reduce global fluctuations by a finite amount. Both global efficiency and individual utility improve with respect to a “price taker” behavior if agents account for their market impact.     

Three-dimensional diffuse optical imaging of hand joints: System description and phantom studies

In this paper we describe a three-dimensional (3D) continuous wave (CW) diffuse optical tomography (DOT) system and present 3D volumetric reconstruction studies using this DOT system with simple phantom models that simulate hand joints. The CCD-based DOT system consists of 64×64 source/detector fiber optic channels, which are arranged in four layers, forming a cylindrical fiber optic/tissue interface. Phantom experiments are used to evaluate system performance with respective to axial spatial resolution, optical contrast and target position for detection of osteoarthritis where cartilage is the primary target region of interest. These phantom studies suggest that we are able to quantitatively resolve a 2 mm thick “cartilage” and qualitatively resolve a 1 mm thick “cartilage” using our 3D reconstruction approach. Our results also show that optical contrast of 3:1–7:1 between the “disease cartilage” and normal cartilage can be quantitatively recovered. Finally, the target position along axial direction on image reconstruction is studied. All the images are obtained using our 3D finite-element-based reconstruction algorithm.