Electrooptical properties of aqueous suspensions of nickel hydrosilicate nanotubes

We present the results of our investigations of electrooptical effects that occur as a result of light scattering by an aqueous polydisperse system the disperse phase of which consists of nickel hydrosilicate nanotubes with a chrysotile structure. Multilayer nanotubes were synthesized by the hydrothermal method and had the composition Ni₃Si₂O₅. The dimensions of nanotubes were as follows: the length was 0.1–1 μm or more, the outer diameter was 10–15 nm, and the inner diameter was 3 nm. We have studied relative changes in the intensities of light transmitted and scattered by the suspension that were caused by the orientation of nanotubes in an external electric field. Experiments have been performed at different directions of the linear polarization of the incident and scattered light, different scattering angles, and different degrees of orientation of nanotubes along the field. These measurements allowed us to determine the magnitude of electrooptical effects, such as the conservative dichroism, the light scattering, and the influence of the orientation of nanotubes in the field on the intensity and degree of depolarization of light scattered by them. Curves of free relaxation of electrooptical effects and their field dependences allowed us to determine the distributions of nanotubes and their aggregates in the colloid over lengths and polarizability anisotropy values. The dependences of the degree of depolarization of the scattered radiation on the scattering angle and the relaxation dependences of electrooptical effects allowed us to characterize the aggregation stability of nanotubes in water.     

Electro-optical study of the correlation between dimensions and polarizability of particles in colloid systems

The applicability of methods of molecular electro-optics for the study of colloid systems is analyzed. It is shown that the basic formulas of molecular electro-optics can be applied for the calculation of electrical and geometric characteristics of particles of colloid size. The basic integral equations describing electro-optical effects in colloid systems are presented to find distributions of particles over their size and polarizability anisotropy. The accuracy of their solutions is evaluated by mathematical simulation. Studying the dichroism induced by an external electric field in aqueous colloids of anisylidenbenzidine and graphite, the polarizability and size distribution functions are found for particles with an “optical weight.” From the resulting distribution functions, the statistical dependences of the polarizability anisotropy of those particles on their size are found and analyzed.     

金纳米流体的电场可调光学性质

利用多次还原法制备了不同粒径的金纳米颗粒,SEM和粒度分析表明其平均粒径分别为11 nm,35 nm和58 nm.进一步通过表面活性剂辅助的液相转移法制备出不同粒径的油基金纳米流体,测试了金纳米流体在电场作用下的光学性质.结果表明金纳米流体在电场作用下表现出明显的双折射现象,且随电场强度的变化双折射具有可调节性.金颗粒粒径和浓度对折射率有明显影响,在实验采用的浓度范围内,折射率随金颗粒浓度和粒径的增加而减小.最后,利用电流变液结构转变机理对金纳米流体的电致双折射进行了分析. 关键词： 纳米流体 双折射 电流变液     

The influence of long range interparticle correlations on the magnetically induced optical anisotropy in magnetic colloids

In this paper we develop a theoretical model for the magnetically induced optical anisotropy in dense magnetic colloids made of spherical and un-aggregated magnetic monodomain nanoparticles. Both dipole-field and dipole-dipole magnetic and electric interactions between the magnetic monodomain particles are taken into account in the Hamiltonian of the system. Using the pair correlation function in a colloidal suspension of magnetic nanoparticles developed by Ivanov and Kuznetsova (2001) [11], the complex dielectric constant of a magnetic colloid is modeled as a function of the light polarization direction, the magnetic field intensity and magnetic particle concentration and diameter. The two main features of the model are that, on the one hand, it predicts the possibility of magnetically induced optical anisotropy in dense magnetic colloids made of spherical and un-aggregated monodomain nanoparticles, and on the other hand, unlike the existing models for diluted samples, it predicts a non-linear dependence of dichroism and birefringence on magnetic particle concentration.     

Relaxation of an electrooptical effect in colloids induced by a field of short pulses

The possibility of studying the size distribution of particles suspended in a liquid irradiated with short pulses of strong electric fields, which almost do not change the properties of the disperse system is considered. The particle size is varied from 10 to 1000 nm. Relaxation dependences of the optically anisotropy induced by such pulses are investigated. The relaxation curves of the induced electrooptical effect are shown to behave similarly to the relaxation curves of the effect in the system with completely oriented particles. For aqueous polydisperse systems of diamond, graphite, and palygorskit, whose particles significantly differ in shape and physicochemical properties, the relaxation dependences of the electrooptical effect induced by fields of different duration and amplitude are measured. The correlation coefficients between the relaxation dependences are calculated. If the field is sufficiently strong, the correlation coefficients remain close to unity for all the three systems studied irrespective of the duration of the field pulse. This indicates that these curves are similar and that short powerful pulses can be used for determining the size distribution of particles in nanodisperse systems.     

Opus musicum

The rotation of the plane of linearly polarized light by an optically-active medium arises from a difference between the refractive indices of the medium for left- and right-circularly polarized light. The circular birefringence is related to a circular dichroism, which is exhibited by all molecules which are not superposable on their mirror image and exist as laevo- and dextro-rotatory isomers. The circular dichroism of a dissymmetric molecule in a particular absorption region originates from an electronic transition with collinear electric and magnetic dipole moments, corresponding to the displacement of a molecular valency electron through a helical path by the absorption of radiation. The right- or left-handed form of the helical path depends upon the molecular structure, and the absolute stereochemical configuration of dissymmetric molecules may be determined by comparing their circular dichroism spectra with the calculated rotational strengths. In addition the polarization direction of an electric moment and the magnitude of a magnetic moment of an electronic transition in a dissymmetric molecule may be derived from circular dichroism measurements.     

Ring-resonator-based frequency-domain optical activity measurements of a chiral liquid

Chiral liquids rotate the plane of polarization of linearly polarized light and are therefore optically active. Here we show that optical rotation can be observed in the frequency domain. A chiral liquid introduced in a fiber-loop ring resonator that supports left and right circularly polarized modes gives rise to relative frequency shifts that are a direct measure of the liquid's circular birefringence and hence of its optical activity. The effect is in principle not diminished if the circumference of the ring is reduced. The technique is similarly applicable to refractive index and linear birefringence measurements.     

Plasmonic enhancement of linear birefringence and linear dichroism in anisotropic optical metamaterials

The resonant behavior of linear birefringence and linear dichroism spectra is found in anisotropic optical metamaterials made of noble metal thin films with stripes and rectangular hole nanoapertures forming one- or two-dimensional subwavelength gratings. Differences in effective refractive index and extinction coefficient for linearly polarized eigenstates are increased in spectral range of resonances of local and surface plasmon-polaritons at the normal incidence and reach the values of Δn ≃ 2.5 and Δκ ≃ 2.75, respectively.     

Effect of electric field on light scattering by aqueous colloids of diamond and graphite

We present the results of our experimental investigation of light scattering by polydisperse colloids of diamond and graphite. The scattering is studied at a random orientation of particles and in an external radiofrequency electric field, which orients particles along the strength. The average dimensions of particles in both colloids are close to each other and comparable with the wavelength of the incident light. The shape of particles and the optical and electrooptical properties of diamond and graphite colloids are significantly different. We analyze the polarization components of scattered light energy when the light incident on the colloids is linearly polarized. We show that the quadrupole light scattering by isotropic diamond particles has the main effect on angular dependences of depolarization of scattered light. For light scattering by anisotropic graphite particles, the depolarization of scattered light is mainly determined by a particular feature of the dipole scattering of particles. It is shown that, in both colloids, the orientational order of particles considerably reduces the depolarization of light scattered by particles. We show that relative changes in the intensity and depolarization of scattered light, which depend on the scattering angle and polarization direction of light, as well as on the parameters of particles, can be used as a measure of electrooptical effects observed in colloids.     

Electrooptical effects in near-electrode layers in magnetic colloids based on liquid dielectrics

The birefringence and transparency of a colloidal solution of nanosized magnetite particles in kerosene are studied near the electrode surface. It is revealed that, in a pulsed electric field, changes of electrooptical effects near the electrode surface are of a complex character. Characteristic regions of electrooptical effects in relation to the strength of the field and the time of its action are separated. Based on these electrooptical experiments, the electrophoretic mobility of magnetite colloidal particles is calculated.     

External-cavity birefringence feedback effects of microchip Nd:YAG laser and its application in angle measurement

External-cavity birefringence feedback effects of the microchip Nd:YAG laser are presented. When a birefringence element is placed in the external feedback cavity of the laser, two orthogonally polarized laser beams with a phase difference are output. The phase difference is twice as large as the phase retardation in the external cavity along the two orthogonal directions. The variable extra-cavity birefringence, caused by rotation of the external-cavity birefringence element, results in tunable phase difference between the two orthogonally polarized beams. This means that the roll angle information has been translated to phase difference of two output laser beams. A theoretical analysis based on the Fabry--Perot cavity equivalent model and refractive index ellipsoid is presented, which is in good agreement with the experimental results. This phenomenon has potential applications for roll angle measurement.     

Probing Dual Asymmetric Transverse Spin Angular Momentum in Tightly Focused Vector Beams in Optical Tweezers

The spin-orbit interaction (SOI) of light generated by tight focusing in optical tweezers is regularly employed in generating angular momentum - both spin and orbital - the effects being extensively observed in trapped mesoscopic particles. Specifically, the transverse spin angular momentum (TSAM), which arises due to the longitudinal component of the electromagnetic field generated by tight focusing is of special interest, both in terms of fundamental studies and associated applications. This study provides an effective and optimal strategy for generating TSAM in optical tweezers by tightly focusing first-order radially and azimuthally polarized vector beams with no intrinsic angular momentum (AM) into a refractive index stratified medium. The choice of such input fields ensures that the longitudinal spin angular momentum (LSAM) arising from the electric (magnetic) field for the radial (azimuthal) polarization is zero. As a result, the effects of the electric and magnetic TSAM are exclusively observed separately in the case of input first-order radially and azimuthally polarized vector beams on single optically trapped birefringent particles. This research opens up new and simple avenues for exotic and complex particle manipulation in optical tweezers.     

Electro-optic study of PZT ferroelectric ceramics using modulation of reflected light

Electro-optic coefficients of variations in the refractive index of PZT and PLZT ceramic materials induced by ac electric field are estimated using modulation of reflected light. The electro-optic coefficients of PLZT ceramics measured with the aid of conventional birefringence using the phase shift of transmitted radiation and the proposed method of birefringence using the modulation of reflected light are compared.     

Cancellation of simple optical anisotropies without use of a Faraday mirror

We first derive the round-trip Jones matrix for double passage through a reciprocal optical medium by means of reflection off a plane mirror that could be optically anisotropic. We then show that if a medium with only linear birefringence and linear dichroism is placed between a pair of orthogonal quarter-wave plates with principal axes at 45 degrees to that of the medium and the sandwich is placed in front of an isotropic mirror it behaves, under double passage, like an isotropic medium. We describe a simple liquid crystal device that behaves, in reflection, as an isotropic medium whose refractive index can be varied by application of an electric field, thus acting as a phase only modulator for light in any polarization state.     

Optical waveguide effect of thermally tampered sheet and plate glasses—application to surface stress measurements

Sheet and plate glasses have refractive index inhomogeneity parallel with their surfaces. Refractive index maxima near the surfaces behave as optical waveguides. Light waves can be excited in the guides from outside and can be extracted non-destructively, using the technique popular in optical integrated circuits. Stress birefringence, caused by surface stress in thermally tempered glasses, gives different effective indices for two linearly polarized light beams which vibrate in directions vertical to and in parallel with the surfaces. Effective index observation by two polarized light beams allows non-destructive surface stress determination.     

晶体的双参量调制及其应用

利用折射率椭球分析法,分析了某些具有多重光学效应的光学晶体在两个外场同时作用下的一些特有调制规律.结果表明,当晶体的折射率椭球方程的三个交叉项中只有一项x1x2不为零时,可以得到其外场诱导新主轴折射率及其主轴取向的简单计算式.据此可以揭示出某些晶体在两个外加电场同时作用下将具有双横向电光Pockels效应,例如ˉ6点群的电光晶体.但一般晶体在双横向应力作用下不具有与双横向电光效应类似的调制特性,其弹光双折射大小与其应力差成正比,其双折射主轴方向一般为固定值.在相互垂直的外加应力和电场同时作用下,某些晶体(例如ˉ43m点群晶体)的双折射大小与外加应力和外加电场的加权几何平均值成正比,且新折射率主轴旋转角由外加应力和外加电场的比值来确定.晶体的上述双参量调制特性对设计新型光学调制器或传感器具有重要指导意义.     

Observation of magnetoelectric jones birefringence

In 1948, Jones showed that uniaxial media can in general show four different fundamental optical phenomena, each of which can appear in refraction and absorption. Three of these are well established: isotropic refraction and absorption, linear birefringence and dichroism, and circular birefringence and dichroism. The fourth effect, predicted by Jones, has remained unobserved so far. In this Letter, we report the first experimental observation of this missing fourth, so-called Jones effect, as an additional, tilted linear birefringence. In our experiments, this effect was induced in liquids by parallel external magnetic and electric fields perpendicular to the propagation direction.     

Multiple optical trapping based on high-order axially symmetric polarized beams

Multiple optical trapping with high-order axially symmetric polarized beams(ASPBs) is studied theoretically,and a scheme based on far-field optical trapping with ASPBs is first proposed.The focused fields and the corresponding gradient forces on Rayleigh dielectric particles are calculated for the scheme.The calculated results indicate that multiple ultra-small focused spots can be achieved,and multiple nanometer-sized particles with refractive index higher than the ambient can be trapped simultaneously near these focused spots,which are expected to enhance the capabilities of traditional optical trapping systems and provide a solution for massive multiple optical trapping of nanometer-sized particles.     

Propagation of light through a monolayer of particles: Analysis of phase and coherent transmittance

Phase variations of a wave transmitted through a monolayer of spherical scatterers are studied as functions of size, optical constants, and particle concentration for light incident normally to the surface of the layer. The analysis is performed in the quasi-crystal approximation of the theory of multiple scattering of waves and in the single scattering approximation. The results obtained allow one to estimate the limits of applicability of the single scattering approximation to layers with partial ordering of scatterers in analysis of the transmitted wave phase. The variations of the phase of the wave in the range of the parameters where the coherent component of the transmitted beam exhibits quenching are studied. It is shown that small variations in the refractive index of the particles may give rise to strong variations of the phase. This effect can be used for phase modulation of light beams, e.g., in liquid crystal films controlled by an electric (or magnetic) field.     

Birefringence (spin rotation and spin dichroism) of high-energy deuterons

The phenomenon of birefringence (spin rotation and spin dichroism) of high-energy deuterons is a macroscopic quantum effect similar to optical birefringence. Spin dichroism has already been observed experimentally. The contribution to spin dichroism produced by the interaction of the deuteron electric quadrupole moment with the electric field of a nucleus is considered. It is found that the effect is sensitive to the behavior of wave functions of the deuteron ground state at short distances.