Ultraviolet laser filaments for remote laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) analysis: applications in cultural heritage monitoring

We report experiments with subpicosecond UV laser filaments for the remote analysis of samples related to objects of cultural heritage. The classic laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique finds new avenues through femtosecond filamentation, and dynamic remote LIBS becomes possible. Advantages such as self-regulated laser intensity deposition on the target suggest that there is significant potential for using UV femtosecond filaments for the remote analysis of sculpture and large monuments.     

Remote imaging laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and remote cultural heritage ablative cleaning

We report, for what we believe to be the first time, on remote imaging laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Measurements have been performed by using a tripled Nd:YAG laser working at 355 nm with 170 mJ pulse energy, with an expanded beam that is focused onto a target at 60 m distance. The LIBS signal is detected by using an on-axis Newtonian telescope and an optical multichannel analyzer. The imaging is performed by scanning the laser beam on the target. The same setup is also used in demonstrations of remote laser ablation for cleaning of contaminated objects with applications toward cultural heritage.     

Control of multiple filamentation in air

In this Letter we provide what is believed to be the first experimental evidence of suppression of the number of filaments for high-intensity laser pulses propagating in air by beam astigmatism. We also show that the number, pattern, and spatial stability of the filaments can be controlled by varying the angle that a focusing lens makes with the axial direction of propagation. This new methodology can be useful for applications involving atmospheric propagation, such as remote sensing.     

Energy transfer between laser filaments in liquid methanol

We demonstrate energy exchange between two filament-forming femtosecond laser beams in liquid methanol. Our results are consistent with those of previous works documenting coupling between filaments in air; in addition, we identify an unreported phenomenon in which the direction of energy exchange oscillates at increments in the relative pulse delay equal to an optical period (2.6 fs). Energy transfer from one filament to another may be used in remote sensing and spectroscopic applications utilizing femtosecond laser filaments in water and air.     

Laser Remote Sensing

LIDAR is the first generation of laser remote sensing developed for detection of gas molecule in atmosphere. LIDAR is the abbreviated word for laser radar (laser light detection and ranging). It combines advantages of lasers ability to detect atoms and molecules and radars ability for remote sensing. The advance of technologies: tunable solid state laser (Ti sapphire, OPO etc), optical fiber, photonics imaging technique and last but not least computational techniques, have promoted the development of new...     

Triggering of high voltage discharge by femtosecond laser filaments on different wavelengths

The triggering and guiding of high voltage discharge by plasma filaments generated by 400 nm and 800 nm femtosecond laser were studied experimentally. The detailed diagnostics for characteristics of filaments, such as amount of free electrons, diameter and electron density, were performed using sonographic method, fluorescence imaging and resistivity measurement. A significant reduction of the breakdown voltage threshold due to the pre-ionization of the air gap by laser pulse filaments was observed. It is shown that the 400 nm laser pulses demonstrated stronger triggering ability than 800 nm laser pulse under same pulse energy. This behavior of 400 nm femtosecond pulse is connected to the rich population of highly excited particles in filaments.     

The comparison study of diagnostics of light filaments in air

Long plasma channels in air induced by femtosecond laser pulses are investigated using three different methods, including the cross-section imaging, resistivity measuring and acoustic diagnostics. These methods are based on different properties of the light filaments. A comparison of the three diagnostics shows that the imaging method is the most precise one in studying the filaments distribution and evolution, that the sonographic method is the most convenient approach to detecting long plasma channels by detecting the acoustic wave generation, and that the resistivity measurement can only be applied for giving a rough estimate. The diagnostics of filaments allow us to choose appropriate detecting methods and provide further insight into the dynamic evolution of the light filaments in air.     

Generation of powerful filaments at a long distance using adaptive optics

Because of its extraordinary properties (intensity clamping, white light source, km long plasma channels), filamentation represents an ideal candidate for remote sensing. However, the promising generation of filaments at long distances for such purposes remains an issue.

We propose a specially designed focusing telescope to properly deliver the laser pulses at long distance and generate powerful filaments. The telescope includes a deformable mirror (DM) that corrects the wavefront’s aberrations working in a closed loop system with a wavefront sensor (WFS). Using this setup we are able to generate extraordinarily strong nitrogen signals at a distance as far as 90 m using 40 mJ laser pulses. Compared to the chirped based filament control technique, we believe that an appropriate control of the reservoir like what we have achieved will contribute to reduce the energy of the required laser pulses and at the same time, the cost of the required laser system.     

The wavelength sensitivity of back-scattering

The effect of wavelength variations on the backscattering of laser light from contoured or shaped objects is analyzed. In order to consider remote sensing by frequency-scan means, equations are derived for the transforms of the signal field and its intensity and for the correlation functions appropriate in the study of rough objects. In these expressions, interesting dependences upon object shape, roughness, and orientation are found. In experiments using roughened plates and spheres illuminated by a tunable dye laser, good agreement with theory is observed.     

激光遥感偏振成像系统光学元件调整及误差分析

改进了利用双旋转波片方法进行偏振成像的实验装置,提出了通过一次测量获得目标偏振度和强度编码图像的方法.运用光强法对激光遥感偏振成像装置的光学元件进行调整,通过斯托克斯和穆勒矩阵在偏振光学元件中的应用,给出了相应光学元件的调整原理、方法及过程.分析了激光器中心波长变动、偏振片的角度误差和波片的相位延迟及角度误差对整个系统的影响.结果表明,由偏振片角度和波片角度误差造成的出射光斯托克斯误差较小,不超过0.001,可以忽略;由波片相位延迟不精确造成的误差在0.02左右,所以应采用延迟精度较高的波片;激光器中心波长变化的影响最大,不能忽略,必须加滤光片使接收光的中心波长控制在808nm;镀有铝膜望远镜对接收到的散射光偏振度影响较小,适于激光遥感偏振成像系统的应用.     

Laser Doppler perfusion imaging with a complimentary metal oxide semiconductor image sensor

We utilized a complimentary metal oxide semiconductor video camera for fast flow imaging with the laser Doppler technique. A single sensor is used for both observation of the area of interest and measurements of the interference signal caused by dynamic light scattering from moving particles inside scattering objects. In particular, we demonstrate the possibility of imaging the distribution of the moving red blood cell concentration. This is a first step toward laser Doppler imaging without scanning parts, leading to a much faster imaging procedure than with existing mechanical laser Doppler perfusion imagers.     

Design and simulation of a high resolution active imaging technique utilizing Fresnel telescopy

A new technique for high resolution active laser imaging of space objects is demonstrated. The technique, referred as Fresnel telescopy, is a variant of Fourier telescopy, which additionally uses Fresnel zone plates to scan objects. The design scheme of a compact schematic of transmitting and receiving system for Fresnel telescopy is proposed. We provide simulations results for imaging of a photograph of satellite to illustrate and clarify the proposed idea. The technique is found to have substantial practical value and offers significant practical benefit for high resolution imaging of objects in the field of military applications.     

Refractive index change mechanisms in femtosecond laser written ceramic Nd:YAG waveguides: micro-spectroscopy experiments and beam propagation calculations

The effect that femtosecond laser filamentation has on the refractive index of Nd:YAG ceramics, and which leads to the formation of waveguide lasers, has been studied by micro-spectroscopy imaging, beam propagation experiments and calculations. From the analysis of the Nd³⁺ luminescence and Raman images, two main types of laser induced modifications have been found to contribute to the refractive-index change: (i) a lattice defect contribution localized along the self-focusing volume of the laser pulses, in which lattice damage causes a refractive-index decrease, and (ii) a lattice strain-field contribution around and inside the filaments, in which the pressure-driven variation of the inter-atomic distances causes refractive-index variations. Scanning near-field optical-transmission and end-coupling experiments, in combination with beam propagation calculations, have been used to quantitatively determine the corresponding contribution of each effect to the refractive-index field of double-filament waveguides. Results indicate that the strain-field induced refractive-index increment is the main mechanism leading to waveguiding, whereas the damage-induced refractive-index reduction at filaments leads to a stronger mode confinement.     

Lidar measurement of constituents of microparticles in air by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy using femtosecond terawatt laser pulses

We experimentally demonstrated remote sensing of the constituents of microparticles in air by combining laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and lidar, using femtosecond terawatt laser pulses. Laser pulses of 70 fs duration and 130 mJ energy generated filaments when focused at a focal length of 20 m and the pulses irradiated artificial saltwater aerosols in air at a 10 Hz pulse repetition rate. Na fluorescence was observed remotely at a distance of 16 m using a 318 mm diameter Newtonian telescope, a spectrometer, and an intensified CCD camera. These results show the possibility of remote measurement of the constituents of atmospheric particles, such as aerosols, clouds, and toxic materials, by LIBS-lidar using femtosecond terawatt laser pulses.     

Spatial polarimetry of inhomogeneous surfaces under laser illumination

A study aimed at improving the methods of remote laser polarimetry of inhomogeneous surfaces using complex probe signals with a combined amplitude-phase and polarization modulation has been performed. It is shown that the informative properties of probe signals can be improved that potentially allows for carrying out some operations of forming and processing polarization images of objects in the probe stage. The efficiency of application of the proposed probe signals for recognizing various types of materials is experimentally confirmed.     

Submillimeter imaging with a pyroelectric TV camera

The use of a TV camera with a standard pyroelectric tube for imaging continuous submillimeter (submm) waves is described. The spectral sensitivity of such pyroelectric vidicon has been measured. The results of experiments on diffraction and interference using submm laser radiation are presented. For the first time, submm images of different objects have been obtained with the aid of a pyroelectric vidicon. It has been shown that a pyroelectric TV camera can be effectively employed in various laser studies as well as in submm imagery technique.     

Optical Imaging System with LaserGated Brightness Amplifier

l.IntroductionTheideaofusingahigh-gainactivemediumtoformbrightness-enhancedmicroscofr-.icimageswasproposedmorethan2oyearsago[1:.Introductionofbrightnessamplifierintousua1oPticalsystemwouldPermittoovercomethewellknownrestrictionaccordingtowhichthebrightnessattheoutputoftheopticalsystemcannotexceedthatatthein-put[zJ.SomepulsedmetalvaporlaserssuchasthecopPervaPOrlaser(CVL)havebeenusedasimage-brightnessamplifiersinvariousopticalprojectionsystem[3j-lnthiscase,wecanbenefitfromthattheactivemedium…     

Acousto-optic laser optical feedback imaging

We present a photon noise and diffraction-limited imaging method combining an imaging laser and ultrasonic waves. The laser optical feedback imaging (LOFI) technique is an ultrasensitive imaging method for imaging objects through or embedded within a scattering medium. However, LOFI performances are dramatically limited by parasitic optical feedback occurring in the experimental setup. In this Letter, we have tagged the ballistic photons by an acousto-optic effect in order to filter the parasitic feedback effect and to reach the theoretical and ultimate sensitivity of the LOFI technique. We present the principle and the experimental setup of the acousto-optic laser optical feedback imaging technique, and we demonstrate the suppression of the parasitic feedback.     

Characterization of the third-harmonic radiation generated by intense laser self-formed filaments propagating in air

We perform laboratory experiments to study ultraviolet radiation generated by intense self-formed laser filaments produced by propagating high-power femtosecond laser pulses in air. The laser used in the experiment is a 0.5 TW Ti:sapphire system with the center wavelength at 800 nm. The observed ultraviolet emission occurs in the form of the third harmonic and frequency-upshifted radiation from the fundamental. We present direct characterization of the generated harmonic and frequency-upshifted radiation, including transverse imaging and spatially resolved spectral measurements.     

Optical tweezers for confocal microscopy

In confocal laser scanning microscopes (CLSMs), lasers can be used for image formation as well as tools for the manipulation of microscopic objects. In the latter case, in addition to the imaging lasers, the light of an extra laser has to be focused into the object plane of the CLSM, for example as optical tweezers. Imaging as well as trapping by optical tweezers can be done using the same objective lens. In this case, z-sectioning for 3D imaging shifts the optical tweezers with the focal plane of the objective along the optical axis, so that a trapped object remains positioned in the focal plane. Consequently, 3D imaging of trapped objects is impossible without further measures. We present an experimental set-up keeping the axial trapping position of the optical tweezers at its intended position whilst the focal plane can be axially shifted over a distance of about 15 μm. It is based on fast-moving correctional optics synchronized with the objective movement. First examples of application are the 3D imaging of chloroplasts of Elodea densa (Canadian waterweed) in a vigorous cytoplasmic streaming and the displacement of zymogen granules in pancreatic cancer cells (AR42 J). Received: 24 March 2000 / Revised version: 23 June 2000 / Published online: 11 October 2000