Gamma-ray-radiation-induced damage to silicon single-mode fiber

The gamma-ray-radiation -induced damage to silicon single -mode fiber is reported. The immediate radiation-induced attenuation of the 10 m fiber under total dose 10⁴ rad is 8.98 dB/km, which was tolerable. Some disastrous attenuation was found a half-hour later, which rapidly increased to 642.53 dB/km. No obvious spectral variation after radiation was found, except for the decreases of the spectrum power. The optical recovery phenomenon was noticed 2 days after radiation and the output spectrum power has increased from 145.5 to 185.6 μW during 9 days. The experimental results have shown that the composition and its absorptivity of optical fibers play a more important role than total dose in determining the radiation-induced attenuation.     

Pump-dependent luminescence in the Ag nanoparticles doped by Erbium

A substantial spectral shift of the UV-laser induced luminescence in the Ag nanoparticles (NP) doped by Er³⁺ ions attached to ITO substrates was observed at T = 4.2 K. We have established high energy spectral shift of principal luminescent maxima (from wavelength equal to about 1.45 up to 1.15 μm) with increasing of the pumping nanosecond nitrogen laser power density up to 1.1 GW/cm² operating at λ = 337 nm. With increasing Erbium content with respect to Ag the spectral shift and spectral line broadening increase. It may be caused by specific features of trapping level occupation kinetics on interfaces NP/ITO substrate. The observed process is fully reversible. The luminescence is observed only during excitation by the 337 nm laser pulses and is absent for laser pulses operating at other wavelengths (like excimer laser at 218 nm and nitrogen laser at 371 nm).     

Reversible UV degradation of PMMA plastic optical fibers

Laser-induced fluorescence, Raman and absorption spectroscopy are used to investigate reversible degradation of transmission in PMMA optical fibers. When exposed to 254 nm UV light, optical transmission of PMMA plastic optical fiber in 400-800 nm range shows a significant increase in attenuation for shorter wavelengths. Over a period of 10 days following UV exposure, the transmittance of the plastic fiber recovers to a significant fraction of its pre-exposure value. UV-exposed fiber exhibits strong laser-induced fluorescence with 488 nm argon-ion laser. This fluorescence spans a spectral region between 450 nm and 750 nm with a peak around 580 nm. The fluorescence intensity decreases over several days following UV exposure. Likewise, Raman is also used to investigate degradation process. Freshly UV-exposed fiber shows total absence of Raman spectrum of PMMA. Following UV exposure, recovery of Raman signal over several days is correlated to the recovery of fiber transmittance as well as the decay of laser-induced fluorescence. A widely believed plausible explanation for UV-induced increase of attenuation involves formation of different macro radicals which recombine progressively after UV is stopped. Laser-induced fluorescence over several days is reported here providing direct evidence for molecular-level deterioration and recovery of PMMA.     

Tunable double-clad ytterbium-doped fiber laser based on a double-pass Mach-Zehnder interferometer

We have demonstrated an adjustable double-clad Yb³⁺-doped fiber laser using a double-pass Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The laser is adjustable over a range of 40 nm from 1064 nm to 1104 nm. By adjusting the state of the polarization controller, which is placed in the double-pass Mach-Zehnder interferometer, we obtained central lasing wavelengths that can be accurately tuned with controllable spacing between different tunable wavelengths. The laser has a side mode suppression ratio of 42 dB, the 3 dB spectral width is less than 0.2 nm, and the slope efficiencies at 1068 nm, 1082 nm and 1098 nm are 23%, 32% and 26%, respectively. In addition, we have experimentally observed tunable multi-wavelengths lasing output.     

Radiation response behaviour of Al codoped germano-silicate SM fiber at high radiation dose

Radiation response behaviour of Ge + Al doped SM fiber fabricated by the solution doping process has been studied at room temperature with respect to 1310 nm transmission wavelength under three different dose rates of 200, 400 and 600 Rad/min to compare with that of standard Er doped as well as Ge doped SM fibers. Their radiation sensitivity has been observed with variation of dose rates, transmission wavelength along with their recovery nature. Radiation response behaviour of Al doped SM fiber is found to be slightly non-linear in nature with very low dose rate dependency. No saturation level was found upto 13 Krad cumulative dose. Thermobleaching as well as photobleaching phenomena have also been studied. Gamma irradiated Al doped preform shows an absorption peak at around 300 nm due to generation of Al (E′) defect center and gets annihilated after thermobleaching process. Gamma irradiated Al doped SM fiber shows prominent photobleaching effect on their optical attenuation with respect to the 850 nm transmission wavelength. From ESR study resonance signals for Al³⁺ related radiation-induced defect centers are not clearly observed in this study. A very weak hyperfine pattern has been observed for gamma irradiated Al doped preform sample. The high radiation sensitivity along with linear response behaviour, low recovery and almost dose rate independence behaviour of the material system of Ge + Al codoped SM core optical fiber under gamma radiation shows their potential for application as fiber optic radiation sensor in comparison to the universal standard erbium doped SM fiber.     

Study of Be δ-doped GaAs/AlAs multiple quantum wells by the surface photovoltage spectroscopy

We report a surface photovoltage and differential surface photovoltage (DSPV) study of Be δ-doped GaAs/AlAs multiple quantum wells (QWs) with widths ranging from 3 to 20 nm and sheet doping densities from 2 × 10¹⁰ to 2.5 × 10¹² cm⁻² per well aiming to characterize their electronic properties and structural quality. From a line shape analysis of room temperature DSPV spectra the interband excitonic transition energies and broadening parameters for a large number of QW-related subbands have been established. A study of well-width and quantum number dependencies of the excitonic linewidths allowed us to evaluate the various broadening contributions to the spectral line shapes in QWs of different design. It was found that an average half monolayer well-width fluctuations are the dominant broadening mechanism of the excitonic line for QWs thinner than 10 nm. In QWs thicker than 10 nm, the spectral line broadening originates mainly from thermal broadening as well as Stark broadening due to random electric fields of ionized impurities and exciton scattering by free holes.     

Phase contribution to dynamic gratings recorded in Er-doped fiber with saturable absorption

Experimental observation of phase (i.e. refractive index) component in the dynamic gratings recorded in erbium-doped optical fiber with saturation of optical absorption is reported. We utilized configuration of transient two-wave mixing with rectangular phase modulation of one of counterpropagating recording waves, where unshifted phase grating resulted in a transient energy exchange. The reported experiments were performed with heavily doped (≈5400 ppm erbium) fibers in a wide spectral range of Er³⁺ fundamental absorption at selected laser wavelengths 1492, 1526, 1549, and 1568 nm. Relative contribution of phase grating was especially large (up to ≈100% of the maximal amplitude component) at the opposite sides of the investigated spectral range and was significantly lower in its central part. The amplitude grating was found especially strong at short wavelength side of the spectrum (i.e. at 1492 nm), where the grating amplitude proved to be only two times lower than the theoretically predicted from consideration of two-level model.     

Numerical analysis of amplification characteristics of ErxY2 − xSiO5

The gain characteristics of Er_xY_2 − xSiO₅ waveguide amplifiers have been investigated by solving rate equations and propagation equations. The gain at 1.53 μm as a function of waveguide length, Er³⁺ concentration and pump power is studied pumping at three different wavelengths of 654 nm, 980 nm and 1480 nm, respectively. The optimum Er³⁺ concentrations of 1 × 10²¹ cm^− 3-2 × 10²¹ cm^− 3 with the high gain are obtained for all three pump wavelengths. Pumping at 654 nm wavelength is shown to be the most efficient one due to weak cooperative upconversion. A maximum 16 dB gain at 1 mm waveguide length under a 30 mW pump with Er³⁺ concentration of 1 × 10²¹ cm^− 3 is demonstrated pumping at 654 nm wavelength.     

The effect of etching time of porous silicon on solar cell performance

Porous silicon (PS) layers based on crystalline silicon (c-Si) n-type wafers with (1 0 0) orientation were prepared using electrochemical etching process at different etching times. The optimal etching time for fabricating the PS layers is 20 min. Nanopores were produced on the PS layer with an average diameter of 5.7 nm. These increased the porosity to 91%. The reduction in the average crystallite size was confirmed by an increase in the broadening of the FWHM as estimated from XRD measurements. The photoluminescence (PL) peaks intensities increased with increasing porosity and showed a greater blue shift in luminescence. Stronger Raman spectral intensity was observed, which shifted and broadened to a lower wave numbers of 514.5 cm⁻¹ as a function of etching time. The lowest effective reflectance of the PS layers was obtained at 20 min etching time. The PS exhibited excellent light-trapping at wavelengths ranging from 400 to 1000 nm. The fabrication of the solar cells based on the PS anti-reflection coating (ARC) layers achieved its highest efficiency at 15.50% at 20 min etching time. The I-V characteristics were studied under 100 mW/cm² illumination conditions.     

Photoabsorption cross section measurements of CO2 between 106.1 and 118.7 nm at 295 and 195 K

High-resolution vacuum ultraviolet carbon dioxide photoabsorption cross sections are required for modeling airglow emissions from the Martian and Venusian atmospheres and for photochemical models of those atmospheres. We report cross section measurements on CO₂ at 295 and 195 K between 106.1 and 118.7 nm at a spectral resolution of 0.005 nm. Significant deviations from the results of previous, lower-resolution measurements are apparent, particularly in regions of sharp spectral structure. Temperature dependence in the photoabsorption cross sections is evident throughout the region, being especially pronounced at wavelengths greater than 113 nm.     

Accumulation morphology on the surface of stainless steel irradiated by a nanosecond Nd:YAG pulsed laser

In this study, results in the irradiation of stainless steel AISI 304 in air with nanosecond laser pulses at laser irradiation power density 4×10⁷ W/cm² are reported. Laser processing parameters, such as wavelengths 532 and 1064 nm, pulse duration 20 ns and repetition rate 10 Hz were used. It is shown that the surface morphology of the stainless steel is related to the number of pulses applied to the same spot. The following surface morphological changes were observed: (i) occurrence of the micro-grains microstructures at wavelengths 532 and 1064 nm after 10 000 pulses irradiation and (ii) occurrence of vermiform-like microstructures at wavelength 1064 nm after 1000 pulses irradiation. Generally, it is concluded that irradiation due to several consecutive pulses caused significant damage and enhanced the stainless steel surface roughness.     

Surface modifications of a titanium implant by a picosecond Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064 and 532 nm

Interaction of an Nd:YAG laser, operating at 1064 or 532 nm wavelength and pulse duration of 40 ps, with titanium implant was studied. Surface damage thresholds were estimated to 0.9 and 0.6 J/cm² at wavelengths 1064 and 532 nm, respectively. The titanium implant surface modification was studied by the laser beam of energy density of 4.0 and 23.8 J/cm² (at 1064 nm) and 13.6 J/cm² (at 532 nm). The energy absorbed from the Nd:YAG laser beam is partially converted to thermal energy, which generates a series of effects, such as melting, vaporization of the molten material, shock waves, etc. The following titanium/implant surface morphological changes were observed: (i) both laser wavelengths cause damage of the titanium in the central zone of the irradiated area, (ii) appearance of a hydrodynamic feature in the form of resolidified droplets of the material in the surrounding outer zone with the 1064 nm laser wavelength and (iii) appearance of wave-like microstructures with the 532 nm wavelength. Generally, both laser wavelengths and the corresponding laser energy densities can efficiently enhance the titanium/implant roughness. This implant roughness is expected to improve its bio-integration. The process of the laser interaction with titanium implant was accompanied by formation of plasma.     

Optimization of optical parametric chirped pulse amplification with different pump wavelengths

Optical parametric chirped pulse amplification with different pump wavelengths was investigated using LBO crystal, at signal central wavelength of 800 nm. According to our theoretical simulation, when pump wavelength is 492.5 nm, there is a maximal gain bandwidth of 190 nm centered at 805 nm in optimal noncollinear angle using LBO. Presently, pump wavelength of 492.5 nm can be obtained from second harmonic generation of a Yb:Sr₅(PO₄)₃F laser. The broad gain bandwidth can completely support ∼6 fs with a spectral centre of seed pulse at 800 nm. The deviation from optimal noncollinear angle can be compensated by accurately tuning crystal angle for phase matching. The gain spectrum with pump wavelength of 492.5 nm is much better than those with pump wavelengths of 400, 526.5 and 532 nm, at signal centre of 800 nm.     

Design of leaky modes of two-dimensional photonic crystal slabs to enhance the luminescence from Er3N@C80 fullerenes

We develop an effective way to engineer a two-dimensional GaAs photonic crystal slab with its leaky eigenmodes at desired wavelengths by investigating its spectral dispersion, particularly in terms of transmission efficiency spectra at different launch angles of the light beam. Structural parameters for the photonic crystal slab with leaky eigenmode wavelengths at both 1492 nm and 1519 nm are obtained. This may lead to the enhanced luminescence from erbium-doped trinitride-template fullerenes (Er₃N@C₈₀) on the surface of the photonic crystal slabs.     

Experimental determination and comparison of rain attenuation in free space optic link operating at 532 nm and 655 nm wavelength

The demand for high data rate, security and reliable communication is driving the development of free space optic communication (FSO) technology. The atmospheric effects such as scintillation, absorption and scattering severely affect the availability and range of the FSO system. The atmospheric rain absorbs and scatters the laser beam energy resulting in attenuation of the propagating signal. Initial development of FSO technology primarily used wavelength from infrared spectrum. In the recent years, the interest in visible light carrier for FSO applications is consistently increasing. In this paper, the effect of rain over two optical wavelengths from the visible spectrum i.e. 532 nm and 655 nm has been experimentally evaluated and results for the specific rain attenuation at 532 nm and 655 nm wavelengths have been compared.     

Breakdown limits of optical multimode fibers for the application of nanosecond laser pulses at 532 nm and 1064 nm wavelength

For many applications, optical multimode fibers are used for the transmission of powerful laser radiation. High light throughput and damage resistance are desirable. Laser-induced breakdown at the end faces of fibers can limit their performance. Therefore, the determination of laser-induced damage thresholds (LIDT) at the surface of fibers is essential.Nanosecond (1064 nm and 532 nm wavelength) single-shot LIDT were measured according to the relevant standard on SiO₂ glass preforms (Suprasil F300) as basic materials of the corresponding fibers. For 10 kinds of fused silica fibers (FiberTech) with core diameters between 180 μm and 600 μm, an illumination approach utilizing a stepwise increase of the laser fluence on a single spot was used. For both wavelengths, the LIDT values (0% damage probability) obtained by means of the two methods were compared. The influence of surface preparation (polishing) on damage resistance was investigated. For equal surface finishing, a correlation between drawing speed of the fibers and their surface LIDT values was found. In addition to the surface measurements, bulk LIDT were determined for the preform material.     

Laser Shock Processing of 6061-T6 Al alloy with 1064 nm and 532 nm wavelengths

Laser Shock Processing (LSP) has been proposed as a competitive alternative technology to classical treatments for improving fatigue and wear resistance of metals. We present a configuration and results in the LSP concept for metal surface treatments in underwater laser irradiation at 532 nm and 1064 nm. The purpose of the work is to compare the effect of both wavelengths on the same material. A convergent lens is used to deliver 1.2 J/pulse (1064 nm) and 0.9 J/pulse (532 nm) in a 8 ns laser FWHM pulse produced by 10 Hz Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with spots of a 1.5 mm in diameter moving forward along the work piece. A LSP configuration with experimental results using a pulse density of 2500 pulses/cm² and 5000 pulses/cm² in 6061-T6 aluminum samples are presented. High level compressive residual stresses are produced using both wavelengths. It has been shown that surface residual stress level is comparable to that achieved by conventional shot peening, but with greater depths. This method can be applied to surface treatment of final metal products.     

Surface modifications of AISI 1045 steel created by high intensity 1064 and 532 nm picosecond Nd:YAG laser pulses

Interaction of Nd:YAG laser, operating at 1064 or 532 nm wavelength and a pulse duration of 40 ps, with AISI 1045 steel was studied. Surface damage thresholds were estimated to be 0.30 and 0.16 J/cm² at the wavelengths of 1064 and 532 nm, respectively. The steel surface modification was studied at the laser energy density of 10.3 J/cm² (at 1064 nm) and 5.4 J/cm² (at 532 nm). The energy absorbed from Nd:YAG laser beam is partially converted to thermal energy, which generates a series of effects, such as melting, vaporization of the molten material, shock waves, etc. The following AISI 1045 steel surface morphological changes and processes were observed: (i) both laser wavelengths cause damage of the steel in the central zone of irradiated area; (ii) appearance of a hydrodynamic feature in the form of resolidified droplets of the material in the surrounding outer zone with 1064 nm laser wavelength; (iii) appearance of periodic surface structures, at micro- and nano-level, with the 532 nm wavelength and, (iv) development of plasma in front of the target. Generally, interaction of laser beam with the AISI 1045 steel (at 1064 and 532 nm) results in a near-instantaneous creation of damage, meaning that large steel surfaces can be processed in short time.     

The spectral sensitivity of long period gratings fabricated in elliptical core D-shaped optical fibre

Long period gratings (LPGs) were written into a D-shaped optical fibre that has an elliptical core with a W-shaped refractive index profile and the first detailed investigation of such LPGs is presented. The LPGs’ attenuation bands were found to be sensitive to the polarisation of the interrogating light with a spectral separation of about 15 nm between the two orthogonal polarisation states. A finite element method was successfully used to model many of the behavioural features of the LPGs. In addition, two spectrally overlapping attenuation bands corresponding to orthogonal polarisation states were observed; modelling successfully reproduced this spectral feature. The spectral sensitivity of both orthogonal states was experimentally measured with respect to temperature and bending. These LPG devices produced blue and red wavelength shifts depending upon the orientation of the bend with measured maximum sensitivities of −3.56 and +6.51 nm m, suggesting that this type of fibre LPG may be useful as a shape/bend orientation sensor with reduced errors associated with polarisation dependence. The use of neighbouring bands to discriminate between temperature and bending was also demonstrated, leading to an overall curvature error of ±0.14 m⁻¹ and an overall temperature error of ±0.3 °C with a maximum polarisation dependence error of ±8 × 10⁻² m⁻¹ for curvature and ±5 × 10⁻² °C for temperature.     

A comparative study of continuous laser operation on the F3/2-I9/2 transitions of Nd:GdVO4 and Nd:YVO4 crystals

A comparative study of Nd:GdVO₄ and Nd:YVO₄ crystal lasers pumped by a fiber-coupled diode array has been conducted at the ⁴F_3/2-⁴I_9/2 transitions wavelengths of 912 nm and 914 nm, as well as when intracavity frequency-doubled to 456 nm and 457 nm, respectively. At the fundamental wavelength of 912 nm and second harmonic wavelength of 456 nm, maximum output powers from the Nd:GdVO₄ crystal laser were 7.85 W and 4.6 W at a pump power of 29 W. All the results obtained from Nd:GdVO₄ were superior to those of Nd:YVO₄, indicating that Nd:GdVO₄ is a more efficient laser crystal than Nd:YVO₄ for laser operation on the ⁴F_3/2-⁴I_9/2 transitions.