CMYKIR security graphics separation in the infrared area

Graphic printing inks respond in different ways when they are in the wavelengths of a near infrared (IR) area. It is not possible to measure such response in the IR and describe it with parameters from the CIELab, sRGB or HSB color systems that are the base for color theory in the visible spectrum area. Additive RGB colors that we use to describe the image in our eye correspond with subtractive C₀M₀Y₀ printing inks used for nearly overall printing reproduction in the overall color visual spectrum. Adding of black color ink that has a good response in the infrared area, and subtracting CMY inks makes it possible to carry out each color tone in an endless number of ways. CMYK printing ink characteristics are the basis for setting the algorithm for double appearance of independent graphics: the first graphic in daylight and the second “IR graphic” in infrared light. Proposed algorithm creates a print X on the base of two pictures: the original one X₀ and mask F. The aim is documents’ ultimate security which is detected in IR area. Graphic element visibility with the help of instruments in the wavelength area from 700 to 1000 nm allows programming the selection of image information by using process inks only. The individual characteristics of those printing inks are used for introducing a new criteria in the RGB/CMYK separation process with the goal to create IR graphics. We call this separation CMYKIR and use it for planning the dosing of inks in the creation of good quality reproductions with incorporated IR characteristics: either for causing or prohibiting the IR effect. The goal of CMYKIR reproduction is to incorporate the set “IR graphic” that is not meant to be detected in the visible spectrum part.     

Optical properties of amorphous Si/SiO2superlattice

Amorphous Si/SiO₂(a-Si/SiO₂) superlattices have been fabricated by the magnetron sputtering technique. The superlattice with an Si layer thickness of 1.8 nm has been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The result indicates that most of the regions in the Si layer consist of amorphous phase, while regular structure appears in some local regions. This is in agreement with the Raman scattering spectroscopy. The optical absorption spectrum and photoluminescence (PL) spectrum have been measured. Moreover, the third-order optical nonlinearity χ⁽³⁾of this superlattice has been measured. To our knowledge, this is the first investigation of the nonlinear absorption and refractive index of an a-Si/SiO₂superlattice using the Z -scan technique. The real and imaginary parts of χ⁽³⁾have been found to be 1.316  ×  10 ^− 7eus and  − 5.596  ×  10 ^− 7eus, respectively, which are about two orders of magnitude greater than those of porous silicon. The results may be attractive for potential application in electro-optics devices.     

Sonochemical assisted hydrothermal synthesis of pseudo-flower shaped Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) and their solar-driven water splitting application

Bismuth vanadate (BiVO₄) is a well-known photocatalyst due to its lower bandgap (E_g) and visible electromagnetic light absorption capacity. Herein, we reported the pulse ultra-sonochemical assisted hydrothermal approach to synthesize S-BiVO₄. For the comparison purpose, H-BiVO₄ is also synthesized via conventional hydrothermal approach. The surface morphology of S-BiVO₄ through scanning electron microscope (SEM) indicates condensed microarrays (MAs) having pseudo-flower shapes. The energy dispersive X-rays (EDX) spectrum also confirmed the elemental percent composition of Bi, V and O in BiVO₄. X-rays diffraction (XRD) pattern further confirmed the monoclinic scheelite phase of S-BiVO₄. Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectrum showed Bi–O and Bi–V–O vibrational bands at 1382 and 1630 cm⁻¹, respectively. The diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) indicated absorption edge at ∼515 nm, corresponds to bandgap value (E_g) of 2.41 eV, which is suitable range for water splitting applications. The photocurrent density from water splitting under artificial 1 SUN visible light source found at 60 and 50 μA/cm² for S-BiVO₄ and H-BiVO₄, respectively. The stability test through chronoamperometry showed that S-BiVO₄ was more stable than H-BiVO₄. It can be depicted from the growth mechanism that ultrasonication played a definite role in the overall synthesis of pseudo-flower shaped S-BiVO₄ MAs.     

Characterization of luminescent chromophore obtained from silica spheres

Blue light emitting chromophores have been separated from silica spheres by soaking them into acetone for 120 days. The luminescent chromophores were not obtained from other solvents, including ether, methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, chloroform and tetrahydrofuran. According to the Fourier transform infrared spectrum, the luminescent material is composed of C–OH, –CH₂, –CH₃, C=O, and Si–O–Si. UV–visible absorption peak of the chromophore is at 5.17 eV (240 nm). Field emission scanning electron microscope images show small cracks on the surface of aged spheres. The luminescence peak was at 2.81 eV (441 nm) for excitation energy between 3.88 and 3.35 eV and slightly shifted toward lower energy for excitation energy lower than 3.35 eV. The deconvoluted luminescent spectrum shows two emission bands at 3.08 and 2.74 eV, which are well-matched the oxygen deficient center model. Compared to the absorption peak (5.17 eV) and the emission peak (2.81 eV), large Stokes shift (2.36 eV) is observed.     

Birefraction of the LiNbO3 crystal in the infrared band

We proposed a spectrum method to determine birefraction of the sample. When the infrared incident light transmits in the birefraction direction of the cube crystal, because of the birefraction of the sample, the transmit spectrum appears interference fringes. The equation Δn = 1/[D(dυ/dm)] shows the relationship between the birefraction and the wave-number, with the interference-number of crystals in the infrared band at room temperature. Via the infrared transmitting along the x-axis of cube lithium niobate crystal, the interference fringes were found. By the fitted polynomial method, the relationship of the birefraction and the wave-number or wavelength of the lithium niobate crystal be educed, which is, Δn = 0.4149 ? 9.00174 × 10^?5υ + 5.64347 × 10^?9υ²,or n = 0.05366 ? 5.20334 × 10^?5λ + 3.99694 × 10^?8λ².     

Photovoltaic properties of black silicon microstructured by femtosecond pulsed laser

Prototype devices based on black silicon have been fabricated by microstructuring 250 μm thick multicrystalline n doped silicon wafers using femtosecond pulsed laser in ambient gas of SF₆ to measure its photovoltaic properties. The enhanced optical absorption of black silicon extends across the visible region and all the black silicons prepared in this work exhibit enhanced optical absorption close to 90% from 300 nm to 800 nm. The highest open-circuit voltage (V_oc) and short-circuit current (I_sc) under the illumination of He–Ne continuous laser at 632.8 nm were measured to be 53.3 mV and 0.11 mA, respectively at a maximum power conversion efficiency of 1.44%. Upon excitation with He–Ne continuous laser at 632.8 nm, external quantum efficiency (EQE) of black silicon as high as 112.9% has also been observed. Development of black silicon for photovoltaic purposes could open up a new perspective in achieving high efficient silicon-based solar cell by means of the enhanced optical absorption in the visible region. The current–voltage characteristic and photo responsivity of these prototype devices fabricated with microstructured silicon were also investigated.     

Ultrafast nonlinear optical properties of dye-doped PMMA discs irradiated by 40 fs laser pulses

The two-photon absorption (TPA) characteristics of PMMA discs doped with three different dyes were studied using an fs-pulsed Ti-Sapphire laser as the pump source, and employing the open-aperture Z-scan technique. TPA cross-sections obtained for PMMA doped with the dyes PM597, DCM and rhodamine 6G–rhodamine B (co-doped) were found to be equal to 24.7, 33.3 and 32.3 GM, respectively (1 GM=10^?50 cm⁴ s phot^?1 mol^?1). Furthermore, two-photon fluorescence was measured for the samples containing DCM and rhodamine 6G–rhodamine B (co-doped). Compared to the one-photon fluorescence spectrum, the peaks in the two-photon fluorescence spectrum were red shifted and the extent of red shift increased with increasing doping concentration. We have also observed that the red shift in the two-photon fluorescence peak of the samples in the solid form is much larger than that in the solution state. This phenomenon could be explained by a twisted intra-molecular charge transfer model.     

Pressure induced structural change in PbPc studied by infrared and UV–visible spectroscopy and theoretical calculation

Lead phthalocyanine (PbPc) has a non-planar ‘shuttle-cock’ structure with a C_4v molecular symmetry and forms a one-dimensional column in the crystal. We measured infrared and UV–visible spectra for the PbPc crystal under high hydrostatic pressure by using a diamond anvil cell. The IR spectrum of PbPc shows three strong peaks in the 1000–1200 cm⁻¹ region. With increasing pressure, the intensity ratio of the middle peak to the other two peaks increased. This result suggests a structural transformation of the PbPc molecule from the shuttle-cock structure toward the planar structure with increasing pressure. In the UV–visible spectra, two remarkable changes were observed under high pressure: the peak intensity of the band at 2.7 eV was decreased, and the band at 1.5 eV was shifted to lower energy and broadened. The former feature suggests that the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) band is not filled perfectly in the solid-state of PbPc under ambient pressure, and that the filling of the HOMO band occurs with increasing pressure. The change on the low energy band at 1.5 eV due to increasing pressure can be attributed to an increase in the intermolecular interaction.     

Fourier Transform Infrared spectrum of the OCD bending mode in methanol-D1

The infrared (IR) spectra corresponding to OCD bending vibration of asymmetrically deuterated methanol species CH₂DOH have been recorded with a Fourier Transform Spectrometer. The spectrum shows a typical structure of a parallel a-type band. This is expected because the bending vibration mainly executed parallel to the symmetry axis The Q-branch lines are grouped closely around 896 cm⁻¹ and the P- and R-Branches show complex structure. Nonetheless it was possible to assign a-type P- and R-branch lines up to K value of 8 and J value up to about 20 in most cases. The Q-branch lines for higher K values can be followed to about J = 15, the presence of which confirmed the assignments. The observations suggest that in the OCD bend some energy levels are highly interacted by highly excited torsional state from the ground torsional state. A full catalogue is presented along with the effective molecular parameters. An intensity anomaly was also observed in the transitions. So far it has been possible to assign only transitions between e₀ ← e₀ states. Plausible explanations of intensity anomaly are presented. Lastly, a number of optically pumped far infrared (FIR) laser lines have been assigned either to exact or tentative quantum states. These assignments should prove valuable for production of new FIR laser lines.     

Thermoluminescence,infrared reflectivity and electron paramagnetic resonance properties of hemimorphite

Silicate mineral hemimorphite has been investigated concerning its TL, IR and EPR properties. A broad TL peak around 180 °C and a weaker and narrower peak around 360 °C were found in a sample annealed at 600 °C for 1 h and then irradiated. The deconvolution using the CGCD method revealed peaks around 132, 169, 222 and 367 °C. The reflectivity measurements showed several bands in the NIR region due to H₂O, OH and Al–OH complexes. No band was observed in the visible region. The thermal treatments were carried out from ∼110 to 940 °C and dehydration was observed, first causing a diminishing optical absorption in general and the disappearance of water and hydroxyl absorption bands. The EPR spectrum of natural hemimorphite, presented Cu²⁺ signals at g = 2.4 and g = 2.1 plus E₁′ signal superposed to Fe³⁺ signal around g = 2.0.     

Nonlinear optical properties of silver colloidal solution by in situ synthesis technique

The silver colloidal solutions were prepared by in situ synthesis technique in the presence of the Polymethyl Methacrylate, which was polymerized by reversible addition-fragmentation transfer. The UV–VIS spectra and transmission electron microscopy had shown the formation of sphere silver nanoparticles with average size of 10 nm. Nonlinear optical properties as a function of silver concentration were studied using Z-scan technique with 13 ns pulse duration at 532 nm. The optical nonlinearity enhancement was observed by increasing the concentration. The third-order nonlinear susceptibility χ⁽³⁾ was measured to 1.045 × 10⁻¹¹ esu when the concentration was 2.13 mg/ml. Besides, the sample was founded to exhibit a shift from saturable absorption to reverse saturable absorption at higher incident laser energy. The reverse saturable absorption was observed to be responsible for the optical limiting characteristics in our experiments.     

油墨红外光谱相似度与计算机配色精度的关系研究

为了获得高精度的配色样品,提出了一种配色方法-成分分析配色法。该方法将化学分析法与计算机配色相结合,其核心是选取与目标色成分最接近的油墨进行配色,从而实现高精度的色彩匹配,为计算机配色发展提供新的思路。与目标色成分相近的油墨配色效果验证：使用某种油墨印制目标色,并用相同的油墨进行配色,以实现目标色成分与配色色样成分的一致性。使用三个不同品牌的油墨对目标色进行配色,比较配色精度及效率。使用泗联牌三种颜色油墨以任意比例通过印刷适性仪IGT-CI(荷兰)印制目标色,这些目标色包括间色和复色,各3个色样;使用配色软件X-Rite color master(美国)建立泗联、东洋、牡丹三个品牌油墨的配色基础数据库,并对不同目标色进行配色。结果表明使用与目标色相同的泗联油墨的配色精度远高于东洋、牡丹两个品牌的油墨,配色色差整体都很小,校正1～2次就能得到小于1.0的色差,最小达到0.36,几乎实现了目标色的同色同谱匹配。实验验证了成分分析配色法的核心“选取与目标色成分最接近的油墨进行配色,可以实现高精度色彩匹配”的可行性。判别目标色与配色油墨在成分上区别的化学分析工具探讨：为了判别目标色色料与配色油墨在成分上有区别,尝试使用“红外光谱相似度”作为判别的分析工具。使用红外光谱仪Thermo Nicolet 6700(美国)测出泗联、东洋、牡丹三个品牌的三种颜色油墨的红外光谱图,使用OMNIC软件中的相关性算法得到它们与目标色油墨的红外光谱相似度,并计算出平均相似度;将各品牌油墨的红外光谱相似度与其配色实验的精度进行对比分析,评价红外光谱相似度作为化学分析判别工具的有效性。结果表明泗联牌油墨与目标色的平均红外光谱相似度为100%,东洋的为86.53%,牡丹的为64.63%。当校正次数相同时,泗联油墨配色色差最小,配色精度最高;东洋次之,是泗联油墨配色色差的2倍左右;牡丹最差,是泗联油墨配色色差的3倍以上。配色结果与其红外光谱相似度的规律是一致的,目标色油墨与配色油墨之间的红外光谱相似度越高,越容易得到高精度的配色样品。实验证明了用成分分析配色法获得高精度的色彩匹配是可行的,使用红外光谱相似度作为目标色与配色油墨在成分上的分析工具对判别配色精度是有效的。今后的工作将探讨红外光谱相似度与配色精度间的相关性数值关系,以及进一步寻求更为有效的化学分析方法来判断目标色色料与配色油墨之间的成分关系。     

Very high resolution far infrared synchrotron radiation spectrum of methanol-D1 (CH2DOH) in the first three torsional-vibrational modes

In our effort to systematically study the far infrared (FIR) spectra of asymmetrically mono deuterated methanol (CH₂DOH) and thereby obtain the transition wavenumbers with better and better accuracy (Mukhopadhyay, 2016a,b), the complete Fourier transform (FT) spectra from FIR to infrared (IR) vibrational bands (in the range 50–1190 cm⁻¹) have been re-recorded using the Synchrotron Radiation Source at the Canadian Light Sources in Saskatchewan, Canada. The resolution of the spectrum is unprecedented, reaching beyond the Doppler limited resolution as low as about 0.0008 cm⁻¹ with a signal to noise (S/N) ratio is many fold better than that can be obtained by commercially available FT spectrometer using thermal sources (e.g., Globar). Spectra were also recorded beyond 1190 cm⁻¹ to about 5000 cm⁻¹ at a somewhat lower resolution of 0.002–0.004 cm⁻¹. In this report the analysis of the b-type and c-type torsional - rotational spectra in the ground vibrational state corresponding to gauche- (e₁/o₁) to gauche- (e₁/o₁) and gauche- (e₁/o₁) to trans- (e₀) states in the ground vibrational state are reported and an atlas of the wavenumber for about 2500 FIR assigned absorption lines has been prepared. The transitions within a given sub-band are analyzed using state dependent expansion parameters and the Q-branch origins. The data from previous results (Mukhopadhyay, 2016a,b) along with the present work allowed a global analysis yielding a complete set of molecular parameters. The state dependent molecular parameters reproduce the experimental wavenumbers within experimental uncertainty. In addition, the sensitivity of the spectrum allowed observation of forbidden transitions previously unobserved and helped reassignment of rotational angular momentum quantum numbers of some ΔK = ±1, Q-branch transitions in highly excited states recently reported in the literature. To our knowledge the wavenumbers reported in the present work are the most accurate so far reported in the literature and represent the highest resolution spectra for this molecular species.     

Spectral variation of the birefringence,group birefringence and retardance of a gypsum plate measured using the interference of polarized light

Polarized white light interferometry is used to characterize the wavelength dependence of the birefringence, group birefringence and retardance of a gypsum crystal. Two different calculation schemes are used to extract values of the birefringence across the whole visible spectrum. In the spectral range 435 nm–642 nm, the variation of the gypsum birefringence is fitted to the two terms Cauchy formula and to a fourth order dispersion function. The gypsum birefringence is found to be inversely proportional with wavelength. The experimental method used gives a relative error in finding the gypsum birefringence of an order of 6×10^?4. The wavelength dependence of gypsum group birefringence is also calculated with a relative error of order 5×10^?4. In the same spectral range, the retardance changes by 28π and the gypsum plate introduced halfwave retardance 15 times.     

Improved measurements and analysis of the far-infrared spectrum of methanol-D1 (CH2DOH) arising from trans- (e0) to gauche- (e1 & o1) states

In this work the millimeter-wave (MMW) and far infrared (FIR) absorption spectrum for the asymmetrically deuterated Methanol (CH₂DOH) species measured recently at a temperature of −60 °C with better accuracy and signal/noise (S/N) ratio than known before has been assigned for transitions originating at the lowest lying trans- to gauche-states. The entire spectrum for 50–1200 cm⁻¹ has been re-recorded recently using the Synchrotron Radiation Source coupled with the Bruker Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer with a resolution of about 0.001 cm⁻¹ or better. Complete spectrum has not been exploited a great deal but it helped to entangle overlapping lines in the present work. This also fills the gap remaining in the usual FTIR in the range 400–500 cm⁻¹. Hence it is expected to help the interacting partner for the Coriolis interaction encountered earlier. The assigned transitions mostly for the axial rotational angular momentum quantum number K + 1 ← K, both for R- and Q-sub bands for wide range of rotational angular momentum quantum number. The MMW spectrum has been recalibrated and assigned for a number of Q-branches. The assignments are confirmed rigorously using closed loop residual technique. The assigned ^rR and ^rQ lines have been analyzed in terms of polynomial expansion parameters. The new assignments are presented for about 750 transitions and a grand atlas of more than 1000 lines has been prepared which will be made available through the open source server at “research gate”. The present work should be useful in the area of astrophysical detection and further understanding of the energy relaxation pathways in the molecule.     

Visible,near-infrared and infrared optical properties of silica aerogels

Silica aerogel is an excellent thermal insulation material with a low thermal conductivity and a high porosity and has attracted great concern in applications. This paper was to experimentally investigate the optical properties of optically thick silica aerogel in the visible, near-infrared and infrared spectrum region. The fiber-loaded silica aerogel sample was prepared through sol–gel technique and supercritical drying process. Silica fibers were added into the aerogel during the preparation procedure to strength the skeleton of aerogel. As a comparison with the fiber-load silica aerogel, a silica fiber composite sample with the same chemical component and different physical structure was also prepared. A simplified two-flux model neglecting the boundary effect was used to describe the radiation propagation characteristics inside the samples. The spectral normal-hemispherical reflectances, transmittances, and normal emittances of silica aerogel and silica fiber samples were measured and compared in the wavelengths of 0.38–15 μm. Then the spectral optical constants of samples were determined using the experimental data. The spectral absorption and scattering coefficients of silica aerogel were within (0.01 cm⁻¹, 31.0 cm⁻¹) and (1.4 cm⁻¹, 25.8 cm⁻¹). The results showed that the spectrum region where the scattering coefficient is low usually corresponds to a high absorption coefficient. In addition, the total radiation properties of samples were predicted at high temperatures. The analysis of optical properties of silica aerogel is necessary to provide valuable data in applications.     

Unexpected temperature rise in end-pumped Nd3+:YAG composite slab laser

Unexpected temperature rise is observed in end-pumped YAG–Nd³⁺:YAG–YAG slab laser experimentally. The measured optical absorption spectrum of undoped YAG in 780–830 nm indicates an absorption coefficient of 0.015 cm^?1 at 808 nm. The influence of the weak absorption on temperature distribution in end-pumped composite slabs is analyzed numerically and a good agreement with infrared measurement is achieved. The results of finite element analysis show that longer heat sinks and wider slabs bring lower temperature.     

Novel BTlGaN semiconducting materials for infrared opto-electronic devices

BTlGaN quaternary alloys are proposed as new semiconductor materials for infrared opto-electronic applications. The structural and opto-electronic properties of zinc blende B_xTl_yGa_1−x−yN alloys lattice matched to GaN with (0 ⩽ x and y ⩽ 0.187) are studied using density functional theory (DFT) within full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method. The calculated structural parameters such as lattice constant a₀ and bulk modulus B₀ are found to be in good agreement with experimental data using the new form of generalized gradient approximation (GGA-WC). The band gaps of the compounds are also found very close to the experimental results using the recently developed Tran–Blaha-modified Becke–Johnson (TB-mBJ) exchange potential. A quaternary B_xTl_yGa_1−x−yN is expected to be lattice matched to the GaN substrate with concentrations x = 0.125 and y = 0.187 allows to produce high interface layers quality. It has been found that B incorporation into BTlGaN does not significantly affect the band gap, while the addition of dilute Tl content leads to induce a strong reduction of the band gap, which in turn increases the emission wavelengths to the infrared region. The refractivity, reflectivity and absorption coefficient of these alloys were investigated. BTlGaN/GaN is an interesting new material to be used as active layer/barriers in quantum wells suitable for realizing advanced Laser Diodes and Light-Emitting Diodes as new sources of light emitting in the infrared spectrum region.     

Concentration quenching of Eu2+ in a thermal-stable yellow phosphor Ca2BO3Cl:Eu2+ for LED application

A piece-shaped phosphor Ca₂BO₃Cl: Eu²⁺ was synthesized by solid-state reaction method. This phosphor exhibited wide absorption in ultra-violet and visible range, and bright yellow emission band centering at 570 nm. The concentration quenching mechanism was verified to be a dipole–dipole interaction, and its critical transfer distance was about 17 Å by both calculated crystal structural method and experimental spectral method. This phosphor has a good thermal stability with a quenching temperature (T_1/2) of 200 °C. Yellow and white LEDs were fabricated with this phosphor and near UV chips, and the yellow LED has a high color purity of 97.0% and promising current tolerant property, while the white LED shows a luminous efficiency of 11.68 lm/W.     

Giant magneto-impedance effect in CoMnSiB amorphous microwires

The giant magneto-impedance (GMI) ratio, ΔZ/Z=[(Z(H)−Z(H_max)]/Z(H_max), in a nearly zero magnetostrictive Co_68.5Mn_6.5Si₁₀B₁₅ amorphous microwire has been investigated for the frequency range 0.5–10 MHz, driving current amplitude of 0.5–2.5 mA, bias DC magnetic field up to 2400 A/m and under applied tensile stress up to 132 MPa. A maximum relative change in the GMI ratio up to around 130% is observed at a frequency of 10 MHz, magnetic DC field of about 180 A/m, driving current amplitude of 1 mA and under tension of 60 MPa. The tensile stress dependence of the magnetic field, H_m, corresponding to the maximum ΔZ/Z ratio allows to estimate the magnetostriction constant (λ_s≈−2×10⁻⁷) to be in good agreement with λ_s values estimated by different methods and in amorphous alloys with similar compositions.