Thermo-optical properties of pure and Yb-doped monoclinic KY(WO4)2 crystals

The thermo-optic coefficients, dn/dT, were determined for pure and Yb(20 at.%)-doped monoclinic KY(WO₄)₂ crystals for light polarized along the optical indicatrix axes (N _p,N _m and N _g) in the wavelength range of 0.36–1.06 μm by a laser beam deviation method. The absolute values of thermo-optic coefficients satisfy the relation |dn _p/dT|>|dn _g/dT|>|dn _m/dT| and increase with the wavelength increasing. In the long-wavelength range, all the dn/dT values are negative: dn _p/dT=−14.6, dn _m/dT=−8.9, dn _g/dT=−12.4 [10⁻⁶ K⁻¹] for pure KY(WO₄)₂ at 1.06 μm. The dependency of thermo-optic coefficients on the wavelength was modeled using an approach that takes into account contribution of volumetric thermal expansion and change of electronic bandgap with temperature. Large volumetric expansion of KY(WO₄)₂ plays a key role in the observed negative dn/dT values. Electronic bandgap and its temperature coefficient were determined for KY(WO₄)₂ crystals from thermo-optic dispersion curves as E _g=4.8–5.0 eV and −dE _g/dT=0.7–1.1×10⁻⁴ eV/K. Athermal propagation directions were calculated for KY(WO₄)₂ crystals at the wavelength of 1.06 μm for light polarizations E∥N _m and N _p.     

Thermo-optic characterization of Yb:YAl3(BO3)4 laser crystal

Principal thermo-optic coefficients, dn _o/dT and dn _e/dT, are determined for 7at.%Yb: YAl₃(BO₃)₄ crystal by the use of a minimum deviation method, modified for anisotropic, optically uniaxial crystals. Direct measurements are accompanied by modeling of the dn/dT versus light wavelength dependence, yielding analytic thermo-optic dispersion formulae for the spectral range of 0.4–1.6 μm. At the wavelength of 1030 nm, dn _o/dT = 3.5 and dn _e/dT = 6.0 [10^?6 K^?1]. Sellmeier formulas are evaluated for the principal refractive indices n _o and n _e. The thermal coefficients of the optical path are determined for the principal crystal cuts of Yb:YAl₃(BO₃)₄, a-cut and c-cut, and light polarizations, π or σ. Finally, thermal lens parameters are evaluated for Yb:YAl₃(BO₃)₄ crystals on the basis of measured material parameters.     

Thermo-optical properties of polar dielectric laser dye solvents

This work is devoted to study the thermo-optical properties of three important pure polar dielectric laser dye solvents (aniline, pyridine and ethyl ether). Experimental measurements of the refractive index n and its thermo-optic coefficient dn/dT are carried out using dual laser Mach–Zehnder interferometric technique. The determined values of n and dn/dT are used to extract new data concerning the mentioned laser dye solvents. Applying the empirical relationship of Cauchy between the refractive index and the wavelength, the optical dispersion dn/dλ and dn/dT, as a function of wavelength are calculated and represented. Additionally, Cauchy's constants as a function of temperature has been calculated and a comparison between the studied solvents are considered.     

The effect of concentration on the thermo-optical properties of colloidal silver nanoparticles

The thermo-optical properties of colloidal silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are investigated under a low power laser irradiation at 532 nm. Colloidal AgNPs are synthesized by nanosecond pulsed laser ablation of a pure silver plate in distilled water. The morphology and size of the AgNPs are determined by transmission electron microscopy. Closed Z-scan measurements reveal that nonlocal thermo-optic process is responsible for the nonlinear refractive index of colloid containing different concentrations of silver nanoparticles. The Z-scan behavior of the nanoparticle samples has been investigated based on a nonlocal thermo-optic process and it is shown that the aberrant thermal lens model is in excellent agreement with the experimental results. Z-scan measurement fits have allowed the values of nonlinear refractive index (n₂) and thermo-optic coefficients (dn/dt) to be determined at different concentrations of silver nanoparticles. Large enhancement factors were measured for values of n₂ and dn/dt of the colloids at higher silver nanoparticle volume fraction. Our results suggest that nonlocal thermal nonlinear processes will play an important role in the development of photonic applications involving metal nanoparticle colloids.     

Thermally induced optical bistability in CdHgTe

We report optical bistability in a room temperature, uncoated Cd_0.185Hg_0.815Te etalon using a cw CO₂ laser at 10.6 μm. The results are consistent with a band gap resonant, dispersive nonlinearity induced by a thermal shift of the band gap energy through interband and free carrier absorption. A refractive index temperature coefficient, dn/dT ～ ? 1 × 10^-3K^-1 was measured, and bistability was observed at incident powers of 20 mW.     

Opto-thermal modulation in biological photonic crystals

Photonic structures of biological origin have been well studied for their optical and morphological properties, but light-induced effects have not yet been explored. In this study, we report sizeable modulation in reflectance on iridescent areas of the wing of a butterfly Morpho didius. Chitin, the primary constituent of the sample, exhibits the large thermo-optic effect typically seen in biopolymers. Measurements yield a thermo-optic coefficient of dn/dT = −4.7 × 10^− 4 °C^− 1. Relatively low intensity levels (~ 0.05 W/cm²) are therefore required to induce measurable reflectance changes, which take place only in the iridescence spectral range and only in areas where chitin is periodically textured. This confirms that the effect originates from photonic band-shifting. For comparison purposes, Kerr nonlinearity is also investigated in chitin and chitosan films.     

Study on the thermo-optic properties of DR1/PMMA composite

This paper reports that the thermo-optic coefficient (\dd n / \dd T) as well as thermal expansion coefficients (\beta) of DR1/PMMA polymer film are measured for both TE (transversal electric) and TM (transversal magnetic) polarizations by using an attenuated total reflection configuration at the wavelengths of 832nm. The thermo-optic coefficients of DR1/PMMA are negative and as high as the order of 10^-4/℃. The influences of dopant concentration, poling process and photobleaching process on the thermo-optic properties of DR1/PMMA are also investigated.     

Temperature dependent photoluminescence down to 4.2 K in EuTFC

The temperature dependence of photoluminescence in Europium tris[3-(trifluoro-methylhydroxymethylene)-(+)-camphorate] (EuTFC) embedded in polymer films has been examined from 40 K down to 4.2 K with the goal of preparing sensor films for low-temperature thermal imaging. The behavior of EuTFC showed significant difference when based on polystyrene compared to poly(n-alkyl methacrylate)s. In poly(n-alkyl methacrylate)s prepared by standard methods for imaging applications, the photoluminescence is fully saturated below 30 K, whereas in polystyrene films there is a strong temperature dependence even down to 4.2 K. By optimizing the preparation procedure for films made of poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) and poly(methyl methacrylate), also these polymers became very sensitive down to liquid helium temperature. The maximum temperature sensitivity of EuTFC in PBMA is found to be 1.0%/K at 4.2 K. The problem of delamination and cracking of the polymer film at cryogenic temperature is also avoided by the special preparation method.     

Influence of hydrostatic pressure on the phase transition in the complex antifluorites and hexammines: Rigid-sphere model interpretation

Abstract

The pressure coefficient of the phase transition temperature T_c, dT_c/dp = -(11⁺-1) K/GPa, has been determined for Ni (NH₃)₆Cl₂ using a new high pressure and low temperature probe. The relations between T_c and dT_c/dp were determined for antifluorite K₂MCl₆ compounds and hexammines applying the rigid-sphere model.     

Size dependence of the temperature coefficient of surface tension for a solid nanoparticle at the interface with vapor

New relationships have been obtained for the temperature coefficient of surface tension for a solid spherical nanoparticle at the interface with vapor dσ/dT as a function of the radius r of the surface of tension for two different cases of two-phase equilibrium (at a constant radius of the curvature r = const and at a constant pressure in the vapor phase P ^β = const), as well as for the case of three-phase (solid nanoparticlevapor-liquid) equilibrium at arbitrary values of r and P ^β. The dependences of dσ/dT, dT/dr, and σ on r have been self-consistently calculated for many metals.     

Two- and three-dimensional waves in falling film flow in the nonlaminar flow regime: an NMR study

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) velocity-encoded imaging results as well as propagators are presented for the nonlaminar flow regime of falling films. The film is generated by a continuous flow of silicon oil along a vertical poly(methyl methacrylate) plate. While the film remains purely laminar for a film Reynolds number Re_f=0.5, it exhibits laminar-wavy behavior for 1.0≤Re_f≤2.5. In this range, a laminar residual film can be distinguished from averaged waves near the surface of the film from measurements of the flow velocity ν₂ along the direction of gravity as a function of the coordinatex normal to the plate. The perpendicular velocity components, ν _x and ν _y are zero within the accuracy of the measurement, indicating that the wave motion is two-dimensional in the laminar-wavy case. For higher Re_f the waves are found to be three-dimensional, a straightforward division into a residual film and waves in ν _z is lost and the waves extend over the whole thickness of the film.     

A method of implementation of frequency encoded all optical logic gates based on non-linear total reflectional switch at the interface

A novel method of implementation of frequency encoded logic gates NOT, OR, AND, NOR, NAND, X-OR, X-NOR is discussed. The frequency sources and physical requirements for the implementation are also discussed. The non-linear material (liquid) suitable for these operations to be performed should be of large non-linear coefficient, high reverse saturation absorption, large thermo-optic coefficient and low viscosity. The input controlling beams used to induce non-linearity in the switch are either of frequency υ₁ or υ₂ and the probe beam is a mixed signal of frequencies υ₁ and υ₂. Depending on the nature of the controlling inputs the output conditions of the probe can be adjusted to get different logic gates.     

Magnetic carbon nanotubes: synthesis by a simple solvothermal process and application in magnetic targeted drug delivery system

A poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) main chain was grafted with poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) containing a quaternary amine group using atom transfer radical polymerization. The successful synthesis of a PVC-g-PDMAEMA graft copolymer was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, thermogravimetric analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. The PVC-g-PDMAEMA graft copolymer was used as a structure-directing agent (SDA) for the fabrication of a mesoporous thin film containing a titanium dioxide (TiO₂) layer. To control the porosity of the resultant inorganic layer, the ratio of SDA to TTIP as well as the concentration of the sol?Cgel was varied. The structure and porosity of the mesoporous film were characterized by XRD and SEM analysis. The mesoporous TiO₂ film fabricated on the FTO surface was used as a photoanode for the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). DSSC performance was the greatest when using TiO₂ film with a higher porosity and lower interfacial resistance. The highest energy conversion efficiency reached 3.2?% at 100?mW/cm², which was one of the highest reported values for a quasi-solid-state DSSC with 600-nm-thick TiO₂ film.     

Spatially-resolved characterization of HTSC-films near T c by laser raster microscopy with thermal excitation

A method (laser raster microscopy with thermal excitation, LRMTE) for characterizing high-T _c thin-film superconductors (HTSC) with microscopic resolution is described. By means of spatially resolved laser excitation and subsequent monitoring of the time dependence of the film resistivity at a base temperature near the transition temperature T _c, spatial variations of the transition temperature (T _c), of the temperature coefficient of the resistivity (dQ/dT), of the heat conductivity and heat capacity of the film and of the heat conductivity between film and substrate can be detected with high spatial resolution (15 m have been achieved so far).     

Pressure effects on the magnetic transition temperatures of NiS2

Both antiferromagnetic (T_N) and weak ferromagnetic (T_c) transition temperatures of NiS₂ have been measured under pressure up to 18.4 kbar. Values of dT_N/dP=(0.9 ± 0.1) deg/kbar and dT_c/dP=(0.4 ± 0.1) deg/kbar are obtained. The present results allow estimates of the magnetic Grüneisen constant γ_m = - d ln T_N/d ln V of (26±5) and of the entropy change of (1.4±0.5) J/mol·deg at the first order transition temperature T_c.     

Calculations of polytropic coefficient for the Tonks–Langmuir Electron-ion plasma with non-Maxwellian electron distributions

The dynamics of the Tonks and Langmuir-type bounded plasma requires a closure relation to make the system of equations self-consistent. Fluid equations are obtained from the moments of velocity distribution function. The two most frequently used closure relations are (a) completely neglecting ion temperature, and (b) setting a constant value for the ion polytropic coefficient. It has been shown that, for a Maxwellian source, either of these assumptions leads to erroneous results. Here, the premise of polytropic coefficient being a function of the potential is extended to a nonthermal plasma. Two different cases for the electron velocity distribution function are studied, namely (a) the Kappa distribution, and (b) the Cairns distribution. Number density (n_i) and temperature (T_i) for the ions are numerically calculated, for respective spectral indices. The polytropic coefficient is then calculated as a function of the potential, using the relation γ_i = 1 + (n_i/T_i)(dT_i/dn_i) . It is concluded that better approximations, vetted by kinetic means, to the polytropic coefficient are crucial for appropriate closure of fluid equations. Present work will be useful in fusion devices where non-Maxwellian electrons may exist due to various physical phenomena.     

Measurement of the nuclear spin diffusion coefficient in organic glasses doped with paramagnetic centers: Orthoterphenyl and polymeric glasses

We have recently developed a method of studying spin diffusion coefficients by doping the materials with paramagnetic centers and measuring the nuclear relaxation in a tilted rotating frame. Using this method, we measure here the spin diffusion coefficient of orthoterphenyl, a molecular organic glass, and of three polymer glasses: poly(4-vinylpyridine), poly(vinylacetate) and poly(methyl methacrylate). We explore a possible dependence of the measured orthoterphenyl spin diffusion coefficient on the electronic relaxation time and concentration of the paramagnetic centers. We conclude that the experiments can be performed at higher concentrations than previously thought. We also show that our method applies to polymers in the glassy state if one works at sufficiently small tilt angle, in spite of a short value ofT _1ρ. We had anticipated that the distribution of proton pairs in these materials precludes the standard dependence of the spin diffusion coefficient on the proton density and free induction decay characteristic decay time. Our results fully confirm such expectation.     

Compositional effects on the optical and thermal properties of sodium borophosphate glasses

A series of sodium borophosphate glasses of the composition (1−x)NaPO₃−xB₂O₃ have been synthesised from Na₂CO₃, B₂O₃ and P₂O₅ and their optical and thermal properties investigated. The results show that refractive index (n) and glass transition temperature (T_g) show a maximum at about B/(B+P)=0.6 while thermal expansion coefficient (α) and thermo-optic coefficient (dn/dT) change monotonically with the B/(B+P) ratio. These observations can be interpreted based on the incorporation of BO₃ and BO₄ units into the glass structural network.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Nonlinear Optical Polymers Containing Carbazole and Disperse Red Dye

Dye‐containing nonlinear optical (NLO) polymers were synthesized: (1) poly(3‐(2‐(3‐(2‐isocyanatopropan‐2‐yl)phenyl)‐2‐methylpropyl)‐4‐methyl‐1‐phenylpyrrolidine‐2,5‐dione), P[(DR1,Cz)MSt‐PMI], and (2) poly(9‐vinyl‐9H‐carbazole‐co‐disperse red 1), PAV[DR1‐Cz]. The synthesized NLO polymers were characterized by ¹H‐NMR, IR, and UV–VIS spectroscopy; differential scanning calorimetry (DSC); and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The electro‐optic (EO) coefficients (r₃₃) and their NLO properties were evaluated by simple reflection and the Maker fringe method. The EO coefficients of P[(DR1,Cz)MSt‐PMI] and PAV[DR1‐Cz] were measured at 632.8 nm to be 106 and 46.6 pm/V, respectively. The second harmonic generation (SHG) coefficient (d₃₃) of P[(DR1,Cz)MSt‐PMI] was measured to be 71.25 pm/V.     

Nonlinear refraction in photo-induced anisotropic states of azo-dye containing materials

The optical anisotropic states in the azo-dye Disperse Red 13 doped poly(methyl methacrylate) polymeric film are induced by polarized light and the nonlinear refractive index in these states are studied by the Z-scan technique. It is found that the n₂ of the sample can be controlled by changing both the polarization direction and the intensity of the 514 nm light. Photo-induced isomerization and reorientation of azo chromophores in polymer matrices are used to explain the results.