An Experimental Setup for Analysis of Weak Photoluminescence in the Near-Infrared Spectral Region

Optics and Spectroscopy - In this paper, we describe the experimental setup for analysis of spectral and kinetic photoluminescence parameters in near-infrared spectral region. The setup allows to...     

利用频谱组束获取双光谱光源的实验研究

 针对激光多光谱探测对多色激光光源的需求,提出利用外腔频谱组束技术获取多光谱激光探测光源的方法。报道了外腔2个大模面积双包层Er3+/Yb3+共掺光纤激光器频谱组束的实验结果,获得了一种3dB线宽分别为29.3nm和11.52nm的可调谐双光谱激光探测光源。实验结果和理论分析表明：外腔频谱组束技术是一种获得多光谱激光光源的可行方法。     

Determination of the spectral response of sis-junctions by a direct detection measurement

We present a simple method to determine the spectral response of an SIS detector in the millimeter and submillimeter wavelength range from its current response to a chopped cold-load. This direct detection response is also a good indicator of quantum efficiency and mixer noise temperature when using the SIS junction in heterodyne mode. A simple experimental setup without local oscillator, cryogenic IF-amplifier or any quasioptical interferometer allows a quick diagnosis of integrated planar impedance matching structures.     

Simultaneous Surface-Near and Solution Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy

We report the first simultaneous measurement of surface-confined and solution fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). We use an optical configuration for tightly focused excitation and separate detection of light emitted below (undercritical angle fluorescence, UAF) and above (supercritical angle fluorescence, SAF) the critical angle of total internal reflection of the coverslip/sample interface. This creates two laterally coincident detection volumes which differ in their axial extent. While detection of far-field UAF emission producesa standard confocal volume, near-field-mediated SAF produces a highly surface-confined detection volume at the coverslip/sample interface which extends only ~200 nm into the sample. A characterization of the two detection volumes by FCS of free diffusion is presented and compared with analytical models and simulations. The presented FCS technique allows to determine bulk solution concentrations and surface-near concentrations at the same time.     

Prism-based multicolor fluorescence correlation spectrometer

We report the design and application of a prism-based detection system for fluorescence (cross) correlation spectroscopy. The system utilizes a single laser wavelength for the simultaneous excitation of several dyes of different emission spectra. Fluorescence light is spectrally separated with a prismatic setup, and wavelengths are selected by scanning a fiber-coupled avalanche photodiode across the image spots. Multicolor autocorrelations are demonstrated with standard and tandem dyes, and fluorescence cross-correlation measurements of biotinylated nanocontainers and streptavidin are presented. This spectrometer offers high optical stability and no focal volume mismatch for the multicolor detection of molecular dynamics and interactions, with single-molecule sensitivity.     

On the Resolution Capabilities and Limits of Fluorescence Lifetime Correlation Spectroscopy (FLCS) Measurements

Quantitative tests were performed in order to explore the practical limits of FLCS. We demonstrate that: a) FLCS yields precise and correct concentration values from as low as picomolar to micromolar concentrations; b) it is possible to separate four signal components in a single detector setup; c) diffusion times differing only 25% from each other can be resolved by separating a two component mixture based on the different fluorescence lifetimes of both components; d) most of the inherent technical limitations of conventional FCS are easily overcome by FLCS employing a single detector channel confocal detection scheme.     

Characterization of a confocal microscope for time-resolved photon counting fluorescence

A confocal microscope setup is developed for time-resolved fluorescence measurements. It is added to a traditional cuvette time-resolved setup, with a pumped Ti-Sa light source. The temporal resolution of 37 ps (FWHM) is not degraded, in comparison with the cuvette setup also described. These setups allow both decay lifetime and anisotropy relaxation time determination. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is used to determine the observation point size. When associated with the calcium probe calcium green, calcium concentration in single cells can be determined in 10 ms by simultaneous acquisition of early and late fluorescence photons.     

Improvement of LIEF by wavelength-resolved acquisition of multiple images using a single CCD detector – Simultaneous 2D measurement of air/fuel ratio, temperature distribution of the liquid phase and qualitative distribution of the liquid phase with the Multi-2D technique

The exciplex tracer system fluorobenzene (FB) and diethyl-methyl-amine (DEMA) in a solution of n-hexane and methyl-tert.-butylether (MTBE) was used to investigate the mixture formation in a fired direct injection spark ignition engine. The scope of this paper is the recently developed Multi-2D technique, which allows for the simultaneous measurement of the local air/fuel ratio (λ-distribution of the vapor phase), the qualitative distribution of the liquid phase, the temperature distribution of the liquid phase, and the detection of Mie scattering in this application. Basically, the Multi-2D technique consists of a new optical setup, which images the same field of view four times onto one camera, thus combining spatial and spectral resolution based on interference filters. The liquid temperature is derived via “two-line” thermometry. Using the liquid phase temperature the crosstalk from the liquid into the spectral detection range of the vapor phase is corrected. Quantitative results of the crosstalk-corrected vapor phase signals are achieved by an in-situ calibration. PACS 42.62.Fi; 44.35.+c     

Pulse-shaper-assisted phase control of a coherent broadband spectrum of Raman sidebands

We report pulse-shaper-assisted phase control of a broad spectrum, aiming to synthesize nonsinusoidal waveforms. We first generate multiple-order coherent Raman sidebands by focusing two laser beams into a piece of diamond. Then we combine five sidebands into a single beam by using a prism. Our setup allows for both coarse, manual phase adjustments and fine tuning of the spectral phases. A flat spectral phase across these five frequency-separated sub-bands is achieved, which implies generation of two to three optical-cycle pulses.     

Downstream Fabry-Perot interferometer for acoustic wave monitoring in photoacoustic tomography

An optical detection setup consisting of a focused laser beam fed into a downstream Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) for demodulation of acoustically generated optical phase variations is investigated for its applicability in photoacoustic tomography. The device measures the time derivative of acoustic signals integrated along the beam. Compared to a setup where the detection beam is part of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, the signal-to-noise ratio of the FPI is lower, but the image quality of the two devices is similar. Using the FPI in a photoacoustic tomograph allows scanning the probe beam around the imaging object without moving the latter.     

Self-referenced method for optical path difference calibration in low-coherence interferometry

A simple method for the calibration of optical path difference modulation in low-coherence interferometry is presented. Spectrally filtering a part of the detected interference signal results in a high-coherence signal that encodes the scan imperfections and permits their correction. The method is self-referenced in the sense that no secondary high-coherence light source is necessary. Using a spectrometer setup for spectral filtering allows for flexibility in both the choice of calibration wavelength and the maximum scan range. To demonstrate the method's usefulness, it is combined with a recently published digital spectral shaping technique to measure the thickness of a pellicle beam splitter with a white-light source.     

Complete characterization of weak ultra-short near-UV pulses by spectral interferometry

We present a method for a complete characterization of a femtosecond ultraviolet pulse when a fundamental near-infrared beam is also available. Our approach relies on generation of the second harmonic from the pre-characterized fundamental, which serves as a reference against which an unknown pulse is measured using spectral interferometry (SI). The characterization apparatus is a modified second harmonic frequency resolved optical gating setup which additionally allows for taking SI spectra. The presented method is linear in the unknown field, simple and sensitive. We checked its accuracy using test pulses generated in a thick nonlinear crystal, demonstrating the ability to measure the phase in a broad spectral range, down to 0.1% peak spectral intensity as well as retrieving π leaps in the spectral phase. PACS 42.65.Ky; 42.65.Re     

Implementation of a new spectroscopic method to quantify aromatic species involved in the formation of soot particles in flames

The formation of aromatics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in flames is still questionable and needs quantitative experimental data to improve the comprehension of these processes. Although aromatics and PAH are considered as the main species involved in soot formation processes, their quantitative detection still remains difficult. Indeed, it requires very sensitive and robust experimental setups enabling their measurements under very low concentrations (ppm order) in sooting flames conditions. The objective of this work is to propose an alternative setup based on laser diagnostics to allow the possibility of some specific studies of aromatics and PAH compounds in an experimentally less complex manner than conventional methods. We have developed a novel experimental setup, based on calibrated laser induced fluorescence (LIF) inside an expanded free jet, to get quantitative measurements of aromatics compounds after their extraction by a microprobe. Indeed, in the supersonic jet, the spectral simplification due to the cooling allows a selective detection of such complex molecules and their quantification. The experimental set-up as well as the first measurements of the benzene molecule formed in low pressure methane flames are presented in details. Potential of the sensitivity of the method is highlighted by determining very low concentrations of benzene (1–10 ppm). PACS 33.20.Lg; 42.62.-b; 42.62.Fi; 47.70.Pq     

Helicity Multiplexed Spin‐Orbit Interaction in Metasurface for Colorized and Encrypted Holographic Display

The photonic spin‐orbit interaction (PSOI) in inhomogeneous anisotropic metasurface has drawn much attentions recently due to its superior ability to manipulate light wave in the deep‐subwavelength scale. Traditional methods involving PSOI are limited to operational spectral bandwidth owing to the intrinsic dispersion of the constitutive materials. In this paper, a helicity‐multiplexing scheme is proposed to achieve independent control of the PSOI in both the spectral and spatial domains by combining the broadband characteristic with polarization dependence of the metasurface. Two simultaneous functions of multicolor holographic display and polarization encryption are experimentally demonstrated with a single metasurface perforated with nanoholes. Although the optical response of the nanoholes themselves are almost independent of the light wavelength, the obtained image can have abundant spectral information. The approach proposed here is promising for realizing multifunction optical device, multicolor display, optical storage and information encryption.     

Tunable light source for coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microspectroscopy based on the soliton self-frequency shift

We present a photonic crystal fiber (PCF)-based light source for generating tunable excitation pulses (pump and Stokes) that are applicable to coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microspectroscopy. The laser employed is an unamplified Ti:sapphire femtosecond laser oscillator. The CARS pump pulse is generated by spectral compression of a laser pulse in a PCF. The Stokes pulse is generated by redshifting a laser pulse in a PCF through the soliton self-frequency shift. This setup allows for probing up to 4000 cm(-1) with a spectral resolution of approximately 25 cm(-1). We characterize the stability and robustness of CARS microspectroscopy employing this light source.     

3D nanoimprinted Fabry–Pérot filter arrays and methodologies for optical characterization

Fabry–Pérot (FP) filter arrays fabricated by high-resolution three dimensional (3D) NanoImprint technology are presented. A fabrication process to implement 3D templates with very high vertical resolution is developed. Filter arrays with 64 different cavity heights have been fabricated requiring only one single imprint step. Different optical methods are involved in this paper to characterize geometric and spectral properties. In order to investigate the transfer accuracy of the surface quality from the NanoImprint template to the filter, we use white light interferometry (WLI) measurements. Surface roughness and structure height accuracy of <1 nm for both values demonstrate the conservation of these critical parameters during the 3D NanoImprint process. Additionally, an optical characterization methodology for spectral transmission and reflection measurements of the filter arrays is introduced and applied. A compact microscope spectrometer setup which allows efficient handling, high resolution and short inspection time is verified by comparing measurement results to that of an optical bench setup used as a reference. First, this paper focuses on the foundation of the FP filter arrays, second on the technological fabrication, third on validation calibration of the setup and forth on the characterization of the filter arrays. The measurements envisage the spectral position of filter transmission lines, the full width at half maximum (FWHM) and the total spectral bandwidth of the array, i.e. the stopbands of the included Distributed Bragg Reflectors (DBRs).     

Atmospheric channel characteristics for quantum communication with continuous polarization variables

We investigate the properties of an atmospheric channel for free space quantum communication with continuous polarization variables. In our prepare-and-measure setup, coherent polarization states are transmitted through an atmospheric quantum channel of 100 m length on the flat roof of our institute’s building. The signal states are measured by homodyne detection with the help of a local oscillator (LO) which propagates in the same spatial mode as the signal, orthogonally polarized to it. Thus the interference of signal and LO is excellent and atmospheric fluctuations are auto-compensated. The LO also acts as a spatial and spectral filter, which allows for unrestrained daylight operation. Important characteristics for our system are atmospheric channel influences that could cause polarization, intensity and position excess noise. Therefore we study these influences in detail. Our results indicate that the channel is suitable for our quantum communication system in most weather conditions.     

Broadly tunable quantum cascade laser in cantilever-enhanced photoacoustic infrared spectroscopy of solids

An external cavity quantum cascade laser (EC-QCL) is applied in the photoacoustic detection of solid samples. The EC-QCL used has a broad tuning range of 676 cm^?1 (970–1,646 cm^?1) in the mid-infrared region, which enables accurate broadband spectroscopy of large molecules. The high spectral power density of the EC-QCL is combined with an extremely sensitive optical cantilever microphone of the photoacoustic detector to achieve an ultimate sensitivity. The carbon black, polyethylene, and hair fiber samples were measured with the EC-QCL photoacoustic detection using electrical amplitude modulation to demonstrate the possibilities of the setup. The same measurements were repeated with a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer combined with a photoacoustic detector for a comparison. The EC-QCL photoacoustic setup yielded roughly a decade better signal-to-noise ratios than the FTIR setup with the same measurement time.     

Defect depth scanning over the positron implantation profile in aluminum

We present an experimental setup which allows us to measure in a nondestructive way a defect depth profile in light metals and alloys. For this we employ the implantation profile of positrons emitted from the radioactive source (²²Na) which is sensitive probe for open volume defects in crystalline lattice. We demonstrate the setup and the experimental technique using a pure aluminium sample whose surface was damaged after a blasting treatment. A well defined defect profile was detected which coincides well with that established using an alternative technique. The presented setup can be useful for detection of subsurface zones in tribological studies for example.PACS 61.72.Ji; 78.70.Bj; 81.40 Pq