Highly efficient optical power transfer to whispering-gallery modes by use of a symmetrical dual-coupling configuration

We report that greater than 99.8% optical power transfer to whispering-gallery modes was achieved in fused-silica microspheres by use of a dual-tapered-fiber coupling method. The intrinsic cavity loss and the taper-to-sphere coupling coefficient are inferred from the experimental data. It is shown that the low intrinsic cavity loss and the symmetrical dual-coupling structure are crucial for obtaining the high coupling efficiency.     

Shift of whispering-gallery modes in microspheres by protein adsorption

Biosensors based on the shift of whispering-gallery modes in microspheres accompanying protein adsorption are described by use of a perturbation theory. For random spatial adsorption, theory predicts that the shift should be inversely proportional to microsphere radius R and proportional to protein surface density and excess polarizability. Measurements are found to be consistent with the theory, and the correspondence enables the average surface area occupied by a single protein to be estimated. These results are consistent with crystallographic data for bovine serum albumin. The theoretical shift for adsorption of a single protein is found to be extremely sensitive to the target region, with adsorption in the most sensitive region varying as 1/R(5/2). Specific parameters for single protein or virus particle detection are predicted.     

The propagation of millimeter and centimeter waves in tropospheric waveguides close to the sea

A calculation is given for the average field produced by a narrow-beam source in a tropospheric waveguide close to the sea. The source is taken to be below the inversion layer. The roughness of sea is taken into account by introducing an effective dielectric constant derived from the average reflection coefficient. Curves are given showing the variation of the average field in the waveguide as a function of height at different distances from the source.Izvestiya VUZ. Radiofizika, Vol. 9, No. 5, pp. 867–875, 1966     

Physical aspects of the model of propagation of centimeter and millimeter radio waves along inclined paths in the earth’s atmosphere

We present the physical aspects of constructing a computer model of propagation of centimeter and millimeter radio waves along inclined paths in the earth’s atmosphere, which allows us to calculate the integral attenuation in the frequency spectrum from 3 to 100 GHz, the time of group delay of the signal, refraction of radio waves, and the brightness temperature of the atmosphere for certain regions on the basis of standard atmospheric models and optimal statistical extrapolation of surface meteorological elements. The results of this paper were presented in part at the XVIIIth All-Russia Conference on Propagation of Radio Waves (St. Petersburg, September 17–19, 1996 [1] Radiophysical Research institute, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 40, No. 12, pp. 1463–1478, December, 1997.     

Controlled coupling of counterpropagating whispering-gallery modes by a single Rayleigh scatterer: a classical problem in a quantum optical light

We present experiments where a single subwavelength scatterer is used to examine and control the backscattering induced coupling between counterpropagating high-Q modes of a microsphere resonator. Our measurements reveal the standing wave character of the resulting symmetric and antisymmetric eigenmodes, their unbalanced intensity distributions, and the coherent nature of their coupling. We discuss our findings and the underlying classical physics in the framework common to quantum optics and provide a particularly intuitive explanation of the central processes.     

Measurement of velocity variations along a wave path in the through-thickness direction in a plate

In this paper there is given a method to predict ultrasonic wave velocity variations along a wave path in the through-thickness direction in a plate from thickness resonance spectra. Thickness resonance spectra are numerically calculated and two simple rules used to predict the entire ultrasonic wave velocity variation are derived. In the calculation, the wave path is assumed to be straight along the thickness direction and the velocity variation is assumed to be either as a parabolic curve dependence or a linear dependence with respect to the distance from the surface and to be symmetric with respect to the plate center. To see if the numerical calculation method is reliable, thickness resonance frequencies of a sample with three-layers were measured by EMAT (electromagnetic acoustic transducer) with a good agreement between the measured and the calculated frequencies. This method can be applied to the ultrasonic measurement of material characteristics, internal stress or various other properties of plate materials.     

Resonant coupling of surface plasmons to radiation modes by use of dielectric gratings

Efficient outcoupling of surface-plasma waves to radiation modes by use of dielectric diffraction gratings on a flat metallic surface is discussed. The dielectric gratings, which have a surface-relief structure with only several tens of nanometers in peak-to-trough height on a flat metal surface, can efficiently extract radiation modes propagating in free space from the surface-plasmon modes. An outcoupling efficiency of 50% is estimated with the rigorous coupled-wave diffraction theory, and it is confirmed by the experiment.     

Features of interannual variations of ozone in the middle stratosphere over Moscow according to observations at millimeter waves

The features of interannual variations of ozone in the middle stratosphere over Moscow in cold half-years since 1995 to 2015 are considered. These features are most pronounced in two separated groups of winters (six winters in each group) in December–January. It appeared that the seasonal variation of ozone averaged within each group is characterized by a higher ozone concentration \({C_{{O_3}}}\) in group I (in comparison with group II) in December and lower values in January. The differences in the seasonal variation of ozone between these groups at the level of 10 mbar in December and January exceed 2 ppm. A feature of the stratosphere circulation for half-year group I is the existence of a stable polar vortex and the absence of strong midwinter perturbations and sudden stratospheric warmings. On the contrary, for cold half-years of group II, the appearance of strong stratospheric warmings in January–February is in common. The results presented provide a quantitative estimate of the effect of these stratospheric warmings on ozone of the middle stratosphere overMoscow.     

Counterion-hopping along the backbone of single-stranded DNA in nanometer pores: a mechanism for current conduction

Molecular dynamics calculations are performed to investigate ionic current conduction through nanopores in the presence of single-stranded DNA. We find the counterions to be strongly attracted to the phosphate groups of the DNA, with resident time on the order of nanoseconds, while coions are strongly excluded. The diffusion constant of the counterions is calculated and used to estimate the ionic current through the pore, which gives a similar magnitude as in experiment. The results suggest a counterion-hopping mechanism along the ssDNA backbone in the current conduction through nanopores.     

Measurement of impurity and temperature variations in water by interferometry technique

Refractive index is an important optical parameter of liquids, which is temperature, concentration and wavelength-dependent. Therefore, precise measurement of refractive index variation can be used for precise determination of the above parameters. In this paper a laser-based interferometry technique was introduced for accurate measuring of the refractive index variation due to temperature, and concentration changes. Distilled water was used as a test liquid sample, however the technique can be applied for any similar liquids. The concentration variations of distilled water due to three different impurities i.e. ethanol, salt water and tap water were examined. The technique gives measurement for concentration and temperature variations typically at the order ∼10⁻⁴(g/l)⁻¹ and 10⁻⁵ K⁻¹ respectively. The results show the variations of refractive index with respect to temperature or concentration can be measured typically with an accuracy of ∼6%, and 10% respectively. The method is useful for fast and precise monitoring of temperature and concentration variations in transparent liquids.     

Scattering of centimeter radiowaves in a gas ionized by radioactive radiation: Cluster plasma formation

A theoretical explanation is proposed for an anomalously high reflectivity of air masses exposed to radioactive radiation relative to electromagnetic waves from the rf range. The mechanism of formation of the reflected signal is connected with a change in the electric parameters of the ionized gas. The concentration of free charges under the typical conditions of radioactive contamination is ten orders of magnitude lower than that required for the formation of an experimentally detectable reflected signal. The discrepancy between the values of reflectivity observed under the real conditions of radar probing and predicted theoretically on the basis of the elementary theory of a weakly ionized gas amounts to 20 orders of magnitude. It is shown that the inclusion of the variation of the mass and the critical capture radius of ions due to their hydration changes the difference between the theoretical predictions and the experimental observations insignificantly. The discrepancy becomes smaller (but only by 1.5 orders of magnitude) when the scattering of radiowaves from turbulent vortices is taken into account. The mechanism of the formation of the high reflectivity is associated with slowing down the recombination and with the accumulation of a profuse population of unrecombined ionic pairs stabilized in the clusters of water molecules. The steady-state concentration of such electrically neutral clusters is several orders of magnitude higher than the concentration of free hydrated ions. A variation of the intensity of ionizing radiation is accompanied by proportional variations of both components. The recombination barrier is formed as a result of drawing dipole molecules into the gap between ions at the final stage of motion of counterions towards one another before their recombination. The accumulation of ionic pairs ensures the multiple enhancement of the sensitivity of the electric properties of cold plasma to the effect of ionizing radiation. A quantitative kinetic theory of the effect is constructed. The numerical calculations of the parameters of the pre-recombination states of ions against the background of the molecular component are made using computer simulation at the microscopic level. The steady-state recombination rate is an exponential function of the pre-recombination barrier height and decreases rapidly even upon an insignificant change in the number of molecules involved in an ion recombination act. The obtained theoretical conclusions are confirmed by the independent results of observations of the strong absorption band in the atmosphere in the middle part of the IR spectrum, which is attributed to the anomalously high concentration of electrically neutral water clusters.     

Measurement of optical modes in cubic BaTiO3 by neutron scattering

The lattice dynamics of cubic BaTiO₃ have been investigated by inelastic neutron scattering using a high energy triple axis spectrometer. Measurements were carried out in the [(100), (010)] scattering plane of the crystal to obtain the dispersion curves in the (100) direction. The measured optical branches are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions from a pseudo-ionic model.     

The use of stable isotopes to evaluate water mixing and water use by flood plain trees along the Garonne valley

Before the confluence of the Tarn, the Garonne valley was the driest area in the entire south-west of France, due to the relatively low rainfall and low summer discharge of the Garonne River and its tributaries. The natural abundance of the stable isotope of oxygen (¹⁸O) and ionic charge of surface and ground water were used to estimate the water source for the Garonne River and phreatic subsurface water. We also measured these constituents in the sap of trees at several flood plain sites to better understand the source of water used by these trees. ¹⁸O signatures and conductivity in the Garonne River indicated that the predominance of water was from high altitude surface runoff from the Pyrenees Mountains. Tributary inputs had little effect on isotopic identity, but had a small effect on the conductivity. The isotopic signature and ionic conductivity of river water (δ¹⁸O: ?9.1‰ to ?9.0‰, conductivity: 217–410?µS/cm) was distinctly different from groundwater (δ¹⁸O: ?7.1‰ to ?6.6‰, conductivity: 600–900?µS/cm). Isotopic signatures from the sap of trees on the flood plain showed that the water source was shallow subsurface water (<30?cm), whereas trees further from the river relied on deeper ground water (>1?m). Trees at both locations maintained sap with ionic charges much greater (2.3–3.7×) than that of source water. The combined use of ¹⁸O signatures and ionic conductivity appears to be a potent tool to determine water sources on geographic scales, and source and use patterns by trees at the local forest scale. These analyses also show promise for better understanding of the effects of anthropogenic land-use and water-use changes on flood plain forest dynamics.     

The use of stable isotopes to evaluate water mixing and water use by flood plain trees along the Garonne valley

Before the confluence of the Tarn, the Garonne valley was the driest area in the entire south-west of France, due to the relatively low rainfall and low summer discharge of the Garonne River and its tributaries. The natural abundance of the stable isotope of oxygen (18O) and ionic charge of surface and ground water were used to estimate the water source for the Garonne River and phreatic subsurface water. We also measured these constituents in the sap of trees at several flood plain sites to better understand the source of water used by these trees. 18O signatures and conductivity in the Garonne River indicated that the predominance of water was from high altitude surface runoff from the Pyrenees Mountains. Tributary inputs had little effect on isotopic identity, but had a small effect on the conductivity. The isotopic signature and ionic conductivity of river water (delta18O: -9.1 per thousand to -9.0 per thousand, conductivity: 217-410 microS/cm) was distinctly different from groundwater (delta18O: -7.1 per thousand to -6.6 per thousand, conductivity: 600-900 microS/cm). Isotopic signatures from the sap of trees on the flood plain showed that the water source was shallow subsurface water (<30 cm), whereas trees further from the river relied on deeper ground water (>1 m). Trees at both locations maintained sap with ionic charges much greater (2.3-3.7x) than that of source water. The combined use of 18O signatures and ionic conductivity appears to be a potent tool to determine water sources on geographic scales, and source and use patterns by trees at the local forest scale. These analyses also show promise for better understanding of the effects of anthropogenic land-use and water-use changes on flood plain forest dynamics.     

Measurement of dye diffusion in agar gel by use of low-coherence interferometry

We demonstrate low-coherence interferometry for diffusion measurements. We have measured the diffusion coefficient of a phthalocyanine dye in 1.5% agar gel with a two-wavelength interferometer; one wavelength was matched to the absorption peak of the dye at 675 nm, while the other, 805 nm, was not affected by the dye. The diffusion coefficient of the dye was found by fitting a mathematical model for the interferometer signal to the measured low-coherence interferometry amplitude. A 95% confidence interval for the diffusion coefficient was found to be D = (2.5 +/- 0.2) x 10(-10) m2/s. The influence of speckle averaging and experiment time on the determination of the diffusion coefficient has been studied. The presented technique allows in situ characterization of diffusion in semitransparent media.     

Imaging through scattering media with depth resolution by use of low-coherence gating in spatiotemporal digital holography

We demonstrate optical gating through scattering media based on low-coherence spatiotemporal digital holography. The method combines the advantages of low-coherence gating, both temporal and spatial, with the advantages of methods using heterodyning and phase-sensitive detection. Spatiotemporal data are captured on a CCD detector in a single exposure, without mechanical scans, and processed digitally. Examples of reconstructions and sectioning of objects hidden behind a ground-glass diffuser are shown.     

Measurement of birefringence in integrated optical waveguides by use of a microwave-modulated optical wave

We present a technique for measuring birefringence (B) in integrated optical waveguides by use of a microwave-modulated optical wave. It is shown that the technique is able to yield an accurate measurement of birefringence. In addition, an approximate estimate of birefringence dispersion (dB/dlambda) can be achieved by means of tuning the wavelength of the light source and measuring the dependence of the birefringence on the wavelength. As an example of the use of the technique, we show how to evaluate an innovative Ti:LiNbO (3) waveguide. The results show that such a Ti:LiNbO (3) waveguide has a birefringence of 0.0783+/-0.0001 and a birefringence dispersion of 0.05+/-0.01mum (-1) when the optical wavelength is approximately 1.560mum .