Crystal structure refinement at high pressures using angle-dispersive powder diffraction techniques

Abstract

The development of area detectors such as the imaging plate (IP) allows the use of angle-dispersive techniques for powder diffraction studies at high pressure. Integration of the 2-d pattern greatly improves the powder averaging and signal-to-noise ratio, making it possible to carry out full Rietveld refinements of crystal structures in high-pressure phases. An IP system is being developed at the Synchrotron Radiation Source (SRS), Daresbury, and the current status of this system -hardware and software -is described. Recent results on La₂CuO₄ and lnSb demonstrate the effectiveness and advantages of the techniques.     

Raman Microscopy and Associated Techniques for Label-Free Imaging of Cancer Tissue

Abstract

Raman spectroscopy can identify cancerous from healthy tissue, with a chemical analysis from the measurement of vibrational bond frequencies. However, to detect small tumors a form of Raman imaging is required. Such imaging—by acquiring a Raman spectrum at each imaging pixel—can detect tumors but is rather slow. Multiphoton versions of Raman—anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy—offer similar accuracies in identifying cancerous tissue and tumor margins but with a far higher speed, which is beneficial for diagnosis of small tumors in tissue. SRS microscopy can also be used to image extrinsic molecules in living cells, such as anti-cancer drugs at typical concentrations.     

Nonlinear effects in optical fiber: Advantages and disadvantages for high capacity all-optical communication application

This paper presents, in the form of a review, some of the results of our study addressing the advantages and disadvantages of the nonlinear effects in optical fibers for their use in high-speed, high capacity, all-optical telecommunication applications. Nonlinear effects that we cover include: self-phase modulation (SPM), cross-phase modulation (CPM), stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), and stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS). We have found that nonlinear effects can play useful and important roles in enhancing the fiber performances and creating new functions by way of fiber lasers, amplifiers, switches, logic devices, demultiplexers, signal format conversion and wavelength conversion devices. But we also have found that they can play degenerative roles limiting the performances of optical fiber communication. Trade-off between the advantages and the disadvantages of the nonlinear effects should be carefully examined in order to utilize their effects to the fullest extent.     

XeCl激光泵浦高压氢的衍射极限SRS斯托克斯光输出

利用XeCl准分子激光在高压氢中产生受激喇曼散射获得峰值功率为0.2MW、衍射极限发射角的一阶(353nm)斯托克斯输出,井研究了泵浦激光发散角对受激喇曼散射转换效率的影响.     

Continuous-wave stimulated Raman scattering (cwSRS) microscopy

Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy is a powerful tool for chemically sensitive non-invasive optical imaging. However, ultrafast laser sources, which are currently employed, are still expensive and require substantial maintenance to provide temporal overlap and spectral tuning. SRS imaging, which utilizes continuous-wave laser sources, has a major advantage, as it eliminates the cell damage due to exposure to the high-intensity light radiation, while substantially reducing the cost and complexity of the setup. As a proof-of-principle, we demonstrate microscopic imaging of dimethyl sulfoxide using two independent, commonly used lasers, a diode-pumped, intracavity doubled 532-nm laser and a He–Ne laser operating at 632.8-nm.     

Low threshold Raman effect in high power narrowband fiber amplifier

A low-threshold Raman effect in a kilowatt ytterbium-doped narrowband fiber amplifier system is reported. The Raman Stokes light at 1120 nm is achieved with the total output power of only ~400 W, indicating that the Raman threshold of this kilowatt codirectional pumped continuous wave fiber amplifier is much lower than the predicted value estimated by the classic formula. To figure out the mechanism of this phenomenon, simulations based on the general stimulated Raman scattering(SRS) model are analyzed indicating that the key factor is the coupling between four-wave mixing(FWM) and SRS. The simulation results are in good agreement with our experiments.     

Low‐noise,vibrational phase‐sensitive chemical imaging by balanced detection RIKE

We perform a back‐to‐back comparison between two nonlinear vibrational imaging techniques: stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and balanced detection Raman‐induced Kerr effect (BD‐RIKE). Using a compact fiber‐based laser system for generation of pump and Stokes signals, we image polymer beads as well as human hepatocytes under the same experimental conditions. We show that BD‐RIKE, despite the slightly lower signal levels, consistently offers an improved signal‐to‐noise ratio with respect to SRS, resulting in significantly higher image quality. Importantly, we observe that such quality is not affected by the static birefringence of the sample, which makes BD‐RIKE a robust and attractive alternative to SRS. We also highlight a unique advantage of the technique, which is its capability to easily access both the real and imaginary parts of the nonlinear susceptibility, thus allowing for vibrational phase imaging. The phase information can be readily obtained from BD‐RIKE with minimal experimental effort and provides an additional chemical selectivity channel for coherent Raman microscopy. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stimulated Raman hyperspectral imaging based on spectral filtering of broadband fiber laser pulses

We demonstrate a technique of hyperspectral imaging in stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy using a tunable optical filter, whose transmission wavelength can be varied quickly by a galvanometer mirror. Experimentally, broadband Yb fiber laser pulses are synchronized with picosecond Ti:sapphire pulses, and then spectrally filtered out by the filter. After amplification by fiber amplifiers, we obtain narrowband pulses with a spectral width of <3.3 cm(-1) and a wavelength tunability of >225 cm(-1). By using these pulses, we accomplish SRS imaging of polymer beads with spectral information.     

高功率双包层光纤激光器受激拉曼散射和热效应的理论研究

受激拉曼散射和热效应会限制光纤激光器功率的提高。利用高功率光纤激光器的速率方程和热传导方程,理论研究了双端泵浦和分布泵浦下双包层光纤激光器的受激拉曼散射和热效应,得到了光纤中的泵浦光、激光和斯托克斯光的功率分布,光纤激光器的输出特性以及光纤中的温度分布。分析表明,当泵浦功率增大到一定值时,光纤激光器中出现SRS,一部分激光功率会转移给斯托克斯光,影响激光功率进一步提高;与双端泵浦方式相比,分布泵浦下光纤激光器的斜率效率和最大输出功率相差不大,但是,光纤中的温度分布被有效地降低,因此,分布泵浦方式更为有效。     

高功率双包层光纤激光器受激拉曼散射和热效应的理论研究

 受激拉曼散射和热效应会限制光纤激光器功率的提高。利用高功率光纤激光器的速率方程和热传导方程,理论研究了双端泵浦和分布泵浦下双包层光纤激光器的受激拉曼散射和热效应,得到了光纤中的泵浦光、激光和斯托克斯光的功率分布,光纤激光器的输出特性以及光纤中的温度分布。分析表明,当泵浦功率增大到一定值时,光纤激光器中出现SRS,一部分激光功率会转移给斯托克斯光,影响激光功率进一步提高;与双端泵浦方式相比,分布泵浦下光纤激光器的斜率效率和最大输出功率相差不大,但是,光纤中的温度分布被有效地降低,因此,分布泵浦方式更为有效。     

高功率光纤激光受激拉曼散射效应研究新进展北大核心CSCD

由于具有高品质、高效率、高鲁棒性、结构紧凑等优点,光纤激光系统在近20年飞速发展,并得到广泛应用。然而发展至今,依旧存在着一些因素(如非线性效应、热效应、模式不稳定性等)限制着光纤激光系统功率的进一步提升。作为其中的一种主要限制因素,受激拉曼散射效应不仅降低了光纤激光器的输出效率,后向斯托克斯光还会提高系统的损毁风险。最近的研究结果表明,少模光纤中受激拉曼散射在引起模式不稳定性的同时,还会导致准静态的模式退化。因此,需要发展有效的拉曼抑制手段来突破现有瓶颈,促进高功率高光束质量光纤激光发展。在介绍高功率少模光纤激光中受激拉曼散射效应新表征的同时,从高功率光纤激光系统整体优化角度出发,总结整理了相关抑制技术研究新进展,并展望未来可能的研究方向。     

SRS generation under phase matching conditions for four-wave interactions of SRS components in birefringent Raman-active crystals

The possibilities of efficient four-wave SRS generation in the schemes of cavity and cavity-amplifier SRS converters with the implementation of phase matching conditions for four-wave mixing of different SRS radiation components at an appropriate orientation of birefringent SRS crystals have been considered based on a numerical simulation. The threshold characteristics and achievable energetic parameters of the SRS generation of different frequency radiation components have been analyzed under the conditions of implementation of phase matching for four-wave mixing. Conditions have been found for a low-threshold SRS-four-wave mixing generation of an anti-Stokes wave with a conversion efficiency of up to 40%, as well as of the first, second, and third Stokes SRS components with conversion efficiencies of up to 90, 80, and 30%, respectively.     

水中受激拉曼散射的能量增强及受激布里渊散射的光学抑制

为提高液体介质中受激拉曼散射的输出能量,提出了通过温度调控来抑制受激布里渊散射的方法,设计了532 nm多纵模宽带脉冲激光泵浦的受激拉曼散射发生系统,测量了不同温度下水中前向受激拉曼散射及后向受激布里渊散射的输出能量,分析了水温、泵浦激光线宽及热散焦效应对受激拉曼散射输出能量影响的物理机制.实验结果表明:通过降低水温可实现对受激布里渊散射过程的有效抑制,同时减小热散焦效应带来的光束畸变,从而有效提高受激拉曼散射的输出能量.研究结果对液体介质中的受激拉曼散射多波长转换具有重要意义.     

351nm激光入射大腔靶的受激Raman散射光谱

报道了“神光 Ⅱ”装置上Au大柱腔靶产生的受激Raman散射光谱。通过分析实验条件和测量结果,排除了散射光谱来自增强非相干Thomson散射的可能性,发现用丝化不稳定性与受激Raman散射的耦合能合理解释观测到的Raman光谱。考虑到丝化不稳定性与SRS的耦合,测量到的散射光谱依然能用于密度诊断,其结果与对流SRS理论的计算值相差不到10%。     

非均匀等离子体中受激Raman散射非线性行为

鉴于实际中等离子体不均匀性和非周期性边界条件，建立了受激Ｒａｍａｎ散射（ＳＲＳ）和受激Ｂｒｉｌｌｏｕｒｉｎ散射（ＳＢＳ）非线性耦合模型。ＳＢＳ对ＳＲＳ的影响主要表现在两方面：１）Ｌａｎｇｍｕｉｒ波与离子声波的非线性相互作用，２）ＳＢＳ与ＳＲＳ的竞争。本文研究了离子声衰变不稳定性、离子声波对Ｌａｎｇｍｕｉｒ波的非共振散射两种非线性过程在ＳＲＳ发展过程中的作用，给出一维不均匀等离子体中ＳＲＳ发展图象。Ｌａｎｇｍｕｉｒ波向短波转换，从而被强烈阻尼是抑制ＳＲＳ的重要机制。文中给出了ＳＢＳ／ＳＲＳ耦合过程中决定ＳＲ 关键词：     

Mechanical properties of in situ consolidated nanocrystalline multi-phase Al–Pb–W alloy studied by nanoindentation

Formation of chunks of various sizes ranging between 2 and 6 mm was achieved using high-energy ball milling in Al–1at.%Pb–1at.%W alloy system at room temperature during milling itself, aiding in in situ consolidation. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies indicate the formation of multi-phase structure with nanocrystalline structural features. From TEM data, an average grain size of 23 nm was obtained for Al matrix and the second-phase particles were around 5 nm. A high strain rate sensitivity (SRS) of 0.071 ± 0.004 and an activation volume of 4.71b³ were measured using nanoindentation. Modulus mapping studies were carried out using Berkovich tip in dynamic mechanical analysis mode coupled with in situ scanning probe microscopy imaging. The salient feature of this investigation is highlighting the role of different phases, their crystal structures and the resultant interfaces on the overall SRS and activation volume of a multi-phase nc material.     

Disturbing interference patterns in femtosecond stimulated Raman microscopy

Femtosecond stimulated Raman microscopy (FSRM) is an upcoming technique in nonlinear microscopy which facilitates rapid chemical mapping. It employs femtosecond white‐light pulses as probe pulses and intense picosecond pulses as pump pulses. Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) occurs at the focus of a scanning microscope. Chemical constituents in the sample are identified via their Raman signatures. In this article, disturbing interference patterns in FSRM are reported. They are caused by a broadening of the pump pulse due to nonlinear interactions in the focal region of the microscope and reduce the signal‐to‐noise ratio. The properties of these modulations are explored, and the methods to suppress them are presented. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Saturation of backward stimulated scattering of a laser beam in the kinetic regime

Stimulated Raman (SRS) and Brillouin scattering (SBS) are examined in the kinetic regime using particle-in-cell simulations. Wave front bowing of electron-plasma waves (ion-acoustic waves) from trapped particle nonlinear frequency shift is observed in the SRS (SBS) regime for the first time. Self-focusing from trapped particle modulational instability (TPMI) is shown to occur in 2D and 3D SRS simulations. The key physics of SRS saturation is identified as a combination of wave front bowing, TPMI, and self-focusing: Bowing marks the beginning of SRS saturation and self-focusing terminates SRS. Ion-acoustic wave bowing also contributes to SBS saturation. Velocity diffusion by transverse modes and rapid loss of hot electrons in regions of small transverse extent formed from self-focusing dissipate wave energy and increase Landau damping, despite trapping that reduces Landau damping initially.     

Ultrafast Raman loss spectroscopy

This paper deals with a new form of nonlinear Raman spectroscopy called ‘ultrafast Raman loss spectroscopy (URLS)’. URLS is analogous to stimulated Raman spectroscopy (SRS) but is much more sensitive than SRS. The signals are background (noise) free unlike in coherent anti‐Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) and it provides natural fluorescence rejection, which is a major problem in Raman spectroscopy. In addition, being a self‐phase matching process, the URLS experiment is much easier than CARS, which requires specific phase matching of the laser pulses. URLS is expected to be alternative if not competitive to CARS microscopy, which has become a popular technique in applications to materials, biology and medicine. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Picosecond optical parametric amplification of stimulated Raman as high peak-power source and ultra-sensitive preamplifier

We report the characteristics of the amplified stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) pulses generated in liquid benzene by a picosecond (ps) β-barium borate (BBO) optical parametric amplifier (OPA). When the OPA system was used as an energy amplifier for SRS pulses, with a pump energy of 2.4 mJ at 355 nm for the OPA, the maximum output energy of the amplified SRS was about 0.73 mJ for the signal and 0.18 mJ for the idler, the energy conversion efficiency was 30.4% from the pump beam to the amplified third order Stokes component at 635.1 nm. The total efficiency would be as high as 37.9% if the output of the idler is also included. The corresponding spectral line width of the amplified Raman pulse was 11.8 cm⁻¹ with a pulse width of 10.9 ps and a peak power of 67 MW. The OPA system was also used as an amplifier for very weak Raman signal, the slope gain factor of this amplifier was found to be as high as 4.1 × 10⁷ and the energy detection limit was as low as 14.8 aJ per pulse, or 48 photons at 635.1 nm, in particular. Such a detection limit corresponds to approximately 0.5 photons per pulse if the time-gate of the OPA is reduced to 150 fs and it is about the same as or even better than a recently report on the 0.75 photons detection limit for a 150-fs OPA of coherent signal at 800 nm.