Polar nephelometer for light-scattering measurements of ice crystals

We report on a small, lightweight polar nephelometer for the measurement of the light-scattering properties of cloud particles, specifically designed for use on a balloonborne platform in cirrus cloud conditions. The instrument consists of 33 fiber-optic light guides positioned in a two-dimensional plane from 5 degrees to 175 degrees that direct the scattered light to photodiode detectors-amplifier units. The system uses an onboard computer and data acquisition card to collect and store the measured signals. The instrument's calibration is tested by measurement of light scattered into a two-dimensional plane from small water droplets generated by an ultrasonic humidifier. Excellent comparisons between the measured water-droplet scattering properties and expectations generated by Mie calculation are shown. The measured scattering properties of ice crystals generated in a cold chamber also compare reasonably well with the theoretical results based on calculations from a unified theory of light scattering by ice crystals that use the particle size distribution measured in the chamber.     

Scattering of radiation by regular and random systems comprised of parallel long cylindrical rods

The light scattering by two-dimensional photonic crystals is studied within the framework of the rigorous theory of multiple scattering based on the scattering matrix technique. Using translational properties of the vector cylindrical harmonics, the problem is reduced to a system of linear equations.As a result, the angular dependences of the scattered light intensity are calculated for different samples with a photonic-crystal structure comprised of long circular cylinders. The effects of structure and the degree of ordering of the sample on the angular characteristics of the light scattering are analyzed.     

A non-local approach to the theory of inelastic dynamic light scattering from solid-state plasmas

The existing theory of inelastic dynamic light scattering from coupled systems of free carriers and lattice excitations in absorbing crystals is extended to include non-local electronic transport effects.     

Raman scattering of light by 2LO-phonons

A theory of resonance Raman scattering of light by 2LO-phonons in semiconductor crystals is presented. Wannier excitons are considered as intermediate states. Analytic expressions are obtained that take into account contributions from different chains of intermediate states. The scattering cross section is shown to be weakly dependent on the wave vector imparted to the phonon system. The theoretical model permits the calculation of the scattering cross section for the energy of the exciting radiation photon below the level of exciton resonances.     

Features of the spectral intensity of scattered light near the phase transition point in quartz crystals

The isofrequency dependences of inelastic light scattering in quartz crystals near the phase transition point are calculated taking into account both spatially inhomogeneous fluctuations of the order parameter and the finite spectral width of the spectrometer slit. It was found that the theory is in satisfactory agreement with the experimental data on dynamic opalescence observed in quartz crystals during phase transformations.     

Light scattering by some nematic liquid crystals due to phase transitions

New computer modelling of light scattering and its propagation through liquid crystal has been presented using T-matrix method in the structural phase transition regions. Numerical aspects of light scattering process, which are based on numerically solving Maxwell's equations, were calculated for some nematic liquid crystals. Firstly, we described in detail T-matrix method for computing light scattering from nematic liquid crystals and presented results of benchmark computations for the considered model. We reported results of extensive calculations for polydisperse, randomly oriented rod-like multilayered systems (nematic liquid crystals). Our results are associated with light scattering by ferroelectric and ferroelastic materials.     

Spontaneous Raman scattering spectra of ADP and DADP crystals in different polarization schemes

Spontaneous Raman-scattering spectra of light in ADP and DADP crystals were obtained in four polarization schemes, the widths of some Raman lines were measured. The presence of a strong and sharp Raman line corresponding to the totally symmetric vibration of the phosphate group and a strong diffuse Raman satellite corresponding to the totally symmetric vibration of the ammonium group in the spontaneous scattering spectra of both (ADP and DADP) crystals was observed. According to the theory, such lines are preferable for the stimulated Raman scattering.     

The Raman effect in crystals

A review is given of progress in the theoretical and experimental study of the Raman effect in crystals during the past ten years. Attention is given to the theory of those properties of long-wavelength lattice vibrations in both cubic and uniaxial crystals which can be studied by Raman scattering. In particular the phenomena observed in the Raman scattering from crystals which lack a centre of inversion are related to the theory. The angular variations of the scattering by any type of lattice vibration in a crystal having any symmetry can be easily calculated using a complete tabulation of the Raman tensor. Recent measurements of first-order lattice vibration spectra are listed. A discussion of Brillouin scattering is included. The relation of second-order Raman spectra to critical points in the lattice vibration density of states is discussed, and measurements of the second-order spectra of diamond and the alkali halides are reviewed. The theory and experimental results for Raman scattering by electronic levels of ions in crystals are examined, and proposals for Raman scattering by spin waves, electronic excitations across the superconductive gap and by plasmons are collected together. Finally, the prospects for applying lasers as sources for Raman spectroscopy are discussed, and progress in the new technique of stimulated Raman scattering is reviewed.     

Nonlinear molecular scattering of light in crystals

Nonlinear molecular scattering of light in crystals KDP and LiIO₃ is studied experimentally and theoretically. Spectral distributions of scattered radiation intensity are obtained. Experimental results are compared with theory.     

The Raman effect in crystals

A review is given of progress in the theoretical and experimental study of the Raman effect in crystals during the past ten years. Attention is given to the theory of those properties of long-wavelength lattice vibrations in both cubic and uniaxial crystals which can be studied by Raman scattering. In particular the phenomena observed in the Raman scattering from crystals which lack a centre of inversion are related to the theory. The angular variations of the scattering by any type of lattice vibration in a crystal having any symmetry can be easily calculated using a complete tabulation of the Raman tensor. Recent measurements of first-order lattice vibration spectra are listed. A discussion of Brillouin scattering is included. The relation of second-order Raman spectra to critical points in the lattice vibration density of states is discussed, and measurements of the second-order spectra of diamond and the alkali halides are reviewed.

The theory and experimental results for Raman scattering by electronic levels of ions in crystals are examined, and proposals for Raman scattering by spin waves, electronic excitations across the superconductive gap and by plasmons are collected together.

Finally, the prospects for applying lasers as sources for Raman spectroscopy are discussed, and progress in the new technique of stimulated Raman scattering is reviewed.     

Polarization of light and its use in various problems of optics of scattering media

As light passes through scattering media, certain specific features of the polarization of radiation manifest themselves. The paper presents materials on this problem that were obtained at the Institute of Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus over recent decades. Results of experimental investigations of media that model real objects are described for the case where the dimensionless optical parameters of media and objects coincide. A method for determining the position of a diffuse light source in the atmosphere via predominant oscillations of the light vector of scattered radiation for two directions of observation is proposed. The structure of aerosol formations (smokes, dust and liquid-droplet and crystalline clouds) is interpreted based on the character of depolarization of laser radiation sounding atmosphere. The polarization of laser radiation passing through a turbid medium and reflected from it is studied. Practical applications are proposed. Fundamentals of an applied vector theory of radiation transfer, which made it possible to considerably expand notions of light scattering in strongly turbid media, are given. Studies of light propagation in encapsulated liquid crystals, which are used for solving of a large number of problems, are described. In these objects, ordinary and extraordinary rays that arise in crystals under electric voltage can give rise to a wave that is attenuated to a different degree and whose phase and polarization characteristics are varying.     

Selective photorefractive scattering in LiNbO<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Rh crystals

Photorefractive scattering occurs in rhodium-doped lithium niobate crystals irradiated by coherent light. The photorefractive scattering has both wide-angle and selective components. The results of experimental investigation of selective photorefractive scattering in LiNbO₃:Rh crystals and calculation of the spatial structure of scattering are reported. The selective scattering is regarded as a kind of a frequency-degenerate fourwave vector interaction.     

Light scattering in single crystals of nonlinear-optical photorefractive LiNbO<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Cu and LiNbO<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Zn

Comparative studies are made of the photorefractive scattering of light in nonlinear single crystals of lithium niobate with congruent compositions (LiNbO₃) doped with "photorefractive" Cu [0.015 mass %] and "nonphotorefractive" Zn [0.5 mass %] cations. For the first time it is found that single crystals doped with "photorefractive" and "nonphotorefractive" cations have different indicatrices for photorefractive light scattering. The aperture angle for photorefractive scattering reaches its steady state value more rapidly with high laser powers than with low. However, at high powers laser induced heating of the crystal is greater, and this leads to a narrowing of the scattering indicatrix. It is also found that photorefractive scattering in these single crystals depends on the region of the boule from which a sample has been cut. This indicates that there is a nonuniform distribution over the boule of the imperfections with localized electrons which determine the magnitude of the photorefractive effect.     

Laser light scattering technique for non-invasive in situ simultaneous measurements on elastic constants and viscosity coefficients of nematic liquid crystals

Theelasticconstantsandtheviscositycoefficientsarethekeyparametersforthephysicalpropertiesofnematicliquidcrystals(LCs)[1,2],fortheyarecorrespondingtothethresholdvoltageandtherespondingtimeofliquidcrystaldisplaydevices[3,4].Sofarnotechniquethatcansimultaneouslymeasurethetwoparametersinsituhasbeenreported.TheelasticconstantsandviscositycoefficientsofnematicLCsatthepresentaremeasuredusingdifferentmethodsindependently.TheviscositycoefficientsisgenerallymeasuredwithOstwaldviscosimeter,andtheelasti…     

Four-wave polariton scattering of light in LiNbO3

Four-wave Stokes k-spectra for light scattering on polaritons in lithium niobate crystals with an Mg impurity are studied experimentally. The mechanisms for direct, cascade, coherent, and incoherent four-wave mixing of light are discussed in the course of interpreting the angular dependences of the scattered light intensity. It is shown that the dispersion of the real part of the polariton wave vector and the refractive index of the crystals at the polariton frequencies can be measured with an order of magnitude greater accuracy than by spontaneous three-wave polariton light scattering. A significant discrepancy is found between determinations of the polariton absorption coefficient from the angular spectra of three-wave scattering and four-wave scattering in terms of the model employed here. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 112, 441–452 (August 1997)     

Raman Scattering in Three-Dimensional Photonic Crystals

The optical properties of three-dimensional photonic crystals associated with the form of reflection spectra from their surface (appearance of a forbidden gap in the energy spectrum) and with the specific features of Raman scattering are analyzed. Idealized models of the energy band structure of photonic crystals are studied. Expressions for the group velocity of photons with energy close to the forbidden gap are derived. Experimental results on the Raman scattering in photonic crystals based on artificial opal as well as in fused silica are discussed. Bands due to quantum-size effects (presence of nanoclusters in fused silica and nanoglobules forming the lattice of globular photonic crystals) were manifested in the spectra of inelastic light scattering. It is proposed to use photonic crystals for the creation of sensitive sensors of organic and inorganic substances using modern Raman techniques.     

Raman scattering using vortex light

We re-examine the theory of Raman scattering in cubic crystals. The unconventional vector potential of vortex light leads to new selection rules. We show that in this novel optical process, (a) silent phonon modes become active and (b) scattering tensors change for ordinary Raman active phonon modes. Calculation based on a simplified model shows that the vortex Raman scattering intensity can be comparable with that of ordinary Raman process.     

Stimulated Raman scattering of light in artificial opal filled by water

We investigate stimulated scattering of light in globular photonic crystals infiltrated by water. Excitation of stimulated scattering of light is realized using powerful ultrashort (70 ps) laser pulses with an energy of 35 mJ and a frequency repetition of 15 Hz. We use the second-harmonic generation (532 nm) of the master oscillator and amplifier with a wavelength of 1064 nm. The photonic crystals under study are artificial opals filled by water or ethanol. We characterize the sample structures employing an electronic microscope along with the fiber-optics reflectance-spectroscopy technique. Photonic crystals have a stop band near the spectral positions of the exciting line (532 nm) and the first satellite of stimulated Raman scattering of light in water (649 nm). We observe a substantial reduction of the threshold of stimulated Raman scattering of light in water-infiltrated artificial-opal matrices in comparison with that of pure water. Such a reduction is explained as the result of a sharp increase in the photonic density of states near the stop-band edges of investigated photonic crystals. The reduction in the threshold of stimulated Raman scattering of light in water-infiltrated artificial-opal matrices opens up the opportunity to observe stimulated Raman scattering in numerous water media, including water solutions, biological and medical samples, heavy waters, and others.     

Growth and optical properties of Cr~（3＋）-doped CdWO_4 single crystals

A high-quality Cr 3+:CdWO4 single crystal at a size of approximatelyΦ25×80 mm is grown using the Bridgman method with CdO,WO3,and Cr2O3 as raw materials and their molar ratio of 100:100:0.5.The temperature gradient of solid-liquid interface at growth is approximately 50?C/cm and the growth rate is 0.05 mm/h.The X-ray diffraction(XRD),absorption,excitation,and emission spectra of different parts of the as-grown and O2-annealed crystals are investigated.Two strong broad optical absorption bands of about 472 and 708 nm are observed,and they are associated with the transitions 4 A2→ 4 T1 and 4 A2→ 4 T2.The weak 4 T2→ 2 E transition(the R-line)at 632 nm is also observed.The crystal-field parameter Dq and the Racah parameters B and C are estimated to be 1 412.4,776.8,and 3 427.6 cm? 1,respectively,according to the absorption spectra and crystal-splitting theory.A broadband fluorescence at about 1 000 nm due to 4 T2→ 4 A2 transition is produced by exciting the samples at 675 nm.After being annealed in an O2 atmosphere,the crystals become more transparent,while the effective light absorption of Cr 3+ ions is evidently enhanced and the emission intensity is also strengthened due to the reduction of oxygen vacancies in the CdWO4 crystal after annealing.     

Propagation and scattering of light in stratified media

The propagation and scattering of light in stratified media are considered. Based on the Maxwell equations, the present approaches to the solution of these problems are formulated in a unified way. The particular features of the wave propagation in stratified media are discussed. Scalar and vector fields are considered. Media with small-and large-scale regular inhomogeneities are examined. The construction of the Green’s function of the wave equation in a spatially homogeneous medium is discussed. Stratified isotropic and anisotropic media are analyzed. The scattering of light in a stratified medium is studied with emphasis on the Kirchhoff method, as this makes it possible to obtain calculation formulas in a form convenient for comparing the theory with the experiment. The propagation of waves in photonic crystals and the formation of forbidden zones in such objects are briefly considered.