Generation of 12 fs deep-ultraviolet pulses by four-wave mixing through filamentation in neon gas

Generation of deep-ultraviolet femtosecond pulses by four-wave mixing through filamentation in neon gas was demonstrated. Fundamental (omega) and second-harmonic (2omega) pulses of 25 fs Ti:sapphire amplifier output were focused into neon gas, and 20 microJ pulses with the center wavelength of 260 nm were produced by a four-wave mixing process, 2omega+2omega-omega?3omega through an ~15 cm filament. Additionally, pulses with an energy of 2 microJ at 200 nm were generated, probably by a cascaded process, 3omega+2omega-omega?4omega. The 260 nm pulses were compressed by a grating-based compressor and characterized by a dispersion-free transient grating frequency-resolved optical gating. The estimated pulse width was 12 fs.     

Pattern pulses: design of arbitrary excitation profiles as a function of pulse amplitude and offset

A novel class of pulses is presented which can be regarded as a generalization of both frequency-selective pulses and B1-selective pulses. The excitation profile of these pulses forms a pre-defined pattern in two dimensions, which are spanned by pulse offset and radio-frequency (RF) amplitude. The presented pulses were designed numerically based on principles of optimal control theory. For simple test patterns, we demonstrate the flexibility of this approach by simulations and experiments. This previously unknown flexibility may trigger novel applications in NMR spectroscopy and imaging. As a first practical application, we demonstrate a direct approach for calibrating RF pulses.     

被动谐波锁模掺Yb3+光纤环形激光器

 利用光纤的非线性偏振旋转效应产生可饱和吸收体的锁模机制，从掺Yb³⁺光纤环形激光器中得到稳定高阶谐波锁模光脉冲。理论分析了工作于正色散区的掺Yb³⁺光纤环形激光器的特性。实验中观测到了掺Yb³⁺光纤环形激光器3种不同演化方式产生高阶锁模光脉冲。4阶谐波锁模脉冲（107.2 MHz重复频率）经过1 m长高掺杂Yb³⁺光纤放大器放大后产生了平均功率100 mW，脉宽22.8 ps的脉冲，最后经过光栅压缩得到了平均输出功率20 mW，脉宽307 fs，脉冲中心波长1 051.2 nm，带宽13.76 nm的激光。     

1.3μmDFB半导体激光超短脉冲的产生及其压缩

本文首次报道１．３μｍ单模超短脉冲产生及压缩实验。通过梳状波电脉冲直接调制ＤＣＰＢＨ－ＤＦＢ半导体激光器，获得２２ｐｓ单模光滑脉冲；然后利用Ｇ－Ｔ干涉仪压缩得到近变换极限超短脉冲。脉宽为９．３ｐｓ，峰值功率超过２００ｍＷ，重复频率１ＧＨｚ，时间带宽乘积为０．３９，脉冲压缩比为２．４。最后对实验结果进行了讨论。     

Femtosecond laser-induced damage morphologies of crystalline silicon by sub-threshold pulses

The effect of sub-threshold pulses of circularly polarized Ti:sapphire femtosecond laser system on crystalline (1 0 0) silicon wafer was investigated. Surface damage morphologies were studied by irradiating the test silicon surface with pulses (peak fluence of 0.25 J/cm²) in succession. These pulses were below the single-pulse surface damage threshold. After the few initial pulses, the observed surface damage morphologies were found to be characterized by a minor phase change region and a major surface damage area at the center, corresponding to the well-known laser-induced periodic surface structure (LIPSS). Further increase in the number of pulses resulted in the formation of new surface morphologies with different features such as ablation, modification, and re-deposited materials. These features were reproducible and more distinguishable at higher number of pulses.     

利用受激布里渊散射在光纤中实现光存储

利用有限差分法在慢变包络近似下求解了耦合波方程组,并从理论上实现了短光脉冲的存储。研究了数据脉冲的读出效率随声子寿命、布里渊增益系数、数据脉冲强度和控制脉冲强度的变化规律。结果显示：在长声子寿命的条件下,可以获得高的读出效率和长的存储时间,而布里渊增益系数和数据脉冲强度对读出效率没有影响;增大布里渊增益系数可以降低所需控制脉冲的强度。这种方法对短脉冲可以实现有效存储,而对长脉冲不能实现存储。     

利用受激布里渊散射在光纤中实现光存储

利用有限差分法在慢变包络近似下求解了耦合波方程组,并从理论上实现了短光脉冲的存储。研究了数据脉冲的读出效率随声子寿命、布里渊增益系数、数据脉冲强度和控制脉冲强度的变化规律。结果显示:在长声子寿命的条件下,可以获得高的读出效率和长的存储时间,而布里渊增益系数和数据脉冲强度对读出效率没有影响;增大布里渊增益系数可以降低所需控制脉冲的强度。这种方法对短脉冲可以实现有效存储,而对长脉冲不能实现存储。     

一种新型高速光保持模块

针对光电混合模数转换系统中采样光脉冲很窄,高速积分保持电路实现较困难这一问题,本文提出了一种新型的高速光保持模块.通过使用多个耦合器组成的无源结构,将采样后的超窄光脉冲转换成一族脉冲簇,再经过光电转换和电低通滤波,得到了顶部较平、脉宽较宽的脉冲,有助于降低后续处理电路的复杂度.实验结果表明,这种结构能够较好地实现将超窄脉冲展宽成平顶宽脉冲的功能.     

Design of phase-modulated broadband refocusing pulses

Broadband linear-phase refocusing pulses were designed with the Shinnar-Le Roux (SLR) transformation and verified experimentally. The design works in several steps: initially, a linear-phase B polynomial is created with the Parks-McClellan/Remez exchange algorithm. The complementary A polynomial required for the SLR transformation is generated with the Hilbert transformation, yielding the minimum-phase response. The phase response of the A polynomial is altered by zero-flipping, which changes the overall pulse shape while retaining its refocusing profile. Optimal pulses in terms of minimal B(1max) and hence broadest bandwidth were found with non-linear optimisation of the zero-flipping pattern. These pulses are generally phase modulated with a time-symmetric amplitude and anti-symmetric phase modulation. In this work, a whole range of pulses were designed to demonstrate the underlying relationships. Five exemplary pulses were implemented into a PRESS sequence and validated by acquiring images of a water-oil phantom and lactate spectra at TE = 144 ms.     

Robust slice-selective broadband refocusing pulses

Slice-selective broadband refocusing pulses are of great interest in localized MR spectroscopy for improving spatial selectivity, reducing chemical-shift displacement errors, and reducing anomalous J modulation. In practice the bandwidth of RF pulses is limited by the maximum available B1 amplitude. The goal of the present work is to design slice-selective and broadband refocusing pulses which are tolerant against B1 deviations. Pulse design is performed by numerical optimization based on optimal control theory. A comprehensive study of different cost functions and their effect on the optimization is given. The optimized slice-selective broadband refocusing pulses are compared to conventional Shinnar-Le Roux (SLR), broadband SLR, and hyperbolic secant pulses. In simulations and experiments optimized pulses were shown to fulfill broadband slice specifications over a range of ±20% B1 scalings. Experimental validation showed a reduction of chemical-shift displacement error by a factor of 3 compared to conventional SLR pulses.     

一种新型高速光保持模块

针对光电混合模数转换系统中采样光脉冲很窄,高速积分保持电路实现较困难这一问题,本文提出了一种新型的高速光保持模块.通过使用多个耦合器组成的无源结构,将采样后的超窄光脉冲转换成一族脉冲簇,再经过光电转换和电低通滤波,得到了顶部较平、脉宽较宽的脉冲,有助于降低后续处理电路的复杂度.实验结果表明,这种结构能够较好地实现将超窄脉冲展宽成平顶宽脉冲的功能.     

Evaluation of non-selective refocusing pulses for 7 T MRI

There is a continuing need for improved RF pulses that achieve proper refocusing in the context of ultra-high field (≥ 7 T) human MRI. Simple block or sinc pulses are highly susceptible to RF field inhomogeneities, and adiabatic pulses are generally considered too SAR intensive for practical use at 7 T. The performance of the array of pulses falling between these extremes, however, has not been systematically evaluated. The aim of this work was to compare the performances of 21 non-selective refocusing pulses spanning a range of durations and SAR levels. The evaluation was based upon simulations and both phantom and in vivo human brain experiments conducted at 7 T. Tested refocusing designs included block, composite block, BIR-4, hyperbolic secant, and numerically optimized composite waveforms. These pulses were divided into three SAR classes and two duration categories, and, based on signal gain in a 3-D spin echo sequence, practical recommendations on usage are made within each category. All evaluated pulses were found to produce greater volume-averaged signals relative to a 180° block pulse. Although signal gains often come with the price of increased SAR or duration, some pulses were found to result in significant signal enhancement while also adhering to practical constraints. This work demonstrates the signal gains and losses realizable with single-channel refocusing pulse designs and should assist in the selection of suitable refocusing pulses for practical 3-D spin-echo imaging at 7 T. It further establishes a reference against which future pulses and multi-channel designs can be compared.     

Inactivation of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms in a testliquid using pulsed electric fields

Experiments have been carried out to investigate the effect of pulsed electric fields (PEFs) on the inactivation of microbial populations suspended in liquids using nonflowing and continuous flowing test chambers. Electric fields of ~30 kV/cm, and a pulse duration of 500 ns, were generated from a coaxial table Blumlein pulse forming network (PFN) and applied to a parallel plate, circular electrode test configuration. Sample microorganisms were grown under standardized conditions and were introduced into test liquids in order to produce known population densities within the treatment celt. The organisms investigated include the mold Aspergillus niger, the yeast Sacckaromyeces cerevisiae, and the bacterial pathogens Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The PEF studies were undertaken at a sample temperature range of 25°C-30°C, and the effect of the number of pulses on the test microbial population was studied. The results of this investigation showed that the greater the number of pulses applied, the larger the corresponding reduction in microbial cells/spores obtained. With the exception of dormant fungal spores, all of the test organisms were reduced by -3 to 4 log orders after 3000 pulses. The number of B. Cerus cells was reduced by -7.5 log orders after 15 000 pulses, of which 10 000 pulses were applied in a flowing system followed by 5000 pulses in a static system     

Nanoparticles size modifications during femtosecond laser ablation of nickel in vacuum

Nanoparticles were synthesized by irradiating a nickel target with femtosecond laser pulses in high vacuum, and subsequently analyzed. The proof-of-principle experiments aim to modify the size characteristics of the produced nanoparticles. For nickel it is found that: (i) ultraviolet laser pulses lead to a remarkable change in the nanoparticles size distribution with respect to visible laser pulses; (ii) irradiation of the femtosecond pulses induced ablation plume with a second, delayed ultraviolet laser pulse can change the size characteristics of the produced nanoparticles.     

A study on photomultiplier afterpulses in TL/OSL readers

In this work we present results of investigations of afterpulses in the photomultiplier tube (PMT) EMI 9235QA built into the Daybreak TL/OSL reader. The amplitudes of pulses and the time intervals between subsequent pulses were recorded using an ultra-fast data acquisition board and a laboratory made multichannel time/amplitude analyzer. We have recorded afterpulses following background (i.e. dark) pulses, pulses induced by single light photons and by high energy photonic radiation from a number of radioactive sources (²⁴¹Am, ¹³⁷Cs, ⁶⁰Co, ⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y) with different X/γ energy ranges. The measurements were performed at varying PMT temperatures. Distributions of time intervals between pulses show that there are several kinds of afterpulses, accompanying primary pulses caused by ionizing radiation, that follow with delays between 10⁻⁸–10⁻⁴ s. In comparison to pulses induced by a single photoelectron, the amplitude of afterpulses varies over a wide range from less than a single photoelectron to around 10 photoelectrons. In the investigated PMT for single light photon pulses we detected 7.5% of afterpulses and for background pulses up to 31% of afterpulses. Random series of afterpulses following primary pulses change the statistical distribution of the number of pulses recorded using a photomultiplier. If the number of primary pulses follows a Poisson distribution, then total counts number has another distribution with its variance greater than the mean, clearly showing an over-dispersion.     

Characterization of sub-two-cycle pulses from a hollow-core fiber compressor in the spatiotemporal and spatiospectral domains

We have post-compressed 25 fs (Fourier limit) amplified pulses in an argon-filled hollow-core fiber. The output pulses were compressed using a pair of wedges and chirped mirrors down to 4.5 fs (Fourier limit of 4.1 fs), which corresponds to less than two optical cycles. We then performed the characterization of the pulses by combining the d-scan and the STARFISH techniques. The temporal (and spectral) measurement of the pulses is done with d-scan, which is used as the reference to extend the characterization to the spatiotemporal (and spatiospectral) amplitude and phase of the pulses by means of STARFISH. The post-compressed pulses at the output of the hollow-fiber had an energy of 150 μJ. The analysis of the pulses revealed larger spectral broadening and blue-shift, and shorter duration at the center of the beam. For the first time, we demonstrate the complete characterization of intense ultra-broadband pulses in the sub-two-cycle regime, which provides an improved insight into the properties (space–time and space–frequency) of the pulses and is highly relevant for their applications.     

Generating single attosecond pulses via spatial filtering

The first observation of isolated attosecond pulses by Hentschel [Nature 414, 509 (2001)] resulted from an experiment that left the exact mechanism of their generation unresolved. A complete simulation of the experiment reveals the reason for its success: single pulses were efficiently isolated from two or more generated pulses by spatial filtering in the far field. Our explanation suggests a new, simple paradigm for the production of isolated attosecond bursts. We show that this method can be used, in conjunction with carrier-envelope phase stabilization, to select single attosecond pulses by use of 10 fs driving pulses.     

与794nm飞秒激光精确同步的无直流背底的1064nm脉冲光的产生

基于非共线光参量放大(NOPA)，以宽带794nm飞秒激光的倍频光为抽运光，以连续的He-Ne激光为信号光，产生了与宽带794nm飞秒激光精确同步的无直流背底的1064nm的脉冲光.实验结果显示该1064nm的光脉冲可作为光参量啁啾脉冲放大系统的抽运激光链的种子光，从而实现用全光学方法实现OPCPA系统抽运光和信号光的精确同步.还将非共线光参量放大器置于经特殊设计的He-Ne激光腔内，也同样成功得到了无直流背底的1064nm的光脉冲.经一次光参量放大后所得到的1064nm光的光谱和空间啁啾特性与非共线光参量放大器置于He-Ne激光腔外时得到的1064nm的光脉冲相同，而其单脉冲能量约为腔外NOPA的10倍. 关键词： 非线性光参量放大 光参量啁啾脉冲放大 时间同步     

Frequency-resolved optical gating of femtosecond pulses in the extreme ultraviolet

Femtosecond extreme ultraviolet (XUV) pulses were fully characterized for the first time by using a newly developed cross-correlation frequency-resolved optical gating (FROG) technique in the XUV region. This method utilizes laser-assisted two-photon ionization as a nonlinear optical process. Near-infrared pulses characterized by FROG were used as a reference. The amplitude and phase of XUV pulses with a pulse duration of 10 fs were found to be in good agreement with a model analysis, taking into account phase modulation by ionization, self-phase modulation, and the atomic dipole phase.     

Generation of high-energy broadband femtosecond deep-ultraviolet pulses by highly nondegenerate noncollinear four-wave mixing in a thin transparent solid

We present a simple and efficient technique for the generation of ultrashort deep-ultraviolet pulses based on four-wave mixing of noncollinear laser pulses in a thin solid. Sub-30-fs pulses (Fourier-limit of 13 fs) centered at 270 nm, with energies up to 6 μJ, were obtained by mixing the fundamental and the second harmonic of a Ti:sapphire amplifier in fused silica. Temporal characterization was performed with a dispersionless self-diffraction FROG setup. Spectra as broad as 20 nm were also obtained that can in principle support sub-4-fs deep-ultraviolet pulses.The results are well described by two-dimensional numerical simulations.