Imaging optically scattering objects with ultrasound-modulated optical tomography

We show the feasibility of imaging objects having different optical scattering coefficients relative to the surrounding scattering medium using ultrasound-modulated optical tomography (UOT). While the spatial resolution depends on ultrasound parameters, the image contrast depends on the difference in scattering coefficient between the object and the surrounding medium. Experimental measurements obtained with a CCD-based speckle contrast detection scheme are in agreement with Monte Carlo simulations and analytical calculations. This study complements previous UOT experiments that demonstrated optical absorption contrast.     

Application of the improved method of moments to the solution of three-body scattering problems

The improved method of moments procedure which was developed in an earlier paper is applied to the solution of the three-body scattering equations for separable two-body interactions. Results of these calculations further support conclusions reached previously that the improved method of moments provides a rapid and accurate calculational procedure for solving scattering problems.     

On the possibility of detecting an absorbing object in a strongly scattering medium using the method of continuous optical sounding

We have studied the possibility of using the method of double-position optical sounding for observation of inhomogeneities in an absorption index of a turbid medium at very large optical depths where the light field becomes isotropic. Formulas for calculating the image inhomogeneity, its contrast, signal-to-noise ratio, sighting distance, and an optimal “radiator-receiver” base have been obtained. We propose a system of double-position sounding with a rotary base, which allows us to improve the probability of detecting an inhomogeneity and finding its location with a higher accuracy. We show that the method of continuous optical sounding can be used for observation of inhomogeneities in living tissues at depths of several tens of transport paths. Institute of Applied Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 40, No. 10, pp. 1191–1209, October, 1997.     

Sonoluminescent tomography of strongly scattering media

A novel optical imaging technique called sonoluminescent tomography was developed for cross-sectional imaging of strongly scattering media noninvasively. Sonoluminescence, which was generated internally in the medium by cw ultrasound, was used to produce a two-dimensional image of an object embedded in a scattering medium by means of raster scanning the medium. The image had a high contrast and good spatial resolution. The spatial resolution was limited by the focal-spot size of the ultrasound, and one could improve the resolution by tightening the focus. This inexpensive imaging technique has potential applications in medicine and other fields related to scattering media.     

Enhanced optical limiting performance of a nonlinear absorber in a solution containing scattering nanoparticles

The optical limiting performance of a water-soluble porphyrin derivative is shown to be improved when small-sized (400-nm-diameter) nonabsorbing polystyrene spheres are added to the solution. The optical limiting enhancement is attributed to absorption of diffusive photons that experience longer light pathways than ballistic photons. The effect is demonstrated for nanosecond laser excitation at 532 nm.     

Impedance mismatch for the scattering of heavy ions calculated with deep and strongly absorbing potentials

For deep and strongly absorbing potentials reflection from the surface of the potentials gives the dominant contribution to the scattering of the low partial waves. This effect is not treated in semiclassical theories.     

Frequency-swept ultrasound-modulated optical tomography of scattering media

A novel frequency-swept ultrasound-modulated optical tomography technique was developed to image scattering media. A frequency-swept ultrasonic wave was used to modulate the laser light passing through a scattering medium. The modulated light was received by an optical detector and was heterodyned with a reference frequency sweep. The heterodyned signal was recorded in the time domain and was then analyzed in the frequency domain to yield a one-dimensional image along the ultrasonic axis. Multiple one-dimensional images obtained at various positions perpendicular to the ultrasonic axis were combined to yield a two-dimensional tomographic image of the medium.     

Synthesized optical coherence tomography for imaging of scattering objects by use of a stepwise frequency-modulated tunable laser diode

A technique named synthesized optical coherence tomography (SOCT) has been proposed and developed as an alternative method to the well-known optical coherence tomography for cross-sectional imaging of scattering objects. SOCT is based on the principle of synthesis of an optical coherence function by use of a tunable laser diode. With stepwise frequency modulation of light and synchronous phase modulation, the coherence function is synthesized into a peak at an arbitrary location. The longitudinal scattering distribution of the object under test is thus obtained without a mechanically driven reference. Two-dimensional tomography was demonstrated in a basic experiment with a lateral mechanical scan.     

On the contribution of nonlinear scattering to optical limiting in C60 solution

We present experimental results which bring out the contribution of nonlinear scattering to the energy limiting of 527 nm, 30 ns pulses in C₆₀ solution. To perform these measurements we used a specific experimental arrangement to separate the effects of nonlinear refraction and scattering. Our results show that scattering reduces the output significantly and contributes to limiting in C₆₀ solution.     

A new method to study the infrared trichroism of strongly absorbing crystalline materials,application to ferroelectric triglycine selenate

A new epitaxial process to make very thin single crystal plates (the GETS method) is applied to study the infrared trichroism of ferroelectric TGSe. The spectra show dramatic improvements upon the KBr pellet or nujol mulls methods widely used up to now.     

Application of the J-matrix method to multichannel scattering

In this contribution we describe the multichannel extension to the nonrelativistic J-matrix method, and present differential cross sections for scattering of slow electrons from Argon atoms. Nonrelativistic phase shifts, then the S-matrix and the cross sections have been calculated using newly developed Fortran code, JMATRIX-MULTI. We applied the model Hartree-Fock potential as the scattering potential, which was truncated in the oscillatory basis functions.     

Matrix method for the solution of RF field perturbations due to local frequency shifts

To tune the accelerating field to the design value in a periodical radio frequency accelerating structure, Slater's perturbation theorem is commonly used. This theorem solves a second-order differential equation to obtain the electrical field variation due to a local frequency shift. The solution becomes very difficult for a complex distribution of the local frequency shifts. Noticing the similarity between the field perturbation equation and the equation describing the transverse motion of a particle in a quadrupole channel, we propose in this paper a new method in which the transfer matrix method is applied to the field calculation instead of directly solving the differential equation. The advantage of the matrix method is illustrated in examples.     

Matrix method for the solution of RF field perturbations due to local frequency shifts

To tune the accelerating field to the design value in a periodical radio frequency accelerating structure, Slater＇s perturbation theorem is commonly used. This theorem solves a second-order differential equation to obtain the electrical field variation due to a local frequency shift. The solution becomes very difficult for a complex distribution of the local frequency shifts. Noticing the similarity between the field perturbation equation and the equation describing the transverse motion of a particle in a quadrupole channel, we propose in this paper a new method in which the transfer matrix method is applied to the field calculation instead of directly solving the differential equation. The advantage of the matrix method is illustrated in examples.     

Application of the method of moments to three-body scattering

The method of moments is investigated as a possible iterative method of solution of the Faddeev equations. The method is shown to converge rapidly to the three-body wave function for the case of zero energy neutrons scattering off deuterium. It is suggested that the method should be appropriate for the treatment of three-body break-up with separable or local potentials.     

The application of optical coherence tomography to problems in polymer matrix composites

The Composites Group at the National Institute of Standards and Technology has found optical coherence tomography (OCT) to be a powerful tool for non-destructive characterization of polymer matrix composites. Composites often exhibit superior properties to traditional materials such as wood and metal. However, the barrier to their widespread infiltration into consumer markets is cost. Composites can be made more cost competitive by improved composite design, process optimization, and quality control. OCT provides a means of evaluating the three aforementioned areas. OCT is a very versatile technique that can be applied to a variety of problems in polymer composites such as: microstructure determination for permeability and mechanical property prediction, void, dry spot, and defect detection, and damage evaluation. Briefly, OCT uses a low coherence source such as a superluminescent diode laser with a fiber optic based Michelson interferometer. In this configuration, the composite is the fixed arm of the interferometer. Reflections from heterogeneities within the sample are mapped as a function of thickness for any one position. Volume information is generated by translating the sample on a motorized stage. Information about the location and size of a feature within the composite is obtained. In this work, the power of OCT for imaging composite microstructure and damage is presented. An example of permeability prediction using the composite microstructure imaged from OCT is demonstrated. The effect of image processing on the value of permeability is discussed. Using the same sample, OCT imaging of composite impact damage is compared to more traditional techniques, X-ray computed tomography and confocal microscopy.     

Application of the Sherman-Morisson formula to scattering problems by multi-component systems

The scattering matrix for multi-component systems is recalculated using the extended form of the Sherman-Morisson formula. The matrix elements are given explicitly in closed form. The Gibbs-Duhem relation separates the density and composition contributions. Received 5 April 2002