High-resolution ghost image and ghost diffraction experiments with thermal light

High-resolution ghost image and ghost diffraction experiments are performed by using a single classical source of pseudothermal speckle light divided by a beam splitter. Passing from the image to the diffraction result solely relies on changing the optical setup in the reference arm, while leaving the object arm untouched. The product of spatial resolutions of the ghost image and ghost diffraction experiments is shown to overcome a limit which seemed to be achievable only with entangled photons.     

Phase retrieval and coherent diffraction imaging by a linear scanning pinhole sampling array

We propose a new method for phase retrieval and coherent diffraction imaging by a specially designed pinhole sampling array (PSA) based on a liquid crystal spatial light modulation. We demonstrate that the phase and the amplitude of the wave front passing through a pinhole sampling array plate can be directly extracted from the inverse Fourier transform of the far-field diffraction intensity pattern. Scanning the whole surface of the wave front by such a series of the PSA plates, we can assemble the extracted complex amplitude to a two-dimensional discrete distribution of the sampled wave front covering the entire PSA plate plane in the scanning consequence. We called it linear scanning pinhole sampling array (LSPSA). Thus the wave front can be reconstructed which avoids any iterative algorithms. Furthermore, it provides a feasible approach for lensless coherent diffraction imaging in real-time.     

Phase retrieval

The problem of phase retrieval arises in experimental uses of diffraction to determine intrinsic structure because the modulus of a Fourier transform is all that can usually be measured after diffraction occurs. For finite distributions, the phase retrieval problem can be solved by methods of factorization in suitable rings of polynomials; for continuous distributions with compact support, the methods of complex analysis are needed to solve the phase retrieval problem. These methods are discussed and examples are given for illustration.Partially supported by NSF Grant MCS 8218800     

Manipulations of chaotic and ghost images for non-local information retrieval

We present experiments of χ ⁽²⁾ difference-frequency processes at frequency degeneracy in regime of high intensity. In the first experiment, we exploit ghost-imaging in the context of quantum cryptography in an attempt to overcome the limitation of the quantum key distribution of keys as long as the image. The code to be encrypted is the string of the power values measured by Alice in the test arm. In the second experiment, we generate frequency down-converted images that are chaotic as, at each laser shot, both the field at 2ω illuminating the object to be imaged and the seed-field at ω are made pseudo-thermal in space. The images are recovered from the recorded chaotic ones by correlating the local intensity fluctuations with those of the seed-field Fourier components. Calculating the correlations in parallel with many Fourier components allows image retrieval by averaging on ensembles of fewer recorded images. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Phase modulation pseudocolor encoding ghost imaging

We present a ghost imaging scheme that can obtain a good pseudocolor image of black-and-white objects.The essential idea is to use a multi-wavelength thermal light source and the phase modulation pseudocolor encoding technique,which overcomes the disadvantages of other methods involved spatial filtering.Therefore,the pseudocolor ghost image achieved by this imaging scheme is better than that obtained by other methods in terms of brightness,color,and signal-tonoise ratio.     

Direct retrieval of a complex wave from its diffraction pattern

A direct, non-iterative method of recovering the complex wave in the exit surface plane of an object from its diffraction pattern is presented. The unknown scattered wave may be uniquely recovered via the solution of a set of linear equations, provided the illuminating wave is well-characterised and meets certain geometrical requirements. These conditions are satisfied by a general class of illumination functions, examples of which are those with a Gaussian profile or with a compact support. The linear equations are obtained by analyzing the autocorrelation function of the exit surface wave, which is constructed by inverse Fourier transforming the diffraction pattern. This method has potential applications to imaging nanoparticles and single biological molecules.     

Three-dimensional ghost imaging based on periodic diffraction correlation imaging

We experimentally demonstrate a three-dimensional （3D） ghost imaging method based on period diffraction correlation imaging. Compared with conventional ghost imaging, our method can easily retrieve the images of different focal planes. Due to the correlation between the disturbed object beam and the reference beams which do not pass through any scattering, the clear images can be periodically obtained in the uncovered zones even through a scattering medium. The analysis of the 3D imaging resolution reveals that the proper resolution for actual demand can be achieved by designing our devices. The implementation of this experiment is quite simple and low-cost. It facilitates the practical applications of ghost imaging.     

Phase amplitude decoupling in modulated structures

We examine under what conditions phase and amplitude modulations are decoupled in a modulated structure, within a Landau Ginzburg approach. For the general case of a pth order commensurability, the condition for phase amplitude decoupling depends on the leading anharmonic terms in the Landau Ginzburg free energy. For a 2Mth order leading anharmonic term, the case p = 2M is a border line case. For p > 2M, phase and amplitude are decoupled near the disordered-incommensurate transition temperature, while they are not for p < 2M. In the latter case decoupling occurs at lower temperatures. We discuss the case of deuterated thiourea, which exhibits a commensurate pinning for p = 9 at T = 191 K.     

Phase transformations in calcite from electrical impedance measurements

The phase transformation in calcite I-IV-V and calcite ? aragonite have been characterized by electrical impedance measurements at temperatures 600–1200°C and pressures 0.5–2.5?GPa in a piston cylinder apparatus. The bulk conductivity σ has been measured from Argand plots in the frequency range 10⁵–10^?2?Hz in an electric cell representing a coaxial cylindrical capacitor. The synthetic polycrystalline powder of CaCO₃ and natural crystals of calcite were used as starting materials. The transformation temperature T_c was identified from resistivity-temperature curves as a kink point of the activation energy. At pressure above 2?GPa in ordered phase calcite I, the activation energy E _σ is c. 1.05?eV, and in disordered phase calcite V E _σ is c. 0.75?eV. The pressure dependence of T_c for the rotational order–disorder transformation in calcite is positive for pressures <1?GPa and negative for pressures >1?GPa. The transformation boundary of calcite 1–IV is observed only during first heating in samples after a long annealing at low temperatures. The activation energy of calcite I???IV decreases gradually from 1.8 to 1.05?eV with the pressure increase from 0.5 to 2?GPa. The kinetics of calcite ? aragonite transformation has been monitored by measuring a time-variation of the electrical resistance of a calcite sample at 10³?Hz in the stability P-T field of aragonite. The variation of the impedance correlates with the degree of phase transformation, estimated from X-ray powder diffraction studies on quenched products of experiments. The kinetics of calcite ? aragonite transformation may be fitted to the Avrami kinetics with the exponent m???1–1.5.     

Wavefront sensing with random amplitude mask and phase retrieval

A light beam with an ideal wavefront that is transmitted or reflected from an object is modified by different characteristics of the object such as shape, refractive index, density, or temperature. Wavefront sensing therefore yields valuable information about the system or the changes happening to the system. A new method for wavefront sensing using a random amplitude mask and a phase retrieval method based on the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld wave propagation equation is described. The proposed method has many potential applications ranging from phase contrast imaging and measurement of lens aberration to shape measurement of three-dimensional objects.     

Phase retrieval from spectral interferograms including a stationary-phase point

We report on a simple processing procedure to retrieve the phase from spectral interferograms including a stationary-phase point. First, the numerical simulations are performed to demonstrate high precision of the phase retrieval from the spectral interferogram. Second, the feasibility of the procedure is confirmed in processing the experimental data from a dispersive Michelson interferometer comprising a cube beam splitter and a plate made of BK7 optical glass. From the retrieved spectral phase, the effective thickness of the BK7 optical glass is determined precisely.     

Spectral information retrieval from integrated broadband photodiode Martian ultraviolet measurements

We propose an algorithm to retrieve the global features of the spectral dependence of the ultraviolet (UV) irradiance from integrated, broadband UV measurements performed with a set of photodiodes with different UV filters. This fit, when applied to ground-based measurements and compared with the incident Solar spectral irradiance on the top of the atmosphere, may be used to extract the spectral dependence of the UV opacity and the most relevant parameters characterizing the scattering with atmospheric aerosol (Angstrom exponent, etc.) as well as the biological effective doses. In this way, using a set of photodiodes instead of a spectrophotometer, one may get spectral information within very low mass, package, and weight constraints, which is particularly useful for space missions. We consider its application for the rover-based exploration of the Martian ground, which is subject to daily and seasonal opacity variations.     

Phase retrieval in low-coherence interferometric microscopy

We present compensating methods that address inherent errors in quantitative phase reporting for low-coherence interferometric techniques. A brief theoretical treatment of the problem and experimental validation using spectral domain phase microscopy demonstrate mitigation of the degrading effects of phase leakage on accurate measurement of optical path length in the vicinity of closely spaced reflectors. This result has direct implications for phase-sensitive interferometry techniques, such as Doppler imaging, as well as amplitude-based quantitative reporting. Corrected phase retrieval is demonstrated for conversion of interferometric phase to optical path length in cell surface deflections of beating cardiomyocytes.     

Phase imaging from a diffraction pattern in the presence of vortices

We investigate phase imaging from a diffraction pattern in the presence of vortices. In particular we demonstrate that a difference map method for phase retrieval which contains a support constraint does not necessarily conserve the net topological charge of the trial wave field. Hence, no a priori information regarding the charges of the vortices is required for a successful phase retrieval.     

Phase problem in three-beam X-ray diffraction

It is shown that, apart from the purely elastic scattering of X-rays, their inelastic coherent scattering by phonons can play, in some cases, a significant part in the formation of reflection curves for multiple X-ray diffraction. This process may affect the interference pattern for weak reflection, and it must be taken into account when extracting the triplet phase, as was demonstrated by an analysis of the experimental rocking curves obtained for the coplanar three-beam diffraction by a KDP crystal.     

Optimisation of a low cost SLM for diffraction efficiency and ghost order suppression

Spatial Light Modulators (SLMs) are a powerful tool in many optics laboratories, but due to the technology required for their fabrication, they are usually very expensive. Recently some inexpensive devices have been produced, however their phase shift range is less than 2π, leading to a loss of diffraction efficiency for the SLM. We show how to improve the first order diffraction efficiency of such an SLM by adjusting the blazing function, and obtain a 1.5 times increase in first order diffracted power. Even a perfect SLM with 2π phase throw can produce undesired effects in some situations; for example in holographic optical tweezers it is common to find unwanted “ghost spots” near to the array of first-order spots. Modulating the amplitude, by spatially modulating the blazing function, allows us to suppress the ghost spots. This increases the contrast between desired and unwanted spots by more than an order of magnitude.     

The retrieval of profile and chemical information from ground-based UV-visible spectroscopic measurements

An algorithm has been developed to retrieve altitude information at different diurnal stages for trace gas species by combining direct-sun and zenith-sky UV-visible differential slant column density (DSCD) measurements. DSCDs are derived here using differential optical absorption spectroscopy. Combining the complementary zenith-sky measurements (sensitive to the stratosphere) with direct-sun measurements (sensitive to the troposphere) allows this vertical distinction. Trace gas species such as BrO and NO₂ have vertical profiles with strong diurnal dependence. Information about the diurnal variation is simultaneously retrieved with the altitude distribution of the trace gas. The retrieval is a formal optimal estimation profile retrieval, allowing a complete assessment of information content and errors.