Optical anisotropy of the (100) surfaces in AlxGa1−x As ternary compounds

The reflectance anisotropy spectra of the clean (100) surfaces of the Al_xGa_1?x As ternary compounds at aluminum concentrations 0≤x≤0.5 have been measured and thoroughly studied. In the spectral range from 1.6 to 3.5 eV, the signal caused by the optical transitions in the arsenic dimers dominates in the spectra of the clean arsenic-terminated GaAs surfaces. For the ternary compounds, an increase in the aluminum concentration brings about the broadening of this signal and its shift toward the low-energy range. This is explained by the appearance of additional signals associated with the optical transitions in the nonequivalent arsenic dimers, in which a part of the Ga atoms in the bulklike bonds is replaced by the Al atoms. An increase in the number of the substituted gallium atoms leads to a decrease in the energy of optical transition in the dimer. The fundamental optical transition energies are determined for the nonequivalent dimers.     

Radiative absorption in an infinitely long hollow cylinder with Fresnel surfaces

Radiation absorption in an infinitely long hollow cylinder with Fresnel surfaces is studied using the ray tracing method. It is found that the inner boundary can be modeled as a total reflective surface for the infinitely long hollow cylinder. Radiative absorption of hollow cylinders with Fresnel surfaces is compared to diffusive surfaces predicted by the finite volume method. Effects of refractive index, optical thickness and hole size on radiative absorption are studied. Abrupt changes in radiative absorption near τ_r/τ_Ro=1/n are observed for hollow cylinders with Fresnel surfaces. It is because the Fresnel relation predicts a critical angle at . This trend is not observed in diffusive surfaces. Refractive index and optical thickness are two competing factors that govern the radiative absorption. Higher refractive index drives higher absorption close to the inner surface, while higher optical thickness yields higher absorption near the outer surface. The results of this study can also serve as benchmark solutions for modeling radiative heat transfer in hollow cylinders with Fresnel surfaces. It is also found that the directional or hemispherical emittance can be calculated without solving the radiative transfer equation in the media when the temperature variation in the media is small.     

Formation of sub-surface silver nanoparticles in silver-doped sodium–lead–germanate glass

The formation of silver nanoparticles in 60GeO₂–20PbO–20Na₂O bulk glass doped with 0.15 wt% of Ag has been studied by optical methods in the near ultraviolet-to-near infrared and mid-infrared ranges. A clear optical absorption band, which grows when increasing the annealing temperature, is observed around 460 nm, as a consequence of the surface plasmon resonance in the Ag nanoparticles. From the simultaneous analysis of optical transmittance and spectroscopic ellipsometry spectra in the near ultraviolet-to-near infrared range, it is demonstrated that the nanoparticles are surprisingly formed only in a thin layer (some tens of nm thick) underneath the sample surfaces. The potential of such a simultaneous optical analysis for determining the localization of the nanoparticles in glasses of any nature is underlined. Based on the results of a complementary mid-infrared spectroscopy characterization, the processes involved in silver migration to the surfaces and further aggregation to form nanoparticles are discussed.     

Fabrication of a fiber-based microcavity with spherical concave fiber tips

A straightforward method for manufacturing concave fiber ends with optical quality surfaces is presented. This method allows for the indention of bare cleaved fiber ends of single-mode Bi₂O₃ fibers by way of conventional heating and subsequent contact with ultra-smooth sinter metal spheres. The resulting high quality surfaces show promise for microcavity experiments. Results for a simple plano-concave cavity composed of a single indented fiber and a plane mirror are presented.     

Effect of a plasma polymerised linalyl acetate dielectric on the optical and morphological properties of an n-type organic semiconductor

Thin films of the n-type, organic semiconductor PDI-8CN₂ were thermally evaporated on two different dielectric surfaces and their optical and morphological properties investigated using Variable Angle Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (VASE) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), respectively. The two dielectric surfaces used were SiO₂ and a plasma polymer derived from the non-synthetic monomer linalyl acetate. The characterisations were performed in order to assess the viability of plasma polymerised linalyl acetate (PLA) thin films as dielectric layers in future Organic Field-Effect Transistor (OFET) devices. These studies resulted in determination of the optical profiles (refractive index and extinction coefficient) in the UV-Vis band of PDI-8CN₂ grown on SiO₂ and an observation of uniaxial anisotropy in the organic semiconductor. This information is useful for the design of opto-electronic devices using PDI-8CN₂ layers. Variations in morphological properties and small variations optical properties were found when the PDI-8CN₂ films were grown on PLA layers, and attributed to the change in surface chemistry between dielectrics.     

Determination of the Li/Nb ratio in lithium niobate by means of birefringence and Raman measurements

Two optical methods for the determination of the Li/Nb ratio in lithium niobate (LiNbO₃) are discussed. Data for the optical birefringence method are presented, they cover the entire composition range in which LiNbO₃ can be fabricated and a wide spectral region. The line-widths of lattice modes have been measured by means of Raman scattering as a function of the Li/Nb ratio for single crystals with polished and rough surfaces.     

The role of defects in laser surface damage thresholds of fluoride crystals

The energy of the acoustic pulse generated by laser-surface interactions and measured by probe beam deflection was used to investigate laser surface damage thresholds of fluoride crystals with optical quality. It was found that damage thresholds decrease with increasing density of surface states. The defect density also controls the energy absorption mechanism: for surfaces with few defects, like polished MgF₂ and CaF₂, avalanche breakdown occurs at above 1 GW/cm₂, whereas for materials with lower damage thresholds, such as LiF, BaF₂, and roughened or incubated surfaces of CaF₂, multiphoton absorption across the band gap is observed.     

Effect of cycle numbers on the structural,linear and nonlinear optical properties in Fe2O3 thin films deposited by SILAR method

Fe₂O₃ thin films were deposited by Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption and Reaction (SILAR) method onto glass substrates at different cycle numbers to investigate structural, linear and nonlinear optical properties. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the Fe₂O₃ thin films have a non-crystalline nature. The morphological properties of the films were investigated by Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) and the results show that the films’ surfaces are porous. The linear and nonlinear optical parameters were evaluated and analyzed by using transmittance and absorbance measurements. For these measurements, UV–Vis spectroscopy at room temperature was used. The refractive index values were calculated in the range of 1.45–3.23 for visible region (400–700 nm). Obtained results reveal that direct optical band gap changed between 2.62 and 2.68 eV and indirect optical band gap changed between 1.67 and 1.77 eV. Additionally, optical electronegativity, optical dielectric constants, surface and volume energy loss functions, nonlinear refractive index, linear optical susceptibility, third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility, optical and electrical conductivity, and loss tangent values were calculated and discussed in detail. It was found that each parameter studied is dependent on the cycle numbers. Also, it can be stated that Fe₂O₃ thin films are promising candidate for solar cells and optoelectronic device technology.     

A skew ray tracing approach for the error analysis of optical elements with paraboloidal boundary surfaces

Using the error analysis methodology developed by the current author in previous studies for optical systems comprising elements with flat boundary surfaces, this study examines the errors induced in a light ray's path as it is reflected or refracted at a paraboloidal boundary surface. In analyzing the light path, two principal sources of error are considered, namely (1) translational errors (Δx_i, Δy_i and Δz_i) and rotational errors (ΔΓ_i, ΔΨ_i and ΔΦ_i), which collectively determine the deviation of the light path at each boundary surface, and (2) the differential changes induced in the incident point position and unit directional vector of the refracted/reflected ray as a result of differential changes in the position and unit directional vector of the light source. The validity of the proposed approach is verified using a generic parabaloidal boundary surface for illustration purposes. Overall, the results show that the proposed error analysis methodology provides a straightforward means of analyzing the performance of optical systems characterized by paraboloidal boundary surfaces such as headlight reflectors, optical telescope mirrors, flashlights and so forth.     

Particle speciation during PEG–Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> hybrid nanoparticle self-assembly on Si(Ti)O<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The kinetics of assembly of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles in aqueous suspension on planar Si(Ti)O₂ surfaces have been determined using high-resolution optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy (OWLS). Analysis of the results revealed that the initially uniform population was spontaneously transformed into two types of particles with significantly different adsorption behaviour.     

Atomic resonance behavior in laser-induced Rb atom desorption—the effect of ambient gas atoms and molecules

We report an observation that in a typical optical pumping cell containing Rb metal and 150 Torr N₂ gas, a cw laser beam of a few tens of mW and beam size 5.5 mm² can desorb Rb films on cell surfaces when the laser is tuned to the Rb D₁ line. The frequency dependence of the Rb desorption rate displays atomic resonance behavior. The desorption is suggested to be mediated by the ambient gas atoms (Rb) and molecules (N₂). The phenomenon was used to provide evidence for the existence of thin Rb films on seemingly clear cell surfaces.     

Polarizability of truncated spheroidal particles supported by a substrate: model and applications

The light scattering by three-dimensional clusters supported by a substrate is modelled by representing clusters by truncated spheroids whose polarizability is calculated via a multipolar development of the potential in the quasi-static limit. The determination of the mean island radius, density and aspect ratio from the optical response is examined. The strong influence of both the particle-substrate interaction and the particle shape on the optical behaviour is demonstrated, showing the limits of effective medium and dipolar theories. The Surface Differential Reflectance spectra of silver on MgO(100) and titanium or aluminium on α-Al₂O₃(0001) surfaces have then been modelled by using the above model, illustrating the capability of optical means to deal with various metals, including those belonging to transition series. In all cases, it is highlighted that the aspect ratio is central in modelling the optical response of supported particles. Received 5 June 2000 and Received in final form 31 July 2001     

Comparison of self-cleaning properties of three titania coatings on float glass

This work compares the self-cleaning properties of experimental TiO₂ and TiO₂-Ag coatings on float glass with a commercial self-cleaning glass. In the experimental surfaces, TiO₂ coating was applied to float glass via the sol-gel route, while TiO₂-Ag coating was applied by the liquid flame spray method, which deposits TiO₂-Ag composite nanoparticles on the surface. The effect of the coatings on the surface wettability and the activation time for achieving hydrophilicity was studied through water contact angle as a function of exposure time to UV light. The surface morphology was investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal optical microscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the coatings was examined with methylene blue and stearic acid degradation tests. Finally, the soil attachment to the surfaces was tested with a sebum-based model soil. The sol-gel TiO₂ coating became superhydrophilic within a few hours, while the activation time needed for the commercial titania coated glass was several days. The surface with the TiO₂-Ag nanoparticles did not show any marked changes in the water contact angle. The commercial titania coated and the sol-gel TiO₂ surfaces showed self-cleaning properties and clearly lower attachment of soil than the uncoated and TiO₂-Ag coated surfaces. The difference in the interaction of the surfaces with the organic contaminants was assumed to depend mainly on differences in the thickness of the coatings.     

Fluorination of polymethylmethaacrylate with tetrafluoroethane using DC glow discharge plasma

Fluorination of polymer surfaces has technological applications in various fields such as microelectronics, biomaterials, textile, packing, etc. In this study PMMA surfaces were fluorinated using DC glow discharge plasma. Tetrafluoroethane was used as the fluorinating agent. On the fluorinated PMMA surface, static water contact angle, surface energy, optical transmittance (UV-vis), XPS and AFM analyses were carried out. After the fluorination PMMA surface becomes hydrophobic with water contact angle of 107° without losing optical transparency. Surface energy of fluorine plasma-treated PMMA decreased from 35 mJ/cm² to 21.2 mJ/cm². RMS roughness of the fluorinated surface was 4.01 nm and XPS studies revealed the formation of C-CF_x and CF₃ groups on the PMMA surface.     

Beam concentration and homogenization for high power laser diode bar

A novel optical element is presented and applied for beam concentration and homogenization of laser diode (LD) bar. It consists of a tapered SiO₂-rod with twisted surfaces which is designed and optimized by the optical system design software and fabricated by a curved surface grinder and an optical polishing lathe. Results show that a rectangular output beam spot with uniform intensity distributions both at slow and fast axis is obtained at the output facet of the rod and the beam size is only 1.3 mm ∗ 0.8 mm.     

Ab initio calculations of the atomic and electronic structure of MgF<Subscript>2</Subscript> (011) and (111) surfaces

The results of ab initio slab calculations of surface relaxations, rumplings and charge distribution for the different terminations of the MgF₂ (011) and (111) polar surfaces are presented and discussed. We have employed the computer code CRYSTAL with the Gaussian basis set and the hybrid B3PW exchange-correlation functional. Despite the ionic nature of the chemical bonding at both surfaces, a considerable decrease of the optical band gap is predicted (1.3 eV or 10%) for the (111) surface as compared to the bulk.     

AFM and SNOM characterization of carboxylic acid terminated silicon and silicon nitride surfaces

Silicon and silicon nitride surfaces have been successfully terminated with carboxylic acid monolayers and investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM). On clean Si surface, AFM showed topographical variations of 0.3-0.4 nm while for the clean Si₃N₄ surface the corrugation was around 3-4 nm. After material deposition, the corrugation increased in both samples with a value in topography of 1-2 nm for Si and 5-6 nm for Si₃N₄. The space distribution of specific chemical species was obtained by taking SNOM reflectivity at several infrared wavelengths corresponding to stretch absorption bands of the material. The SNOM images showed a constant contribution in the local reflectance, suggesting that the two surfaces were uniformly covered.     

Classification of rough surfaces: comparison between two hybrid optical coherent processors

Two coherent optical approaches to the classification of rough surfaces using Fourier techniques are compared. Results for various machined metal samples show the potentials of these non-destructive techniques for roughnesses of R_t ranging from 0.1 to 10 μm.     

吡嗪桥接混合价二聚体中的光吸收

本文提出一个包括吡嗪环内部结构的多模模型来研究吡嗪桥接含Ru混合价二聚体(即C-T离子)。在C-T离子中,两个Ru离子的4d_xz电子轨道经过吡嗪环的π^*轨道相互耦台,把这些轨道重新组合成键合(B)、非键合(N)和反键合(A)三种类型;构成三个多维势表面,而把有关的光吸收归于电子在相应的势表面之间的跃迁,所得的结果更接近实验事实。 关键词：