Nonlinear imaging microscopy techniques as diagnostic tools for art conservation studies

We present results of the implementation of three-photon excitation fluorescence (3PEF) and third harmonic generation imaging measurements for the precise and nondestructive detection of natural and synthetic varnish layers, which are used for the surface protection of painted artifacts. For this purpose, we employ as an excitation source a compact femtosecond laser operating at 1028 nm. Two-dimensional images of the multilayer structures from different samples are depicted. The third harmonic signals show the interface between the different materials, when its refractive index mismatch is high enough. The depths of different layers of varnishes, presenting similar refractive index, are distinguishable with an axial resolution of approximately 1 microm by employing 3PEF measurements.     

Doubling of THz Radiation Frequency in Nonlinear Borate Crystals

Russian Physics Journal - The use of nonlinear oxide crystals for radiation generation and conversion into terahertz (THz) range using the nonlinear crystal optics methods is a new promising...     

1.54 THz激光成像实验与物质穿透特性

 用1.54 THz的波导型辉光放电激励的大功率连续波氰化氘（DCN）激光系统,进行了1.54THz激光成像实验研究和多种物质的穿透特性研究。利用简单的被测物体的2维扫描光学系统进行了连续波1.54 THz激光物体穿透成像,通过测量穿透光的不同强度清楚地识别了放入信封的塑料胸卡和金属硬币的位置和形状。实验中对不同物质进行了1.54 THz激光穿透特性测量,得到了多种不同物质的吸收系数。     

二维太赫兹探测成像光学系统设计

二维太赫兹探测成像适用于以太赫兹波作为探测波的安全检查和质量控制等方面。为实现大视场的二维太赫兹探测成像光学系统设计,根据匹兹万条件,分析了光学三反系统面型,并提出了一种反远距离轴三反结构,设计了视场角为2020,焦距为70 mm,F数为3.5的离轴三反光学系统。设计结果表明,该光学系统调制传递函数接近衍射极限,各个视场的点列图均方根半径均远小于艾里斑半径,具有良好的成像质量,满足设计要求。     

二维太赫兹探测成像光学系统设计

二维太赫兹探测成像适用于以太赫兹波作为探测波的安全检查和质量控制等方面。为实现大视场的二维太赫兹探测成像光学系统设计,根据匹兹万条件,分析了光学三反系统面型,并提出了一种反远距离轴三反结构,设计了视场角为20°×20°,焦距为70mm,F数为3.5的离轴三反光学系统。设计结果表明,该光学系统调制传递函数接近衍射极限,各个视场的点列图均方根半径均远小于艾里斑半径,具有良好的成像质量,满足设计要求。     

THz imaging of cyclotron emission in quantum Hall conductors

Recent studies of cyclotron emission microscopy on quantum Hall related states are reported. The topics include non-equilibrium between edge and bulk states, current-induced breakdown of the quantum Hall effect, and the emission threshold at hot spots. Experimental method of scanning-type terahertz microscopes developed towards photon-counting level sensitivity is also described.     

基于Ritz-Galerkin方法的太赫兹二极管检波器非线性分析

肖特基二极管检波器是太赫兹ASK/OOK通信系统的关键器件之一, 为了更好地分析肖特基二极管检波器的非线性特性, 从检波器的电路模型出发, 基于Ritz-Galerkin方法, 建立了检波器非线性特性的理论分析模型。并利用模型对检波器输出信号强度和灵敏度作了理论预测, 表明该理论模型能够精确预测检波器的非线性特性。最后利用该理论模型研究了输入信号强度、负载阻抗和外界温度对0.34 THz肖特基二极管检波器非线性特性的影响。结果表明随着功率的增加, 检波器由平方率区渐变至线性区只在特定条件下才成立, 在实际条件下很容易出现高阶效应。     

基于Ritz-Galerkin方法的太赫兹二极管检波器非线性分析

肖特基二极管检波器是太赫兹ASK/OOK通信系统的关键器件之一, 为了更好地分析肖特基二极管检波器的非线性特性, 从检波器的电路模型出发, 基于Ritz-Galerkin方法, 建立了检波器非线性特性的理论分析模型。并利用模型对检波器输出信号强度和灵敏度作了理论预测, 表明该理论模型能够精确预测检波器的非线性特性。最后利用该理论模型研究了输入信号强度、负载阻抗和外界温度对0.34 THz肖特基二极管检波器非线性特性的影响。结果表明随着功率的增加, 检波器由平方率区渐变至线性区只在特定条件下才成立, 在实际条件下很容易出现高阶效应。     

Transient-Pulse Nonlinear Spectroscopy with the Radiation of a Multimode THz Gas Laser

We report on transient-pulse nonlinear spectroscopy with the radiation of a multimode THz gas laser. The method is demonstrated for studying the nonlinear response of a current-carrying superlattice to THz radiation; the current through a superlattice can be suppressed by a strong THz field. The method makes use of the pulses of a high power multimode THz gas laser. By splitting the laser beam for selected laser modes into a main beam and a reference beam we monitored with a reference detector the transient power in the main beam. The simultaneous measurement of both the instantaneous response and the instantaneous power allows to obtain the power dependence of the response within a single laser pulse. The method is suitable to study the nonlinear response of matter to THz radiation fields in a large dynamic range.     

THz Generation by Optical Rectification and Competition with Other Nonlinear Processes

We present a study of the competition between tera-hertz （THz） generation by optical rectification in （110） ZnTe crystals, two-photon absorption, second harmonic generation and free-carrier absorption. The two-photon nonlinear absorption coefficient, second harmonic generation efficiency and free-carrier absorption coefficient in the THz range are measured independently. The incident pump field is shown to be depleted by two-photon absorption and the THz radiation is shown to be reduced, upon focusing, by free-carrier absorption. The reduction of the generated THz radiation upon tight focusing is explained, provided that one also takes into account diffraction effects from the sub-wavelength THz source.     

Nonlinear effects in acousto-optic imaging

Acousto-optic (AO) imaging is a promising technique that is able to reveal optical properties in the millimeter range inside scattering media by tagging the photon paths with an ultrasonic beam. To increase both the contrast and the resolution of the AO images, we have explored the possibility of using the nonlinear response of the speckle modulation. Variation of the second-harmonic signal as the square of the ultrasonic amplitude has been found, and strong reduction of the tagged zone size has been demonstrated.     

Application of X-ray Computed Tomography to Cultural Heritage diagnostics

Physical methods of diagnosis are more and more frequently applied in the field of Cultural Heritage either for scientific investigations or for restoration and conservation purposes. X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) is one of the most powerful non-destructive testing techniques for the full-volume inspection of an object, as it is able to give morphological and physical information on the inner structure of the investigated sample. The great variety of size and composition that characterizes archaeological findings and art objects requires the development of tomographic systems specifically designed for Cultural Heritage analysis. In the last few years our research group has developed several acquisition systems for Digital Radiography and X-ray CT. We are able to perform high resolution micro-tomography of small objects (voxel size of few microns) as well as CT of large objects (up to 2 m of size). In this paper we will mainly focus the attention on the results of the investigation recently performed on two Japanese wooden statues with our CT system for large works of art. The CT analysis was carried out on site at the Conservation and Restoration Center “La Venaria Reale”, where the statues have been restored before their exposition at the Oriental Art Museum in Turin.     

THz回旋自谐振脉塞多模束波互作用非线性模拟

为了有效分析模式竞争,建立了回旋自谐振脉塞（CARM）多模束波互作用自洽非线性理论模型,并具体模拟研究了工作模式为TM51、频率为0.35 THz的高阶横磁模CARM中大轨道相对论电子束与多电磁模式的互作用过程。模拟结果表明：与回旋管不同,THz频段CARM可以有效工作于高阶TM模式,且具有较高的输出功率和增益;通过对工作参数的优化,可使工作模式的功率增长具有绝对优势,而竞争模式得到有效抑制;高阶TM模式THz频段CARM的性能对工作参数的变化十分敏感,在参数设计过程中必须对其进行多模束波互作用模拟分析。     

THz回旋自谐振脉塞多模束波互作用非线性模拟

为了有效分析模式竞争,建立了回旋自谐振脉塞（CARM）多模束波互作用自洽非线性理论模型,并具体模拟研究了工作模式为TM51、频率为0.35 THz的高阶横磁模CARM中大轨道相对论电子束与多电磁模式的互作用过程。模拟结果表明:与回旋管不同,THz频段CARM可以有效工作于高阶TM模式,且具有较高的输出功率和增益;通过对工作参数的优化,可使工作模式的功率增长具有绝对优势,而竞争模式得到有效抑制;高阶TM模式THz频段CARM的性能对工作参数的变化十分敏感,在参数设计过程中必须对其进行多模束波互作用模拟分析。     

Magnetic properties of bacterial magnetosomes as potential diagnostic and therapeutic tools

Suspensions of bacterial magnetosomes are investigated with respect to magnetic losses. Mean core diameter of about 30 nm results from TEM, XRD and magnetic analysis. Specific loss power is determined from hysteresis loops, susceptibility spectra and calorimetry with a maximum value of 960 W/g at 410 kHz and field amplitude 10 kA/m. Results may be understood by relaxation effects on hysteresis.     

Pressure-broadening in the THz frequency region: The 1.113 THz line of water

It is well established that water plays a fundamental role in various atmospheric phenomena and that the accuracy of its collisional broadening parameters has a crucial influence on reduction of remote sensing data. Nevertheless, in this field the experimental data are still scarce and consequently the estimates reported in spectroscopic databases are not always reliable and/or accurate. In the view of filling this gap, the self-, N₂- and O₂-broadening parameters of the J=1_1,1←0_0,0 rotational transition of water (1.113 THz) have been determined at room temperature. The experimental investigation has also been supported by theoretical calculations.     

Alzheimer's disease: biological aspects, therapeutic perspectives and diagnostic tools

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia among older people. Dementia is an irreversible brain disorder that seriously affects a person's ability to carry out daily activities. It is characterized by loss of cognitive functioning and behavioral abilities, to such an extent that it interferes with the daily life and activities of the affected patients. Although it is still unknown how the disease process begins, it seems that brain damage starts a decade or more before problems become evident. Scientific data seem to indicate that changes in the generation or the degradation of the amyloid-b peptide (Aβ) lead to the formation of aggregated structures that are the triggering molecular events in the pathogenic cascade of AD. This review summarizes some characteristic features of Aβ misfolding and aggregation and how cell damage and death mechanisms are induced by these supramolecular and toxic structures. Further, some interventions for the early diagnosis of AD are described and in the last part the potential therapeutic strategies adoptable to slow down, or better block, the progression of the pathology are reported.     

便携式超声诊断仪的新发展

便携式超声诊断仪是近年来快速发展的新方向,它的出现和推广将改进医疗保健的质量,降低费用,可能给整个医疗事业带来新的变化。