Reconstruction of the Point-Spread Function of the Human Eye Using a New Phase-Retrieval Algorithm

The double-pass method is thought to obtain the point spread function (PSF) in human eyes based on two techniques: the symmetric double-pass method using the same pupil size and the asymmetric double-pass method using a different pupil size. The symmetric double-pass method provides autocorrelation of the retinal PSF and, thus, the modulation transfer function. The asymmetric double-pass method provides low-frequency partial-phase information and the partial phase-retrieval algorithm is applied to obtain the complete-phase information, and to estimate the PSF. The partial phase-retrieval algorithm is based on the iteration method proposed by Fineup and Kowalczyk and requires a lengthy computation. In this study, we propose a new high-speed phase-retrieval algorithm based on the property that the real and imaginary parts of optical transfer functions (OTFs) continuously change in value.     

Improved sound absorption performance of three-dimensional MPP space sound absorbers by filling with porous materials

Because microperforated panels (MPPs), which can be made from various materials, provide wide-band sound absorption, they are recognized as one of the next-generation absorption materials. Although MPPs are typically placed in front of rigid walls, MPP space sound absorbers without a backing structure, including three-dimensional cylindrical MPP space absorbers (CMSAs) and rectangular MPP space absorbers (RMSAs), are proposed to extend their design flexibility and easy-to-use properties. On the other hand, improving the absorption performance by filling the back cavity of typical MPP absorbers with porous materials has been shown theoretically, and three-dimensional MPP space absorbers should display similar improvements. Herein the effects of porous materials inserted into the cavities of CMSAs and RMSAs are experimentally investigated and a numerical prediction method using the two-dimensional boundary element method is proposed. Consequently, CMSAs and RMSAs with improved absorption performances are illustrated based on the experimental results, and the applicability of the proposed prediction method as a design tool is confirmed by comparing the experimental and numerical results.     

Exceeding the classical capacity limit in a quantum optical channel

The amount of information transmissible through a communications channel is determined by the noise characteristics of the channel and by the quantities of available transmission resources. In classical information theory, the amount of transmissible information can be increased twice at most when the transmission resource is doubled for fixed noise characteristics. In quantum information theory, however, the amount of information transmitted can increase even more than twice. We present a proof-of-principle demonstration of this superadditivity of classical capacity of a quantum channel by using the ternary symmetric states of a single photon, and by event selection from a weak coherent light source. We also show how the superadditive coding gain, even in a small code length, can boost the communication performance of the conventional coding technique.     

Observation of the Fano-Kondo antiresonance in a quantum wire with a side-coupled quantum dot

We have observed the Fano-Kondo antiresonance in a quantum wire with a side-coupled quantum dot. In a weak coupling regime, dips due to the Fano effect appeared. As the coupling strength increased, conductance in the regions between the dips decreased alternately. From the temperature dependence and the response to the magnetic field, we conclude that the conductance reduction is due to the Fano-Kondo antiresonance. At a Kondo valley with the Fano parameter q approximately 0, the phase shift is locked to pi/2 against the gate voltage when the system is close to the unitary limit in agreement with theoretical predictions by Gerland et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 3710 (2000)].     

Numerical Method to Fit the Refractive Index Profile of Planar Microlenses Made by Ion Exchange Techniques

We present a fitting method for obtaining a functional form of the refractive index profile of planar microlenses made by ion exchange techniques from total shearing interferometric measurements. Compared to the usual power series expansion fit, this method allows a reduction in the number of coefficients needed to characterize a lens.     

Light attenuation in a semitransparent foam sheet-Thickness measurement for industrial use

An optical method for measuring the thickness of heterogeneous materials has been studied. The method is based on the light attenuation theory. A complete system has been constructed in order to demonstrate the applicability of the present method for industrial use. The experimental set-up consists of semiconductor lasers, focusing lenses, photo-diodes serving as a power meter and a personal computer with an A/D converter for data acquisition. Averaging of numerous measurements is required in the present method because the heterogeneous cell structure of the foam material yields large fluctuations in transmitted light levels. The fluctuations can be reduced to below 1% of the transmitted light power by 80 times averaging. The error of the measurement is considered to be a few tens of micrometers in thickness. The present system is capable of sampling data at a rate of 400 Hz and has been successfully applied to a manufacturing process.     

Laser diode integrated with a low radiation loss thickness-tapered beam expander for highly efficient fiber coupling

The optimal structure of a laser diode monolithically integrated with a thickness-tapered beam expander waveguide is demonstrated by analyzing the relationship between fiber coupling efficiencies and radiation losses. It is also found that mode conversion loss is lowered in a ridge waveguide structure than in a buried hetero structure under equivalent fiber coupling. A fabricated ridge waveguide device based on this design shows threshold current as low as 16 mA and narrow beam divergences of 13° and 12°.     

Magnetic structure of graphite ribbon

Anoble mechanism of spin polarization is proposed for finite graphite sheet with edge. For graphite ribbon with zigzag edge, there appear peculiar ‘edge states’. These localized states comprise nearly flat band at the Fermi level, which easily causes magnetic instability. Magnetic structure is suggested from Hartree-Fock analysis of the Hubbard model, where huge magnetic moments are induced at around both of edges by weak HubbardU and are coupled antiferromagnetically with each other.     

Stochastic particle acceleration in multiple magnetic islands during reconnection

A nonthermal particle acceleration mechanism involving the interaction of a charged particle with multiple magnetic islands is proposed. The original Fermi acceleration model, which assumes randomly distributed magnetic clouds moving at random velocity V(c) in the interstellar medium, is known to be of second-order acceleration of O(V(c)/c)(2) owing to the combination of head-on and head-tail collisions. In this Letter, we reconsider the original Fermi model by introducing multiple magnetic islands during reconnection instead of magnetic clouds. We discuss that the energetic particles have a tendency to be distributed outside the magnetic islands, and they mainly interact with reconnection outflow jets. As a result, the acceleration efficiency becomes first order of O(V(A)/c), where V(A) and c are the Alfvén velocity and the speed of light, respectively.