B-CALM: An open-source GPU-based 3D-FDTD with multi-pole dispersion for plasmonics

Numerical calculations with finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) on metallic nanostructures in a broad optical spectrum require an accurate approximation of the permittivity of dispersive materials. In this paper, we present the algorithms behind B-CALM (Belgium-California Light Machine), an open-source 3D-FDTD solver operating on Graphical Processing Units with multi-pole dispersion models. Our modified architecture shows a reduction in computing times for multi-pole dispersion models. We benchmark B-CALM by computing the absorption efficiency of a metallic nanosphere on a broad spectral range with a six-poles Drude-Lorentz model and compare it with Mie theory.

     

Temperature and pressure sensitivities of the highly birefringent photonic crystal fiber with core asymmetry

We investigated a particular design of a highly birefringent PCF with attractive features for pressure sensing applications. A plane-wave method together with the finite element method were used to numerically calculate phase and group modal birefringence, pressure and temperature sensitivities of our fiber. The simulation results together with the experiments demonstrate a considerable difference between a very high phase birefringence (B ∼ 10⁻³) and a very low negative group birefringence (G −10⁻³). Our fiber exhibits a low and positive temperature sensitivity (K_T < 0.1 rad/(K⋅m)), and relatively high and negative mechanical (pressure) sensitivity (K_p ≤ −10 rad/(MPa⋅m)), which supports its possible use as a mechanical sensor that does not require any temperature compensation.     

Practical aspects of suppressed ion chromatography for cations in human serum

In spite of the good accuracy and precision of ion chromatographic methods for the determination of mono- and divalent cations in human serum, the major drawback with these methods were problems with the membrane suppressor's performance. Here, we described experiments undertaken to solve these problems. We address in particular the use of histidine-sulfuric acid eluents, sample purification with OnGuard-A cartridges and chromatographic “front-cut” for divalent cations. The latter two adaptations, resulting in removal of the anionic species from the sample, were successful in solving the observed suppressor problems. The eluent substitution, moreover, allowed us to switch from the chemical to the electric suppression mode. We believe that these adaptations will allow secure and robust determination of cations in human serum samples with ion chromatography.     

Functional crosslinked polymer particles synthesized by precipitation polymerization for liquid chromatography

Highly crosslinked functional polymer particles with narrow size distribution have been produced by precipitation copolymerization of divinylbenzene, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and vinylbenzyl chloride using a simple reflux protocol. After establishing the satisfactory synthesis conditions, we produced uniform chlorobenzyl particles with different size depending on the polymerization times. The porosity of those particles was modulated from microporous to mesoporous structure by using various porogens such as toluene, dodecanol, cyclohexanol and polypropylene glycol. These particles were tested as stationary phase in high-performance liquid chromatography for the separation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in reversed-phase mode. The separation was observed even for elution 100% organic (methanol) without any participation of water fraction in the eluent composition. The influences of particles size, specific surface area and packing conditions on the separation behavior were investigated.     

Birefringent photonic crystal fibers with zero polarimetric sensitivity to temperature

We designed, fabricated, and characterized birefringent holey fibers with zero polarimetric sensitivity to temperature. The sensitivity measurements were carried out in a wide spectral range of 0.68–1.55 μm in fibers with different hole and pitch values and with birefringence induced by a pair of large holes adjacent to the core. Our results show that zero sensitivity to temperature can be obtained at certain wavelengths for the bare fibers with properly adjusted geometrical parameters. Moreover, the spectral measurements of the sensitivity to temperature are in good agreement with the modeling results for all the investigated fibers.     

Light propagation in highly birefringent photonic liquid crystal fibers

Photonic liquid crystal fibers have already been demonstrated as a promising perspective for creation of new classes of dynamically tunable optical fiber devices. By combining different geometries of photonic crystal fibers with a variety of different liquid crystals it is possible to obtain a new generation of fibers with dynamically tunable properties, e.g., transmission spectra, attenuation or dispersion. In this paper, tunable birefringence in a commercially available highly birefringent Blazephotonics PM-1550-01 photonic crystal fiber selectively filled with a low birefringence liquid crystal has been experimentally demonstrated. Theses experimental results have been compared with simulations based on the multipole method.     

Depolarization of light in microstructured fibers filled with liquid crystals

In the paper we analyze microstructured optical fibers filled with typical nematic liquid crystals, i.e., 5CB and 6CHBT under influence of external electric field or temperature. We use the modified Mueller matrix method with an additional depolarization matrix to calculate degree of polarization changes of the light propagating in the liquid-crystal infiltrated microstructured optical fibers. Preliminary experimental results of light depolarization measurements during propagation in these microstructured fibers are also presented.     

Propagation of spatially partially coherent emission from a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser

Recently we observed a strong reduction of spatial coherence of the emission of large-aperture vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers when they are driven by microsecond electrical pulses [Opt. Express 13, 9337 (2005)]. We study the influence of this partial spatial coherence on the propagation characteristics. The spatial decoherence manifests itself in the formation of a Gaussian far-field intensity distribution. We measure the transverse pulse profile from near to far field and see that the shape-invariant far-field regime starts after 140 microm in the pulsed regime as opposed to several centimeters in continuous wave operation. This value matches quantitatively calculations made with a novel partially coherent propagation model without any free fitting parameters.