Phase-matching properties of PPKTP, MgO:PPSLT and MgO:PPcLN for ultrafast optical parametric oscillation in the visible and near-infrared ranges with green pump

Ultrashort pulses with wavelength tuning in the visible and near-infrared (VNIR) ranges (here approximately 680 to 2000 nm) have wide application in many biomedical devices especially in imaging and spectroscopy. The theoretical studies here consider the phase-matching conditions of three periodically poled crystals (PPKTP, MgO:PPcLN and MgO:PPSLT) to use for femtosecond optical parametric oscillators (OPO) to generate wavelength tunability in this range. The basic optical properties and the wavelength tuning ranges are calculated with respect to different grating periods and temperature variation. Dispersive properties of crystals relevant to the ultrafast operation regime are also discussed. The excitation wavelength used here for the analysis is 520 nm which is the second harmonic wavelength of Yb-doped ultrashort pulse solid state lasers. The concept of the tunable femtosecond OPOs with green excitation presented here can be a better alternative to the widely used expensive Ti:Sapphire lasers.     

Frontend light source for short-pulse pumped OPCPA system

We present the development of a light source for generating optically synchronized seed pulses both for the parametric amplifier chain and the pump-laser chain of the Petawatt Field Synthesizer (PFS), which is currently under construction at MPQ. The PFS system aims at delivering waveform-controlled few-cycle laser pulses with PW-scale peak power using optical parametric chirped pulse amplification (OPCPA). Methods of generating the broadband near-infrared (NIR) seed pulses for the OPCPA chain by spectral broadening using few-cycle pulses are presented. We also demonstrate the generation of a supercontinuum spanning up to three octaves (270–1500 nm) using cascaded hollow-core fibers which supports sub-cycle pulse duration.     

Phasematching properties of congruent MgO-doped and undoped periodically poled LiNbO<Subscript>3</Subscript> for optical parametric oscillation with ultrafast excitation at 1 µm

A detailed theoretical analysis of the optical properties of periodically poled crystals of lithium niobate for optical parametric oscillation with excitation at 1 μm is presented. Crystals of congruent lithium niobate with and without MgO-doping are considered. The choice of materials, their basic optical properties, quasi-phasematching and wavelength tuning ranges, as well as dispersive effects are discussed. These results provide a useful roadmap for the construction of optical parametric oscillators and generators operating in the ultrashort pulse regime with excitation at 1 μm.     

Growth and characterization of GaAs layers on polished Ge/Si by selective aspect ratio trapping

Epitaxial GaAs layers have been deposited on polished Ge film grown on exactly (0 0 1) oriented Si substrate by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) via aspect ratio trapping (ART) method. Double-crystal X-ray diffraction shows that the full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the (4 0 0) reflection obtained from 1 μm GaAs is 140 arcsec. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the GaAs layer surface shows that the amount of antiphase domain defects (APD) raised from GaAs/Ge interface using Ge ART on Si is dramatically reduced compared to GaAs layers grown on exact (0 0 1) Ge substrate. Defect reduction and Ge diffusion at vicinal GaAs/Ge interface were investigated via cross-section transmission electron microscopy (X-TEM) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Film morphology and optical properties were evaluated via SEM and room temperature photoluminescence (PL).     

纳米相氟氧化物玻璃陶瓷Tm（0.35）Yb（5）∶FOV的上转换发光

研究了纳米相氟氧化物玻璃陶瓷Tm(0.35)Yb(5)∶FOV在975nm半导体激光激发下的上转换发光。发现了位于363.6,(462.6,477.0),648.7,(699.7,680.7)和(777.6,800.7nm)的几条上转换发光线,它们是Tm3 离子的1D2→3H6,1G4→3H6,1G4→3F4,3F3→3H6和3H4→3H6的荧光跃迁。为了确认它们的上转换机理,还测量了上转换发光强度F随975nm泵浦激光功率P改变的双对数曲线,结果证实了1D2能级的上转换发光部分是五光子上转换发光,而1G4能级和3H4能级的上转换发光则是三光子和双光子上转换发光。     

CdS/ZnS core–shell nanoparticles in arachidic acid LB films

Core–shell CdS/ZnS nanoparticles in arachidic acid film were prepared through a novel Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) approach. Post-deposition treatment of the precursor LB multilayers of cadmium arachidate with H₂S gas followed by intercalation of Zn²⁺ ions and further sulfidation result in the formation of CdS/ZnS nanoparticles in the LB film. The formation of these nanoparticles and resulting changes in layered structures were studied by FTIR and X-ray reflection measurements. The optical properties were studied using UV–vis absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy. A red-shift in the absorption spectrum and enhancement of CdS excitonic emission together with reduction of surface states emission suggest that after the intercalation step, a thin layer of ZnS surrounds the CdS nanoparticles, thus forming a core–shell structure. Subsequent to the second sulfidation, a further red-shift in absorption suggests the formation of a thicker ZnS coating on CdS. Electron diffraction of CdS nanoparticles coated with thicker ZnS showed the diffraction patterns of only ZnS, as expected for core–shell structures.     

Ex Situ Conservation of Phyllanthus fraternus Webster and Evaluation of Genetic Fidelity in Regenerates Using DNA-Based Molecular Marker

Germplasm storage of Phyllanthus fraternus by using synseed technology has been optimized. Synseeds were prepared from nodal segments taken from in vitro-grown plantlets. An encapsulation matrix of 3 % sodium alginate and 100 mM calcium chloride with polymerization duration up to 15 min was found most suitable for synseed formation. Maximum plantlet conversion (92.5?±?2.5 %) was obtained on a growth regulator-free ½-strength solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. Multiple shoot proliferation was optimum on a ½ MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Shoots were subjected to rooting on MS media containing 1 mg/l α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and acclimatized successfully. Encapsulated nodal segments can be stored for up to 90 days with a survival frequency of 47.33 %. The clonal fidelity of synseed-derived plantlets was also assessed and compared with that of the mother plant using rapid amplified polymorphic DNA and inter-simple sequence repeat analysis. No changes in molecular profiles were observed among the synseed-derived plantlets and mother plant, which confirms the genetic stability of regenerates. This synseed production protocol could be useful for in vitro multiplication, short-term storage, and exchange of germplasm of this important antiviral and hepatoprotective plant.