10 ps resolution, 160 ns full scale range and less than 1.5% differential non-linearity time-to-digital converter module for high performance timing measurements

We present a compact high performance time-to-digital converter (TDC) module that provides 10 ps timing resolution, 160 ns dynamic range and a differential non-linearity better than 1.5% LSB(rms). The TDC can be operated either as a general-purpose time-interval measurement device, when receiving external START and STOP pulses, or in photon-timing mode, when employing the on-chip SPAD (single photon avalanche diode) detector for detecting photons and time-tagging them. The instrument precision is 15 ps(rms) (i.e., 36 ps(FWHM)) and in photon timing mode it is still better than 70 ps(FWHM). The USB link to the remote PC allows the easy setting of measurement parameters, the fast download of acquired data, and their visualization and storing via an user-friendly software interface. The module proves to be the best candidate for a wide variety of applications such as: fluorescence lifetime imaging, time-of-flight ranging measurements, time-resolved positron emission tomography, single-molecule spectroscopy, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, diffuse optical tomography, optical time-domain reflectometry, quantum optics, etc.     

采用玻尔兹曼统计法分析光阱刚度的测量精度

考虑高精度的光阱刚度测量是光阱力测量的关键,本文提出了采用玻尔兹曼统计法来分析光阱刚度的测量精度。首先,描述了实验室搭建的近红外光镊系统,并将其搭建在暗室中的气垫平台上,以便隔离光干扰和振动干扰。然后,用四象限光电探测器探测被光镊捕获的微球向后散射的光,并选用与溶液黏度无关的玻尔兹曼统计法计算样品池底面附近的光阱刚度。最后,分析和讨论了溶液温度的变化、四象限光电探测器的灵敏度、采样频率以及采样时间对光阱刚度测量精度的影响。理论分析及实验计算显示:溶液温度的变化对光阱刚度的测量影响很小,但四象限光电探测器的灵敏度对光阱刚度测量精度影响较大。考虑采样的完整性和数据处理速度,采样频率通常取为被捕获颗粒拐角频率的5~10倍。对于本文搭建的近红外光镊测量系统,采样时间取为1~7s时,可以保证高精度地测量光阱刚度。     

眼轴长度测量系统设计

眼轴长度与屈光不正、白内障等常见眼科疾病有密切关系,精确测量眼轴长度对眼科疾病的预防及治疗具有重要的意义。为实现眼轴长度安全有效的光学测量,入射光强度不能超过安全限度,同时人眼眼底反射出来的光只有入射光的10-3～10-4。为此基于光学方法的眼轴长度测量的弱光探测,设计了一种基于外差干涉测量的眼轴长度测量系统。测量系统硬件部分采用PIN光电二极管将弱光信号转化成易于处理的弱电信号,同时设计一个低噪声、高性能的弱信号处理电路,并选用Max 10系列的10M25SAE作为主控芯片处理信号;软件部分采用VHDL语言进行编程。实验结果表明,该测量系统可以对眼轴长度实现有效且稳定的测量。     

低相噪大面积平衡光电探测器

为了实现对光泵原子磁力仪系统中发散的快速调制光信号的精密相位检测,解决现有平衡光电探测器存在的接光面积小、增益小、带宽小及相位性能不理想等问题,本文采用基于结点差分电流的平衡差分探测方法,分析了平衡探测器抑制系统共模噪声的机理,通过优化元件和提高带宽设计出具有低相位噪声且单管接光面尺寸达到10mm的大面积平衡光电探测器,并进一步利用双板隔离式的制作方法避免了热噪声干扰,实现了其低相位漂移的特性。实验结果表明,该探测器-3dB带宽达到1.1 MHz,信号跨阻增益达到0.91 MΩ,在175kHz调制光信号下的相位噪声峰峰值不超过0.002 3°,能够满足碱金属原子磁力仪系统光信号精密相位检测的要求。     

Calibration of a wide-field frequency-domain fluorescence lifetime microscopy system using light emitting diodes as light sources

High brightness light emitting diodes are an inexpensive and versatile light source for wide‐field frequency‐domain fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy. In this paper a full calibration of an LED based fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy system is presented for the first time. A radio‐frequency generator was used for simultaneous modulation of light emitting diode (LED) intensity and the gain of an intensified charge coupled device (CCD) camera. A homodyne detection scheme was employed to measure the demodulation and phase shift of the emitted fluorescence, from which phase and modulation lifetimes were determined at each image pixel. The system was characterized both in terms of its sensitivity to measure short lifetimes (500 ps to 4 ns), and its capability to distinguish image features with small lifetime differences. Calibration measurements were performed in quenched solutions containing Rhodamine 6G dye and the results compared to several independent measurements performed with other measurement methodologies, including time correlated single photon counting, time gated detection, and acousto optical modulator (AOM) based modulation of excitation sources. Results are presented from measurements and simulations. The effects of limited signal‐to‐noise ratios, baseline drifts and calibration errors are discussed in detail. The implications of limited modulation bandwidth of high brightness, large area LED devices (～40 MHz for devices used here) are presented. The results show that phase lifetime measurements are robust down to sub ns levels, whereas modulation lifetimes are prone to errors even at large signal‐to‐noise ratios. Strategies for optimizing measurement fidelity are discussed. Application of the fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy system is illustrated with examples from studies of molecular mixing in microfluidic devices and targeted drug delivery research.     

基于数字锁相环的FPGA多通道频率测量系统设计

针对传统频率测量电路复杂、采集速度较慢的问题,基于FPGA(现场可编程逻辑门阵列),采用全数字锁相环对待测量信号进行倍频,辅以自适应时钟模块、计数模块和串口接收发送模块,设计了多通道频率测量系统,从而达到精简电路并实现对多路待测信号的快速精准测量。实验结果表明,对于100 Hz~10 MHz频率的稳定信号,测量时间仅为100 ms,与标准频率计相比,相对误差<0.5 ppm(1 ppm=10-6)。可用于多路频率信号的实时采集测量。     

SIPM在脉冲光检测系统中的应用研究

为了实现硅光电倍增管(silicon photomultiplier,SIPM)对超出光子计数极限的微弱脉冲光信号的测量,建立了基于SIPM积分工作模式的脉冲光检测系统。测试了SIPM在同一光信号照射下,偏置电压与增益以及信噪比之间的关系,并测试了同一增益条件下,SIPM对不同光信号的响应特性。结果表明:SIPM在积分工作模式下,其增益可以达到104以上,并随着偏置电压的增加而指数增长;其信噪比也随着电压的增加而增加,在光强比较微弱的情况下,SIPM对光强是线性响应的。所设计的系统可以在一定程度上替代光电倍增管进行微弱脉冲光信号的测量。     

时频测量高性能内插模块实现

精密时间间隔测量技术在许多重要领域都占据着十分重要的地位,本文实现了一种基于时间幅度转换法的高分辨力、高单次测量精密度、高采样率时间内插模块并应用于高精度时间间隔测量,其时间分辨力达到20ps以内,单次测量精密度优于8ps,采样率达到了8MHz。     

基于磁杆直线电机的光学延迟线研究

在太赫兹时域波谱系统中,通过光学延迟线的时间延迟实现对太赫兹时域信号的采集,而传统的光学延迟线存在扫描速度慢、光学延迟分辨率低等问题。为此,提出了一种采用磁杆直线电机作为驱动和传动一体装置,并加入光栅测量系统的光学延迟线改进方案。测试结果表明,该方案可实现长距离内高速、精准往复运动,同时提供高达512 ps的延时范围和0.033 fs(位置定位精度0.01μm)的光学延迟分辨率,显著提高了太赫兹时域波形振幅的稳定性。     

高温物体比辐射率在线测量系统的研究

本文研究了一种利用激光在线测量高温物体比辐射率的智能化仪器。该仪器由光学发射与接收系统,信号处理与放大系统及显示系统三部分组成。其中,光学系统主要包括：半导体激光器,斩波器,准直镜,扩束镜,分束镜,组件滤光片,聚焦透镜,ＰＩＮ光电二极管等;信号处理与放大系统主要包括：电压跟随放大电路,模－数转换电路及８０３１单片机等;     

高测速双纵模双频激光干涉仪系统的研究

以合适频率的高稳定度电子振荡器信号分别与双纵模热稳频双频激光干涉仪输出的频率过高的测量和参考信号混频,将信号载波频率降至计数器允许频率范围内,得到全交流的高测速双纵模双频激光干涉仪系统。本文给出了高测速双纵模双频激光干涉仪系统光路框图和信号处理框图,并给出了振荡器频率选择的基本公式。所研制系统纵模间隔约728MHz,计数器选用最大允许计数频率10MHz的82c54,振荡器为频率为723MHz的JE0723型介质振荡器。在3m激光测长机上的实验证实:系统分辨率为0.32μm时,最大允许测量速度可达1300mm/s,能满足各种高速运动设备的检测及标定需求。     

Application of a high power Yb fiber‐based laser compatible with commercial optical parametric oscillator for coherent anti‐stokes raman scattering microscopy

Coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy is a powerful tool for chemical analysis at a subcellular level, frequently used for imaging lipid dynamics in living cells. We report a high‐power picosecond fiber‐based laser and its application for optical parametric oscillator (OPO) pumping and CARS microscopy. This fiber‐based laser has been carefully characterized. It produces 5 ps pulses with 0.8 nm spectral width at a 1,030 nm wavelength with more than 10 W of average power at 80 MHz repetition rate; these spectral and temporal properties can be slightly modified. We then study the influence of these modifications on the spectral and temporal properties of the OPO. We find that the OPO system generates a weakly spectrally chirped signal beam constituted of 3 ps pulses with 0.4 nm spectral width tunable from 790 to 930 nm optimal for CARS imaging. The frequency doubling unconverted part is composed of 7–8 ps pulses with 0.75 nm spectral width compatible with CARS imaging. We also study the influence of the fiber laser properties on the CARS signal generated by distilled water. In agreement with theory, we find that shorter temporal pulses allow higher peak powers and thus higher CARS signal, if the spectral widths are less than 10 cm^?1. We demonstrate that this source is suitable for performing CARS imaging of living cells during several hours without photodamages. We finally demonstrate CARS imaging on more complex aquatic organisms called copepods (micro‐crustaceans), on which we distinguish morphological details and lipid reserves. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:422–430, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Note: Optical trigger device with sub-picosecond timing jitter and stability

We are presenting the design, construction, and overall performance of the optical trigger device. This device generates an electrical signal synchronously to the detected ultra-short optical pulse. The device was designed for application in satellite laser ranging and laser time transfer experiments, time correlated photon counting and similar experiments, where picosecond timing resolution and detection delay stability are required. It consists of the ultrafast optical detector, signal discriminator, output pulse forming circuit, and output driver circuits. It was constructed as a single compact device to optimize their matching and maintain stability. The detector consists of an avalanche photodiode--both silicon and germanium types may be used to cover the wavelength range of 350-1550 nm. The analogue signal of this photodiode is sensed by the ultrafast comparator with 8 GHz bandwidth. The ps clock distribution circuit is used to generate the fast rise/fall time output pulses of pre-set length. The trigger device timing performance is excellent: the random component of the timing jitter is typically 880 fs, the temperature dependence of the detection delay was measured to be 370 fs/K. The systematic error contribution depends on the laser used and its stability. The sub-ps values have been obtained for various laser sources.     

Properties of Dielectric Ring Resonator and Application to Moisture Measurement

This paper presents properties of a dielectric ring resonator and its application to measurement of material moisture. Theoretical analysis has been done to select better resonant modes in the resonator with higher sensitivity and wider moisture content measurable range than the formerly often used TE₀₁₁ mode by some researchers. Experiments have also been done to verify the theoretical results. The HE₂₁₂ mode in the resonator has the highest sensitivity of 1.0 MHz frequency shift corresponding to change of 1.0% moisture content. The measurable range of moisture content is up to 12% at dry basis. The mode of HE₂₁₁ has a wide measurable range approximately between 3% and 75% and its corresponding frequency shift is 12 MHz.     

Synchrotron-based ultrafast x-ray diffraction at high repetition rates

We present a setup for ultrafast x-ray diffraction (UXRD) based at the storage ring BESSY II, in particular, a pump laser that excites the sample using 250 fs laser-pulses at repetition rates ranging from 208 kHz to 1.25 MHz. We discuss issues connected to the high heat-load and spatio-temporal alignment strategies in the context of a UXRD experiment at high repetition rates. The spatial overlap between laser pump and x-ray probe pulse is obtained with 10 μm precision and transient lattice changes can be recorded with an accuracy of δa/a(0) = 10(-6). We also compare time-resolved x-ray diffraction signals from a laser excited LSMO/STO superlattice with phonon dynamics simulations. From the analysis we determine the x-ray pulse duration to 120 ps in standard operation mode and below 10 ps in low-α mode.     

A high frequency sensor for optical beam deflection atomic force microscopy

We demonstrate a novel electronic readout for quadrant photodiode based optical beam deflection setups. In our readout, the signals used to calculate the deflections remain as currents, instead of undergoing an immediate conversion to voltages. Bipolar current mirrors are used to perform all mathematical operations at the transistor level, including the signal normalizing division. This method has numerous advantages, leading to significantly simpler designs that avoid large voltage swings and parasitic capacitances. The bandwidth of our readout is solely limited by the capacitance of the quadrant photodiode junctions, making the effective bandwidth a function of the intensity of photocurrents and thus the applied power of the beam deflection laser. Using commercially available components and laser intensities of 1-4 mW we achieved a 3 dB bandwidth of 20 MHz with deflection sensitivities of up to 0.5-1 V/nm and deflection noise levels below 4.5 fm/Hz. Atomic resolution imaging of muscovite mica using FM-AFM in water demonstrates the sensitivity of this novel readout.     

单列光源反射式光幕靶检测弹着点

为了降低弹丸着靶点检测的成本,提出了一种新的弹着点检测原理。采用单列光源,经两面条形表面反射镜反射后,形成"Z"型的三道光幕,用于实现对弹丸等飞行目标的测速及定位。弹丸的速度和着靶点水平方向的坐标可以通过对时间的测量得到,弹丸着靶点竖直方向的坐标可以通过单列光探测器获知。文中对检测原理进行了研究,对光源、探测器、信号特征、有效测试区域、射频测试能力等进行了分析,并在桌面进行了原理性试验。高速摄影机拍摄的小球坐标与"Z"型结构测量出的坐标相对位置误差为0.1～1mm,传统区截靶法与"Z"型结构测量出的小球速度相对测速误差为0.02%～0.2%,说明基于反射镜的"Z"型结构在定位和测速方面的应用具有可行性,提出的方法具有结构简单、解算方便、节省成本的特点。     

采样噪声对北斗全球信号测距误差的影响分析

随着北斗卫星导航系统的全球化,基于软件定义无线电的北斗接收机在北斗导航定位中的应用越来越广泛。但是北斗接收机在实时动态差分等高精度测量应用场景下,其基带采样ADC受到采样时钟抖动影响,再叠加固有的量化噪声和热噪声,对北斗信号的扩频测距精度产生不可忽略的影响。本文首先针对北斗公开的B1I、B1C、B2I、B2a和B3I 5种全球信号,描述了ADC采样中时钟抖动、量化噪声和热噪声等采样噪声的数学模型,提出了影响测距的信噪比综合公式,再通过载噪比进而得出测距误差的一般表达式,并给出了高精度测量要求下不同参数选择的工程化定量分析方法,然后针对不同参数对北斗信号测距误差的影响进行了仿真分析,仿真结果表明,在0. 6 cm的测距误差目标下,要求时钟抖动不大于45 ps,接收机中心频率不大于80 MHz,带宽不小于25 MHz,量化位数不少于7位,载噪比不小于30 d B。最后,针对北斗B2I信号进行了实测实验,在时钟抖动为35 ps,接收机中心频率61. 38 MHz,带宽32 MHz,量化位数12位,载噪比67 d B时,解算的测距误差为0. 41 cm,验证了本文方法的有效性。     

光电二极管阵在太阳射电频谱研究中的应用

由于光电二极管阵具有量子效率高（７０￣８０％），动态范围大（１０＾４：１）和光谱响应优良等特点，并具有体积小，重量轻，图像几何夫真小，成本低，互换性强和寿命长等优点，把它与计算机连接使用进行图象采集处理，在天文光谱测量，卫星遥感图象传播以及光学信息处理等方面已得到广泛的应用。在射电天文领域里，把射电望远镜接收到的太阳或宇宙的无线电波信息，通过声、光调制变为光学量后用光电二极管阵和计算机作为系统终端