Synthesis and optical characterization of LiKB4O7, Li2B6O10, and LiCsB6O10 glasses

In the current work we report on the synthesis of LiKB(4)O(7), Li(2)B(6)O(10), and LiCsB(6)O(10) borate glasses. The results for their piezo-optic, acousto-optic, acoustic, elastic, refractive, optical transmission, and optical resistance properties are also presented. It is shown that some of these glasses represent efficient acousto-optic materials that are transparent down to the vacuum ultraviolet range and highly resistant to laser radiation.     

Acousto-optic interaction in alpha-BaB(2)O(4)and Li(2)B(4)O(7) crystals

Experimental studies and analysis of acousto-optic diffraction in alpha-BaB(2)O(4) and Li(2)B(4)O(7) crystals are given. Ultrasonic wave velocity, elastic compliance and stiffness coefficients, and piezo-optic and photoelastic coefficients of alpha-BaB(2)O(4) and Li(2)B(4)O(7) crystals are determined. The acousto-optic figure of merit has been estimated for different possible geometries of acousto-optic interaction. It is shown that the acousto-optic figures of merit for alpha-BaB(2)O(4) crystals reach the value M(2)=(270 +/- 70) x 10(-15) s(3)/kg for the case of interaction with the slowest ultrasonic wave. The directions of propagation and polarization of those acoustic waves are obtained on the basis of construction of acoustic slowness surfaces. The acousto-optic diffraction is experimentally studied for alpha-BaB(2)O(4) and Li(2)B(4)O(7) crystals.     

Investigation of magnesium fluoride crystals for imaging acousto-optic tunable filter applications

Results of an investigation of acousto-optic (AO) cells using single crystals of magnesium fluoride (MgF2) are presented. Two acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) cells for imaging application have been designed and tested in the visible and ultraviolet (UV) regions of the spectrum from 190 to 490 nm. The two imaging filters were developed by using the wide-angle AO interaction geometry in the (010) and (11 0) planes of the crystal. These filters were used to obtain spectral images at the shortest wavelengths achieved so far. Advantages and drawbacks of this crystal are discussed and photoelastic, acoustic, and AO properties of MgF2 are examined. The investigation confirmed that MgF2-based AOTF cells can be used in the deep UV region up to 110 nm.     

On determination of sign of the piezo-optic coefficients using torsion method

We have shown that a high-accuracy torsion method recently developed by the authors for measuring piezo-optic coefficients allows determining not only the absolute value of the coefficients but also their sign. The techniques and experimental procedures used for determination of the sign are described in detail and proven based on studies of α-BaB2O4 and LiNbO3 crystals. The piezo-optic coefficients are determined for both crystals, and a combination of the corresponding photoelastic coefficients is determined for the case of α-BaB2O4 crystals.     

Hyperspectral imager, from ultraviolet to visible, with a KDP acousto-optic tunable filter

Hyperspectral imaging in the ultraviolet to visible spectral region has applications in astronomy, biology, chemistry, medical sciences, etc. A novel electronically tunable, random-wavelength access, compact, no-moving-parts, vibration-insensitive, computer-controlled hyperspectral imager operating from 220 to 480 nm with a spectral resolution of 160 cm(-1), e.g., 2 nm at 350 nm, has been developed by use of a KDP acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) with an enhanced CCD camera and a pair of crossed calcite Glan-Taylor polarizing prisms. The linear and angular apertures of the AOTF are 1.5 x 1.5 cm2 and 1.2 degrees, respectively. Imager setup and spectral imaging results as well as analyses and discussion of various factors affecting image quality are presented.     

Development and application of acousto-optic background correction for inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

In two configurations, a solid-state acousto-optic (AO) deflector or modulator is mounted in a 0.5 m monochromator for background correction with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). A fused silica acousto-optic modulator (AOM) is used in the ultraviolet (UV) spectral region applications while a glass AO deflector (AOD) is used for the visible (VIS) region. The system provides rapid sequential observation of adjacent on- and off-line wavelengths for background correction. Seventeen elements are examined using pneumatic nebulization (PN) and electrothermal vaporization (ETV) sample introduction. Calibration plots were obtained with each sample introduction technique. Potable water and vitamin tablets were analyzed. Flame atomic absorption (FAA) was used to verify the accuracy of the AO background correction system.     

Highly efficient acousto-optic diffraction in Sn2P2S6 crystals

We have studied the acousto-optic (AO) diffraction in Sn2P2S6 crystals and found that they manifest high values of an AO figure of merit. The above crystals may therefore be used as highly efficient materials in different AO applications.     

Agile dual-channel spectral imaging with spectral zooming

A dual-channel spectral imaging system with agile spectral band access and spectral bandwidth tuning capability is presented. A diffractive grating and an acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) are respectively used as spectral dispersion and spectral filtering elements for the two channels. A 4f spectral filtering channel using an adjustable slit is set up at the first diffraction order of the grating to realize coarse spectral band selection. The AOTF selectively filters the spectrum of the nondispersed zero order to realize fine spectral imaging. The spectral zooming function is achieved without increasing spectral frame number facilitating real-time spectral imaging operation. Feasibility of the spectral imaging has been demonstrated through preliminary experiments. Minimum 6 nm spectral resolution and 1.2 degrees field of view have been achieved. The real-time spectral imaging capable of wide spectral band operation without loosing desired fine spectral capability is particularly useful for a variety of defense, medical, and environmental monitoring applications.     

Conversion of short-wavelength electromagnetic radiation in SiO2 opal photonic crystals

Reflection spectra of the (111) growth surface of opal photonic crystals differing in silica sphere diameter have been measured under illumination with narrowband ultraviolet and violet light from a laser and light-emitting diodes and with broadband light from a halogen lamp. We have found narrow strong bands differing in spectral position from the light from the short-wavelength excitation sources. The spectral position of these bands corresponds to that of photonic band gaps and is independent of excitation wavelength. The silica sphere diameter has no effect on the shape of the reflection band, and its position always correlates with that of the band gap of the opal. The present results demonstrate that exposure of a photonic crystal to short-wavelength radiation leads to conversion of the radiation to the spectral range of the band gap. The microscopic mechanism of the conversion process may involve three-photon parametric processes and amplification of the broadband photoluminescence due to structural defects in the silica matrix. Our results open up the possibility of creating new types of optically pumped solid gain media based on opal photonic crystals.     

Combined optical-coherence and spectral microscopy based on tunable acousto-optic filters of images

A new optical scheme for the microscopic investigation of biological objects is proposed, which combines principles of the optical-coherence and spectral microscopy. The proposed system is based on the acousto-optic filtration of images in the reception channel of a microinterferometer. A prototype of the instrument has been manufactured and it has been demonstrated that the acousto-optic filtration does not violate the interference of two beams carrying images, which makes it possible to extract information both about three-dimensional spatial features and about spectral properties of the object studied.     

VUV spectroscopy of a new fluoride system NaF–(Er, Y)F3

Emission and excitation spectra as well as luminescence decay kinetics of a new complex fluoride system Na_0.4(Y_1−xEr_x)_0.6F_2.2 (x=0.01, 0.1, 1) have been studied in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) spectral range. It has been shown that these crystals have intense VUV luminescence due to the interconfiguration 5d–4f transitions in Er³⁺ ion. The spin-allowed 5d–4f luminescence of Er³⁺ in this system is very weak, i.e., in these crystals there exists an efficient non-radiative relaxation from higher-lying 5d states of Er³⁺ to the lowest 5d level responsible for spin-forbidden luminescence. This makes the studied new fluoride system a promising active medium for the production of VUV solid state laser with optical pumping. Due to rather large bandwidth of Er³⁺ 5d–4f luminescence in this system there is a possibility for the construction of tuneable VUV laser.     

Ultraviolet-visible imaging acousto-optic tunable filters in KDP

There is a need to develop large-aperture acousto-optic tunable filters (AOTFs) in the UV region for applications in astronomy, environmental sciences, biology, etc. We have developed a high-quality noncollinear AOTF cell that uses a single crystal of KDP that has nearly a four times larger acousto-optic figure of merit, M2, than quartz. The linear and angular apertures of this cell are 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm and 1.2 degrees, respectively. The spectral range is 220-480 nm, with 160-cm(-1) spectral resolution and high transmission in the UV. We present an analysis of the design and describe the characterization results.     

Dispersion compensation in high-speed optical coherence tomography by acousto-optic modulation

We report studies of the analyses of and compensation for group dispersion to improve the axial resolution of high-speed optical coherence tomography (OCT) by acousto-optic modulation (AOM). Theoretical modeling and experiments reveal that the high-order group dispersion induced by acousto-optic crystals broadens the measured coherence length (Lc) and thus degrades the axial resolution of OCT imaging. Based on our experimental studies, we can compensate for the dispersion to less than 50% broadening of the source Lc by adjusting the grating-lens-based optical delay in the reference arm and can further eliminate it by inserting like acousto-optic crystals in the sample arm of the OCT system. The results demonstrate that this AOM-mediated OCT system permits high-performance OCT imaging at A-scan rates of as much as 4 kHz by use of a resonant scanner. Because of its ultrastable direct frequency modulation, this AOM-mediated OCT system can potentially improve the performance of high-speed Doppler OCT techniques.     

On the microscopic origin of the photochromic and photorefractive behavior of doped Bi4Ge3O12 single crystals

Doping Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ single crystals with Co impurities enables the presence of a photochromic behavior which is induced at room temperature (rt) with ultraviolet (uv) light. As a consequence of the uv illumination a broad optical absorption from 1.0 to 4.1 eV is formed. This absorption is attributed to the creation and trapping of holes. The spectral efficiency of the damage and its thermal and optical stability have been characterized. Optically induced holographic gratings have been observed. They have been attributed mainly to a photorefractive effect. Some of those gratings exhibit a transient behavior that has been related to the simultaneous diffusion of electrons and holes. A microscopic model to account for the photochromic and photorefractive effects is discussed.     

Photorefractive integrator characterization

We describe the recent results of our efforts to characterize a photorefractive crystal to be used as a time-integrating device in an optically implemented null-steering adaptive processor for phased-array radar. We review frequency response data for the Bi(12)SiO(20) crystals, measured with an acousto-optic apparatus, and we present measured dynamic range data for the candidate Bi(12)SiO(20) crystals.     

Optical properties,defects, and composition of La<Subscript>3</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>5.5</Subscript>Ta<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>O<Subscript>14</Subscript> crystals

La₃Ga_5.5Ta_0.5O₁₄ crystals were grown in pure argon and in an argon + 2% oxygen atmosphere. The growth atmosphere significantly effects the elemental composition of the crystals, their color, and the genesis and intensity of absorption bands in the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectral regions. Two types of defects were identified in the crystals: planar interstitial defects and nearly spherical vacancy-type defects.     

Double acousto-optic monochromator of images with tunable width of the transmission function

A new double acousto-optic monochromator (DAOM) based on a paratellurite crystal has been designed and constructed, in which the width of the transmission function can be varied by means of a periodic linear frequency (chirp) modulation of the ultrasonic control signal. The transmission function of the DAOM has been studied for various device parameters, including chirp frequency deviation, chirp modulation period, and control signal power. The proposed DAOM can be effectively used for filtration and analysis of spectral images.     

Growth,structure and infra-red spectra of CsRP4O12 crystals

CsRP₄O₁₂ (where R is a rare-earth ion) crystals have been grown from highly concentrated phosphoric acid solutions. X-ray and infra-red spectral studies were performed on these crystals. Structurally, the CsRP₄O₁₂ crystals can be divided into two types: ringtype and chain-type. The crystal chemistry of CsRP₄O₁₂ crystals has been briefly discussed and the absorption bands for representatives from each structural modification have been determined.     

Acousto-optic imaging spectropolarimetry for remote sensing

We review the operating principles of noncollinear acousto-optic tunable filters (AOTF's), emphasizing the use of two orthogonally polarized beams for narrow-band imaging. Spectral characterization and spectral broadening measurements of commercially available AOTF's agree with theoretical predictions and reveal difficulties associated with imaging noncollimated light. An AOTF imaging spectropolarimeter for ground-based astronomy that uses CCD's has been constructed at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. It uses a TeO(2) noncollinear AOTF and a simple optical relay assembly to produce side-by-side orthogonally polarized spectral images. We summarize the instrument design and initial performance tests. We include sample spectral images acquired at the Goddard Geophysical and Astronomical Observatory.     

Obtaining spectral stereo images with electronic spectral tuning and polarization separation

The problem of obtaining stereo images of objects in arbitrary narrow spectral intervals is considered. A method of accomplishing this task is proposed, according to which the two light beams forming a stereopair are simultaneously filtered in one acousto-optic cell and the output beams are separated with respect to polarization. An optimum geometry of diffraction is found and requirements to the acousto-optic filter are formulated. The main characteristics of the spectral stereo system are determined.