Hot-wire photonics: materials, science, and technology

The prospect of an integrated photonic technology has fueled an effort to understand the optical properties and to gauge the photonic engineering potential of hydrogenated amorphous silicon-based materials. Of particular interest for photonic engineering is the tunable range of the refractive index in amorphous silicon and the fast and slow light induced optical changes. The advance of photonic-engineered amorphous silicon technology requires an investigation into the relationships among fabrication processes, material properties, and the interrelations among the various optically important parameters. Here, the experimental investigation into H-implant refractive engineered amorphous silicon materials is detailed. Interestingly, the H-implant can interact with the amorphous structure to produce compacting of the structure, which may indicate refractive index increase. In addition, the evolving prospects for an amorphous silicon-based photonic technology will be up-dated. Waveguide-based light valve structures for the further scientific investigation of light induced refractive index change in amorphous silicon and technological applications are described.     

Effect of zinc content on the refractive index of Co-sputtered Zn-doped ITO films

In this study, we investigated the possibility of using Zn-doped ITO film as an alternative material for conventional SiO2 waveguides used in optical communication. The Zn-doped ITO films were deposited on quartz substrates using a combinatorial sputtering system, which yielded composition spread Zn-In-Sn-O (ZITO) films by co-sputtering two targets of ITO and ZnO. The Zn-doped ITO films deposited at room temperature exhibited an amorphous phase in the Zn content [Zn/(Zn+In+Sn)] range of 39-54 at%. The Zn-doped ITO films deposited at low oxygen partial pressure showed resistivity below 10(-3) ohms cm and optical transmittance of approximately 85% at 550 nm. The refractive index calculated by the Swanepoel method was found to be dependent on the Zn content in the Zn-doped ITO films. The calculated bending loss from the refractive index indicated that Zn-doped ITO could be utilized as a new waveguide material for various optical devices, such as optical splitters, wavelength division multiplexers (WDMs), optical modulators, and optical switches.     

热压烧结法制备大尺寸La2O3-TiO2-SiO2非晶材料的研究

La₂O₃-TiO₂非晶氧化物是一种具有优异光学性能的材料, 有着广泛的应用前景, 但其非晶形成能力较差, 通过无容器凝固制备的材料尺寸通常在10 mm以下。为了获得大尺寸La₂O₃-TiO₂非晶氧化物材料, 本研究在La₂O₃-TiO₂氧化物体系中加入少量SiO₂。先通过气动悬浮技术制备非晶粉末, 然后用真空热压烧结的方式制备出了高致密度的大块La₂O₃-TiO₂-SiO₂材料, 并用XRD、SEM等技术手段进行表征。结果表明: SiO₂可以提高La₂O₃-TiO₂体系的非晶形成能力, 通过气动悬浮技术获得的原料粉末呈完全非晶态, 通过热压烧结方式获得的块体材料高度致密, 仅存在少量的气孔。烧结样品有微弱的晶化, 晶化是其无法完全致密的一个重要原因。通过研究烧结曲线, 分析了La₂O₃-TiO₂-SiO₂非晶粉末的烧结机制。烧结的La₂O₃-TiO₂-SiO₂材料在可见光区域的折射率大于2.2, 具有优异的光学性能。     

Thermally and optically induced irreversible changes in some Ge–As–S amorphous thin films

Thermally and optically induced irreversible changes in the optical gap and refractive index were studied for sulphur rich, nearly stoichiometric and sulphur poor Ge–As–S amorphous films prepared by thermal evaporation. For films studied the optical gap in the virgin state decreases from 2.55₉ (Ge_0.121As_0.172S_0.707) to 1.63₂ eV (Ge_0.254As_0.294S_0.452) and simultaneously the refractive index increases from 2.21 to 2.87, respectively. The most sensitive composition to illumination seems to be nearly stoichiometric film (Ge_0.153As_0.201S_0.646), where the blue shift of the gap is observed close to 150 meV. Sulphur poor film (Ge_0.254As_0.294S_0.452) was found insensitive to illumination. Highest thermally induced blue shift of the gap, close to 250 meV, we observed just for Ge_0.254As_0.294S_0.452 film and for this film it was observed also nearly “giant” decrease in refractive index from 2.85 to 2.42. The behaviour of Ge_0.254As_0.294S_0.452 film is qualitatively discussed using the concept of network rigidity (insensitivity to illumination) and assuming thermally induced changes in bonding arrangement (refractive index changes).     

Chromium and nickel substituted iron oxide thin films by DC sputtering

Chromium and nickel substituted iron oxide thin films have been deposited by DC sputtering. Films were coated in the thickness range of 130-400 nm, on boro silicate glass and quartz substrates. The films showed transmission as high as 90% in the visible region. The refractive index of the films was 1.6-2.1. The microwave dielectric constant varied as a function of composition from 24 to 12 at frequencies of 8.98 and 11.88 GHz. All the films were X-ray amorphous independent of deposition and post deposition annealing conditions. Surface morphology indicates that roughness is a function of both sputtering pressure as well as inter-electrode distance.     

Elastic and plastic relaxation of densified SiO2 films

Ion- and plasma-assisted deposition has been extensively used for the fabrication of high-performance optical films with dense and smooth microstructures that are essential for applications such as low-loss and environmentally stable optics. SiO(2) is a well-known amorphous material suitable for energetic deposition. SiO(2) single layers and SiO(2)-based single-cavity narrow-bandpass filters were prepared by plasma-ion-assisted deposition. The refractive index and film thickness were determined by variable-angle spectroscopic ellipsometry. The high compressive stress of the densified film was correlated to increased packing density. The center wavelength shift of the narrow-bandpass filters as a function of sample-temperature as well as high-temperature annealing was determined via spectral transmission measurement. Structural relaxation of the densified SiO(2) films was observed from the variation of the refractive index and physical thickness for the single layers and the center wavelength shift for the narrow-bandpass filters, suggesting elastic and plastic deformation of the densified films corresponding to a reversible and an irreversible center wavelength shift, respectively.     

The deposition of amorphous carbon thin films for hard mask applications by reactive particle beam assisted sputtering process

In this work, amorphous carbon thin films for hard mask applications were deposited by a reactive particle beam (RPB) assisted sputtering system at room temperature. The deposition characteristics of the films were investigated as functions of operating parameters such as reflector bias voltage and RF plasma power. By spectroscopic ellipsometry, the decrease in the refractive index of films at the wavelengths of 633 and 248 nm was observed with the increasing plasma power. In Raman spectra, the positions of G line shifted to higher wavenumbers with increasing plasma power. When the reflector bias voltage increases, the deposition rate was increased but the positions of G line remained nearly unchanged.     

Understanding the mechanism of refractive index modulation in materials undergoing photo-Fries rearrangement

Molecules and polymers that undergo a photo-Fries rearrangement are studied by using DFT calculation in order to predict the refractive index modulation which accompanies this light induced process. In particular, monomeric units of polystyrene derivatives (such as poly(p-formyloxystyrene) and poly(4-acetoxystyrene)) are considered and the refractive index calculated starting from the molecular polarizability and following the Lorentz–Lorenz approach. The results demonstrate that the conversion of ester groups to ketone/alcohol provides just a small modulation of the refractive index that does not fit the experimental results reported in the literature. A change in material density is therefore considered as main source of the modulation of the refractive index. Theoretical and experimental evidences are reported to support the picture.     

Characterization of pulsed laser deposited hydrogenated amorphous silicon films by spectroscopic ellipsometry

The wide absorption band of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) is being realized as a key component of solar cells on glass. In this study, a-Si:H films were prepared by reactive pulsed laser deposition onto silicon and glass substrates. Ellipsometry showed that the optical properties of the films are effectively independent on the choice of substrate. According to the optical properties, the character of the films changes from amorphous silicon to dielectric as the hydrogen background pressure increases from 0 to 25 Pa. This observation was attributed to oxygen incorporation indicated by Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry. Furthermore, a refractive index gradient in depth was revealed, which was attributed to the oxygen concentration gradient.     

基于传感器阵列的野外基线环境参数自动测量系统研制

为了保证野外测距精度,研制了一套环境参数自动测量系统,该系统通过在野外基线沿线布置密集的气温、气压与湿度传感器阵列,精确测量光路气温、气压及湿度等环境参数,进行空气折射率修正。采用μ-base测距仪在不同气候条件下进行验证实验,测量距离为144 m。实验结果表明,采用该系统测量环境参数,进行空气折射率修正,其修正误差引入的距离测量不确定度优于3.0×10^-7(k=2)。     

Lens based on the use of left-handed materials

A new lens that is a modification of the Veselago lens is proposed. It consists of a slab of the left-handed material embedded into a regular material. The materials for the new lens should have the same refractive index, unlike that of the Veselago lens in which the materials should in addition have the same impedance. Therefore the new lens should be easier to manufacture. As the Veselago lens, the new lens might be useful for the three dimensional imaging. In contrast to the Veselago lens the new lens has multiple foci, and it may image an object that is located at any large distance from the slab.     

High-precision diode-laser-based temperature measurement for air refractive index compensation

We present a laser-based system to measure the refractive index of air over a long path length. In optical distance measurements, it is essential to know the refractive index of air with high accuracy. Commonly, the refractive index of air is calculated from the properties of the ambient air using either Ciddor or Edlén equations, where the dominant uncertainty component is in most cases the air temperature. The method developed in this work utilizes direct absorption spectroscopy of oxygen to measure the average temperature of air and of water vapor to measure relative humidity. The method allows measurement of temperature and humidity over the same beam path as in optical distance measurement, providing spatially well-matching data. Indoor and outdoor measurements demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. In particular, we demonstrate an effective compensation of the refractive index of air in an interferometric length measurement at a time-variant and spatially nonhomogeneous temperature over a long time period. Further, we were able to demonstrate 7 mK RMS noise over a 67 m path length using a 120 s sample time. To our knowledge, this is the best temperature precision reported for a spectroscopic temperature measurement.     

PEM控制中频孪生反应磁控溅射沉积TiO2薄膜的研究

在中频孪生靶反应磁控溅射实验装置上,用PEM控制沉积TiO2薄膜,实验了靶基距、电流与沉积速率的关系。实验得出,靶基距为112 mm时沉积速率最大,沉积速率与电流基本成线性比例关系。在溅射电流30 A,靶基距112 mm,设置点2.5时,测量了基片随时间的温升变化。然后以自然温升的单晶硅为基片,实验研究了设置点对TiO2薄膜晶体结构、折射率的影响。实验结果表明,设置点越高溅射沉积的薄膜金红石相越多,折射率也越高。     

Highly Sensitive Optical Refractometer Based on Edge-Written Ultra-Long-Period Fiber Grating Formed by Periodic Grooves

An ultra-long-period fiber grating with periodic groove structure (G-ULPFG) fabricated by using an edge-written method with high-frequency CO$_{2}$ laser pulses is proposed in this paper. The experimental results show that the different resonant peaks of the G-ULPFG have different temperature and refractive index sensitivities and, in particular, the refractive index sensitivity is much larger than that of conventional ULPFG due to the edge-groove structure. Such a kind of G-ULPFGs could be used as a highly sensitive optical refractometer with temperature self-compensation.      

Enhancing sensitivity and selectivity of long-period grating sensors using structure-switching aptamers bound to gold-doped macroporous silica coatings

High surface area, sol-gel derived macroporous silica films doped with gold nanoparticles (AuNP) are used as a platform for high-density affinity-based immobilization of functional structure-switching DNA aptamer molecules onto Michelson interferometer long-period grating (LPG) fiber sensors, allowing for label-free detection of small molecular weight analytes such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The high surface area afforded by the sol-gel derived material allowed high loading of DNA aptamers, while the inclusion of gold nanoparticles within the silica film provided a high refractive index (RI) overlay, which is required to enhance the sensitivity of the LPG sensor according to our numerical simulations. By using a structure-switching aptamer construct that could release an oligonucleotide upon binding of ATP, the effective change in RI was both enhanced and inverted (i.e., binding of ATP caused a net reduction in molecular weight and refractive index), resulting in a system that prevented signals originating from nonspecific binding. This is the first report on the coupling of aptamers to LPG fiber sensors and the first use of high RI AuNP/silica films as supports to immobilize biomolecules onto the LPG sensor surface. The dual functionality of such films to both improve binding density and LPG sensor cladding refractive index results in a substantial enhancement in the sensitivity of such sensors for small molecule detection.     

Preparation and characterization of the transparent hybrids of silicone epoxy resin and titanium dioxide nanoparticles via sol-gel reactions

In order to prepare transparent hybrid films of high refractive index, nanoparticles of TiO2 were prepared and dispersed in a silicone epoxy (SE) resin synthesized from diphenyl silane diol and [2-(3,4-epoxycyclohexyl)ethyl] trimethoxysilane by sol-gel reactions. It was found that amorphous TiO2 nanoparticles of about 5 nm modified with hexahydro-4-methyl phthalic anhydride [HMPA] were dispersed in the SE resin without agglomerations. The refractive index of the hybrids increased linearly with increasing the TiO2 contents. The hybrid containing 30 wt% of the TiO2 particles showed light transmittance of 94% at 450 nm and refractive index of 1.63. The fine dispersion of the TiO2 nanoparticles was attributable to the sol-gel reactions between the SE resin and TiO2 nanoparticles and the modification of the TiO2 particles with HMPA.     

Photometric immersion refractometry: a method for determining the refractive index of marine microbial particles from beam attenuation

Photometric immersion refractometry is a technique for determining the refractive index of particulate material. In this technique, the attenuation of light by a suspension of particles is measured as a function of the refractive index of the immersion medium. A minimum attenuation occurs at the refractive index of the medium equal to that of the particles. This technique can serve as a benchmark method for the refractive index determination because it is independent of assumptions invoked by other techniques, such as those based on the inversion of the spectral attenuation data. We present a rigorous model of the photometric immersion refractometry based on the anomalous diffraction approximation for the attenuation efficiency of particles. This model permits one to determine the average value of the real part of the refractive index of the particles, its variance, and the average imaginary part of the refractive index of the particles. In addition, the fourth moment of the particle size distribution can be determined if the concentration and shape of the particles are known. We analyze the sensitivity of this model to experimental errors and discuss the applicability of photometric immersion refractometry to marine microbial particles. We also present experimental results of this technique as applied to heterotrophic marine bacteria. The results indicate that the refractive index of these bacteria was narrowly distributed about the average value of 1.3886.     

Submicrometric gratings fabrication from photosensitive organo-silica-hafnia thin films elaborated by sol-gel processing

The aim of this study is the elaboration of a high index sol-gel material in order to prepare submicrometric grating. The gratings were obtained after few seconds of UV exposure in one step using an organically modified silica-hafnia matrix. The chemical composition of thin films after UV and annealing treatments were studied using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. The study of optical properties revealed that the annealed films are transparent from 200 to 1000 nm and have a refractive index from 1.550 to 1.701 depending on the hafnium concentration.     

Thermal nonlinear optical response of meso-tetraphenylporphyrin under aggregation conditions versus that in the absence of aggregation

In this work, measurement of thermally induced nonlinear refractive index of meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (H₂TPP) at different concentrations in 1,2-dicoloroethane using a double-grating interferometer set-up in a pump–probe configuration is reported. The formation of aggregates of H₂TPP at concentrations greater than ca. 5 × 10^?5 M was evident by deviation from Beer’s law. An almost focused pump beam passes through the solution. A part of the pump beam energy is absorbed by the sample and therefore a thermal lens is generated in the sample. An expanded probe beam propagates through the sample and indicates the sample refractive index changes. Just after the sample a band-pass filter cuts off the pump beam from the path but the distorted probe beam passes through a double-grating interferometer consisting of two similar diffraction gratings with a few centimetres distance. A CCD camera is installed after the interferometer in which on its sensitive area two diffraction orders of the gratings are overlying and producing interference pattern. The refractive index changes of the sample are obtained from the phase distribution of the successive interference patterns recorded at different times after turning on of the pump beam using Fourier transform method. In this study, for different concentrations of H₂TPP in 1,2-dichloroethane solution the thermal nonlinear refractive index is determined. Also, we present the measurement of the temperature changes induced by the pump beam in the solution. We found that value of nonlinear refractive index increased by increasing the concentration up to a concentration of 5 × 10^?4 M and then decreased at higher concentrations. In addition, we have investigated the stability of the observed thermal nonlinearity after a period of two weeks from the sample preparation.