Light collection efficiency and light transport in backscattered electron scintillator detectors in scanning electron microscopy

Experimentally, scintillator detectors used in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to record backscattered electrons (BSE) show a noticeable difference in detection efficiency in different parts of their active zones due to light losses transport in the optical part of the detector. A model is proposed that calculates the local efficiency of the active parts of scintillator detectors of arbitrary shapes. The results of these calculations for various designs are presented.     

血糖无创检测光纤探测器设计

应用蒙特卡罗方法模拟了三层皮肤组织中光的传输和分布情况，模拟结果得出光经过皮肤组织漫反射后的出射位置分布和出射角度分布情况；根据此模拟结果，分析和设计了一种具有特殊结构的血糖无创检测光纤探测器，此探测器在表皮和收集光纤之间设置了一组反射镜面，大部分光经镜面反射后被收集光纤收集。此设计弥补了光纤数值孔径对探测器收集效率的限制。     

Absolute calibration method for nanosecond-resolved, time-streaked, fiber optic light collection, spectroscopy systems

This paper describes a convenient and accurate method to calibrate fast (<1 ns resolution) streaked, fiber optic light collection, spectroscopy systems. Such systems are inherently difficult to calibrate due to the lack of sufficiently intense, calibrated light sources. Such a system is used to collect spectral data on plasmas generated in electron beam diodes fielded on the RITS-6 accelerator (8-12MV, 140-200kA) at Sandia National Laboratories. On RITS, plasma light is collected through a small diameter (200 μm) optical fiber and recorded on a fast streak camera at the output of a 1 meter Czerny-Turner monochromator. For this paper, a 300 W xenon short arc lamp (Oriel Model 6258) was used as the calibration source. Since the radiance of the xenon arc varies from cathode to anode, just the area around the tip of the cathode ("hotspot") was imaged onto the fiber, to produce the highest intensity output. To compensate for chromatic aberrations, the signal was optimized at each wavelength measured. Output power was measured using 10 nm bandpass interference filters and a calibrated photodetector. These measurements give power at discrete wavelengths across the spectrum, and when linearly interpolated, provide a calibration curve for the lamp. The shape of the spectrum is determined by the collective response of the optics, monochromator, and streak tube across the spectral region of interest. The ratio of the spectral curve to the measured bandpass filter curve at each wavelength produces a correction factor (Q) curve. This curve is then applied to the experimental data and the resultant spectra are given in absolute intensity units (photons∕sec∕cm(2)∕steradian∕nm). Error analysis shows this method to be accurate to within +∕- 20%, which represents a high level of accuracy for this type of measurement.     

Instrumentation for dual-probe scanning near-field optical microscopy

To investigate local carrier motions, we developed a dual-probe scanning near-field optical microscope (SNOM) with two fiber probes where one is for photoexcitation and the other is for light collection. This instrumentation is based on two important techniques: the design of probe structures and distance control between the sample surface and the two probes. A finite-difference time-domain method numerically analyzed and optimized the design for high efficiency photoexcitation and light collection, while a dual band modulation realized distance control. Real time detection of the oscillations of the probe tips using different frequencies independently controls the distance between the probe tip and the sample surface as well as the distance between the two probes. Thus, the collection probe can be scanned around an illumination probe without destroying the probe tips. To demonstrate our SNOM, we performed photoluminescence spectroscopy under the dual-probe configuration and observed carrier motions in an InGaN quantum well.     

Characteristics of slow light from coupled fiber ring resonators

This article optimizes the conditions for the formation of slow light produced by coupled fiber ring resonators. Investigated parameters include the number of rings, ring length, splitting ratio of couplers, and ring losses. The optimized parameters included two rings in the resonator, equal length of the rings, and splitting ratios of 90:10 and 50:50 for the couplers. Under these conditions, a slow light delay time of 32.0668 ns was achieved, which corresponds to a group velocity of 3.43 × 10⁷ m/s.     

光学粉尘浓度测量仪响应特性曲线的计算与分析

根据 Mie散射理论计算了 5种光学粉尘浓度测量仪的光散射响应特性曲线 ,对照呼吸性粉尘在人体呼吸道中的沉降效率曲线 ,对这些光学粉尘浓度测量仪的响应特性进行了分析。得出的结论是 :采用近前向型光散射结构、多波长照明光源和大孔径散射光收集系统的光学粉尘浓度测量仪 ,其响应特性曲线更接近于人体对呼吸性粉尘的采集效率     

Improvement of light collection efficiency of lens-coupled YAG screen TV system for a high-voltage electron microscope

A new lens coupling television (TV) system using a YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet: Y(3)Al(5)O(12) : Ce(3+)) single crystal screen has been developed for a high-voltage electron microscope (HVEM), and its performance is examined. The system, using a combination of YAG and lenses, is less damaged by high-energy electron irradiation and reduces the influence of X-rays on the image. YAG screens have not been used for lens-coupling systems, because the high refractive index (n = 1.84) of YAG results in a low light collection efficiency for emitted light. This disadvantage is overcome by combining a thin YAG disk screen (thickness; 100 microm) with a glass hemisphere whose refractive index is 1.81. We found that the light intensity is almost the same as that obtained with a conventional P22 powder screen and lenses system. The resolution is about 55 microm on the YAG screen, and this value is 1.3 times higher than that measured by the conventional system. Shading and distortion do not affect TV observation. Detection quantum efficiency, obtained after correction of the channel mixing effect, is about 0.1.     

Polarized light imaging of white matter architecture

Polarized light imaging (PLI) is a method to image fiber orientation in gross histological brain sections based on the birefringent properties of the myelin sheaths. The method uses the transmission of polarized light to quantitatively estimate the fiber orientation and inclination angles at every point of the imaged section. Multiple sections can be assembled into a 3D volume, from which the 3D extent of fiber tracts can be extracted. This article describes the physical principles of PLI and describes two major applications of the method: the imaging of white matter orientation of the rat brain and the generation of fiber orientation maps of the human brain in white and gray matter. The strengths and weaknesses of the method are set out.     

掺铒光纤超荧光光源外部增益平坦技术的研究

为满足光纤布拉格光栅传感和波分复用光纤通信系统对光源光谱平坦度与带宽的要求,利用外部增益平坦技术实现掺铒光纤超荧光光源输出光谱的平坦化。介绍了三种常见的外部增益平坦技术,并通过实验对平坦结果进行比较,由此得出采用长周期光栅增益平坦滤波器是一较好的选择。实验结果表明,平坦波段范围内(1 525~1 540nm)的光谱不平坦度小于±1.1dB,整个C波段光谱的3dB带宽为39.125nm。     

Pulse current-assisted hot-forming of light metal alloy

Pulse current-assisted hot-forming (PCAHF) of light metal alloy is developed due to lower energy consumption and higher efficiency. In this process, the metal sheet is designed in series in a pulse current circuit and heated directly by the pulse current. In addition, the ceramics mold is employed to avoid the heating current leaking. The Ti-6Al-4 V sheets are employed to improve the temperature distribution of the heated light metal alloy sheet. The effects of effective current density on the temperature and the rate of increase in temperature are studied by the pulse current heating experiment, and the effect of duty ratio on the forming property is studied by the forming experiments. Moreover, some light metal samples with different shapes are formed by the method of PCAHF. As the results, the hot forming with the merits of high-efficiency and low-energy consumption becomes possible.     

Note: design and characterization of an optical light source based on mixture of white and near-ultraviolet light emitting diode spectra

An optical light source based on a solid-state lighting technology is designed. Main components of the light source are a phosphor-converted white and a near-ultraviolet (near-UV) light emitting diodes (LEDs), the spectral power distributions (SPDs) of which are mixed using a fiber optic combiner. The near-UV LED is used for improving insufficient SPDs of the white LED at shorter wavelengths of the visible radiation. Stable direct current power supplies are also designed and used to operate each of the LED separately. Three steps of the driving current can be selected by means of serial resistors altered with a commutator at nominal current values of ～40%, ～50%, and ～69%. The light source can be used for many characteristic measurements within the scope of photometry and colorimetry.     

不同折射率气体包层环境对微光纤传输光强的影响

基于微纳光纤倏逝场传感理论,通过调制微光纤包层空气的折射率,来探究不同气体折射率环境对微光纤输出光强的影响,从而为制作高灵敏度的特殊气体传感器提供实验指导。实验选择了折射率为1.359 0的丙酮液体和1.494 6二甲苯液体,实验测得相同体积的二甲苯和丙酮在挥发完全后对微光纤束缚光的能力改变不一样,二甲苯使纤芯传输的能量明显减弱,倏逝场能量增强。     

基于光子晶体光纤参量振荡器的CARS成像光源研究

研究了一种基于光子晶体光纤参量振荡器的相干反斯托克斯拉曼散射(CARS)成像光源。该光源采用中心波长为1 030nm的皮秒光纤激光器作为泵浦源,以无截止单模光子晶体光纤作为参量增益,通过搭建光参量振荡器,实现平均功率为10mW的参量激光输出。在色散滤波效应的作用下,该光源输出波长可实现连续可调,调谐范围为782～793nm,对应的波数覆盖范围为2 901～3 078cm-1。该光源产生的两束激光脉冲可实现空间自同步、时间自重合,用于CARS成像测量时,无需空间、时间对准,有望推动CARS成像光源向全光纤化、小型化的方向发展。     

Characteristics of stand-alone microlenses in fiber-based fluorescence imaging applications

Microlens-ended fibers, which have found tremendous interest in the recent past, find potential biomedical applications, in particular, in endoscopic imaging. The work presented in this paper focuses on the stand-alone microlenses along with custom-fabricated specialty optical fiber, such as imaging fiber, for probe imaging applications. Stand-alone self-aligned microlenses have been fabricated employing microcompression molding and then attached at the end facet of imaging fiber. A detailed characterization of the fabricated microlens is carried and it demonstrates appropriate focusing ability, high fluorescence collection efficiency and imaging ability for biomedical applications. The surface roughness of the microlens is found to be 25 nm with a minimum spot size of 38 μm. The probe imaging system is found to be able to image the fluorescence microspheres of 10 μm size. The collection efficiency of the fiber probe with lens found to be enhanced by three times approximately.     

Construction of a Cerenkov light source

A radiation source has been developed and implemented from Cerenkov emission that is intended to provide an intense continuum from the infrared to 600 A. Parasitic use of the primary electron beam at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) together with a novel optical geometry for light collection can give a focused and tunable ultraviolet beam with 10(4) kW/m(2)sr brightness, 10(-2) spectral purity, and with the pulsed, 5 ps time structure of the SLAC electron beam. Measurements of emission characteristics in the visible part of the spectrum correlate closely with the predicted performance.     

Lensed plastic optical fiber with an aspherical fiber end formed by joining an aspherical plastic lens and a plastic optical fiber using laser transmission welding

In optical communication systems which require the coupling of the light source to the fiber, efficient coupling can be practically realized either using a separate lens or by direct formation of the lens at the fiber end. A novel lensed plastic optical fiber (LPOF) is presented with efficient coupling of the plastic optical fibers with a light source. An aspherical plastic lens was bound with a flattened plastic fiber end by laser transmission welding (LTW) to form an aspherical fiber endface which can provide better coupling efficiency than a spherical fiberface. An analysis demonstrates that LTW can offer strong welding with small heat affected zones that are appropriate for commercial use. In this study a useful method for manufacturing lensed-end fibers is developed and demonstrated experimentally.     

Propagation of femtosecond light pulses through near-field optical aperture probes

The propagation of femtosecond light pulses through near-field optical fiber tips has been modelled numerically in three spatial dimensions by means of the finite integration technique. Ideally conducting as well as real metallic coatings of the tip have been considered, and the influence of surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) on shape, spectrum, and amplitude of the light pulse in the near and far fields of the tip have been investigated in this way. Special attention has been devoted to the superluminal tunneling of light through the fiber tip. The variation of phase and group velocities along the fiber axis has been characterized for a number of real metals and for different tip angles. A maximum of both velocities in the near field of the tip is characteristic for coatings of finite conductivity. For some tip angles negative values of the phase and/or group velocities are observed, which are caused by the propagation of SPP on the outer surface of the coating and their conversion into photons. It is shown, that the excitation of SPP on the metallic coating leads to strongly altered spatial emission characteristics of the tip.     

Temporal characteristics of light collection in the liquid scintillation counter with a volume of 1.5 m<Superscript>3</Superscript> and quasi-mirror reflection

The temporal behavior of light collection in the 1.5-m³-volume mirror-reflecting counter filled with a highly transmitting liquid scintillator has been investigated. Using the Monte Carlo method and assuming that the luminescence decay time of the liquid scintillator is zero (τ_LS = 0), it has been ascertained that, in the case of a short flash in a counter, the exponential phase of light collection is characterized by time τ_col = 15.0 ± 1.7 ns, which is does not depend on scattering of light in the medium. The measured exponent index τ_act = 37 ± 3 ns of an actual pulse due to a muon is determined both by light collection time τ_col ≈ 15 ns and luminescence decay time τ_LS ≈ 20 ns of the scintillator in the large-volume counter.     

基于水凝胶聚合物波导传感器检测盐酸吖啶黄

多功能化是光纤化学传感器的重要发展方向。为实现该目标,首先通过激光诱导波导自形成技术制备了一种光纤–水凝胶聚合物波导–光纤传感结构,并在水凝胶聚合物波导探针中成功地掺杂了纳米金颗粒。在该结构中,波导与光纤同轴无缝相连,保证了探测光和信号光的高效利用。掺金后的聚合物波导具有丰富的光谱探测能力,利用该波导探针成功实现了对盐酸吖啶黄的吸收、荧光以及拉曼光谱的检测,扩大了波导传感器的应用范围。     

Wavelength dispersion of optical fibers directly measured by 'difference method' in the 0.8-1.6 microm range

A novel technique to measure the wavelength dispersion of optical fibers in the 0.8-1.6 microm range, where germanium avalanche photodiodes possess adequate quantum efficiency, is described. Dispersion is defined as dtau/dlambda, which can safely be changed to the difference formula Deltatau/Deltalambda, when Deltalambda is small, where tau is the transit time of the wave and lambda is the light wavelength. A monochromatic light, whose amplitude is modulated by a sinusoidal baseband signal, is launched into the optical fiber. The phase of the sinusoidal baseband signal changes with the monochromatic light wavelength variation due to the dispersion of the fiber. The phase variation gives an accurate value of Deltatau. The wavelength dispersion is obtained directly from the values of both Deltatau and Deltalambda. Using this technique, the wavelength dispersion of a single mode optical fiber, for example, is measured in the single mode wavelength range from 0.92 to about 1.6 microm.