Dynamic infrared study of polyphenylene sulfide using planar array infrared spectroscopy

Planar array infrared (PA-IR) spectroscopy was used to study polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) at room temperature during the application of a sinusoidal elastic deformation. All of the intensity in the dynamic spectra was contained within the in-phase spectrum, which was expected since the measurements were carried out at room temperature, far below the glass transition temperature. The contributions of chain orientation, sample thinning, and stress-induced band shifts were separated in the dynamic spectra. It was found that the effects of chain orientation and sample thinning canceled each other out. Stress-induced band shifts far below the spectral resolution, on the order of 0.01 cm(-1), were quantified and used to calculate the stress optical coefficients and mode Gruneisen parameters for PPS.     

Planar array infrared emission spectroscopy

Planar array infrared spectroscopy (PA-IR) is shown to be a powerful new approach to infrared emission spectroscopy (IRES). A proof-of-concept study of selected polymers indicates that PA-IRES allows acquisition of emission spectra with a high signal-to-noise ratio at temperatures as low as 80 degrees C. It is shown that a time resolution below 20 ms is readily achievable for time-resolved characterization of single non-repeatable events. The possibility of recording spatially resolved emission spectra is also demonstrated, and potential applications of this novel technique are finally described.     

A faster approach to infrared rheo-optics using a planar array infrared spectrograph

Infrared rheo-optics combines dynamic mechanical analysis with infrared spectroscopy to provide molecular level information about the segmental reorientation and the changes in local environment associated with the dynamic deformation of polymers. Up to now, the application of this technique has been limited by the amount of time necessary to perform the experiments. In this article, we demonstrate that the use of a planar array infrared (PA-IR) spectrograph can accelerate the acquisition time by as much as two orders of magnitude while maintaining a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) similar to that obtained using step-scan Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry, and by more than three orders of magnitude at the expense of a reduced SNR. The advantages and drawbacks of this new technique are discussed.     

Acquisition of mid-infrared spectra from nonrepeatable events with sub-100-micros temporal resolution using planar array infrared spectroscopy

A novel method is presented that is capable of collecting time-resolved vibrational spectroscopic information with sub-100-micros temporal resolution. Unlike previous step scan FT-IR approaches, the phenomena under study do not necessarily need to be repeatable. The methodology described herein is based on the planar array infrared (PA-IR) technique, which utilizes a spectrograph for wavelength dispersion and a mid-infrared focal plane array (FPA) detector for simultaneous detection of multiple wavelengths. Unlike previous PA-IR approaches, a rolling mode FPA is employed. This unique data readout mode, where data are read out of the array two rows at a time, is exploited to generate increased temporal resolution. The capabilities of this technique are demonstrated using the example of the electric field-induced Freedericksz transition of a nematic liquid crystal. It is shown that the orientational dynamics of a single transition can be tracked over a spectral range of 154 cm(-)(1) with a temporal resolution of 99.17 micros while requiring a total experimental time of less than 1 s.     

Development of a planar array infrared reflection spectrograph for reflection-absorption spectroscopy of thin films at metal and water surfaces

Planar array infrared (PA-IR) spectroscopy offers several advantages over Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) methods, including ultrafast speed (<100 micros temporal resolution) and excellent sensitivity. However, obtaining spectra in the range of 1800 to 1000 cm(-1) of films at the air-water interface remains difficult due to the poor IR reflectivity of water, the extremely low concentration of the thin film on the water subphase, and the interference of water bands. In this study, we report a new planar array infrared reflection spectrograph (PA-IRRS), which has several advantages over conventional approaches. This instrument can record sample and reference spectra simultaneously with an instrumental setup that is the same as that of a single-beam instrument by splitting the incident infrared beam into two sections on a plane mirror (H) or a water trough. With this design, the instrument can accommodate large infrared accessories, such as a water trough, without a loss of infrared beam intensity. Water bands can be subtracted to obtain a high-quality spectrum for poly(L-lactic acid) Langmuir film on the water subphase with a resolution of about 6 cm(-1) in 10.8 s. Hence, this PA-IRRS system has great potential for investigating the time-resolved dynamics of a broad range of Langmuir films, such as cellular membranes or biopolymers, on the water subphase.     

Time-resolved Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of chemical reactions in solution using a focal plane array detector

A Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) microscope equipped with a single as well as a 64 x 64 element focal plane array MCT detector was used to measure chemical reaction taking place in a microstructured flow cell designed for time-resolved FT-IR spectroscopy. The flow cell allows transmission measurements through aqueous solutions and incorporates a microstructured mixing unit. This unit achieves lamination of the two input streams with a cross-section of 300 x 5 microm each, resulting in fast diffusion-controlled mixing of the two input streams. Microscopic measurement at defined positions along the outlet channel allows time-resolved information of the reaction taking place in the flow cell to be obtained. In this paper we show experimental results on the model reaction between formaldehyde and sulfite. Using the single-point MCT detector, high-quality FT-IR spectra could be obtained from a spot size of 80 x 200 microm whereas the FPA detector allowed recording light from an area of 260 x 260 microm focused on its 64 x 64 detector elements. Therefore, more closely spaced features could be discerned at the expense of a significantly lower signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio per spectrum. Multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares was used to extract concentration profiles of the reacting species along the outlet channel axis.     

非均匀钹式换能器平面阵布阵设计

钹式换能器尺寸小,可以大规模组阵以提高声辐射性能,但是它的工作频段低,其组阵不宜遵循传统压电阵元布阵间距的规律。为提高基阵的空间利用率而降低阵元互干扰的不利影响,提出一种非均匀平面基阵的实现方法。考虑强度非均匀因素,建立了9元基阵的阵元互辐射阻抗模型和基阵的总辐射阻抗模型,分别研究了阵元间距、工作频率和中心阵元强度对阵元互阻抗和基阵总阻抗的影响。在提高基阵总辐射效率,并保证单个阵元能有效辐射声能的原则下,给出了不同工作频率下,阵元的合适间距。为改善基阵的辐射阻抗提供了阵元间距和阵元强度两种调整办法,为研制超多阵元钹式水声设备奠定了理论基础。     

Orthogonal planar laser polarization spectroscopy

Planar laser polarization spectroscopy has recently been used to image the hydroxyl radical in combustion for small intersection angles of pump and probe beams. We report an experimental configuration that allows planar laser polarization imaging for perpendicular intersection of pump and probe beams. We demonstrate what to our knowledge is the first planar laser polarization spectroscopy imaging at a 90 degree intersection of pump and probe beams for both linearly and circularly polarized pump beams.     

Transient infrared transmission spectroscopy

Transient infrared transmission spectroscopy is a new method that can acquire analytically useful transmission spectra from moving, optically thick solids. No sample preparation is required. The spectra are of sufficient quality for accurate quantitative compositional analysis. The method works by the creation of a thin, short-lived, chilled layer at the sample surface. Blackbody-like thermal emission from the bulk of the sample is selectively absorbed as it passes through the chilled layer, so the transmission spectrum of the layer is superimposed on the observed thermal emission. Spectra of polycarbonate, beeswax, and copolymers of methyl and butyl methacrylate are presented. Compositional analysis of the methacrylate copolymers with a standard error of prediction of only 0.87 mol % is demonstrated.     

PdSi focal-plane array detectors for short-wave infrared Raman spectroscopy of biological tissue: a feasibility study

We have used a PdSi focal-plane array detector to measure short-wave infrared Raman spectra of pure compounds and human tissue. Raman bands of the pure compounds are clearly visible in the spectra, and a calcification feature at 960 cm(-1) is readily identifiable in the spectra of diseased human aorta. The performance characteristics of our detection device were good; dark noise contributed approximately 60 (electrons/s)/pixel, and the read noise was ~50 rms electrons/pixel. The primary noise in the spectra was due to fixed-pattern noise, which is the variation in measured signal across a detector when it is uniformly illuminated.     

Thermal infrared near-field spectroscopy

Despite the seminal contributions of Kirchhoff and Planck describing far-field thermal emission, fundamentally distinct spectral characteristics of the electromagnetic thermal near-field have been predicted. However, due to their evanescent nature their direct experimental characterization has remained elusive. Combining scattering scanning near-field optical microscopy with Fourier-transform spectroscopy using a heated atomic force microscope tip as both a local thermal source and scattering probe, we spectroscopically characterize the thermal near-field in the mid-infrared. We observe the spectrally distinct and orders of magnitude enhanced resonant spectral near-field energy density associated with vibrational, phonon, and phonon-polariton modes. We describe this behavior and the associated distinct on- and off-resonance nanoscale field localization with model calculations of the near-field electromagnetic local density of states. Our results provide a basis for intrinsic and extrinsic resonant manipulation of optical forces, control of nanoscale radiative heat transfer with optical antennas, and use of this new technique of thermal infrared near-field spectroscopy for broadband chemical nanospectroscopy.     

用于短波红外探测器的微透镜阵列制作

采用光刻胶热熔法制作具有特定尺寸的微透镜,制作的微透镜能将微透镜阵列技术应用于短波1 μm ~3 μm红外探测器中,有效地提高探测器件的光电性能。采用AZ P4620厚光刻胶,利用紫外光刻技术,对透镜制作中的前烘、曝光和显影、坚膜、热熔等工艺进行了深入细致的实验研究,确定了最优的工艺参数,实现了球冠直径在(5.5±0.5) μm,曲率半径3 μm的微透镜,且透镜有很好的均匀性和一致性,满足近红外探测器件的要求。     

Latest developments in GaN-based quantum devices for infrared optoelectronics

In this work, we summarize the latest progress in intersubband devices based on GaN/AlN nanostructures for operation in the near-infrared. We first discuss the growth and characterization of ultra-thin GaN/AlN quantum well and quantum dot superlattices by plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy. Then, we present the performance of nitride-based infrared photodetectors and electro-optical modulators operating at 1.55 μm. Finally, we discuss the progress towards intersubband light emitters, including the first experimental observation of intersubband photoluminescence in nitride nanostructures.     

Gap states in HTSC by infrared spectroscopy

Recent infrared reflectance spectroscopy on high quality crystals of a number of HTSC systems shows thatall have finite conductivity in the frequency region of the superconducting gap. Results on untwinned YBCO from a number of laboratories show that this absorption is not due to experimental problems or sample-to-sample variations. Other materials also show absorption features in the gap region in the form of peaks. We discuss these results in terms of recent ideas of the effect of impurities in d-wave superconductors.     

Supported planar germanium waveguides for infrared evanescent-wave sensing

We have fabricated miniature planar IR waveguides with thicknesses of 30-50 mum, consisting of 12-mm long, 2-mm wide strips of Ge supported on ZnS substrates. Evidence for efficient propagation of broadband IR light through these waveguides is provided by the presence of characteristic high- and low-frequency optical cutoffs of Ge; by the observation of an oscillatory interference pattern in the transmittance spectrum, which exhibits a dependence on waveguide thickness and propagation angle that closely matches waveguide theory; and by the detection of strong evanescent-wave absorption from small (2 mm(2)) droplets of liquid, e.g., water, on the waveguide surface. As also predicted by theory, the surface sensitivity (detected light absorbance per unit area of sample-waveguide contact) is shown to increase as a function of incidence or bevel angle.     

New developments in magnetic separation

High extraction magnetic filters combine high gradient features of the Frantz Ferrofilter^R, high intensity concepts of the Jones separators, and principles of modern magnet design derived from high energy physics research. Evolution of high extraction magnetic filters used commercially by all major kaolin producers is reviewed and new trends in equipment are highlighted.