Analysis of optical sensing behavior of a novel optical bean-shaped resonator biosensor integrated with MZI configuration

A novel optical bean-shaped resonator (BR) biosensor integrated with Mach–Zehnder Interferometer structure based on a silicon-on-isolator platform has been proposed and investigated theoretically and numerically. By characterizing and optimizing the structure, our bean-shaped device exhibits a high extinction ratio over 50?dB and a high Q factor of about 5.46?×?10⁴ in a wide wavelength span. The quasi-free spectral range (FSR) is about 469?nm. The sensitivity of 688.6?nm/refractive index unit (RIU) is achieved for bulk changes of refractive index and the detection range varies from 10^?6 to 0.689 RIU. More complex bean-shaped structures can also be cascaded by adding more bending waveguides in BR to obtain wider quasi-FSR range.     

Direct Measurements of the Strong Refractive Nonlinearity of Impurity Origin in Heavily-doped GaAs

Abstract

A strong dispersive nonlinearity below the band gap in heavily doped bulk n-GaAs is observed for differnet donor impurities. Negative refractive index changes of up to ?5 × 10^?3 are obtained in the spectral range 880–900 nm, induced by light of the same wavelength at an incident intensity of about 5 × 10⁵ W cm^?2. Since the lifetime of the nonlinearity is ～ 10^?10 s, it is suggested that a bistable device exploiting this effect could be constructed with a switching energy of (1?5) × 10^?14 J μm^?2.     

Ultra-sensitive Transition-Edge Sensors for the Background Limited Infrared/Sub-mm Spectrograph (BLISS)

We report progress in fabricating ultra-sensitive superconducting transition-edge sensors (TESs) for BLISS. BLISS is a suite of grating spectrometers covering 35–433?μm with R～700 cooled to 50?mK that is proposed to fly on the Japanese space telescope SPICA. The detector arrays for BLISS are TES bolometers readout with a time domain SQUID multiplexer. The required noise equivalent power (NEP) for BLISS is NEP=10^?19?W/Hz^1/2 with an ultimate goal of NEP=5×10^?20?W/Hz^1/2 to achieve background limited noise performance. The required and goal response times are τ=150?ms and τ=50?ms respectively to achieve the NEP at the required and goal optical chop frequency 1–5?Hz. We measured prototype BLISS arrays and have achieved NEP=6×10^?18?W/Hz^1/2 and τ=1.4?ms with a Ti TES (T _C=565?mK) and NEP～2.5×10^?19?W/Hz^1/2 and τ～4.5?ms with an Ir TES (T _C=130?mK). Dark power for these tests is estimated at 1–5?fW.     

Modelling,design and optimization of compact taper and gratings for mode coupling to SOI waveguides at C-band

In this work, the design and optimization of compact taper is presented to enable coupling of infrared light in the C-band with the nano-photonic silicon-on-insulator (SOI) integrated optical waveguide. The proposed compact taper results in ～96% transmission efficiency for the taper length of ～5?µm and ～99.5% transmission efficiency for the taper length of 10?µm. The use of the proposed compact taper significantly reduces the foot print of optical coupler (grating and proposed compact taper) to (10?×?5)?µm² with ～96% transmittance and (10?×?10)?µm² with ～99.5% transmittance. The end-to-end coupling loss is less than 0.01?dB in the C-band. The compact taper along with grating presented in this work can be used as an efficient optical coupler for mode coupling from fibre to SOI single-mode optical waveguide in high density optical integrated circuits operating at 1550?nm.     

Performance improvement in Mach–Zehnder interferometer-based refractive index sensor using elliptical photonic nanowires

We propose a modified Mach–Zehnder interferometer design based on elliptical silica photonic nanowires. The use of the interferometer as an evanescent field-based refractive index (RI) sensor was numerically investigated. Single-mode operation, maintaining polarization and very high sensitivity, is achieved at short optical wavelengths by simply using elliptical nanowires. The proposed sensor is capable of determining the RI of benzene solutions with different concentrations in water and detecting a RI variation of the order of 10^?6 RI units in only a 1-mm length sensitive area. Extremely high sensitivity of 4.63?rad/μm is achieved using an 800?nm elliptical silica nanowire diameter. The operating wavelengths (λ = 650?nm and 970?nm) were chosen to avoid high water absorption. The sensor is shown to be an alternative solution to small circular-nanowire-based sensor whose core size needs to be significantly reduced below 400?nm to achieve comparable performance.     

Optical properties of zinc–vanadium glasses doped with samarium trioxide

Zinc–vanadium glasses doped with samarium oxide having the chemical composition Sm₂O_3(x) ZnO_(40?x) V₂O₅₍₆₀₎(where x = 0?1–0?5 mol%) were prepared by melt quenching method. The density of these glasses was measured by Archimedes method; the corresponding molar volumes have also been calculated. The values of density range from 3?7512 to 5?0535 gm/cm³ and those of molar volume range from 28?3004 to 37?6415 cm^?3. The optical absorbance studies were carried out on these glasses to measure their energy bandgaps. The absorption spectra of these glasses were recorded in UV–Visible region. No sharp edges were found in the optical spectra, which verify the amorphous nature of these glasses. The calculated optical bandgap energies of these glasses were found to be in the range of 0?3173–0?6640 eV. The refractive index and polarizability of oxide ion have been calculated by using Lorentz–Lorentz relations. The values of refractive index range from 1?1762 to 1?2901 and those of polarizability of oxide ion range from 1?6906 × 10^?24 to 2?2379 × 10 ^?24cm³.     

Modelling nanofiber Mach–Zehnder interferometers for refractive index sensors

In a single-mode silica nanofibre a large amount of the energy of the guided light is in the form of evanescent waves, making it possible to develop a novel sensing element with high sensitivity. Based on theoretical modelling, a highly-sensitive sensor employing a nanofibre-assembled Mach–Zehnder structure is suggested and investigated here. The sensor is used to measure the refractive indices of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) solutions of different concentrations. A phase shift of the guided mode, originating from the change of refractive index of the ambient medium, is obtained. In addition, the important parameters, including sensitivity and detection limit, are also estimated. The results show that Mach–Zehnder interferometric sensor based on nanofibres exhibits the capability of measuring an index variation of ～10^?6. Our simulations are helpful for studying and developing new miniaturised high-performance sensors with high sensitivity.     

Surface morphology and optoelectronic studies of sol–gel derived nanostructured CdO thin films: heat treatment effect

Morphological dependence of the optoelectronic properties of sol–gel derived CdO thin films annealed at different temperatures in air has been studied. After preparing, the films were investigated by studying their structural, morphological, d.c. electrical and optical properties. X-ray diffraction results suggest that the samples are polycrystalline and the crystallinity of them enhanced with annealing temperature. The average grain size is in the range of 12–34?nm. The root mean square roughness of the films was increased from 3.09 to 6.43?nm with annealing temperature. It was observed that the electro-optical characteristics of the films were strongly affected by surface roughness. As morphology and structure changed due to heat treatment, the carrier concentration was varied from 1.13?×?10¹⁹ to 3.10?×?10^19?cm^?3 with annealing temperature and the mobility increased from less than 7 to 44.8?cm² V^?1 s^?1. It was found that the transmittance and the band gap decreased as annealing temperature increased. The optical constants of the film were studied and the dispersion of the refractive index was discussed in terms of the Wemple–DiDomenico single oscillator model. The real and imaginary parts of the dielectric constant of the films were also determined. The volume energy loss increases more than the surface energy loss at their particular peaks.     

Thermal behaviour of gas atomised Al–20Mg–2Zr alloy powder

A novel ternary alloy with the composition of Al–20Mg–2Zr (wt-%) was prepared by close coupled gas atomisation. The thermal oxidation behaviour of the powder was examined by thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis. The results showed that the oxidation proceeded in single step, and the violent exothermic reaction occurred after 900°C was almost complete. The activation energy of the oxidation was ～250?kJ?mol^??1, and the frequency factor was ～1.47?×?10¹¹?s^??1 and 3.36?×?10¹¹?s^??1 using the Kissinger and Ozawa method respectively. The special feature of the pulsed oxidation was explained by the melt dispersion oxidation mechanism. The excellent thermal reactivity exhibited by the Al–20Mg–2Zr powder suggested that this novel alloy could become one of the most promising materials in energetic applications.     

Thin tin oxide films of low conductivity prepared by chemical vapour deposition

Homogeneous SnO₂ films were produced from dibutylin diacetate by chemical vapour deposition at rates of 10–30 nm min^?1. The films obtained had conductiveties between 3 and 25Ω^?1 cm^?1 and they showed a high quantum efficiency for dye sensitization. Under various conditions a linear dependence of the thickness and resistivity of the films on deposition time was observed. The transmission of most of the films was greater than 90%. SnO₂ films with a thickness of more than 500 nm exhibit absorption. The refractive index of these films, as determined by UV-visible interference measurements in reflection, is between 1.8 and 2.2 in the wavelength range 300–860 nm and agrees well with the refractive index determined from interference microscope measurements. Heat treatment of the films exposed to air lowers their conductivity and refractive indices.     

Electrical conductivity properties of boron containing Langmuir–Blodgett thin films

Electrical characterisations of Mesitylene-2-boronic acid (MBA), Phenylboronic acid (PBA) and 1-Naphthylboronic acid (NBA) are investigated using C-f and I–V measurements. All materials are used to fabricate Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) thin film by vertical dipping method. Metal/LB film/Metal sandwich structure is prepared to investigate electrical properties of boron containing LB films. For evaluation of electrical measurements, the theoretical thickness is determined using ChemDraw software and experimental thickness value is calculated from surface plasmon resonance (SPR) curves. Dielectric measurements are used to determine the dielectric constant (ε) and to compare refractive index value which is determined from SPR results. The values of ε are determined as 2.79, 2.70, 2.82 for MBA, PBA and NBA respectively. The refractive indexes of three materials are calculated to be around 1.6. I–V results are used to study the conduction mechanism of these LB films. The low voltage region shows an ohmic characteristic for each LB film and conductivity values are calculated as 0.55 × 10^?11 S m^?1, 0.42 × 10^?11 S m^?1 and 3.62 × 10^?11 S m^?1 for MBA, PBA and NBA respectively. In the high voltage region of I–V curves that show Schottky type conduction mechanisms with the barrier heights estimated for each LB film as 0.77, 0.79 and 0.76 eV respectively.     

Precise measurement of refractive index spectral dependence of optical materials for laser,fiber, and integrated optics

An interferometric technique for measuring the spectral dependence of the refractive index of solid-state materials to an accuracy of 10^?5 over the entire transparency region is described. The possibilities of the technique are demonstrated by the example of new phosphate glasses formulated for laser and fiber optics. It is shown that, in the presence of absorption bands in the transmission spectrum, the technique allows their associated jumps in the refractive index values to be recorded on the order of 10^?4?10^?5 and below. The shift in the spectral dependence of the refractive index in the region of the absorption band with intensity at 1.7 cm^?1 is measured for the first time.     

Refractive index and strain sensor made of S-tapered photonic crystal fiber

An experimental investigation on an S-tapered photonic crystal fiber interferometer is presented in this paper. The sensor exhibits highly surrounding refractive index sensitive, which is 4.7 × 10^?3 RIU (refractive index unit) in 1.33–1.39 and 1.45 × 10^?3 RIU in 1.39–1.44 commensurable with general sensors. Attribute to the S-shape’s distortion, red shifts are measured in axial strain test. In addition, insensitivity (4.3 pm/°C) in low temperature and sensitivity (22.4 pm/°C) in high temperature are confirmed by experiments. These properties combined with a simple fabrication process and a durable structure.     

ESR and X-ray Investigations of Deuterium Atoms and Molecules in Impurity-Helium Solids

Impurity-helium solids created by injecting deuterium atoms and molecules into superfluid ⁴He have been studied via electron spin resonance (ESR) and x-ray diffraction methods. We measured the g-factor, the hyperfine constant and the spin-lattice relaxation time of D atoms in D-D₂-He solids. These measurements show that D atoms are mainly stabilized in D₂ clusters. Using an x-ray method we found the size of D₂ clusters to be ～90Å in diameter and the densities of D₂ molecules in the samples to be of order 2.5?10²¹ cm^?3 . The highest average concentration of D atoms achieved in D-D₂-He solids was ～1.5?10¹⁸ cm^?3 . The local concentrations of D atoms within D₂ clusters is found to be large (～2?10¹⁹ cm^?3).     

Structural modifications of WC/Co nanophased and conventional powders processed by selective laser melting

Microstructural modifications and mechanical properties of samples manufactured from conventional and nanocomposite WC/Co12 powders by means of Selective laser melting (SLM) are compared after processing with the same parameter set. Studying their homogeneity reveals that in both samples coarse and fine carbides segregate in the molten pool. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows significant changes in the microstructure and crystalline phases present in the WC/Co mixture and after SLM. Thermal decomposition of WC leads to the formation of W₂C dicarbides and the appearance of the complex Co-W-C ternary phase. No residual pure cobalt after SLM was detected in the samples. The Williamson–Hall method allows determining coherent WC domain sizes of conventional and nanostructured powders (56?±?6?nm and 10?±?3?nm, respectively) and microstrains (～0 for both) as well as their modifications after SLM processing (180?±?50?nm and 2???10^?3?±?4???10^?4 for the nanophased sample, and 330?±?100?nm and 2???10^?3?±?4???10^?4 for the conventional one, respectively). The microhardness of the part produced from the nanophased powder is slightly increased in both the coarse (～1496 HV_0.3) and fine (～1542 HV_0.3) carbide segregation regions compared to the sample obtained from the conventional powder (1384 HV_0.3 and 1515 HV_0.3 for coarse and fine regions, respectively).     

A new polymeric medium for optical phase-modulated recording with diffusion enhancement

A new photorecording material for the phase holography with postexposure enhancement in the near-UV spectral region has been developed based on xanthone-doped poly(methyl methacrylate). It is demonstrated that the main role in the postexposure hologram enhancement in this medium is played by diffusion. The refractive index modulation amplitude achieved with the proposed material is δn ～ 4 × 10^?3 at a maximum enhancement coefficient of no less than 30. Phase gratings formed in the new medium are stable at elevated temperatures and are retained upon homogeneous irradiation.     

The effect of ambient temperature on eigenfrequencies of a quasi-optical cylindrical dielectric resonator

Effects of the temperature and refractive index of ambient air on the eigenfrequencies of a cylindrical dielectric resonator (CDR) featuring whispering-gallery modes have been studied. An attempt to separate the effects of two factors on the spectral and energy characteristics of a fluoroplastic CDR for a millimeter wavelength range has been made for the first time. It is established that the behavior of CDR eigenfrequencies and the stability of Q factors exhibit different characters when the temperature is varied from ?60 to +60°C and the permittivity of air is changed from 1 to 1.0004. A CDR can be used as a sensor of ambient temperature accurate to within 10^?4 K, provided that the resonance frequencies in the millimeter wavelength range are measured to within 1 kHz.     

Bulk crystal growth,spectral, optical,thermal, electrical and third-order NLO properties of benzylidene malononitrile derivative single crystal: a promising material for nonlinear optical device applications

Bulk organic intramolecular charge transfer nonlinear optical single crystal of 2-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene) malononitrile (DMM) with the sizes of 24?×?18?×?13 mm³ have been successfully grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique at 35 °C using acetone as the solvent. The lattice parameters of the grown DMM crystal was evaluated by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The optical transmittance (T) data was taken from the well-polished crystal of DMM, and cut-off wavelength (λ?=?483 nm) was identified by UV–Vis spectral studies. Thermal stability and melting point (145.78 °C) were studied with TGA–DSC analysis. The low value of the dielectric constant (ε_r) of DMM suggests that the crystal can be used in the microelectronics industry. The laser-induced damage threshold experiment shows that the grown DMM bulk crystal possess an excellent resistance to laser radiation with a high threshold up to 1.75 GW/cm², much larger than those of several known organic and inorganic NLO materials. The DMM crystal exhibits positive optical non-linearity and reverse saturation absorption. It also exhibited a nonlinear refractive index (n₂) in the order of 10^?11 m²/W, a nonlinear absorption coefficient (β) in the order of 10^?5 m/W, third order non-linear susceptibility (χ⁽³⁾) in the order of 10^?5 esu and a second-order molecular hyperpolarizability (γ) in the order of 10^?33 esu. All the above results indicate that DMM has a potential application as a useful NLO candidate.     

1.0 GPa low carbon medium Mn heavy steel plate with excellent ductility

ABSTRACT

A vanadium-bearing medium Mn heavy steel plate was designed, and the yield strength reaches around 1.0?GPa and the total elongation reaches around 18% after the annealing treatments. Meanwhile, the steel also possesses relatively good cryogenic impact toughness. Although the dislocation density of ～2.65?×?10¹⁴?m^?2 in the hot-rolled steel decreases to ～1.13?×?10¹⁴?m^?2 in both annealed steels and the volume fractions of retained austenite reach ～7.9% and ～13.5% for the steels annealed at 620°C for 1 and 2?h, there is no or small decrease in yield strength owing to numerous nanometer-sized carbides precipitated in martensite matrix.

This paper is part of a Thematic Issue on Medium Manganese Steels.     

Extruded PZT/polymer composites for electromechanical transducer applications

PZT/polymer composites having a 1–3 parallel connectivity were fabricated by impregnating a sintered, extruded honeycomb configuration of PZT with various polymers. The resultant composites were found to have densities less than 2900 kg/m³, a dielectric constant of ～500 and a piezoelectric d₃₃ of ～300×10^?12 C/N. The 1–3 connectivity increases the piezoelectric voltage coefficient (g₃₃) from 22×10^?3 Vm/N (solid PZT) to ～70×10^?3 Vm/N.The composites have thickness mode electromechanical coupling coefficients (k_t) which are ～25% greater than that of homogeneous PZT, and are readily adaptable for broad bandwidth operation. This combination of electromechanical properties makes these composites ideal for low voltage displacement and pulse echo applications.