Highly dispersive mirror in Ta2O5/SiO2 for femtosecond lasers designed by inverse spectral theory

A highly dispersive mirror for dispersion compensation in femtosecond lasers is designed by inverse spectral theory. The design of a simple quarter-wave Bragg reflector can be modified by moving the poles in the optical impedance found in the photonic stop band. These spectral quantities are used as independent variables in the numerical optimization because they have no effect on the location of the photonic stop band, and so the design requirements to obtain a high reflectivity and a specific delay spectrum are decoupled. The design was fabricated by ion-beam sputtering. A group delay dispersion of -300 fs(2) was measured over a bandwidth of 28 nm, with a remaining reflectivity of greater than 99% in this range. The mirrors were used to make two Ti:sapphire lasers with 10- and 4-mm-long crystals, both of which generated near-transform-limited pulses of 35-fs duration. Because of the high dispersion of the mirrors, the laser cavities needed only five and three bounces from the mirrors, thus keeping reflection losses to a minimum.     

Broad-spectrum neodymium-doped laser glasses for high-energy chirped-pulse amplification

We have investigated two novel laser glasses in an effort to generate high-energy, broad-spectrum pulses from a chirped-pulse amplification Nd:glass laser. Both glasses have significantly broader spectra (>38 nm FWHM) than currently available Nd:phosphate and Nd:silicate glasses. We present calculations for small signal pulse amplification to simulate spectral gain narrowing. The technique of spectral shaping using mixed-glass architecture with an optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification front end is evaluated. Our modeling shows that amplified pulses with energies exceeding 10 kJ with sufficient bandwidth to achieve 120 fs pulsewidths are achievable with the use of the new laser glasses. With further development of current technologies, a laser system could be scaled to generate one exawatt in peak power.     

Ultrawide spectral range group-velocity dispersion measurementutilizing supercontinuum in an optical fiber pumped by a 1.5 μmcompact laser source

Group velocity dispersion (GVD) measurement is presented utilizing supercontinuum (SC) white pulses generated in an optical fiber by 15 μm compact laser sources. This provides 1) ultrawide continuous spectral measurement range >600 nm from a single optical source without the use of interpolation formulae and 2) stable far-end measurements by the simultaneous multi-wavelength nature of the SC pulses. A novel method that is independent of the detector bandwidth is proposed which measures λ-dependent phase shifts of one of the Fourier components of a short pulse train. Fiber GVD's of unusual dispersion characteristics were measured using SC pulses extended over the spectral range of 1150-1770 nm. It is shown that fiber lengths of up to 130 km can be measured with a group delay resolution of 0.01 ps/km     

用SPIDER法还原飞秒脉冲振幅和相位误差

基于光谱位相相干直接电场重构法(SPIDER)测量飞秒激光脉冲的基本原理和重构飞秒脉冲的算法,数值模拟了SPIDER技术重构飞秒脉冲的过程,分析了时间延迟τ、光谱剪切量Ω的选取原则.以宽度约为50 fs的高斯型线性啁啾脉冲为例,取不同的时间延迟τ、光谱剪切量Ω重构了飞秒脉冲,得到:重构出的飞秒脉冲强度和位相最接近时,时间延迟τ约为2 260 fs,相对光谱剪切量Ω/Δω约为10%.     

Optical impedance matching using coupled plasmonic nanoparticle arrays

Silver nanoparticle arrays placed on top of a high-refractive index substrate enhance the coupling of light into the substrate over a broad spectral range. We perform a systematic numerical and experimental study of the light incoupling by arrays of Ag nanoparticle arrays in order to achieve the best impedance matching between light propagating in air and in the substrate. We identify the parameters that determine the incoupling efficiency, including the effect of Fano resonances in the scattering, interparticle coupling, as well as resonance shifts due to variations in the near-field coupling to the substrate and spacer layer. The optimal configuration studied is a square array of 200 nm wide, 125 nm high spheroidal Ag particles, at a pitch of 450 nm on a 50 nm thick Si(3)N(4) spacer layer on a Si substrate. When integrated over the AM1.5 solar spectral range from 300 to 1100 nm, this particle array shows 50% enhanced incoupling compared to a bare Si wafer, 8% higher than a standard interference antireflection coating. Experimental data show that the enhancement occurs mostly in the spectral range near the Si band gap. This study opens new perspectives for antireflection coating applications in optical devices and for light management in Si solar cells.     

Assessment of the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer algorithm for retrieval of aerosol parameters over the ocean

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer aerosol algorithm over the ocean derives spectral aerosol optical depth and aerosol size parameters from satellite measured radiances at the top of the atmosphere (TOA). It is based on the adding of apparent optical properties (AOPs): TOA reflectance is approximated as a linear combination of reflectances resulting from a small particle mode and a large particle mode. The weighting parameter eta is defined as the fraction of the optical depth at 550 nm due to the small mode. The AOP approach is correct only in the single scattering limit. For a physically correct TOA reflectance simulation, we create linear combinations of the inherent optical properties (IOPs) of small and large particle modes, in which the weighting parameter f is defined as the fraction of the number density attributed to the small particle mode. We use these IOPs as inputs to an accurate multiple scattering radiative transfer model. We find that reflectance errors incurred with the AOP method are as high as 30% for an aerosol optical depth of 2 at 550 nm. The retrieved optical depth has a relative error of up to 8%, and the retrieved fraction eta has an absolute error of approximately 6%. We show that the use of accurate radiative transfer simulations and a bimodal fraction f yields accurate values for the retrieved optical depth and the fraction f.     

Measurement of group delay dispersion of high numerical aperture objective lenses using two-photon excited fluorescence

We determined the group-delay dispersion (GDD) of five microscope objectives by measuring the second-order autocorrelation at the focal points of the objectives with two-photon excited fluorescence as the power square sensor. We found that typical microscope lens systems introduce significant GDD (2000-6500 fs(2)). The third-order dispersion determined for these objectives limits the minimum obtainable pulse width at the focal point of an objective to 20-30 fs if not compensated. No significant chromatic aberration or higher-order dispersion effects were found for any of the optical components measured within the wavelength range of 700-780 nm and for pulse widths greater than 50-60 fs.     

Proposal for enhancing the transmission efficiency of photonic crystal 60° waveguide bends by means of optofluidic infiltration

We are proposing a procedure to enhance the transmission efficiency of 60° photonic crystal (PhC) waveguide bends by means of selective optofluidic infiltration of an air hole, which is created as a point defect at the center of the conventional 60° PhC bend. Numerical studies demonstrate that by varying the defect radius and indices of optical fluids, one may enhance the bend transmission level and tune its 3 dB bandwidth over a substantial range of 88-138 nm. In order to perform the numerical simulations, we have used two-dimensional (2D) finite difference time domain plane wave method, keeping in mind that the spectral features obtained by these 2D calculations are about 15% redshifted from those of real three-dimensional structures.     

Efficient vector radiative transfer calculations in vertically inhomogeneous cloudy atmospheres

Accurate radiative transfer calculations in cloudy atmospheres are generally time consuming, limiting their practical use in satellite remote sensing applications. We present a model to efficiently calculate the radiative transfer of polarized light in atmospheres that contain homogeneous cloud layers. This model combines the Gauss-Seidel method, which is efficient for inhomogeneous cloudless atmospheres, with the doubling method, which is efficient for homogeneous cloud layers. Additionally to reduce the computational effort for radiative transfer calculations in absorption bands, the cloud reflection and transmission matrices are interpolated over the absorption and scattering optical thicknesses within the cloud layer. We demonstrate that the proposed radiative transfer model in combination with this interpolation technique is efficient for the simulation of satellite measurements for inhomogeneous atmospheres containing one homogeneous cloud layer. For example, the Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Cartography (SCIAMACHY) measurements in the oxygen A band (758-773 nm) and the Hartley-Huggins ozone band (295-335 nm) with a spectral resolution of 0.4 nm can be simulated for these atmospheres within 1 min on a 2.8 GHz PC with an accuracy better than 0.1%.     

Deep-subwavelength imaging of the modal dispersion of light

Numerous optical technologies and quantum optical devices rely on the controlled coupling of a local emitter to its photonic environment, which is governed by the local density of optical states (LDOS). Although precise knowledge of the LDOS is crucial, classical optical techniques fail to measure it in all of its frequency and spatial components. Here, we use a scanning electron beam as a point source to probe the LDOS. Through angular and spectral detection of the electron-induced light emission, we spatially and spectrally resolve the light wave vector and determine the LDOS of Bloch modes in a photonic crystal membrane at an unprecedented deep-subwavelength resolution (30-40 nm) over a large spectral range. We present a first look inside photonic crystal cavities revealing subwavelength details of the resonant modes. Our results provide direct guidelines for the optimum location of emitters to control their emission, and key fundamental insights into light-matter coupling at the nanoscale.     

Potential of far-ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy as a highly sensitive quantitative and qualitative analysis method for aqueous solutions, part I: determination of hydrogen chloride in aqueous solutions

This paper reports the usefulness of far-ultraviolet (FUV) absorption spectroscopy in highly sensitive quantitative and qualitative analysis of aqueous solutions. We propose a totally new idea for the utilization of FUV spectroscopy in pure water and aqueous solution analyses. We use an absorption band near 170 nm due to an n --> sigma* transition of water. The intensity of the foot of this band, which can be observed in the 190-210 nm region by use of an ordinary ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrometer, is very sensitive to changes in hydration and hydrogen bonds of water. To demonstrate the potential of FUV spectroscopy in analytical chemistry, we undertook three kinds of experiments. The first one is concerned with the discrimination of eight kinds of commercial natural mineral water. The eight kinds of mineral water can be discriminated straightforwardly from the spectral patterns in the 190-250 nm region without any spectral pretreatment or spectral analysis such as multivariate analysis. The second experiment is the determination of hydrogen chloride (HCl) in aqueous solutions. FUV spectra of aqueous solutions of HCl over a concentration of 0-20 ppm were measured. A calibration model for predicting the concentration of HCl in the aqueous solutions was developed based on the absorbance at 193 nm. This method does not require any spectral pretreatment or multivariate analysis. The correlation coefficient and standard error of prediction of the calibration model developed are 0.9987 and 0.18 ppm, respectively. The detection limit of the proposal method for the determination of HCl in aqueous solutions was estimated to be 0.5 ppm (13.7 microM). The determination of HCl was also tried for natural mineral water to which HCl solutions with the concentrations of 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, and 20 ppm were artificially added. The third study was the determination of ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in aqueous solutions containing both NH3 and H2O2. It has been found that the present method is also useful for the determination of the two-component system.     

Submicrosecond speed optical coherence tomography system design and analysis by use of acousto-optics

A novel high-speed no-moving-parts optical coherence tomography (OCT) system is introduced that acquires sample data at less than a microsecond per data point sampling rate. The basic principle of the proposed OCT system relies on use of an acousto-optic deflector. This OCT system has the attractive features of an acousto-optic scanning heterodyne interferometer coupled with an acousto-optic (AO) variable optical delay line operating in a reflective mode. Fundamentally, OCT systems use a broadband light source for high axial resolution inside the sample or living tissue under examination. Inherently, AO devices are Bragg-mode wavelength-sensitive elements. We identify that two beams generated by a Bragg cell naturally have unbalanced and inverse spectrums with respect to each other. This mismatch in spectrums in turn violates the ideal autocorrelation condition for a high signal-to-noise ratio broadband interferometric sensor such as OCT. We solve this fundamental limitation of Bragg cell use for OCT by deploying a new interferometric architecture where the two interfering beams have the same power spectral profile over the bandwidth of the broadband source. With the proposed AO based system, high (e.g., megahertz) intermediate frequency can be generated for low 1/f noise heterodyne detection. System issues such as resolution, number of axial scans, and delay-path selection time are addressed. Experiments described demonstrate our high-speed acousto-optically tuned OCT system where optical delay lines can be selected at submicrosecond speeds.     

Holographic edge-illuminated polymer Bragg gratings for dense wavelength division optical filters at 1550 nm

We discuss the use of holographic photopolymer materials for use as dense wavelength division multiplexing filters in the C-band of the optical communication spectrum. An edge-illuminated hologram configuration is described that effectively extends the grating length to achieve narrow band filters operating near 1550 nm in photopolymers that are 100-200-microm thick. This configuration enables the formation of apodized and cascaded filter systems. Rouard's method is used to examine the properties of both apodization and cascaded gratings and indicates the potential for narrow spectral bandwidths (< 0.2 nm) and high side-lobe suppression (<-- 30 dB). Initial experimental results with a commercially available photopolymer are provided that verify narrowband spectral-transmittance properties (< 0.6 nm) and the ability to apodize the index profile. The primary limitation of the design is the absorption of existing photopolymer materials. Optimizing the polymer chemistry for filter design at 1550 nm may solve this problem.     

Fabrication, characterization and mode locking application of single-walled carbon nanotube/polymer composite saturable absorbers

We present the fabrication of a high optical quality single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite film. The composites demonstrate strong saturable absorption at ～1.5 μm, the spectral range for optical communications. By measuring the nonlinear transmission of a sub-picosecond pump pulse through the film, we were able to deduce a saturation fluence of ～13.9 μJ/cm² and a modulation depth ～16.9% (in absorption) at a high pulse fluence ～200 μJ/cm². Transient saturable absorption is investigated by measuring the transmitted autocorrelation traces at various incident power levels. Observed side-peak suppression indicates a fast recovery time on the scale of ～1 ps for our saturable absorber devices. Furthermore, we use these SWNT-PVA composite saturable absorbers as mode-lockers in an Er³⁺ fiber ring laser and achieve ～560 fs pulse generation with good jitter performance and long term stability. The laser performance is also associated with the parameters of our SWNT based saturable absorber.     

HfO2/SiO2 chirped mirrors manufactured by electron beam evaporation

A HfO2/SiO2 chirped mirror was manufactured by electron beam evaporation to increase the laser resistance. The hybrid monitoring strategy utilizing both monochromatic monitoring and quartz crystal monitoring was applied to the deposition compared to the single optical monitoring method. The coatings were characterized by transmission spectrophotometer and white light interferometry, and the experimental results showed that the chirped mirror monitored with the hybrid strategy possessed high reflectivity (>99.7%) and tolerable group delay dispersion oscillation (-50±20?fs2) in the spectra range of 740-860?nm.     

Noncollinear optical parametric amplification in potassium titanyl phosphate pumped at 800 nm

The generation of broadband tunable optical pulses is demonstrated in the range of 1050-1300 nm with noncollinear optical parametric amplification of white-light seed pulses in potassium titanyl phosphate (KTiOPO(4)). Pulse bandwidths of 50 nm (12 THz) are demonstrated with pulse energies up to 20 microJ when pumped with 500 microJ, 150 fs pulses centered at 802 nm. The required signal-pump angles range from 1.9 to 5.0 degrees. The pulse duration was 60 fs after compression.     

Origin and effect of high-order dispersion in ultrashort pulse multiphoton microscopy in the 10 fs regime

Short pulses can induce high nonlinear excitation, and thus they should be favorable for use in multiphoton microscopy. However, the large spectral dispersion can easily destroy the advantages of the ultrashort pulse if there is no compensation. The group delay dispersion (GDD), third-order dispersion, and their effects on the intensity and bandwidth of second-harmonic generation (SHG) signal were analyzed. We found that the prism pair used for compensating the GDD of the two-photon microscope actually introduces significant negative high-order dispersion (HOD), which dramatically narrowed down the two-photon absorption probability for ultrashort pulses. We also investigated the SHG signal after GDD and HOD compensation for different pulse durations. Without HOD compensation, the SHG efficiency dropped significantly for a pulse duration below 20 fs. We experimentally compared the SHG and two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) signal intensity for 11 fs versus 50 fs pulses, a pulse duration close to that commonly used in conventional multiphoton microscopy. The result suggested that after adaptive phase compensation, the 11fs pulse can yield a 3.2- to 6.0-fold TPEF intensity and a 5.1-fold SHG intensity, compared to 50 fs pulses.     

Enhancing the spectral response of filled bolometer arrays for submillimeter astronomy

Future missions for astrophysical studies in the submillimeter region will need detectors with very high sensitivity and large fields of view. Bolometer arrays can fulfill these requirements over a very broad band. We describe a technique that enables bolometer arrays that use quarter-wave cavities to have a high spectral response over most of the submillimeter band. This technique is based on the addition on the front of the array of an antireflecting dielectric layer. The optimum parameters (layer thickness and distance to the array) are determined by a 2D analytic code. This general principle is applied to the case of Herschel PACS bolometers (optimized for the 60 to 210 μm band). As an example, we demonstrate experimentally that a PACS array covered by a 138 μm thick silicon layer can improve the spectral response by a factor of 1.7 in the 450 μm band.     

Modern Scattering‐Type Scanning Near‐Field Optical Microscopy for Advanced Material Research

Infrared and optical spectroscopy represents one of the most informative methods in advanced materials research. As an important branch of modern optical techniques that has blossomed in the past decade, scattering‐type scanning near‐field optical microscopy (s‐SNOM) promises deterministic characterization of optical properties over a broad spectral range at the nanoscale. It allows ultrabroadband optical (0.5–3000 µm) nanoimaging, and nanospectroscopy with fine spatial (<10 nm), spectral (<1 cm^?1), and temporal (<10 fs) resolution. The history of s‐SNOM is briefly introduced and recent advances which broaden the horizons of this technique in novel material research are summarized. In particular, this includes the pioneering efforts to study the nanoscale electrodynamic properties of plasmonic metamaterials, strongly correlated quantum materials, and polaritonic systems at room or cryogenic temperatures. Technical details, theoretical modeling, and new experimental methods are also discussed extensively, aiming to identify clear technology trends and unsolved challenges in this exciting field of research.     

Dispersion-free transient-grating frequency-resolved optical gating

We have developed a compact dispersion-free TG (transient-grating) FROG (frequency-resolved optical gating) by utilizing a mask that separates the input beam into three distinct beams focused into fused silica to create the FROG signal. Two of the beams are reflected off the same set of mirrors to ensure identical optical paths, eliminating the difficulty in establishing zero time delay between the beams. In addition, the use of only reflective optics avoids material dispersion in the FROG except for the mixing crystal. This TG FROG is capable of operating with an intensity of 1 x 10(11) W/cm(2) and has resolutions less than 0.5 and 1.3 fs for 25- and 10-fs input pulses, respectively.