Microwatt shot-noise measurement

We report a simple scheme for sensitive measurements of optical-noise spectra. Optical noise is separated from electronic noise when the output of an analog spectrum analyzer is real-time squared and then lock-in detected. This method directly yields the desired mean-square noise voltage, i.e., the power spectrum of the optical noise on a linear scale. To demonstrate this technique, the mean-square shot noise of a laser beam is measured and found to vary linearly with the laser power from several milliwatts down to one microwatt, in excellent quantitative agreement with predictions.     

Diffractive-phase-element design that implements several optical functions

A scheme for the design of diffractive phase elements (DPE's) that integrates several optical functions is presented in a consistent sense based on the general theory of amplitude-phase retrieval and the Yang-Gu algorithm [Appl. Opt. 33, 209 (1994)]. We extend the original Yang-Gu algorithm to treat a system illuminated by a beam of incident light whose components are at different wavelengths, and a set of equations for determining the phase distribution of the DPE is derived. The profile of a surface-relief DPE can be designed with an iterative algorithm. Numerical simulations are carried out for the design of one-dimensional DPE's capable of both demultiplexing different wavelength components and focusing each partial wave at predetermined positions. The influence of the extension of sampling points in the DPE's from ideal geometric points to physical spots on design results is also investigated. The numerical simulation results show that the new algorithm can be used successfully to design the desired DPE's. It is therefore expected to be useful in the design of DPE's for micro-optical systems.     

Polynomial expansion for shift- and one- or two-dimensional scale-invariant pattern recognition

A polynomial expansion is suggested for achieving optical invariant pattern recognition. The expansion results in a real function and thus is theoretically able to be implemented under both coherent and spatially incoherent illumination. One obtains the expansion after applying the Gram-Schmidt algorithm on the Laurent's series in order to achieve orthonormality. The initial Laurent term with which we apply the Gram-Schmidt procedure is chosen according to the desired expansion order. The use of the polynomial expansion is demonstrated for shift- and one-dimensional scale-invariant pattern recognition as well as for shift-and two-dimensional scale-invariant recognition.     

Coplanar refractive-diffractive doublets for optoelectronic integrated systems

A coplanar refractive-diffractive doublet array employing surface-relief diffractive phase elements embedded within poly(methyl methacrylate) microlenses is introduced as an optomechanical building block for optoelectronic integrated systems. The design method, fabrication technology, and results are described. Coplanarity of the quadratic- and linear-phase elements constituting the doublet can reduce optomechanical complexity in applications to unguided optical interconnects.     

Stress-strain curves of polycrystals: Analysis of hardening and softening

The stress-plastic strain curve is regarded as a result of the simultaneous action of two processes: hardening occurring during instantaneous loading and softening which depends on temporal parameters. A physical interpretation of the piecewise-parabolic dependence for the stress—plastic strain curve is given. It was established experimentally that the instantaneous stress-plastic strain curve of a number of annealed polycrystals (copper, brass, duralumin, steel) regardless of the degree of plastic strain or type of deformation substructure can be described by a single parabolic function called the astructural stress-strain curve. The formation of the substructure provides realization of softening processes, the rate of which depends on the type of substructure. A criterion of transition from one parabolic segment of the stress-strain curve to another and, accordingly, change of the deformation substructures is formulated as the condition of maximum stress relaxation during deformation.Translated from Problemy Prochnosti, No. 10, pp. 18–33, October, 1995.     

Low-cycle fatigue of polycrystalline α-iron modified by mutually immiscible silver-ion implantation

Cyclic deformations of annealed pure polycrystalline -iron with and without further mutually immiscible silver-ion implantation (90 keV, 6×10¹⁶ ions cm^–2) were studied in a plastic strain-controlled tension-compression fatigue test (triangular loading waveform, frequency 0.02–0.3 Hz, and plastic strain range 3×10^–3–1.2×10^–2). The obtained plastic strain-life (_p-N _f) curves showed that the iron specimens could survive for a greater number of cycles before failure when implanted. Comparison of the cyclic stress-strain curves suggested that the implanted specimens had maintained a relatively more stable microstructural change than those unimplanted ones which had undergone a violent cyclic hardening during cyclic deformation. This is proposed to be a strong indication that the fatigue ductility has been improved and the cross slip of screw dislocations, which leads to the evolution of the persistent slip bands for fatigue damage, was hindered to some extent after ion implantation.     

Strength,hardness and fracture toughness of a complex nickel silicide containing ductile phase particles

Measurements have been made at room temperature of the strength and fracture toughness of a complex nickel silicide containing particles of a ductile phase. The matrix was either a single-phase L1₂ distorted Ni₃Si (₂) or a two-phase Ni₃Si (₁) and Ni₃₁Si₁₂ () mixture. The particles were a solid solution of Ni(Si) encased within a rim of ₁; they contained a dispersion of ₁ precipitates. The principal variable was the particle size, and this had little effect on the properties. The results show that the compressive yield strength ( 1200 MPa), the compressive ductility (2–10%) and the fracture toughness (17 ± 3 MPa m^1/2) are relatively high. The toughness and ductility are attributed to the plastic deformation and ductile fracture of the crack-stopping Ni(Si) particles.     

Fractal and topological characterization of branching patterns on the fracture surface of cross-linked dimethacrylate resins

The branching patterns formed as a result of crack growth in dimethacrylate resins below their glass transition temperatures looked similar to fractal trees. The skeletons of the patterns were analysed numerically for their topological and geometrical properties. The number of branches, N _i , mean branch lengths, N _i , and branch angles of a particular order, defined according to the Strahler and inverted Weibel schemes, followed exponential scaling behaviour: N _i (R _b )^–i and L _i (R _l ) ⁱ . Using the relationship for the fractal dimension D=In R _B /In R _L , a value of D=1.4 was obtained for the fracture pattern. Fractal behaviour was also examined by the box-counting method which indicated a power-law dependence of the mass on the box size with fractal dimension exponent D=1.4 in the case of the fracture pattern. However, the mass-shell method for both the fracture pattern and the fractal trees gave an exponential increase of mass with distance from the origin, rather than the power-law behaviour expected for fractals. This was attributed to the fact that branches of different sizes were distributed in restricted regions of space closer to the periphery, rather than uniformly over the whole pattern.     

Effect of the fluctuation range of formation temperature on the preparation and superconductivity of Bi(Pb)2223 single-phase

Effects of the fluctuation range of formation temperature on preparation and superconducting properties of the Bi(Pb)2223 phase have been investigated in detail. Our results show that knowledge about the temperature distribution and fluctuation in the muffle furnace is necessary for preparation of the Bi(Pb)2223 single-phase. Single-phase samples from Bi_0.17Pb_0.3Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_y were obtained by a solid-state reaction in air at 835±5C. The best superconducting property of the as-prepared samples shows a one-step transition of a.c. susceptibility withT _c=109 K. Using this optimum sintering temperature and keeping the temperature fluctuation less than 5C, we have prepared pure Bi(Pb)2223 single-phase samples with good reproducibility.     

Flux pinning in high-Tc superconductive films

Magnetization measurements have been performed onc-axis oriented Y- and Gd-based superconductive films in a wide range of the temperaturesT (4.2–85 K) and magnetic fieldsH (0–8 T) withH c-axis. The influence of flux creep on both the temperature dependence of critical current densityJ _cm and the scaling behavior of flux pinning forceF _p has been discussed in detail. The experimental results show that Y and Gd films have different pinning mechanism. Flux pinning-force peaks in high fields are observed in Gd film at high temperatures and can be considered as evidence for collective pinning.