Advances In Optical Materials Research Articles

Topologically reconfigurable magnetic polaritons

Hyperbolic polaritons in extremely anisotropic materials have attracted intensive attention due to their exotic optical features. Recent advances in optical materials reveal unprecedented dispersion engineering of polaritons, resulting in twistronics for photons, canalized phonon polaritons, shear polaritons, and tunable topological polaritons. However, the on-demand reconfigurability of polaritons, especially with magnetic anisotropic dispersions, is restricted by weak natural magnetic anisotropy and hence remains largely unexplored. Here, we show how origami fused with artificial magnetism unveils a versatile pathway to topologically reconfigure magnetic polaritons. We experimentally demonstrate that the three-dimensional origami deformation allows to reconfigure hyperbolic or elliptic topology of polariton dispersion and modulate group velocity. With group velocity transitioning from positive to negative directions, we further report reconfigurable origami polariton circuitry in which the polariton propagation and phase distribution can be tailored. Our findings provide alternative perspectives on on-chip polaritonics, with potential applications in energy transfer, sensing, and information transport.

At the intersection of optics and deep learning: statistical inference, computing, and inverse design

Deep learning has been revolutionizing information processing in many fields of science and engineering owing to the massively growing amounts of data and the advances in deep neural network architectures. As these neural networks are expanding their capabilities toward achieving state-of-the-art solutions for demanding statistical inference tasks in various applications, there appears to be a global need for low-power, scalable, and fast computing hardware beyond what existing electronic systems can offer. Optical computing might potentially address some of these needs with its inherent parallelism, power efficiency, and high speed. Recent advances in optical materials, fabrication, and optimization techniques have significantly enriched the design capabilities in optics and photonics, leading to various successful demonstrations of guided-wave and free-space computing hardware for accelerating machine learning tasks using light. In addition to statistical inference and computing, deep learning has also fundamentally affected the field of inverse optical/photonic design. The approximation power of deep neural networks has been utilized to develop optics/photonics systems with unique capabilities, all the way from nanoantenna design to end-to-end optimization of computational imaging and sensing systems. In this review, we attempt to provide a broad overview of the current state of this emerging symbiotic relationship between deep learning and optics/photonics.

Stretchable optical diffraction grating from poly(acrylic acid)/polyethylene oxide stereocomplex.

Advances in optical materials, which were initially static elements, have enabled dynamically tunable optical diffraction gratings to be designed. One common tuning strategy relies on mechanical deformation of the grating pitch to modify the diffraction pattern. In the present work, we demonstrate an all-polymer tunable diffraction grating fabricated using a modified replica molding process. The poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)/polyethylene oxide (PEO) polymer stereocomplex films exhibit optical transmittance at or above 80% from 500 nm to 1400 nm and stretchability over 800% strain with reversibility under 70% strain. The imprinted gratings are characterized at 633 nm and 1064 nm under a range of strain conditions. The measured tunability agrees with finite element method modeling.

Recent trends in the application of Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy in Heritage Science: from micro- to non-invasive FT-IR

AbstractThe relevance of FT-IR spectroscopy in heritage science has experienced a constant grow in the last two decades owing to analytical peculiarities that make it an extremely useful tool to answer the questions posed by the study and conservation of art-historical and archaeological materials. High versatility, sensitivity and molecular specificity are, in fact, all requirements that FT-IR spectroscopy fulfils allowing for the investigation of the chemical properties of heritage materials spanning from the micro- to the macro-scale and offering a variety of approaches to minimize sample manipulation and maximize extracted information. Molecular identification and localisation at high lateral resolution of organic and inorganic components in micro-samples was, over recently, the mostly exploited use of FT-IR in heritage science; however, benefiting from technological progress and advances in optical materials and components achieved in the last decade, it now stands out also for non-invasive surface analysis of artworks by fully portable instrumentation.

Generating Bulk-Scale Ordered Optical Materials Using Shear-Assembly in Viscoelastic Media

We review recent advances in the generation of photonics materials over large areas and volumes, using the paradigm of shear-induced ordering of composite polymer nanoparticles. The hard-core/soft-shell design of these particles produces quasi-solid “gum-like” media, with a viscoelastic ensemble response to applied shear, in marked contrast to the behavior seen in colloidal and granular systems. Applying an oscillatory shearing method to sub-micron spherical nanoparticles gives elastomeric photonic crystals (or “polymer opals”) with intense tunable structural color. The further engineering of this shear-ordering using a controllable “roll-to-roll” process known as Bending Induced Oscillatory Shear (BIOS), together with the interchangeable nature of the base composite particles, opens potentially transformative possibilities for mass manufacture of nano-ordered materials, including advances in optical materials, photonics, and metamaterials/plasmonics.

Feature issue introduction: optical materials for flat panel displays

This feature issue on “Optical Materials for Flat Panel Displays” of Optical Materials Express spotlights recent advances in optical materials for information display applications. It comprises 12 papers primarily on liquid-crystal and light-emitting materials and their devices. It is hoped that the present special theme issue encourages and stimulates further research endeavors into novel optical materials with improved optical or electro-optical properties, their mechanisms of operation, and their promoted device performance for potential flat-panel-display applications.

New Optical and Image Sensor Technologies for High-Resolution Digital Cinematography

Progressive advances in optical materials and optical coatings have combined with new optical design tools and strategies to elevate multiple imaging attributes of digital cinematography lenses. Significant advances on a number of technology fronts continue to improve the overall performance of complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors. These technologies include totally new photosite design and innovative new readout strategies. Collectively, these technological improvements contribute to a higher degree of optimization of the digital cine acquisition system and a better emulation of performance parameters that contribute to the much-loved “film look.” This paper outlines the technologies underlying a new generation of 4K cine zoom and prime lenses for both large-format high-definition (HD) and 4K single-sensor digital cameras.

Feature issue introduction: advances in optical materials

This feature offers papers from the OSA topical meeting, ADVANCES IN OPTICAL MATERIALS (AIOM 2012), held February 1–3, 2012, at the Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego, California, USA, and encompasses advances in optics, materials science, condensed matter, as well as physics and chemistry relevant to the development of new optical materials. Topics covered include material technologies in the field of crystals, glasses, and ceramics in the form of bulk and microstructured materials, such as composites, planar integrated waveguides and optical fibers, and characterizations and applications of these materials for passive optics, for lasers and nonlinear conversion devices for many applications. The AIOM featured approximately 42 presentations of which 10 were invited presentations. The next topical meeting of AIOM 2013 will be held in the autumn of 2013 in Paris, France, in conjunction with Advanced Solid State Photonics (ASSP).

Introduction: Advances in Optical Materials (AIOM) feature

Innovation of solid-state sources of coherent radiation, including lasers and nonlinear optical frequency convertors, has long been a materials-limited field. That is why advances in optical materials offer opportunities improvements in performance and new applications. In this special issue, we focus on laser and nonlinear materials with new device fabrication methods and designs for new light sources.

Optical Materials for Vacuum Ultraviolet Lithography: Interaction of Materials with Excimer Laser Pulses.

Recent advances in optical materials for vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) lithography are reviewed from a view of interaction of excimer laser light with materials. Synthetic silica glasses applicable for F2 excimer laser totally differs from those for KrF and ArF lasers. A novel phenomenon was found in H2-impregnated SiO2 glasses byirradiation with F2 laser light pulses, i. e., bleaching of VUV absorption edge. Degradation of optical transmissionat 193 nm of calcium fluoride single crystals is primarily determined by the concentration of specific impuritycations such as Y3+ and Tb2+. Time resolved fluorescence was an effective technique to make screening of the fluoride crystals with high tightness to ArF laser pulses.

Photonic logic

Following the successful replacement of electrical cables in telecommunications networks by fibre-optic links, more and more people are wondering whether it may be possible to extend such optical techniques into the realm of information processing. The idea of 'optical computing' has been around since the early 1960s and includes a multitude of different ways in which the properties of light and optical media might be exploited to process information encoded onto light beams. The spur to this activity was the invention of the laser in 1960 which made available a powerful and highly controllable source of light. Despite the passage of nearly 30 years, this fascinating alternative to electronic computing has stubbornly remained in the research laboratories. Recently, however, significant advances in optical materials and laser technology have provided a new impetus to the field and the 'high-tech' industries are beginning- to look seriously at its potential.