Blocking Filter Research Articles

空间X射线探测用遮光膜的光学性能表征

空间X射线探测用遮光膜的光学性能表征

Cesium lead halide perovskite nanocrystals for ultraviolet and blue light blocking

Using cesium lead halide perovskite nanocrystals, CsPb(Cl/Br)3, as a light absorber, we report a highly effective UV and blue light blocking film. The CsPb(Cl/Br)3 nanocrystals are well dispersed in the ethyl cellulose (EC) matrix to compose a UV and blue light shielding film, and the absorption edge of the film is tunable by adjusting Cl to Br ratio using anion exchange. The CsPbCl2Br-EC film exhibits a transmittance of 5% at 459 nm, 90% at 478 nm and 95% in the range of 500–800 nm, which makes it excellent for UV and blue light shielding. In addition, the as-prepared EC-CsPb(Cl/Br)3 film shows excellent photostability under UV irradiation. Results demonstrate that this EC-CsPb(Cl/Br)3 based materials with sharp absorbance edges, tunable blocking wavelength, and high photostability can be useful for the applications in UV and blue light blocking and optical filters

On-chip silicon mode blocking filter employing subwavelength-grating based contra-directional coupler.

Mode blocking may be required in mode-division multiplexing (MDM) systems. We demonstrate a silicon mode blocking filter using a subwavelength grating-based contra-directional coupler. The device is capable of blocking the undesired mode channel without affecting the propagation of the other modes. As a proof-of-concept experiment, two mode blocking filters are experimentally demonstrated, which can block the TE0 mode and the TE1 mode, respectively. Low crosstalk (≤21.0 dB) and reasonable insertion losses (≤2.3 dB) are achieved for both the TE0-mode- and the TE1-mode blocking filters.

Analysis and mitigation of low-frequency resonance in a long-distance UHVDC ±1100 kV system

Low-frequency resonance may seriously threaten the stable operation of a long-distance ultra-high-voltage-direct-current (UHVDC) system. In this paper, the impedance model of long-distance UHVDC systems was analyzed for various disturbances. For different disturbances, the positions of voltage sources in the simulated DC loop are different. Taking the first ±1100-kV DC power transmission project with a length of 2688km as an example, the frequency characteristics of the DC-loop impedance were studied using the PSCAD/EMTDC simulation platform. The effects of various operating modes and the firing angle of the converters on impedance–frequency characteristics of the DC loop were discussed. The effect of the length of DC transmission lines on the DC-loop resonant frequency was studied. The distance is the most important factor determining the system low-frequency resonance. Faults in an AC grid, such as phase-to-phase short-circuit and single-phase faults, are shown to produce 50-Hz positive sequence harmonics on the AC side and 100-Hz disturbances in the DC loop. Two methods of mitigating low-frequency resonance were proposed and the effects simulated. Installation of the blocking filter in the neutral bus of the converter station can reduce the amplitude of the resonance overvoltage.

Ground calibration of the Astro-H (Hitomi) soft x-ray spectrometer

The Astro-H (Hitomi) Soft X-ray Spectrometer (SXS) was a pioneering imaging x-ray spectrometer with 5 eV energy resolution at 6 keV. The instrument used a microcalorimeter array at the focus of a high-throughput soft x-ray telescope to enable high-resolution nondispersive spectroscopy in the soft x-ray waveband (0.3 to 12 keV). We present the suite of ground calibration measurements acquired from 2012 to 2015, including characterization of the detector system, anti-coincidence detector, optical blocking filters, and filter-wheel filters. The calibration of the 36-pixel silicon thermistor microcalorimeter array includes parameterizations of the energy gain scale and line-spread function for each event grade over a range of instrument operating conditions, as well as quantum efficiency measurements. The x-ray transmission of the set of five Al/polyimide thin-film optical blocking filters mounted inside the SXS dewar has been modeled based on measurements at synchrotron beamlines, including with high spectral resolution at the C, N, O, and Al K-edges. In addition, we present the x-ray transmission of the dewar gate valve and of the filters mounted on the SXS filter wheel (external to the dewar), including beryllium, polyimide, and neutral density filters.

Design, implementation, and performance of the Astro-H soft x-ray spectrometer aperture assembly and blocking filters

The calorimeter array of the JAXA Astro-H (renamed Hitomi) soft x-ray spectrometer (SXS) was designed to provide unprecedented spectral resolution of spatially extended cosmic x-ray sources and of all cosmic x-ray sources in the Fe-K band around 6 keV. The properties that made the SXS array a powerful x-ray spectrometer also made it sensitive to photons from the entire electromagnetic band as well as particles. If characterized as a bolometer, it would have had a noise equivalent power of <4 × 10 ? 18 W / (Hz)0.5. Thus, it was imperative to shield the detector from thermal radiation from the instrument and optical and UV photons from the sky. In addition, it was necessary to shield the coldest stages of the instrument from the thermal radiation emanating from the warmer stages. These needs were addressed by a series of five thin-film radiation-blocking filters, anchored to the nested temperature stages, that blocked long-wavelength radiation while minimizing x-ray attenuation. The aperture assembly was a system of barriers, baffles, filter carriers, and filter mounts that supported the filters and inhibited their potential contamination. The three outer filters also had been equipped with thermometers and heaters for decontamination. We present the requirements, design, implementation, and performance of the SXS aperture assembly and blocking filters.

Soft X-ray Imager aboard Hitomi (ASTRO-H)

The Soft X-ray Imager (SXI) is an imaging spectrometer using charge-coupled devices (CCDs) aboard the Hitomi X-ray observatory. The SXI sensor has four CCDs with an imaging area size of $31~{\rm mm} \times 31~{\rm mm}$ arranged in a $2 \times 2$ array. Combined with the X-ray mirror, the Soft X-ray Telescope, the SXI detects X-rays between $0.4~{\rm keV}$ and $12~{\rm keV}$ and covers a $38^{\prime} \times 38^{\prime}$ field-of-view. The CCDs are P-channel fully-depleted, back-illumination type with a depletion layer thickness of $200~\mu{\rm m}$. Low operation temperature down to $-120~^\circ{\rm C}$ as well as charge injection is employed to reduce the charge transfer inefficiency of the CCDs. The functionality and performance of the SXI are verified in on-ground tests. The energy resolution measured is $161$-$170~{\rm eV}$ in full width at half maximum for $5.9~{\rm keV}$ X-rays. In the tests, we found that the CTI of some regions are significantly higher. A method is developed to properly treat the position-dependent CTI. Another problem we found is pinholes in the Al coating on the incident surface of the CCDs for optical light blocking. The Al thickness of the contamination blocking filter is increased in order to sufficiently block optical light.

Fundermental Study on harmonics in a circulating current of a Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) at 500Hz operation

This paper describes a result of a fundermantal study on harmonics in a circulating current of a 500Hz MMC. 500Hz MMC is a promising converter for the power transmission from an off-shore Wind Farm. However, because of limitation of switching frequency of power switching device used for the converter, it has a problem of lower even order harmonics. The effect of time step range and carrier frequency of PWM controller and harmonics suppression by the insertion of blocking filter are studied in this paper.

Mitigation strategies against radiation-induced background for space astronomy missions

The Advanced Telescope for High ENergy Astrophysics (ATHENA) mission is a major upcoming space-based X-ray observatory due to be launched in 2028 by ESA, with the purpose of mapping the early universe and observing black holes. Background radiation is expected to constitute a large fraction of the total system noise in the Wide Field Imager (WFI) instrument on ATHENA, and designing an effective system to reduce the background radiation impacting the WFI will be crucial for maximising its sensitivity. Significant background sources are expected to include high energy protons, X-ray fluorescence lines, 'knock-on' electrons and Compton electrons. Due to the variety of the different background sources, multiple shielding methods may be required to achieve maximum sensitivity in the WFI. These techniques may also be of great interest for use in future space-based X-ray experiments. Simulations have been developed to model the effect of a graded-Z shield on the X-ray fluorescence background. In addition the effect of a 90nm optical blocking filter on the secondary electron background has been investigated and shown to modify the requirements of any secondary electron shielding that is to be used.

Augmented reality in laser laboratories

Laser safety glasses block visibility of the laser light. This is a big nuisance when a clear view of the beam path is required. A headset made up of a smartphone and a viewer can overcome this problem. The user looks at the image of the real world on the cellphone display, captured by its rear camera. An unimpeded and safe sight of the laser beam is then achieved.If the infrared blocking filter of the smartphone camera is removed, the spectral sensitivity of the CMOS image sensor extends in the near infrared region up to 1100 nm. This substantial improvement widens the usability of the device to many laser systems for industrial and medical applications, which are located in this spectral region.The paper describes this modification of a phone camera to extend its sensitivity beyond the visible and make a true augmented reality laser viewer.

Demonstration of a diode-laser-based high spectral resolution lidar (HSRL) for quantitative profiling of clouds and aerosols.

We present a demonstration of a diode-laser-based high spectral resolution lidar. It is capable of performing calibrated retrievals of aerosol and cloud optical properties at a 150 m range resolution with less than 1 minute integration time over an approximate range of 12 km during day and night. This instrument operates at 780 nm, a wavelength that is well established for reliable semiconductor lasers and detectors, and was chosen because it corresponds to the D2 rubidium absorption line. A heated vapor reference cell of isotopic rubidium 87 is used as an effective and reliable aerosol signal blocking filter in the instrument. In principle, the diode-laser-based high spectral resolution lidar can be made cost competitive with elastic backscatter lidar systems, yet delivers a significant improvement in data quality through direct retrieval of quantitative optical properties of clouds and aerosols.

Development of photoanodes for photoelectrocatalytic solar cells based on copper-based nanoparticles on titania thin films of vertically aligned nanotubes

Titania nanotube (TNT)-array thin films well decorated by copper nanoparticles with average size of 3nm were prepared by spray coating of a solution containing size-controlled Cu0 nanoparticles. The consecutive calcination at 300°C and 450°C leads to the oxidation of these Cu NPs to CuO, with small amounts of Cu2O at the lower calcination temperature, but maintaining the high dispersion. Analogous materials prepared by copper electrodeposition lead to significantly larger Cu NPs. The TNT-array thin film shows significantly enhanced photocurrent (up to about 90%) with respect to a comparable thin film prepared by spin coating using a commercial TiO2 P25 sample. The behavior is similar by applying different filters to cut part of solar light simulator radiation. Particularly, using an UV B/C blocking filter, which permits to pass light in the 350–550nm range, an about two-fold intensification in the current-to-electrical energy conversion (normalized to the same total irradiance) is obtained. The presence of CuO nanoparticles decreases the photocurrent density with respect to the support alone (TNT-array 1h), but enhances the H2 photogeneration rate in the gas-phase photoreactor experiments. The results indicate that in the tested experimental conditions, the main role of CuO nanoparticles is to act as co-catalyst to improve the H2 photogeneration rate rather than to promote charge separation or other effects, which promote the photocurrent density.

First Observations from the Multi-Application Solar Telescope (MAST) Narrow-Band Imager

The Multi-Application Solar Telescope is a 50 cm off-axis Gregorian telescope recently installed at the Udaipur Solar Observatory, India. In order to obtain near-simultaneous observations at photospheric and chromospheric heights, an imager optimized for two or more wavelengths is being integrated with the telescope. Two voltage-tuneable lithium-niobate Fabry–Perot etalons along with a set of interference blocking filters have been used for developing the imager. Both of the etalons are used in tandem for photospheric observations in Fe i 6173 A and chromospheric observation in H $\alpha$ 6563 A spectral lines, whereas only one of the etalons is used for the chromospheric Ca II line at 8542 A. The imager is also being used for spectropolarimetric observations. We discuss the characterization of the etalons at the above wavelengths, detail the integration of the imager with the telescope, and present a few sets of observations taken with the imager set-up.

A user-friendly technical set-up for infrared photography of forensic findings

Infrared photography is interesting for a use in forensic science and forensic medicine since it reveals findings that normally are almost invisible to the human eye. Originally, infrared photography has been made possible by the placement of an infrared light transmission filter screwed in front of the camera objective lens. However, this set-up is associated with many drawbacks such as the loss of the autofocus function, the need of an external infrared source, and long exposure times which make the use of a tripod necessary. These limitations prevented up to now the routine application of infrared photography in forensics.In this study the use of a professional modification inside the digital camera body was evaluated regarding camera handling and image quality. This permanent modification consisted of the replacement of the in-built infrared blocking filter by an infrared transmission filter of 700nm and 830nm, respectively. The application of this camera set-up for the photo-documentation of forensically relevant post-mortem findings was investigated in examples of trace evidence such as gunshot residues on the skin, in external findings, e.g. hematomas, as well as in an exemplary internal finding, i.e., Wischnewski spots in a putrefied stomach.The application of scattered light created by indirect flashlight yielded a more uniform illumination of the object, and the use of the 700nm filter resulted in better pictures than the 830nm filter. Compared to pictures taken under visible light, infrared photographs generally yielded better contrast. This allowed for discerning more details and revealed findings which were not visible otherwise, such as imprints on a fabric and tattoos in mummified skin.The permanent modification of a digital camera by building in a 700nm infrared transmission filter resulted in a user-friendly and efficient set-up which qualified for the use in daily forensic routine. Main advantages were a clear picture in the viewfinder, an auto-focus usable over the whole range of infrared light, and the possibility of using short shutter speeds which allows taking infrared pictures free-hand. The proposed set-up with a modification of the camera allows a user-friendly application of infrared photography in post-mortem settings.

Composite reflective/absorptive IR-blocking filters embedded in metamaterial antireflection-coated silicon.

Infrared (IR)-blocking filters are crucial for controlling the radiative loading on cryogenic systems and for optimizing the sensitivity of bolometric detectors in the far-IR. We present a new IR filter approach based on a combination of patterned frequency-selective structures on silicon and a thin (25-75 μm thick) absorptive composite based on powdered reststrahlen absorbing materials. For a 300 K blackbody, this combination reflects ∼50% of the incoming light and blocks >99.8% of the total power with negligible thermal gradients and excellent low-frequency transmission. This allows a reduction in the IR thermal loading to negligible levels in a single cold filter. These composite filters are fabricated on silicon substrates, which provide excellent thermal transport laterally through the filter and ensure that the entire area of the absorptive filter stays near the bath temperature. A metamaterial antireflection coating cut into these substrates reduces in-band reflections to below 1%, and the in-band absorption of the powder mix is below 1% for signal bands below 750 GHz. This type of filter can be directly incorporated into silicon refractive optical elements.

Frequency response and harmonic distortion testing of inductive voltage transformer used for power quality measurements

International standards related to power quality measurements define methods and accuracies for the measuring instruments, but do not specify the accuracy of instrument transformers. Therefore, it is not possible to specify an overall accuracy for such measurements. Inductive voltage transformers (IVTs) which are used for power quality measurements should be tested to determine the ratio correction factors (RCFs) and phase angle errors at higher frequencies. In this paper, harmonic distortion and frequency response tests are performed to determine the level of harmonics generated by IVT and its ability to transform harmonics from high voltage (HV) to low voltage (LV) side. Complex voltages consisting of fundamental voltage and certain amount of superimposed harmonic are used to check the frequency response of IVT. RCFs and phase angle errors of the IVT are determined and can be applied to power quality monitors for compensation of errors that occur at high harmonic frequencies. Different test circuits are proposed for generation of HV consisting of fundamental voltage and harmonic voltages with amplitudes in range 5-15 % of the applied fundamental voltage. In order to improve the testing capabilities at higher voltage levels (for equipment with 123 kV≤Um≤420 kV), a compensation for both fundamental and harmonic voltages is proposed with a special connection through blocking and pass filters.

New ultra-violet and near-infrared blocking filters for energy saving applications: fabrication of tantalum metal atom cluster-based nanocomposite thin films by electrophoretic deposition

First fabrication of a Ta6-based nanocomposite coating, for energy saving applications, by an EPD solution process.

Elastin structure and its involvement in skin photoageing

Skin aging is a complex process that may be caused by factors that are intrinsic and extrinsic to the body. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation represents one of the main sources of skin damage over the years and characterizes a process known as photoaging. Among the changes that affect cutaneous tissue with age, the loss of elastic properties caused by changes in elastin production, increased degradation and/or processing produces a substantial impact on tissue esthetics and health. The occurrence of solar elastosis is one of the main markers of cutaneous photoaging and is characterized by disorganized and non-functional deposition of elastic fibers. The occurrence of UV radiation-induced alternative splicing of the elastin gene, which leads to inadequate synthesis of the proteins required for the correct assembly of elastic fibers, is a potential explanation for this phenomenon. Innovative studies have been fundamental for the elucidation of rarely explored photoaging mechanisms and have enabled the identification of effective therapeutic alternatives such as cosmetic products. This review addresses cutaneous photoaging and the changes that affect elastin in this process.

Ambient exposure of the ocular tissues to optical radiation

SummaryOptical radiation is usually considered as radiation between 1 nm and 1 mm. The visible part of optical radiation typically extends from 400 and 760 nm. Optical radiation with wavelengths shorter than visible is referred to as ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and optical radiation with wavelengths longer than visible as infrared radiation (IRR). The most abundant source of optical radiation on the earth is daylight sun. The spectral emission of the sun is determined by the sun temperature, 5,778 K and the atmospheric attenuation. In environments with high backhground reflection of UVR the UVR from the sun at the surface of the earth may cause photochemical damage to the human eye. Humans have continuously increased the light load on the visual system by inventions like the fire, the incandescent‐ and the halogen‐ lamp, fluorescent tubes and recently the LED lamp. The primary emission from halogen lamps and fluorescent tubes contains enough UVR to cause photochemical damage to the eye if not fitted with suitable filters. Even when fitted with UVR blocking filters these sources increase the load of blue light on the retina that potentially causes photochemical damage. LED lamps used for illumination typically are blue emitting diodes with fluorescent coating that provides a white light sensation to the visual system. The spectral output typically has a strong peak in the blue balanced by a broad peak in red. The blue light potentially causes photochemical damage in the retina. The deviation of the spectral distribution of the LED lamp from that of the sun challenges the color perception of the visual system in the aging eye and after cataract surgery with blue blocking IOLs due to increased selective blue light absorption. Increasing use of IRR LEDs for remote sensing and control is a potential hazard to the anterior segment of the eye.

Calibration of the microcalorimeter spectrometer on-board the Hitomi (Astro-H) observatory (invited).

The Hitomi Soft X-ray Spectrometer (SXS) was a pioneering non-dispersive imaging x-ray spectrometer with 5 eV FWHM energy resolution, consisting of an array of 36 silicon-thermistor microcalorimeters at the focus of a high-throughput soft x-ray telescope. The instrument enabled astrophysical plasma diagnostics in the 0.3-12 keV band. We introduce the SXS calibration strategy and corresponding ground calibration measurements that took place from 2012-2015, including both the characterization of the microcalorimeter array and measurements of the x-ray transmission of optical blocking filters.