Collection Optics Research Articles

Designing metasurface optical interfaces for solid-state qubits using many-body adjoint shape optimization

We present a general strategy for the inverse design of metasurfaces composed of elementary shapes. We use it to design a structure that collects and collimates light from nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond. Such metasurfaces constitute scalable optical interfaces for solid-state qubits, enabling efficient photon coupling into optical fibers and eliminating free-space collection optics. The many-body shape optimization strategy is a practical alternative to topology optimization that explicitly enforces material and fabrication constraints throughout the optimization, while still achieving high performance. The metasurface is easily adaptable to other solid-state qubits, and the optimization method is broadly applicable to fabrication-constrained photonic design problems.

Fast photodiode arrays for high frequency fluctuation measurements of reconnecting flux ropes.

An array of compact, high-bandwidth (>200MHz) and low-cost optical photodiodes has been developed and implemented on the PHASe MApping (PHASMA) experiment. Using purpose-built electronics, an array of 16 photodetectors was constructed and used to monitor broadband (1-5MHz) fluctuations in light intensity emitted by flux ropes undergoing electron-only magnetic reconnection. These measurements reveal a swath of oscillatory behavior, including wave propagation inward toward the diffusion region at approximately the local electron Alfvén speed. Custom 3D-printed collection optics and mounting hardware allow quick reconfiguration of the array for radial or axial measurements. The electronics design is flexible enough to be used with other current-sourcing transducers, such as avalanche photodiodes; silicon photomultipliers; and infrared, x-ray, and UV photodiodes. A noise-rejecting electrical layout allows for low-noise operation close to pulsed plasma discharges. A 16-channel, 64-pixel tomographic array was constructed and initial reconstructions are presented.

Measurement of Stark-split beam and carbon charge exchange emissions for simultaneous B-field and temperature/rotation analysis at DIII-D.

A set of two newly designed, single-channel Czerny-Turner spectrometers has been deployed at the DIII-D tokamak for measurements of the motional Stark effect (MSE) split beam emission and the C6+ (CVI) carbon charge exchange recombination (CER) emission at high spectral (δλ = 0.13nm) and temporal (1-5kHz) resolution. High throughput optics (f/# = 2.8) allow for good signal-to-noise at high time resolution using fast EMCCD detectors. The MSE emission allows for spectral fitting of the magnitude and direction of the local B-field, while the carbon emission yields local ion temperature and toroidal rotation information. To reduce so-called Doppler broadening of the MSE emission, a new channel-specific variable lens-masking approach has been developed. Experimental data collected from the 2023 DIII-D experimental campaign demonstrate the signal quality and instrument fidelity for both diagnostic measurements. Moreover, initial CER data analysis shows a clear evolution of the toroidal rotation during edge localized modes. Initial progress on the advanced MSE model, including a new validated ray-trace model of the DIII-D collection optics, is shown via sensitivity analysis.

Multi‐Functional Metasurfaces as a Platform to Realize Ultra‐Compact Confocal Instrumentation for on‐Machine Metrology

AbstractAs manufacturing looks to employ more smart and autonomous processes to improve how items are made, reducing scrappage rates and with it the associated waste of time and energy, new ultra‐compact sensors are needed that can be deployed where existing instrumentation cannot. The use of traditional methods when constructing optical sensors limits the progress that can be made in reducing their size and weight, however, emerging technologies such as metasurfaces offer a platform by which these barriers can be overcome to develop the sensors needed to underpin this manufacturing transition. Here it is demonstrated that how a single metasurface can be used to deliver all the optical manipulations required to create a metasurface‐based confocal sensor with only the addition of a point source and point detector. By combining the optical functionality of both the illumination and the collection optics in this way the system is simplified and reduced in size significantly. While here how a metasurface can be used to reduce the number of elements needed to produce an ultra‐compact confocal sensor is demonstrated, this approach can be used to simplify a far wider range of instrumentation to greatly reduce their size and weight.

Characterization of SimulCam, a standoff Raman system for scientific support of SuperCam operations on Mars

During the development activities of SuperCam Calibration Target, target intended for one of the two first Raman instruments to be deployed on another planetary body, our group developed a laboratory instrument that could simulate to some extent the Raman capabilities of one of such instruments and could provide data with similar quality. The use of this kind of laboratory instruments has demonstrated its utility in the evaluation of potential calibration targets or anticipating the science outcome that an instrument could provide. The present work describes our laboratory setup to support SuperCam, evaluating similarities between both instruments, despite of differences in the hardware. Evaluation of data gathered by SuperCam on Mars and the availability of one replica of SuperCam’s Calibration Target allowed the comparison on the same set of targets, demonstrating how similar Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) could be achieved from both instruments. The higher energy per pulse on SimulCam is compensated by a greater analytical footprint and the use of smaller collection optics. The results show how spectra obtained at representative distances of SuperCam are comparable. Operational principles are also comparable in terms of time resolution, and close in terms of spectral resolution.This similarity has allowed different science support works using SimulCam data, as well as the support to Mars detections using our setup. We provide examples of this support that will be shared with the community in different papers, as well as examples of possible operations activities that could benefit from experiments performed with SimulCam. We show how this setup can complement the two laboratory replicas in Los Alamos and Toulouse in providing support data to different experiments.

Progress and challenges in the design of ITER's polarimetric Thomson scattering diagnostic system.

Polarimetric Thomson scattering (PTS) is a technique that allows for accurate measurements of electron temperature (Te) in very hot plasmas (Te > 10 keV, a condition expected to be regularly achieved in ITER). Under such conditions, the spectral region spanned by the TS spectrum is large and extends to low wavelengths, where the transmission of the collection optics decreases, available detectors are less efficient, and the high level of plasma background light perturbs the measurements. This work presents the recent developments in the design of a PTS system for ITER, along with the challenges posed by the complex machine design. The system performance is assessed for an updated geometry (with respect to previous publication), showing that, with a scattering angle θscat = 167°, the expected signal is strongly reduced. Potential alternatives are analyzed: (1) a system employing a different laser injection position, allowing for a more favorable scattering angle and (2) a recently proposed dual-polarization laser pulse technique. The latter is evaluated for the possible ITER geometry, again showing that a more favorable scattering angle is needed for a robust performance.

Collection optics of JT-60SA edge Thomson scattering diagnostic.

The mission of the JT-60SA project is to complement ITER's capabilities by addressing the fundamental physics and engineering challenges necessary to develop a practical and reliable fusion power plant. Diagnostics play a pivotal role in achieving this mission, especially the Thomson Scattering (TS) diagnostic systems developed by a collaborative Japan-EU team. The edge Thomson scattering of JT-60SA is tailored to measure the low field side outer region of the plasma, in particular, to resolve the electron temperature Te and density ne. The collection optics of the edge TS system have a critical role in meeting the required field of view and spatial resolution despite the limited space. This work presents a comprehensive optomechanical design of the optics assembly, whose main features are telecentricity and compactness, highlighting its capabilities. The tests undertaken to verify its performance: focal plane identification, thermal cycle, and magnification, are described.

Optimized collection optic design for divertor Thomson scattering diagnostics in KSTAR.

Last year, the KSTAR divertor material was changed from carbon to tungsten tiles. An optimized collection optic design for divertor Thomson scattering diagnostics in KSTAR was conducted for electron temperature (1-100eV) and electron density (1 × 1018-1 × 1019m-3) profile diagnostics. This diagnostic system will utilize a 1064nm Nd:YAG laser directly from the K-top port toward the beam dump located at K-bottom, while collecting scattered light from five spatial points in the divertor area via collection optics situated in the j-middle port. Given spatial limitations, the solid angle of measurement points is limited, and the collection optic design facing the tungsten divertor is susceptible to stray light. So, the design of the collection optic is important for divertor Thomson scattering diagnostics. For optimal performance, we performed two types of collection optic designs: Cooke-triplet and double-Gaussian. We present performance ray tracing analysis results for both designs and derive the optimal design.

Progress of Lyman-alpha-based beam emission spectroscopy (LyBES) diagnostic on the HL-2A tokamak

An edge Lyman-alpha-based beam emission spectroscopy (LyBES) diagnostic, using a heating NBI (neutral beam injection) system, is currently under development on the HL-2A tokamak. The 20-channel edge LyBES, which is intended to measure the density fluctuation in plasma edge (from R = 1960 mm to R = 2026 mm) with an improved spatial resolution of 3.3 mm, is a complement to the existing conventional beam emission spectroscopy (BES) diagnostic. In this article, we introduce the progress of LyBES diagnostic, including the collection optics, the monochromator, and the detector system. The reflectance of the collection mirrors is measured to be ~82% at 122 nm, and the aberration geometrical radius of the collection optics is tested to be ~150 μm in the aimed area. The linear dispersion of the LyBES monochromator is designed to be ~0.09 nm mm−1. The bandwidth of the detector system with the 5×107 V A−1 preamplifier gain is measured to be ~280 kHz, and the peak-to-peak noise of the detector system is tested to be ~16 mV. The finalized design, components development and testing of the LyBES diagnostic have been completed at present, and an overall performance of the LyBES diagnostic is to be confirmed in the next HL-2A campaign.

Comparison of single and double pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for the detection of biomolecules tagged with photon-upconversion nanoparticles

BackgroundLaser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a well-recognized analytical technique used for elemental analysis. This method is gaining considerable attention also in biological applications thanks to its ability for spatial mapping and elemental imaging. The implementation of LIBS in the biomedical field is based on the detection of metals or other elements that either naturally occur in the samples or are present artificially. The artificial implementation of nanoparticle labels (Tag-LIBS) enables the use of LIBS as a readout technique for immunochemical assays. However, one of the biggest challenges for LIBS to meet immunoassay readout standards is its sensitivity. ResultsThis paper focuses on the improvement of LIBS sensitivity for the readout of nanoparticle-based immunoassays. First, the LIBS setup was optimized on photon-upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP) droplets deposited on the microtiter plate wells. Two collection optics systems were compared, with single pulse (SP) and collinear double pulse (DP) LIBS arrangements. By deploying the second laser pulse, the sensitivity was improved up to 30 times. The optimized SP and DP setups were then employed for the indirect detection of human serum albumin based on immunoassay with UCNP-based labels. Compared to our previous LIBS study, the detection limit was enhanced by two orders of magnitude, from 10 ng mL−1 to 0.29 ng mL−1. In addition, two other immunochemical methods were used for reference, based on the readout of upconversion luminescence of UCNPs and absorbance measurement with enzyme labels. Finally, the selectivity of the assay was tested and the practical potential of Tag-LIBS was demonstrated by the successful analysis of urine samples. Significance and noveltyIn this work, we improved the sensitivity of the Tag-LIBS method by combining new labels based on UCNPs with the improved collection optics and collinear DP configuration. In the instrumental setup optimization, the DP LIBS showed better sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio than SP. The optimizations allowed the LIBS readout to surpass the sensitivity of enzyme immunoassay, approaching the qualities of upconversion luminescence readout, which is nowadays a state-of-the-art readout technique.

Photonic neural probe enabled microendoscopes for light-sheet light-field computational fluorescence brain imaging.

Light-sheet fluorescence microscopy is widely used for high-speed, high-contrast, volumetric imaging. Application of this technique to in vivo brain imaging in non-transparent organisms has been limited by the geometric constraints of conventional light-sheet microscopes, which require orthogonal fluorescence excitation and collection objectives. We have recently demonstrated implantable photonic neural probes that emit addressable light sheets at depth in brain tissue, miniaturizing the excitation optics. Here, we propose a microendoscope consisting of a light-sheet neural probe packaged together with miniaturized fluorescence collection optics based on an image fiber bundle for lensless, light-field, computational fluorescence imaging. Foundry-fabricated, silicon-based, light-sheet neural probes can be packaged together with commercially available image fiber bundles to form microendoscopes for light-sheet light-field fluorescence imaging at depth in brain tissue. Prototype microendoscopes were developed using light-sheet neural probes with five addressable sheets and image fiber bundles. Fluorescence imaging with the microendoscopes was tested with fluorescent beads suspended in agarose and fixed mouse brain tissue. Volumetric light-sheet light-field fluorescence imaging was demonstrated using the microendoscopes. Increased imaging depth and enhanced reconstruction accuracy were observed relative to epi-illumination light-field imaging using only a fiber bundle. Our work offers a solution toward volumetric fluorescence imaging of brain tissue with a compact size and high contrast. The proof-of-concept demonstrations herein illustrate the operating principles and methods of the imaging approach, providing a foundation for future investigations of photonic neural probe enabled microendoscopes for deep-brain fluorescence imaging in vivo.

M-Cube — towards correlative multi-scale light-sheet imaging using a compact, modular and moving illuminator

The crossed arrangement of excitation and collection optics is the defining feature of selective plane illumination microscopes. It results in an axial sectioning given by the thickness of the light sheet, whereas the lateral resolution depends on the numerical aperture of the collection optics. One disadvantage of this optical scheme is that it has been difficult to image large fields-of-view at high spatial resolution. Yet, it is often not necessary to image the entire sample at high resolution. Instead, a zoom from mm-scale over-views to regions-of-interest that are imaged at μm is often sufficient, e.g., for studying neuronal networks that simultaneously comprise cm-long connections and tiny (sub-μm) synaptic contacts, spanning 6 orders of magnitude. Observations over such different spatial scales typically require the use of different instruments. We here describe our ongoing efforts to build and characterise a compact light-sheet module designed for correlative micro- meso- and macroscopic imaging. Its particularity is that moves with the sample between micro- and macroscopic imaging arms. Based on a compact illuminator and flexible sample carrier the module is mounted on a motorised long-range, high-precision microscope table. The ability to perform seamless back-and-forth multi-scale imaging comes from a strict registering of image coordinates.

Color Routing of the Emission from Magnetic and Electric Dipole Transitions of Eu3+ by Broken-Symmetry TiO2 Metasurfaces.

Manipulation of magnetic dipole emission with resonant photonic nanostructures is of great interest for both fundamental research and applications. However, obtaining selective control over the emission properties of magnetic dipole transitions is challenging, as they usually occur within a manifold of spectrally close emission lines associated with different spin states of the involved electronic levels. Here we demonstrate spectrally selective directional tailoring of magnetic dipole emission using designed photonic nanostructures featuring a high quality factor. Specifically, we employ a hybrid nanoscale optical system consisting of a Eu3+ compound coupled to a designed broken-symmetry TiO2 metasurface to demonstrate directional color routing of the compound's emission through its distinct electric and magnetic-dominated electronic transition channels. Using low numerical aperture collection optics, we achieve a fluorescence signal enhancement of up to 33.13 for the magnetic-dominated dipole transition at 590 nm when it spectrally overlaps with a spectrally narrow resonance of the metasurface. This makes the, usually weak, magnetic dipole transition the most intense spectral line in our recorded fluorescence spectra. By studying the directional emission properties for the coupled system using Fourier imaging and time-resolved fluorescence measurements, we demonstrate that the high-quality-factor modes in the metasurface enable free-space light routing, where forward-directed emission is established for the magnetic-dominated dipole transition, whereas the light emitted via the electric dipole transition is mainly directed sideways. Our results underpin the importance of magnetic light-matter interactions as an additional degree of freedom in photonic and optoelectronic systems. Moreover, they facilitate the development of spectrometer-free and highly integrated nanophotonic imaging, sensing, and probing devices.

Sharing calibration information among laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy instruments using spectral line binning and calibration transfer

The ability of a publicly accessible preexisting laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) database to train multivariate models to predict rock and mineral compositions from other laboratories or from remotely collected spectra is evaluated using LIBS spectra collected on >2500 unique geological targets using three different instruments and a range of collection protocols. Datasets collected under increasingly disparate conditions are utilized, including a single instrument with different resolution settings; two different instruments with very similar ablation and collection optics; and a benchtop instrument and portable instrument with different collection protocols, resolutions, and plasma conditions. Cross-calibration among datasets is performed for a range of scenarios designed to test the efficacy of post-processing techniques.Major element predictions are most accurate when instrument parameters match among training and test spectra. Use of a piecewise direct standardization-partial least squares (PDS-PLS) calibration transfer algorithm reduces major element prediction uncertainties when the resolution of training and test spectra do not match. Even when training and test spectra are collected on different instruments, reasonable predictions can be derived by binning peak areas prior to training calibration models. Finally, incorporating a large, preexisting database into a smaller dataset collected under test conditions has the potential to greatly improve the reliability of predicted compositions. With careful consideration to match plasma conditions and utilize post-processing, existing large-scale LIBS calibration databases like the one used in this study can be used to boost LIBS accuracy and expand the potential of LIBS as a widely-applicable quantitative geochemical tool.

Monolithic Polarizing Circular Dielectric Gratings on Bulk Substrates for Improved Photon Collection from InAs Quantum Dots.

III-V semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are near-ideal and versatile single-photon sources. Because of the capacity for monolithic integration with photonic structures as well as optoelectronic and optomechanical systems, they are proving useful in an increasingly broad application space. Here, we develop monolithic circular dielectric gratings on bulk substrates - as opposed to suspended or wafer-bonded substrates - for greatly improved photon collection from InAs quantum dots. The structures utilize a unique two-tiered distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) structure for vertical electric field confinement over a broad angular range. Opposing "openings" in the cavities induce strongly polarized QD luminescence without harming collection efficiencies. We describe how measured enhancements depend on the choice of collection optics. This is important to consider when evaluating the performance of any photonic structure that concentrates farfield emission intensity. Our cavity designs are useful for integrating QDs with other quantum systems that require bulk substrates, such as surface acoustic wave phonons.

Development of a Collective Thomson Scattering diagnostic system on SNU X-pinch device

The Collective Thomson Scattering (CTS) diagnostic system has been developed for the X-pinch device at Seoul National University. The system is designed to measure various parameters of plasma jets, including plasma temperature and plasma flow velocity. For the flow velocity measurement, the second harmonic Nd:YAG laser and the collection optics are oriented in order to ensure the scattering vector is aligned with the flow direction. The collection optics have been optimized to maximize photon efficiency. Due to the requirement of high spectral dispersion and resolution for the diagnosis of CTS spectra, the spectrometer is designed with a dispersion of 0.004 nm/pixel. The spectral dispersion and resolution of the system has been measured. The CTS diagnostic system will contribute to a deeper understanding of X-pinch plasma dynamics and the development of advanced High Energy Density Plasma (HEDP)-based technologies.

Multicone Diamond Waveguides for Nanoscale Quantum Sensing.

The long-lived electronic spin of the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamonds is a promising quantum sensor for detecting nanoscopic magnetic and electric fields in various environments. However, the poor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of prevalent optical spin-readout techniques presents a critical challenge in improving measurement sensitivity. Here, we address this limitation by coupling individual NVs to optimized diamond nanopillars, thereby enhancing the collection efficiency of fluorescence. Guided by near-field optical simulations, we predict improved performance for tall (≥5 μm) pillars with tapered sidewalls. This is subsequently verified by fabricating and characterizing a representative set of structures using a newly developed nanofabrication process. We observe increased SNR for optimized devices, owing to improved emission collimation and directionality. Promisingly, these devices are compatible with low-numerical-aperture collection optics and a reduced tip radius, reducing experimental overhead and facilitating improved spatial resolution for scanning applications.

Design study of the collection optics for Polarimetric Thomson Scattering on ITER

The ITER Core Plasma Thomson Scattering (CPTS) system is the primary diagnostic for the electron temperature (Te ) and electron density (ne ) profiles. For high performance ITER operating scenarios in which core Te > 20 keV, the conventional spectral CPTS will not provide measurement accuracy sufficient for advanced machine control. Addition of polarimetric measurement capability to the CPTS diagnostic is projected to increase measurement accuracy in high temperature/low density plasmas to required levels. To determine the feasibility of Polarimetric TS implementation on ITER, the polarization characteristics of the CPTS scattered light collection system have been modeled as part of a conceptual design study. When linearly polarized light is propagated through the CPTS collections optics, polarization is rotated and ellipticized. This characteristic of the ITER collection optical system complicates separation and analysis of the depolarized component of the Thomson scattered light that is produced at high Te . To address this challenge, a custom waveplate and polarizing beamsplitter should be mounted before the final lens in the CPTS collection optical system. Additionally, polarization performance should be one of the criteria by which materials and coatings are selected for the CPTS collection optical system.

Diffuse Reflectance-Based Femtosecond Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy of Opaque Suspensions.

By augmentation of the collection optics utilized in transmission-based femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (FSRS), two novel diffuse reflectance-based femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (drFSRS) techniques were developed. These techniques were then used to collect the Raman spectra of opaque systems, those being cyclohexane-intercalated poly(tetrafluoroethylene) microbeads and ethanol in 1% intralipid solutions. The resulting drFSRS data from the cyclohexane:PTFE system show significant distortion of the depolarization ratio of the 803 cm-1 cyclohexane peak, indicating a loss of incident pump:probe polarization in a scattering environment. The drFSRS data from the ethanol in 1% intralipid solution demonstrate less signal strength but equal spectral resolution when compared to transmission-based FSRS of the same sample. The results presented in this Technical Note demonstrate the current capabilities of collecting stimulated Raman spectra of opaque systems using drFSRS.

Development of vertical edge Thomson scattering diagnostic on HL-2M Tokamak

A vertical edge Thomson scattering diagnostic system on HL-2 M Tokamak has been developed recently. A Nd: YAG laser (1064 nm, 0.6–2.0 J, 30 Hz, 15 ns) is used as the probe beam. The laser beam propagates vertically through the plasma region and the scattered light is observed horizontally. The combination of a half-wave plate and a polarized beam splitter is used for stray light suppression. A group of in-vacuum collection lens is designed to image the 400 mm scattered region onto the rectangular fiber arrays. The laser beam waist and vertical spatial resolution are 2 mm and 10 mm, respectively. Scattered light is imaged on the 2.20 × 2.86 mm (10 × 13) fiber optic bundle. The development of collection optics with a special designed safety shutter ensures a reliable scattered signal, where the solid angle at central field of view (FOV) is 0.018 sr. A compact polychromator is developed to measure the scattered light. Relative calibration of the filter response (1060 nm, 1052 nm, 1029 nm and 982 nm) and absolute calibration by nitrogen Raman scattering have been completed. In the 2022 plasma campaign of HL-2M, the scattering signal is measured at E0 = 1.2 J, confirming the capability of the system for pedestal measurement in the future H-mode campaign.