Diffraction Of Photons Research Articles

Feynman photon path integral calculations of optical reflection, diffraction, and scattering from conduction electrons

This paper describes the use of Feynman photon path integrals to compute the probability of detecting reflected, diffracted, and scattered photons at different points in space after interacting with conduction electrons. Five examples are given: (1) a thin parabolic sheet of conduction electrons (e.g. a metal mirror) that produces a sharp focus of a distant point source surrounded by the Airy diffraction pattern, (2) the loss of focusing power as the thickness of the parabolic sheet is increased and complete destructive interference for thicknesses that are an integer multiple of 1/2 the wavelength, (3) diffraction of photons entering a thin sheet from the side, (4) diffraction of photons entering the side of a sheet as its thickness is increased, and (5) the angular scattering distribution of internally generated photons in an extended volume of conduction electrons. The calculations integrated the complex probability amplitudes for photon paths from (a) a point source to (b) all points in the conduction electron volume and to (c) a point detector. At each detector position the detection probability was computed as the square of the absolute value of the integral. In general, if there is a concentration of paths that have nearly the same complex amplitude phase, reflection dominates. Otherwise, if the conduction electron volume has sharp boundaries, diffraction dominates. Isotropic scattering dominates for conduction electrons distributed throughout an extended volume, and may explain how scintillation photons in cryogenic n-type GaAs can escape total internal reflection trapping, which is essential for its high luminosity.

Sparse interleaved sampling for high resolution focal construct geometry X-ray tomography.

We demonstrate interleaved sampling by multiplexing conical subshells within the tomosynthesis and raster scanning a phantom through a 150 kV shell X-ray beam. Each view comprises pixels sampled on a regular 1 mm grid, which is then upscaled by padding with null pixels before tomosynthesis. We show that upscaled views comprising 1% sample pixels and 99% null pixels increase the contrast transfer function (CTF) computed from constructed optical sections from approximately 0.6 line pairs/mm to 3 line pairs/mm. The driver of our method is to complement work concerning the application of conical shell beams to the measurement of diffracted photons for materials identification. Our approach is relevant to time-critical, and dose-sensitive analytical scanning applications in security screening, process control and medical imaging.

Conical shell illumination incorporating a moving aperture for depth-resolved high-energy X-ray diffraction.

In many applications, the main limitation of X-ray absorption methods is that the signals measured are a function of the attenuation coefficient, which tells us almost nothing about the chemical or crystallographic nature of objects under inspection. To calculate fundamental crystallographic parameters requires the measurement of diffracted photons from a sample. Standard laboratory diffraction methods have been refined for well over a century and provide 'gold standard' structural models for well-prepared samples and single crystals but have little applicability for thick heterogeneous samples as demanded by many screening applications. We present a new high-energy X-ray diffraction probe, which in comparison with previous depth-resolving hollow beam techniques, requires a single beam, point detector and a simple swept aperture to resolve sample signatures at unknown locations within an inspection space. We perform Monte Carlo simulations to support experiments on both single- and multiple-material localisation and identification. The new probe is configured and tested using low-cost commercial components to provide a rapid and cost-effective solution for applications including explosives detection, process control and diagnostics.

Sensitive detection of heart-failure biomarkers natriuretic peptides using multi-photon laser wave-mixing spectroscopy

Nonlinear laser wave-mixing spectroscopy is demonstrated as a fast and sensitive detection method for heart-failure biomarkers, pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (proANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). Wave mixing is an ultrasensitive optical absorption-based method and analytes can be detected in their native form or labeled with fluorophore and chromophore labels. In this study, we utilized Chromeo P540 dye to label the peptides for wave-mixing detection. The wave-mixing signal is created from the diffraction of incoming photons by the thermal grating at the capillary analyte cell. The signal beam is strong, collimated, and coherent (laser-like) and it is collected using a simple photodetector with an excellent signal-to-noise ratio. We demonstrated advantages of this technique over conventional assays including shorter analysis times, smaller sample requirements, and higher throughput. To enhance detection selectivity and sensitivity levels, wave mixing is effectively coupled to capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and field-amplified sample stacking (FASS) methods. We determined detection limits of 7.4 × 10−10 M or 55 zmol and 6.8 × 10−10 M or 51 zmol for proANP and BNP, respectively, and separated and detected both peptides within 2 min. Due to the challenges in the confirmatory diagnoses of heart failure, wave-mixing serves as a potentially beneficial screening tool in addition to the commonly used echocardiographic tests.

Diffraction of E-polarized Photons on Periodic Grating of Metal Strips

Diffraction of E-polarized Photons on Periodic Grating of Metal Strips

Azimuthal modulation of electromagnetically induced grating using structured light

We propose a theoretical scheme for creating a two-dimensional Electromagnetically Induced Grating in a three-level Lambda -type atomic system interacting with a weak probe field and two simultaneous position-dependent coupling fields—a two dimensional standing wave and an optical vortex beam. Upon derivation of the Maxwell wave equation, describing the dynamic response of the probe light in the atomic medium, we perform numerical calculations of the amplitude, phase modulations and Fraunhofer diffraction pattern of the probe field under different system parameters. We show that due to the azimuthal modulation of the Laguerre–Gaussian field, a two-dimensional asymmetric grating is observed, giving an increase of the zeroth and high orders of diffraction, thus transferring the probe energy to the high orders of direction. The asymmetry is especially seen in the case of combining a resonant probe with an off-resonant standing wave coupling and optical vortex fields. Unlike in previously reported asymmetric diffraction gratings for PT symmetric structures, the parity time symmetric structure is not necessary for the asymmetric diffraction grating presented here. The asymmetry is due to the constructive and destructive interference between the amplitude and phase modulations of the grating system, resulting in complete blocking of the diffracted photons at negative or positive angles, due to the coupling of the vortex beam. A detailed analysis of the probe field energy transfer to different orders of diffraction in the case of off-resonant standing wave coupling field proves the possibility of direct control over the performance of the grating.

Focusing light into scattering media with ultrasound-induced field perturbation

Focusing light into scattering media, although challenging, is highly desirable in many realms. With the invention of time-reversed ultrasonically encoded (TRUE) optical focusing, acousto-optic modulation was demonstrated as a promising guidestar mechanism for achieving noninvasive and addressable optical focusing into scattering media. Here, we report a new ultrasound-assisted technique, ultrasound-induced field perturbation optical focusing, abbreviated as UFP. Unlike in conventional TRUE optical focusing, where only the weak frequency-shifted first-order diffracted photons due to acousto-optic modulation are useful, here UFP leverages the brighter zeroth-order photons diffracted by an ultrasonic guidestar as information carriers to guide optical focusing. We find that the zeroth-order diffracted photons, although not frequency-shifted, do have a field perturbation caused by the existence of the ultrasonic guidestar. By detecting and time-reversing the differential field of the frequency-unshifted photons when the ultrasound is alternately ON and OFF, we can focus light to the position where the field perturbation occurs inside the scattering medium. We demonstrate here that UFP optical focusing has superior performance to conventional TRUE optical focusing, which benefits from the more intense zeroth-order photons. We further show that UFP optical focusing can be easily and flexibly developed into double-shot realization or even single-shot realization, which is desirable for high-speed wavefront shaping. This new method upsets conventional thinking on the utility of an ultrasonic guidestar and broadens the horizon of light control in scattering media. We hope that it provides a more efficient and flexible mechanism for implementing ultrasound-guided wavefront shaping.

Angular-momentum exchange among acoustic and optical waves at the collinear acousto-optic diffraction

We consider collinear acousto-optic diffraction of circularly polarized optical waves at circularly polarized acoustic waves in the crystals that reveal both acoustic conical refraction and optical activity. We find that, due to the conical refraction of acoustic waves, these waves produce vector-vortex beam. In this process, the orbital angular momentum (OAM) of the conically refracted acoustic wave is transformed into the OAM of the diffracted optical wave. At the same time, the spin angular momentum of conically refracted phonons is transferred to diffracted photons. The possibility of phonon-photon entanglement is discussed in the work.

Diffraction of virtual and real photons

Parametric X-ray radiation associated with the diffraction of virtual photons and the diffraction of X-rays described as the diffraction of real photons are studied experimentally. The diffracted radiation was generated by a 7 MeV beam of electrons and an X-ray tube respectively. Both diffraction mechanisms occur in a tungsten powder. The processes have been compared excluding three key parameters: the attenuation in the target, the background of the diffracted signal and the spectrum of the incident radiation. Remarkable differences between the diffraction mechanisms of virtual and real photons are observed. The ratio between the PXR peak and the XRD peak decreases when the peak energy increases.

Quantum diffraction of position-momentum entangled photons from a sharp edge

In this paper, an experiment of quantum diffraction of position-momentum entangled photons from a straight sharp edge is presented. Path of a single photon of an entangled pair is partially blocked by a sharp edge whereas the other photon is detected at a stationary location without revealing the which-path information of the other photon. Quantum diffraction pattern of the sharp edge is revealed only in the correlated conditional detection of spatially separated photons and no diffraction pattern is formed in local detections of individual photons. Theoretical analysis of the quantum diffraction of position-momentum entangled photons from a sharp edge is also presented in this paper. Experimental measurements of the quantum diffraction pattern are compared with theoretically calculated quantum diffraction pattern of position-momentum entangled photons.

Quantum erasure in the near-field

The phenomenon of quantum erasure has shed light on the nature of wave-particle duality and quantum complementarity. A number of quantum erasers have been realized using the far-field diffraction of photons from a Young double-slit apparatus. By marking the path of a photon using an additional degree of freedom, the usual Young interference pattern is destroyed. An appropriate measurement of the system marking the photon’s path allows one to recover the interference pattern. Here quantum erasure is considered in the context of near-field diffraction. To observe interference in the near-field requires the use of two periodic wave functions, so that the usual ‘which way’ marker then becomes a ‘which-wave function’ marker. We determine the propagation distances for which quantum erasure, or more generally the observation of interference between the two periodic wave functions, can be observed. The meaning of wave and particle-like properties in this scenario is discussed. These results could lead to quantum eraser experiments with material particles, for which interference effects are more readily observed in the near-field rather than the far-field.

Laue lens for astrophysics: Extensive comparison between mosaic, curved, and quasi-mosaic crystals

With the aim of concentrating hard X- and γ -rays coming from celestial sources in the 100–1000 keV energy range, the concept of Laue lens was introduced more than 50 years ago. Crystals are the core of a Laue lens, since they focus the incoming X-rays through Bragg diffraction. For concrete applications, crystals characterized by high diffraction reflectivity are needed along with high-resolution focusing of diffracted photons. Here, an extensive comparison of the types of crystals proposed so far is presented. In order to quantify the focusing capability of a Laue lens based on these crystals, a simulation of a single-ring Laue lens based on the considered optical elements is presented. Finally, the breakthrough in the panorama of diffracting crystals is discussed.

Influence of real photon diffraction on parametric X-ray radiation angular distribution in thin perfect crystals

Using the previously proposed method of calculating diffracted photon yields in thin perfect crystals, analyzed a relative contribution of parametric X-ray radiation and diffracted photons in thin crystals. It is shown that for average energy of electrons and the center of the PXR spot diffracted real photon contribution is comparable to the yield of parametric X-ray radiation and determines the shape of the angular distribution of the total emission in this range of observation angles. The possibility of estimating electron beams parameters based on the results of PXR angular distribution measurements is discussed. It is shown that for energy of electrons by far larger than 1GeV yield of diffracted transition radiation in narrow angular cone becomes predominating and determines the shape of the angular distribution of total emission in the center of radiation spot.

Highly reproducible quasi-mosaic crystals as optical components for a Laue lens

The realization of a Laue lens for astronomical purposes involves the mass production of a series of crystalline tiles as optical components, allowing high-efficiency diffraction and high-resolution focusing of photons. Crystals with self-standing curved diffraction planes is a valid and promising solution. Exploiting the quasi-mosaic effect, it turns out to be possible to diffract radiation at higher resolution. In this paper we present the realization of 150 quasi-mosaic Ge samples, bent by grooving one of their largest surface. We show that grooving method is a viable technique to manufacture such crystals in a simple and very reproducible way, thus compatible with mass production. Realized samples present very homogenous curvature. Furthermore, with a specific chemical etch, it is possible to fine adjust one by one the radius of curvature of the grooved samples. Realized crystals was selected for the ASI’s Laue project, that involves the implementation of a prototype of a Laue lens for hard X- and soft γ-ray astronomy.

Nano-photonic light trapping near the Lambertian limit in organic solar cell architectures

A critical step to achieving higher efficiency solar cells is the broad band harvesting of solar photons. Although considerable progress has recently been achieved in improving the power conversion efficiency of organic solar cells, these cells still do not absorb upto ~50% of the solar spectrum. We have designed and developed an organic solar cell architecture that can boost the absorption of photons by 40% and the photo-current by 50% for organic P3HT-PCBM absorber layers of typical device thicknesses. Our solar cell architecture is based on all layers of the solar cell being patterned in a conformal two-dimensionally periodic photonic crystal architecture. This results in very strong diffraction of photons- that increases the photon path length in the absorber layer, and plasmonic light concentration near the patterned organic-metal cathode interface. The absorption approaches the Lambertian limit. The simulations utilize a rigorous scattering matrix approach and provide bounds of the fundamental limits of nano-photonic light absorption in periodically textured organic solar cells. This solar cell architecture has the potential to increase the power conversion efficiency to 10% for single band gap organic solar cells utilizing long-wavelength absorbers.

Luminescence efficiency of phosphors with periodically patterned surface

AbstractWe propose a principal scheme of external efficiency enhancement of phosphor luminescence, in particular chalcogenide semiconductor CdS. Green, orange, red, and near infrared frequencies can be enhanced and filtered from a continuous emission spectra of CdS phosphor on the basis of two different effects: (i) radiation stimulated formation of optically active defects in the phosphor structure; (ii) resonance diffraction of emitted photons on a patterned (regular system of etching grooves or/and metal lamellar grating) structure surface. We calculate the reflection spectra of an one dimensional resonant diffraction grating with single (CdS) and binary (CdS/Au) strip‐like rulings by the Riccati equation method. The gratings will control the emission angle cone and couple exponentially decaying (evanescent) part of phosphor radiance to air, which is a new mechanism of external efficiency enhancement (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Single shot diffraction of picosecond 8.7-keV x-ray pulses

We demonstrate multiphoton, single shot diffraction images of x rays produced by inverse Compton scattering a high-power ${\mathrm{CO}}_{2}$ laser from a relativistic electron beam, creating a pulse of 8.7 keV x rays. The tightly focused, relatively high peak brightness electron beam and high photon density from the 2 J ${\mathrm{CO}}_{2}$ laser yielded $6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{7}$ x-ray photons over the full opening angle in a single shot. Single shot x-ray diffraction is performed by passing the x rays though a vertical slit and on to a flat silicon (111) crystal. ${10}^{2}$ diffracted photons were detected. The spectrum of the detected x rays is compared to simulation. The diffraction and detection of ${10}^{2}$ x rays is a key step to a more efficient time resolved diagnostic in which the number of observed x rays might reach ${10}^{4}$; enabling a unique, flexible x-ray source as a sub-ps resolution diagnostic for studying the evolution of chemical reactions, lattice deformation and melting, and magnetism.

Residual stress determination in surface treated alumina samples applying beam limiting masks

This paper deals with the implementation of a theoretically described method to determine residual stresses in real space directly by means of small gauge volumes. For this purpose, beam limiting masks were designed, manufactured, and investigated in first experiments. Image series taken with a position sensitive CCD camera demonstrate the ability to detect interferences from gauge volumes beneath the sample surface by defined slit geometries. The experiments show that due to the highly absorbing masks the amount of detectable photons is poor, and thus long exposure times are necessary to receive suitable data. For increasing measurement depths (altering masks) a decrease in the intensity can be detected which leads to the assumption that the diffracted photons originate from deeper regions in the material. A model was developed to simulate the diffraction conditions with different mask layouts and material properties. Modeling yields consistent results with experimental data, and thus provides a basis for further improvements of the experimental setup and the realization and assessment of residual stress measurements.

Photonic crystal enhanced light-trapping in thin film solar cells

We utilize photonic crystals to simulate enhanced light-trapping in a-Si:H thin film solar cells. A one dimensional photonic crystal or distributed Bragg reflector with alternating dielectric layers acts as low loss backreflector. A two dimensional photonic crystal between the absorber layer and the Bragg reflector diffracts light at oblique angles within the absorber. The photonic crystal geometry is optimized to obtain maximum absorption. The photonic crystal provides lossless diffraction of photons, increasing the photon path length within the absorber layer. The simulation predicts significantly enhanced photon harvesting between 600 and 775nm below the band edge, and an absorption increase by more than a factor of 10 near the band edge. The optical path length ratio can exceed the classical limit predicted for randomly roughened scattering surfaces at most wavelengths near the band edge. The optical modeling is performed with a rigorous scattering matrix approach where Maxwell’s equations are solved in Fourier space.

Kinematic grouping of reflections of parametric X-ray radiation

A model of parametric X-ray radiation (PXR) of moderately relativistic particles is developed within the kinematic theory taking into account radiation absorption. The model allows calculation of the PXR reflection intensity in a given direction taking into account diffraction of virtual photons on a set of “incidental” low-index crystallographic planes. It is shown that when a charged particle moves along certain crystallographic directions, the effect of kinematic grouping of reflections, at which lines of parametric radiation from various planes practically coincide, is observed.