Intense Light Pulses Research Articles

Artificial photoelectric synaptic devices with ferroelectric diode effect for high-performance neuromorphic computing

With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and machine learning, the demand for neuromorphic computing systems has intensified. High-performance artificial synaptic devices are crucial to achieving this objective. Ferroelectric diode artificial synaptic devices were prepared using aluminum-doped BaTiO3 (BTAO) thin films by a low-cost sol-gel method. These devices mimic the basic properties of biological synapses, such as long-term plasticity (LTP) and short-term plasticity (STP), under electrical stimulation. Additionally, the devices exhibit an excellent UV light response, enabling the transition from STP to LTP by adjusting the light pulse intensity, width, and number of pulses. Aluminum doping significantly enhances the ferroelectricity of BaTiO3 films, increasing the Pr from 2.31 µC/cm² to 9.08 µC/cm². By modulating the Schottky barrier through polarization, the BTAO films exhibit a switchable diode effect, which facilitates fine-tuning of the synaptic connection strength while maintaining synaptic stability. Recognition accuracies of 97.32 % for the MNIST dataset and 87.48 % for the Fashion-MNIST dataset were achieved by convolutional neural network simulations. These results suggest new possibilities for brain-like processing with ferroelectric diodes.

Clarify the contribution of shallow and deep interfacial traps to the transistor-type optoelectronic synaptic device

Recently, transistor-type optoelectronic synaptic device has garnered widespread attention due to its high potential for realizing artificial visual systems and neuromorphic computing. However, some basic mechanisms, such as the contribution of shallow and deep traps on the synaptic behavior, are still not fully understood. In this work, a channel-only transistor-type optoelectronic synaptic device has been employed as platform to clarify the contribution of shallow and deep traps to the synaptic response. We firstly demonstrated that the channel-only transistor-type synaptic device can successfully mimic almost all synaptic behavior, such as excitatory postsynaptic current spike (ΔEPSC), paired-pulse facilitation (PPF), etc. And then, two individual double-exponential models have been employed to fit the generation and decay part of ΔEPSC response to distinguish the role of shallow and deep traps on the synaptic behavior. The results suggest that the shallow trap gives rise to the fast response in both generation and decay component, and the deep trap contributes to the slow component in both generation and decay part. In addition, the number of deep traps is critical to determine the metastable current in the decay part because of the photogating effect. This explanation has been further confirmed by increasing the number of electrons that can be captured by increasing the light pulse intensity, and tuning the number of trap sites by storing the synaptic device in ambient environment or functionalizing the SiO2 surface with SAM agent containing strong electron withdrawing end group. Thus, this work not only clarify the contribution of shallow and deep traps, but also provide several strategies to tune the synaptic behavior.

Change in Transmittance of Indium-Tin-Oxide-Coated Silicon Waveguides Exposed to Intense Light Pulses

Change in Transmittance of Indium-Tin-Oxide-Coated Silicon Waveguides Exposed to Intense Light Pulses

Rapid fabrication of binder free nickel cobalt oxide electrodes with dendritic nanostructure for electrochemical energy storage applications

A rapid and facile technique to synthesize nickel cobalt oxide electrodes by photothermal treatment of mixed organometallic precursor solution is reported. Using short and intense pulses of light from a xenon flash lamp, spray coated films are converted into porous nickel cobalt oxide electrodes with dendritic nanostructure. The electrode films fabricated in a few seconds show excellent energy storage properties as supercapacitor electrodes. Specific capacitance of up to 116 Fg−1 and capacitance retention of up to 75 % were observed in samples with low mass loading. Analysis of the cyclic voltammetry (CV) curves shows that capacitance is the dominating charge storage mechanism in these films. To study the effect of varying the mass loading in electrodes, double and triple layered electrodes were also studied. In films with high mass loading, the specific capacitance of the films decreased but areal capacitance continued to increase. A high areal capacitance of up to 243 mFcm−2 is observed in films with high mass loading. CV curve analysis of high mass loading electrodes further shows that in films with higher mass loading, the charge storage mechanism is a mix of capacitance and diffusion processes. The contribution of diffusion increased with increase in the mass loading of the electrodes. This study sheds light into the mechanism of charge storage in electrodes prepared by large-scale-amenable single step process of photonic curing which could be utilized to fabricate electrodes in industrial scale.

Modulating antibacterial properties of titanium surface coatings: The role of low intensity pulsed ultrasound and light stimuli

Medical titanium and titanium alloys were susceptible to infection following implantation due to their limited antibacterial properties. One effective approach to mitigate this risk was the application of antibacterial coatings on the medical titanium materials surface. Additionally, there was a pressing need in clinical practice to develop a titanium surface coating that can modulate antibacterial properties in response to external conditions. In this study, a zinc oxide-loaded silver nanorod arrays coating was fabricated on the titanium surface using intensity pulsed ultrasound and light as stimuli, aiming to achieve the desired regulation of antibacterial properties. The coating morphology and the silver distribution within the coating were investigated. The surface roughness and wetting angle were tested. The effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound and light on the cumulative release of silver ions was studied, and its mechanism was analyzed. The bacteriostasis rate of the polarized ZnO-loaded silver nanorods array coating reached 99.96%. The synergistic bactericidal mechanism of piezoelectric effect, catalysis, silver ion bactericidal effect and nanorod puncture effect on bacteria was expounded. Finally, the ZnO-loaded silver nanorod array coating exhibited non-cytotoxicity and supported full osteoblast adherence morphology. The polarized coating was observed to be coated with abundant granular hydroxyapatite after immersion in simulated body fluids for 7 days. The results provide a possibility for modulating the antibacterial properties of titanium surface coatings in vitro.

Effective Treatment of Rosacea and Other Vascular Lesions Using Intense Pulsed Light System Emitting Vascular Chromophore-Specific Wavelengths: A Clinical and Dermoscopical Analysis.

Background: Facial telangiectasias is a prevalent cosmetic disorder that can be associated with several conditions such as rosacea. IPL (intensity pulsed light) therapy is commonly used for the treatment of vascular lesions. This study tested the efficacy of an IPL system emitting selected vascular chromophore-specific wavelengths in the range of 500-1200 nm for the treatment of vascular lesions. Materials and Methods: A total of 39 patients affected by different vascular lesions on their face were enrolled. The procedure consisted of three treatment sessions, spaced 1 month apart, using the IPL system with a 500-677 and 854-1200 nm filter. Follow-up was performed at 21-90 days (3 weeks-3 months) after the last IPL session. Three-dimensional and dermoscopic clinical photographs were captured and evaluated using a five-point scale. Adverse events were checked. Results: In total, 21 patients achieved excellent improvement, 13 patients achieved good improvement, 3 patients achieved moderate improvement, 2 patients achieved mild improvement, and 0 patients achieved no improvement, with an overall good response to treatment. The photographic evaluation showed good results as soon as 3 days after the last IPL session. Relevant side effects were absent. Conclusions: The study device may represent a successful treatment to improve vascular lesions that are resistant to laser therapy.

Ultra-low intensity light pulses for large cargo delivery into hard-to-transfect cells using an rGO mixed PDMS microtip device.

Nanoparticle-mediated photoporation has arisen as a universal intracellular delivery tool; however, the direct interaction of nanoparticles and cells hampers its clinical translation. Here, we report a uniform contactless intracellular delivery that transfects a large number of cells within a minute and avoids direct contact of nanoparticles and cells, thereby improving the cell viability. Our platform consists of an array of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mixed reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanoflakes on pyramidal microtips, uniformly distributed at the apex of the tip. The extraordinary optoelectronic properties of rGO were combined with micro-pyramidal cavities to entrap light in micro-cavities and efficiently convert it into heat through multiple reflections and absorptions. As a result, ultralow infra-red laser pulse irradiation could create cavitation bubbles followed by cell membrane deformation and biomolecular delivery. Using this delivery platform, we have achieved the delivery of small to large cargo (668 Da to 465 kDa) in various mammalian cells, including hard-to-transfect H9C2 cardiomyocytes. The best results were achieved for enzyme (465 kDa) delivery with a transfection efficiency and cell viability of 95% and 98%, respectively, in SiHa cells. The highly efficient cargo delivery tool demonstrated a safe and effective approach for cell therapy and diagnostics.

Alternative Pathway to Double-Core-Hole States.

Excited double-core-hole states of isolated water molecules resulting from the sequential absorption of two x-ray photons have been investigated. These states are formed through an alternative pathway, where the initial step of core ionization is accompanied by the shake-up of a valence electron, leading to the same final states as in the core-ionization followed by core-excitation pathway. The capability of the x-ray free-electron laser to deliver very intense, very short, and tunable light pulses is fully exploited to identify the two different pathways.

Impact of a Single Episode of Different Intensity of White Light Pulse at Night on Masking Response in the Diurnal Mammal, Funambulus pennantii

Objective: Light affects mammalian circadian rhythms through entrainment and masking. Photic masking increases locomotor activity in diurnal species (positive masking) while reducing activity in nocturnal species (negative masking). Fewer studies have investigated masking in diurnal rodents. We investigated the masking response in a diurnal rodent, <i>Funambulus pennantii</i> when subjected to white light pulses of different intensities at night between zeitgeber time (ZT) 12 and ZT 15.Methods: Adult male squirrels, <i>F. pennantii</i> (n=10/group, three groups) were placed in individual cages with running wheels under standard 12:12 h light-dark (LD) conditions. Recording of the locomotor activity rhythm was carried out using a ClockLab setup. Following a week of stable entrainment to the LD cycle, the animals of each group were given a sham exposure. After 10 days, animals of group I, II, and III were exposed to 3-h white light pulses of 100 lux, 10 lux, and 1 lux, respectively, between ZT 12 and ZT 15. Following the exposure, the animals were allowed to run undisturbed for 7 days.Results: Compared to the shamexposed group, exposure to 3-h 1 lux, 10 lux, and 100 lux artificial light pulses at night caused positive masking, stimulating wheel running in an intensity-dependent manner. Additionally, nighttime light pulses of 100 lux and 10 lux reduced onset accuracy, reduced the amplitude of the rhythm, and also altered the phase angle relationship to light.Conclusion: The positive masking caused by light exposure at night in diurnal squirrels is intensity-dependent up to at least 100 lux and is associated with a dampening of circadian rhythms.

PeakOTron: A Python module for fitting charge spectra of Silicon Photomultipliers

A Python program has been developed which fits a published detector-response model to SiPM charge spectra to characterise SiPMs. Spectra for SiPMs illuminated by low intensity pulsed light with Poisson-distributed number of photons and a time spread of order nanoseconds or less, and spectra without illumination can be analysed. The entire spectra, including the intervals in-between the photoelectron peaks, are fitted, which allows determining, in addition to the mean number of detected photons, gain, gain spread, prompt cross-talk, pedestal, and electronics noise, the dark-count rate as well as the probability and time constant of after-pulses. The starting values of the fit parameters are extracted from the charge spectra.The program performance has been evaluated using simulated charge spectra with the different SiPM parameters varied in a wide range. By analysing 100 simulated spectra for every parameter set, the biases and statistical uncertainties of the individual parameters have been determined. It is found that the parameters are precisely determined and that the entire spectra are well described, in most cases with a χ2/NDF close to 1. In addition, measured spectra for two types of SiPMs for a wide range of over-voltages have been analysed. The program achieves mostly a good description of the spectra, and the parameters determined agree with the values from the producers.The program can be used for detailed analyses of single spectra, but, as it is compatible with the native Python multiprocessing module, also for the automatic characterisation of large samples of SiPMs.

Light at the end of the tunnel of Corti

Light at the end of the tunnel of Corti

Ultrafast X-Ray Probes of Elementary Molecular Events

Elementary events that determine photochemical outcomes and molecular functionalities happen on the femtosecond and subfemtosecond timescales. Among the most ubiquitous events are the nonadiabatic dynamics taking place at conical intersections. These facilitate ultrafast, nonradiative transitions between electronic states in molecules that can outcompete slower relaxation mechanisms such as fluorescence. The rise of ultrafast X-ray sources, which provide intense light pulses with ever-shorter durations and larger observation bandwidths, has fundamentally revolutionized our spectroscopic capabilities to detect conical intersections. Recent theoretical studies have demonstrated an entirely new signature emerging once a molecule traverses a conical intersection, giving detailed insights into the coupled nuclear and electronic motions that underlie, facilitate, and ultimately determine the ultrafast molecular dynamics. Following a summary of current sources and experiments, we survey these techniques and provide a unified overview of their capabilities. We discuss their potential to dramatically increase our understanding of ultrafast photochemistry.

Pure–quartic optical solitons and modulational instability analysis with cubic–quintic nonlinearity

We analyze the propagation dynamics of intense light pulses in an optical medium exhibiting cubic–quintic nonlinearity and pure fourth-order dispersion. We show that this physical system may support a rich variety of periodic wave solutions in the presence of all physical processes. Interestingly, in the long-wave limit, two different types of quartic dark solitons with equal amplitudes and wave numbers but different widths are identified for the first time. The obtained dark soliton solutions are shown to be independent of any free parameters and their characteristics are uniquely determined by system parameters. The numerical examples are presented for illustrating the soliton evolution dynamics in the waveguiding system. The formation of these quartic dark solitons occurs in normal pure fourth-order dispersion when the quintic and cubic nonlinearities are competitive. The modulational instability of a continuous wave is also analyzed under the combined effects of quartic dispersion and cubic–quintic nonlinearities. Additionally, the role of quintic nonlinearity and fourth-order dispersion effects on the modulational instability has been discussed.

A novel synthesis of light transmission from upcycled polyethylene terephthalate polymer and low-density polyethylene for greenhouse design in tropical climate

Abstract To support the circular economy in Thai’s agriculture, the main interviewed challenges point to knowledge and knowhow for greenhouse structure and system boosting up productivities. One popular material that possibly affected productivity is transparent polymer film, which can be recycled based on material property and blowing machine condition. This paper investigates the light transmittance performance of transparent polyethylene terephthalate polymer (PET) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) sheets for use in low-energy greenhouses in tropical climates. The aim of the study is to optimize the thermal performance and light transmittance of these materials to support plant growth and human comfort. The study focuses on seven stages of plant growth, each of which requires different light characteristics including 1) seed, 2) germinating, 3) young seedling, 4) older vine, 5) flowering, 6) fruit bearing and 7) harvesting and drying. Each stage requires different light characteristics, e.g. light intensity, red light, blue light, white light and ultraviolet (UV) and pulsed light (PL). The methodology involves selecting PET and LDPE materials, preparing samples for thermal property and lighting laboratory tests and analysing the results based on suitable criteria. The findings show that LDPE sheets have 28.78% lower light transmittance than PET sheets, making them suitable for supporting the seedling stage and older vines of plant growth. PET sheets, on the other hand, deliver a high intensity of red light, making them suitable for stimulating photosynthesis in older vines and during the harvesting process. The study highlights the importance of considering both thermal performance and light transmittance when selecting materials for low-energy greenhouses in tropical climates.

Light-induced translation symmetry breaking via nonlinear phononics

Light has a wavelength that is usually longer than the size of the unit cell of crystals. Hence, even intense light pulses are not expected to break the translation symmetry of materials. However, certain materials, including KTaO$_3$, exhibit peaks in their Raman spectra corresponding to their Brillouin zone boundary phonons due to second-order Raman processes, which provide a mechanism to drive these phonons using intense midinfrared lasers. We investigated the possibility of breaking the translation symmetry of KTaO$_3$ by driving its highest-frequency transverse optic mode $Q_{\textrm{HX}}$ at the $X$ $(0,\frac{1}{2},0)$ point. Our first principles calculations show that the energy curve of the transverse acoustic mode $Q_{\textrm{LZ}}$ at $X$ softens and develops a double-well shape as the value of the $Q_{\textrm{HX}}$ coordinate is increased, while that of the other transverse acoustic component $Q_{\textrm{LX}}$ hardens when the value of the $Q_{\textrm{HX}}$ coordinate is similarly varied. We performed similar total energy calculations as a function of the $Q_{\textrm{HX}}$ coordinate and electric field to extract the nonlinear coupling between them. These were then used to construct the coupled equations of motion for the three phonon coordinates in the presence of an external pump term on the $Q_{\textrm{HX}}$ mode, which we numerically solved for a range of pump frequencies and amplitudes. We find that 465 MV/cm is the smallest pump amplitude that leads to an oscillation of the $Q_{\textrm{LZ}}$ mode at a displaced position, hence, breaking the translation symmetry of the material. Such highly intense light pulses cannot be generate by currently available laser sources, and they have the possibility to damage the material. Nevertheless, our work shows that light can in principle be used to break the translation symmetry of a material via nonlinear phononics.

Enhanced two-photon excited fluorescence from green fluorescent proteins by ultrafast fluctuations in intense light pulse

The parametric down-conversion process in optical parametric generators causes bunching of light due to ultrafast intensity fluctuations, which enhances the efficiency of nonlinear interactions between light and matter. However, the bunching effect in a sufficiently intense light pulse light required for biological nonlinear imaging has not yet been investigated. We demonstrate enhanced two-photon excited fluorescence by ultrafast fluctuations in intense pulse using a wavelength-tunable optical parametric generator consisting of a periodically poled lithium niobate crystal pumped by nanosecond pulses at a wavelength of 532 nm and emitting pulses with a peak power of about 1 kW. The emission wavelength is tuned to about 927 nm, which is optimal for two-photon excitation of green fluorescent protein. The effect of bunching by ultrafast intensity fluctuations in the pulse is evaluated by an autocorrelator using a green fluorescent protein solution as a two-photon absorber. We found an about 1.9-fold enhancement compared with the coherent state of light. Using this calibrated optical parametric generator, we perform two-photon imaging of green fluorescent protein in brain tissue within a timescale of seconds. These experimental results using intense pulses demonstrate that the bunching effect by ultrafast fluctuations can enhance nonlinear imaging in biology and medicine.

Multi-spectral Characteristics of Arc Discharge in Switch Cabinet

The partial discharge (PD) in high voltage switch cabinet might develop into non-penetrating or penetrating arc under extreme conditions, which can lead to insulation failure in severe case. From the optical radiation characteristics of discharge, an optical detection method for abnormal arc was proposed. Multi-spectral characteristics of arc discharge were obtained by the synchronous monitoring of ultraviolet, visible, and infrared optical signals, and the average intensity of light pulse, average light intensity ratio and the light intensity ratio of three bands were analyzed. The results show that the average light pulse intensity of arc discharge and the proportion of three-band light intensity have obvious characteristics and there is a good corresponding relation between the amplitude of discharge light signal and the applied voltage.

Efficient Semiclassical Evaluation of Electronic Coherences in Polyatomic Molecules

Exposing a molecule to intense light pulses may bring this molecule to a nonstationary quantum state, thus launching correlated dynamics of electronic and nuclear subsystems. Although much had been achieved in the understanding of fundamental physics behind the electron-nuclear interactions and dynamics, accurate numerical simulations of light-induced processes taking place in polyatomic molecules remain a formidable challenge. Here, we review a recently developed theoretical approach for evaluating electronic coherences in molecules, in which the ultrafast electronic dynamics is coupled to nuclear motion. The presented technique, which combines accurate ab initio on-the-fly simulations of electronic structure with efficient semiclassical procedure to compute the dynamics of nuclear wave packets, is not only computationally efficient, but also can help shed light on the underlying physical mechanisms of decoherence and revival of the electronic coherences driven by nuclear rearrangement.

How Optical and Electrical Properties of ITO Coated Willow Glass Affect Photonic Curing Outcome for Upscaling Perovskite Solar Cell Manufacturing

Indium tin oxide (ITO) coated Willow glass is an excellent substrate for roll-to-roll manufacturing of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) but can have large variability in its optical and electrical properties. Photonic curing uses intense light pulses instead of heat to process materials and can facilitate faster processing speeds in roll-to-roll manufacturing to upscale the production of PSCs. Since the entire film stack can absorb light and contributes to the photonic curing outcome, the substrate materials’ properties play an integral role. Here, we present the effect of ITO transmittance on the photonic curing of nickel nitrate sol-gel precursors into nickel oxide and consequently the performance of PSCs fabricated with only photonic curing and no thermal annealing. Unexpectedly, ITO samples processed by photonic curing show improved optical and electrical properties.

Universality of Dicke superradiance in arrays of quantum emitters

Dicke superradiance is an example of emergence of macroscopic quantum coherence via correlated dissipation. Starting from an initially incoherent state, a collection of excited atoms synchronizes as they decay, generating a macroscopic dipole moment and emitting a short and intense pulse of light. While well understood in cavities, superradiance remains an open problem in extended systems due to the exponential growth of complexity with atom number. Here we show that Dicke superradiance is a universal phenomenon in ordered arrays. We present a theoretical framework – which circumvents the exponential complexity of the problem – that allows us to predict the critical distance beyond which Dicke superradiance disappears. This critical distance is highly dependent on the dimensionality and atom number. Our predictions can be tested in state of the art experiments with arrays of neutral atoms, molecules, and solid-state emitters and pave the way towards understanding the role of many-body decay in quantum simulation, metrology, and lasing.