Excitation Laser Light Research Articles

Adaptive Optical Two-Photon Microscopy for Surface-Profiled Living Biological Specimens.

We developed adaptive optical (AO) two-photon excitation microscopy by introducing a spatial light modulator (SLM) in a commercially available microscopy system. For correcting optical aberrations caused by refractive index (RI) interfaces at a specimen’s surface, spatial phase distributions of the incident excitation laser light were calculated using 3D coordination of the RI interface with a 3D ray-tracing method. Based on the calculation, we applied a 2D phase-shift distribution to a SLM and achieved the proper point spread function. AO two-photon microscopy improved the fluorescence image contrast in optical phantom mimicking biological specimens. Furthermore, it enhanced the fluorescence intensity from tubulin-labeling dyes in living multicellular tumor spheroids and allowed successful visualization of dendritic spines in the cortical layer V of living mouse brains in the secondary motor region with a curved surface. The AO approach is useful for observing dynamic physiological activities in deep regions of various living biological specimens with curved surfaces.

New energy levels of La I found by laser spectroscopy

Laser spectroscopy and optogalvanic detection was applied to investigate up to now unclassified or even unknown spectral lines of atomic lanthanum (La I). The exciting laser light had wavelengths between 4300 and 6800 Å. We report the discovery of seven new energy levels. One additional level turned out to be already known, but with wrong angular momentum. Altogether 53 spectral lines could be classified as transitions of these eight levels.

Theoretical lateral and axial sensitivity limits and choices of molecular reporters for Cherenkov-excited luminescence in tissue during x-ray beam scanning.

.Purpose: Unlike fluorescence imaging utilizing an external excitation source, Cherenkov emissions and Cherenkov-excited luminescence occur within a medium when irradiated with high-energy x-rays. Methods to improve the understanding of the lateral spread and axial depth distribution of these emissions are needed as an initial step to improve the overall system resolution.Methods: Monte Carlo simulations were developed to investigate the lateral spread of thin sheets of high-energy sources and compared to experimental measurements of similar sources in water. Additional simulations of a multilayer skin model were used to investigate the limits of detection using both 6- and 18-MV x-ray sources with fluorescence excitation for inclusion depths up to 1 cm.Results: Simulations comparing the lateral spread of high-energy sources show approximately higher optical yield from electrons than photons, although electrons showed a larger penumbra in both the simulations and experimental measurements. Cherenkov excitation has a roughly inverse wavelength squared dependence in intensity but is largely redshifted in excitation through any distance of tissue. The calculated emission spectra in tissue were convolved with a database of luminescent compounds to produce a computational ranking of potential Cherenkov-excited luminescence molecular contrast agents.Conclusions: Models of thin x-ray and electron sources were compared with experimental measurements, showing similar trends in energy and source type. Surface detection of Cherenkov-excited luminescence appears to be limited by the mean free path of the luminescence emission, where for the given simulation only 2% of the inclusion emissions reached the surface from a depth of 7 mm in a multilayer tissue model.

PEO-CYTOP Fluoropolymer Nanosheets as a Novel Open-Skull Window for Imaging of the Living Mouse Brain.

SummaryIn vivo two-photon deep imaging with a broad field of view has revealed functional connectivity among brain regions. Here, we developed a novel observation method that utilizes a polyethylene-oxide-coated CYTOP (PEO-CYTOP) nanosheet with a thickness of ∼130 nm that exhibited a water retention effect and a hydrophilized adhesive surface. PEO-CYTOP nanosheets firmly adhered to brain surfaces, which suppressed bleeding from superficial veins. By taking advantage of the excellent optical properties of PEO-CYTOP nanosheets, we performed in vivo deep imaging in mouse brains at high resolution. Moreover, PEO-CYTOP nanosheets enabled to prepare large cranial windows, achieving in vivo imaging of neural structure and Ca2+ elevation in a large field of view. Furthermore, the PEO-CYTOP nanosheets functioned as a sealing material, even after the removal of the dura. These results indicate that this method would be suitable for the investigation of neural functions that are composed of interactions among multiple regions.

In vivo two-photon microscopic observation and ablation in deeper brain regions realized by modifications of excitation beam diameter and immersion liquid.

In vivo two-photon microscopy utilizing a nonlinear optical process enables, in living mouse brains, not only the visualization of morphologies and functions of neural networks in deep regions but also their optical manipulation at targeted sites with high spatial precision. Because the two-photon excitation efficiency is proportional to the square of the photon density of the excitation laser light at the focal position, optical aberrations induced by specimens mainly limit the maximum depth of observations or that of manipulations in the microscopy. To increase the two-photon excitation efficiency, we developed a method for evaluating the focal volume in living mouse brains. With this method, we modified the beam diameter of the excitation laser light and the value of the refractive index in the immersion liquid to maximize the excitation photon density at the focal position. These two modifications allowed the successful visualization of the finer structures of hippocampal CA1 neurons, as well as the intracellular calcium dynamics in cortical layer V astrocytes, even with our conventional two-photon microscopy system. Furthermore, it enabled focal laser ablation dissection of both single apical and single basal dendrites of cortical layer V pyramidal neurons. These simple modifications would enable us to investigate the contributions of single cells or single dendrites to the functions of local cortical networks.

Upconversion photoluminescence of Ho3+-Yb3+ doped barium titanate nanocrystallites: Optical tools for structural phase detection and temperature probing

Authors have explored the photo-physical properties of Ho3+-Yb3+ doped BaTiO3 nanocrystals and proposed an intuitive method to probe temperature and crystal phase structure of the matrix. Structural phase change of doped crystals was analyzed in terms of their X-ray diffraction, and it was confirmed through second harmonic generation. We give insights on upconversion of energy of light-emission in Ho3+-Yb3+: BaTiO3 nanocrystals upon a 980 nm laser-light excitation and subsequently, the excited state dynamics were studied with the help of dependence of upconversion luminescence on excitation power and measuring-temperature. To understand the nature of occupancies of the Ho3+ ions at the Ti- and Ba-sites, we performed site-selective, time-resolved spectroscopic measurements at various crystal phases. Based on the lifetime analysis, it is inferred that the Ho3+ ions are present at two types of sites in barium titanate lattice. One of those is the 6-coordinated Ti-site of low symmetry, while the other one is the 12-coordinated Ba-site of higher symmetry. The upconversion emission of the nanocrystals are found to be temperature-sensitive (12 to 300 K), indicating possible use as a self-referenced temperature probe. An analysis of the temperature dependent emissions from 5F4 and 5S2 levels of Ho3+ ions, gives a maximum value of temperature sensitivity ~ 0.0095 K−1 at 12 K. Furthermore, we observe a sharp change in the luminescence intensity at ~180 K due to a ferroelectric phase change of the sample. The correlation of upconversion luminescence with the results of X-ray diffraction and second harmonic generation at different crystal phases implies that the frequency upconversion may be used as a probe of structural change of the lattice.

Organelle specific simultaneous Raman/green fluorescence protein microspectroscopy for living cell physicochemical studies.

We demonstrate a novel bio-spectroscopic technique, "simultaneous Raman/GFP microspectroscopy". It enables organelle specific Raman microspectroscopy of living cells. Fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, whose mitochondria are green fluorescence protein (GFP) labeled, is used as a test model system. Raman excitation laser and GFP excitation light irradiate the sample yeast cells simultaneously. GFP signal is monitored in the anti-Stokes region where interference from Raman scattering is negligibly small. Of note, 13 568 Raman spectra measured from different points of 19 living yeast cells are categorized according to their GFP fluorescence intensities, with the use of a two-component multivariate curve resolution with alternate least squares (MCR-ALS) analysis in the anti-Stokes region. This categorization allows us to know whether or not Raman spectra are taken from mitochondria. Raman spectra specific to mitochondria are obtained by an MCR-ALS analysis in the Stokes region of 1389 strongly GFP positive spectra. Two mitochondria specific Raman spectra have been obtained. The first one is dominated by protein Raman bands and the second by lipid Raman bands, being consistent with the known molecular composition of mitochondria. In addition, the second spectrum shows a strong band of ergosterol at 1602 cm-1 , previously reported as "Raman spectroscopic signature of life of yeast."

Light of Two Atoms in Free Space: Bunching or Antibunching?

Photon statistics divides light sources into three different categories, characterized by bunched, antibunched, or uncorrelated photon arrival times. Single atoms, ions, molecules, or solid state emitters display antibunching of photons, while classical thermal sources exhibit photon bunching. Here we demonstrate a light source in free space, where the photon statistics depends on the direction of observation, undergoing a continuous crossover between photon bunching and antibunching. We employ two trapped ions, observe their fluorescence under continuous laser light excitation, and record spatially resolved the autocorrelation function g^{(2)}(τ) with a movable Hanbury Brown and Twiss detector. Varying the detector position we find a minimum value for antibunching, g^{(2)}(0)=0.60(5) and a maximum of g^{(2)}(0)=1.46(8) for bunching, demonstrating that this source radiates fundamentally different types of light alike. The observed variation of the autocorrelation function is understood in the Dicke model from which the observed maximum and minimum values can be modeled, taking independently measured experimental parameters into account.

Optical excitation of atomic force microscopy cantilever for accurate spectroscopic measurements

Reliable operation of frequency modulation mode atomic force microscopy (FM-AFM) depends on a clean resonance of an AFM cantilever. It is recognized that the spurious mechanical resonances which originate from various mechanical components in the microscope body are excited by a piezoelectric elemen that is intended for exciting the AFM cantilever oscillation and these spurious resonance modes cause the serious undesirable signal artifacts in both frequency shift and dissipation signals. We present an experimental setup to excite only the oscillation of the AFM cantilever in a fiber-optic interferometer system using optical excitation force. While the optical excitation force is provided by a separate laser light source with a different wavelength (excitation laser : λ=1310 nm), the excitation laser light is still guided through the same single-mode optical fiber that guides the laser light (detection laser : λ=1550 nm) used for the interferometric detection of the cantilever deflection. We present the details of the instrumentation and its performance. This setup allows us to eliminate the problems associated with the spurious mechanical resonances such as the apparent dissipation signal and the inaccuracy in the resonance frequency measurement.

Focus on photonics, spectrometry, and spectroscopy

Focus on photonics, spectrometry, and spectroscopy

Anionic Surfactant Sensing by Optical Properties of Erythrosin B

The nonlinear optical properties, absorbance and fluorescence spectra of Erythrosin B (ErB) aqueous solution in different CTAB concentration was studied. Z-scan technique under laser light excitation at 532 nm, was used for study reverse saturable absorption (RSA) of ErB. it was observed that the RSA of solution depend on CTAB concentration. A enhancing of absorbance and quenching of fluorescence is observed with increase of CTAB concentration in solution and the RSA can reduce the fluorescence intensity. It was proposed that the micelle can reduce the dye aggregation is solutions and it can affect on linear and nonlinear optical properties of ErB.

Investigations and modeling aspects of the influence of the high energy and high dose implantation on the optical and transport parameters of implanted layers in silicon

This paper presents results of investigations and modeling aspects of the influence of Ge+ high energy (100 keV) and high dose (1014 cm−2) implantation on the optical and recombination parameters of implanted layers in silicon. The nondestructive and contactless MFCA (Modulated Free Carrier Absorption) method was used as it is sensitive to changes of these parameters expected for implanted layers. Several model cases describing the MFCA spectrum as a function of the energy of photons of the excitation laser light are presented, compared and discussed. The simplified one-layer model and the full two-layer model of the MFCA signal have been analyzed and compared. The possibility and correctness of determination of the optical absorption coefficient spectra of the implanted layers with the use of the one-layer simplified model has been discussed.

Transfer and Amplification of Chirality Within the “Ring of Fire” Observed in Resonance Raman Optical Activity Experiments

We report extremely strong chirality transfer from a chiral nickel complex to solvent molecules detected as Raman optical activity (ROA). Electronic energies of the complex were in resonance with the excitation-laser light. The phenomenon was observed for a wide range of achiral and chiral solvents. For chiral 2-butanol, the induced ROA was even stronger than the natural one. The observations were related to so-called quantum (molecular) plasmons that enable a strong chiral Rayleigh scattering of the resonating complex. According to a model presented here, the maximal induced ROA intensity occurs at a certain distance from the solute, in a three-dimensional "ring of fire", even after rotational averaging. Most experimental ROA signs and relative intensities could be reproduced. The effect might significantly increase the potential of ROA spectroscopy in bioimaging and sensitive detection of chiral molecules.

LIF spectra of magnetic splitting of lines of atomic vanadium

Laser induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy was used to study the structure of 15 vanadium lines in the visible yellow-red region 574.8–646.4 nm. We studied the low-lying states of the vanadium structure, for which there are no experimental data regarding the Zeeman structure available. A discharge tube with hollow cathode was the source of free atoms. The measurements were carried out for two mutually perpendicular states of linear polarization of the exciting laser light. The spectra were recorded in the presence of a magnetic field of about 800 G. We determined Lande gJ factors for 13 levels as well as values of hyperfine structure (hfs) constants for 13 levels of V I. We also verified the previously determined 11 Lande gJ factors and 11 A hfs constants. In the computer analysis of the spectra we took into account the saturation effect.

Contrast of 83% in reflection measurements on a single quantum dot

We report on a high optical contrast between the photon emission from a single self-assembled quantum dot (QD) and the back-scattered excitation laser light. In an optimized semiconductor heterostructure with an epitaxially grown gate, an optically-matched layer structure and a distributed Bragg reflector, a record value of 83% is obtained; with tilted laser excitation even 885%. This enables measurements on a single dot without lock-in technique or suppression of the laser background by cross-polarization. These findings open up the possibility to perform simultaneously time-resolved and polarization-dependent resonant optical spectroscopy on a single quantum dot.

Unusual near-infrared luminescence from Ti-doped MgSiF6·6H2O powder

Abstract We prepared Ti-doped MgSiF6·6H2O powder through a chemical synthesis method and observed Ti-related near-infrared (NIR) photoluminescence (PL), resulting from the dehydration due to vacuum evacuation. The NIR PL characteristics have unusual features: its emission intensity nonlinearly increases with the excitation laser power and a slow (∼1 s) increase of the emission intensity is observed under the continuous irradiation of the excitation laser light. These results indicate that the NIR PL band is activated by a heating effect due to the laser irradiation.

Imaging photoinduced surface potentials on hybrid perovskites by real-time Scanning Electron Microscopy

We introduce laser-assisted Time-Resolved SEM (TR-SEM), joining Scanning Electron Microscopy and laser light excitation, to probe the long-term temporal evolution of optically excited charge distributions at the surface of Metal Ammonium Lead Triiodide (MAPbI3) hybrid perovskite thin films. Laser-assisted TR-SEM relies on the optically induced local modification of Secondary Electron (SE) detection yield to provide mapping of photoexcited potentials and charge dynamics at surfaces, and qualifies as a complementary approach to near-field probe microscopies and nonlinear photoemission spectroscopies for photovoltage measurements. Real-time imaging of evolving field patterns are provided on timescales compatible with SEM scanning rates, so that temporal resolution in the millisecond range can be ultimately envisaged. MAPbI3 is an outstanding light-sensitive material candidate for applications in solar light harvesting and photovoltaics, also appealing as an active system for light generation. In this work, the real time temporal evolution of optically induced SE contrast patterns in MAPbI3 is experimentally recorded, both under illumination by a 405 nm blue laser and after light removal, showing the occurrence of modifications related to photoinduced positive charge fields at surface. The long term evolution of these surface fields are tentatively attributed to ion migration within the film, under the action of the illumination gradient and the hole collecting substrate. This optical excitation is fully reversible in MAPbI3 over timescales of hours and a complete recovery of the system occurs within days.Permanent irradiation damage of the material is avoided by operating the SEM at 5 keV of energy and 1–10 pA of primary current. Optical excitation is provided by intense above-bandgap illumination (up to 50 W/cm2). TR-SEM patterns show a strong dependence on the geometry of SE collection. Measurements are taken at different axial orientations of the sample with respect to the entrance of the in-column detection system of the SEM and compared with numerical modeling of the SE detection process. This enables to single out the information regarding the local potential distribution. Results are interpreted by combining data about the spectral distribution of emitted SEs with the configuration of the electric and magnetic fields in the specimen chamber. The present modeling sets a robust basis for the understanding of photoinduced SE electron contrast.

On the luminance saturation of phosphor-in-glass (PiG) films for blue-laser-driven white lighting: Effects of the phosphor content and the film thickness

To investigate the luminance saturation in high-power blue-laser-driven solid state lighting, the Y3Al5O12: Ce (YAG)-based PiG films was co-fired with a high thermally conductive sapphire substrate. When the PtG ratio or the thickness of the PiG film increases, the luminance saturation becomes worse and both of the luminous flux and luminous efficacy decrease. With an additional sapphire substrate coated with an anti-reflection layer on one side and a blue-pass filter on another side attached to the PiG film, the film shows an improvement in luminous flux and efficacy, and produces the white light with a luminous flux of 1709 lm, a luminous efficacy of 211 lm W−1 and a correlated color temperature of 6602 K under the maximum (10.3 W mm−2) blue laser light excitation. It indicates that the PiG film could be applied in high power laser-driven solid state lighting when its microstructure is carefully tailored.

采用模拟PID控制的DFB激光器温度控制系统研制

The control precision and stability of emitting wavelength of distributed feedback laser directly determines the measurement accuracy of detection system that uses infrared distributed feedback laser excitation light source as the core section. A temperature control system of distributed feedback laser was developed utilizing analog PID control. Simulated proportional-integral-differential temperature forward control module and real-time temperature backward acquisition module were adopted to control temperature. Emitting wavelength of 2 049 nm DFB laser was used in temperature control experiment. Results show that system temperature control stability is 0.05℃, and the stability time is less than 30 s. Meanwhile, spectrum test experiment was conducted using the developed temperature control system to control the proposed distributed feedback laser. The results show that the emitting wavelength of laser is linear with its working temperature while the laser drive current is fixed.

Zinc oxide encapsulated poly (vinyl alcohol) nanocomposite films as an efficient third-order nonlinear optical material: Structure, microstructure, emission and intense low threshold optical limiting properties

Keeping in view the significant facts on Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) (PVA), we developed nanocomposite films comprising small weight percentage of ZnO content in host polymer PVA, choosing a simple and cost-effective method based on solution-casting. The investigations of its structure, microstructure, linear/luminescence and nonlinear optical properties are presented. This article mainly discusses the intense low threshold nonlinear absorption (NLA) behaviour displayed by the samples, as studied using the standard Z-scan technique. On either increasing the intensity or ZnO content, the samples exhibited a switchover from saturable to reverse saturable absorption, which is rarely observed under 442 nm continuous wave (CW) laser light excitation. The effective values of nonlinear absorption coefficient and imaginary part of third-order nonlinear susceptibility are higher than the recently reported results. The limiting threshold values (obtained from optical limiting curves) are also found to be much better than other reported ones.