Linear Anisotropy Research Articles

Controllable Rotations of Spiraling Elliptic Beams in Anisotropic Linear Media

We study the rotation properties of spiraling elliptic beams in the anisotropy media. Based on the Collins formula, we obtain the exact analytical solution of the spiraling elliptic beams carrying the orbital angular momentum (OAM) to the paraxial wave equation. It is found that the rotation property is closely relevant to the OAM, which can be controlled by the linear anisotropy of media. For an anisotropic media such as the uniaxial crystal, the rotation velocity of spiraling elliptic beams at the output can be controlled only by changing the direction of the optic axis of the uniaxial crystal. Depending on the anisotropy parameter, two rotation modes are predicted for the spiraling elliptic beam. For small anisotropy parameter, the rotation direction of the spiraling elliptic beam is inverted at a certain propagation distance. When the anisotropy parameter is large enough, the invertion of the rotation direction disappears. The results are potentially useful in controlling the optical beams.

Taming Macromolecules with Light: Lessons Learned from Vibrational Spectroscopy.

Exciting new applications, from large-area nanopatterning and templating to soft light-powered robotics, are emerging from the fundamental research on light-triggered changes in macromolecular systems upon photoisomerization of azobenzene-based molecular photoswitches. The understanding of how the initial molecular-scale photoisomerization of azobenzene, a complex photochemical event in itself, is translated into the response of macromolecules and even into macroscopic-scale motion of illuminated azomaterials is an enormous task. The focus here is on how this knowledge has advanced by applying different vibrational spectroscopy techniques that provide rich molecular insight into the photoresponse of chemically specific molecular moieties. In particular, infrared and Raman spectroscopy studies are highlighted, in the context of phototriggered perturbation of self-assembled structures and photoinduced linear and circular anisotropy, as well as photoinduced surface patterning, with the objective of offering a perspective on how vibrational spectroscopy can help in answering an array of essential yet unsettled questions.

Diffusion tensor MRI shows progressive changes in the hippocampus and dentate gyrus after status epilepticus in rat – histological validation with Fourier-based analysis

Imaging markers for monitoring disease progression, recovery, and treatment efficacy are a major unmet need for many neurological diseases, including epilepsy. Recent evidence suggests that diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) provides high microstructural contrast even outside major white matter tracts. We hypothesized that in vivo DTI could detect progressive microstructural changes in the dentate gyrus and the hippocampal CA3bc in the rat brain after status epilepticus (SE). To test this hypothesis, we induced SE with systemic kainic acid or pilocarpine in adult male Wistar rats and subsequently scanned them using in vivo DTI at five time-points: prior to SE, and 10, 20, 34, and 79 days post SE. In order to tie the DTI findings to changes in the tissue microstructure, myelin- and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-stained sections from the same animals underwent Fourier analysis. We compared the Fourier analysis parameters, anisotropy index and angle of myelinated axons or astrocyte processes, to corresponding DTI parameters, fractional anisotropy (FA) and the orientation angle of the principal eigenvector. We found progressive detectable changes in DTI parameters in both the dentate gyrus (FA, axial diffusivity [D||], linear anisotropy [CL] and spherical anisotropy [CS], p<0.001, linear mixed-effects model [LMEM]) and the CA3bc (FA, D||, CS, and angle, p<0.001, LMEM; CL and planar anisotropy [CP], p<0.01, LMEM) post SE. The Fourier analysis revealed that both myelinated axons and astrocyte processes played a role in the water diffusion anisotropy changes detected by DTI in individual portions of the dentate gyrus (suprapyramidal blade, mid-portion, and infrapyramidal blade). In the whole dentate gyrus, myelinated axons markedly contributed to the water diffusion changes. In CA3bc as well as in CA3b and CA3c, both myelinated axons and astrocyte processes contributed to water diffusion anisotropy and orientation. Our study revealed that DTI is a promising method for noninvasive detection of microstructural alterations in the hippocampus proper. These alterations may be potential imaging markers for epileptogenesis.

Interactions between propagating rotational rifts and linear rheological heterogeneities: Insights from three‐dimensional laboratory experiments

The lateral propagation of rifts is a consequence of the relative divergence of lithospheric plates about a pole of rotation. Modern and ancient examples of rifts are known to overprint pre-existing linear anisotropies in the crust and lithosphere, such as lithospheric boundaries, crustal sutures, and thermal anomalies. Here we investigate how propagating rifts interact with pre-existing structures by using three-dimensional analogue experiments with rotational extensional boundary conditions and variably oriented linear weak zones in the lithospheric mantle. When linear weaknesses are oriented at low angles to the rift axis, early strain localization occurs in narrow domains, which merge at later stages, resulting in continental break up by unzipping. Strong strain partitioning is observed when the linear heterogeneity is oriented at high angles with respect to the rift axis. In these experiments, early sub-parallel V-shaped basins propagate toward the pole of rotation until they are abandoned and strain is transferred entirely to structures developed in the vicinity of the strongly oblique weak lithosphere zone boundary. The experimental results are characterized in terms of their evolution, patterns of strain localization, and surface topography as a function of the lithospheric heterogeneity obliquity angle. Comparison of the experiments to ancient and modern examples in nature may help to elucidate the common but still poorly understood process of propagating rift-lithospheric heterogeneity interaction.

Compensation of the residual linear anisotropy of phase in a vertical-external-cavity-surface-emitting laser for spin injection.

We report on the compensation of the linear anisotropy of phase in a vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser from 21 to 0.5mrad with an intracavity PLZT electro-optical ceramic. It allows dynamic and accurate control of the laser linear anisotropy, as well as dynamic control of the laser polarization eigenstates. At the birefringence compensation point, we observe an elliptical polarization state with 41° of ellipticity, rotated from its initial position of 32°. The experimental observations are in close agreement with the theoretical predictions. Finally, we are able to demonstrate control of the polarization state with spin injection.

Evaluation of the Effect of Linear Scattering Anisotropy and Boundary Shape on the Calculation of K ∞ for VVER-1000 Cells with Mixed Uranium-Plutonium Power-Grade Fuel

The method of surface pseudo sources for solving the multigroup neutron transport equation with scattering anisotropy and different boundary conditions by the operator splitting method was developed previously. The method was implemented in the RATsIYa option of the WIMS-SH-2.0 complex. The impact of scattering anisotropy and the form of the boundary conditions on K ∞ of VVER-1000 reactor cells with uranium-plutonium power-grade fuel was investigated. The calculations showed that the impact of each of these two effects is about 0.5%; they have different signs, as a result of which they largely compensate one another.

Anisotropic sliding on dual-rail hydrophilic tracks.

Biomimetic surfaces with sliding angle (SA) anisotropy have the capacity to directionally control the motion of water droplets and therefore have wide applications in various domains. Parallel and narrowing dual-rail hydrophilic tracks (DRHTs) are fabricated on etched superhydrophobic Al surfaces using a micromilling technique. Orthogonal and linear SA anisotropies are observed and investigated on the parallel and narrowing DRHTs, respectively. Track spacings of the parallel DRHTs are designed to regulate the orthogonal SA anisotropy of the water droplet. Experimental data shows that the along-track droplet-substrate interfacial widths, together with the sliding anisotropy, decrease with the increase of the track spacings. SA contrast (linear SA anisotropy) in two opposite directions along the tracks is observed and discussed on the narrowing DRHTs. Results indicate that droplets slide with more difficulty in the spacing-expanding direction than those in the shrinking direction, and when a droplet is dispensed at the tail end of a DRHT segment, the along-track outward detaching SAs and inward SAs also show sharp linear anisotropy due to the droplet-track interfacial liquid tension. On the basis of the discussed orthogonal and linear SAs, potential lab-on-a-chip applications for intelligent droplet transport, mixing and capture & release are explored.

Linear photophysics, two-photon absorption and femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy of styryl dye bases

The steady-state and time-resolved linear spectral properties, two-photon absorption spectra and fast relaxation processes in the excited states of styryl base-type derivatives were investigated. The nature of linear absorption, fluorescence and excitation anisotropy spectra were analyzed in solvents of different polarity at room temperature and specific dependence of the solvatochromic behavior on the donor-acceptor strength of the terminal substituents was shown. Two-photon absorption (2PA) efficiency of styryl dye bases was determined in a broad spectral range using two-photon induced fluorescence technique, and cross-sections maxima of ~ 100 GM were found. The excited state absorption (ESA) and fast relaxation processes in the molecular structures were investigated by transient absorption femtosecond pump-probe methodology. The role of twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) effect in the excited state of styryl dye base with dimethylamino substituent was shown. The experimental spectroscopic data were also verified by quantum chemical calculations at the Time Dependent Density Functional Theory level, combined with a polarizable continuum model.

A global inversion-symmetry-broken phase inside the pseudogap region of YBa2Cu3Oy

The phase diagram of cuprate high-temperature superconductors features an enigmatic pseudogap region that is characterized by a partial suppression of low energy electronic excitations. Polarized neutron diffraction, Nernst effect, THz polarimetery and ultrasound measurements on YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_y$ suggest that the pseudogap onset below a temperature T* coincides with a bona fide thermodynamic phase transition that breaks time-reversal, four-fold rotation and mirror symmetries respectively. However, the full point group above and below T* has not been resolved and the fate of this transition as T* approaches the superconducting critical temperature T$_c$ is poorly understood. Here we reveal the point group of YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_y$ inside its pseudogap and neighboring regions using high sensitivity linear and second harmonic optical anisotropy measurements. We show that spatial inversion and two-fold rotational symmetries are broken below T* while mirror symmetries perpendicular to the Cu-O plane are absent at all temperatures. This transition occurs over a wide doping range and persists inside the superconducting dome, with no detectable coupling to either charge ordering or superconductivity. These results suggest that the pseudogap region coincides with an odd-parity order that does not arise from a competing Fermi surface instability and exhibits a quantum phase transition inside the superconducting dome.

Mueller imaging polarimetry of holographic polarization gratings inscribed in azopolymer films.

Three types of polarization gratings have been recorded in azopolymer films by the symmetrical superposition of different orthogonal pairs of polarized beams. The inscribed holographic elements have been analyzed microscopically in a Mueller polarimeter in order to image the optical anisotropies photoinduced in the film. In the most of cases, the spatial modulation of diattenuation, birefringence, and optical rotation reproduced quite well previous results reported in the literature. Nevertheless, in the particular case of coherent superposition of p- and s-polarized beams, the spatial frequency for optical rotation (related to the Stokes parameter V) was different from the one observed in linear anisotropy (related to the Stokes parameter U). It is shown by theory and experiment that, in the polarized field used to record this polarization grating, the fourth-Stokes parameter changes sign, which implies a change in circular polarization handedness, practically once between two adjacent maxima.

Linear dichroism and optical anisotropy of silver nanoprisms in polymer films

We present optical studies of two different size distributions of silver triangular nanoprisms, one with a dipole resonance at 520 nm and the other with a dipole resonance at 650 nm, placed in different media. Significant wavelength-dependent depolarization of scattered light from the silver nanoprisms suspended in water indicates strong interference of multiple surface plasmon resonant modes in the same particle. We use this depolarization as a probe of light scattering by the nanoprisms in a lipid solution due to the rejection of a polarized background scattering. Also, the silver nanoprisms were embedded in a polyvinyl alcohol polymer matrix and oriented by stretching the polymer/nanoprism nanocomposite films. We observe significantly increased linear dichroism in the region associated with the plasmonic in-plane dipole mode upon stretching. Additionally, there is a weaker linear dichroism in the region associated with out-of-plane modes, which vanish in the extinction spectrum of the stretched nanocomposite film.

Mueller-matrix of laser-induced autofluorescence of polycrystalline films of dried peritoneal fluid in diagnostics of endometriosis.

This research presents investigation results of the diagnostic efficiency of an azimuthally stable Mueller-matrix method of analysis of laser autofluorescence of polycrystalline films of dried uterine cavity peritoneal fluid. A model of the generalized optical anisotropy of films of dried peritoneal fluid is proposed in order to define the processes of laser autofluorescence. The influence of complex mechanisms of both phase (linear and circular birefringence) and amplitude (linear and circular dichroism) anisotropies is taken into consideration. The interconnections between the azimuthally stable Mueller-matrix elements characterizing laser autofluorescence and different mechanisms of optical anisotropy are determined. The statistical analysis of coordinate distributions of such Mueller-matrix rotation invariants is proposed. Thereupon the quantitative criteria (statistic moments of the first to the fourth order) of differentiation of polycrystalline films of dried peritoneal fluid, group 1 (healthy donors) and group 2 (uterus endometriosis patients), are determined.

Evaluation of Diffusion Anisotropy and Diffusion Shape in Grading of Glial Tumors.

Background:The most common primary tumors of brain are gliomas. Grading of tumor is vital for designing proper treatment plans. The gold standard choice to determine the grade of glial tumor is biopsy which is an invasive method. Objective:In this study, we try to investigate the role of fractional anisotropy (diffusion anisotropy) and linear anisotropy coefficient (its shape) with the aim of Diffusion Tensor imaging (as a non-invasive method) in the grading of gliomas. Methods:A group of 20 patients with histologically glial approved was evaluated. In this study, we used a 1.5-Tesla MR system (AVANTO; Siemens, Germany) with a standard head coil for scanning. Multi-directional diffusion weighted imaging (measured in 12 non-collinear directions) and T1 weighted non-enhanced were performed for all patients. We defined two Regions of Interest (ROIs); white matter adjacent to the tumor and the homologous fiber tracts to the first ROI in the contralateral hemisphere. Results:Linear anisotropy coefficient (CL), fractional anisotropy (FA) values and ratios of low-grade peri-tumoral fiber tracts were higher than high-grade gliomas (P-value CLt=0.014, P-value CLt/n=0.019 and P-value FAt=0.006, P-value FAt/n=0.024). In addition, we perform ROC curve for each parameter (CL ratio-AUC = 0.82 and FA ratio-AUC = 0.868). Conclusion:Our findings prove significant difference between diffusion anisotropy (FA) and diffusion shape (Cl) between low grade and high grade glioma, based on which we find this evaluation helpful in the grading of glial tumors.

Polarization-dependent laser autofluorescence of the polycrystalline networks of blood plasma films in the task of liver pathology differentiation.

Current research presents the results of the investigation of diagnostic efficiency of laser polarization autofluorescence for the set of endogenous fluorophores of blood plasma polycrystalline films in two spectral regions (0.5-0.53 μm and 0.63-0.67 μm) under the excitation of laser radiation with a wavelength of 0.405 μm. A model of generalized optical anisotropy of protein networks of blood plasma polycrystalline films is proposed for the purpose of defining laser autofluorescence processes. Both phase (linear birefringence and optical activity) and amplitude (linear and circular dichroisms) anisotropies have been considered. Interconnections between the optimal condition of probing beam polarization state and the efficiency of induction laser autofluorescence have been found. Statistical analysis of coordinate distributions of laser polarization autofluorescence intensities is suggested by means of determination of the quantitative criteria (statistical moments of the 1st-4th orders). The efficiency of laser polarization autofluorescence of polycrystalline networks in the task of differentiation of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and chronic hepatitis of human liver has been analyzed.

Singular observation of the polarization-conversion effect for a gammadion-shaped metasurface.

In this article, the polarization-conversion effects of a gammadion-shaped metasurface in transmission and reflection modes are discussed. In our experiment, the polarization-conversion effect of a gammadion-shaped metasurface is investigated because of the contribution of the phase and amplitude anisotropies. According to our experimental and simulated results, the polarization property of the first-order transmitted diffraction is dominated by linear anisotropy and has weak depolarization; the first-order reflected diffraction exhibits both linear and circular anisotropies and has stronger depolarization than the transmission mode. These results are different from previously published research. The Mueller matrix ellipsometer and polar decomposition method will aid in the investigation of the polarization properties of other nanostructures.

Propagations of elliptic beams in nonlocal nonlinear media with linear anisotropy

Analytically discussed is the dynamical properties of the elliptic beams in nonlocal nonlinear media with linear anisotropy. The exact elliptic soliton solutions are obtained for the Snyder–Mitchell model with linear anisotropy in the case of the strong nonlocality. The ellipticity of the elliptic solitons is equal to the square root of the anisotropy parameter of the media with linear anisotropy. When the input optical powers depart from the soliton powers, the elliptic beams are shown by us to have two dynamical behaviors, the optical breathers for the case that the anisotropy parameter of the media is a rational number, and pseudo breathers for the case that the anisotropy parameter is an irrational number, where pseudo breathers are referred to as the dynamical states that the elliptic beams after propagations cannot recover their initial shapes, although both the two semi-axes of the elliptic beams evolve periodically. The analytical solutions agree well with the numerical simulations.

Dual-polarity metamaterial circular polarizer based on giant extrinsic chirality.

Chirality is ubiquitous in nature. The associated optical activity has received much attention due to important applications in spectroscopy, analytical chemistry, crystallography and optics, however, artificial chiral optical materials are complex and difficult to fabricate, especially in the optical range. Here, we propose an ultrathin dual-polarity metamaterial circular polarizer by exploiting the mechanism of giant extrinsic chirality. The polarity of the circular polarizer with large suppression of linear anisotropy can be switched by changing the sign of incident angle. The microwave experiments and optical simulations demonstrate that the large angle of incidence facilitates the high-efficiency circular polarizer, which can be realized in the whole spectra from microwave to visible frequencies. The ultrathin single-layer metamaterials with extrinsic chirality will be a promising candidate for circular polarization devices.

Characteristic Features of the Solution for the Inverse Problem of Polarimetry, Based on the Generalized Equivalence Theorem

We consider the characteristic features of the solution for the inverse problem of polarimetry for an arbitrary homogeneous anisotropic object, based on the generalized equivalence theorem. We show that in the general case, this problem has two solutions corresponding to the polarization basis sets, in which the amplitude and phase anisotropy matrices are not mixed. Using the solutions obtained, we carry out a comparative analysis of the conditions for realization of elliptical amplitude anisotropy with orthogonal eigenpolarizations (Hermitian dichroism) and we show the effect of these conditions on the characteristics of the eigenpolarizations. In both solutions, the orientation of the eigenpolarization is determined by the azimuth of the linear amplitude anisotropy and the ellipticity angle of the eigenpolarizations does not depend on the azimuths of the linear amplitude and phase anisotropy. The dependences of the ellipticity angle of the eigenpolarizations on the parameters of the amplitude anisotropy are different in these two solutions. The ellipticity angle depends on the magnitude of the type of amplitude anisotropy for which the matrix is first represented in this basis. The magnitude of the second type of amplitude anisotropy determines only the rate of change in the ellipticity angle.

Differentiating Tumor Progression from Pseudoprogression in Patients with Glioblastomas Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast MRI.

Early assessment of treatment response is critical in patients with glioblastomas. A combination of DTI and DSC perfusion imaging parameters was evaluated to distinguish glioblastomas with true progression from mixed response and pseudoprogression. Forty-one patients with glioblastomas exhibiting enhancing lesions within 6 months after completion of chemoradiation therapy were retrospectively studied. All patients underwent surgery after MR imaging and were histologically classified as having true progression (>75% tumor), mixed response (25%-75% tumor), or pseudoprogression (<25% tumor). Mean diffusivity, fractional anisotropy, linear anisotropy coefficient, planar anisotropy coefficient, spheric anisotropy coefficient, and maximum relative cerebral blood volume values were measured from the enhancing tissue. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the best model for classification of true progression from mixed response or pseudoprogression. Significantly elevated maximum relative cerebral blood volume, fractional anisotropy, linear anisotropy coefficient, and planar anisotropy coefficient and decreased spheric anisotropy coefficient were observed in true progression compared with pseudoprogression (P < .05). There were also significant differences in maximum relative cerebral blood volume, fractional anisotropy, planar anisotropy coefficient, and spheric anisotropy coefficient measurements between mixed response and true progression groups. The best model to distinguish true progression from non-true progression (pseudoprogression and mixed) consisted of fractional anisotropy, linear anisotropy coefficient, and maximum relative cerebral blood volume, resulting in an area under the curve of 0.905. This model also differentiated true progression from mixed response with an area under the curve of 0.901. A combination of fractional anisotropy and maximum relative cerebral blood volume differentiated pseudoprogression from nonpseudoprogression (true progression and mixed) with an area under the curve of 0.807. DTI and DSC perfusion imaging can improve accuracy in assessing treatment response and may aid in individualized treatment of patients with glioblastomas.

Dyeing crystals to dyeing tissues: Congo red in anisotropic media

In the past, we have studied the process of dyeing crystals through measurements of linear optical anisotropies (e.g., linear dichroism and linear birefringence). Techniques for analyzing the optical properties of dyed crystals are readily translated to stained crystalline tissues, countless examples of which have been described by chemical histologists. Moreover, questions pertaining to mechanisms of non-covalent association are comparable whether the structured host is a single crystal or crystalline tissue. Here, the azo dye, Congo red, in two types of anisotropic media, sucrose single crystals and fibrous, proteinaceous amyloid plaques, is described. Optical micrographs of amyloid from the brains of deceased Alzheimer's Disease patients made with a newly developed imaging system reveal previously unrecognized features. As formation of ordered amyloid plaques from their relatively small peptides may well be considered a pathological biocrystallization process, a clear understanding of the deposition mechanism may lead to strategies for crystallization inhibition.