Wavelength Measurements Research Articles

Simulation analysis of plasma grating based on PDMS thin films

In order to measure the resonance wavelength of plasma grating, the sensitivity of grating parameters to stress is studied, a new type of stress-sensitive polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) thin film plasma grating is proposed. Based on the principle of finite difference time domain (FDTD), a simulation model of periodic plasma grating structure is established. With the help of periodic boundary conditions, by applying stress to the grating and changing the parameters of the plasma grating (i.e. period, duty cycle and Au film thickness) to achieve the measurement of the resonance wavelength, the sensitivity of the grating parameters to the force is studied; and compare the simulation result with the theoretical value to get the relative error. The relative error is calculated by comparing the simulation result with the theoretical value. The results show that when the grating period is 0.7 μm, the duty cycle is 55%, and the gold film thickness is 0.02 μm, the response to force is most sensitive at this time; Secondly, comparing the resonance peak wavelength at different periods obtained by simulation with the theoretical calculation value, the results of the two are consistent; When the period is 0.7 μm, the wavelength of the resonance peak is 1.251 μm, and the relative error obtained by theory and simulation is less than 2%, and the result is more accurate. This method plays an important role in the fields of monochromator, spectrometer and sensor.

Optimized Binary Patterns by Gradient Descent for Ghost Imaging

Ghost imaging reconstructs images using a single-element photodetector; it performs imaging by illuminating an object with binary modulation patterns. This technique has various advantages, including a wide wavelength, noise robustness, and high measurement sensitivity. However, one challenge is the low image quality in the undersampling. The examination of modulation patterns is intended to solve this issue. In ghost imaging, randomly generated or basis patterns have been studied as modulation patterns; however, in undersampling, random patterns exhibit noise robustness but low image quality, whereas basis patterns exhibit high image quality but are sensitive to noise and low resolution. Thus, ghost imaging requires patterns that simultaneously achieve high image quality, resolution, and noise robustness. This study proposes a method of pattern optimization using gradient descent and a binarization method to further improve image quality. Numerical simulation and experimental results show that the proposed approach offers high image quality, high resolution, and robustness to noise.

Radial Basis Function Neural Network for the Evaluation of Image Color Quality Shown on Liquid Crystal Displays

The color quality of an image shown on a liquid crystal display (LCD) can be measured with a spectroradiometer; however, this instrument is expensive, work under controlled illumination conditions with an artificial source of light, and measurements take a long time. A spectroradiometer returns measurements of wavelength or CIE color space. A low-cost and fast alternative consists of using a digital camera that outputs RGB measurements. Unfortunately, comparisons between measurements obtained with both instruments cannot be performed; hence, conversion equations must be used. The main problem is that equations do not consider the effects caused by the camera lens, sensor variations, and configurable parameters such as gain and the exposure time. This paper proposes the architecture of a radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) to measure the image color quality displayed by an LCD using a digital camera. The RGB values acquired with a camera are used as inputs to the RBFNN. The output predicted the luminance and chromaticity components in the CIExyY color space and included the corrections to the lens and camera parameters. First, the RBFNN topology is explained, including the calculation of the number of neurons in the hidden layer, and the definition of the dispersion centers and their associated spread. Next, the experiments related to RGB color space reconstruction and conversion from RGB to CIE are presented. The proposed approach was tested on a real automotive scenario. The results obtained were similar to those measured with the spectroradiometer with an accuracy of 93.3%. Moreover, the results remained within limits established by the six-sigma methodology.

Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring Using Optical Sensor and Machine Learning Techniques for Diabetes Applications.

Diabetes is a major public health challenge affecting more than 451 million people. Physiological and experimental factors influence the accuracy of non-invasive glucose monitoring, and these need to be overcome before replacing the finger prick method. Also, the suitable employment of machine learning techniques can significantly improve the accuracy of glucose predictions. One aim of this study is to use light sources with multiple wavelengths to enhance the sensitivity and selectivity of glucose detection in an aqueous solution. Multiple wavelength measurements have the potential to compensate for errors associated with inter- and intra-individual differences in blood and tissue components. In this study, the transmission measurements of a custom built optical sensor are examined using 18 different wavelengths between 410 and 940 nm. Results show a high correlation value (0.98) between glucose concentration and transmission intensity for four wavelengths (485, 645, 860 and 940 nm). Five machine learning methods are investigated for glucose predictions. When regression methods are used, 9% of glucose predictions fall outside the correct range (normal, hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic). The prediction accuracy is improved by applying classification methods on sets of data arranged into 21 classes. Data within each class corresponds to a discrete 10 mg/dL glucose range. Classification based models outperform regression, and among them, the support vector machine is the most successful with F1-score of 99%. Additionally, Clarke error grid shows that 99.75% of glucose readings fall within the clinically acceptable zones. This is an important step towards critical diagnosis during an emergency patient situation.

Precise wavelength measurements of potassium He- and Li-like satellites emitted from the laser plasma of a mineral target

Atomic models of high-Z multicharged ions are extremely complex and require experimental validation. One way to do so is to crosscheck the predicted wavelengths of resonance transitions in He- and Li-like ions against precise spectroscopic measurements that use the spectral lines of H-like ions for spectra calibration; these reference data can be modeled with outstanding precision. However, for elements with Z of at least 15, it is quite difficult to create a hot dense plasma with a large concentration of H-like charge states. To mitigate this issue, the suggestion here is to use as laser targets particular minerals comprising elements with moderate (between 15 and 30) and low (less than 15) Z, with emission from the latter delivering perfect reference lines over a whole range of He- and Li-like moderate-Z emission under examination. This approach is implemented to measure the wavelengths of resonance transitions (1snp → 1s2 for n = 2, 3) in He-like K ions and their dielectronic satellites by irradiating plates of orthoclase (KAlSi3O8) with 0.5-kJ subnanosecond laser pulses. X-ray spectra of the laser-generated plasma contain the investigated lines of highly charged K ions together with precisely known reference lines of H-like Al and Si atoms. The K-shell spectral line wavelengths are measured with a precision of around 0.3 mÅ.

Core-shell NaErF4@NaYF4 upconversion nanoparticles qualify as a NIR speckle wavemeter for a visible CCD.

Speckle patterns have been widely employed as a method for precisely determining the wavelength of monochromatic light. In order to achieve higher wavelength precision, a variety of optical diffusing waveguides have been investigated with a focus on their wavelength sensitivity. However, it has been a challenge to find a balance among the cost, compactness, precision, and stability of the waveguide. In this work, we designed a compact cylindrical random scattering waveguide (CRSW) as the light diffuser by mixing TiO2 particles and ultra-violate adhesive. In the CRSW, speckle patterns are generated by input light scattering off TiO2 particles multiple times. Additionally, a thin layer of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) was sprayed on the end face of CRSW to allow near-infrared (NIR) light to be converted to visible light, breaking the imaging limitations of visible cameras in the NIR range. We, then, further designed a convolution neural network (CNN) to recognize the wavelength of the speckle patterns with excellent robustness and ability to transfer learning. This resulted in the achievement of a high wavelength precision of 20 kHz (∼0.16 fm) at around 1550 nm with a temperature resistance of ±2 °C. Our results demonstrate a low-cost, compact, and simple NIR wavemeter, which is capable of ultra-high wavelength precision and good temperature stability. It has significant value for applications in high-speed and high-precision laser wavelength measurements.

Single shot acquisition of spatially resolved spin wave dispersion relations using X-ray microscopy

For understanding magnonic materials the fundamental characterization of their frequency response is essential. However, determining full dispersion relations and real space wavelength measurements are challenging and time-consuming tasks. We present an approach for spin wave excitation by a modified Sinc pulse, which combines a cosine signal with a conventional Sinc function. The resulting adjustable frequency bands lead to a broadband spin wave excitation at uniform power levels. Subsequently, time resolved scanning transmission X-ray microscopy is used for direct imaging of all excited spin waves in real space. To demonstrate the capabilities of this approach, a modified Sinc excitation of an ultra-thin yttrium-iron-garnet film is shown that simultaneously reveals phase, amplitude, and k-space information from a single measurement. Consequently, this approach allows a fast and thorough access to the full dispersion relation including spatial maps of the individual spin wave modes, enabling complete characterization of magnonic materials down to the nanoscale in real and reciprocal space.

Measuring the fine structure constant on a white dwarf surface; a detailed analysis of Fe V absorption in G191-B2B

Abstract The gravitational potential φ = GM/Rc2 at the surface of the white dwarf G191-B2B is 10,000 times stronger than that at the Earth’s surface. Numerous photospheric absorption features are detected, making this a suitable environment to test theories in which the fundamental constants depend on gravity. We have measured the fine structure constant, α, at the white dwarf surface, used a newly calibrated Hubble Space Telescope STIS spectrum of G191-B2B, two new independent sets of laboratory Fe V wavelengths, and new atomic calculations of the sensitivity parameters that quantify Fe V wavelength dependency on α. The two results obtained are: Δα/α0 = (6.36 ± 0.35stat ± 1.84sys) × 10−5 and Δα/α0 = (4.21 ± 0.48stat ± 2.25sys) × 10−5. The measurements hint that the fine structure constant increases slightly in the presence of strong gravitational fields. A comprehensive search for systematic errors is summarised, including possible effects from line misidentifications, line blending, stratification of the white dwarf atmosphere, the quadratic Zeeman effect and electric field effects, photospheric velocity flows, long-range wavelength distortions in the HST spectrum, and variations in the relative Fe isotopic abundances. None fully account for the observed deviation but the systematic uncertainties are heavily dominated by laboratory wavelength measurement precision.

Extraction of thickness, linear and nonlinear optical parameters of Ge20+Se80- thin films at normal and slightly inclined light for optoelectronic devices

In this framework, a novel Ge20+xSe80-x thin films ~890 nm, with (x = 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 at. %) were synthesized via thermally evaporation method at 298 K. The elemental ratios of Ge–Se thin films have been checked by EDX analysis and also the amorphous natural was confirmed through X-Ray Diffractometer, XRD. In thin films belonging to the glass chalcogenide, in the case of existence of interference in the optical measurements-namely, transmittance, T and reflectance, R spectra-often the dispersion refractive index, n(λ) and the thickness of the thin film, d were computed based on the spectrum of transmittance or reflectance and also the wavelength along with the optical measurements. In this work, the real optical constant n(λ) and film's thickness of Ge–Se thin films have been computed utilizing the wavelength measurements of the normal and slightly inclined incidence light solely. Then, the linear optical parameters such as Tauc's energy Eg and Urbach's energy Ee, the linear imaginary optical constant, namely, absorption index or extinction coefficient kex, the linear dispersion parameters, namely, the single oscillator energy Eo and the dispersion energy Ed and the non-linear optical constant or so called the second-order of refractive index n2 have been determined. The optical dispersion dndλ, phase velocity vp, group velocity Ug, Magneto-Optical Constant or Verdet coefficient V(λ) and the positions of the energy levels have been discussed in detail.

Single wavelength measurements of absorption coefficients based on iso-pathlength point.

In optical sensing, to reveal the chemical composition of tissues, the main challenge is isolating absorption from scattering. Most techniques use multiple wavelengths, which adds an error due to the optical pathlength differences. We suggest using a unique measurement angle for cylindrical tissues, the iso-pathlength (IPL) point, which depends on tissue geometry only (specifically the effective radius). We present a method for absorption assessment from a single wavelength at multiple measurement angles. The IPL point presented similar optical pathlengths for different tissues, both in simulation and experiments, hence it is optimal. Finally, in vivo measurements validated our proposed method.

High-Precision Apparatus for Measurement of the Cut-Off Wavelength of Single-Mode Optical Fiber

Problems that arise in the course of attempting to determine and monitor an optical fiber, the medium of transmission of fiber-optic communication systems, are considered. One of the controllable parameters is the cut-off wavelength of a single-mode optical fiber. The cut-off wavelength defines the minimal wavelength of optical radiation at which an optical fiber supports only a single propagated mode, i.e., it functions in a single-mode regime. The problem of determining the cut-off wavelength of an optical fiber used in fiber-optic communication systems is critical, since in a multi-mode regime of operation of an optical fiber its throughput decreases as a consequence of inter-mode dispersion. Methods of measuring the cut-off wavelength of an optical fiber are considered. A model of a new high-precision apparatus for measurement of the cut-off wavelength of an optical fiber is proposed. The measurements are performed on the basis of the reference bending method described in GOST R MEK 60793-1-44-2013. The precision characteristics of the newly developed apparatus are analyzed and a quantitative assessment of the measurement error is obtained.

Nanoimaging of Ultrashort Magnon Emission by Ferromagnetic Grating Couplers at GHz Frequencies.

On-chip signal processing at microwave frequencies is key for modern mobile communication. When one aims at small footprints, low power consumption, reprogrammable filters, and delay lines, magnons in low-damping ferrimagnets offer great promise. Ferromagnetic grating couplers have been reported to be specifically useful as microwave-to-magnon transducers. However, their interconversion efficiency is unknown and real-space measurements of the emitted magnon wavelengths have not yet been accomplished. Here, we image with subwavelength spatial resolution the magnon emission process into ferrimagnetic yttrium iron garnet (YIG) at frequencies up to 8 GHz. We evidence propagating magnons of a wavelength of 98.7 nm underneath the gratings, which enter the YIG without a phase jump. Counterintuitively, the magnons exhibit an even increased amplitude in YIG, which is unexpected and due to a further wavelength conversion process. Our results are of key importance for magnonic components, which efficiently control microwave signals on the nanoscale.

FC(O)C(O)F, FC(O)CF2C(O)F, and FC(O)CF2CF2C(O)F: Ultraviolet and Infrared Absorption Spectra and 248 nm Photolysis Products.

Perfluorodicarbonyl (PFDC) compounds may be emitted directly into the atmosphere or formed in the atmospheric degradation of trace fluorinated gases, such as unsaturated perfluoro cyclic compounds. A potential atmospheric removal process for PFDCs is UV photolysis, which is presently not well-characterized. In this work, UV and infrared absorption spectra of FC(O)C(O)F, FC(O)CF2C(O)F, and FC(O)CF2CF2C(O)F (three of the simplest PFDCs) and their 248 nm photolysis products are reported. UV spectra were measured at 296 K between 190 and 320 nm using single wavelength and broadband diode array spectroscopic measurement techniques. Infrared absorption spectra were measured at 296 K using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy between 500 and 4000 cm-1. The PFDCs are shown to be potent greenhouse gases with radiative efficiencies (well-mixed) of 0.142, 0.218, and 0.293 W m-2 ppb-1 for FC(O)C(O)F, FC(O)CF2C(O)F, and FC(O)CF2CF2C(O)F, respectively. Photolysis product yields (248 nm) were measured using pulsed laser photolysis combined with infrared absorption detection of radical products scavenged to stable bromides by reaction with Br2. BrC(O)F was identified as a major stable end product in all systems with a yield greater than ∼90%. The infrared spectrum of BrC(O)F is reported as part of this study. FC(O)CBrF2 and FC(O)CF2CBrF2 were also identified as products in the photolysis of FC(O)CF2C(O)F and FC(O)CF2CF2C(O)F, respectively, by comparison with theoretically calculated infrared absorption spectra. A carbonyl difluoride (CF2O) primary photolysis yield of ∼10% was measured in the photolysis of FC(O)C(O)F.

Deep Learning Enabled Laser Speckle Wavemeter with a High Dynamic Range

AbstractThe speckle pattern produced when a laser is scattered by a disordered medium has recently been shown to give a surprisingly accurate or broadband measurement of wavelength. Here it is shown that deep learning is an ideal approach to analyze wavelength variations using a speckle wavemeter due to its ability to identify trends and overcome low signal to noise ratio in complex datasets. This combination enables wavelength measurement at high precision over a broad operating range in a single step, with a remarkable capability to reject instrumental and environmental noise, which has not been possible with previous approaches. It is demonstrated that the noise rejection capabilities of deep learning provide attometre‐scale wavelength precision over an operating range from 488 nm to 976 nm. This dynamic range is six orders of magnitude beyond the state of the art.

Broadband Ultrafast Dynamics of Refractory Metals: TiN and ZrN

AbstractTransition metal nitrides have recently gained attention in the fields of plasmonics, plasmon‐enhanced photocatalysis, photothermal applications, and nonlinear optics because of their suitable optical properties, refractory nature, and large laser damage thresholds. This work reports comparative studies of the transient response of films of titanium nitride (TiN), zirconium nitride (ZrN), and gold (Au) under femtosecond excitation. Broadband transient optical characterization helps to adjudicate earlier, somewhat inconsistent reports regarding hot electron lifetimes based upon single wavelength measurements. These pump–probe experiments show sub‐picosecond transient dynamics only within the epsilon‐near‐zero window of the refractory metals. The dynamics are dominated by photoinduced interband transitions resulting from ultrafast electron energy redistribution. The enhanced reflection modulation in the epsilon‐near‐zero window makes it possible to observe the ultrafast optical response of these films at low pump fluences. These results indicate that electron–phonon coupling in TiN and ZrN is 25–100 times greater than in Au. Strong electron–phonon coupling drives the sub‐picosecond optical response and facilitates greater lattice heating compared to Au, making TiN and ZrN promising for photothermal applications. The spectral response and dynamics of TiN and ZrN are only weakly sensitive to pump fluence and pump excitation energy. However, the magnitude of the response is much greater at higher pump photon energies and higher fluences, reaching peak observed values of 15% in TiN and 50% in ZrN in the epsilon‐near‐zero window.

Wavelength and angle resolved reflectance measurements of pyramidal textures for crystalline silicon photovoltaics

AbstractWavelength and angle resolved scattering (WARS) reflectance measurements are attractive to the photovoltaic (PV) industry as a means of characterizing the light‐trapping properties of a textured front surface. Moreover, at the PV module level, where a stack comprising encapsulants and glass is present, large angle scattering can promote total internal reflection at the interfaces and redirect light back towards the solar cell, thus increasing the photocurrent of the device. In this work, we present WARS measurements of a potassium hydroxide (KOH)etched random pyramid surface in the 6°–90° range and identify the main paths the photons experience through reflections from various facets of the pyramids. Our results, combined with ray‐tracing predictions, show that a reassessment of the morphology for simulation inputs is advised for a more comprehensive description of the experimental light paths due to a distribution of power across multiple scattering angles and a lower average pyramid base angle. In addition, we discuss the implications on the total amount of light trapped at the glass‐air interface and show that for a typical encapsulant refractive index of 1.5, approximately 14.5% of the scattered light is predicted to be trapped by the fabricated pyramidal texture. This is a significant increase over the 3.8% calculated to be trapped when assuming a dihedral base angle fixed to 54.74°.

Method for the Precise Measurement of Wavelengths for Main Shell Transitions in He- and Li-like Ca Ions

A possible approach to obtain a precise experimental data on the atomic structure of highly charged ions is considered. Since the key point determining measurement accuracy is the presence of reference lines with precisely known wavelengths, it is proposed first to to use hydrogen-like reference lines for precise measurements of the helium-like resonant transition and their dielectronic satellites. Then in turn these lines, which exist in the plasma over a wide temperature range, can be used as the reference in the wavelength measurement for other ions. The problems associated with the creation of the plasma conditions under which the reference and measured lines have comparable intensities are discussed. The irradiation of minerals with laser pulses, which, in terms of their chemical composition, are a set of elements with average 15 < Z < 30 and light Z < 15 nuclear charges, is proposed. Several experimental schemes to measure the wavelengths of the spectral lines of multiply charged calcium ions with an expected error of up to 0.125 mA are considered as an example.

High-throughput imaging surface plasmon resonance biosensing based on ultrafast two-point spectral-dip tracking scheme

Wavelength interrogation surface plasmon resonance imaging (λSPRi) has potential in detecting 2-dimensional (2D) sensor array sites, but the resonance wavelength imaging rate limits the application of detecting biomolecular binding process in real time. In this paper, we have successfully demonstrated an ultrafast λSPRi biosensor system. The key feature is a two-point tracking algorithm that drives the liquid crystal tunable filter (LCTF) to achieve fast-tracking of the resonance wavelength movement caused by the binding of target molecules with the probe molecules on the sensing surface. The resonance wavelength measurement time is within 0.25s. To date, this is the fastest speed ever reported in λSPRi. Experiment results show that the sensitivity and dynamic are 2.4 × 10-6 RIU and 4.6 × 10-2 RIU, respectively. In addition, we have also demonstrated that the system has the capability of performing fast high-throughput detection of biomolecular interactions, which confirms that this fast real-time detecting approach is most suitable for high-throughput and label-free biosensing applications.

The effect of heat treatment on the front-face fluorescence spectrum of tryptophan in skim milk

The effect of heat treatment on tryptophan front-face fluorescence emission spectra of reconstituted skim milk was assessed. Samples were heat-treated from 70 to 100 °C at six holding times. Treating milk at 90 and 100 °C induced a decrease in fluorescence intensity (∼37 and ∼47 %) and a red shift (12 and 14 nm), respectively, with both parameters significantly affected at 99.9 % by temperature, time, and the interaction of both factors. Red shift, which could be attributed to whey protein denaturation and tryptophan exposure to increasing solvent polarity, was found to follow a quadratic trend as a function of holding time (from 0 to 60 min). The decrease of fluorescence intensity observed at those two temperatures and in the mentioned holding time range was also a quadratic function of the associated red shift. Emission intensity change at a single wavelength (∼340 nm) was partly caused by direct intensity decrease and indirectly due to the emission maximum shift. Tryptophan fluorescence allowed sample classification by PCA analysis according to heat load, i.e., temperature and time. These results established the bases for development of a cost-effective sensor based on simple, economic optical components for measurement of a few well-selected emission wavelengths, which associated with data processing, should allow inline control of milk heat treatment.

Dynamic nuclear polarization by optical Stark effect in periodically pumped gallium arsenide

Optical pump-probe time- and magnetic-field-resolved Kerr rotation measurements provide a window into the mechanisms that generate dynamic nuclear polarization in bulk gallium arsenide. Previously, we have reported an unexpected dependence of the direction of the nuclear polarization on the sweep direction of the applied external magnetic field. In this paper, we present numerical calculations based on a model for this nuclear polarization due to the optical orientation and optical Stark effect produced by a train of ultrafast optical pulses. We demonstrate the correspondence of the model to our experimental measurements for different laser wavelengths and magnetic field sweep rates. Finally, we show that the model reproduces the sweep direction dependence and provides an explanation for this behavior.