Narrow-band Interference Filters Research Articles

Tomographic spectroscopic observation of argon and metal vapor behavior in MIG arc welding

Spectroscopic measurements for GMA phenomena have been performed. The studies have reported that the metal vapor behavior greatly affects the arc properties. However, they can be applied only to axially symmetric phenomena because of the assumption used for the measurement. GMA welding is normally performed while moving and most of the phenomena become axially asymmetric. In this study, we constructed a simultaneous and multi-directional measurement system using multiple CCD cameras which can capture such axially asymmetric GMA phenomena. We measured the arc radiation by means of two types of narrowband interference filters for Ar and Fe during one measurement and observed axially asymmetrical intensity distributions in the globular and spray transfer mode. We found that the globular transfer mode that has seemingly chaotic distribution can be regarded as a distribution where the deviation of Ar is larger than Fe from an axially symmetric double-ring distribution.

Traceability of a CCD-Camera System for High-Temperature Measurements

A CCD camera, which has been specially equipped with narrow-band interference filters in the visible spectral range for temperature measurements above 1200 K, was characterized with respect to its temperature response traceable to ITS-90 and with respect to absolute spectral radiance responsivity. The calibration traceable to ITS-90 was performed at a high-temperature blackbody source using a radiation thermometer as a transfer standard. Use of Planck’s law and the absolute spectral radiance responsivity of the camera system allows the determination of the thermodynamic temperature. For the determination of the absolute spectral radiance responsivity, a monochromator-based setup with a supercontinuum white-light laser source was developed. The CCD-camera system was characterized with respect to the dark-signal-non-uniformity, the photo-response-non-uniformity, the non-linearity, and the size-of-source effect. The influence of these parameters on the calibration and measurement was evaluated and is considered for the uncertainty budget. The results of the two different calibration schemes for the investigated temperature range from 1200 K to 1800 K are in good agreement considering the expanded uncertainty $$(k= 2)$$ . The uncertainty for the absolute spectral responsivity of the camera is 0.56 % $$(k= 2)$$ .

Method for the Assessment of Effects of a Range of Wavelengths and Intensities of Red/near-infrared Light Therapy on Oxidative Stress <em>In Vitro</em>

Red/near-infrared light therapy (R/NIR-LT), delivered by laser or light emitting diode (LED), improves functional and morphological outcomes in a range of central nervous system injuries in vivo, possibly by reducing oxidative stress. However, effects of R/NIR-LT on oxidative stress have been shown to vary depending on wavelength or intensity of irradiation. Studies comparing treatment parameters are lacking, due to absence of commercially available devices that deliver multiple wavelengths or intensities, suitable for high through-put in vitro optimization studies. This protocol describes a technique for delivery of light at a range of wavelengths and intensities to optimize therapeutic doses required for a given injury model. We hypothesized that a method of delivering light, in which wavelength and intensity parameters could easily be altered, could facilitate determination of an optimal dose of R/NIR-LT for reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vitro. Non-coherent Xenon light was filtered through narrow-band interference filters to deliver varying wavelengths (center wavelengths of 440, 550, 670 and 810nm) and fluences (8.5 x 10-3 to 3.8 x 10-1 J/cm2) of light to cultured cells. Light output from the apparatus was calibrated to emit therapeutically relevant, equal quantal doses of light at each wavelength. Reactive species were detected in glutamate stressed cells treated with the light, using DCFH-DA and H2O2 sensitive fluorescent dyes. We successfully delivered light at a range of physiologically and therapeutically relevant wavelengths and intensities, to cultured cells exposed to glutamate as a model of CNS injury. While the fluences of R/NIR-LT used in the current study did not exert an effect on ROS generated by the cultured cells, the method of light delivery is applicable to other systems including isolated mitochondria or more physiologically relevant organotypic slice culture models, and could be used to assess effects on a range of outcome measures of oxidative metabolism.

Method for the assessment of effects of a range of wavelengths and intensities of red/near-infrared light therapy on oxidative stress in vitro.

Red/near-infrared light therapy (R/NIR-LT), delivered by laser or light emitting diode (LED), improves functional and morphological outcomes in a range of central nervous system injuries in vivo, possibly by reducing oxidative stress. However, effects of R/NIR-LT on oxidative stress have been shown to vary depending on wavelength or intensity of irradiation. Studies comparing treatment parameters are lacking, due to absence of commercially available devices that deliver multiple wavelengths or intensities, suitable for high through-put in vitro optimization studies. This protocol describes a technique for delivery of light at a range of wavelengths and intensities to optimize therapeutic doses required for a given injury model. We hypothesized that a method of delivering light, in which wavelength and intensity parameters could easily be altered, could facilitate determination of an optimal dose of R/NIR-LT for reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vitro. Non-coherent Xenon light was filtered through narrow-band interference filters to deliver varying wavelengths (center wavelengths of 440, 550, 670 and 810 nm) and fluences (8.5x10(-3) to 3.8x10(-1) J/cm2) of light to cultured cells. Light output from the apparatus was calibrated to emit therapeutically relevant, equal quantal doses of light at each wavelength. Reactive species were detected in glutamate stressed cells treated with the light, using DCFH-DA and H2O2 sensitive fluorescent dyes. We successfully delivered light at a range of physiologically and therapeutically relevant wavelengths and intensities, to cultured cells exposed to glutamate as a model of CNS injury. While the fluences of R/NIR-LT used in the current study did not exert an effect on ROS generated by the cultured cells, the method of light delivery is applicable to other systems including isolated mitochondria or more physiologically relevant organotypic slice culture models, and could be used to assess effects on a range of outcome measures of oxidative metabolism.

Observations of atmospheric water vapor, aerosol, and cloud with a Raman lidar

To realize the improvement of signal-to-noise ratio and rejection rate for elastic Mie-Rayleigh signals, a set of dichroic mirrors and narrow-band interference filters with high efficiency was proposed to constitute a new spectroscopy for atmospheric water vapor, aerosol, and cloud studies. Based on the curves of signal-to-noise ratio at three different channels, the actual rejection rates of elastic Mie-Rayleigh signals at the Raman channels were found to be higher than eight orders of magnitude with the cloudy conditions. Continuous nighttime observations showed that the statistical error of the water vapor mixing ratio was <10% at a height of 2.3 km with an aerosol backscatter ratio of 17. Temporal variations of water vapor and aerosols were obtained under the conditions of cloud and cloud-free, the change relevance between aerosol and water vapor was analyzed, and the growth characteristics of water vapor and aerosols showed a good agreement within the cloud layers. Obtained results indicate achievement of the continuous detection of water vapor, aerosol, and cloud with a high efficiency and stability by Raman lidar.

Photometric studies of comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd) before the perihelion

The results of the photometric observations of comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd) performed at the 60-cm Zeiss-600 telescope of the Terskol observatory have been analyzed. During the observations, the comet was at the heliocentric and geocentric distances of 1.7 and 2.0 AU, respectively. The CCD images of the comet were obtained in the standard narrowband interference filters suggested by the International research program for comet Hale-Bopp and correspondingly designated the 'Hale-Bopp (HB) set'. These filters were designed to isolate the BC ($\lambda$4450/67 {\AA}), GC ($\lambda$5260/56 {\AA}) and RC ($\lambda$7128/58 {\AA}) continua and the emission bands of C2 ($\lambda$5141/118 {\AA}), CN ($\lambda$3870/62 {\AA}), and C3 ($\lambda$4062/62 {\AA}). From the photometric data, the dust production rate of the comet and its color index and color excess were determined. The concentration of C2, CN, and C3 molecules and their production rates along the line of sight were estimated. The obtained results show that the physical parameters of the comet are close to the mean characteristics typicalof the dynamically new comets.

Indications of Short Periodicity in the FeXIV 503.3nm Emission Line at the 2008 Solar Eclipse

AbstractObservations at the 1 August 2008 total solar eclipse in western China were obtained through a narrow band interference filter centered on the 530.3 nm FeXIV emission line at a cadence of 30 frames/second. A simplified analysis indicates that in a position near the base of a coronal streamer a short period intensity periodicity is found. The analysis and results are presented.

Time-resolved temperature measurements in hypervelocity dust impact

We present time-resolved temperature measurements of the debris cloud generated by hypervelocity dust impact. Micron- and submicron-sized iron grains were accelerated to speeds of 1–32km/s using the 3MV electrostatic dust accelerator at the Colorado Center for Lunar Dust and Atmospheric Studies, and impacted on a tungsten target. The resulting light flashes were analyzed by an array of photomultiplier tubes equipped with narrowband interference filters to determine the blackbody temperature and radiant power of the impact-generated cloud as a function of time. We find time-averaged temperatures in the range of 2500–5000K, increasing with velocity over the range studied; initial temperatures up to approximately twice the time averaged temperature persisting on short timescales (<1μs) compared to the 20μs duration of the flash; and that the temperature falls in a manner consistent with radiative cooling.

Design and analysis of new spectroscopic system of Raman lidar for detection of atmospheric water vapor

A new ultraviolet Raman lidar system is proposed and developed for detecting atmospheric water vapor and aerosol study. The combination of dichroic mirrors and narrow-band interference filters is used as high-performance spectroscopic system to obtain the fine-separation and high-efficiency extraction of Mie-Rayleigh scattering signals, the vibrational Raman scattering signal of H2O and N2. By the American standard model and a set of atmospheric scattering signal model, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the water vapor measurement error are simulated and analyzed. The preliminary experiments are carried out at nighttime in Xi'an area for detecting the atmospheric water vapor and aerosols. Taking a set of the atmospheric returned signals measured under cloudy weather for example, the profiles of atmospheric backscatter ratio and water vapor mixing ratio are retrieved, and the SNR profiles of the three channels are discussed and verify that this configuration can achieve a high rejection rate (10-7) to Mie-Rayleigh scattering. The theoretical and experimental results show that water vapor detection error of less than 15% can be obtained under a backscatter ratio of 17, which demonstrates the feasibility of the system for the atmospheric aerosol and water vapor measurements.

Three-dimensional temperature mapping of solar photospheric fine structure using Ca ii H filtergrams

Context. The wings of the Ca II H and K lines provide excellent photospheric temperature diagnostics. At the Swedish 1-meter Solar Telescope the blue wing of Ca II H is scanned with a narrowband interference filter mounted on a rotation stage. This provides up to 0"10 spatial resolution filtergrams at high cadence that are concurrent with other diagnostics at longer wavelengths. Aims. The aim is to develop observational techniques that provide the photospheric temperature stratification at the highest spatial resolution possible and use those to compare simulations and observations at different heights. Methods. We use filtergrams in the Ca II H blue wing obtained with a tiltable interference filter at the SST. Synthetic observations are produced from 3D HD and 3D MHD numerical simulations and degraded to match the observations. The temperature structure obtained from applying the method to the synthetic data is compared with the known structure in the simulated atmospheres and with observations of an active region. Cross-correlation techniques using restored non-simultaneous continuum images are used to reduce high-altitude, small-scale seeing signal introduced from the non-simultaneity of the frames when differentiating data. Results. Temperature extraction using high resolution filtergrams in the Ca II H blue wing works reasonably well when tested with simulated 3D atmospheres. The cross-correlation technique successfully compensates the problem of small-scale seeing differences and provides a measure of the spurious signal from this source in differentiated data. Synthesized data from the simulated atmospheres (including pores) match well the observations morphologically at different observed heights and in vertical temperature gradients.

Compensation to positive as well as negative lenses can occur in chicks reared in bright UV lighting

An earlier report describing a lack of compensation to imposed myopic and hyperopic defocus in chicks reared in UV lighting has led to the belief that the spatial resolving power of the UV cone photoreceptor network in chicks is not capable of decoding optical defocus. However this study used dim light rearing conditions, of less than 10lx. The purpose of the current study was to determine if emmetropization is possible in young chicks reared under higher luminance, UV lighting conditions. Young, 4day-old chicks were reared under diurnal near UV (390nm) illumination set to either 20 or 200lx while wearing a monocular defocusing lens (+20, +10, −10 or −20D), for 7days. Similarly treated control groups were reared under diurnal white lighting (WL) of matching illuminance. The WL and UV LED sources were set to equivalent illuminances, measured in “chick lux”, calculated from radiometer readings taken through appropriate narrow band interference filters, and a mathematical model of the spectral sensitivity of the chick visual system. High resolution A-scan ultrasonography was undertaken on days 0 (before lenses were fitted), 2, 4, and 7 to track ocular dimensions and refractive errors were measured by retinoscopy on days 0 and 7. Compensation to negative lenses was unaffected by UV illuminance levels, with near full compensation being achieved under both conditions, as well as under both WL conditions. In contrast, compensation to the positive lenses was markedly impaired in 20lx UV lighting, with increased instead of decreased axial elongation along with a myopic refractive shift being recorded with the +10D lens. Compensation under both WL conditions was again near normal for the +10D lens. However, with the +20D lens, myopic shifts in refractive error were observed under both dim UV and WL conditions. The spatial resolving power of the UV cone photoreceptor network in the chick is sufficient to detect optical defocus and guide the emmetropization response, provided illumination is sufficiently high. However, compensation to imposed myopic defocus may be compromised, when either the amount of defocus is very high or illumination low, especially when the wavelength is restricted to the UV range.

Development of a mirror-based endoscope for divertor spectroscopy on JET with the new ITER-like wall (invited)

A new endoscope with optimised divertor view has been developed in order to survey and monitor the emission of specific impurities such as tungsten and the remaining carbon as well as beryllium in the tungsten divertor of JET after the implementation of the ITER-like wall in 2011. The endoscope is a prototype for testing an ITER relevant design concept based on reflective optics only. It may be subject to high neutron fluxes as expected in ITER. The operating wavelength range, from 390 nm to 2500 nm, allows the measurements of the emission of all expected impurities (W I, Be II, C I, C II, C III) with high optical transmittance (≥ 30% in the designed wavelength range) as well as high spatial resolution that is ≤ 2 mm at the object plane and ≤ 3 mm for the full depth of field (± 0.7 m). The new optical design includes options for in situ calibration of the endoscope transmittance during the experimental campaign, which allows the continuous tracing of possible transmittance degradation with time due to impurity deposition and erosion by fast neutral particles. In parallel to the new optical design, a new type of possibly ITER relevant shutter system based on pneumatic techniques has been developed and integrated into the endoscope head. The endoscope is equipped with four digital CCD cameras, each combined with two filter wheels for narrow band interference and neutral density filters. Additionally, two protection cameras in the λ > 0.95 μm range have been integrated in the optical design for the real time wall protection during the plasma operation of JET.

Fabry–Perot interferometer as a solar background noise suppressor: application to daytime lidar

&lt;p&gt;Continuous atmospheric probing by a lidar is a requirement for many applications. However, due to high solar background noise during the daytime, lidar operations are mostly restricted to night-time. While many techniques are in practice, like reducing the receiver field of view, changing the view angle, introducing a narrow band Interference Filter (IF), these are applied to circumvent problems, rather than to suppress the noise. Using a Fabry-Perot interferometer as a narrow passband filter for solar background noise suppression is a known technique, and its potential is exploited in our system. An optical-fiber-coupled lidar system with its transmitter injection seeded was developed and has been operated during the daytime at Gadanki (13.6˚N, 79.2˚ E). The signal-to-noise ratio of the return signal is used as the performance indicator, to evaluate the improvements. Signal-to-noise ratios with and without the Fabry-Perot interferometer are measured with near identical test set-ups. The signal-to-noise ratio enhancement factor is ca. 4, in agreement with the theoretical value. The performance is compared when the receiver fields of view are changed.&lt;/p&gt;

MONITORING HαEMISSION AND CONTINUUM OF UXORs: RR Tauri

The Maria Mitchell Observatory, in collaboration with the Astrokolkhoz Observatory, started a program of photometric monitoring of UX Ori-type stars (UXORs) with narrowband interference filters (IFs; augmented with the traditional broadband filters) aimed at separating the Hα emission variations from those of the continuum. We present the method of separation and the first results for RR Tau obtained in two seasons, each roughly 100 days long (2010 Winter-Spring and 2010 Fall-2011 Spring). We confirm the conclusion from previous studies that the Hα emission in this star is less variable than the continuum. Although some correlation between the two is not excluded, the amplitude of Hα variations is much smaller (factors of 3-5) than that of the continuum. These results are compatible with Grinin's model of UXORs, which postulates the presence of small obscuring circumstellar clouds as the cause of the continuum fading, as well as the presence of a circumstellar reflection/emission nebula, larger than the star and the obscuring clouds, which is responsible for Hα emission and the effect of the color reversal in deep minima. However, the results of both our broadband and narrowband photometry indicate that the obscuration model may be insufficient to explain all of the observations. Disk accretion, the presence of stellar or (proto) planetary companion(s), as well as the intrinsic variations of the star, may contribute to the observed light variations. We argue, in particular, that the Hα emission may be more closely correlated with the intrinsic variations of the star than with the much stronger observed variations caused by the cloud obscuration. If this hypothesis is correct, the close monitoring of Hα emission with IFs, accessible to small-size telescopes, may become an important tool in studying the physical nature of the UXORs' central stars.

Analysis of stability of spectral characteristics of multilayer optical coatings

A short survey of methods used to study the effect of variations of parameters of multilayer dielectric systems on their output spectral characteristics is presented. Using the proposed stability function, the stability of a series of synthesized structures, such as dielectric mirrors, beam-splitting coatings, and narrow-band interference filters, is studied. It is shown that the analysis of the stability of spectral characteristics of multilayer interference coatings permits one to justify the practical implementation of the structure.

A tilted interference filter in a converging beam

Context. Narrow-band interference filters can be tuned toward shorter wavelengths by tilting them from the perpendicular to the optical axis. This can be used as a cheap alternative to real tunable filters, such as Fabry-P\'erot interferometers and Lyot filters. At the Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope, such a setup is used to scan through the blue wing of the Ca II H line. Because the filter is mounted in a converging beam, the incident angle varies over the pupil, which causes a variation of the transmission over the pupil, different for each wavelength within the passband. This causes broadening of the filter transmission profile and degradation of the image quality. Aims. We want to characterize the properties of our filter, at normal incidence as well as at different tilt angles. Knowing the broadened profile is important for the interpretation of the solar images. Compensating the images for the degrading effects will improve the resolution and remove one source of image contrast degradation. In particular, we need to solve the latter problem for images that are also compensated for blurring caused by atmospheric turbulence. Methods. We simulate the process of image formation through a tilted interference filter in order to understand the effects. We test the hypothesis that they are separable from the effects of wavefront aberrations for the purpose of image deconvolution. We measure the filter transmission profile and the degrading PSF from calibration data. Results. We find that the filter transmission profile differs significantly from the specifications.We demonstrate how to compensate for the image-degrading effects. Because the filter tilt effects indeed appear to be separable from wavefront aberrations in a useful way, this can be done in a final deconvolution, after standard image restoration with MFBD/Phase Diversity based methods. We illustrate the technique with real data.

Progress towards absolute intensity measurements of emissions from high temperature thermographic phosphors

Phosphor thermometry has been successfully used in a number of applications ranging from turbo-machinery, pyrolysis, supersonic and hypersonic studies in the past few decades. There are a number of issues related to high temperature, which include faster decays, decreasing emission intensity and increasing blackbody radiation. Although absolute lifetime decay values are readily available, there has been no known work presenting absolute intensity measurements throughout the phosphors operating temperature range. This additional information could help design engineers facilitate phosphor and instrument selection, optimise system setup, and help estimate the performance of the technique at higher temperatures, for any given optical setup. A number of well known high temperature thermographic phosphors were investigated including YAG:Tm, YAG:Tb and Y 2O 3:Eu from 20 °C in an excess of 1000 °C. Both 355 and 266 nm excitation wavelengths from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser were used. The subsequent emissions were passed through a narrowband interference filter to isolate the peak emission wavelengths, and were collected using PMT. The methodology for an absolute measurement, which requires a sound understanding of the PMT, including solid angle, collection efficiency, dynode gain, calibration and electronic temporal response for intensity measurements is presented and discussed. The results clearly indicate a variation in phosphor intensity with an increasing temperature, which is considerably different amongst different phosphors under different excitation wavelengths. The combined standard uncertainty of measurement was estimated to be approximately ±10.7%. The existing system was able to monitor intensity values up to 900 °C for Mg 3F 2GeO 4:Mn phosphors, 1100 °C for Y2O3:Eu, 1150 °C for YAG:Tb and up to 1400 °C for YAG:Tm thermographic phosphors. Y 2O 3:Eu using 266 nm excitation was found to exhibit the highest peak intensity per mJ of laser excitation from all the phosphors investigated at 20 °C. However, at high temperatures (900 °C+) YAG:Tm using 355 nm excitation was found to exhibit the highest peak intensity per mJ of an excitation energy.

High speed imaging technique Part 1 – high speed imaging of arc welding phenomena

A high speed imaging technique is an attractive tool to elucidate arc welding phenomena. In this study, applications of this technique have been reviewed to aid understanding of arc welding phenomena. Laser illumination with narrow band interference filter is useful to reduce output power of external light. A monochromatic imaging technique is useful for precise measurements. Using narrow band interference filters in infrared wavelength is convenient to evaluate an approximate overview of arc process. It is possible to evaluate surface temperatures of electrode and molten pool. Spectrum distributions of welding and their time series acquisitions are easily obtained using a high speed camera with a special prism attached on the camera. Simultaneous use of many high speed cameras with different wavelength sensitivities aid accurate understanding of physical phenomena during welding. While collection of large datasets from high speed observations leads to data manipulation problems, suitable image analysis techniques allow important characteristics to be extracted in a simple, compact form.

657nm窄带干涉滤波片稳频半导体激光器

We present a 657-nm external cavity diode laser (ECDL) system, where the output frequency is stabilized by a narrow-band high transmission interference filter. This novel diode laser system emits laser with an instantaneous linewidth of 7 kHz and a broadened linewidth of 432 kHz.

Calibration of the Irradiance Responsivity of a Filter Radiometer for T Measurement at NIM

At the National Institute of Metrology of China (NIM), silicon photodiode-based narrow-band interference filter radiometers (FRs) have been designed for the radiometric determination of the thermodynamic temperature. The FR calibrations were performed on a new spectral comparator with a trap detector which was calibrated against the cryogenic radiometer at several discrete laser lines. The new spectral comparator is constructed from two grating monochromators assembled to give lower stray light and higher transmitted flux. Applying a transmittance measurement of the filter in the out-of-band region and careful control of the temperature, the irradiance responsivity of a 633 nm centered FR has been obtained over a dynamic range of nearly eight decades in the wavelength range from 450 nm to 1200 nm. The relative standard uncertainty of the responsivity is also analyzed and estimated to be less than 7 × 10−4 at the 1 σ level.