Optical Conversion Research Articles

Direct characterisation of AM-to-PM phenomena in fast Si and InGaAs photodiodes

The direct measurement method of AM-to-PM phenomena in fast silicon and InGaAs photodiodes is described. The setup is simple, relatively inexpensive and allows fast and precise measurements not only in a laboratory environment. During sample tests, the authors have found that the influence of bias voltage on the phase shift of an optical signal conversion is significant. The reported effect together with the influence of modulation depth on phase shift (AM-to-PM conversion) has a negative impact on an optical signal reception especially in coherent applications. The authors show that, with our proposed setups, it is possible to find optimal bias voltage and optimal optical power in order to reduce electrical phase noise of the photodetector.

Fractional-order hybridly polarized vector beams: generation, focusing, propagation, and spatial self-phase modulation

As a class of integer-order vector beams, hybridly polarized vector beams (HPVBs) are widely used in focus shaping, femtosecond laser filamentation, linear and nonlinear polarization evolution, etc. Recently, fractional-order vector beams have gained widespread interest due to their more control parameters, rich photophysical properties, and novel nonlinear optical phenomena. In this work, we report the experimental generation, focusing and propagation characteristics, and spatial self-phase modulation (SSPM) phenomenon of fractional-order HPVBs. It is shown that during the focusing and propagation processes, the intensity pattern of fractional-order HPVBs develops from a near-Gaussian structure in the incident plane to an asymmetric structure in both the focal field and the far field. Meanwhile, their distributions of state of polarization (SoP) also evolve, although it remains a hybrid polarization distribution overall. When the focused fractional-order HPVBs pass through the nonlinear optical sample, the far-field self-diffraction intensity pattern displays an irregular concentric multi-ring structure with a hybrid polarization distribution. It is found that the nonlinear medium not only modulates the far-field intensity pattern of fractional-order HPVBs but also controls their SoP distribution. This symmetric breaking HPVB has potential application prospects in optical micro-manipulation, light-matter interaction, optical spin-orbit conversion, etc.

Ultra-compact and low-loss silicon nitride optical mode-size converter

Ultra-compact and low-loss silicon nitride optical mode-size converter

Photothermal Conversion Performance of Fe3O4/ATO Hybrid Nanofluid for Direct Absorption Solar Collector

In order to enhance the efficiency of direct absorption solar collectors, this study carried out an experimental analysis about the optical and photothermal conversion performance of Fe3O4, ATO (Antimony-doped tin oxide), and Fe3O4/ATO nanofluids with a total concentration of 0.1 wt%. According to the results of the experiments, Fe3O4 nanofluid outperforms ATO nanofluid in terms of optical absorption; nevertheless, at wavelengths shorter than 600 nm, it also shows significant scattering reflection. The solar-weighted absorption coefficient of Fe3O4/ATO nanofluid rose from 0.863 (mFe3O4/mTotal = 0.2) to 0.932 (mFe3O4/mTotal = 0.8) when the optical path length increased from 0.01 m to 0.06 m. Moreover, the Fe3O4/ATO hybrid nanofluid achieved a photothermal conversion efficiency of 0.932 when the mass ratio of Fe3O4 to total mass was 0.2, surpassing the efficiencies of 0.892 and 0.898 recorded for 0.1 wt% ATO and Fe3O4 nanofluids, respectively. When present together, the opposing optical characteristics of Fe3O4 and ATO boost photothermal conversion performance, which is anticipated to raise the efficiency of direct absorption solar collectors.

Elevating Red Emission: Yb3+ Doped CsPbBr1I2 Nanocrystal Glass for Exceptional PLQY and Stability in Wide Color Gamut Backlit Displays

As display technologies progress towards enhanced visual performance, there was a growing demand for color conversion materials to meet increasingly stringent performance requirements. In recent years, all-inorganic perovskite CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) nanocrystals (NCs) had gained attention in the field of wide color gamut backlight displays due to their tunable full spectrum, narrow-band emission, high color purity, and ease of processing. However, red-emitting perovskite NCs were still facing challenges with photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and stability. In this study, Yb3+ doped CsPbBr1I2 perovskite nanocrystal glass (Yb3+@CsPbBr1I2 PNG) was synthesized using a melt-quenching technique. Samples emitting at a narrow band centered at 630nm, with a full width at half maximum(FWHM) of 31.8nm, exhibited a high PLQY of 80.36% and retained fluorescence intensity at 98.2% of the initial value in water, maintaining to 92.6% after continuous blue light irradiation for 60 days. Moreover, the optical conversion film Yb3+@CsPbBr1I2@CsPbBr3@PET developed in our study showcased color gamut coverage surpassing 132.9% of the NTSC 1953 standard and 98.8% of the Rec.2020 standard. In summary, the highly efficient and remarkably stable red-emitting Yb3+@CsPbBr1I2 PNG composite material introduced in this study paved the way for future advancements in wide color gamut and ultra-high definition backlight display technologies.

Features of the defect structure of a lithium-gradient nonlinear optical single crystal LiNbO3 and their manifestation in the Raman spectra

LiNbO3 crystal with a lithium composition gradient of Li/Nb = 0.8 wt%/cm (Li0.97..1.01Nb1.03..0.99O3) were obtained. A monotonic change in the edge of the UV absorption edge is observed when scanning the surface of the gradient crystal along the growth direction. Raman spectra from different areas of studied crystal were analyzed in a wide frequency range, which includes the region of fundamental vibrations of the crystal lattice (100–900 cm−1) and the region of overtone processes (900–3000 cm−1). A compositionally homogeneous, congruent LiNbO3 crystal was used as a comparison sample. It was found that in the spectra obtained from different parts of the gradient crystal, there is a significant scatter in the frequency values of the lines corresponding to the fundamental vibrations of the crystal lattice, but at the same time, the number of lines corresponding to the fundamental vibrations of the lattice for the gradient and compositionally homogeneous LiNbO3 crystals is the same. Moreover, in the spectrum of a gradient crystal in the region of overtone processes of fundamental vibrations, significantly more lines (35 lines) are observed than in the spectrum of compositionally homogeneous crystals (15 lines). The data obtained show that the state of the defect structure of compositionally homogeneous crystals and gradient LiNbO3 crystal is significantly different. The discovered differences between the defective structure of a gradient crystal and the defective structure of a compositionally homogeneous crystal may be the reason for compensation (damping) of distortions during nonlinear optical conversion of laser radiation by a gradient crystal due to the uneven temperature distribution along the length of the crystal. In compositionally homogeneous crystals, such temperature distortions significantly limit the efficiency of nonlinear optical conversion.

All-fiber tunable mode converter for a mini-two-arm Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

In this Letter, an all-fiber tunable mode converter for a mini-two-arm Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MTA-MZI) is proposed and realized for the first time to our knowledge. Employing an electric arc discharge technology, we couple a multi-mode fiber (MMF) and a single-mode fiber (SMF), resulting in an MZI characterized by centimeter-scale arms. The varied sensitivity of fiber modes to curvature makes the high-order modes of the MMF more prone to leakage when subjected to bending, leading to alterations in the output interference fringe pattern of the MZI. Through continuous monitoring of the interference fringes of the MZI, we effectively detect the mode properties within the MZI in real time. In addition, a verification experiment is conducted by introducing a peanut structure to excite further higher-order modes of light to enter the MZI in advance. Upon modifying the curvature of the MZI, these excited higher-order modes leak, causing the interference fringe pattern to revert to its initial state without a peanut structure. This experimental validation highlights the potential employment of the MTA-MZI as an all-fiber mode converter and paves the way for optical field mode conversion within an all-fiber framework.

Optimized domain-engineered lithium niobate for electro-optic spectral tuning in a multi-wavelength optical parametric oscillator

We report on an electro-optically (EO) spectrum tunable, multiline optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on a nonperiodically poled lithium niobate (NPPLN). Besides being an efficient optical parametric down converter (OPDC) for multi-wavelength signal generation, the NPPLN can function as an EO modulator for fast spectral tuning based on a unique asymmetric-duty-cycle (ADC) equivalent domain structure. We have developed a genetic algorithm to construct and optimize such an ADC equivalent domain configuration in NPPLN to maximize its EO spectral tuning rate with the least compromise of its nonlinear gain for conducting the multiple down-conversions. When the novel EO NPPLN device with an equivalent ADC of 29%/71% works in an OPO intracavity pumped by a diode-pumped, 1064-nm Nd:YVO4 laser, we measured EO tuning rates of ∼0.5 and ∼0.53 nm/(kV/mm) for the down-converted dual signals at 1540 and 1550 nm, respectively. The tuning rates have been three orders of magnitude higher than a conventional one without an engineered domain asymmetry and 12% greater than another domain asymmetric LN device designed by a simulated annealing optimization method. The EO tuning technology developed in this study can be potentially implemented in micro/nano-photonic LN waveguide circuits.

Kilowatt-Level High-Efficiency Narrow-Linewidth All-Fiber Tm3+-Doped Laser

In this study, a kilowatt-level high-efficiency narrow-linewidth all-fiber Tm3+-doped continuous-wave laser operating at 1.95 μm is demonstrated. Benefitting from an advanced boost design of a two-stage main amplifier, it not only effectively manages heat dissipation resulting from the high pump-induced quantum defect but also realizes the controlled extraction of optical gain and improves the optical conversion efficiency. Finally, this laser system has realized an output power of 1018 W, a linewidth of 3.8 GHz, and a slope efficiency of 60.0% simultaneously. Moreover, a high optical signal-to-noise ratio of over 45 dB and excellent beam quality of M2 factors 1.19 are obtained. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the narrowest linewidth and highest slope efficiency achieved in a kilowatt-level Tm³⁺-doped fiber laser. Such a high-performance laser is ideally suited for mid-infrared generation and remote sensing applications.

Isolator-free 60 W diamond Raman laser at 607 nm.

We report an intra-cavity frequency doubled diamond Raman laser operating at 607 nm. A z-fold cavity design was configured to prevent back reflections into the fiber amplifier, which avoided the use of isolators in the pump beam path. A maximum output power of 60 W was generated in two output beams at an optical conversion efficiency of 28% from the 1045 nm pump. A maximum single-beam output power of 40 W was obtained using a highly reflecting end mirror for the visible. Output power and single frequency stability are negatively impacted by an increasing role of stimulated Brillouin scattering at output powers above 10 W.

Suppression of excess noise in a chiral optical mode converter without encircling an exceptional point

Suppression of excess noise in a chiral optical mode converter without encircling an exceptional point

Enhanced Coil Design for Inductive Power-Transfer-Based Power Supply in Medium-Voltage Direct Current Sensors

This paper presents an integrated coil design method for inductive power-transfer (IPT) systems. Because a medium-voltage direct current (MVDC) distribution network transmits power at relatively high voltages (typically in the tens of kV), accurate fault diagnosis using high-performance sensors is crucial to improve the safety of MVDC distribution networks. With the increasing power consumption of high-performance sensors, conventional power supplies using optical converters with 5 W-class output characteristics face limitations in achieving the rated output power. Therefore, this paper proposes a safe and reliable power supply method using the principle of IPT to securely maintain the insulation distance between the distribution network and the current sensor-supply line. A 100 W prototype IPT system is investigated, and its feasibility is validated by comparing its performance with conventional optical converters.

Single-Shot Multispectral Encoding: Advancing Optical Lithography for Encryption and Spectroscopy.

Most modern optical display and sensing devices utilize a limited number of spectral units within the visible range, based on human color perception. In contrast, the rapid advancement of machine-based pattern recognition and spectral analysis could facilitate the use of multispectral functional units, yet the challenge of creating complex, high-definition, and reproducible patterns with an increasing number of spectral units limits their widespread application. Here, we report a technique for optical lithography that employs a single-shot exposure to reproduce perovskite films with spatially controlled optical band gaps through light-induced compositional modulations. Luminescent patterns are designed to program correlations between spatial and spectral information, covering the entire visible spectral range. Using this platform, we demonstrate multispectral encoding patterns for encryption and multivariate optical converters for dispersive optics-free spectroscopy with high spectral resolution. The fabrication process is conducted at room temperature and can be extended to other material and device platforms.

NIR-driven intense UV upconversion films for non-contact high-efficiency prevention of bacterial infections

Bacterial infections on wounds imposes a significant limitation to the wound healing. Although the conventional drug antibacterial dressing is employed for hindering bacterial infection, the inevitable microbial resistance and secondary damage severely limit the quality and speed of wound healing. Herein, the NIR-driven intense UV upconversion (UC) BaLu2F8:80%Yb3+/0.5%Tm3+ microcrystals are, for the first time, designed and fabricated into solid sterilization film to protect the wounds from infections. Equipped with excessive Yb3+ sensitizers, the emission of Yb3+/Tm3+ co-doped monoclinic BaLu2F8 matrix achieve a 175-fold enhancement at the UV band. The UV UC microcrystals was further fabricated into a NIR-to-UV sterilization film with a diameter of 1.5 cm and a thickness of 150 μm using solution casting method, which can efficiently destroy 97 % of E. coli with a NIR irradiation of 5 minutes. Due to the outstanding penetrability of NIR irradiation, the sterilization film under 4 layers gauze dressing can be activated to produce UV photons. The in-vivo mouse tests demonstrate the well-designed NIR-to-UV sterilization film can speed up the wound healing by high-efficient inhibiting E. coli infection under the irradiation of 980 nm NIR laser. The non-contact NIR-driven UV sterilization film require no more drugs and dressing exchange, thus entirely eliminating the effect of microbial resistance and secondary damage from conventional drug dressing. Our work provides a new alternative for constructing highly-efficiency sterilization dressing through the utilization of NIR-to-UV optical conversion materials.

Study of hybrid nanoscatterer for enhancing light efficiency of quantum dot-converted light-emitting diodes

Optical scatterer additives play a critical role in enhancing the light conversion efficiency and uniformity of quantum dot-converted light-emitting diodes (Qc-LEDs). This study investigates the impact of optical characteristics and morphology of nanoscatterer on the light conversion and extraction efficiency of Qc-LEDs. Various metal oxides and boron nitride nanoparticles and nanoplates with different diffraction index were selected to carry out the study. Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) simulation was employed to evaluate the scattering effect of various nanosphere and nanoplate scatterers on the optical performance of the Qc-LEDs. The simulation results revealed that the hybrid nanoscatterer integrates the forward-scattering from the nanosphere and backward-scattering of blue light from the nanoplate. Spectral analysis was conducted to examine the optical performance of Qc-LEDs with varying combinations and concentrations of nanoscatterers. TiO2 nanoparticles and Al2O3 nanoplates were found to be the best combination for maximal light conversion and extraction efficiency within Qc-LEDs. The results indicate an optimal light efficiency is obtained with the optimal ratio of 1:2:2 for quantum dots, TiO2 nanoparticles, and Al2O3 nanoplates. These findings reveal the relationship between optical properties, morphology, and light conversion efficiency in Qc-LEDs, highlighting the advantages of the hybrid nanoscatterers for improving optical performance of Qc-LEDs.

MEMS‐enabled Ultralow Power Consumption Programmable Arbitrary Order Mode Switch

AbstractMode‐division‐multiplexing (MDM) recently attracted much interest due to its ability to enhance the capacity for optical information communication. To meet growing data transmission demands and enable flexible on‐chip mode manipulation, programmable optical mode converter switches are essential. This work introduces a micro‐electromechanical‐system (MEMS)‐enabled programmable arbitrary order mode switch, capitalizing on the benefits of MEMS technology such as low power consumption, robust modulation capabilities, and seamless large‐scale integration. Employing newly developed MEMS‐tunable mode converter (MTMC) units, the system achieves high conversion efficiencies from the fundamental mode to arbitrary higher‐order modes and supports programmable power distribution among different modes by cascading multiple MTMCs. As a proof‐of‐concept, a programmable TE0–TE0/1/2 mode switch operates in the 3.64 to 3.71 µm wavelength range, achieving maximum crosstalk values of –9.56 and –9.88 dB for TE0 to TE1 and TE0 to TE2 mode conversion, respectively, and a remarkably low power consumption of 67 pW. Furthermore, a programmable mode multiplexer is developed by simultaneously actuating two MEMS actuators to modulate phase matching conditions, enabling arbitrary power splitting ratios among these modes. The demonstrated scalability and flexibility of the proposed system highlight its potential as a foundational component for MDM systems.

Design and wavelength selection of compact dual-wavelength Yb:YAG lasers with a Z-shaped cavity

The compact dual-wavelength Yb:YAG lasers were designed and developed by employing a Z-shaped cavity. The overall cavity length is about 32 cm, which can be packaged in a device size of 15 × 10 cm2. The oscillating beam radius in the laser crystal varied by the cavity length, and stable dual wavelength laser was achieved. The 1050 nm output of 1.44W was obtained at the highest pump power is 10 W when the oscillating beam radius was 125 μm. The balance dual-wavelength output of 0.93W was achieved with the optical to optical conversion efficiency of 9.3%. The output wavelengths of the Yb:YAG laser depended on the oscillating beam radius, which was consistent with the experimental results. Our findings indicated that while stringent mode matching was ideal, there was a degree of flexibility that can be tolerated without significantly compromising the laser's performance, which can be beneficial for the dual-wavelength oscillation in applications.

Repetition‐Rate and Wavelength Flexible Femtosecond Laser Pulse Generation

AbstractCompared to mode‐locked oscillators, gain‐switched diodes (GSD) have the key advantage of repetition‐rate agility. Yet, large pulse duration and poor coherence of the GSD pulses greatly limit their applications. Here, a GSD‐pumped Raman fiber amplifier is demonstrated, which can effectively generate femtosecond laser pulses with both repetition‐rate and wavelength agility. It is proved that both nonlinear optical gain and single‐frequency seed in the fiber amplifier play critical roles for improving the coherence of the generated laser pulses. In the experimental demonstration, pumped by 1065 nm GSD pulses, the nonlinear fiber amplifier can generate highly coherent 1121 nm femtosecond Raman pulses with up to 80.2% conversion efficiency. The Raman pulses can maintain high performance within the repetition‐rate tuning range from 1 to 150 MHz. The potential for generating 1178 nm femtosecond Raman pulses is also demonstrated with an optical conversion efficiency of 63.8%. This all‐fiber based femtosecond laser with both repetition‐rate and wavelength agility is a promising light source for applications such as nonlinear microscopy and micromachining.

River Surface Velocity Measurement for Rapid Levee Breach Emergency Response Based on DFP-P-LK Algorithm.

In recent years, the increasing frequency of climate change and extreme weather events has significantly elevated the risk of levee breaches, potentially triggering large-scale floods that threaten surrounding environments and public safety. Rapid and accurate measurement of river surface velocities is crucial for developing effective emergency response plans. Video image velocimetry has emerged as a powerful new approach due to its non-invasive nature, ease of operation, and low cost. This paper introduces the Dynamic Feature Point Pyramid Lucas-Kanade (DFP-P-LK) optical flow algorithm, which employs a feature point dynamic update fusion strategy. The algorithm ensures accurate feature point extraction and reliable tracking through feature point fusion detection and dynamic update mechanisms, enhancing the robustness of optical flow estimation. Based on the DFP-P-LK, we propose a river surface velocity measurement model for rapid levee breach emergency response. This model converts acquired optical flow motion to actual flow velocities using an optical flow-velocity conversion model, providing critical data support for levee breach emergency response. Experimental results show that the method achieves an average measurement error below 15% within the velocity range of 0.43 m/s to 2.06 m/s, demonstrating high practical value and reliability.

Cascaded multi-phonon stimulated Raman scattering near second-harmonic generation in a thin-film lithium niobate microdisk.

High-quality microresonators can greatly enhance light-matter interactions and are excellent platforms for studying nonlinear optics. Wavelength conversion through nonlinear processes is the key to many applications of integrated optics. The stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) process can extend the emission wavelength of a laser source to a wider range. Lithium niobate (LN), as a Raman active crystalline material, has remarkable potential for wavelength conversion. Here, we demonstrate the generation of cascaded multi-phonon Raman signals near the second-harmonic generation (SHG) peak in an X-cut thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) microdisk. Fine tuning of the specific cascaded Raman spectral lines has also been made by changing the pump wavelength. Raman lines can reach a wavelength up to about 80 nm away from the SHG signal. We realize the SFG process associated with Raman signals in the visible range as well. Our work extends the use of WGM microresonators as effective optical upconversion wavelength converters in nonlinear optical applications.