Similar Refractive Index Research Articles

Thickness measurement of thin polymer films by total internal reflection Raman and attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy

For the first time total internal reflection (TIR) Raman spectroscopy was utilized for thickness measurements of thin isotropic polystyrene films on polypropylene substrate. In the presented method, the band intensity ratios of polystyrene to polypropylene were defined from the spectra, and the film thicknesses in a range from 50nm to 350nm were calculated mathematically from these ratios. The quantitativeness of the method was validated by applying the same principle to attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy and comparing the results to values obtained by ellipsometry and a spin-coating model. The results showed that the novel and non-invasive TIR Raman method reveals the film thickness quantitatively, and the method is applicable for thin films on soft substrates with similar refractive indices.

Influence of plasma-generated negative oxygen ion impingement on magnetron sputtered amorphous SiO2 thin films during growth at low temperatures

Growth of amorphous SiO2 thin films deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering at low temperatures has been studied under different oxygen partial pressure conditions. Film microstructures varied from coalescent vertical column-like to homogeneous compact microstructures, possessing all similar refractive indexes. A discussion on the process responsible for the different microstructures is carried out focusing on the influence of (i) the surface shadowing mechanism, (ii) the positive ion impingement on the film, and (iii) the negative ion impingement. We conclude that only the trend followed by the latter and, in particular, the impingement of O- ions with kinetic energies between 20 and 200 eV, agrees with the resulting microstructural changes. Overall, it is also demonstrated that there are two main microstructuring regimes in the growth of amorphous SiO2 thin films by magnetron sputtering at low temperatures, controlled by the amount of O2 in the deposition reactor, which stem from the competition between surface shadowing and ion-induced adatom surface mobility.

Protic ionic liquids with fluorous anions: physicochemical properties and self-assembly nanostructure

A series of 11 new protic ionic liquids with fluorous anions (FPILs) have been identified and their self-assembled nanostructure, thermal phase transitions and physicochemical properties were investigated. To the best of our knowledge this is the first time that fluorocarbon domains have been reported in PILs. The FPILs were prepared from a range of hydrocarbon alkyl and heterocyclic amine cations in combination with the perfluorinated anions heptafluorobutyrate and pentadecafluorooctanoate. The nanostructure of the FPILs was established by using small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS and WAXS). In the liquid state many of the FPILs showed an intermediate range order, or self-assembled nanostructure, resulting from segregation of the polar and nonpolar hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon domains of the ionic liquid. In addition, the physicochemical properties of the FPILs were determined including the melting point (T(m)), glass transition (T(g)), devitrification temperature (T(c)), thermal stability and the density ρ, viscosity η, air/liquid surface tension γ(LV), refractive index n(D), and ionic conductivity κ. The FPILs were mostly solids at room temperature, however two examples 2-pyrrolidinonium heptafluorobutyrate (PyrroBF) and pyrrolidinium heptafluorobutyrate (PyrrBF) were liquids at room temperature and all of the FPILs melted below 80 °C. Four of the FPILs exhibited a glass transition. The two liquids at room temperature, PyrroBF and PyrrBF, had a similar density, surface tension and refractive index but their viscosity and ionic conductivity were very different due to dissimilar self-assembled nanostructure.

Bragg-Scattered Surface Plasmon Microscopy: Theoretical Study

We present a new approach to surface plasmon microscopy with high refractive index sensitivity and spatial resolution that is not limited by the propagation length of surface plasmons. It is based on a nanostructured metallic sensor surface supporting Bragg-scattered surface plasmons. We show that these non-propagating surface plasmon modes are excellently suited for spatially resolved observations of refractive index variations on the sensor surface owing to their highly confined field profile perpendicular to as well as parallel to the metal interface. The presented theoretical study reveals that this approach enables reaching similar refractive index sensitivity as regular surface plasmon resonance (SPR) microscopy and offers the advantage of improved spatial resolution when observing dielectric features with lateral size <10 μm for the wavelength around 800 nm and gold as the SPR-active metal. This paper demonstrates the potential of Bragg-scattered surface plasmon microscopy for high-throughput SPR biosensing with high-density microarrays.

1.55 μm silicon-based reflection-type waveguide-integrated thermo-optic 2 × 2 switch

In this work a waveguide-integrated 2×2 switch operating at the infrared communication wavelength of 1550nm is proposed and theoretically discussed. The device is based on the total internal reflection (TIR) phenomenon and the thermo-optic effect (TOE) in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) and crystalline silicon (c-Si). It takes advantage of a bandgap-engineered a-Si:H layer to explore the properties of an optical interface between materials showing similar refractive indexes but different thermo-optic coefficients. In particular, thanks to modern plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) techniques, the refractive index of the amorphous film can be properly tailored to match that of c-Si at a given temperature. TIR may be therefore achieved at the interface by acting on the temperature. The device is integrated in a 4μm-wide and 3μm-thick single-mode rib waveguide. The substrate is a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer with an oxide thickness of 500nm. We calculated an output crosstalk always better than 24dB and insertion losses as low as 3.5dB.

Comparison of the optical, thermal and structural properties of Ge–Sb–S thin films deposited using thermal evaporation and pulsed laser deposition techniques

Thin films of Ge 23Sb 7S 70 glass were prepared by thermal evaporation (TE) and pulsed laser deposition (PLD) techniques. We measured their thermal, optical and structural properties and compared with those of the parent bulk. The probe penetration temperature ( T p) of the bulk glass, measured using a micro-thermal analyzer, was found to be 412 ± 10 °C, while those of the TE and PLD films were 468 and 470 ± 10 °C, respectively. The refractive index of the bulk and thin films was measured by ellipsometry and ultraviolet–visible–near infrared transmission spectroscopy, and we show that the films have similar refractive indices, which are lower than those of the parent bulk glass. Using micro-Raman spectroscopy, the structure of the film was investigated. The films contain homopolar Ge–Ge bonds and a lower number of homopolar S–S bonds compared to bulk material, which leads to an increase in the proportion of corner shared GeS 4/2 units in the films as compared to the bulk glass. Comparison of structural entities associated with each deposition process showed that the TE film possesses a lower number of S–S bonds and a slightly higher number of SbS 3/2 units compared to the PLD film. These structural changes lead to a more interconnected glass network, and therefore to a higher viscosity at elevated temperatures, as well as a higher refractive index, presumably through increased density. Post-deposition of annealing of these films causes their thermal and optical properties to revert to a more bulk-like state, suggesting that these property differences are due to a difference in the thermal histories of the bulk and film glass networks. For the first time to our knowledge, the refractive index of the bulk glass in the 0.6–10.6 μm range, measured using the prism coupling technique, is also presented.

Spray-Layer-by-Layer Assembly Can More Rapidly Produce Optical-Quality Multistack Heterostructures

Automated spray-layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly was used to create highly reflective structurally colored thin films with high reflectance at near-UV light wavelengths. Reflectance peaks were tuned by fabricating alternating stacks of high (TiO(2) nanoparticles) and low (SiO(2) nanoparticles) refractive index materials using a non-quarter-wave design. Spray-assembled multilayer heterostructures fabricated with up to 840 individual polymer or nanoparticle deposition steps presented similar roughness and refractive index values compared to Bragg stacks obtained via immersion LbL assembly. Such complex multilayer heterostructures, however, could be fabricated in significantly shorter times; the time required to deposit a complete bilayer was only about 90 s, compared to 36 min for the immersion assembly of the same system. Optimization of the experimental parameters was performed to achieve uniform coatings and relatively smooth interfaces and surfaces. We observed that the spraying times of the nanoparticle and polymer solutions are the main parameters that determine the thickness, optical properties, and uniformity of the assembled films. Ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy (AFM), UV-vis spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the samples. The nanoparticle thin films were iridescent and presented relatively narrow peaks of high reflectance (∼90%) at visible and near-UV wavelengths of light.

Variable-focus terahertz lens

We present a variable focus lens for the THz range. The focal length can be changed by pumping a medical white oil in and out of the lens body. Due to the optical transparency of the liquid and a similar refractive index in the visible frequency range, the THz beam path can be aligned using conventional optical light sources. This type of lens might find applications in terahertz based quality control, stand-off detection and wireless communication systems.

Comparative study of the nonlinear optical properties of Si nanocrystals fabricated by e‐beam evaporation, PECVD or LPCVD

AbstractThe nonlinear optical properties of silicon nanocrystals (Si‐nc) embedded in oxide matrices have been studied in samples obtained by three different technological process: e‐beam evaporation, plasma enhanced or low pressure chemical vapor deposition (PECVD and LPCVD, respectively). Z ‐scan measurements were performed in all the samples at 1064 nm by using ns‐pulses of a Nd:YAG laser. Similar nonlinear refractive index was found in the three systems, while differences in the nonlinear absorption were found as a function of the deposition method.The nonlinear results have been evaluated in terms of the crystalline and amorphous fractions from Raman scattering and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. While PL measurements show a emission spectrum similar for all the samples, Raman spectra reveal a sizeably different Si crystalline/amorphous ratio, depending on the deposition method. Therefore, the interface between the SiO2 matrix and Si‐nc plays a crucial role in determining the nonlinear optical response of the Si‐nc rich layers. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &amp; Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Long-Range Surface Plasmon-Enhanced Fluorescence Spectroscopy Biosensor for Ultrasensitive Detection of E. coli O157:H7

A new biosensor platform for the detection of bacterial pathogens based on long-range surface plasmon-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy (LRSP-FS) is presented. The resonant excitation of LRSP modes provides an enhanced intensity of the electromagnetic field, which is directly translated to an increased strength of fluorescence signal measured upon the capture of target analyte at the sensor surface. LRSPs originate from a coupling of surface plasmons across a thin metallic film embedded in dielectrics with similar refractive indices. With respect to regular surface plasmon-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy, the excitation of LRSPs offers the advantage of a larger enhancement of the evanescent field intensity and a micrometer probing depth that is comparable to the size of target bacterial pathogens. The potential of the developed sensor platform is demonstrated in an experiment in which the detection of E. coli O157:H7 was carried out using sandwich immunoassays. The limit of detection below 10 cfu mL(-1) and detection time of 40 min were achieved.

Quasi-Phase Matching Magneto-Optical Waveguides

ABSTRACTPhotonic integration has proved remarkably successful in combining multiple optical devices onto a single chip with the benefits of added functionality, and reduction in costs, arising from the replacement of manual assembly and alignment of individual components with lithographic techniques. However, the incorporation of optical isolators and related non-reciprocal devices within standard optoelectronic wafer platforms is exceptionally challenging. Preferred magneto-optic materials cannot be exploited as waveguide core layers on semiconductor wafers due to a lower refractive index. Another difficulty is the phase velocity mismatch as a consequence of the inherent structural birefringence associated with waveguide geometries.Our approach to the integration of an optical isolator with a III-V semiconductor laser involves combining a nonreciprocal mode converter with a reciprocal mode converter, based on an asymmetric profiled rib waveguide, fabricated by Reactive Ion Etching. We demonstrate that suitably tapered waveguides can be employed to connect the mode converter to other sections thereby avoiding problems caused by mode-matching and reflections from the section interfaces.The nonreciprocal mode converter is formed from a continuation of the III-V semiconductor waveguide core with a magneto-optic upper cladding so that Faraday rotation occurs through the interaction of the evanescent tail. The phase velocity mismatch due to the waveguide birefringence is overcome using a quasi-phase-matching approach. Lithography is used to pattern the top cladding so that the film immediately on top of the waveguide core alternates between magnetooptic and a non-magneto-optic dielectric of a similar refractive index. Our first demonstrations used a dielectric (silica or silicon nitride) patterned by etching, or lift-off, on top of a GaAs rib waveguide, over which was deposited a magneto-optic film. This film was deposited by sputtering from a Ce:YIG target and demonstrated magnetic hysteresis, but, as it was not annealed, it was believed to consist of Ce:YIG and/or gamma iron oxide microcrystallites embedded in an amorphous matrix. With quasi-phase-matching periods of 110–160 μm and a waveguide length of 8 mm, we were able to demonstrate up to 12% non-reciprocal TE- to TM-mode conversion around a wavelength of 1.3 μm using the remanent magnetisation.In order to enhance the magneto-optic effect it is desirable to anneal such films. However the mismatch in thermal expansion coefficients results in a catastrophic failure of samples with large area film coverage. This problem has been shown to be alleviated by patterning the YIG film. Unfortunately wet-etching of YIG also etches (Al)GaAs and, therefore, the development of a lift-off process for YIG deposition has been undertaken. Initial results are promising with ∼100 μm×2.5 μm YIG sections deposited on a GaAs layer which remain intact after an anneal in an oxygen atmosphere.

On the microstructure of thin films grown by an isotropically directed deposition flux

The influence of isotropically directed deposition flux on the formation of the thin film microstructure at low temperatures is studied. For this purpose we have deposited TiO2 thin films by two different deposition techniques: reactive magnetron sputtering, in two different experimental configurations, and plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The obtained results indicate that films grown under conditions where deposition particles do not possess a clear directionality, and in the absence of a relevant plasma/film interaction, present similar refractive indices no matter the deposition technique employed. The film morphology is also similar and consists of a granular surface topography and a columnarlike structure in the bulk whose diameter increases almost linearly with the film thickness. The deposition has been simulated by means of a Monte Carlo model, taking into account the main processes during growth. The agreement between simulations and experimental results indicates that the obtained microstructures are a consequence of the incorporation of low-energy, isotropically directed, deposition particles.

ChemInform Abstract: Solvent Effects on the Photochemistry of a Ketocyanine Dye and Its Functional Analogue, Michler′s Ketone.

Spectral properties of a photosensitizer, a ketocyanine dye, 2,5-bis([4-(diethylamino)phenyl]methylene)cyclopentanone DEAW, were examined in seven different solvents. The absorption and emission spectra, transient absorption spectra, and conductivity data are reported. Extinction coefficient of the triplet-triplet absorption is calculated using the singlet depletion method. The quantum yield of the triplet state is calculated and is found to have a value from 0.01 to 0.60 in different solvents studied using both 308- and 480-nm pulsed laser excitations. The quantum yield of fluorescence is also reported. The dipole moment of the excited singlet state is calculated using the energy gap between the absorption and emission bands in different solvents of similar refractive indices. Comparison is made with Michler`s ketone (MK) in the discussion of photochemical processes because of the similarity in the structures of DEAW and MK, the only difference being the extended conjugation introduced by the methylene groups along with the cyclopentanone in DEAW.

An Investigation of Lubricant Film Thickness in Sliding Compliant Contacts

An optical interferometric technique has been used to investigate fluid film thickness in sliding, isoviscous elastohydrodynamic contacts (I-EHL). Monochromatic two-beam interferometry has been employed to map lubricant film thickness across a range of applied loads and entrainment speeds. The contact was formed between an elastomer sphere and plain glass disc, illuminated under red light, λ= 630 nm. Experimental work has employed sunflower oil and glycerol/water solutions as the test lubricants, due to their similar refractive indices and varying viscosity. A black-and-white-image-intensified camera has been employed to capture interference images and a computer processing technique used to analyse these images, pixel by pixel, and create film thickness maps based on their gray-scale intensity representations. Comparison of film thickness results to theoretical models shows reasonable qualitative agreement. Experimental results show both a reduced horseshoe, which is limited to the rear of the contact, and wedge-shaped film thickness profile within the Hertzian contact region. This is unlike conventional hard EHL contacts where the horseshoe-shaped pressure constriction extends around the contact toward the inlet. Experimental results suggest that film thickness profiles take on a convergent wedge shape similar to that used in many hydrodynamic bearings. It is likely that this wedge is largely responsible for generating fluid pressure and therefore the load-carrying capacity of the contact.

Multiphoton microscopy of cleared mouse organs

Typical imaging depths with multiphoton microscopy (MPM) are limited to less than 300 mum in many tissues due to light scattering. Optical clearing significantly reduces light scattering by replacing water in the organ tissue with a fluid having a similar index of refraction to that of proteins. We demonstrate MPM of intact, fixed, cleared mouse organs with penetration depths and fields of view in excess of 2 mm. MPM enables the creation of large 3-D data sets with flexibility in pixel format and ready access to intrinsic fluorescence and second-harmonic generation. We present high-resolution images and 3-D image stacks of the brain, small intestine, large intestine, kidney, lung, and testicle with image sizes as large as 4,096 x 4,096 pixels.

Comparative study of long-period gratings written in a boron co-doped fiber by an electric arc and UV irradiation

The paper presents for the first time a comparative study of long-period gratings (LPGs) written by point-by-point UV irradiation and by electrical arc discharges. These gratings were inscribed in a highly photosensitive boron co-doped fiber that can be considered as a suitable platform for LPG writing using either technology. The experimental transmission data for the manufactured LPG devices fit well when compared to the simulations we carried out in parallel. As a result of each of these writing processes, we were able to obtain a remarkably good quality of grating. Two reasons could explain the observed small differences between the spectra: a slight mismatch of the period of the gratings and an unintentional tapering of the fiber during the arc-based processes. We also found that the UV irradiation at λ = 248 nm can cause clearly visible damage to the fiber's surface. As a result of the UV writing, a coupling to the asymmetrical cladding modes can take place. Moreover, the gratings written using the two technologies show a very similar refractive index and temperature-sensing properties. The only differences between them can come from a physical deformation of the fiber induced by the electric arc discharges.

Optical properties of Titan and early Earth haze laboratory analogs in the mid-visible

Scattering and absorption of sunlight by aerosols are integral to understanding the radiative balance of any planetary atmosphere covered in a haze, such as Titan and possibly the early Earth. One key optical parameter of an aerosol is its refractive index. We have simulated both Titan and early Earth organic haze aerosols in the laboratory and measured the real and imaginary portion of their refractive index at λ = 532 nm using cavity ringdown aerosol extinction spectroscopy. This novel technique allows analysis on freely-floating particles minutes after formation. For our Titan analog particles, we find a real refractive index of n = 1.35 ± 0.01 and an imaginary refractive index k = 0.023 ± 0.007, and for the early Earth analog particles we find n = 1.81 ± 0.02 and k = 0.055 ± 0.020. The Titan analog refractive index has a smaller real and similar imaginary refractive index compared to most previous laboratory measurements of Titan analog films, including values from Khare et al. (Khare, B.N., Sagan, C., Arakawa, E.T., Suits, F., Callcott, T.A., Williams, M.W. [1984]. Icarus 60, 127–137). These newly measured Titan analog values have implications for spacecraft retrievals of aerosol properties on Titan. The early Earth analog has a significantly higher real and imaginary refractive index than Titan analogs reported in the literature. These differences suggest that, for a given amount of aerosol, the early Earth analog would act as a stronger anti-greenhouse agent than the Titan analog.

Rheology and Microstructure of Entangled Polymer Nanocomposite Melts

The rheology and microstructure of 44 nm diameter silica particles suspended in entangled poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) melts are studied through measurement of filled melt viscosity and X-ray scattering measurement of interparticle structure factors, S(q,ϕc), where q is the scattering vector and ϕc is the silica volume fraction. The particles have a similar refractive index to PEO which minimizes van der Waals attractions acting between particles. The introduction of particles causes an elevation in the viscosity of the nanocomposite melt more than would be expected of particles merely interacting with hard core repulsions. Further addition of particles causes a rise in the elastic and viscous moduli. The rheological characterization of these nanocomposite melts is discussed in terms of several critical particle volume fractions that result from confinement of polymer, adsorption of polymer segments to the particle surface, and overlap and entanglement of adsorbed polymer as the particle volume fraction is ...

Quantitative phase-contrast tomography of a liquid phantom using a conventional x-ray tube source

Over the last few years, differential phase-contrast x-ray computed tomography (PC-CT) using a hard x-ray grating interferometer and polychromatic x-ray tube sources has been developed. The method allows for simultaneous determination of the attenuation coefficient and the refractive index decrement distribution inside an object in three dimensions. Here we report experimental results of our investigation on the quantitativeness and accuracy of this method. For this study, a phantom consisting of several tubes filled with chemically well-defined liquids was built and measured in PC-CT. We find, that the measured attenuation coefficients and refractive index decrements closely match calculated, theoretical values. Moreover, the study demonstrates, how substances with similar attenuation coefficient or refractive index decrement, can be uniquely distinguished by the simultaneous, quantitative measurement of both quantities.

Nonlinear imaging microscopy techniques as diagnostic tools for art conservation studies

We present results of the implementation of three-photon excitation fluorescence (3PEF) and third harmonic generation imaging measurements for the precise and nondestructive detection of natural and synthetic varnish layers, which are used for the surface protection of painted artifacts. For this purpose, we employ as an excitation source a compact femtosecond laser operating at 1028 nm. Two-dimensional images of the multilayer structures from different samples are depicted. The third harmonic signals show the interface between the different materials, when its refractive index mismatch is high enough. The depths of different layers of varnishes, presenting similar refractive index, are distinguishable with an axial resolution of approximately 1 microm by employing 3PEF measurements.