Single Laser Beam Research Articles

Dead-zone-free single-beam atomic magnetometer based on free-induction-decay of Rb atoms

Free-induction-decay (FID) magnetometers have evolved as simple magnetic sensors for sensitive detection of unknown magnetic fields. However, these magnetometers suffer from a fundamental problem known as a “dead zone,” making them insensitive to certain magnetic field directions. Here, we demonstrate a simple experimental scheme for the dead-zone-free operation of a FID atomic magnetometer. Using a single laser beam containing equal strength of linear- and circular-polarization components and amplitude modulation at a low-duty cycle, we have synchronously pumped the rubidium (87Rb) atoms with both first- and second-order frequency harmonics. Such a pumping scheme has enabled us to observe the free Larmor precession of atomic spins at a frequency of ΩL (orientation) and/or 2ΩL (alignment) in a single FID signal, depending on the direction of the external magnetic field. We observed that the amplitude of the FID signal does not go to zero for any magnetic field direction, proving the absence of dead zones in the magnetometer. The magnetometer has a sensitivity in the range of 3.2–8.4 pT/Hz in all directions. Our experimental scheme can be crucial in developing miniaturized atomic magnetometers for various practical applications, including geomagnetic applications.

Nonlinear Airy beam propagation in defected photonic lattices.

This work theoretically investigates the interplay of nonlinear Airy beams (AB) propagation and optically induced waveguide arrays in a photorefractive (PR) crystal. By introducing defect guides within the photonic lattice, we control the trajectory and self-bending properties and mostly the complex photoinduced waveguiding structures of these unconventional beams. Positive defects within the lattice induce the formation of solitary-like waves, while negative defects result in strong repulsion effects. In the nonlinear regime, these phenomena are further enhanced, with higher solitonic wave intensity in the case of a positive defect. Our simulations further demonstrate that at a lattice period of 20 µm, a specific defect guide modulation depth, and proper nonlinearity strength, a single laser beam injected in a negatively defected waveguide splits into up to seven distinct output channels. By judiciously adjusting the parameters, we can generate output channels that are spatially separated by up to 19 times the beam waist, thereby offering precise control over both the position and intensity of the output channels.

Two-dimensional cooling without repump laser beams through ion motional heating

Laser cooling typically requires one or more repump lasers to clear dark states, which complicates experimental setups, especially for systems with multiple repumping frequencies. Here, we demonstrate cooling of Be+ ions using a single laser beam, enabled by micromotion-induced one-dimensional heating. By manipulating the displacement of Be+ ions from the trap’s nodal line, we precisely control the ion micromotion velocity, eliminating the necessity of a 1.25 GHz offset repump laser while keeping ions cold in the direction perpendicular to the micromotion. We use two equivalent schemes, cooling laser detuning and ion trajectory imaging to measure the speed of the Be+ ions, with results accurately reproduced by molecular dynamics simulations based on a machine learned time-dependent electric field inside the trap. This work provides a robust method to control micromotion velocity of ions and demonstrates the potential of micromotion-assisted laser cooling to simplify setups for systems requiring multiple repumping frequencies.

EVALUATION OF ZINC IN LASER BEAM BRAZE WELDING OF GALVANIZED STEEL SHEETS

For more than a decade, the automotive industry has employed the laser welding-brazing process in the manufacturing of vehicle bodies, where the quality of the brazed seam is an important requirement, especially when exposed to the customer. One aspect that compromises the quality of the seam is the presence of zinc in the coating of galvanized steel sheets. In this context, a comparative study was conducted between two wire feeding methods in laser welding-brazing (pulling and pushing) to mitigate the presence of zinc in the brazed seam region and to evaluate the thickness of the iron-silicon intermetallic layer, which can impact the mechanical strength of the joint. A single laser beam was used for the welding-brazing, with silicon-copper wire addition and two sheet thicknesses. Scanning electron microscopy analyses with attached EDS showed that, despite the low detection, for the thinner sheet, there is a difference in the amount of zinc in the fused zone between the feeding techniques. Additionally, EDS mapping confirmed the presence of an intermetallic layer composed of iron and silicon, whose thickness is greater for the pushing wire addition method, considering the higher heat input compared to the pulling method.

Detection of buried mines and other explosive devices using a single-beam laser Doppler vibrometer

This work is a part of an ongoing global effort aimed at humanitarian demining. Its purpose is to develop a laser-acoustic method for detecting buried landmines and other explosive devices as well as to create a domestic system capable of detecting various types of mines, including plastic ones. In this work, a laboratory stand, which included a single-beam laser Doppler vibrometer operating in the stop-stare measurement mode and a model of a minefield were created. The acoustic responses of three types of plastic simulants of explosive devices, namely anti-personnel landmines ПМН-2 and ПФМ-1 as well as a grenade ПІРО-5Г, buried in sand and a substrate, were detected. The difference in the acoustic characteristics of the investigated soil-mine systems was identified. The effect of sand moisture on the amplitude and resonance frequency of the vibrations was demonstrated. The obtained results give hope for high potential of the used laser-acoustic method for detecting plastic explosive devices. The results of the work are expected to be useful for humanitarian demining of the territory of Ukraine.

Microscale quantitation of heavy metals by back-scattering interferometry in conjunction with photothermal effect using a single laser beam.

A microanalytical technique based on the photothermal effect in conjunction with back-scattering interferometry (BSI) using a single laser beam was developed for quantitative detection of heavy metals. After the chromogenic reaction of an analyte in a capillary tube, the photothermal effect induced by irradiation with the same laser beam leads to a change of the refractive index of the solution, which can be "quantified" using the BSI technique. For prove-of-concept, Cu(II) was chosen as the trial analyte, for which the solution changes to purplish through reacting with the chromogenic reagent; a single laser beam of 532nm was adapted for both inducing the photothermal effect and realizing BSI detection. With as little as 1.0μL solution, a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.10mg/L for Cu(II) was achieved. In addition, the versatility of the technique was demonstrated by detecting other two heavy metal ions, Fe(II) and Cr(VI), with limits of detection of 0.06mg/L and 0.04mg/L, respectively. The demonstrated detection sensitivity, application versatility, and instrumentation simplicity of this new technique promises it as a practical tool for environmental monitoring and beyond.

An 80 Gbps Integrated PDM‐OAM‐Enabled‐FSO Transmission for Implementing 5G Services Under Riyadh Weather Conditions

ABSTRACTThe surge in demand of high‐capacity wireless information transmission links has led to emergence of novel multiplexing techniques for free space optics (FSO) over the past few years. Two such important techniques are polarization division multiplexing (PDM) and orbital angular momentum (OAM) multiplexing. This article investigates the integration of PDM and OAM techniques in a FSO transmission system to enable 5G communication services in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. Four OAM beams () of 2‐polarization states of a single frequency laser beam are used to transport 10 Gbps data independently. A total of 80 Gbps net transmission rate is achieved. The visibility data for Riyadh city are collected from Saudi Meteorological Department and the attenuation coefficient is calculated using Kim, Kruse, and Al‐Naboulsi attenuation models. The performance of all the PDM‐OAM modulated signals is compared for the three‐attenuation models in terms of bit error rate, eye diagrams, and Q Factor of the signal at the receiver. The results show that using Kim and Kruse models, with attenuation of 0.62 and 0.64 dB/km, the maximum range of 3.8 km is achieved. This is, however, reduced to 2.4 km using Al‐Naboulsi model having attenuation of 2.03 dB/km with acceptable limits of Q Factor (∼6 dB) and BER (∼9).

Adaptive Opto-Thermal-Hydrodynamic Manipulation and Polymerization (AOTHMAP) for 4D Colloidal Patterning.

Precision colloidal patterning holds great promise in constructing customizable micro/nanostructures and functional frameworks, which showcases significant application values across various fields, from intelligent manufacturing to optoelectronic integration and biofabrication. Here, a direct 4D patterning method via adaptive opto-thermal-hydrodynamic manipulation and polymerization (AOTHMAP) with single-particle resolution is reported. This approach utilizes a single laser beam to automatically transport, position, and immobilize colloidal particles through the adaptive utilization of light-induced hydrodynamic force, optical force, and photothermal polymerization. The AOTHMAP enables precise 1D, 2D, and 3D patterning of colloidal particles of varying sizes and materials, facilitating the construction of customizable microstructures with complex shapes. Furthermore, by harnessing the pH-responsive properties of hydrogel adhesives, the AOTHMAP further enables 4D patterning by dynamic alteration of patterned structures through shrinkage, restructuring, and cloaking. Notably, the AOTHMAP also enables biological patterning of functional bio-structures such as bio-micromotors. The AOTHMAP offers a simple and efficient strategy for colloidal patterning with high versatility and flexibility, which holds great promises for the construction of functional colloidal microstructures in intelligent manufacturing, as well as optoelectronic integration and biofabrication.

Wafer chamfering grinding wheels dressing via dynamic deflection laser beam

Wafer chamfering forming grinding wheels (WCF) is a kind of V-shaped circular groove forming wheel with a large diameter and small grooves. In this study, a dynamic deflection laser beam method is presented to improve the dressing quality of WCF. The compensation effect of deflected laser on the surface laser energy density of materials was analyzed, and the blocking effect caused by oversized deflection angle of laser beam was analyzed. A C-W model was proposed for laser dressing of WCF. Based on C-W model, trajectory planning for laser dressing was carried out, and dressing experiments were completed. The results show that the contour transition of the grinding wheel is more smooth. Compared to single direct laser beam dressing method and static deflection laser dressing method, the contour exhibits better roundness and the PV values reduced to 5.1μm. Surface observation revealed strip-shaped patterns and some flocculent metamorphic layer. The SEM result shows that there are no obvious crack defects on the surface.

On the optical efficiency of collecting scattered radiation or telescopically imaging the measurement area in airborne acoustic pressure evaluations

Photon correlation is an optical method for calculating acoustic pressures through particle velocity measurements, involving the intersection of two focused Gaussian beams forming an interference fringe pattern. Particles within this measurement region exhibit sinusoidal motion as a result of a propagating acoustic pressure wave over the fringes, consequently scattering photons. This scattered radiation is then collected and processed to determine the particle velocity and then the acoustic pressure. In order to analyse the efficiency of the optical collection system, decoupled optical delivery configurations were implemented. In this case, instead of relying on particles moving over static fringes, moving fringes can be made to pass over an apparently static particle. To simulate this effect, a single laser beam can be modulated with a 3-D printed pattern simulating sinusoidal particle motion across fringes. Having established this alternative delivery system, suitable optical collection systems can be implemented, so that their efficiency can be analysed and assessed. This paper reports on the details of two such collection systems; analysing spherically propagated radiation and telescopically capturing the measurement area respectively.

Nanoripples evolution on tungsten surface induced by two-pulse configuration

Tuneable shapes and uniformity of the laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) attract interest because of their diverse applications in both scientific research and technological advancements. In this work, we investigate the progression of regular one-dimensional (1D) LIPSS on a tungsten surface, examining its evolution based on the time delay between two laser pulses that initiate the formation of nanoripples. 1D-LIPSS were formed in the case of single-beam laser ablation with approximately 84 laser pulses. Two-dimensional (2D) LIPSS, including triangle, hexagonal, and square shapes, were generated by employing two cross-polarized laser beams (with wavelengths of 1030 nm and pulse durations of 40 fs) with no delay between the pulses. However, introducing a time delay of 2 picoseconds (ps) between the two cross-polarized laser pulses resulted in the division of the initially cross-oriented 2D-LIPSS into square-shaped structures, particularly along the spatially overlapped region of the laser beams. The emergence of triangle- and hexagonal-shaped two-dimensional laser-induced periodic surface structures (2D-LIPSS) is analyzed within the framework of a self-organization model, particularly in the context of solidifying the molten layer under cold temperature conditions on the tungsten surface. We examine the formation mechanism of LIPSS, attributing it to a combination of the self-organization/hydrodynamic mechanism initially, which transitions to the electromagnetic mechanism as the effective number of pulses increases.

The energy synergistic mechanism of coaxial heterogeneous-wavelength hybrid laser beam and its effect on welding molten pool dynamics for aluminum alloy

The coaxial heterogeneous-wavelength hybrid laser beam (HW-HLB) heat source featuring a “Gauss + Flat top” energy distribution, which integrates the 1080 nm and 915 nm laser beam, was employed in this paper to achieve excellent stability in the welding of aluminum alloy. The interaction mechanism between aluminum alloy and laser beams with different wavelengths was taken as a point cut to explore the synergistic enhancement mechanism of coaxial HW-HLB . A thermal-fluid coupling model for HW-HLB welding, considering the synergistic effect of dual lasers, was established according to the welding experiment results. The influence of fiber laser power (PF) and diode laser power (PD) on the molten pool flow behavior during welding process was investigated. The dynamic of the molten pool and the maintenance mechanism of the keyhole were elucidated through in-situ monitoring experiments and thermal-flow simulations. The results indicated that, in contrast to the single fiber laser beam (FLB), the power density of HW-HLB presents a significant increase, which results in the “avalanche-like” augmentation of the plasma plume, as well as deeper depth of the keyhole. The energy synergistic enhancement effect of coaxial HW-HLB with PF=2800 W and PD=2500 W performs stronger and thorough changes in the morphology and flow behavior of the molten pool. The introduction of 915 nm laser beam improves the multi-reflection behavior in the inner keyhole. The findings of our research provide a theoretical framework for improving the stability of the laser weld molten pool and the quality of welds in aluminum alloys through the implementation of HW-HLB.

Synthesis and study of nonlinear optical properties of an enaminone derived from dibenzoylmethane and N,N-diethylaminoaniline

The compound, (Z)-3-((4-(diethylamino)phenyl)amino)-1,3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-one, is synthesized by the reaction of dibenzoylmethane and 4-N,N-diethylaniline. The relative stabilities of the possible tautomers of the molecule are studied via the DFT B3LYP-D3BJ, CAM-B3LYP, M062X, and ωB97XD functionals in conjunction with the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The results showed that the enaminone tautomer with the intramolecularly hydrogen bonded chelated ring is the most stable. This is further confirmed by the Car–Parrinello MD calculations in the gas phase as well as the NCI analysis. The electronic spectrum is calculated by the TD DFT B3LYP/c-pVDZ level in ethanol, and the hole–electron analysis is carried out for the interpretation of the bands, which revealed that the longest one at 430 nm is of charge transfer origin while the others are of local transition origin. Atoms-in-molecules calculations in several media and levels of theory predicted that the ρBCP at the hydrogen bond in the gas phase to be 0.03791–0.04255 e/a0 3 which is a characteristic of a medium strong hydrogen bond. Researchers investigated the enaminone’s nonlinear optical (NLO) characteristics when it was exposed to a low power (<1 Watt), single fundamental transverse mode laser beam at 473 nm. By using diffraction patterns (DPs) and Z-scan methods, we calculated the nonlinear refractive index (NLRI) of the enaminone up to 4.597 × 10−11 m2 W−1 using DPs. The resulting DPs are numerically investigated using the Fraunhofer (F.) approximation and the Fresnel-Kirchhoff (F.K.) diffraction integral, showing excellent agreement with experimental findings. We successfully explored all-optical switching (AOS) in enaminone using two laser beams.

Measuring Transverse Relaxation with a Single-Beam 894 nm VCSEL for Cs-Xe NMR Gyroscope Miniaturization.

The spin-exchange-pumped nuclear magnetic resonance gyroscope (NMRG) is a pivotal tool in quantum navigation. The transverse relaxation of atoms critically impacts the NMRG's performance parameters and is essential for judging normal operation. Conventional methods for measuring transverse relaxation typically use dual beams, which involves complex optical path and frequency stabilization systems, thereby complicating miniaturization and integration. This paper proposes a method to construct a 133Cs parametric resonance magnetometer using a single-beam vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) to measure the transverse relaxation of 129Xe and 131Xe. Based on this method, the volume of the gyroscope probe is significantly reduced to 50 cm3. Experimental results demonstrate that the constructed Cs-Xe NMRG can achieve a transverse relaxation time (T2) of 8.1 s under static conditions. Within the cell temperature range of 70 °C to 110 °C, T2 decreases with increasing temperature, while the signal amplitude inversely increases. The research lays the foundation for continuous measurement operations of miniaturized NMRGs.

Enhanced Activation in Phosphorous-Doped Silicon via Dual-Beam Laser Annealing.

In this study, we conduct a comparative analysis of single-beam laser annealing (SBLA) and dual-beam laser annealing (DBLA) techniques for semiconductor manufacturing. In the DBLA approach, two laser beams were precisely aligned to simultaneously heat a phosphorus-doped silicon (Si) wafer. The main objective was to investigate the impact of the two annealing techniques on the electrical properties, crystalline structure, and diffusion profile of the treated phosphorus-doped Si at equivalent laser powers. Both SBLA and DBLA improved the electrical properties of the phosphorus-doped Si, evidenced by increased carrier concentration and reduced carrier mobility. Additionally, the crystalline structure of the phosphorus-doped Si showed favorable modifications, with no defects and improved crystallinity. While both SBLA and DBLA produced similar phosphorus profiles with no significant redistribution of dopants compared to the as-implanted sample, DBLA achieved a higher activation ratio than SBLA. Although the results suggest improved dopant activation with minimal diffusion, further studies are needed to clearly confirm the effect of DBLA on dopant activation and diffusion.

Metasurface optical trap array for single atoms

Metasurfaces made of subwavelength silicon nanopillars provide unparalleled capacity to manipulate light, and have emerged as one of the leading platforms for developing integrated photonic devices. In this study, we report on a compact, passive approach based on planar metasurface optics to generate large optical trap arrays. The unique configuration is achieved with a meta-hologram to convert a single incident laser beam into an array of individual beams, followed up with a metalens to form multiple laser foci for single rubidium atom trapping. We experimentally demonstrate two-dimensional arrays of 5 × 5 and 25 × 25 at the wavelength of 830 nm, validating the capability and scalability of our metasurface design. Beam waists ∼1.5 µm, spacings (about 15 µm), and low trap depth variations (8%) of relevance to quantum control for an atomic array are achieved in a robust and efficient fashion. The presented work highlights a compact, stable, and scalable trap array platform well-suitable for Rydberg-state mediated quantum gate operations, which will further facilitate advances in neutral atom quantum computing.

Au nanodisks-based 2D photonic crystals fabricated by single-beam laser interference lithography: A simple and reliable alternative for highly efficient large-scale SERS molecular sensors

Noble metal-based Photonic Crystals (PCs) have emerged as outstanding candidates for precise light management, projecting applications in strategic areas for society like high-sensitivity and fast molecular (inorganic/organic/bio) sensing by Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). In this work, we report an exhaustive study on the potential of large-scale (active area >1 [cm2]) Au nanodisks-based 2D PCs fabricated by single-beam Laser Interference Lithography (LIL) for high-performance SERS molecular sensing. This technique was used to fabricate periodic nanoarrays (period of 470 [nm]) of Au nanodisks with thicknesses from 50 up to 125 [nm]. The period was chosen following Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) simulations that suggested the best electric-near field enhancement for this condition. Confocal Raman microscopy and Methylene Blue (MB) as active Raman marker, were used to assess the samples' performance for molecular sensing. SERS studies have shown that the nanodisks' thickness can be a considerable size parameter for the Raman signal amplification, observing higher signal enhancements for higher thicknesses. The observed thickness effects on the Raman signal enhancement were consistent with FDTD simulations, which predicted higher electric-near field amplifications for higher thickness within the red/near-infrared range. Results show that our PCs enable to measure the characteristic Raman footprint of the analyte with good spectral resolution using relatively low powers (0.04–1 [mW]) and short acquisition times (1–30 [s]), considering an MB surface mass density as low as 2.6 [ng/cm2]. SERS enhancement factors as high as 2 x 107 were achieved for PCs with the highest thickness, representing a competitive performance concerning typically reported values (104–107) for current noble metal-based PCs technologies and a new record concerning PCs fabricated by LIL (104–105). This research demonstrates the high competitivity of these simple Au nanodisks-based 2D PCs, fabricated using an efficient large-scale and low-cost lithography technique, for fast, high spectral resolution and highly reproducible SERS-based molecular sensing.

Understanding changes of laser backscattering imaging parameters through the kiwifruit softening process using time series analysis

ABSTRACT During kiwifruit storage, quality monitoring is required for inventory planning and consistent quality maintenance. Commercial near-infrared (NIR) spectrophotometers showed reduced performance in the estimation of kiwifruit flesh firmness (FF) as the FF estimation is indirect and can be affected when both, textural structures and absorbing compounds, change during postharvest ripening. Laser backscattering imaging (LBI) records the backscattered signal after a single laser beam interacts with kiwifruit tissue, including merged information on light absorption and scattering. Measurements were carried out at 830 nm, where scattering is most dominant. In this work, time series of kiwifruit ‘Zesy002’ (n = 30) and ‘Hayward’ (n = 30) LBI were collected through the postharvest ripening during a 15-day shelf life at 20°C. Four LBI parameters capturing DIP, FWHM, SLP and HWQM were selected in this study. ‘‘Zesy002’ DIP, FWHM, SLP, and HWQM increased approx. 0.6 cm, 0.2 cm, 0.3 and 0.14 cm, respectively. ‘Hayward’ LBI increased approx. 0.2 cm, 0.1 cm, 0.2 and 0.04 cm, respectively. Different initial LBI values between cultivars and LBI changes may reflect the actual stage of softening, affected by kiwifruit ripeness. In conclusion, time series analysis could be useful in describing kiwifruit LBI change during ripening and making forecasts.

Indirect confirmation and theoretical application of plasma shock−cavitation principle of pulsed laser shock

The coupling strengthening principle of the double physical effect of plasma shock−cavitation was proposed, and the rationality of the cavitation effect in pulsed laser shock treatment under liquid−confined conditions needs to be confirmed urgently. The XRD testing method and 304 stainless steel, which is easy to obtain diffraction peaks, were selected to quantitatively detect and characterize the residual stress distribution in the action area of a single pulse laser beam. The test results and literature analysis show that the different process conditions of laser shock processing bring about different strength matching of the two stress effects of plasma shock and cavitation, and the main source of stress effect of femtosecond laser shock without coating is the cavitation effect. The actual effects of the laser pulse width and other process parameters such as the absorption layer and the constraint layer affect or determine the material modification principle of the pulsed laser surface treatment.

Three-Dimensional Manipulation of Micromodules Using Twin Optothermally Actuated Bubble Robots.

A 3D manipulation technique based on two optothermally generated and actuated surface-bubble robots is proposed. A single laser beam can be divided into two parallel beams and used for the generation and motion control of twin bubbles. The movement and spacing control of the lasers and bubbles can be varied directly and rapidly. Both 2D and 3D operations of micromodules were carried out successfully using twin bubble robots. The cooperative manipulation of twin bubble robots is superior to that of a single robot in terms of stability, speed, and efficiency. The operational technique proposed in this study is expected to play an important role in tissue engineering, drug screening, and other fields.