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We investigate terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) as a non-destructive and non-contact technique for depth profiling of dopants in semiconductors. THz temporal waveforms transmitted through silicon-ion-implanted semi-insulating gallium arsenide substrates, as-implanted or post-annealed by rapid thermal annealing, were analyzed by assuming a multi-layered Gaussian refractive index profile in the ∼sub-micrometer-thick implantation region. The implantation energy and dosages in this work were 200 KeV, 1014, 5 × 1014, and 1015 ions/cm2, respectively. The average values of real (n) and imaginary (κ) parts of refractive indices of an as-implanted sample in the depth range of 0–800 nm are 5.8 and 0.7, respectively, at 0.5 THz and are 6.2 and 0.2, respectively, at 1 THz. On the other hand, the refractive index profile of the post-annealed samples displays a prominent Gaussian-like form, and peak refractive indices (n ∼ 25 and κ ∼ 32.7 at 0.5 THz and n, κ ∼17 at 1 THz) were found to be at the depth of 210 nm. Reconstructed dopant profiles in as-implanted, implanted, and post-annealed substrates were found to be in good agreement with measurements by secondary ion mass spectroscopy as well as simulation by the Monte Carlo method. We were also able to determine accurately the projected range (Rp), straggle (Rs), and concentration of dopants by the analysis of THz-TDS data. The spatial resolution, along the depth direction, of the THz-TDS technique for depth profiling of dopants was estimated to be as small as 8-nm. This work suggests the feasibility of using THz-TDS for nondestructive and non-contact diagnostics for profiling dopants in semiconductors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Fiber optic localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensors have become an effective tool in refractive index (RI) detection for biomedical applications because of their high sensitivity. However, using conventional optical fiber has caused limitations in implanting the sensor in the body. This research presents the design and construction of a new type of polymer-based LSPR sensors to address this issue. Also, finite element method (FEM) is used to design the sensor and test it theoretically. The proposed polymer optical fiber (POF) based on citrate is biocompatible, flexible, and degradable, with a rate of 22% and 27 over 12 days. The step RI structure utilizes two polymers for light transmission: poly (octamethylene maleate citrate) (POMC) as the core and poly (octamethylene citrate) (POC) as the cladding. The POF core and cladding diameters and lengths are 700 µm, 1400 µm, and 7 cm, respectively. The coupling efficiency of light to the POF was enhanced using a microsphere fiber optic tip. The obtained results show that the light coupling efficiency increased to 77.8%. Plasma surface treatment was used to immobilize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the tip of the POF, as a LSPR-POF sensor. Adsorption kinetics was measured based on the pseudo-first-order model to determine the efficiency of immobilizing AuNPs, in which the adsorption rate constant (k) was obtained be 8.6 × 10–3 min−1. The RI sensitivity of the sensor in the range from 1.3332 to 1.3604 RIU was obtained as 7778%/RIU, and the sensitivity was enhanced ~ 5 times to the previous RI POF sensors. These results are in good agreement with theory and computer simulation. It promises a highly sensitive and label-free detection biosensor for point-of-care applications such as neurosciences.

Abstract Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors are based on photon-excited surface charge density oscillations confined at metal-dielectric interfaces, which makes them highly sensitive to biological or chemical molecular bindings to functional metallic surfaces. Metal nanostructures further concentrate surface plasmons into a smaller area than the diffraction limit, thus strengthening photon-sample interactions. However, plasmonic sensors based on intensity detection provide limited resolution with long acquisition time owing to their high vulnerability to environmental and instrumental noises. Here, we demonstrate fast and precise detection of noble gas dynamics at single molecular resolution via frequency-comb-referenced plasmonic phase spectroscopy. The photon-sample interaction was enhanced by a factor of 3,852 than the physical sample thickness owing to plasmon resonance and thermophoresis-assisted optical confinement effects. By utilizing a sharp plasmonic phase slope and a high heterodyne information carrier, a small atomic-density modulation was clearly resolved at 5 Hz with a resolution of 0.06 Ar atoms per nano-hole (in 10–11 RIU) in Allan deviation at 0.2 s; a faster motion up to 200 Hz was clearly resolved. This fast and precise sensing technique can enable the in-depth analysis of fast fluid dynamics with the utmost resolution for a better understanding of biomedical, chemical, and physical events and interactions.

Preparing light‐diffusing material (LDM) combined with high haze and high transmittance has a significant value, but it is a challenge for the industry. The refractive index and diameter of light‐diffusing particles are the main factors. Two series of silicone microspheres with different diameters and refractive indices were prepared through precipitation polymerization and applied in LDM. The morphology of particles and LDM were investigated by scanning electron microscope. The corresponding thermal stability was studied by a thermal gravimetric analyzer. Furthermore, the influence of diameter and refractive index on light‐diffusing properties was explored systematically. The results show that the silicone particles have excellent thermal stability and can disperse evenly in a polycarbonate matrix. The corresponding LDM also has good thermal stability. It is the diameter, not the refractive index, acting as the key factor in preparing LDM combined with high haze and high transmittance. When achieving the same haze, selecting an appropriate diameter can prepare LDM with higher transmittance than other diameters. Different refractive indices lead to similar transmittance and haze of LDMs, but the refractive index can markedly affect the loading of particles to achieve an expected light‐diffusing property. This research has aspiring guidance for the industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field testing of electrical oils using terahertz technology, it is often difficult to avoid the influence of temperature on the results. To explore the impact of temperature on the detection results, a self-made temperature control device was used in the range of -30~40 ℃ to perform terahertz detection on transformer oil, 0.01 mol / L methanol, formic acid, and furfural solutions. The results show that as the temperature increases, the peak value of the sample’ s time domain spectrum gradually decreases, and the time delay of the peak also gradually decreases. The absorption coefficient of the corresponding samples gradually increases, while the refractive index gradually decreases. The average was taken for the absorption coefficient spectrum and refractive index spectrum at 1.2 THz and within the range of 0.2~1.6 THz, respectively. Polynomial curve fitting was performed on the average data. An artificial aging sample with an oil-paper ratio of 20∶1 was used to verify the fitting curve. The fitting curve can compensate for the terahertz detection results at different temperatures, providing a reference for the field application of terahertz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nd,Y:SrF2 crystal is considered a promising laser gain material in high-energy laser systems owing to its advantages of long emission lifetime, low nonlinear refractive index and high thermal conductivity. In this study, photothermal weak absorption and laser-induced damage at 1064 nm on the surface of NYSF crystals were characterized. Based on 3D damage morphologies of cracking and bending, thermoelastic effects were considered as the damage mechanism. By analyzing weak absorption values and laser-induced damage thresholds, the exponential-Chapman quantitative relationship between laser fluence and weak absorption was observed. Additionally, the relationship between the laser fluence and growth behavior of the damaged area was investigated, indicating that the damaged area grew exponentially with an increase in fluence, and the area damaged by a secondary laser pulse was one order of magnitude larger than the primary damaged area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital light processing (DLP) three‐dimensional printing has the advantages of both high printing resolution and efficiency and has been used to manufacture high‐precision, small, and complex shaped ceramic parts. One of the challenges of DLP is to develop photosensitive ceramic slurries with high solid content and low viscosity, especially for non‐oxide ceramics such as silicon nitride due to the dispersion and light absorption problem. This study mainly explores the dispersibility of silicon nitride in ultraviolet (UV)‐cured resins and the photocured properties of the slurry. Rheological measurements were utilized to characterize and screen different dispersants in the resin. It was found that DISPERMP is an effective dispersant. In order to improve the curing depth of Si3N4 photosensitive paste, the surface of silicon nitride powder was treated by oxidation, and organic compounds with different refractive indices were also introduced to increase the light penetration depth. It was found that glycerol with a refractive index of 1.474 resulted in the greatest improvement in the curing depth of Si3N4 photosensitive paste. Finally, a proposed slurry composition was developed to successfully print silicon nitride ceramics through UV‐curing molding technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Almost 80 years after implementation of the industrial ethanol fractionation process, based on the pioneering work of Edwin J. Cohn's research group, it has not lost its importance in providing life-saving biotherapies to patients. The focus has shifted from albumin, which was first used to treat intensive care patients, to immunoglobulin G preparations. Nowadays the latter enables effective, life-long treatment of patients suffering from immunodeficiencies. Ethanol concentration, pH, temperature, protein, and salt concentration are diligently varied during the Cohn fractionation process to finally yield fractions in which the main plasma proteins are enriched at adequate purity. Total protein concentration of the intermediates, probably not as important as ethanol levels and pH, has nevertheless an indisputable influence on the process' performance Objectives: Total protein measurement is therefore a valuable in process-control for versatile process performance monitoring. For this purpose, we investigated the application of analytical digital refractometry. Design: For our pilot study, we used six consecutive batches of nine relevant intermediates covering Takeda's whole industrial-scale Cohn Fractionation process. Methods: Total protein concentrations of the intermediates were measured with the method of Kjehldal to obtain reference data and digital analytical refractometry, using 10-kDa ultrafiltration to obtain a protein free permeate serving as a sample-specific blank. Results and Conclusions: Specific refractive index increment dn/dc values, allowing the calculation of the total protein concentrations by refractive index measurement, were obtained for the Cohn Fractionation intermediates investigated. Thus, analytical digital refractometry, a simple, fast, and robust technique, was shown to be fit for this purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is dedicated to measuring the thickness of step height standards using the author's version of the variable wavelength interferometer (VAWI) in the reflected-light mode, where the interference pattern is created by the combination of two Wollaston prisms. The element of novelty consists in replacing the traditional search for the coincidence of fringes in the object and background with a continuous measurement of their periods and phases relative to the zero-order fringe. The resulting system of sinusoids is then analyzed using two methods: the classical one and the second utilizing the criterion of uniform thickness. The theory is followed by simulation and experimental parts, providing insight to the metrological potential of the VAWI technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aims to verify the accuracy of a new calculation formula, Barrett true axial length formula (T-AL), and the optimized lens factor (LF) for predicting postoperative refraction after cataract surgery. Methods: We included 156 Japanese patients who underwent cataract surgery using Clareon monofocal intraocular lenses at our clinic between January 2022 and June 2023. Postoperative spherical equivalent was calculated using subjective refraction values obtained 1 month post-surgery. The LFs were optimized so that the mean prediction error (PE) of each calculation formula was zero (zero optimization). We calculated the mean absolute PE (MAE) to assess accuracy and used a Friedman test for statistical comparisons. The accuracy of T-AL and the optimized LFs was compared with that of the conventional Barrett Universal II formula for ARGOS (AR-B) and OA-2000 (OA-B) with equivalent refractive index. Results: For T-AL, AR-B, and OA-B, the MAEs ± standard deviations were 0.225 ± 0.179, 0.219 ± 0.168, and 0.242 ± 0.206 D, respectively. The Friedman test showed no statistically significant differences among the three groups. The device-optimized LFs were 2.248–2.289 (T-AL), 2.236–2.246 (AR-B), and 2.07–2.08 (OA-B); the corresponding zero-optimized LFs were 2.262–2.287 (T-AL), 2.287–2.303 (AR-B), and 2.160–2.170 (OA-B). Conclusion: There were no significant differences in prediction accuracy among the formulas. However, the accuracy of LF optimization varied by device, with T-AL being closest to the value under zero optimization. This suggests that T-AL is clinically useful for predicting an accurate postoperative refraction without zero optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fiber optic localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensors have become an effective tool in refractive index (RI) detection for biomedical applications because of their high sensitivity. However, using conventional optical fiber has caused limitations in implanting the sensor in the body. This research presents the design and construction of a new type of polymer-based LSPR sensors to address this issue. Also, finite element method (FEM) is used to design the sensor and test it theoretically. The proposed polymer optical fiber (POF) based on citrate is biocompatible, flexible, and degradable, with a rate of 22% and 27 over 12 days. The step RI structure utilizes two polymers for light transmission: poly (octamethylene maleate citrate) (POMC) as the core and poly (octamethylene citrate) (POC) as the cladding. The POF core and cladding diameters and lengths are 700 µm, 1400 µm, and 7 cm, respectively. The coupling efficiency of light to the POF was enhanced using a microsphere fiber optic tip. The obtained results show that the light coupling efficiency increased to 77.8%. Plasma surface treatment was used to immobilize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the tip of the POF, as a LSPR-POF sensor. Adsorption kinetics was measured based on the pseudo-first-order model to determine the efficiency of immobilizing AuNPs, in which the adsorption rate constant (k) was obtained be 8.6 × 10–3 min−1. The RI sensitivity of the sensor in the range from 1.3332 to 1.3604 RIU was obtained as 7778%/RIU, and the sensitivity was enhanced ~ 5 times to the previous RI POF sensors. These results are in good agreement with theory and computer simulation. It promises a highly sensitive and label-free detection biosensor for point-of-care applications such as neurosciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reflectin is a cationic, block copolymeric protein that mediates the dynamic fine-tuning of color and brightness of light reflected from nanostructured Bragg reflectors in iridocyte skin cells of squids. In vivo, the neuronally activated phosphorylation of reflectin triggers its assembly, driving osmotic dehydration of the membrane-bounded Bragg lamellae containing the protein to simultaneously shrink the lamellar thickness and spacing while increasing their refractive index contrast, thus tuning the wavelength and increasing the brightness of reflectance. In vitro, we show that the reduction in repulsive net charge of the purified, recombinant reflectin—either (for the first time) by generalized anionic screening with salt or by pH titration—drives a finely tuned, precisely calibrated increase in the size of the resulting multimeric assemblies. The calculated effects of phosphorylation in vivo are consistent with these effects observed in vitro. The precise proportionality between the assembly size and charge neutralization is enabled by the demonstrated rapid dynamic arrest of multimer growth by a continual, equilibrium tuning of the balance between the protein's Coulombic repulsion and short-range interactive forces. The resulting stability of reflectin assemblies with time ensures a reciprocally precise control of the particle number concentration, encoding a precise calibration between the extent of neuronal signaling, osmotic pressure, and the resulting optical changes. The charge regulation of reflectin assembly precisely fine-tunes a colligative property-based nanostructured biological machine. A physical mechanism is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing interest in 3D printing of silica glass has spurred substantial research efforts. The prior work utilizing a liquid silica resin (LSR) demonstrated high printing accuracy and resolution. However, the resin's sensitivity to moisture posed limitations, restricting the printing environment. On the other hand, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)‐based materials offer excellent water stability and sinterless features. Yet, they suffer from relatively high shrinkage due to the presence of additional organic monomers. In this study, a polymeric silsesquioxane (PSQ) resin is presented with reduced shrinkage, enhanced moisture stability, and the retention of sinterless features, providing a promising solution for achieving high‐resolution 3D printing of glass objects. Leveraging the two‐photon polymerization (2PP) method, nanostructures are realized with feature sizes below 80 nm. Moreover, the tunability of the refractive index is demonstrated by incorporating zirconium moieties into the resin, facilitating the fabrication of glass micro‐optics with varying refractive indices. Importantly, the self‐welding capability observed between two individual components provides a flexible approach for producing micro‐optics with multiple components, each possessing distinct refractive indices. This research represents a significant advancement in the field of advanced glass manufacturing, paving the way for future applications in micro‐ and nano‐scale glass objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperspectral imaging has shown great promise for diagnostic applications, particularly in cancer surgery. However, non-bulk tissue-related spectral variations complicate the data analysis. Common techniques, such as standard normal variate normalization, often lead to a loss of amplitude and scattering information. This study investigates a novel approach to address these spectral variations in hyperspectral images of optical phantoms and excised human breast tissue. Our method separates surface and volume reflectance, hypothesizing that spectral variability arises from significant variations in surface reflectance across pixels. An illumination setup was developed to measure samples with a hyperspectral camera from different axial positions but with identical zenith angles. This configuration, combined with a novel data analysis approach, allows for the estimation and separation of surface reflectance for each direction and volume reflectance across all directions. Validated with optical phantoms, our method achieved an 83% reduction in spectral variability. Its functionality was further demonstrated in excised human breast tissue. Our method effectively addresses variations caused by surface reflectance or glare while conserving surface reflectance information, which may enhance sample analysis and evaluation. It benefits samples with unknown refractive index spectra and can be easily adapted and applied across a wide range of fields where hyperspectral imaging is used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is an important thermoplastic polymer and a versatile lithographic resist. However, the low heat resistance and low dry-etch resistance seriously restricts the application of PMMA in high-end devices and advanced nanolithography. Herein, methyl methacrylate (MMA) was copolymerized with two comonomers 1-adamantyl methacrylate (AdMA) and 1-acryloyloxy-3-hydroxyadamantane (HAdMA), and a series of copolymers P(AdMA-co-MMA) and P(HAdMA-co-MMA) with different contents of HAdMA were prepared. The UV–Vis, ellipsometer, DSC, TG, and TG–MS techniques were employed to investigate the effects of adamantyl and hydroxyadamantyl substituents on the optical and thermal properties of PMMA. The introduced hydroxyadamantyl not only significantly enhanced the refractive index, but also maintained the high transparency and low dispersion of PMMA. The glass transition temperature and thermal stability of PMMA were also greatly improved by the hydroxyadamantyl. The initial decomposition temperature of PMMA increased from 160 to about 260 ℃ after introducing 5% HAdMA. HAdMA was more effective than AdMA in improving the optical and thermal properties of PMMA. The novel P(HAdMA-co-MMA) copolymer has overcome the shortcomings of traditional PMMA and is anticipated to significantly broaden its range of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A theoretical study of a one‐dimensional photonic crystal (1D‐PhC) [TiO2/MgF2]2/TiO2/GaAs terminated by a dielectric metasurface consisting of periodically arranged TiO2 nanospheres for biosensing is proposed. The p polarized incident beam and the prism couplingtechnique are employed to excite Bloch surface waves considering a low biomolecular concentration sensing medium with refractive index changing from 1.33 to 1.34 RIU. The optical properties of the metasurface layer are calculated within the effective medium approximation. The findings reveal that integrating TiO2 nanosphere metasurfaces as the upper layer of a photonic structure allows simultaneous control of biosensor sensitivity and the reflectance curve's full width at half maximum by judiciously tuning its optical properties, relying on the filling fraction (f) and the size (dns$d_{\text{ns}}$) of the TiO2 nanospheres. Moreover, The results show that the biosensor with the metasurface performs superior to the one without it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural color, arising from the interaction between nanostructures and light, has experienced rapid development in recent years. However, high-order Mie resonances in dielectric materials often induce unnecessary sub-peaks, particularly at shorter wavelengths, reducing the vibrancy of colors. To address this, we have developed a multilayer dielectric metasurface based on silicon-rich silicon nitride (SRN), achieving expanded color gamut through precise refractive index matching and suppression of high-order resonances. This strategy introduces more design dimensions and can reduce the complexity of material deposition. It enables the generation of vibrant colors in a 3 × 3 array, with a resolution of approximately 25,400 dpi, demonstrating its potential applications in displays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) have found their key applications in high-sensitivity biomolecular detection and integrated photonic devices for optical communication via light manipulation at nanostructures. Despite their broad utility, SPPs are known to be accompanied by other complex near-field propagation modes, such as quasi-cylindrical waves (QCWs) and composite diffracted evanescent waves (CDEWs), whose electromagnetic and quantum propagation effects have not been comprehensively understood especially regarding their mutual interaction with SPPs. In this study, we addressed this complexity by employing a nano groove structure and a high-stability broadband femtosecond laser as a light source, the spatial phase distribution around the nano slit edge was measured with relative stability of a 4.6 × 10−11 at an averaging time of 0.01 s. Through this spatial phase spectrum, we precisely measured the nonlinear distribution of effective refractive index changes with an amplitude of 10−2 refractive index units at the edge of the nano slit–groove structure. These results reveal that the near-field effects on local electron concentration induced by nanostructure's discontinuity can be quantitatively measured, which can contribute to a deeper understanding of SPP phenomena in nanostructures for the optimal design and utilization of the SPP effects in diverse nano-plasmonic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Refractive index (RI) sensors play an important role in various applications including biomedical analysis and food processing industries. However, developing RI sensors with both high resolution and wide linear range remains a great challenge due to the tradeoff between quality (Q) factor and free spectral range (FSR) of resonance mode. Herein, the optical steelyard principle is presented to address this challenge by synergizing resonances from the Fabry–Perot (FP) cavity and metasurface, integrated in a hybrid configuration form on the end facet of optical fibers. Specifically, the FP resonance acting like the scale beam, offers high resolution while the plasmonic resonance acting like the weight, provides a wide linear range. Featuring asymmetric Fano spectrum due to modal coupling between these two resonances, a high Q value (~ 3829 in liquid) and a sensing resolution (figure of merit) of 2664 RIU−1 are experimentally demonstrated. Meanwhile, a wide RI sensing range (1.330–1.430 in the simulation and 1.3403–1.3757 in the experiment) is realized, corresponding to a spectral shift across several FSRs (four and two FSRs in the simulation and experiment, respectively). The proposed steelyard RI sensing strategy is promising in versatile monitoring applications, e.g., water salinity/turbidity and biomedical reaction process, and could be extended to other types of sensors calling for both high resolution and wide linear range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving precise spectral and temporal light manipulation at the nanoscale remains a critical challenge in nanophotonics. While photonic bound states in the continuum (BICs) have emerged as a powerful means of controlling light, their reliance on geometrical symmetry breaking for obtaining tailored resonances makes them highly susceptible to fabrication imperfections, and their generally fixed asymmetry factor fundamentally limits applications in reconfigurable metasurfaces. Here, we introduce the concept of environmental symmetry breaking by embedding identical resonators into a surrounding medium with carefully placed regions of contrasting refractive indexes, activating permittivity-driven quasi-BIC resonances (ε-qBICs) without altering the underlying resonator geometry and unlocking an additional degree of freedom for light manipulation through active tuning of the surrounding dielectric environment. We demonstrate this concept by integrating polyaniline (PANI), an electro-optically active polymer, to achieve electrically reconfigurable ε-qBICs. This integration not only demonstrates rapid switching speeds and exceptional durability but also boosts the system's optical response to environmental perturbations. Our strategy significantly expands the capabilities of resonant light manipulation through permittivity modulation, opening avenues for on-chip optical devices, advanced sensing, and beyond. Achieving precise spectral and temporal light manipulation at the nanoscale remains a challenge. Here, authors develop the concept of permittivity-asymmetric bound states in the continuum metasurfaces, achieving fast electrical switching performance by integrating the polyaniline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We observe concurrent precessional and partial orbital motion of highly birefringent liquid crystal (LC) particles trapped in a spherically aberrated optical trap, which is built employing a tilted refractive index stratified medium. For input circularly polarized light, the breaking of azimuthal symmetry induced by the tilt leads to an asymmetric intensity distribution in the radial direction near the trap focal plane, which—in combination with the spin–orbit conversion effects for input circularly polarized light—results in nonuniform canonical and spin momentum densities in those regions. In addition, while the canonical momentum remains always oriented toward the axial direction, the spin momentum reverses direction along spatial loops in the radial direction. As a consequence, the total momentum precesses around the canonical momentum vector along elliptical spatial loops—akin to a Larmor-like precession of magnetic moment (total momentum in our case) around a magnetic field (canonical momentum). We probe this precession experimentally using the single trapped LC particles—with the direction of precession and orbital motion determined by the helicity of the input light, with the precession frequency varying linearly with the laser power. Our experimental results are validated by numerical simulations of the system where we employ the Debye–Wolf theory for tight focusing in the presence of a tilted stratified media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors are based on photon-excited surface charge density oscillations confined at metal-dielectric interfaces, which makes them highly sensitive to biological or chemical molecular bindings to functional metallic surfaces. Metal nanostructures further concentrate surface plasmons into a smaller area than the diffraction limit, thus strengthening photon-sample interactions. However, plasmonic sensors based on intensity detection provide limited resolution with long acquisition time owing to their high vulnerability to environmental and instrumental noises. Here, we demonstrate fast and precise detection of noble gas dynamics at single molecular resolution via frequency-comb-referenced plasmonic phase spectroscopy. The photon-sample interaction was enhanced by a factor of 3,852 than the physical sample thickness owing to plasmon resonance and thermophoresis-assisted optical confinement effects. By utilizing a sharp plasmonic phase slope and a high heterodyne information carrier, a small atomic-density modulation was clearly resolved at 5 Hz with a resolution of 0.06 Ar atoms per nano-hole (in 10–11 RIU) in Allan deviation at 0.2 s; a faster motion up to 200 Hz was clearly resolved. This fast and precise sensing technique can enable the in-depth analysis of fast fluid dynamics with the utmost resolution for a better understanding of biomedical, chemical, and physical events and interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents an innovative platform of a multi-channel one-dimensional photonic crystal (1-DPC) based on blood refractive index data of different patients in the aspect of the main protein components like hemoglobin. This photonic crystal (PC) contains a defect center infiltrated with plasma using a microorder size syringe. When binary silica and III–V semiconductor (InSb) materials are combined, they increase the refractive index difference between the alternate layers of the composite material, resulting in a wide photonic band gap (PBG). We use the well-known transfer matrix method (TMM) to observe the reflectance of various blood samples that were previously published. We assess and contrast the influence of different refractive index data on the dynamic shift in PBG calculation for novel superior and resourceful sensor in the prevention of microscopic organisms such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus linked with COVID-19. Yet, the performance of this PC has more moral content and unlimited casting efficacy in the face of an incurable virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fabry‐Pérot (FP) photonic absorbers have demonstrated their subwavelength thickness and integration convenience. However, without introducing abnormal phase shifts, it is hard to further miniaturize the FP absorbers. Herein, based on perfect optical phase‐matching, planar FP infrared (IR) absorbers can be more significantly thinned via ultrahigh refractive index (RI) artificial films, breaking the conventional quarter‐wavelength cavity limitation. Specifically, an ultrahigh RI (≈6.0) Ag nanowire‐Si metamaterial dielectric‐cavity covered by a giant RI (≈11.0) bismuth‐based absorbing layer is proposed to induce exceptional propagation phase accumulation and reflection phase shift. The resultant 155 nm FP absorber (not including the mirror layer) can support a resonance absorption at ≈4.4 µm. After vertically stacking, double‐cavity absorbers (below 310 nm) with multi‐resonant features are achieved, yielding broadband absorption from 1.4 to 14.4 µm. In addition, the whole FP absorbers are fabricated only through a sputtering process without any other procedures. In terms of optical phase management and refractive index engineering, this work creates a novel miniaturization scheme for FP infrared absorbers, offering a lot of opportunities applied in advanced nanophotonics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fano resonance sensors based on metal–insulator–metal (MIM) waveguide have potential applications in fields such as biology, chemistry, and the environment. Here, a nanosensor based on Fano resonance in an MIM-based isosceles triangular resonator system is proposed and numerically studied by finite element method. Simulation results show that the Fano peak can be easily tuned by adjusting the scale factor and the refractive index within the resonator. Furthermore, we thoroughly analyze the impact of the apex angle, rotation angle, and vertical displacement of the resonator on the transmission spectrum. Finally, the sensing characteristics of the proposed structure are optimized and analyzed, and a high-performance plasmonic sensor with a sensitivity of 1100 nm/RIU and the maximum figure of merit of 5. 4 6 × 1 0 9 is obtained. The distinctive attributes of our suggested structure are applicable in the realization of various integrated components for the development of multifunctional high-performance nanophotonics devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three NaBa12(BO3)7F4 crystals were grown in the BaO–BaF2–B2O3–Na2O system from three different compositions of high-temperature solution. With the use of optical spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and the Schering bridge method it was found that the crystals revealed sharp differences in their optical and dielectric properties. The relative permittivity of the crystals in direction perpendicular to the optical axis reached 319(5). The minimum deviation technique was used for refractive index measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study, the effect of rGO ratio on the N-dopped TiO2 has been synthesized through sol–gel method. The prepared N-doped TiO2/rGO composites were examined for humidity sensing applications. The relationship between optical properties and the humidity sensing properties was studied. The structure, morphology, and bonding interaction have been examined using XRD, FT-IR, PL and HRTEM respectively. The average particle size as estimated from XRD and HRTEM was found to be about 9 nm. The optical properties have been studied using UV/ Vis. Spectroscopy. Further, optical parameters including refractive index and optical band gap energy have been estimated. The humidity sensing behavior of the resultant composites were evaluated in a wide range of humidity (7%–97% RH) at different testing frequencies. The optical band gap was found to be decreased as the amount of rGO increase. Among all prepared samples, both the optical parameters and humidity sensing experiments confirmed that the 0.5% rGO@N-dopped TiO2 sample is the best candidate for the humidity sensing applications. The best optimum testing frequency was demonstrated to be 50 Hz. The sensor demonstrates a fast response and recovery times of 13 s and 33 s with low hysteresis and large sensitivity. The humidity sensing mechanism was studied using complex impedance spectroscopy at different RH levels under testing frequency range from 50 Hz to 5 MHz and testing voltage of 1 VAC. The produced structure demonstrated a promising material for humidity measuring devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the processes that are approved to produce synthetic kerosene for use in jet fuel, about half produce olefinic kerosene that is hydrotreated. The alkene concentration in synthetic kerosene is indirectly regulated through the thermal oxidative stability specification. Perceptions about the deleterious influence of alkenes on thermal oxidative stability suggest that olefinic kerosene must be deeply hydrogenated. The extent of olefin saturation required has economic implications. To evaluate what an acceptable alkene concentration in synthetic kerosene is, the impact of alkene concentration on the outcome of the jet fuel thermal oxidative stability test (JFTOT) performed at 325°C in accordance with the ASTM D3241 standard test method was experimentally evaluated. Model synthetic kerosene mixtures to which different concentrations of alkenes (1‐decene, α‐methylstyrene, indene) were added, as well as control samples were studied. In the concentration range investigated, up to 10 wt% 1‐decene, 5 wt% α‐methylstyrene, and 2 wt% indene did not lead to increased fouling in the JFTOT. Fouling passed through a minimum value with increasing alkene concentration and alkene concentration on its own was a poor predictor of thermal oxidative stability. Analysis of the kerosene collected after passing through the JFTOT found measurable changes in density and refractive index. Dissolved oxygen reacting during thermal oxidative stability testing was accounted for mostly in oxygen‐containing products in the kerosene boiling range, which indicated that the heavier products were mainly hydrocarbon in nature. In addition to initiation by autoxidation, the investigation also pointed to the existence of a second thermally initiated fouling pathway that does not require the presence of oxygen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All‐dielectric metasurfaces supporting high‐Q resonances have emerged as a promising platform for sensing applications. However, the greatly enhanced near‐fields are usually confined within the all‐dielectric nanostructures rather than the outside analyte region, severely limiting the bulk sensitivity and the biosensing performance. Here, a silicon metasurface formed by the hybridization of two lattices with a relative displacement is designed to support nonlocal quasi‐bound states in the continuum (q‐BICs) featuring homogeneous and significant near‐field enhancement over large volumes outside the silicon nanodisks. A high bulk sensitivity of 407 nm RIU–1 is experimentally demonstrated for the refractive index sensing applications, and a limit of detection down to 20 pg mL–1 for a protein biomarker for the early‐stage breast cancer screening, which is improved by more than an order of magnitude over the state of the art. It is expected that the nonlocal q‐BICs open new opportunities for realizing greatly enhanced light–matter interactions over large volumes in applications beyond biochemical sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study is to synthesize nanocomposite PVA/ Co0.2Zn0.2Cd0.6Fe2O4 films with varying contents of Co0.2Zn0.2Cd0.6Fe2O4 nanoparticles (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) to improve the structural, optical, and mechanical characteristics of the examined materials. Casting technique is used to prepare PVA/ Co0.2Zn0.2Cd0.6Fe2O4 films. X-ray diffraction, FTIR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and Vickers Hardness were used to examine the effect of magnetic nanoparticle content on the structural, optical, and mechanical characteristics of PVA nanocomposite films. The refractive index rises from 1.4967 for pure PVA to 7.6511 for PVA + 0.8Co0.2Zn0.2Cd0.6Fe2O4, allowing it to be employed in a variety of applications such as solar cell construction. Because of the presence of ferrite in the glass matrix, the average hardness values enhanced and increased from 90.7 to 114.2 MPa. The stress exponent (n) varies from 1.12 to 3.33, with grain boundary sliding as the deformation mechanism for x = 0, viscous glid for x = 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6, and dislocation climb for x = 0.8 nanocomposite thin films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical composition of the following glass system 75Li2B4O7-10CdO-(15-x)BaO- xTm2O3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 2) mol.% has been fabricated using a traditional melt quenching procedure. The density of the synthesis samples has been measured and it enhanced with the rising Tm2O3 content. All the fabricated specimens form glass and the amorphous state have been confirmed the XRD. The spectroscopic investigation indicates an increase in the energy gap from 3.08 to 3.25 eV with increasing Tm2O3 concentrations. The refractive index, basicity and static and infinity of dielectric constant were taken place of present investigated. The ultrasonic velocities of the prepared glasses are increased. Consequently, the elastic modulus of glasses has been enhanced. MCNP5, XCOM, and Phy-X/PSD code were used to characterize the efficiency of the fabricated glass against gamma radiation. Indeed, an increase in Tm2O3 content in samples correlated with an increase in MAC values. Consequently, the gamma-radiation attenuation rate of the samples was enhanced by the addition of Tm2O3, and the protective qualities were improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasmon nanostructures are synthesized for the first time as a result of Cu diffusion into an As2Se3 film during the formation of a Cu/As Se film structure by the successive deposition of Cu and As2Se3 in vacuum. Using spectroscopic ellipsometry, the spectra of the extinction coefficients and refractive index, as well as the real and imaginary parts of the permittivity of the synthesized structures in the wavelength range of 240–2500 nm, that indicate the presence of localized surface plasmon resonances are obtained. It is shown that the frequency position of plasmon resonances in the wavelength range from 470 to 660 nm can be controlled by changing the thickness of the copper film and annealing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of a new intraocular lens power calculation formula using segmental refractive index-based axial length (AL). Setting: Chukyo Eye Clinic, Nagoya, Japan. Design: Retrospective observational study. Methods: This study included patients undergoing preoperative examination for cataract surgery with the new Barrett True AL (BTAL) and Emmetropia Verifying Optical (EVO) formulas using segmental refractive index, and conventional Barrett Universal II (BU II) formula using equivalent refractive index. The predicted refractive error of each formula was compared with the postoperative subjective spherical equivalent. Results: The mean prediction error (MPE) in the short AL group (=22 mm; 44 eyes) was 0.32 ± 0.40 diopter (D) for BU II, 0.22 ± 0.37 D for BTAL, and 0.10 ± 0.37 D for EVO (P < .0001). MPE in the long AL group (=26mm; 92 eyes) was 0.01 ± 0.32 D for BU II, 0.04 ± 0.32 D for BTAL, and 0.09 ± 0.32D for EVO(P < .0001). In patients with an AL = 28 mm, BU II showed a myopic trend in 57.1% of cases, while BTAL and EVO showed a hyperopic trend in 71.4%. The MPE for patients with an AL = 28 mm was -0.16 ± 0.34 D for BU II, 0.18 ± 0.33 D for BTAL, and 0.16 ± 0.32 D for EVO (P < .0001). Conclusions: The new EVO and BTAL formulas showed higher accuracy than BU II in short eyes, whereas there was no difference in long eyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nuclear tracks created in poly allyl diglycol carbonate (PADC type CR-39) due to exposure to particles for specific times followed by chemical etching for definite time periods at 4, 7, 11, and 13 hours are prepared. The measured IR spectrum for investigated films clarified a decrease in peak intensity against increase in etched layer thickness (ELT). This is argued to the formation of free radicals due to etching. Furthermore, pyrolysis of the investigated films displayed that the actual structural variation occurs in the second and third stages of degradation. The calculated activation energy values for thermal decomposition of studied PADC exhibited an increase against etching time periods. Other thermal parameters such as enthalpy, Gibbs free energy, and entropy are calculated and discussed. Moreover, the two nonlinear optical parameters, second-order index of refraction () and third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility, , are also calculated and displayed that and increase by one order of magnitude against the irradiation times which is attributed to the structural damage due to irradiation by particle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When a water drop is impinged upon a superhydrophobic surface with submillimetric surface structures, unconventional impact dynamics such as pancake-like bouncing and asymmetric drop spreading can occur. However, the fabrication of such surface structures often requires an unconventional fabrication approach, which is either time-consuming or costly. In this study, we propose a simple lithography-based approach to manufacture submillimetric cone-shaped pillars over a large area by taking advantage of a unique optical property of hydrogels: a change of refractive index after UV-curing. With an additional hydrophobic nanoparticle coating, we demonstrate that such structures can be used to reduce the contact time during drop impact and induce a drop rotation during rebound. Moreover, the flexibility of hydrogels enables the transfer of surface structures to non-planar substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X‐ray ptychography is a lensless imaging technique that visualizes the nanostructure of a thick specimen which cannot be observed with an electron microscope. It reconstructs a complex‐valued refractive index of the specimen from observed diffraction patterns. This reconstruction problem is called phase retrieval (PR). For further improvement in the imaging capability, including expansion of the depth of field, various PR algorithms have been proposed. Since a high‐quality PR method is built upon a base PR algorithm such as ePIE, developing a well performing base PR algorithm is important. This paper proposes an improved iterative algorithm named CRISP. It exploits subgradient projection which allows adaptive step size and can be expected to avoid yielding a poor image. The proposed algorithm was compared with ePIE, which is a simple and fast‐convergence algorithm, and its modified algorithm, rPIE. The experiments confirmed that the proposed method improved the reconstruction performance for both simulation and real data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new biosensor design based on the Kretschmann configuration, for the detection of analytes at different refractive indices. Our studied design consists of a TiO2/SiO2 bi-layer sandwiched between a BK7 prism and a bimetallic layer of Ag/Au plasmonic materials, covered by a layer of black phosphorus placed below the analyte-containing detection medium. The different layers of our structure and analyte detection were optimized using the angular interrogation method. High performance was achieved, with a sensitivity of 240 deg/RIU and a quality factor of 34.7 RIU−1. This biosensor can detect analytes with a wide refractive index range between 1.330 and 1.347, such as glucose detection in urine samples using a refractive index variation of 10 − 3 . This capability offers a wide range of applications for biomedical and biochemical detection and selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to achieve a high-precision synchronous detection of two different refractive index (RI) analytes, a D-type surface plasmon resonance (SPR) photonic crystal fiber (PCF) RI sensor based on two channels is designed in this paper. The sensor uses a D-shaped planar region of the PCF and a large circular air hole below the core as the sensing channels. Surface plasmon resonance is induced by applying a coating of gold film on the surface. The full-vector finite-element method (FEM) is used to optimize the structural parameters of the optical fiber, and the sensing characteristics are studied, including wavelength sensitivity, RI resolution, full width at half maximum (FWHM), figure of merit (FOM), and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The results show that the channel 1 (Ch 1) can achieve RI detection of 1.36–1.39 in the wavelength range of 1500–2600 nm, and the channel 2 (Ch 2) can achieve RI detection of 1.46–1.57 in the wavelength range of 2100–3000 nm. The two sensing channels can detect independently or simultaneously measure two analytes with different RIs. The maximum wavelength sensitivity of the sensor can reach 30,000 nm/RIU in Channel 1 and 9900 nm/RIU in Channel 2. The RI resolutions of the two channels are 3.54 × 10−6 RIU and 10.88 × 10−6 RIU, respectively. Therefore, the sensor realizes dual-channel high- and low-RI synchronous detection in the ultra-long wavelength band from near-infrared to mid-infrared and achieves an ultra-wide RI detection range and ultra-high wavelength sensitivity. The sensor has a wide application prospect in the fields of chemical detection, biomedical sensing, and water environment monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we derived an expression that allows the determination of the thermo-optic coefficient of weakly-guiding germanium-doped silica fibers, based on the thermal behavior of optical fiber devices, such as, fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs). The calculations rely on the full knowledge of the fiber parameters and on the temperature sensitivity of FBGs. In order to validate the results, we estimated the thermo-optic coefficient of bulk GeO2 glass at 293 K and 1.55 μm to be 18.3 × 10−6 K−1. The determination of this value required to calculate a correction factor which is based on the knowledge of the thermal expansion coefficient of the fiber core, the Pockels' coefficients (p11 = 0.125, p12 = 0.258 and p44 = −0.0662) and the Poisson ratio (ν = 0.161) of the SMF-28 fiber. To achieve that goal, we estimated the temperature dependence of the thermal expansion coefficient of GeO2 and we discussed the dispersion and temperature dependence of Pockels' coefficients. We have presented expressions for the dependence of the longitudinal and transverse acoustic velocities on the GeO2 concentration used to calculate the Poisson ratio. We have also discussed the dispersion of the photoelastic constant. An estimate for the temperature dependence of the thermo-optic coefficient of bulk GeO2 glass is presented for the 200–300 K temperature range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a dual-functional terahertz device based on the Dirac semimetal, serving as both a sensing element and a band-pass filter. The device's operating mode can switch between these two functions by utilizing the phase transition property of vanadium dioxide (VO2). When VO2 is in the insulating state, the device functions as a sensing element. The simulation results demonstrate an impressive refractive index sensitivity of 374.40 GHz/RIU (Refractive Index Unit). When VO2 is in the metallic state, the device functions as a band-pass filter, exhibiting a center frequency of 2.01 THz and a 3 dB fractional bandwidth of 0.91 THz. The integration of these dual functionalities within a single terahertz device enhances its utility in both sensing and filtering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A double U-shaped PCF-SPR sensor is proposed for the detection of analytes with low refractive indexes (RI). The U-shaped structure facilitates the penetration of analytes. Compared with a single formant sensor, the sensor exhibits double formant characteristics. Therefore, the analytes to be measured can be identified more accurately. This study employs the finite element method (FEM) to analyze the sensor. The findings suggest that the sensor is capable of detecting analytes with low RI ranging from 1.15 to 1.33 over an ultra-wide wavelength range of 800–6400nm. The maximum wavelength sensitivities of the first and second peaks of the sensor are 54,300nm/RIU and 60,000nm/RIU, respectively. In addition, this paper introduces double peak shift sensitivity (DPSS), the highest DPSS value is 55,700nm/RIU. Owing to these distinct characteristics, the sensor has great application prospects in the field of biosensing, especially in drug detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

4‐(trimethylsilyl)morpholine O(CH2CH2)2NSi(CH3)3 (TMSM) was investigated as a single‐source precursor for SiCNO films synthesis. Optical emission spectroscopy of plasma generated from TMSM/He, TMSM/H2, and TMSM/NH3 gas mixtures revealed the presence of N2, CH, H, CN, and CO species. The last two are suggested to be responsible for the lowering of carbon concentration in the films in comparison with the precursor. The refractive index ranged from 1.5 to 2.0, and bandgap varied from 2.0 to 4.6 eV, which pointed that some of the films can be used as antireflective coatings in silicon photovoltaic cell technologies and dielectric layers in electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the optical and structural properties of iPP/TiO2 nanocomposite fibres, considering three distinct extrusion speeds (25, 50 and 78 m/min) in addition to blank isotactic polypropylene samples were determined. Employing computed tomographic scans, localised optical defects in the nanocomposite fibres are unveiled, while refractive indices are examined by analysing transmitted intensity with incident light vibrating parallel and perpendicular to the fibre axis. The internal structure is further characterised through birefringence and density calculations. Mechanical properties, specifically stiffness, are probed by measuring elastic modulus values along the fibre. The investigation extends to the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles in the isotactic polypropylene matrix, inspecting their influence on the uniform morphology along and across the fibre. While the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles has many advantages, including enhanced properties, the study shows adverse effects on the morphological integrity of the fibres, particularly at higher extrusion rates. Micrographs are included to visually illustrate these findings, providing a comprehensive understanding of the complex interaction between extrusion rates, TiO2 nanoparticle incorporation, and the resulting optical and structural properties in iPP fibres. LAY DESCRIPTION: Computed tomographic scans of iPP/TiO2 nanocomposite fibers were used to investigate their optical and structural properties. Three samples of the nanocomposite fibers were extruded with extrusion speeds (25 m/min, 50 m/min, and 78 m/min) in addition to blank isotactic polypropylene sample were used in this study. Employing computed tomographic scans, localized optical defects in the nanocomposite fibers are unveiled, while refractive indices are examined by analyzing transmitted intensity with incident light vibrating parallel and perpendicular to the fiber axis. The internal structure on the molecular level was characterized through birefringence and density measurements. The effect of the extrusion speed on the structure of iPP/TiO2 nanocomposite samples was investigated through measuring their birefringence and density distributions along the fiber axis. The mechanical properties, specifically stiffness, are probed by measuring elastic modulus values along the fiber axis. The investigation extends to the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles in the isotactic polypropylene matrix, inspecting their influence on the uniform morphology along and across the fiber. Slow extrusion rates enhance the properties of iPP fiber, while fast extrusion introduces agglomerated sites which has drastic effect on the optical and structural properties of TiO2‐doped iPP fibers. Micrographs are included to visually illustrate these findings, providing a comprehensive understanding of the complex interaction between extrusion speed, TiO2 nanoparticle incorporation, and the resulting optical and structural properties in iPP fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mimesis of biological mechanisms by artificial devices constitutes the modern, rapidly expanding, multidisciplinary biomimetics sector. In the broader bioinspiration perspective, however, bioarchitectures may perform independent functions without necessarily mimicking their biological generators. In this paper, we explore such Bioarchitectonic notions and demonstrate three-dimensional photonics by the exact replication of insect organs using ultra-porous silica aerogels. The subsequent conformal systolic transformation yields their miniaturized affine 'clones' having higher mass density and refractive index. Focusing on the paradigms of ommatidia, the compound eye of the hornet Vespa crabro flavofasciata and the microtrichia of the scarab Protaetia cuprea phoebe, we fabricate their aerogel replicas and derivative clones and investigate their photonic functionalities. Ultralight aerogel microlens arrays are proven to be functional photonic devices having a focal length f ~ 1000 μm and f-number f/30 in the visible spectrum. Stepwise systolic transformation yields denser and affine functional elements, ultimately fused silica clones, exhibiting strong focusing properties due to their very short focal length of f ~ 35 μm and f/3.5. The fabricated transparent aerogel and xerogel replicas of microtrichia demonstrate a remarkable optical waveguiding performance, delivering light to their sub-100 nm nanotips. Dense fused silica conical clones deliver light through sub-50 nm nanotips, enabling nanoscale light–matter interactions. Super-resolution bioarchitectonics offers new and alternative tools and promises novel developments and applications in nanophotonics and other nanotechnology sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A spindle-shaped sensor with temperature insensitivity based on single-mode fiber (SMF) - no-core fiber (NCF) - few-mode fiber (FMF) - NCF - SMF (SNFNS) for refractive index is proposed. An interferometer with SNFNS structure can be formed by fusing, and then the fiber can be shrunk to form a spindle shape through burning, which is known as an SNFNS spindle-shaped sensor. The introduction of NCF and curvature causes partial light transmitted in the core to enter the cladding, which results in the emergence of phase differences. The interference dips formed by modal interference have different sensitivities to the outside refractive index. The experimental results show that the maximum refractive index sensitivity of sensors is 258.5 nm/RIU in the range of 1.333–1.365. And the sensors have the characteristic of temperature insensitivity in the range of 10–70℃. Accordingly, the proposed sensors are ideal for applications in biomedicine, environment monitoring and other fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we compute the resonant wavelengths of whispering gallery modes for bulk-fused silica microspheres taking into consideration the material chromatic dispersion. This is done by following two approaches: solving the exact characteristic equation and solving the nonlinear equations that result from the asymptotic approximations for a wavelength-dependent refractive index. Similar results with both methods are obtained with differences below 1%. Nevertheless, important differences are found between the resonant wavelengths computed for a non-dispersive and a dispersive material. We compute the free spectral range and the quality factor, and make a comparison between the variable index and the constant index cases. Our results show that the quality factor is unaffected by chromatic dispersion. However, there are differences of significant relevance in the case of the free spectral range. Our work could be useful as a pathway for designing microspheres for different applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium niobate exhibits slow refractive index drift after temperature excursions typical in device manufacturing. Such drift can degrade performance in certain devices. We analyze the birefringence changes in a range of temperatures to measure the magnitude and rate of change. Experiments were conducted by first annealing congruently grown, magnesium doped, and lithium-enriched crystals at a temperatures between 95 and 215 ∘ C. Subsequent optical evaluation was performed between 95 and 122 ∘ C using a table-top apparatus. The sample was illuminated with incandescent polarized light and transmitted light was collected with a compact spectrometer after passing through an analyzer so fringes could be recorded. Careful fringe analysis allows a precise estimate of birefringence changes at a reference wavelength with precision < 10 - 6 . The observed birefringence changes can be explained by assuming that existing lithium vacancies re-arrange around positively charged point defects via lithium vacancy migration. Computer simulations for a simple model reproduce the major observations such as magnitude of change, activation energy for relaxation and the stretched exponential nature of the change. Similar effects are expected in lithium tantalate and the results suggest ways to minimize the influence on device operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal and optical properties of 60TeO2-20K2TeO3-10WO3-10Nb2O5 (in mol%) glasses doped with Ho2O3, Er2O3, and Tm2O3 were explored in the present work. The thermal stability, refractive index n, extinction coefficient k, absorption coefficient α, and optical band gap of the glasses were evaluated. The UV–Vis–NIR absorption spectra, the Judd–Ofelt intensity parameter, the spectroscopic quality factor, and the emission and absorption cross-sections were calculated to investigate the effects of Er3+ and Tm3+, respectively, on the band spectroscopic properties of Ho3+ ions. The results showed that the maximum emission cross-section was approximately 8 × 10 − 21   c m 2 , and the values of the full width at half maximum ( F W H M) , quality factor ( σ e × F W H M) , and gain coefficient of Ho3+: 5I7 → 5I8 were also reported. The value of the F W H M × σ e was 1200 × 10 − 28   c m 3 , which showed greater gain characteristics than earlier study results. For 2   μ m mid-infrared solid-state lasers, the glasses that were examined might be a good host material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The common methods used for correcting chromatic aberration are typically based on multi‐lens and multi‐material systems, resulting in lens thicknesses that are several orders of magnitude greater than the wavelength and complex combination designs. A method to achieve the singlet achromatic microlens of the wavelength‐scale thickness by utilizing high refractive index materials with an aspherical profile is proposed. A theoretical model based on the dispersion effect is developed to guide the selection of materials and the design of thicknesses for achieving chromatic aberration correction in singlet microlenses of a given diameter and numerical aperture. H‐ZLaF68N (68N) glass, sapphire, and fused silica with relatively high to low refractive index are selected to prepare the singlet achromatic microlenses to verify the validity of the model. The thicknesses of three microlenses are 573, 737 nm, and 1.27 µm, respectively, and all of them have achieved achromatic correction as designed. This indicates that the high refractive index material not only achieves achromatic aberration but also reduces the thickness by ≈50% compared with the conventional low refractive index material of silica glass. The presented wavelength‐scale singlet achromatic microlens hold significant promise for compact wearable devices, dynamic holography, and color projection displays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TeO2 single crystal has drawn much attention in recent years due to its excellent acousto‐optic (AO) performance in the field of spectral imaging and optical processing. The optical properties of TeO2 single crystal are critical for the fabrication of AO devices. To improve the optical properties of the TeO2 single crystal, Mn4+ ions were doped into the TeO2 lattice. Herein, bulk TeO2 single crystal and TeO2:0.02Mn4+ single crystal have been successfully grown by a Bridgman method. Compared with the TeO2 single crystal, a 30% transmittance increase was observed in the TeO2:0.02Mn4+ single crystal. Furthermore, the TeO2:0.02Mn4+ single crystal shows a smaller extinction coefficient (≤0.01) in the Vis–NIR region, indicating less optical loss. The bandgap energy of TeO2:0.02Mn4+ was broadened from 3.360 to 3.635 eV. In addition, TeO2:0.02Mn4+ single crystal exhibits a higher refractive index (about 2.244), which indicates that TeO2:0.02Mn4+ single crystal is a potential medium for high‐efficiency AO devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]