Creation of Hollow-Gaussian Beam for Optical Trap by Dual-beam Nonliear Fabry-perot Interferometer

In this paper, a model of dual-beam nonlinear Fabry-Perot interferometer (DBNFPI) for creation laser hollow-Gaussian beam (HGB) is investigated. It includes a thin film of organic dye sandwiched between two optical mirrors, and irradiated by two signal and pump laser Gaussian beams. Based on the equation describing the output-input relation of intensities concerning pump intensity and the expression of the spatial intensity distribution of output signal beam (OSB), the range of pump intensity and collection of designed parameters are numerically calculated and discussed for HGB creation. These results give us the opportunity to use DBNFPI for optical trap of low-index dielectric particles.

Correct measurement methodology spatial-energy characteristics of laser beams

A methodology for correct measurements of the spatial and energy characteristics of a laser beam is considered, based on the determination of the initial moments of the spatial intensity distribution in the beam cross section. The classification of radiation fields participating in the measuring process is given: emitted, measured and measured. It is shown that ISO 11146:2005 “Lasers and laser-related equipment. Test methods for laser beam widths, divergence angles and beam propagation ratios, Part 1-3” for measuring the spatial and energy characteristics of laser beams leads to incorrect measurements. This is due to the fact that the recommendations for the application of ISO 11146:2005 do not take into account the dynamic range of the used matrix radiation detectors, and the characteristics of the emitted field of interest to the user turn out to be diverging, which violates the uniformity of measurements. Moreover, the conditions ensuring the convergence of the results are practically impracticable. To solve these problems, it is proposed to establish and regulate the lower level of the dynamic range of measurements of the intensity of the used matrix receivers and to consider the spatial and energy characteristics of the emitted field of interest to the user, depending on the set value of the lower level. It is shown that measurements with this methodology become correct and make it possible to compare the characteristics of laser beams obtained by different array detectors. Formulas are given that take into account the effect of the lower level of the dynamic range of the matrix radiation detectors on the measurement result. These formulas should be recommended for inclusion in the updated edition of the national standard GOST R ISO 11146-2008 “Lasers and laser installations (systems). Methods for measuring widths, divergence angles and propagation coefficients of laser beams. Parts 1-3”.

Performance Evaluation of a THz Pulsed Imaging System: Point Spread Function, Broadband THz Beam Visualization and Image Reconstruction

Terahertz (THz) technology is a promising research field for various applications in basic science and technology. In particular, THz imaging is a new field in imaging science, where theories, mathematical models and techniques for describing and assessing THz images have not completely matured yet. In this work, we investigate the performances of a broadband pulsed THz imaging system (0.2–2.5 THz). We characterize our broadband THz beam, emitted from a photoconductive antenna (PCA), and estimate its point spread function (PSF) and the corresponding spatial resolution. We provide the first, to our knowledge, 3D beam profile of THz radiation emitted from a PCA, along its propagation axis, without the using of THz cameras or profilers, showing the beam spatial intensity distribution. Finally, we evaluate the THz image formation on a test-sample composed by a regular linen natural pattern.

Development of the Correction Algorithm to Limit the Deformation of Bacterial Colonies Diffraction Patterns Caused by Misalignment and Its Impact on the Bacteria Identification in the Proposed Optical Biosensor

Recently proposed methods of bacteria identification in optical biosensors based on the phenomenon of light diffraction on macro-colonies offer over 98% classification accuracy. However, such high accuracy relies on the comparable and repeatable spatial intensity distribution of diffraction patterns. Therefore, it is essential to eliminate all non-species/strain-dependent factors affecting the diffraction patterns. In this study, the impact of the bacterial colony and illuminating beam misalignment on the variation of classification features extracted from diffraction patterns was examined. It was demonstrated that misalignment introduced by the scanning module significantly affected diffraction patterns and extracted classification features used for bacteria identification. Therefore, it is a crucial system-dependent factor limiting the identification accuracy. The acceptable misalignment level, when the accuracy and quality of the classification features are not affected, was determined as no greater than 50 µm. Obtained results led to development of image-processing algorithms for determination of the direction of misalignment and concurrent alignment of the bacterial colonies’ diffraction patterns. The proposed algorithms enable the rigorous monitoring and controlling of the measurement’s conditions in order to preserve the high accuracy of bacteria identification.

Observation of an Electromagnetically Induced Grating in Cold 85Rb Atoms

Electromagnetically induced grating (EIG) is extensively investigated as an artificial periodic structure in recent years owed to its simple reconfiguration and flexible adjustability. We report the experimental observation of EIG in cold rubidium atoms. The coupling and probe lasers are corresponding to the 5S1/2−5P1/2 and 5S1/2−5P3/2 transitions of a V-type electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) configuration, respectively. A clear spatial intensity distribution of the probe laser with distinguished third-order diffraction pattern is recorded to character the EIG. The influence of the pertinent experimental parameters, such as coupling laser intensity and two-photon detuning on the diffraction pattern is investigated in detail. This is the first observation in visual form of the EIG in cold rubidium atoms. These results may potentially provide a nondestructive method to image cold atoms and pave the way for investigating non-Hermitian physics and the control of light dynamics.

Ultra-thin curved visible microdisk lasers with three-dimensional whispering gallery modes

Microdisk lasers are important components in photonic integrated circuits (PICs), of which the whispering gallery modes (WGMs) are usually confined within a two-dimensional (2D) planar slab. Here, owing to the strain relaxation of quantum wells by wet-etching method, we present ultra-thin curved visible microdisk lasers with single-mode lasing emission and a high quality factor of ∼17,000, which enable a 3D spatial intensity distribution of WGMs and provide an extra degree of freedom for the confined photons compared with the conventional 2D in-plane WGMs. The curved microdisk lasers with a 3D spatial profile of WGMs may provide attractive applications in flexible and multilevel photon sources for the PICs.