Group refractive index calculation by difference approximation for length measurement

In this study, the possibility of employing a difference approximation to facilitate calculation of the group refractive index of air (GRA) was investigated. The forward, backward, and central difference methods were used to numerically approximate the first-order derivatives of the phase refractive index based on the Edlén empirical equations. To confirm the validity of the calculations, the calculated results were compared with the theoretical analysis results and the values in a related paper. It was found that the GRA computation could be easily approximated by the two-point central difference method with a step size of 10 nm

A novel method of measuring upwelling radiance in the hydrographic sub-hull

In this study we present a new method useful in collecting upwelling radiance (Lu) from a platform submerged in a hydrographic sub-hull or moon pool of a research vessel. The information analyzed here was obtained during a field campaign in the Northwestern European shelf seas aboard the new research vessel SONNE. As the platform was located at the center of the ship, there is minimal effect from pitch and roll which is known to influence upwelling radiance observations. A comparison of the measurements from this platform with a free falling hyperspectral profiler was performed to determine the degree of uncertainty that results from ship shadow. For given Lu(λ) in situ data we observed ±33% intensity deviations compared to profiling measurements that can be attributed to instrument shading during moon pool installation and environmental perturbations. Furthermore Lu(λ) in situ spectra variations were observed at lower wavelengths, therefore a form fitting algorithm was adapted to receive corresponding depths with identical spectral form from Lu(z, λ) profiler casts. During an east to west transect in North Sea with a schedule speed up to 12 knots in situ radiance reflectance rrs(7, λ) measurements at 7 meter depth were performed with this novel radiometer setup. In spite of any restrictions originating from the sub-hull installation, water masses mixing zone from CDOM dominated coastal waters in the Skagerrak Strait towards the open North Sea were successfully derived thus offering an underway applicable upwelling radiance sensing not suffering from sun glint or other typical restrictions of above water radiometer installations

Optimum Apodization Profile for Chirped Fiber Bragg Gratings based Chromatic Dispersion Compensator

In this paper, we optimize the apodization profile to improve the dispersion compensation performance of the chirped fiber Bragg gratings (CFBGs). Tanh, Exponential, and Hamming apodization profiles were evaluated at 2000 nm wavelength. Our aim is to obtain the minimum average group delay ripple (GDR) and maximum FWHM bandwidth. The result shows that the best FWHM bandwidth is obtained by using Tanh profile that is approximately 96.27%. No significant difference can be observed in the GDR

Polarization beating of random electromagnetic beams

We consider temporal interference of two stationary, quasi-monochromatic, partially polarized optical beams with different mean frequencies. We show that both the intensity and the polarization state, represented by the Stokes parameters, exhibit beating, i.e., periodic temporal variation with frequency specified by the difference of the mean frequencies. The contrasts, or visibilities, of the Stokes-parameter changes are characterized by the equal-time electromagnetic degree of coherence between the beams. If the beams are otherwise identical random processes, but with spectra centered at different frequencies, then the polarization modulation is characterized by the degree of polarization, consistently with a recent interferometric interpretation of this quantity. Our results provide insight into the role of polarization in beating of electromagnetic waves

Spectroscopic evidence of anthropogenic compounds extraction from polymers by fluorescent dissolved organic matter in natural water

FDOM is one of the most important carriers of anthropogenic compounds in natural waters. It can combine with environmental contaminants and polymers to form diverse chemical structures. To this end, here a microfluidic chip was designed for the analysis of these changes in fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM) fingerprints due to thermal treatment and varying time intervals of exposure. Excitation Emission Matrix Spectroscopy (EEMS) approach was utilized to detect and identify the inherent compounds in sampled FDOM. Strong direct correlations were founded, Spearman rank correlation values (Ï = 0.85 at α = 0.1, n = 4) and linear correlation R² = 0.8359 were noted between thermal treatment pattern 2 and fluorescence intensity of samples. Materials, acrylic based glue and cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) polymer, used to design the microfluidic sensor were determined to possess unique spectral features in the ultraviolet to green spectrum using EEMS. The study therefore provides an insight on methods to identify contaminants in natural waters. This underlines the potential of optical sensors providing measurements at fast intervals, enabling environmental monitoring

False detection of dangerous and neutral substances in commonly used materials by means of the standard THz Time Domain Spectroscopy

Essential limitations of the standard THz Time Domain Spectroscopy (TDS), which lead to false detection of dangerous and neutral substances in commonly used materials, are demonstrated using the physical experiment with chocolate under real conditions as well as with semiconductors under laboratory conditions. To overcome this disadvantage, we propose using the time-dependent spectrum of the THz pulse, transmitted through or reflected from a substance. For quality assessment of the standard substance absorption frequency presence in the signal under analysis, we use time-dependent integral correlation criteria. The influence of aperture placed in front of the sample on spectral properties of silicon wafers with different resistivity is demonstrated as well

New freeform manufacturing chains based on atmospheric plasma jet machining

New manufacturing chains for precise fabrication of asphere and freeform optical surfaces including atmospheric Plasma Jet Machining (PJM) technology will be presented. PJM is based on deterministic plasma-assisted material removal. It has the potential for flexible and cost-efficient shape generation and correction of small and medium-sized optical freeform elements. The paper discusses the interactions between the plasma tools and optical fused silica samples in the context of the pre-machined and intermediate surface states and identifies several plasma jet machining methods for freeform generation, surface correction, and finishing as well as suitable auxiliary polishing methods. The successful application of either processing chain is demonstrated

Ultra-wide angle lens design with relative illumination analysis

An ultra-wide angle lens design with relative illumination analysis is presented. The half field angle of 80°, the relative illumination of the image plane will be reduced. It is necessary to increase the image numerical aperture ratio for X and Y direction, and decrease the angle between the chief ray and optical axis in the image space. However the ultra-wide angle lens induces great barrel distortion causing image extrusion. Therefore, we use F-theta distortion to replace optical distortion. Seven lenses and two pieces of flat glass are used for a sensor 1/6†sensor with 2.1 million pixels. The final result for the lens is a half viewing angle of 80°, F/2.4, a focal length 1.1 mm, a length of 22.37 mm, F-theta distortion of less than 2%, and relative illumination greater than 83%

Hollow waveguides as polarization converting elements: a theoretical study

Subwavelength apertures in a metallic film act as hollow waveguides. By using a non-quadratic cross-section, an anisotropic transmission behaviour results for the two polarization states. Thus, an array of metallic subwavelength apertures may be used as polarization converter, e.g., as a half-wave plate. By varying orientation and shape of the cross-sections locally, one can design polarization shifting elements for complex wave fields. Here, we present a theoretical consideration on the physical properties and compare with dielectric form birefringence

Coded access optical sensor (CAOS) imager

High spatial resolution, low inter-pixel crosstalk, high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), adequate application dependent speed, economical and energy efficient design are common goals sought after for optical image sensors. In optical microscopy, overcoming the diffraction limit in spatial resolution has been achieved using materials chemistry, optimal wavelengths, precision optics and nanomotion-mechanics for pixel-by-pixel scanning. Imagers based on pixelated imaging devices such as CCD/CMOS sensors avoid pixel-by-pixel scanning as all sensor pixels operate in parallel, but these imagers are fundamentally limited by inter-pixel crosstalk, in particular with interspersed bright and dim light zones. In this paper, we propose an agile pixel imager sensor design platform called Coded Access Optical Sensor (CAOS) that can greatly alleviate the mentioned fundamental limitations, empowering smart optical imaging for particular environments. Specifically, this novel CAOS imager engages an application dependent electronically programmable agile pixel platform using hybrid space-time-frequency coded multiple-access of the sampled optical irradiance map. We demonstrate the foundational working principles of the first experimental electronically programmable CAOS imager using hybrid time-frequency multiple access sampling of a known high contrast laser beam irradiance test map, with the CAOS instrument based on a Texas Instruments (TI) Digital Micromirror Device (DMD). This CAOS instrument provides imaging data that exhibits 77 dB electrical SNR and the measured laser beam image irradiance specifications closely match (i.e., within 0.75% error) the laser manufacturer provided beam image irradiance radius numbers. The proposed CAOS imager can be deployed in many scientific and non-scientific applications where pixel agility via electronic programmability can pull out desired features in an irradiance map subject to the CAOS imaging operation