Middle Atmosphere Program. Handbook for MAP. Volume 13: Ground-based Techniques

Topics of activities in the middle Atmosphere program covered include: lidar systems of aerosol studies; mesosphere temperature; upper atmosphere temperatures and winds; D region electron densities; nitrogen oxides; atmospheric composition and structure; and optical sounding of ozone

Relativistic Gravitational Experiments in Space

The results are summarized of a workshop on future gravitational physics space missions. The purpose of the workshop was to define generic technological requirements for such missions. NASA will use the results to direct its program of advanced technology development

X-ray and light scattering from nanostructured thin films

The object of this thesis is the study of nanostructured thin films using inelastic fight scattering and elastic x-ray scattering techniques. Their use in combination with other techniques is a powerful tool for the investigation of nanostructured materials. X-ray, Raman and Brillouin characterisation of cluster-assembled carbon films, promising for applications in the field of catalysis, hydrogen storage and field emission, is here presented. X-ray reflectivity (XRR) provided a measure of the density. Raman spectroscopy showed that the local bonding in these amorphous films depends on the size distribution of the clusters and that it is possible to select the cluster size in order to grow films with tailored properties. Brillouin scattering provided a characterisation at the mesoscopic scale and an estimate of the elastic constants, revealing a very soft material. XRR was employed to study density, layering and roughness of a wide range of amorphous carbon films grown with different techniques. Some films possess an internal layering due to plasma instabilities in the deposition apparatus. By comparing XRR with Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy, a unique value for the electron "effective mass" was deduced and a general relationship between sp(^3)-content and density was found. XRR and H effusion were used to determine the hydrogen content. A study of the size-dependent melting temperature in tin nanoparticle thin films was undertaken with a combined use of X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and light scattering. A redshift in the position of a Rayleigh peak in the temperature-dependent Brillouin measurements was shown to be related to the melting of the nanoparticles and explained by an effective medium model. XRD also provided information on the low-level of stress in the particles. Low-frequency Raman scattering was used to study the behaviour of the acoustic modes of a single particle as a function of temperature

Non-stationary photodetection shot noise in frequency combs: a signal processing perspective

Cette thèse examine le bruit de photon lors de la détection d’impulsions provenant d’un peigne de fréquences. En premier lieu, nous faisons abstraction du mécanisme physique produisant le bruit de photon, réduisant son effet à celui d’une source de bruit additif non-stationnaire (avec des statistiques variables dans le temps). Ce modèle de traitement de signal est ensuite utilisé dans l’analyse de deux expériences importantes pour l’utilisation d’un peigne de fréquence comme mécanisme de compteur de fréquence dans une horloge optique : la conversion du train d’impulsions optiques en un train d’impulsions électriques, et le battement hétérodyne entre un peigne de fréquences et un laser à onde continue. Nous démontrons en premier lieu que le bruit de photon lié à la photodétection produit principalement du bruit d’amplitude, et une quantité presque négligeable de jigue aléatoire de temps sur le signal électrique détecté. Des résultats expérimentaux viennent confirmer nos prédictions théoriques. Nous explorons ensuite les limites de ce mécanisme en considérant la physique de la photodétection, ce qui révèle un étalement du temps de transit qui peut affecter la jigue aléatoire produite par cette conversion. Dans un deuxième temps, nous démontrons que la nature pulsée du peigne de fréquences peut être utilisée pour donner un rapport signal-sur-bruit plus élevé que celui qui est prédit en considérant seulement le battement d’un seul mode du peigne avec le laser à onde continue. La première technique développée, le GATOR, rejette une grande partie du bruit de photon produit par le laser à onde continue afin d’améliorer le rapport signal-sur-bruit lorsque la puissance du peigne est faible. Avec cette technique, nous démontrons un rapport signal-sur-bruit 100 fois plus élevé que la limite en admettant l’utilisation d’un seul mode. Nous démontrons ensuite un raffinement de cette technique qui utilise le glissement de fréquence de l’impulsion optique afin d’utiliser efficacement tous les photons du peigne dans une bande passante déterminée. Cette technique nous a permis de produire un battement avec le plus grand rapport signal-sur-bruit parmi les résultats dans la littérature, 68.3 dB, obtenu en normalisant dans une bande passante commune de 100 kHz.This thesis is a study of shot noise in the photodetection of pulses from a frequency comb. We first make abstraction of the physical mechanism of shot noise to reduce its effects to that of an additive, non-stationary (meaning with time-varying statistics) noise source. This signal processing model is then used to analyze two experiments of importance for the operation of optical clockwork based on frequency combs: the conversion of the optical pulse train into an electrical pulse train by a photodetector, and the heterodyne (or beating) experiment between a frequency comb and a continuous wave laser. For the detection of the optical pulse train, we show that photodetection shot noise yields mostly amplitude noise and vanishingly low timing jitter on the electrical signal. Experimental results confirm our theoretical predictions. We then explore the limits of this jitter when considering practical photodetection physics. This reveals a transit time spread parameter that can affect the jitter produced by this conversion. Next, we turn our attention to the heterodyne experiment. We show that the pulsed nature of the frequency comb can be exploited in different schemes to yield higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) that is predicted by the use of the beating of a single comb mode with the continuous wave laser. The first technique that we develop, the GATOR, gates out shot noise from the continuous wave, and improves the SNR in the case of low comb power. Using this technique, we have demonstrated a factor of 100 higher SNR than the single-mode limit. We then show a further refinement of the technique which uses chirping of the optical pulse to effectively use all the available photons from the comb in a given bandwidth. This technique enabled us to produce the beating with the highest SNR reported in the literature of 68.3 dB, when normalizing to the common detection bandwidth of 100 kHz

Recent Progress in Optical Fiber Research

This book presents a comprehensive account of the recent progress in optical fiber research. It consists of four sections with 20 chapters covering the topics of nonlinear and polarisation effects in optical fibers, photonic crystal fibers and new applications for optical fibers. Section 1 reviews nonlinear effects in optical fibers in terms of theoretical analysis, experiments and applications. Section 2 presents polarization mode dispersion, chromatic dispersion and polarization dependent losses in optical fibers, fiber birefringence effects and spun fibers. Section 3 and 4 cover the topics of photonic crystal fibers and a new trend of optical fiber applications. Edited by three scientists with wide knowledge and experience in the field of fiber optics and photonics, the book brings together leading academics and practitioners in a comprehensive and incisive treatment of the subject. This is an essential point of reference for researchers working and teaching in optical fiber technologies, and for industrial users who need to be aware of current developments in optical fiber research areas

<General Physics, Plasma Dynamics, and Communication Sciences and Engineering< Quarterly Progress Report No. 77, Period Ending 28 Feb. 1965

Physics, plasma dynamics, and communication sciences and engineerin

Photodetectors

In this book some recent advances in development of photodetectors and photodetection systems for specific applications are included. In the first section of the book nine different types of photodetectors and their characteristics are presented. Next, some theoretical aspects and simulations are discussed. The last eight chapters are devoted to the development of photodetection systems for imaging, particle size analysis, transfers of time, measurement of vibrations, magnetic field, polarization of light, and particle energy. The book is addressed to students, engineers, and researchers working in the field of photonics and advanced technologies