Probing ultra-subwavelength inhomogeneities embedded within dielectric targets using photonic nanojets

The use of optics to detect ultra-subwavelength features embedded within structures is a hot topic for a broad diversity of applications like spectroscopy, nanotechnology, microscopy, and optical data storage discs. Conventional objective lens based optical systems have a fundamental limit on the best possible resolution of about 200 \u03b7m due to the diffraction of light as it propagates into the far-field. There already exist several near-field techniques with the capability to overcome this limitation, but each of these systems has certain drawbacks related to the complexity of the system or to limitations imposed by the system. A photonic nanojet is a very particular beam of light that can provide a practical way to overcome the diffraction limit inherent to far-field techniques. A nanojet is an electromagnetic field envelope formed on the shadow-side surface of a plane-wave-illuminated dielectric microsphere of diameter larger than the wavelength and with refractive index contrast relative to the background medium of less than 2:1. It can maintain a subwavelength transversal beamwidth for distances greater than 2 wavelengths away from the surface of the generating microsphere. This Dissertation provides a computational test of the hypothesis that the backscattered spectrum resulting from photonic nanojet illumination of a three-dimensional (3-D) dielectric structure can reveal the presence and location of ultra-subwavelength, nanoscale-thin weakly contrasting dielectric inhomogeneities within dielectric targets. The effect of surface roughness on the illuminated side of the target is analyzed, and targets ranging from simple dielectric slabs to complex biological cells are studied. The present work is performed through computational electrodynamics modeling based upon the rigorous, large-scale solution of Maxwells equations. Specifically, the 3-D finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is employed to test the above hypothesis.\u2

Complete spatiotemporal and polarization characterization of ultrafast vector beams

[EN]The use of structured ultrashort pulses with coupled spatiotemporal properties is emerging as a key tool for ultrafast manipulation. Ultrafast vector beams are opening exciting opportunities in different fields such as microscopy, time-resolved imaging, nonlinear optics, particle acceleration or attosecond science. Here, we implement a technique for the full characterization of structured time-dependent polarization light waveforms with spatiotemporal resolution, using a compact twofold spectral interferometer, based on in-line bulk interferometry and fibre-optic coupler assisted interferometry. We measure structured infrared femtosecond vector beams, including radially polarized beams and complex-shaped beams exhibiting both temporal and spatial evolving polarization. Our measurements confirm that light waveforms with polarization evolving at the micrometer and femtosecond scales can be achieved through the use of structured waveplates and polarization gates. This new scale of measurement achieved will open the way to predict, check and optimize applications of structured vector beams at the femtosecond and micrometer scales.We acknowledge funding from Junta de Castilla y León (SA287P18) and FEDER Funds, and from Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (FIS2016-75652-P, FIS2017-87970-R, EQC2018-004117-P). C.H.-G. acknowledges support Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades for a Ramón y Cajal contract (RYC-2017-22745), cofunded by the European Social Fund. B.A. acknowledges funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship grant agreement No. 798264. PGK acknowledges support of ERC project ENIGMA. This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No. 851201)

A Pseudo Non-Cartesian Pulse Sequence For Hyperpolarized Xenon-129 Gas MRI of Rodent Lungs At Low Magnetic Field Strength

Background: Early diagnosis of radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) following radiation therapy is critical for prevention of permanent lung damage. Pulmonary imaging using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of hyperpolarized xenon (129Xe) gas shows promise for early measurement of RILI. Methods: An ultra-short echo time imaging sequence based on a pseudo-Cartesian k-space trajectory, known as Sectoral, is implemented at low magnetic field (0.07 T) for efficient use of the non-renewable magnetization of hyperpolarized 129Xe gas. A pilot study was performed to demonstrate the feasibility of ADC mapping using the Sectoral sequence on healthy and 2-weeks post irradiated rats. Results: A significant (p \u3c 0.05) correlation between mean ADC values from Sectoral ADC maps and the mean linear intercept (Lm), as a measure of interalveolar wall distance, from histological sections of the lungs was observed (p = 0.0061) and a significant (p \u3c 0.05) separation between healthy and irradiated lungs was observed with full width at half maximum ADC (p = 0.0317). Conclusion: Sectoral MRI with 129Xe is feasible in rats. Decreases in ADC were measured following lung irradiations which correlate with Lm