Compact and scalable polarimetric self-coherent receiver using dielectric metasurface

The polarimetric self-coherent system using a direct-detection-based Stokes-vector receiver (SVR) is a promising technology to meet both the cost and capacity requirements of the short-reach optical interconnects. However, conventional SVRs require a number of optical components to detect the state of polarization at high speed, resulting in substantially more complicated receiver configurations compared with the current intensity-modulation-direct-detection (IMDD) counterparts. Here, we demonstrate a simple and compact polarimetric self-coherent receiver based on a thin dielectric metasurface and a photodetector array (PDA). With a single 1.05-$\mu$m-thick metasurface device fabricated on a compact silicon-on-quartz chip, we implement functionalities of all the necessary passive components: a 1$\times$3 splitter, three polarization beam splitters with different polarization bases, and six focusing lenses. Combined with a high-speed PDA, we demonstrate self-coherent transmission of 20-GBd 16-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (16QAM) and 50-GBd quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) signals over a 25-km single-mode fiber. Owing to the surface-normal configuration, it can easily be scaled to receive spatially multiplexed channels from a multicore fiber or a fiber bundle, enabling compact and low-cost receiver modules for the future highly parallelized self-coherent systems.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures (main manuscript) + 2 pages, 2 figures (supplementary info

Differential absorption lidar measurements of atmospheric water vapor using a pseudonoise code modulated AlGaAs laser

Lidar measurements using pseudonoise code modulated AlGaAs lasers are reported. Horizontal path lidar measurements were made at night to terrestrial targets at ranges of 5 and 13 km with 35 mW of average power and integration times of one second. Cloud and aerosol lidar measurements were made to thin cirrus clouds at 13 km altitude with Rayleigh (molecular) backscatter evident up to 9 km. Average transmitter power was 35 mW and measurement integration time was 20 minutes. An AlGaAs laser was used to characterize spectral properties of water vapor absorption lines at 811.617, 816.024, and 815.769 nm in a multipass absorption cell using derivative spectroscopy techniques. Frequency locking of an AlGaAs laser to a water vapor absorption line was achieved with a laser center frequency stability measured to better than one-fifth of the water vapor Doppler linewidth over several minutes. Differential absorption lidar measurements of atmospheric water vapor were made in both integrated path and range-resolved modes using an externally modulated AlGaAs laser. Mean water vapor number density was estimated from both integrated path and range-resolved DIAL measurements and agreed with measured humidity values to within 6.5 percent and 20 percent, respectively. Error sources were identified and their effects on estimates of water vapor number density calculated

Advances in Optical Amplifiers

Optical amplifiers play a central role in all categories of fibre communications systems and networks. By compensating for the losses exerted by the transmission medium and the components through which the signals pass, they reduce the need for expensive and slow optical-electrical-optical conversion. The photonic gain media, which are normally based on glass- or semiconductor-based waveguides, can amplify many high speed wavelength division multiplexed channels simultaneously. Recent research has also concentrated on wavelength conversion, switching, demultiplexing in the time domain and other enhanced functions. Advances in Optical Amplifiers presents up to date results on amplifier performance, along with explanations of their relevance, from leading researchers in the field. Its chapters cover amplifiers based on rare earth doped fibres and waveguides, stimulated Raman scattering, nonlinear parametric processes and semiconductor media. Wavelength conversion and other enhanced signal processing functions are also considered in depth. This book is targeted at research, development and design engineers from teams in manufacturing industry, academia and telecommunications service operators

Dielectric-based Components and Methods for Terahertz Sensing

[ES] En el presente trabajo, se investigan algunos aspectos de la interacción de los materiales dieléctricos con ondas de THz. La banda de THz, que incluye las frecuencias de 100 GHz a 30 THz, ha despertado un gran interés sobre todo por su baja energía y su buena capacidad de penetración en materiales de uso diario como tejidos y plásticos. Las características peculiares de estas ondas permiten su aplicación en diversos campos tecnológicos, especialmente como herramientas científicas y para la inspección de control de calidad. Para avanzar en la aplicación práctica de la radiación THz, la presente tesis doctoral investigó varios caminos. En primer lugar, se trataron métodos alternativos de bajo coste para la fabricación de componentes pasivos de THz, centrándose en los polarizadores. El interés en el control de la polarización nace de la demanda de un mayor control sobre las características físicas de los haces de THz. Asimismo, se han investigado los polarizadores wire grid flexible basados en el efecto de absorción dicroica. Se han fabricado polarizadores con grafito y GaIn24,5 depositados en materiales ordinarios utilizados como sustratos (papel y polímeros como PVA y PVC). Mediante la colaboración con el grupo de investigación chino dirigido por el profesor Liu de la Universidad de Tsinghua, se investigaron procesos de fabricación alternativos. Todos los componentes se simularon mediante un simulador comercial basado en la técnica de integrales finitas FIT (CST Microwave Studio). En segundo lugar, se investigó el potencial de la técnica de fixed delay para la detección rápida de elementos homogéneos y transparentes con posible aplicación en la inspección de calidad industrial. En este esquema, la variación de corriente del haz de THz en un punto específico está relacionada con la variación de sus parámetros ópticos, por lo que se demostró la capacidad de detectar defectos, así como de estimar sus volúmenes bajo ciertas condiciones. Por último, un enfoque diferente para el beam profile basado en un slit dieléctrico fue evaluada como alternativa a los métodos convencionales utilizados en la región de THz y la óptica. Todas las mediciones, tanto la espectroscopia como el control de la polarización, se hicieron por medio de un sistema basado en fibra TDS-THz, con antenas fotoconductoras (PCA), tanto para la generación como para la detección de THz.[EN] In the present work, some aspects of the role of dielectric materials when interacting with THz waves were investigated. The THz bandgap, which covers the frequencies from 100 GHz to 30 THz, has aroused great interest mainly due to its low energy and its good penetration capacity in some materials of daily use such as fabrics and plastics. The peculiar features of terahertz waves enable their application in various technological fields, especially as scientific tools and for quality control inspection. To advance in the practical application of THz radiation, the present doctoral thesis researched several paths. Firstly, alternative low-cost methods for manufacturing THz passive components, in particular, THz polarizers was treated. The interest in polarization control is derived from the demand for greater control over the physical characteristics of THz beams. Flexible wire grid polarizers based on the dichroic absorption effect have been investigated. The polarizers have been manufactured using graphite and GaIn24.5 deployed on ordinary materials used as substrates (paper and polymers such as PVA and PVC). Through a collaboration undertaken with the Chinese research group led by Professor Liu at Tsinghua University, alternative manufacturing processes were researched. All components were simulated through a commercial simulator based on the FIT finite integrals technique (CST Microwave Studio). Secondly, the potential of the fixed delay technique was investigated for rapid sensing of homogeneous and transparent items with possible application to industrial quality inspection. In this scheme, the current variation of the THz beam at a specific point is related to the variation of its optical parameters, thus it was demonstrated the ability of the method in detecting voids as well as in roughly estimating their volumes under certain conditions. Finally, a different approach for beam profiling based on a dielectric slit aperture was evaluated, as an alternative to the conventional methods used in the THz region and optics All measurements, both spectroscopy and polarization control, were made by means of a TDS-THz fibre-based system, with photoconductive antennas (PCA), both for the generation and detection of THz.[CA] En el present treball, s'investiguen alguns aspectes del paper dels materials dielèctrics quan interactuen amb ones de THz. El bandgap de THz, que cobreix les freqüències de 100 GHz a 30 THz, ha despertat un gran interés principalment a causa de la seua baixa energia i la seua bona capacitat de penetració en alguns materials d'ús diari com els teixits i els plàstics. Les característiques peculiars de les ones de terahertz permeten la seua aplicació en diversos camps tecnològics, especialment com a eines científiques i per a la inspecció de control de qualitat. Per a avançar en l'aplicació pràctica de la radiació THz, la present tesi doctoral investiga diversos camins. En primer lloc, es s'han tractat mètodes alternatius de baix cost per a la fabricació de components passius de THz, centrant-se principalment en polaritzadors de THz. L'interés en el control de la polarització es deriva de la demanda d'un major control sobre les característiques físiques dels feixos de THz. Així mateix, s'han investigat els polaritzadors amb reixes de filferro flexible basats en l'efecte d'absorció dicroica. Els polaritzadors s'han fabricat utilitzant grafit i GaIn24,5 desplegats en materials ordinaris utilitzats com a substrats (paper i polímers com el PVA i el PVC). Mitjançant una col·laboració empresa amb el grup d'investigació xinés dirigit pel professor Liu de la Universitat de Tsinghua, es van investigar processos de fabricació alternatius. Tots els components es van simular mitjançant un simulador comercial basat en la tècnica d'integrals finites FIT (CST Microwave Studio). En segon lloc, s'ha investigat el potencial de la tècnica de retard fix per a la detecció ràpida d'elements homogenis i transparents amb possible aplicació a la inspecció de qualitat industrial. En aquest esquema, la variació actual del feix de THz en un punt específic està relacionada amb la variació dels seus paràmetres òptics, per la qual cosa es va demostrar la capacitat del mètode per a detectar els buits així com en l'estimació aproximada dels seus volums sota certes condicions. Finalment, un enfocament diferent per al perfil de feix basat en una obertura d'escletxa dielèctrica ha sigut avaluada, com a alternativa als mètodes convencionals utilitzats a la regió de THz i l'òptica.Tots els mesuraments, tant l'espectroscòpia com el control de la polarització, es van fer per mitjà d'un sistema basat en fibra TDS-THz, amb antenes fotoconductores (PCA), tant per a la generació com per a la detecció de THz.Colleoni, MPM. (2020). Dielectric-based Components and Methods for Terahertz Sensing [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/149569TESI

Stimulated Brillouin scattering based optical signal processing for fiber-optic communications and sensing.

基於光纖非線性效應的光學信號處理在光纖通信和傳感中起著重要作用。在各種非線性效應中，光纖中的布里淵散射不僅被廣泛應用於高速通信信號的處理，而且被用於建立光纖傳感器。本文研究基於布里淵散射的光學信號處理新技術在光通信和傳感中的應用。近年來由於慢光技術在實現時間延遲和光學信號處理中的廣泛應用，它吸引了廣泛的注意力。 在各種實現慢光的技術中，基於布里淵散射的慢光技術展示了很大的潛力，因為它具有在常溫工作以及與現有光纖系統兼容的優勢。但是由於布里淵泵浦和信號之間嚴格的頻率要求，大多數的研究工作是建立於一個泵浦延遲一個信號的基礎上，所以只能獲得一個被延遲的信道。本文提出了一種在一個布里淵泵浦的慢光系統中實現同時產生多個延遲信號的技術。這種技術應用了基於四波混頻的廣播效應。輸入信號被布里淵泵浦延遲的同時，延遲通過三個四波混頻泵浦的廣播效應傳遞給其他六個新產生的信道。這種慢光廣播技術可以被應用於並行光學信號處理，比如實現多信道同步以及時分複用。光纖傳感技術為結構的健康提供了一種優秀的監測方法，尤其是溫度和應力的監測。在過去的二十年間，基於布里淵散射的傳感技術吸引了大批人的興趣，因為布里淵光纖傳感器擁有高分辨率，長距離監測以及監測範圍廣的優點。本文提出了一種新的基於布里淵慢光的溫度和應力傳感技術。布里淵頻移的溫度和應力相關性使得輸入光脉衝的延遲也與溫度和應力相關，因此我們通過測量這個延遲來監測溫度和應力。我們分別實現了對100米和2米單模光纖的溫度測量。隨後我們也實現了分佈式溫度和應力監測。通過設置泵浦和探測光脉衝之間的延遲時間，我們可以監測特定位置的光纖。因此，通過控制整個延遲時間，我們實現了對整個光纖的溫度和應力分佈的監測。相比于普通的布里淵光纖傳感器，我們這種技術擁有以下優點：更加直接簡單的實現監測，快速的反應時間以及實時監測的潛力。波長轉換在路由和交換中起了很重要的作用。在各種波長轉換的技術中，基於四波混頻的波長轉換非常優越因為它具有對調製格式，比特率以及通信協議透明的優點。但是，四波混頻只有在各個光波的相速度匹配的情況下才能有效的產生。這種匹配條件很難在一個很寬的頻段內保持，因此四波混頻的轉換帶寬是很有限的。本文提出了一種基於零增益受激布里淵散射的方法來動態地控制四波混頻的相位匹配。 通過布里淵泵浦和斯托克斯光引入自我補償的受激布里淵增益和損耗，四波混頻的相位匹配條件可以被受激布里淵散射激發的折射率改變來靈活的控制，並且不會影響四波混頻初始的參數。我們把這種零增益受激布里淵散射應用于增大簡並四波混頻的帶寬，增強通信信息波長轉換的效果，全光調控非簡並四波混頻的帶寬，實現偏振不敏感寬帶波長轉換以及延長基於四波混頻波長轉換和色散的延遲線的最大延遲時間。低噪聲寬帶放大可以通過光學參量過程來實現。雖然光參量放大器可以提供高至70分貝的增益，但是這種參量放大器經常受限於各個光波的相位不匹配。在本文中，我們把零增益受激布里淵散射用於光參量放大器來動態的控制它的增益譜。基於這種技術，我們動態地改變了傳統的“M“型增益譜，並且由此得到了非常平滑的增益譜，增益的變換量僅僅在0.1分貝以內。Optical signal processing based on fiber nonlinearities plays an important role in both fiber-optic communications and sensing. Among various nonlinear effects, stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in optical fibers has been widely employed not only in processing of high-speed communication signals, but also in constructing fiber-optic sensors. This thesis investigates new techniques of optical signal processing based on SBS for fiber-optic communications and sensing.In the recent years, slow light has attracted considerable interest because of its numerous applications, in realizing variable true time delay and in optical information processing. Among various slow light mechanisms, the SBS based slow light shows great potential in all-optical signal processing due to the advantages of room-temperature operation and device compatibility with existing fiber systems. However, owing to the tight requirement of spectral alignment between the SBS pump and the signal, most of the published works are for the case where one SBS pump is used to delay a single channel. Hence, only one delayed channel is obtained. In this thesis, we demonstrate a technique to simultaneously generate multiple delayed signals through four-wave mixing (FWM) wavelength multicasting in a single-pump stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) based slow light system. The signal delay is achieved with a SBS pump while at the same time the delay is transferred to six other channels by three FWM pumps employed for wavelength multicasting. This slow light multicasting technique may find applications in parallel optical information processing such as simultaneous multichannel synchronization and time division multiplexing.Fiber-optic sensor techniques provide a promising approach for structure health monitoring, especially the temperature and strain monitoring. The technique based on Brillouin scattering has attracted much interest in the past two decades because Brillouin fiber sensors offer advantages of high resolution, long distance sensing, and large sensing range. In the thesis, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a new method for temperature/strain sensing using stimulated Brillouin scattering based slow light. The approach relies on temperature/strain dependence of the Brillouin frequency shift in a fiber, hence the time delay of an input probe pulse. By measuring the delay, temperature/strain sensing can be realized. We achieve temperature measurement for both a 100 m single mode fiber (SMF) and a 2 m SMF. Distributed temperature/strain sensing has been demonstrated later. The temperature/strain of a particular fiber section can be monitored by setting an appropriate relative delay between the pump and probe pulses. By controlling the relative delay, we have achieved distributed profiling of the temperature/strain along the whole sensing fiber. Compared to conventional Brillouin fiber sensors, our scheme has the merits of more straightforward implementation, fast response and potential of real-time monitoring.Wavelength conversion plays an important role in wavelength routing and switching. Among various schemes for wavelength conversion, the one based on FWM is superior as it offers advantages in being transparent to modulation formats, bit-rates, and communication protocols. However, significant FWM can occur only if the phase velocities of the interplaying waves are matched. The matching condition can hardly be satisfied over a wide spectral range and hence the conversion bandwidth is often limited. In this thesis, we propose and experimentally demonstrate an approach to dynamically control the FWM phase matching condition by using gain-transparent SBS. By introducing self-compensation of optical gain/loss with SBS pump and Stokes waves, the FWM phase matching condition can be flexibly controlled through SBS induced refractive index change without affecting the initial parameters of the FWM. The gain-transparent scheme is employed to enlarge the degenerate FWM conversion bandwidth, enhance the performance in wavelength conversion of communication signals, all-optically manipulate non-degenerate FWM conversion bandwidth, achieve both polarization-insensitive and wideband operation in a dual orthogonal pump wavelength converter, and extend the maximum optical delay of a delay line based on FWM wavelength conversion and dispersion.Low noise and broadband amplification are possible by using optical parametric processes. Although fiber-optic parametric amplifier (FOPA) can provide gain as high as 70 dB, its operation is often confined by phase mismatch of the interplaying fields. In this thesis, we apply gain-transparent SBS to a FOPA and dynamically control its gain profile. The conventional “M“ shape gain profile can be dynamically changed. Flattening of the gain profile to within 0.1 dB variation has been achieved.Detailed summary in vernacular field only.Detailed summary in vernacular field only.Detailed summary in vernacular field only.Detailed summary in vernacular field only.Detailed summary in vernacular field only.Wang, Liang.Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013.Includes bibliographical references.Abstract also in Chinese.ABSTRACT --- p.iACKNOWLEDGEMENT --- p.viTABLE OF CONTENT --- p.viiiChapter 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1Chapter 1.1 --- Overview of Optical Signal Processing --- p.3Chapter 1.2 --- Outline of the Thesis --- p.6References --- p.10Chapter 2 --- STIMULATED BRILLOUIN SCATTERING IN OPTICAL FIBERS --- p.15Chapter 2.1 --- Physical Process of Brillouin Scattering --- p.16Chapter 2.2 --- Stimulated Brillouin Scattering Under Steady-State Conditions --- p.19Chapter 2.3 --- The Brillouin Gain --- p.22Chapter 2.3.1 --- Complex Brillouin Gain --- p.22Chapter 2.3.2 --- Brillouin Gain Spectrum --- p.24Chapter 2.4 --- Threshold of Brillouin Scattering --- p.30References --- p.32Chapter 3 --- SLOW LIGHT BASED ON SBS IN OPTICAL FIBERS --- p.34Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction to Slow Light --- p.35Chapter 3.2 --- Slow Light based on SBS in Optical Fibers --- p.39Chapter 3.2.1 --- Mathematical Description --- p.39Chapter 3.2.2 --- Delay of Optical Signals by SBS based Slow Light --- p.42Chapter 3.3 --- Generation of Multichannel Delayed Pulses by FWM Assisted SBS Slow Light System --- p.46Chapter 3.3.1 --- Principle and Experimental Setup --- p.47Chapter 3.3.2 --- Results and Discussion --- p.51References --- p.58Chapter 4 --- SBS SLOW-LIGHT-BASED FIBER-OPTIC SENSOR --- p.64Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction to Fiber-Optic Sensors --- p.66Chapter 4.2 --- Principle of Fiber-Optic Sensor based on SBS Slow Light --- p.69Chapter 4.3 --- Temperature Sensing by SBS Slow Light for a Whole Segment of Fiber --- p.73Chapter 4.3.1 --- Temperature Sensing for a 100 m Single-Mode Fiber --- p.73Chapter 4.3.2 --- Temperature Sensing for a 2 m Single-Mode Fiber --- p.76Chapter References --- p.80Chapter 5 --- DISTRIBUTED TEMPERATURE & STRAIN SENSING USING SBS-BASED SLOW LIGHT --- p.82Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction to Distributed Brillouin Fiber Sensor --- p.84Chapter 5.2 --- Distributed Fiber-Optic Temperature Sensor Using SBS-based Slow Light --- p.91Chapter 5.2.1 --- Principle and Experimental Setup --- p.92Chapter 5.2.2 --- Results and Discussion --- p.94Chapter 5.3 --- Distributed Fiber-Optic Strain Sensor Using SBS-based Slow Light --- p.101Chapter 5.3.1 --- Principle and Experimental Setup --- p.101Chapter 5.3.2 --- Results and Discussion --- p.104References --- p.109Chapter 6 --- DYNAMIC CONTROL OF PHASE MATCHING IN FWM WAVELENGTH CONVERSION BY GAIN-TRANSPARENT SBS --- p.114Chapter 6.1 --- Phase-matching Condition in FWM --- p.116Chapter 6.2 --- Conversion Bandwidth Enlargement in Degenerate FWM Using Phase-Matching Control by Gain-Transparent SBS --- p.119Chapter 6.2.1 --- Principle and Experimental Setup --- p.120Chapter 6.2.2 --- Results and discussion --- p.125Chapter 6.3 --- Wavelength Conversion of Communication Signals Using Degenerate FWM with Gain-Transparent SBS for Phase-Matching Control --- p.131Chapter 6.3.1 --- Principle --- p.131Chapter 6.3.2 --- Wavelength Conversion for Amplitude-Modulated Signals --- p.133Chapter 6.3.3 --- Wavelength Conversion for Phase-Modulated Signals --- p.139Chapter 6.3.4 --- Discussion --- p.145Chapter 6.4 --- All-Optical Manipulation of Non-Degenerate FWM Conversion Bandwidth by Gain-Transparent SBS --- p.150Chapter 6.4.1 --- Principle and Experiment Setup --- p.151Chapter 6.4.2 --- Results and Discussion --- p.153Chapter 6.5 --- Enhanced Performance of Polarization-insensitive Wavelength Conversion through Dynamic Control of Optical Phase --- p.157Chapter 6.5.1 --- Principle and Experiment Setup --- p.157Chapter 6.5.2 --- Results and Discussion --- p.160Chapter 6.6 --- Extension of the Maximum Optical Delay using Gain-Transparent-SBS-Controlled FWM Wavelength Conversion and Group Velocity Dispersion --- p.165Chapter 6.6.1 --- Principle and Experiment Setup --- p.166Chapter 6.6.2 --- Results and Discussion --- p.169References --- p.174Chapter 7 --- DYNAMIC CONTROL OF GAIN PROFILE IN FIBER OPTICAL PARAMETRIC AMPLIFIER BY GAIN-TRANSPARENT SBS --- p.182Chapter 7.1 --- Introduction to FOPA --- p.184Chapter 7.2 --- Dynamic Gain Profile in FOPA Assisted by Gain-Transparent SBS --- p.187Chapter 7.2.1 --- Principle and Experimental Setup --- p.187Chapter 7.2.2 --- Results and Discussion --- p.190References --- p.196Chapter 8 --- THESIS SUMMARY AND FUTURE WORK --- p.200Chapter 8.1 --- Summary --- p.201Chapter 8.2 --- Future Work --- p.206References --- p.208APPENDICES --- p.iChapter Appendix A. --- List of Publications --- p.iChapter Appendix B. --- List of Figures --- p.i

Development of laser sources and interferometric approaches for polarization-based label-free microscopy

The project developed in this thesis describes the design and the experimental realization of optical methods which can probe the anisotropy of semitransparent media. The ability to manipulate polarized light enables a label-free imaging approach that can retrieve fundamental information about the sample structure without introducing any alteration within it. Such a potential is of great importance and methods like the ones based on polarization analysis are gaining more and more popularity in the biomedical and biophysical fields. Moreover, when they are coupled with fluorescence microscopy and nanoscopy, they may provide an invaluable tool for researchers. The optical method I developed mainly exploits the laser radiation emitted from tailored optical oscillators to dynamically generate polarization states. The realization of such states does not comprise any external active device. The resulting time-evolving polarization state once properly coupled to an optical system enables probing a sample to retrieve its anisotropies at a fast rate. The development of two different laser sources is presented together with the characterizations of their optical properties. One of them consists of a Helium-Neon laser modified by applying an external magnetic field to trigger the Zeeman effect in its active medium. The other one is a Dual-Comb source, that is a mode-locked (ML) laser generating a pair of mutually coherent twin beams. Moreover, the thesis delivers the theoretical model and the experimental realization of the optical method to probe the optical anisotropies of specimens. Finally, the technical realization of a custom laser scanning optical microscope and its imaging results obtained with such methods are reported

Multi-functional Fluorescence Microscopy via PSF Engineering for High-throughput Super-resolution Imaging

Image-based single cell analysis is essential to study gene expression levels and subcellular functions with preserving the native spatial locations of biomolecules. However, its low throughput has prevented its wide use to fundamental biology and biomedical applications which require large cellular populations in a rapid and efficient fashion. Here, we report a 2.5D microcopy (2.5DM) that significantly improves the image acquisition rate while maintaining high-resolution and single molecule sensitivity. Unlike serial z-scanning in conventional approaches, volumetric information is simultaneously projected onto a 2D image plane in a single shot by engineering the fluorescence light using a novel phase pattern. The imaging depth can be flexibly adjusted and multiple fluorescent markers can be readily visualized. We further enhance the transmission efficiency of 2.5DM by ~2-fold via configuring the spatial light modulator used for the phase modulation in a polarization-insensitive manner. Our approach provides a uniform focal response within a specific imaging depth, allowing to perform quantitative high-throughput single-molecule RNA measurements for mammalian cells over a 2 x 2 mm2 region within an imaging depth of ~5 µm in less than 10 min and immunofluorescence imaging at a volumetric imaging rate of \u3e 30 Hz with significantly reduced light exposure. With implementation of an adaptive element, our microscope provides an extra degree of freedom in correcting aberrations induced by specimens and optical components, showing its capability of imaging thick specimens with high-fidelity of preserving volumetric information with fast imaging speed. We also demonstrate multimodal imaging that can be switched from 2.5DM to a 3D single-molecule localization imaging platform by encoding the depth information of each emitter into the shape of point spread function, which enables us to obtain a resolution of \u3c 50 nm. Our microscope offers multi-functional capability from fast volumetric high-throughput imaging, multi-color imaging to super-resolution imaging

Development of a Multimode Instrument for Remote Measurements of Unsaturated Soil Properties

The hydromechanical behavior of soil is governed by parameters that include the moisture content, soil matric potential, texture, and the mineralogical composition of the soil. Remote characterization of these and other key properties of the soil offers advantages over conventional in situ or laboratory-based measurements: information may be acquired rapidly over large, or inaccessible areas; samples do not need to be collected; and the measurements are non-destructive. A field-deployable, ground-based remote sensor, designated the Soil Observation Laser Absorption Spectrometer (SOLAS), was developed to infer parameters of bare soils and other natural surfaces over intermediate (100 m) and long (1,000 m) ranges. The SOLAS methodology combines hyperspectral remote sensing with differential absorption and laser ranging measurements. A transmitter propagates coherent, near-infrared light at on-line (823.20 nm) and off-line (847.00 nm) wavelengths. Backscattered light is received through a 203-mm diameter telescope aperture and is divided into two channels to enable simultaneous measurements of spectral reflectance, differential absorption, and range to the target. The spectral reflectance is measured on 2151 continuous bands that range from visible (380 nm) to shortwave infrared (2500 nm) wavelengths. A pair of photodetectors receive the laser backscatter in the 820–850 nm range. Atmospheric water vapor is inferred using a differential absorption technique in conjunction with an avalanche photodetector, while range to the target is based on a frequency-modulated, self-chirped, homodyne detection scheme. The design, fabrication, and testing of the SOLAS is described herein. The receiver was optimized for the desired backscatter measurements and assessed through a series of trials that were conducted in both indoor and outdoor settings. Spectral reflectance measurements collected at proximal range compared well with measurements collected at intermediate ranges, demonstrating the utility of the receiver. Additionally, the noise characteristics of the spectral measurements were determined across the full range of the detected wavelengths. Continued development of the SOLAS instrument will enable range-resolved and water vapor-corrected reflectance measurements over longer ranges. Anticipated applications for the SOLAS technology include rapid monitoring of earth construction projects, geohazard assessment, or ground-thruthing for current and future satellite-based multi- and hyperspectral data

Versatile short-wave and mid-infrared sources based on wideband parametric conversion

The mid-infrared part of the optical spectrum is of high interest in a wide range of applications such as environmental gas monitoring, contaminant detection in the chemical, food or pharmaceutical industry, medical diagnosis, or defense and security. Relevant molecules can readily be identified through their mid-infrared absorption spectra, as the latter contains the fundamental resonances of a number of pollutant and toxic gases. Consequently, spectroscopic apparatus, light detection and ranging systems or free-space communication links all benefit from the progress accomplished by mid-infrared technologies over the last years. However some shortcomings in the light emitters capabilities are still to be addressed. In this research work, we aim at designing a mid-infrared laser as versatile as possible and based on nonlinear wavelength conversion. The conversion relies on third-order parametric effects in waveguides such as optical fibers made of various types of glass, or integrated semiconductor chips. The objective is to leverage mature communication-band components to generate and shape the seed optical signals, then mixed in the abovementioned waveguides to down-convert them towards midinfrared. The wavelength conversion is performed in two stages, and the first stage consists of a parametric source emitting in the short-wave infrared range. This thesis mostly focuses on the design and realization of this stage. As such, it is closely linked to the field of nonlinear fiber optics, where the use of silica is preponderant. We build on the research performed over the last years on parametric amplifiers, initially used for the re-amplification of communication signals, and we combine it with technologies dedicated to short-wave infrared fiber lasers. As such, we are able to build wavelength tunable and modulation-capable short-wave infrared sources, significantly more powerful and versatile than previous broadband parametric converter designs. The end of the dissertation is then dedicated to the solutions that are then envisioned to realize the second conversion stage, towards mid-infrared. Very promising numerical and experimental results indicate a successful outcome to the project, confirming the validity of the laser concept