Surface structuring of fused silica with asymmetric femtosecond laser pulse bursts

Fused silica surface structuring has been performed using temporally shaped femtosecond laser pulses. For this purpose we have designed pulse bursts with a triangular intensity envelope and different slope sign and interpulse separation that were experimentally generated using a home-made temporal pulse shaper. We have found that pulse bursts with decreasing intensity envelopes are remarkably more efficient in terms of surface ablation than bursts with increasing intensity envelopes. The results reveal that laser energy coupling in the material is enhanced as the interpulse spacing decreases. A study of the ablation depth using stretched single pulses was carried out and compared to results obtained for pulse bursts with different interpulse spacing. We find that the deepest crater was achieved with bursts of 0.5 ps interpulse separation and decreasing envelope. This pulse form also induced the largest change of the surface reflectivity after irradiation. The results are discussed in terms of how the laser energy coupling efficiency is linked to the temporal pulse shape. © 2013 Optical Society of America.This work has been partially supported by the Spanish TEC2011-22422 project. J. H.-R. acknowledges a grant awarded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.Peer Reviewe

Rapid assessment of nonlinear optical propagation effects in dielectrics

8 págs.; 6 figs.; Open Access funded by Creative Commons Atribution Licence 4.0Ultrafast laser processing applications need fast approaches to assess the nonlinear propagation of the laser beam in order to predict the optimal range of processing parameters in a wide variety of cases. We develop here a method based on the simple monitoring of the nonlinear beam shaping against numerical prediction. The numerical code solves the nonlinear Schrodinger equation with nonlinear absorption under simplified conditions by employing a state-of-the art computationally efficient approach. By comparing with experimental results we can rapidly estimate the nonlinear refractive index and nonlinear absorption coefficients of the material. The validity of this approach has been tested in a variety of experiments where nonlinearities play a key role, like spatial soliton shaping or fs-laser waveguide writing. The approach provides excellent results for propagated power densities for which free carrier generation effects can be neglected. Above such a threshold, the peculiarities of the nonlinear propagation of elliptical beams enable acquiring an instantaneous picture of the deposition of energy inside the material realistic enough to estimate the effective nonlinear refractive index and nonlinear absorption coefficients that can be used for predicting the spatial distribution of energy deposition inside the material and controlling the beam in the writing process.This work has been partly funded by MINECO TEC2011-22422 project. J. de H. acknowledges funding from the JAE CSIC Program (pre-doctoral fellowship co-funded by the European Social Fund). A.P. acknowledges support from the People Program (Marie Curie Actions) Incoming International Fellowship (CHRONOS) under REA grant agreement nu [327627].Peer Reviewe

In situ assessment and minimization of nonlinear propagation effects for femtosecond-laser waveguide writing in dielectrics

The effect of nonlinear propagation on the shape of the focal volume has been assessed by in situ plasma emission imaging during the subsurface processing of a commercial phosphate glass. The sample was processed with an elliptically shaped femtosecond-laser beam at 1 kHz repetition rate and scanned transversely with respect to the writing beam axis. As a consequence, optimal conditions for minimizing undesirable nonlinear propagation effects during the production of optical waveguides by direct laser writing have been determined. Under these conditions, it is possible to induce structural transformations and still preserve the focal volume shape associated with the linear propagation regime. While at low pulse energy a single scan laser-written structure does not support a guided mode, the use of multiple scans with minimized nonlinear propagation effects enables the production of optical waveguides. The latter show a significantly improved performance in terms of the refractive index change and propagation losses when compared to single scan waveguides. © 2010 Optical Society of America.This work was partially supported by the University of Zaragoza under Project 223/88 and by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under TEC2008-01183 project. A. Ruiz de la Cruz and W. Gawelda acknowledge their I3P-CSIC postdoctoral contracts (co-funded by the European Social Fund). D. Puerto and A. Ferrer acknowledge their grants under Projects TEC 2005-00074 and TEC 2006-04538.Peer Reviewe

Independent control of beam astigmatism and ellipticity using a SLM for fs-laser waveguide writing

We have used a low repetition rate (1 kHz), femtosecond laser amplifier in combination with a spatial light modulator (SLM) to write optical waveguides with controllable cross-section inside a phosphate glass sample. The SLM is used to induce a controllable amount of astigmatism in the beam wavefront while the beam ellipticity is controlled through the propagation distance from the SLM to the focusing optics of the writing setup. The beam astigmatism leads to the formation of two separate diskshaped foci lying in orthogonal planes. Additionally, the ellipticity has the effect of enabling control over the relative peak irradiances of the two foci, making it possible to bring the peak irradiance of one of them below the material transformation threshold. This allows producing a single waveguide with controllable cross-section. Numerical simulations of the irradiance distribution at the focal region under different beam shaping conditions are compared to in situ obtained experimental plasma emission images and structures produced inside the glass, leading to a very satisfactory agreement. Finally, guiding structures with controllable crosssection are successfully produced in the phosphate glass using this approach. © 2009 Optical Society of America.This work was partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under TEC2008-01183 project. A. R. and W. G. acknowledge their I3P-CSIC postdoctoral con- tracts (co-funded by the European Social Fund). D. P. and A. F. acknowledge their grants under Projects TEC 2005-00074 and TEC 2006-04538.Peer Reviewe

Dung removal increases under higher dung beetle functional diversity regardless of grazing intensification

Dung removal by macrofauna such as dung beetles is an important process for nutrient cycling in pasturelands. Intensification of farming practices generally reduces species and functional diversity of terrestrial invertebrates, which may negatively affect ecosystem services. Here, we investigate the effects of cattle-grazing intensification on dung removal by dung beetles in field experiments replicated in 38 pastures around the world. Within each study site, we measured dung removal in pastures managed with low- and high-intensity regimes to assess between-regime differences in dung beetle diversity and dung removal, whilst also considering climate and regional variations. The impacts of intensification were heterogeneous, either diminishing or increasing dung beetle species richness, functional diversity, and dung removal rates. The effects of beetle diversity on dung removal were more variable across sites than within sites. Dung removal increased with species richness across sites, while functional diversity consistently enhanced dung removal within sites, independently of cattle grazing intensity or climate. Our findings indicate that, despite intensified cattle stocking rates, ecosystem services related to decomposition and nutrient cycling can be maintained when a functionally diverse dung beetle community inhabits the human-modified landscape

Com o diabo no corpo: os terríveis papagaios do Brasil colônia

Desde a Antiguidade, papagaios, periquitos e afins (Psittacidae) fascinaram os europeus por seu vivo colorido e uma notável capacidade de interação com seres humanos. A descoberta do Novo Mundo nada faria além de acrescentar novos elementos ao tráfico de animais exóticos há muito estabelecido pelos europeus com a África e o Oriente. Sem possuir grandes mamíferos, a América tropical participaria desse comércio com o que tinha de mais atrativo, essencialmente felinos, primatas e aves - em particular os papagaios, os quais eram embarcados em bom número. Contudo, a julgar pelos documentos do Brasil colônia, esses voláteis podiam inspirar muito pouca simpatia, pois nenhum outro animal - exceto as formigas - foi tantas vezes mencionado como praga para a agricultura. Além disso, alguns psitácidas mostravam-se tão loquazes que inspiravam a séria desconfiança de serem animais demoníacos ou possessos, pois só três classes de entidades - anjos, homens e demônios - possuíam o dom da palavra. Nos dias de hoje, vários representantes dos Psittacidae ainda constituem uma ameaça para a agricultura, enquanto os indivíduos muito faladores continuam despertando a suspeita de estarem possuídos pelo demônio. Transcendendo a mera curiosidade, essa crença exemplifica o quão intrincadas podem ser as relações do homem com o chamado “mundo natural”, revelando um universo mais amplo e multifacetado do que se poderia supor a princípio. Nesse sentido, a existência de aves capazes de falar torna essa relação ainda mais complexa e evidencia que as dificuldades de estabelecer o limite entre o animal e o humano se estendem além dos primatas e envolvem as mais inusitadas espécies zoológicas.Since ancient times, parrots and their allies (Psittacidae) have fascinated Europeans by their striking colors and notable ability to interact with human beings. The discovery of the New World added new species to the international exotic animal trade, which for many centuries had brought beasts to Europe from Africa and the Orient. Lacking large mammals, tropical America participated in this trade with its most appealing species, essentially felines, primates and birds - especially parrots - which were shipped in large numbers. It should be noted, however, that at times these birds were not well liked. In fact, according to documents from colonial Brazil, only the ants rank higher than parrots as the animals most often mentioned as agricultural pests. On the other hand, some of these birds were so chatty that people suspected them to be demonic or possessed animals, since only three classes of beings - angels, men and demons - have the ability to speak. Nowadays, several Psittacidae still constitute a threat to agriculture, and the suspicion that extremely talkative birds were demon possessed has also survived. More than a joke or a mere curiosity, this belief exemplifies how intricate man’s relationships with the “natural world” may be. In this sense, the existence of birds that are able to speak adds a further twist to these relationships, demonstrating that the problem of establishing a boundary between the animal and the human does not only involve primates, but also includes some unusual zoological species

Aspectos reproductivos de Anodonta Luteola Lea 1858 (Unionoida: Unionidae) en Cañas, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Reproductive aspects of Anodonta luteola were studied. Between May 2014 and April 2015, samples were collected from a pond culture of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Sex was determined by smears of the gonad. The sex ratio was calculated by dividing the number of females by males, and Chi-square test was used to determine their significant differences. It was determined that A. luteola is dioecious, and sex ratio was 1.21: 1 male / female. However, the Chi-square test showed no significant difference in the proportion 1: 1 (X2 = 3.112, p> 0.05). Females were classified as pregnant and non-pregnant. The condition index as CI = fresh meat weight / (height x diameter length) was calculated x 1000. In addition, the meat yield was calculated. According to the results, this species spawns throughout the year. Spawning peaks were observed during the months of June, August, October, March and April. Higher temperatures marked the major peaks of spawning. The condition index showed no correlation with any of the development stages of demibranchs of females. The meat yield ranged between 47% and 51%.Se estudiaron los aspectos reproductivos de Anodonta luteola. Las muestras se obtuvieron de mayo de 2014 a abril de 2015 de un estanque de cultivo de tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). El sexo se determinó mediante frotis de la gónada. La relación sexual se calculó dividiendo el número de hembras por el de machos y se utilizó la prueba de Chi-cuadrado para determinar sus diferencias significativas. Se determinó que A. luteola es dioica y la proporción sexual fue de 1.21:1 machos/hembras; sin embargo, el test Chi-cuadrado no mostró diferencias significativas de la proporción 1:1 (X2 =3.112, p>0.05). Las hembras se clasificaron en no grávidas y grávidas. Se calculó el índice de condición como IC = peso fresco de la carne / (longitud x altura diámetro) x 1000. Además, se calculó el rendimiento en carne. De acuerdo con los resultados, esta especie desova durante todo el año. Los picos de desove se observaron durante los meses de junio, agosto, octubre, marzo y abril. Las temperaturas más elevadas marcaron los principales picos de desove. El índice de condición no mostró correlación con ninguno de los estados de desarrollo de las demibranquias de las hembras. El rendimiento en carne osciló entre 47% y 51%

Deep subsurface waveguides with circular cross section produced by femtosecond laser writing

A combination of low numerical aperture focusing optics, in order to minimize spherical aberration, and beam shaping with a slit has been used to produce waveguides in fused silica by femtosecond laser writing. Waveguides with circular cross section and low losses are produced over a large depth window (>7 mm) without changing any experimental parameter. Diffraction induces beam divergence along the axis perpendicular to the slit, leading to a shift of the focal plane. The focal intensity distribution can be predicted by a hybrid model combining Gaussian beam propagation with imaging of the slit into the material. © 2007 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewe

Ultrafast imaging of transient electronic plasmas produced in conditions of femtosecond waveguide writing in dielectrics

3 pages, 4 figures.Femtosecond laser-induced plasmas in bulk dielectrics are imaged under waveguide writing conditions, for different polarizations, pulse durations, and processing depths, and their temporal evolution is measured using ultrafast pump-probe microscopy. The irradiation beam profile is elliptically shaped yielding a disklike focal volume. We demonstrate for doped phosphate glass that increasing the pulse duration improves the spatial distribution of deposited energy by minimizing beam filamentation and prefocal depletion effects. As a consequence, energy deposition in the desired volume is greatly enhanced. Our results identify key parameters for optimizing femtosecond laser processing of dielectrics and different strategies to minimize energy loss channels.This work was partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under TEC 2005-00074 project and by the EU under TMR project FLASH MRTNCT- 2003-503641 . W.G. acknowledges the I3P-CSIC contract cofunded by the European Social Fund . D.P. and A.F. acknowledge their grants under Projects TEC 2005-00074 and TEC 2006-04538 and A. R. de la Cruz acknowledges his contract under FLASH Project.Peer reviewe

Plasma Imaging and Optimization of Energy Deposition during Femtosecond-laser Processing

MATEC Web of Conferences (2013