Wavelength de-multiplexing properties of a single aperture flanked by periodic arrays of indentations

In this paper we explore the transmission properties of single subwavelength apertures perforated in thin metallic films flanked by asymmetric configurations of periodic arrays of indentations. It is shown how the corrugation in the input side can be used to transmit selectively only two different wavelengths. Also, by tuning the geometrical parameters defining the corrugation of the output side, these two chosen wavelengths can emerge from the structure as two very narrow beams propagating at well-defined directions. This new ability of structured metals can be used as a base to build micron-sized wavelength de-multiplexers.Comment: Accepted for publication in Photonics and Nanostructure

Theory of extraordinary transmission of light through quasiperiodic arrays of subwavelength holes

By using a theoretical formalism able to work in both real and k-spaces, the physical origin of the phenomenon of extraordinary transmission of light through quasi-periodic arrays of holes is revealed. Long-range order present in a quasiperiodic array selects the wavevector(s) of the surface electromagnetic mode(s) that allows an efficient transmission of light through subwavelength holes.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

On the use of laser-scanning vibrometry for mechanical performance evaluation of 3D printed specimens

In this study, we explored the suitability of laser-scanning vibrometry (LSV) for evaluation of the mechanical behavior of rectangular prisms produced by Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). Our hypothesis was that LSV would be able to discriminate the mechanical behavior of specimens fabricated with different process parameters combinations. Build orientation, raster angle, nozzle temperature, printing speed and layer thickness were the process parameters of interest. Based on a factorial design of experiment approach, 48 different process parameter combinations were taken into account and 96 polylactic acid (PLA) rectangular prisms were fabricated. The characterization of their dynamical behavior provided frequency data, making possible the computation of an equivalent elastic modulus metric. Statistical analysis of the equivalent elastic modulus dataset confirmed the significant influences of raster angle, build orientation and nozzle temperature. Moreover, multivariate regression models served to rank, not only the significant influences of individual process parameters, but also the significant quadratic and cubic interactions between them. The previous knowledge was then applied to generate an ad hoc model selecting the most important factors (linear and interactions). The predicted equivalent elastic moduli provided by our ad hoc model were used in modal analysis simulations of both 3D printed rectangular prisms and a complex part. The simulated frequencies thus obtained were generally closer to the experimental ones (=11%), as compared to modal analysis simulations based on internal geometry modelling (=33%). The use of LSV appears very promising in the characterization of the mechanical behavior and integrity of 3D printed parts. Other additive manufacturing technologies may benefit from the use of this technique and from the adoption of the presented methodology to test, simulate and optimize the properties of 3D printed products. © 2021 The Author

Reducing the Learning Domain by Using Image Processing to Diagnose COVID-19 from X-Ray Image

Over the last months, dozens of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for COVID-19 diagnosis based on chest X-ray image analysis have been proposed. All of them with very impressive sensitivity and specificity results. However, its generalization and translation to the clinical practice are rather challenging due to the discrepancies between domain distributions when training and test data come from different sources. Consequently, applying a trained model on a new data set may have a problem with domain adaptation leading to performance degradation. This research aims to study the impact of image pre-processing on pre-trained deep learning models to reduce the learning domain. The dataset used in this research consists of 5,000 X-ray images obtained from different sources under two categories: negative and positive COVID-19 detection. We implemented transfer learning in 3 popular convolutional neural networks (CNNs), including VGG16, VGG19, and DenseNet169. We repeated the study following the same structure for original and pre-processed images. The pre-processing method is based on the Contrast Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization (CLAHE) filter application and image registration. After evaluating the models, the CNNs that have been trained with pre-processed images obtained an accuracy score up to 1.2% better than the unprocessed ones. Furthermore, we can observe that in the 3 CNN models, the repeated misclassified images represent 40.9% (207/506) of the original image dataset with the erroneous result. In pre-processed ones, this percentage is 48.9% (249/509). In conclusion, image processing techniques can help to reduce the learning domain for deep learning applications

Resonant transmission of light through finite chains of subwavelength holes

In this paper we show that the extraordinary optical transmission phenomenon found before in 2D hole arrays is already present in a linear chain of subwavelength holes, which can be considered as the basic geometrical unit showing this property. In order to study this problem we have developed a new theoretical framework, able to analyze the optical properties of finite collections of subwavelength apertures and/or dimples (of any shape and placed in arbitrary positions) drilled in a metallic film.Comment: Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Let

Theory of lasing action in plasmonic crystals

We theoretically investigate lasing action in plasmonic crystals incorporating optically pumped four-level gain media. By using detailed simulations based on a time-domain generalization of the finite-element method, we show that the excitation of dark plasmonic resonances (via the gain medium) enables accessing the optimal lasing characteristics of the considered class of systems. Moreover, our study reveals that, in general, arrays of nanowires feature lower lasing thresholds and larger slope efficiencies than those corresponding to periodic arrays of subwavelength apertures. These findings are of relevance for further engineering of active devices based on plasmonic crystal

Determination of Valanis model parameters in a bolted lap joint: Experimental and numerical analyses of frictional dissipation

In this work, Valanis model parameters, and their variation with bolt preload, were determined for a bolted lap joint, which consisted in two steel plates held together by a metric 12 screw. For this purpose, a series of transitory non-linear analyses were performed on the basis of a three dimensional finite element model of the bolted lap joint subjected to varying bolt preloads and tangential displacements. Curve fitting of hysteresis cycles obtained from numerical simulations allowed determination of Valanis model parameters as well as assessment of bolt preload influence on these parameters. In addition, the present numerical simulations provided information about the evolution of the contact state from stick to slip regimes between the bolted plates, reflecting the non-linear behaviour of the joint. Quasi-static tests at several preloads and tangential displacements conditions were conducted to validate Valanis model parameters previously obtained from numerical simulations. The present findings provided detailed information about the evolution of the aforementioned Valanis parameters with bolt preload. Thus, we confirmed that equivalent stiffness values corresponding to the macro-slip regime as well as the upper limit of the sticking regime (Et and σ0, respectively) are highly influenced by bolt preload levels. These results may prove useful to appropriately design bolted joints to be used under specific stiffness and damping criteria, and therefore reducing the vibration response of the joint.This work has been funded with project MYCT/FEDER Ref. BIA2006-15266-C02-02, and by Diputación General de Aragón (Grant no. G.C.I.A. 2011.T67).Peer Reviewe