Single Mode Optical Fiber Based Devices and Systems for Mid-infrared Light Generation, Communication and Metrology.

Fiber-optic systems and devices for broadband mid-infrared light generation, communication and optical metrology are developed in this thesis. Using the nonlinear properties of low mid-infrared loss ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AlF3-NaF (ZBLAN) fiber, a mid-infrared supercontinuum (SC) laser based on a thulium-doped fiber amplifier (TDFA) with spectrum extending from ~1.9-4.5 µm is demonstrated. A higher efficiency, power-scalable, all-fiber integrated mid-infrared light source is realized capable of generating ~0.7 W time-average power in wavelengths beyond 3.8 µm. The novelty of the laser lies in its two-step spectral shifting architecture. First, amplified laser diode pulses at 1.55 µm are used to generate a SC extending beyond 2 µm in standard SMF using modulation-instability initiated pulse break-up. A TDFA stage is then used to amplify the ~2 µm components in the standard SMF continuum. By subsequently coupling the amplified ~2 µm pulses in to a ZBLAN fiber, an SC with up to ~2.6 W average power, and ~9% optical conversion efficiency from the power-amp pump to mid-IR output is demonstrated. The two-step methodology leads to extension in the long wavelength edge of the SC from 4.2 µm to ~4.5 µm, compared to previously demonstrated systems and ~2.5 times higher optical efficiency in generating wavelengths beyond 3.8 µm. Numerical simulations are also presented based on solving the generalized non-linear Schrödinger equation to verify and extend experimental results. A broadband surface-normal optical modulator for communication applications with operation demonstrated over 1200-2400 nm is also presented. The modulator uses free-carrier effect in GaAs and mode selectivity of SMF to generate up to ~43% modulation depth with a maximum operating speed of ~270 MHz. The broad wavelength range of operation of the modulator can potentially enable higher throughput wavelength-division multiplexed optical network architectures based on broadband light sources. Finally, an optical probe for detection of porosity defects in automotive parts is presented. The probe relies on the spatial coherence properties of SMF output to detect defects as small as ~50 µm lateral dimensions in bores down to 5 mm diameter. The probe uses a novel two-directional scattering-based non-contact approach to detect and classify defects on surfaces, where human inspection is labor-intensive.Ph.D.Electrical EngineeringUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/86366/1/ojaspk_1.pd

The impact of immediate breast reconstruction on the time to delivery of adjuvant therapy: the iBRA-2 study

Background: Immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) is routinely offered to improve quality-of-life for women requiring mastectomy, but there are concerns that more complex surgery may delay adjuvant oncological treatments and compromise long-term outcomes. High-quality evidence is lacking. The iBRA-2 study aimed to investigate the impact of IBR on time to adjuvant therapy. Methods: Consecutive women undergoing mastectomy ± IBR for breast cancer July–December, 2016 were included. Patient demographics, operative, oncological and complication data were collected. Time from last definitive cancer surgery to first adjuvant treatment for patients undergoing mastectomy ± IBR were compared and risk factors associated with delays explored. Results: A total of 2540 patients were recruited from 76 centres; 1008 (39.7%) underwent IBR (implant-only [n = 675, 26.6%]; pedicled flaps [n = 105,4.1%] and free-flaps [n = 228, 8.9%]). Complications requiring re-admission or re-operation were significantly more common in patients undergoing IBR than those receiving mastectomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy was required by 1235 (48.6%) patients. No clinically significant differences were seen in time to adjuvant therapy between patient groups but major complications irrespective of surgery received were significantly associated with treatment delays. Conclusions: IBR does not result in clinically significant delays to adjuvant therapy, but post-operative complications are associated with treatment delays. Strategies to minimise complications, including careful patient selection, are required to improve outcomes for patients

Mid-infrared supercontinuum generation to 4.5 microm in ZBLAN fluoride fibers by nanosecond diode pumping.

International audienceA mid-infrared supercontinuum (SC) is generated in ZBLAN (ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AlF3-NaF...) fluoride fibers from amplified nanosecond laser diode pulses with a continuous spectrum from approximately 0.8 microm to beyond 4.5 microm. The SC has an average power of approximately 23 mW, a pump-to-SC power conversion efficiency exceeding 50%, and a spectral power density of approximately -20 dBm/nm over a large fraction of the spectrum. The SC generation is initiated by the breakup of nanosecond laser diode pulses into femtosecond pulses through modulation instability, and the spectrum is then broadened primarily through fiber nonlinearities in approximately 2-7 m lengths of ZBLAN fiber. The SC long-wavelength edge is consistent with the intrinsic ZBLAN material absorption

Evaluating the effect of measles and rubella mass vaccination campaigns on seroprevalence in India: a before-and-after cross-sectional household serosurvey in four districts, 2018-2020

BACKGROUND: India did phased measles-rubella supplementary immunisation activities (MR-SIAs; ie, mass-immunisation campaigns) targeting children aged 9 months to less than 15 years. We estimated measles-rubella seroprevalence before and after the MR-SIAs to quantify the effect on population immunity and identify remaining immunity gaps. METHODS: Between March 9, 2018 and March 19, 2020 we did community-based, cross-sectional serosurveys in four districts in India before and after MR-SIAs. 30 villages or wards were selected within each district, and one census enumeration block from each was selected as the survey cluster. Households were enumerated and 13 children in the younger age group (9 months to <5 years) and 13 children in the older ager group (5 to <15 years) were randomly selected by use of computer-generated random numbers. Serum samples were tested for IgG antibodies to measles and rubella viruses by enzyme immunoassay. FINDINGS: Specimens were collected from 2570 children before the MR-SIA and from 2619 children afterwards. The weighted MR-SIA coverage ranged from 73·7% to 90·5% in younger children and from 73·6% to 93·6% in older children. Before the MR-SIA, district-level measles seroprevalence was between 80·7% and 88·5% among younger children in all districts, and between 63·4% and 84·5% among older children. After the MR-SIA, measles seroprevalence among younger children increased to more than 90% (range 91·5 to 96·0) in all districts except Kanpur Nagar, in which it remained unchanged 80·4%. Among older children, measles seroprevalence increased to more than 90·0% (range 93·7% to 96·5%) in all districts except Hoshiarpur (88·7%). A significant increase in rubella seroprevalence was observed in all districts in both age groups, with the largest effect in Dibrugarh, where rubella seroprevalence increased from 10·6% to 96·5% among younger children. INTERPRETATION: Measles-rubella seroprevalence increased substantially after the MR-SIAs but the serosurvey also identified remaining gaps in population immunity. FUNDING: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Indian Council of Medical Research