Self-phase-locked frequency-by-two divider OPO with a residual fractional frequency instability of 8.1O(-18)

We directly measure the phase difference between the subharmonic waves of a self-phase-locked frequency by-2-divider OPO using a phase-sensitive detector scheme. The relative frequency instability of frequency division by 2 is measured to be 8.10(-18

110 GHz rapid, continous tuning from an optical parametric oscillator pumped by a fiber-amplified DBR diode laser

A singly-resonant continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator (cw-OPO) pumped by a fiber-amplified diode laser is described. Tuning of the pump source allowed the OPO output to be tuned continuously, without mode-hops, over 110 GHz in 29 ms. Discontinuous pump tuning over 20 nm in the region of 3.4 µm was also obtained. The rapid and continuous idler tuning was demonstrated by the measurement of a methane absorption spectrum. We believe this to be the first example of a singly-resonant OPO pumped by a fiber-amplified diode laser and the mode-hop free tuning range to be the highest reported for a cw-OPO

Frequency stability of a self-phase-locked degenerate continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator

The properties of a self-phase-locked by-2-divider optical parametric oscillator are presented. A locking range of up to 156 MHz is measured, and the divider's relative frequency stability is shown to be better than 6/spl times/10/sup -14/

Proton Irradiation of Radiation-Sensitive Mutants of Coprinus Cinereus

This research was sponsored by the National Science Foundation Grant NSF PHY-931478

Mid-IR continuous-wave fiber-laser-pumped optical parametric oscillators

We review recent developments in continuous-wave mid-infrared optical parametric oscillators pumped by fiber lasers. Such devices are potentially valuable spectroscopic sources providing high output powers and rapid, wide-range tuning in the mid-infrared molecular fingerprint region

Preliminary Analysis of Proton Radiation Damage Response in Defective Gamma-Radiation-Sensitive Cells

This research was sponsored by the National Science Foundation Grant NSF PHY-931478

Optical measurement of a micro coriolis mass flow sensor

Haneveld [1,2] demonstrated a micro Coriolis mass flow sensor, operating in the\ud measurement range of 0 to 1 g/hr achieving a resolution in the order of 10 mg/hr\ud using a laser vibrometer. Equipped with an integrated capacitive [3] readout the\ud measurement uncertainty amounted to 2% of the full scale range. We demonstrate a\ud down-scalable and low-cost optical sensor system that measures the movement of the micro Coriolis mass flow tube with a high resolution. The noise level is measured to be 6 mg/hr at a 3s confidence interval

Infrared dermal thermography on diabetic feet soles to predict ulcerations: a case study

Diabetic foot ulceration is a major complication for patients with diabetes mellitus. If not adequately treated, these ulcers may lead to foot infection, and ultimately to lower extremity amputation, which imposes a major burden to society and great loss in health-related quality of life for patients. Early identification and subsequent preventive treatment have proven useful to limit the incidence of foot ulcers and lower extremity amputation. Thus, the development of new diagnosis tools has become an attractive option. The ultimate objective of our project is to develop an intelligent telemedicine monitoring system for frequent examination on patients’ feet, to timely detect pre-signs of ulceration. Inflammation in diabetic feet can be an early and predictive warning sign for ulceration, and temperature has been proven to be a vicarious marker for inflammation. Studies have indicated that infrared dermal thermography of foot soles can be one of the important parameters for assessing the risk of diabetic foot ulceration. This paper covers the feasibility study of using an infrared camera, FLIR SC305, in our setup, to acquire the spatial thermal distribution on the feet soles. With the obtained thermal images, automated detection through image analysis was performed to identify the abnormal increased/decreased temperature and assess the risk for ulceration. The thermography for feet soles of patients with diagnosed diabetic foot complications were acquired before the ordinary foot examinations. Assessment from clinicians and thermography were compared and follow-up measurements were performed to investigate the prediction. A preliminary case study will be presented, indicating that dermal thermography in our proposed setup can be a screening modality to timely detect pre-signs of ulceration