Optical AR coatings of the Mid-IR band for ZnGeP2 single crystals based on ZnS and oxide aluminum

In this work, the parameters of antireflection interference coatings based on alternating layers of ZnS/Al2O3 on the laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) of ZGP crystals under the action of Ho:YAG laser radiation at a wavelength of 2.097 μm were determined. The coating deposition was carried out using the ion-beam sputtering method. The LIDT of the sample with a coating based on alternating layers ZnS and Al2O3 was equal to WEo = 3.45 J/cm2, and the LIDT of the uncoated sample was equal to WEo = 2.23 J/cm2. An increase in the optical breakdown threshold by ~55% was observed after the deposition of an AR coating based on ZnS and Al2O3 materials. An assumption was made about the absence of local fluctuations in the composition and mechanical stresses in the case of the coated sample, namely that this leads to good adhesion of the multilayer coating to the polished surface of the crystal, and as a result to an increase in the optical breakdown threshold as compared to the uncoated sample due to closure of the dangling chemical bonds and bulk defects emerging on the polished surface

Genotyping and Whole-Genome Resequencing of Welsh Sheep Breeds Reveal Candidate Genes and Variants for Adaptation to Local Environment and Socioeconomic Traits

Background: Advances in genetic tools applied to livestock breeding has prompted research into the previously neglected breeds adapted to harsh local environments. One such group is the Welsh mountain sheep breeds, which can be farmed at altitudes of 300 m above sea level but are considered to have a low productive value because of their poor wool quality and small carcass size. This is contrary to the lowland breeds which are more suited to wool and meat production qualities, but do not fare well on upland pasture. Herein, medium-density genotyping data from 317 individuals representing 15 Welsh sheep breeds were used alongside the whole-genome resequencing data of 14 breeds from the same set to scan for the signatures of selection and candidate genetic variants using haplotype- and SNP-based approaches.Results: Haplotype-based selection scan performed on the genotyping data pointed to a strong selection in the regions of GBA3, PPARGC1A, APOB, and PPP1R16B genes in the upland breeds, and RNF24, PANK2, and MUC15 in the lowland breeds. SNP-based selection scan performed on the resequencing data pointed to the missense mutations under putative selection relating to a local adaptation in the upland breeds with functions such as angiogenesis (VASH1), anti-oxidation (RWDD1), cell stress (HSPA5), membrane transport (ABCA13 and SLC22A7), and insulin signaling (PTPN1 and GIGFY1). By contrast, genes containing candidate missense mutations in the lowland breeds are related to cell cycle (CDK5RAP2), cell adhesion (CDHR3), and coat color (MC1R).Conclusion: We found new variants in genes with potentially functional consequences to the adaptation of local sheep to their environments in Wales. Knowledge of these variations is important for improving the adaptative qualities of UK and world sheep breeds through a marker-assisted selection.</p

Multispectral anti-reflection coatings based on YbF3/ZnS materials on ZnGeP2 substrate by the IBS method for Mid-IR laser applications

A multispectral anti-reflective coating of high radiation strength for laser applications in the IR spectrum for nonlinear ZnGeP2 crystals has been developed for the first time. The coating was constructed using YbF3/ZnS. The developed coating was obtained by a novel approach using ion-beam deposition of these materials on a ZnGeP2 substrate. It has a high LIDT of more than 2 J/cm2. Optimal layer deposition regimes were found for high film density and low absorption, and good adhesion of the coating to the substrate was achieved. At the same time, there was no dissociation of the double compound under high-energy ions

Digital holography methods for visualization and identification of ZnGeP2 bulk defects

The volumetric filamentous inclusions in ZnGeP2 were visualized by digital holography, their characteristic sizes were determined, and their location in the sample volume was determined. The chemical composition of filamentous bulk inclusions – Zn3P2 and Ge-was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The influence of the second-phase inclusions (Zn3P2 and Ge) on the quasi optical characteristics (refractive index and absorption coefficient) in the resonant absorption band (12–12.5 microns) is established. The presence of bulk inclusions in the ZnGeP2 single crystal leads to an increase in the reflection coefficient in the region of 12.5 microns. The dispersion dependences of the refractive index and the absorption coefficient of the studied ZnGeP2 samples at wavelengths of 300–1000 microns in the non fundamental absorption region were obtained. The obtained experimental results confirm the assumption of the determining role of free carriers in the formation of dielectric losses in the wavelength range of 100–1000 microns. The hypothesis that one of the main sources of free carriers in ZnGeP2 is the matrix medium / inclusion interface of the second phase is confirmed.В ст. ошибочно: A. S. Bolshako

Threshold of laser destruction of nonlinear GaSe and GaSe:in crystals when exposed to pulsed radiation at a wavelength of 2.1 microns

The aim of this work is to determine the optical breakdown threshold of a single crystal GaSe and GaSe:In when exposed to nanosecond radiation of the two micron range and determining the influence of the energy parameters of the testing radiation on the breakdown threshold. The Ho3+:YAG laser was used as the laser radiation source in this work. Pumping was carried out by a Thule fiber laser.В ст. ошибочно: E. V. Zhuravle

Effect of dopants on laser-induced damage threshold of ZnGeP2

The effect of doping Mg, Se, and Ca by diffusion into ZnGeP2 on the optical damage threshold at a wavelength of 2.1 μm has been studied. It has been shown that diffusion-doping with Mg and Se leads to an increase in the laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) of a single crystal (monocrystal), ZnGeP2; upon annealing at a temperature of 750 °C, the damage threshold of samples doped with Mg and Se increases by 31% and 21% from 2.2 ± 0.1 J/cm2 to 2.9 ± 0.1 and 2.7 ± 0.1 J/cm2, respectively. When ZnGeP2 is doped with Ca, the opposite trend is observed. It has been suggested that the changes in the LIDT depending on the introduced impurity by diffusion can be explained by the creation of additional energy dissipation channels due to the processes of radiative and fast non-radiative relaxation through impurity energy levels, which further requires experimental confirmation

Influence of post-post processing technology and laser radiation parameters on the optical breakdown threshold of a ZnGeP2 single crystal

The aim of this work is to determine the influence of the parameters of post-growth technological operations and experimental conditions on the threshold of optical breakdown of the surface of ZGP crystals under the action of laser radiation at a wavelength of 2091 nm

Laser-induced damage threshold of nonlinear GaSe and GaSe:In crystals upon exposure to pulsed radiation at a wavelength of 2.1 μm

The paper defined the laser-induced damage threshold from the fluence and the peak power of GaSe and GaSe:In single crystals upon exposure to nanosecond radiation in the two micron range and assessed the influence of test radiation energy parameters (pulse repetition rate, pulse duration) on the damage threshold. Laser-induced damage threshold was determined with the parameters of the incident radiation close to the pump radiation parameters of promising dual-wavelength optical parametric oscillators (effective pump sources for THz difference frequency oscillators): wavelength was &#8776; 2.1 &#956;m; pulse repetition rates were 10, 12, 14, and 20 kHz; and pulse durations were 15, 18, 20, and 22 ns. The obtained results made it possible to conclude that the value of GaSe damage threshold at a wavelength of 2.091 &#956;m of the incident radiation was influenced by the accumulation effects (the damage threshold decreased as the pulse repetition rate increased). The accumulation effects were more significant in the case of the In-doped sample, since a more significant decrease in the damage threshold was observed with increasing frequency in terms of the peak power and the fluence

Assessment of fatigue damage to aircraft glass using digital holography methods

The purpose of this work is to test the digital holography method for determining the depth of fatigue surface defects of the "silver" type of aviation organic glass caused by cyclic mechanical overloads, as well as the impact of aggressive substances. To study the fatigue defects of aviation organic glass, a digital holographic camera was used, the configuration of which is an axial scheme for recording digital Gabor holograms. During the experiment, the possibility of using the digital holography method to determine the characteristic transverse dimensions of surface defects in aircraft glazing parts and longitudinal dimensions was shown. The work carried out and the created model of the digital holographic camera show the potential possibility of creating a method for checking with a given accuracy the elements of the aircraft glazing for the presence of surface damage and assessing their impact on flight safety

Genotyping and Whole-Genome Resequencing of Welsh Sheep Breeds Reveal Candidate Genes and Variants for Adaptation to Local Environment and Socioeconomic Traits

BackgroundAdvances in genetic tools applied to livestock breeding has prompted research into the previously neglected breeds adapted to harsh local environments. One such group is the Welsh mountain sheep breeds, which can be farmed at altitudes of 300 m above sea level but are considered to have a low productive value because of their poor wool quality and small carcass size. This is contrary to the lowland breeds which are more suited to wool and meat production qualities, but do not fare well on upland pasture. Herein, medium-density genotyping data from 317 individuals representing 15 Welsh sheep breeds were used alongside the whole-genome resequencing data of 14 breeds from the same set to scan for the signatures of selection and candidate genetic variants using haplotype- and SNP-based approaches.ResultsHaplotype-based selection scan performed on the genotyping data pointed to a strong selection in the regions of GBA3, PPARGC1A, APOB, and PPP1R16B genes in the upland breeds, and RNF24, PANK2, and MUC15 in the lowland breeds. SNP-based selection scan performed on the resequencing data pointed to the missense mutations under putative selection relating to a local adaptation in the upland breeds with functions such as angiogenesis (VASH1), anti-oxidation (RWDD1), cell stress (HSPA5), membrane transport (ABCA13 and SLC22A7), and insulin signaling (PTPN1 and GIGFY1). By contrast, genes containing candidate missense mutations in the lowland breeds are related to cell cycle (CDK5RAP2), cell adhesion (CDHR3), and coat color (MC1R).ConclusionWe found new variants in genes with potentially functional consequences to the adaptation of local sheep to their environments in Wales. Knowledge of these variations is important for improving the adaptative qualities of UK and world sheep breeds through a marker-assisted selection