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Full-Text Articles in Electromagnetics and Photonics

Design And Optimization Of Nanostructured Optical Filters, Jeremiah Brown Jan 2008

Design And Optimization Of Nanostructured Optical Filters, Jeremiah Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Optical filters encompass a vast array of devices and structures for a wide variety of applications. Generally speaking, an optical filter is some structure that applies a designed amplitude and phase transform to an incident signal. Different classes of filters have vastly divergent characteristics, and one of the challenges in the optical design process is identifying the ideal filter for a given application and optimizing it to obtain a specific response. In particular, it is highly advantageous to obtain a filter that can be seamlessly integrated into an overall device package without requiring exotic fabrication steps, extremely sensitive alignments, or …


Low Noise, High Repetition Rate Semiconductor-Based Mode-Locked Lasers For Signal Processing And Coherent Communications, Franklyn Quinlan Jan 2008

Low Noise, High Repetition Rate Semiconductor-Based Mode-Locked Lasers For Signal Processing And Coherent Communications, Franklyn Quinlan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation details work on high repetition rate semiconductor mode-locked lasers. The qualities of stable pulse trains and stable optical frequency content are the focus of the work performed. First, applications of such lasers are reviewed with particular attention to applications only realizable with laser performance such as presented in this dissertation. Sources of timing jitter are also reviewed, as are techniques by which the timing jitter of a 10 GHz optical pulse train may be measured. Experimental results begin with an exploration of the consequences on the timing and amplitude jitter of the phase noise of an RF source …


Ultrashort Laser Pulse Interaction With Photo-Thermo-Refractive Glass, Leo Siiman Jan 2008

Ultrashort Laser Pulse Interaction With Photo-Thermo-Refractive Glass, Leo Siiman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Photo-thermo-refractive (PTR) glass is an ideal photosensitive material for recording phase volume holograms. It is a homogeneous multi-component silicate glass that demonstrates all the advantages of optical glass: thermal stability, high laser damage threshold, and a wide transparency range. Moreover the ability to record phase patterns (i.e. spatial refractive index variations) into PTR glass has resulted in the fabrication of volume holograms with diffraction efficiency greater than 99%. The conventional method of recording a hologram in PTR glass relies on exposure to continuous-wave ultraviolet laser radiation. In this dissertation the interaction between infrared ultrashort laser pulses and PTR glass is …


Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Photonic Crystal Lasers And Photonic Devices, Ying Zhou Jan 2008

Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Photonic Crystal Lasers And Photonic Devices, Ying Zhou

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation discusses cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) and polymers based photonic devices including one-dimensional (1D) photonic crystal lasers and broadband circular polarizers. CLCs showing unique self-organized chiral structures have been widely used in bistable displays, flexible displays, and reflectors. However, the photonic band gap they exhibit opens a new way for generating laser light at the photonic band edge (PBE) or inside the band gap. When doped with an emissive laser dye, cholesteric liquid crystals provide distributed feedback so that mirrorless lasing is hence possible. Due to the limited surface anchoring, the thickness of gain medium and feedback length is …


Integrated Optical Spr (Surface Plasmon Resonance) Sensor Based On Optoelectronic Platform, Hyungseok Bang Jan 2008

Integrated Optical Spr (Surface Plasmon Resonance) Sensor Based On Optoelectronic Platform, Hyungseok Bang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Current major demands in SPR sensor development are system miniaturization and throughput improvement. Structuring an array of integrated optical SPR sensor heads on a semiconductor based optoelectronic platform could be a promising solution for those issues, since integrated optical waveguides have highly miniaturized dimension and the optoelectronic platform enables on-chip optical-to-electrical signal conversion. Utilizing a semiconductor based platform to achieve optoelectronic functionality poses requirements to the senor head; the sensor head needs to have reasonably small size while it should have reasonable sensitivity and fabrication tolerance. This research proposes a novel type of SPR sensor head and demonstrates a fabricated …


Extended Focus Range High Resolution Endoscopic Optical Coherence Tomography, Kye-Sung Lee Jan 2008

Extended Focus Range High Resolution Endoscopic Optical Coherence Tomography, Kye-Sung Lee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Today, medical imaging is playing an important role in medicine as it provides the techniques and processes used to create images of the human body or parts thereof for clinical purposes (medical procedures seeking to reveal, diagnose or examine disease) or medical science (including the study of normal anatomy and function). Modalities are developing over time to achieve the highest possible resolution, speed of image acquisition, sensitivity, and specificity. In the past decade, advances in optics, fiber, as well as laser technology have enabled the development of noninvasive optical biomedical imaging technology that can also be applied to endoscopy to …


Examination Of Energy And Group Velocities In Positive And Negative Index Chiral Materials With And Without Dispersion, Monish Ranjan Chatterjee, Partha P. Banerjee Sep 2007

Examination Of Energy And Group Velocities In Positive And Negative Index Chiral Materials With And Without Dispersion, Monish Ranjan Chatterjee, Partha P. Banerjee

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Concepts of energy and group velocities, Poynting and propagation vectors are examined for both positive and negative index materials. Known definitions for these entities are explored in terms of the interplay of chirality and dispersion.


Analysis Of Beam Propagation In 90-Degree Holographic Recording And Readout Using Transfer Functions And Numerical 2-D-Laplace Inversion, Monish Ranjan Chatterjee, Partha P. Banerjee, George Nehmetallah Jun 2007

Analysis Of Beam Propagation In 90-Degree Holographic Recording And Readout Using Transfer Functions And Numerical 2-D-Laplace Inversion, Monish Ranjan Chatterjee, Partha P. Banerjee, George Nehmetallah

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Recently, 2-D-Laplace analysis of recording and readout of edge-holograms was reported. Numerical Laplace inversion was examined for simple test cases. Inversion algorithms are applied to examine beam shaping and distortion in photovoltaic and photorefractive materials.


Study Of Soliton Stabilization In D+1 Dimensions Using Novel Analytical And Numerical Techniques, George Nehmetallah, Partha P. Banerjee Jan 2007

Study Of Soliton Stabilization In D+1 Dimensions Using Novel Analytical And Numerical Techniques, George Nehmetallah, Partha P. Banerjee

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

In this Chapter, we provide a brief review of the underlying nonlinear Schrödinger and associated equations that model spatio-temporal propagation in one and higher dimensions in a nonlinear dispersive environment. Particular attention is given to fast adaptive numerical techniques to solve such equations, and in the presence of dispersion and nonlinearity management, saturating nonlinearity and nonparaxiality. A unique variational approach is also outlined which helps in determining the ranges of nonlinearity and dispersion parameters to ensure stable solutions of the nonlinear equations. The propagation of 3+1 dimensional spatio-temporal pulses, or optical bullets is also modeled using a fast adaptive split-step …


Atmospheric Turbulence Compensation Of Point Source Images Using Asynchronous Stochastic Parallel Gradient Descent Technique On Amos 3.6 M Telescope, Mikhail Vorontsov, Jim F. Riker, Gary W. Carhart, Venkata S. Rao Gudimetla, Leonid A. Beresnev, Thomas Weyrauch Jan 2007

Atmospheric Turbulence Compensation Of Point Source Images Using Asynchronous Stochastic Parallel Gradient Descent Technique On Amos 3.6 M Telescope, Mikhail Vorontsov, Jim F. Riker, Gary W. Carhart, Venkata S. Rao Gudimetla, Leonid A. Beresnev, Thomas Weyrauch

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The Stochastic Parallel Gradient Descent Technique-based Adaptive Optics (SPGD-AO) system described in this presentation does not use a conventional wavefront sensor. It uses a metric signal collected by a single pixel detector placed behind a pinhole in the image plane to drive three deformable mirrors (DMs). The system is designed to compensate the image for turbulence effects. The theory behind this method is described in detail in [1]. However this technique, while widely simulated and tested in the laboratory, was not yet verified in astronomical field site experiments. During the month of May 2007, a series of experiments with SPGD-AO …


Adaptive Optics Performance Over Long Horizontal Paths: Aperture Effects In Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optical Systems, Miao Yu, Mikhail Vorontsov, Svetlana Lachinova, Jim F. Riker, Venkata S. Rao Gudimetla Jan 2007

Adaptive Optics Performance Over Long Horizontal Paths: Aperture Effects In Multi-Conjugate Adaptive Optical Systems, Miao Yu, Mikhail Vorontsov, Svetlana Lachinova, Jim F. Riker, Venkata S. Rao Gudimetla

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

We analyze various scenarios of the aperture effects in adaptive optical receiver-type systems when inhomogeneities of the wave propagation medium are distributed over long horizontal propagation path, or localized in a few thin layers remotely located from the receiver telescope pupil. Phase aberration compensation is performed using closed-loop control architectures based on phase conjugation and decoupled stochastic parallel gradient descent (DSPGD) control algorithms. Both receiver system aperture diffraction effects and the impact of wave-front corrector position on phase aberration compensation efficiency are analyzed for adaptive systems with single or multiple wave-front correctors.


Infrared Antenna-Coupled Phased-Array, Christopher Middlebrook Jan 2007

Infrared Antenna-Coupled Phased-Array, Christopher Middlebrook

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Phased-array antennas are commonplace in the radiofrequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Exploitation of phasing effects between multiple antennas facilitates a wide range of applications, including synthetic-aperture radar, beam forming, and beam scanning. For the first time, the phased addition of multiple dipole antennas is demonstrated in the infrared, at a wavelength of 10.6 micrometers. Coplanar strip lines are used to interconnect the antennas, preserving the phase of the individual contributions. Several different proof-of-concept experiments are performed, using planar antennas fabricated with direct-write electron-beam lithography. Infrared-frequency currents from two dipole antennas are summed together at a common feedpoint and dissipated …


High-Speed Modelocked Semiconductor Lasers And Applications In Coherent Photonic Systems, Wangkuen Lee Jan 2007

High-Speed Modelocked Semiconductor Lasers And Applications In Coherent Photonic Systems, Wangkuen Lee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

1.55-µm high-speed modelocked semiconductor lasers are theoretically and experimentally studied for various coherent photonic system applications. The modelocked semiconductor lasers (MSLs) are designed with high-speed (>5 GHz) external cavity configurations utilizing monolithic two-section curved semiconductor optical amplifiers. By exploiting the saturable absorber section of the monolithic device, passive or hybrid mode-locking techniques are used to generate short optical pulses with broadband optical frequency combs. Laser frequency stability is improved by applying the Pound-Drever-Hall (PDH) frequency stabilization technique to the MSLs. The improved laser performance after the frequency stabilization (a frequency drifting of less than 350 MHz), is extensively studied …


Scalable Volumetric Three-Dimensional Up-Conversion Display Medium, Jung-Hyun Cho Jan 2007

Scalable Volumetric Three-Dimensional Up-Conversion Display Medium, Jung-Hyun Cho

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There are many different techniques to display 3D information. However, not many of them are able to provide sufficient depth cues to the observers to sense or feel the images as real three-dimensional objects. Volumetric three-dimensional displays generate images within a real 3D space, so they provide most of the depth cues automatically. This thesis discusses the basic notions required to understand three-dimensional displays. Also discussed are different techniques used to display 3D information and their advantages and disadvantages as well as their current limitations. Several rare-earth doped fluoride crystals that are excited to emit visible light by sequential two …


All-Optical Regeneration For Phase-Shift Keyed Optical Communication Systems, Kevin Croussore Jan 2007

All-Optical Regeneration For Phase-Shift Keyed Optical Communication Systems, Kevin Croussore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

All-optical signal processing techniques for phase-shift keyed (PSK) systems were developed theoretically and demonstrated experimentally. Nonlinear optical effects in fibers, in particular four-wave mixing (FWM) that occurs via the ultra-fast Kerr nonlinearity, offer a flexible framework within which numerous signal processing functions can be accomplished. This research has focused on the regenerative capabilities of various FWM configurations in the context of processing PSK signals. Phase-preserving amplitude regeneration, phase regeneration, and phase-regenerative wavelength conversion are analyzed and demonstrated experimentally. The single-pump phase-conjugation process was used to regenerate RZ-DPSK pulse amplitudes with different input noise distributions, and the impact on output phase …


Rigorous Analysis Of Wave Guiding And Diffractive Integrated Optical Structures, Andrew Greenwell Jan 2007

Rigorous Analysis Of Wave Guiding And Diffractive Integrated Optical Structures, Andrew Greenwell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The realization of wavelength scale and sub-wavelength scale fabrication of integrated optical devices has led to a concurrent need for computational design tools that can accurately model electromagnetic phenomena on these length scales. This dissertation describes the physical, analytical, numerical, and software developments utilized for practical implementation of two particular frequency domain design tools: the modal method for multilayer waveguides and one-dimensional lamellar gratings and the Rigorous Coupled Wave Analysis (RCWA) for 1D, 2D, and 3D periodic optical structures and integrated optical devices. These design tools, including some novel numerical and programming extensions developed during the course of this work, …


Micro-Optic-Spectral-Spatial-Elements (Mosse), Alok Ajay Mehta Jan 2007

Micro-Optic-Spectral-Spatial-Elements (Mosse), Alok Ajay Mehta

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Over a wide range of applications, optical systems have utilized conventional optics in order to provide the ability to engineer the properties of incident infra-red fields in terms of the transmitted field spectral, spatial, amplitude, phase, and polarization characteristics. These micro/nano-optical elements that provide specific optical functionality can be categorized into subcategories of refractive, diffractive, multi-layer thin film dichroics, 3-D photonic crystals, and polarization gratings. The feasibility of fabrication, functionality, and level of integration which these elements can be used in an optical system differentiate which elements are more compatible with certain systems than others. With enabling technologies emerging allowing …


Effects Of Polarization And Coherence On The Propagation And The Detection Of Stochastic Electromagnetic Beams, Mohamed Fouad Salem Jan 2007

Effects Of Polarization And Coherence On The Propagation And The Detection Of Stochastic Electromagnetic Beams, Mohamed Fouad Salem

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Most of the physically realizable optical sources are radiating in a random manner given the random nature of the radiation of a large number of atoms that constitute the source. Besides, a lot of natural and synthetic materials are fluctuating randomly. Hence, the optical fields that one encounters, in most of the applications are fluctuating and must be treated using random or stochastic functions. Within the framework of the scalar-coherence theory, one can describe changes of the properties of any stochastic field such as the spectral density and the spectral degree of coherence on propagation in any linear medium, deterministic …


Three-Dimensional Micron-Scale Metal Photonic Crystals Via Multi-Photon Direct Laser Writing And Electroless Metal Deposition, Amir Tal Jan 2007

Three-Dimensional Micron-Scale Metal Photonic Crystals Via Multi-Photon Direct Laser Writing And Electroless Metal Deposition, Amir Tal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Three-dimensional (3D) metal photonic crystals (MPCs) can exhibit interesting electromagnetic properties such as ultra-wide photonic or "plasmonic" band gaps, selectively tailored thermal emission, extrinsically modified absorption, and negative refractive index. Yet, optical-wavelength 3D MPCs remain relatively unexplored due to the challenges posed by their fabrication. This work explores the use of multi-photon direct laser writing (DLW) coupled with electroless metallization as a means for preparing MPCs. Multi-photon DLW was used to prepare polymeric photonic crystal (PC) templates having a targeted micron-scale structure and form. MPCs were then created by metallizing the polymeric PCs via wet-chemical electroless deposition. The electromagnetic properties …


Hybrid Photonic Signal Processing, Farzan Naseer Ghauri Jan 2007

Hybrid Photonic Signal Processing, Farzan Naseer Ghauri

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis proposes research of novel hybrid photonic signal processing systems in the areas of optical communications, test and measurement, RF signal processing and extreme environment optical sensors. It will be shown that use of innovative hybrid techniques allows design of photonic signal processing systems with superior performance parameters and enhanced capabilities. These applications can be divided into domains of analog-digital hybrid signal processing applications and free-space--fiber-coupled hybrid optical sensors. The analog-digital hybrid signal processing applications include a high-performance analog-digital hybrid MEMS variable optical attenuator that can simultaneously provide high dynamic range as well as high resolution attenuation controls; an …


Optimization Of Zonal Wavefront Estimation And Curvature Measurements, Weiyao Zou Jan 2007

Optimization Of Zonal Wavefront Estimation And Curvature Measurements, Weiyao Zou

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Optical testing in adverse environments, ophthalmology and applications where characterization by curvature is leveraged all have a common goal: accurately estimate wavefront shape. This dissertation investigates wavefront sensing techniques as applied to optical testing based on gradient and curvature measurements. Wavefront sensing involves the ability to accurately estimate shape over any aperture geometry, which requires establishing a sampling grid and estimation scheme, quantifying estimation errors caused by measurement noise propagation, and designing an instrument with sufficient accuracy and sensitivity for the application. Starting with gradient-based wavefront sensing, a zonal least-squares wavefront estimation algorithm for any irregular pupil shape and size …


Two-Dimensional Guided Mode Resonant Structures For Spectral Filtering Applications, Sakoolkan Boonruang Jan 2007

Two-Dimensional Guided Mode Resonant Structures For Spectral Filtering Applications, Sakoolkan Boonruang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Guided mode resonant (GMR) structures are optical devices that consist of a planar waveguide with a periodic structure either imbedded in or on the surface of the structure. The resonance anomaly in GMR structures has many applications as dielectric mirrors, tunable devices, sensors,and narrow spectral band reflection filters. A desirable response from a resonant grating filter normally includes a nearly 100% narrowband resonant spectral reflection (transmission), and a broad angular acceptance at either normal incidence or an oblique angle of incidence. This dissertation is a detailed study of the unique nature of the resonance anomaly in GMR structures with two-dimensional …


High Birefringence Liquid Crystals For Optical Communications, Amanda Jane Parish Jan 2007

High Birefringence Liquid Crystals For Optical Communications, Amanda Jane Parish

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

High birefringence (Δn > 0.4) nematic liquid crystals are particularly attractive for infrared applications because they enable a thinner cell gap to be used for achieving fast response time and improved diffraction efficiency. In this thesis, the mesomorphic and electro‐optic properties of several new fluorinated isothiocyanate (NCS) terphenyl and phenyl tolane single compounds and mixtures are reported. The single compounds demonstrated Δn~0.35‐0.52 in the visible spectral region at room temperature and exhibit relatively low viscosity. It was found that lateral fluorine substitutions and short alkyl chains eliminate smectic phase and lower the melting temperature of the single compounds. However, the consequence …


Discrete Surface Solitons, Sergiy Suntsov Jan 2007

Discrete Surface Solitons, Sergiy Suntsov

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Surface waves exist along the interfaces between two different media and are known to display properties that have no analogue in continuous systems. In years past, they have been the subject of many studies in a diverse collection of scientific disciplines. In optics, one of the mechanisms through which optical surface waves can exist is material nonlinearity. Until recently, most of the activity in this area was focused on interfaces between continuous media but no successful experiments have been reported. However, the growing interest that nonlinear discrete optics has attracted in the last two decades has raised the question of …


Design And Demonstration Of Meanderline Retarders At Infrared Frequencies, Jeffrey Scott Tharp Jan 2007

Design And Demonstration Of Meanderline Retarders At Infrared Frequencies, Jeffrey Scott Tharp

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Meanderline structures are widely used as engineered birefringent materials for waveplates and retarders at radiofrequencies, and have been previously demonstrated at frequencies up to 90 GHz in the millimeter-wave band. In this dissertation, we present results related to the modeling, fabrication, and experimental characterization of meanderlines across the range from 30 to 100 THz, in the long-wave and mid-wave infrared bands. Specific issues addressed in these new designs include spectral dispersion and angular dependence of the retardance, as well as axial ratio and throughput. The impact resulting from the infrared properties of the metals and dielectrics is explicitly included throughout. …


Investigation Of Negative Refractive Index In Reciprocal Chiral Materials, Monish Ranjan Chatterjee, Partha P. Banerjee, Pradeep R. Anugula Aug 2006

Investigation Of Negative Refractive Index In Reciprocal Chiral Materials, Monish Ranjan Chatterjee, Partha P. Banerjee, Pradeep R. Anugula

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

It is well known that there exist both natural materials (such as milk or sugar solution) possessing chiral (or handed) properties, as well as an increasing list of man-made materials (such as sodium bromate) that exhibit chirality. One of the principal properties of chirality is that light of any arbitrary polarization, when propagating through a chiral material, splits up into two circular polarizations propagating in different directions. In the past decade or longer, researchers have investigated electromagnetic transverse (plane) wave propagation across a non-chiral/chiral interface, and determined the electromagnetic Fresnel coefficients for such propagation. Traditionally, such coefficients are derived under …


Polar Phase Screens: A Comparison With Other Methods Of Random Phase Screen Generation, Rebecca J. Eckert Mar 2006

Polar Phase Screens: A Comparison With Other Methods Of Random Phase Screen Generation, Rebecca J. Eckert

Theses and Dissertations

This research provides the first organized comparison of random phase screen generation methods, including logarithmic polar Fourier series, using structure functions. Random phase screens are essential elements of simulating light propagation through turbulent media. In order to be effective, they must accurately reflect theory and be practical to implement. This research explains and evaluates three methods of generating random phase screens: using a Fourier series upon a polar frequency grid with logarithmic spacing; using the fast Fourier transform, with its Cartesian frequency grid; and using Zernike polynomials. It provides a comparison of the Polar Fourier Series technique with the two …


Active Optical Tracking With Spatial Light Modulators, Steven R. Mawhorter Mar 2006

Active Optical Tracking With Spatial Light Modulators, Steven R. Mawhorter

Theses and Dissertations

Two spatial light modulators are utilized for beam splitting, steering and tracking. Both linear and holographic phase screens are used in a demonstration of technology to allow real time tracking to communicate in a one-to-several type scenario. One SLM is used to apply a linear phase modulation to steer multiple beams onto a detector. The spots that are produced represent the targets as they move around the field of view of the central communication node. A Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm will subsequently use the detected spots as the desired pointing locations. Using this as input, the Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm yields a phase only …


Polarimetry Of Random Fields, Jeremy Ellis Jan 2006

Polarimetry Of Random Fields, Jeremy Ellis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

On temporal, spatial and spectral scales which are small enough, all fields are fully polarized. In the optical regime, however, instantaneous fields can rarely be examined, and, instead, only average quantities are accessible. The study of polarimetry is concerned with both the description of electromagnetic fields and the characterization of media a field has interacted with. The polarimetric information is conventionally presented in terms of second order field correlations which are averaged over the ensemble of field realizations. Motivated by the deficiencies of classical polarimetry in dealing with specific practical situations, this dissertation expands the traditional polarimetric approaches to include …


Molecular Structure-Nonlinear Optical Property Relationships For A Series Of Polymethine And Squaraine Molecules, Jie Fu Jan 2006

Molecular Structure-Nonlinear Optical Property Relationships For A Series Of Polymethine And Squaraine Molecules, Jie Fu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation reports on the investigation of the relationships between molecular structure and two-photon absorption (2PA) properties for a series of polymethine and squaraine molecules. Current and emerging applications exploiting the quadratic dependence upon laser intensity, such as two-photon fluorescence imaging, three-dimensional microfabrication, optical data storage and optical limiting, have motivated researchers to find novel materials exhibiting strong 2PA. Organic materials are promising candidates because their linear and nonlinear optical properties can be optimized for applications by changing their structures through molecular engineering. Polymethine and squaraine dyes are particularly interesting because they are fluorescent and showing large 2PA. We used …