Optics Commons^™

Passively Estimating Index Of Refraction For Specular Reflectors Using Polarimetric Hyperspectral Imaging, Jacob A. Martin

Theses and Dissertations

As off-nadir viewing platforms becoming increasingly prevalent in remote sensing, material classification and ID techniques robust to changing viewing geometries must be developed. Traditionally, either reflectivity or emissivity are used for classification, but these quantities vary with viewing angle. Instead, estimating index of refraction may be advantageous as it is invariant with respect to viewing geometry. This work focuses on estimating index of refraction from LWIR (875-1250 wavenumbers) polarimetric hyperspectral radiance measurements.

Dual Role Of Sb Ions As Electron Traps And Hole Traps In Photorefractive Sn2P2S6 Crystals, Brant E. Kananen, Eric M. Golden, Sergey A. Basun, D. R. Evans, A. A. Grabar, I. M. Stoika, John W. Mcclory, Nancy C. Giles, Larry E. Halliburton

Faculty Publications

Doping photorefractive single crystals of Sn₂P₂S₆ with antimony introduces both electron and hole traps. In as-grown crystals, Sb³⁺ (5s²) ions replace Sn²⁺ ions. These Sb³⁺ ions are either isolated (with no nearby perturbing defects) or they have a charge-compensating Sn²⁺ vacancy at a nearest-neighbor Sn site. When illuminated with 633 nm laser light, isolated Sb³⁺ ions trap electrons and become Sb²⁺ (5s²5p¹) ions. In contrast, Sb³⁺ ions with an adjacent Sn vacancy trap holes during illumination. The hole is primarily …

Measuring Nonlinear Properties Of Graphene Thin Films Using Z-Scan Technique, Thekrayat Hassan Al Abdulaal

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The nonlinear studies of two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, specifically graphene, are very significant since graphene is finding its usefulness in handling the enormous heat in nanoscale high-density power electronics. Graphene has emerged to be a promising nanomaterial as an excellent heat spreader due to its high thermal conductivity. However, the experimental nonlinear study of graphene materials and their application in developing future optoelectronic devices demands for more developed research.

The research objective is first to build a precise, and sensitive technique to investigate and understand the thermal nonlinear properties, including nonlinear refractive index (n2), nonlinear absorption coefficient (β), and thermo-optic coefficient …

The Art And Science Of Light Painting, Reid Godshaw

The Transdisciplinary STEAM+ Journal

A short overview of the making of light painting portraits explained by the artist.

Reflective Inverse Diffusion, Kenneth W. Burgi, Jessica Ullom, Michael A. Marciniak, Mark E. Oxley

Faculty Publications

Phase front modulation was previously used to refocus light after transmission through scattering media. This process has been adapted here to work in reflection. A liquid crystal spatial light modulator is used to conjugate the phase scattering properties of diffuse reflectors to produce a converging phase front just after reflection. The resultant focused spot had intensity enhancement values between 13 and 122 depending on the type of reflector. The intensity enhancement of more specular materials was greater in the specular region, while diffuse reflector materials achieved a greater enhancement in non-specular regions, facilitating non-mechanical steering of the focused spot. Scalar …

Resonant Light Scattering From Semiconductor Quantum Dots, Kumarasiri Konthasinghe

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this work, resonant laser spectroscopy has been utilized in two major projects --resonance fluorescence measurements in solid-state quantum-confined nanostructures and laser-induced fluorescence measurements in gases. The first project focuses on studying resonant light-matter interactions in semiconductor quantum dots "artificial atoms" with potential applications in quantum information science. Of primary interest is the understanding of fundamental processes and how they are affected by the solid-state matrix. Unlike atoms, quantum dots are susceptible to a variety of environmental influences such as phonon scattering and spectral diffusion. These interactions alter the desired properties of the scattered light and hinder uses in certain …

Molecular Sensitivity And Selectivity Of Metal Nanoparticles Decorated Graphene As ‘Smart’ Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (Sers) Platforms [Hybrid Poster 1-A], Alexander Banaszak, Tyler Smith

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Raman scattering signal enhancement that uses graphene as support, graphene-enhanced Raman scattering (GERS), is a recent phenomenon. It can produce clean and reproducible Raman signals of chemical molecules with significantly enhanced signal intensity in contrast to traditional surface- (SERS) and tip- enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) techniques. While enhancement in SERS and TERS arise due to the electromagnetic mechanism, GERS also relies on a chemical mechanism and therefore shows unique molecular sensitivity and selectivity. In this work, we developed graphene materials decorated with noble metal (silver and gold) nanoparticles for detection of different chemical molecules e.g. methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine …

Cherenkov-Phase-Matched Nonlinear Optical Detection And Generation Of Terahertz Radiation Via Gaas With Metal-Coating, Ramon M. Delos Santos, Shinpei Ozawa, Valynn Magusara, Syougo Azuma, Anthony Tuico, Vernalyn Copa, Arnel Salvador, Kohji Yamamoto, Armando Somintac, Kazuyoshi Kurihara, Hideaki Kitahara, Masahiko Tani, Elmer Estacio

Physics Faculty Publications

Terahertz (THz) wave detection and emission via Cherenkov-phase-matched nonlinear optical effects at 1.55-μm optical wavelength were demonstrated using a GaAs with metal-coating (M-G-M) and bare GaAs as a reference sample in conjunction with a metallic tapered parallel-plate waveguide (TPPWG). The metal-coated GaAs is superior to the bare wafer both as a THz electro-optic detector and as an emitter. Significant improvements in the detection and emission efficiency were obtained by utilizing a metal-coating due to better confinement and lower loss of the THz waves propagating in the M-G-M compared with bare GaAs.

Optical Detection Of Bilirubin, Hirotaka Nakagame

Von Braun Symposium Student Posters

No abstract provided.

Complementary Weak-Value Amplification With Concatenated Postselections, Gerardo I. Viza, Julián Martínez-Rincón, Wei-Tao Liu, John C. Howell

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

We measure a transverse momentum kick in a Sagnac interferometer using weak-value amplification with two postselections. The first postselection is controlled by a polarization-dependent phase mismatch between both paths of the interferometer, and the second postselection is controlled by a polarizer at the exit port. By monitoring the dark port of the interferometer, we study the complementary amplification of the concatenated postselections, where the polarization extinction ratio is greater than the contrast of the spatial interference. In this case, we find an improvement in the amplification of the signal of interest by introducing a second postselection to the system.

An Antireflective Tco Film For Czts Solar Cells, Feng Zhan

The 8th International Conference on Physical and Numerical Simulation of Materials Processing

No abstract provided.

Negative Index In Chiral Metamaterials Under Conductive Loss And First-Order Material Dispersion Using Lorentzian, Condon And Drude Models, Monish Ranjan Chatterjee, Tarig A. Algadey

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Emergence of negative index (NIM) in chiral materials with conductive loss using standard dispersive models is reported. Positive and negative phase and group indices are realized as expected for NIM behavior for sidebands with opposite polarities.

Examination Of The Nonlinear Dynamics And Possible Chaos Encryption In A Zeroth-Order Acousto-Optic Bragg Modulator With Feedback, Fares S. Almehmadi, Monish Ranjan Chatterjee

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Zeroth-order chaos modulation in a Bragg cell is examined such that tracking problems due to spatial deflections of the first-order AO beam at the receiver may be avoided by switching to the undeviated zeroth-order beam.

Nonlinear Dynamics, Bifurcation Maps, Signal Encryption And Decryption Using Acousto-Optic Chaos Under A Variable Aperture Illumination, Monish Ranjan Chatterjee, Suman Chaparala

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Bragg cell nonlinear dynamics and bifurcation properties under first-order feedback with variable aperture are examined. Chaotic encryption and recovery of low-bandwidth signals, and optimal performance are evaluated for fixed and variable apertures.

Anisoplanatic Electromagnetic Image Propagation Through Narrow Or Extended Phase Turbulence Using Altitude-Dependent Structure Parameter, Monish Ranjan Chatterjee, Ali Mohamed

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The effects of turbulence on anisoplanatic imaging are often modeled through the use of a sequence of phase screens distributed along the optical path. We implement the split-step wave algorithm to examine turbulence-corrupted images.

Photonic Crystals With Alternate Arrays Of Rods And Holes In A Low Dielectric-Index Material, Dimitar L. Dimitrov

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This thesis theoretically deals with the propagation of electromagnetic waves (light beams) in periodically modulated dielectric material structures based on Maxwell’s equations. We are interested in novel light propagation characteristics in these man-made dielectric material structures for practical applications, especially on optical communications and computations. Since the wavelength range of light is on the same order of magnitude as the modulation periods of dielectric materials, an analogy of the light propagation in dielectric-constant modulated structures with the electron transport in solid-state crystals is used throughout my thesis by using a term “photonic crystals (PhCs)” referring to these dielectric structures. I …

Transmission Of Focused Picosecond Light Pulse Through Multimode Fibers, Yin Cen

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This thesis focuses on a technique of delivering spatially focused and temporally compressed picosecond laser pulses through multimode fibers. This study was inspired by recent success in focusing light through optically diffusive media of which multimode fibers were a special case in terms of causing scrambled phase distribution in the transmitted light. The approach involved controlling the phase distribution of incoming beam using a deformable mirror prior to its entry into the multimode fiber in order to achieve constructive interference at selected spots in the output. With phase control, the intensity of the focused light at the output can be …

Control Of Spontanous Emission From Quantum Emitters Using Hyperbolic Metamaterial Substrates, Tal Galfsky

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Hyperbolic metamaterials (HMMs) are so named for possessing a hyperboloid-shaped dispersion which gives rise to a large photonic density of states. Quantum emitters placed inside or in the near-field of a HMM have been shown to exhibit strong enhancement of spontaneous emission due to the increase in available states. This thesis focuses on enhancing spontaneous emission of quantum emitters in optical frequencies by utilizing multilayered metal/dielectric composites that form these highly anisotropic metamaterials. In conjunction with the enhanced decay rate we experimentally demonstrate two methods for shaping and directing radiation trapped in the HMM into free space by employing a …

Optical Theory Improvements To Space Domain Awareness, Tyler J. Hardy

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on increasing the ability to detect space objects and increase Space Domain Awareness (SDA) with space surveillance sensors through image processing and optical theory. SDA observations are collected through ground-based radar and optical systems as well as space based assets. This research focuses on a ground-based optical telescope system, the Space Surveillance Telescope (SST). By increasing the number of detectable Resident Space Objects (RSOs) through image processing, SDA capabilities can be expanded. This is accomplished through addressing two main degrading factors present in typical SDA sensors; spatial undersampling in the collected data and noise models and assumptions …

Quantum Enigma Machine: Experimentally Demonstrating Quantum Data Locking, Daniel J. Lum, John C. Howell, M. S. Allman, Thomas Gerrits, Varun B. Verma, Sae Woo Nam, Cosmo Lupo, Seth Lloyd

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Shannon proved in 1949 that information-theoretic-secure encryption is possible if the encryption key is used only once, is random, and is at least as long as the message itself. Notwithstanding, when information is encoded in a quantum system, the phenomenon of quantum data locking allows one to encrypt a message with a shorter key and still provide information-theoretic security. We present one of the first feasible experimental demonstrations of quantum data locking for direct communication and propose a scheme for a quantum enigma machine that encrypts 6 bits per photon (containing messages, new encryption keys, and forward error correction bits) …

Photonicstd-2d: Modeling Light Scattering In Periodic Multilayer Photonic Structures, Alexey Bondarev, Shaimaa Azzam, Zhaxylyk Kudyshev, Alexander V. Kildishev

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Efficient modeling of electromagnetic processes in optical and plasmonic metamaterials is important for enabling new and exciting ways to manipulate light for advanced applications. In this work, we put together a tool for numerical simulation of propagation of normally incident light through a nanostructured multilayer composite material. The user builds a unit cell of a given material layer-by-layer starting from a substrate up to a superstrate, splitting each layer further into segments. The segments are defined by width and material -- dielectric, metal or active medium. Simulations are performed with the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method. A database of …

Designs And Reliability Evaluations Of A Scattered Light Measurement System, Kang-Min Lee

Graduate Theses - Physics and Optical Engineering

The purpose of my work was to develop an in-plane stray light measurement system having the advantage of being easily applicable in both motion control and optical configurations. First of all, mechanical designs were conducted based on both 3D modeling and structural analysis through a finite element method (FEM). Optical configurations for both the incident source and the detector were designed to achieve minimum observed source convergence angle of the system. The control panel and micro stepping system were programmed for automated measurement. Finally, the designed system was calibrated and aligned. In order to evaluate the system reliability for scatter …

Chiral Light Intrinsically Couples To Extrinsic/Pseudo-Chiral Metasurfaces Made Of Tilted Gold Nanowires, Alessandro Belardini, Marco Centini, Grigore Leahu, David C. Hooper, Roberto Li Voti, Eugenio Fazio, Joseph W. Haus, Andrew Sarangan, Ventsislav K. Valev, Concita Sibilia

Electro-Optics and Photonics Faculty Publications

Extrinsic or pseudo-chiral (meta)surfaces have an achiral structure, yet they can give rise to circular dichroism when the experiment itself becomes chiral. Although these surfaces are known to yield differences in reflected and transmitted circularly polarized light, the exact mechanism of the interaction has never been directly demonstrated. Here we present a comprehensive linear and nonlinear optical investigation of a metasurface composed of tilted gold nanowires. In the linear regime, we directly demonstrate the selective absorption of circularly polarised light depending on the orientation of the metasurface. In the nonlinear regime, we demonstrate for the first time how second harmonic …

Nanophotonics For Dark Materials, Filters, And Optical Magnetism, Mengren Man

Open Access Dissertations

Research on nanophotonic structures for three application areas is described, a near perfect optical absorber based on a graphene/dielectric stack, an ultraviolet bandpass filter formed with an aluminum/dielectric stack, and structures exhibiting homogenizable magnetic properties at infrared frequencies. The graphene stack can be treated as a effective, homogenized medium that can be designed to reflect little light and absorb an astoundingly high amount per unit thickness, making it an ideal dark material and providing a new avenue for photonic devices based on two-dimensional materials. Another material stack arrangement with thin layers of metal and insulator forms a multi-cavity filter that …

Investigation Of Cellular Microenvironments And Heterogeneity With Biodynamic Imaging, Daniel Alexander Merrill

Open Access Dissertations

Imaging of biological tissue in a relevant environment is critical to accurately assessing the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents in combatting cancer. Though many three-dimensional (3D) culture models exist, conventional in vitro assays continue to use two-dimensional (2D) cultures because of the difficulty in imaging through deep tissue. 3D tomographic imaging techniques exist and are being used in the development of 3D efficacy assays. However, most of these assays look at therapy endpoint (dead or living cancer cell count) and do not capture the dynamics of tissue response.

Biodynamic imaging (BDI) is a 3D tomographic imaging and assay technique that uses …

Study Of Plasmonic Properties Of The Gold Nanorods In The Visible To Near Infrared Light Regime, Pijush Kanti Ghosh

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Nanostructures of noble metals show unique plasmonic behavior in the visible to near-infrared light range. Gold nanostructures exhibit a particularly strong plasmonic response for these wavelengths of light. In this study we have investigated optical enhancement and absorption of gold nanorods with different thickness using finite element method simulations. This study reports on the resonance wavelength of the sharp-corner and round-corner rectangles of constant length 100 nm and width 60 nm. The result shows that resonance wavelength depends on the polarization of the incident light; there also exists a strong dependence of the optical enhancement and absorption on the thickness …

Forward Light Scattering In An Extended Sample Of Cold Atoms, Stetson Roof

Physics Theses & Dissertations

We present results on the forward emitted light from a cold atomic sample of 87Rb. Specifically,we study single-photon superradiance which is characterized by a rapid decay faster than the single atom lifetime with the light preferentially emitted in the forward direction. Additionally, we report measurements on its counterpart, the cooperative Lamb shift. The results are interpreted using microscopic light scattering theory as well as techniques from classical optics. The comparison of the two analytical techniques provides a new perspectiveon what is meant by cooperative and collective scattering effects in cold atomic physics.

Instrumentation Of A Self-Correcting Data Acquisition System For Ultrafast Lasers, Fabricio S. Marin

DePaul Discoveries

Optical phenomenon in semiconductors and other light-sensitive materials typically happen at very short time durations, and require instruments capable of measuring time resolutions on the order of nanoseconds to femtoseconds. Electronics can only measure up to nanosecond-time lengths. The purpose of this summer research project is to design a system capable of achieving variable time delays with resolutions up to femtosecond range to use in time-resolved experiments with the pump-probe technique. The time delay is achieved using a delay stage driven by a micro stepper-motor which moves in variable increments while an encoder counts the steps and tells a computer …

Surface Roughness Effects On Light Propagation In Optical Light Pipes, Youngjin Park

Graduate Theses - Physics and Optical Engineering

Solid- and hollow-core light pipes are commonly employed to shape the intensity profile of high power lasers for applications in various technology industries such as the automobile, medical, and communications. There are several loss mechanisms present in solid-core glass and polymer light pipes, including absorption, bulk scattering in the material, surface scattering at the material-air interface, and Fresnel Loss at the material-air interface. Fresnel reflection and surface scattering losses typically dominate over other loss mechanisms in solid-core light pipes made of high quality optical materials. In order to analyze the losses in the light pipe, an approximate model is developed …

Recursive Non-Local Means Filter For Video Denoising With Poisson-Gaussian Noise, Redha A. Almahdi, Russell C. Hardie

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

In this paper, we describe a new recursive Non-Local means (RNLM) algorithm for video denoising that has been developed by the current authors. Furthermore, we extend this work by incorporating a Poisson-Gaussian noise model. Our new RNLM method provides a computationally efficient means for video denoising, and yields improved performance compared with the single frame NLM and BM3D benchmarks methods. Non-Local means (NLM) based methods of denoising have been applied successfully in various image and video sequence denoising applications. However, direct extension of this method from 2D to 3D for video processing can be computationally demanding. The RNLM approach takes …