Hydroxy-substituted tetrachlorodibenzo[b,e][1,4]dioxin and tetrachlorodibenzo[b,d]furans have bee... more Hydroxy-substituted tetrachlorodibenzo[b,e][1,4]dioxin and tetrachlorodibenzo[b,d]furans have been synthesized using 3,4-dichloroanisole, 2,3,6-trichlorophenol and 4,5-dichlorocatechol as starting materials and electrophilic and/or nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions for the assembly of the dibenzo[b,e][1,4]dioxin and dibenzo[b,d]furan systems. The thus-obtained phenolic compounds were then alkylated with N-1-(4,4-dimethyl-2,6-dioxocyclohexylidene)ethyl (Dde)-protected 3-bromopropan-1-amine to give the corresponding N-Dde protected 3-aminopropoxy-substituted tetrachlorodibenzo[b,e][1,4]dioxin and tetrachlorodibenzo[b,d]furans, respectively. Hydrazinolysis-mediated Dde removal from the former compound provided the corresponding amino-substituted dioxin, which was coupled to carboxy-substituted magnetic beads affording magnetic beads coated by the amino-substituted dioxin. The latter is an attractive intermediate for the development of selective single-standard DNA (ssDNA) ap...
Pulsed laser deposition on 3-dimensional micro-objects of complex morphology is demonstrated by t... more Pulsed laser deposition on 3-dimensional micro-objects of complex morphology is demonstrated by the paradigmatic growth of cellulose and polymer/Y3Al5O12:Ce phosphor composite nanolayers. Congruent materials transfer is a result of multicomponent ablation performed by relatively low fluence (<200 mJ cm−2) ArF excimer laser pulses (λ = 193 nm). Films grown on optical and engineering components, having a thickness from ~50 nm to more than ~300 nm, are durable, well adherent and maintain the structural and functional properties of the parent solids. The results verify the unique capabilities of deep-ultraviolet pulsed laser deposition of novel functional nanostructures on arbitrary surface morphologies and highlight its potential in future 3-dimensional nanotechnologies.
The impact of photonics in telecommunications is indisputably massive; however it relies on effic... more The impact of photonics in telecommunications is indisputably massive; however it relies on efficient cost reduction which is in turn only possible if significant cost savings are made at all steps in the development of the photonic device from the material to packaging. The PHOTOPOLIS consortium has identified polymer technology as the ideal solution for producing low-cost devices. The paper aims to discuss the status of polymer photonic components and subsystems able to generate, transmit and manage optical information in a cost effective manner.
Remote-point photonic sensors are fabricated and evaluated. They are based on nanocomposite thin ... more Remote-point photonic sensors are fabricated and evaluated. They are based on nanocomposite thin films comprising NiCl(2) nanocrystals embedded in sol-gel silica matrix and are patterned using direct UV laser microetching techniques to form surface relief structures, which exhibit environment sensitive optical diffraction effects. A strong response to ammonia is detected via the alteration of diffraction efficiency of its orders upon exposure to the analyte. Detection of ammonia in the 2 ppm level with a typical response time of about 30 s in the ambient, 50% RH 20 degrees C, room environment is demonstrated.
Optofluidics, Microfluidics and Nanofluidics, 2017
Nature-inspired micro- and nano-structures offer a unique platform for the development of novel s... more Nature-inspired micro- and nano-structures offer a unique platform for the development of novel synergetic systems combining photonic and microfluidic functionalities. In this context, we examine the paradigm of butterfly Vanessa cardui and develop artificial diffractive microstructures inspired by its natural designs. Softlithographic and nanoimprint protocols are developed to replicate surfaces of natural specimens. Further to their optical behavior, interphases tailored by such microstructures exhibit enhanced hydrophobic properties, as compared to their planar counterparts made of the same materials. Such synergies exploited by new design approaches pave the way to prospective optofluidic, lab-on-chip and sensing applications.
Systolic nanofabrication is demonstrated via conformal downsizing of three-dimensional micropatte... more Systolic nanofabrication is demonstrated via conformal downsizing of three-dimensional micropatterned monolithic master-casts made of extremely nanoporous aerogel and xerogel materials. The porous solid skeleton collapses by thermal treatment, generating miniaturized replicas, which preserve the original stereometric forms and incorporate minified nanoscale patterns. Paradigmatic holographic and biomimetic nanoarchitectures are conformally downsized by ~4×, yielding subwavelength surface features of less than ~150 nm. The operations demonstrate the super-resolution capabilities of this alternative concept and its potential evolution to an innovative nanotechnology of the future.
Photonic sensors receive an increasing global attention focusing on critical applications such as... more Photonic sensors receive an increasing global attention focusing on critical applications such as the protection of the environment, the health and safety of the citizens. In this work we are concerned with sensing of gaseous environments and focus on a novel class of nanocomposite sensor materials, which are capable to react to external stimulant-agents. These interactions amend their optical properties, fact which provides the means for optical detection. An unpowered sensor device is thus formed, which is interrogated optically and remotely to provide quantitative detection of the “agent”. “Sensing-by-light” thus unfolds the emerging conceptsof “Remote-point Photonic Sensors (RPHOS)”,we review and revisit in this work. The method offers unique means for spatially localized, real-time, multivariable sensing. This “point-in-space” detection may be contrasted to opticalpath- integrating LIDAR operations. Synergy with diffractive and holographic approaches enhance detectability and o...
Journal of Optics a Pure and Applied Optics, Dec 1, 2009
Analysis of a design scheme that relaxes alignment issues is reported. This entails the use of ve... more Analysis of a design scheme that relaxes alignment issues is reported. This entails the use of vertically coupled microring resonators (MR). It is shown that an almost flat response of the coupling coefficient to offset values up to 1 µm is feasible by judicious choice of the bus and ring waveguide geometry. The scheme is evaluated using FDTD simulations and
Wide-angle, large space-bandwidth-product coherent image amplification with a flat spatial freque... more Wide-angle, large space-bandwidth-product coherent image amplification with a flat spatial frequency response is demonstrated in photorefractive Bi(12)SiO(20) crystals under nonstationary grating recording conditions. By utilizing large-divergence, mutually phase-conjugate pump beams provided by a self-pumped BaTiO(3) crystal, high-fidelity phase conjugation with high reflectivity in Bi(12)SiO(20) is demonstrated.
ABSTRACT Polymer photonics have been identified as a strong candidate technology for producing lo... more ABSTRACT Polymer photonics have been identified as a strong candidate technology for producing low-cost optical devices. In this paper, we provide a time efficient framework for designing polymer micro-ring devices based on Coupled Mode Theory (CMT) and a Finite Difference Mode Solver. We benchmark two alternative methods for modeling the coupling regions of the micro-ring filter in 3D. We deduce that compared to full blown finite difference time domain simulations, CMT can provide accurate results in just a small fraction of time. The proposed model allows the study of bending losses on the spectral properties of the device, that can be otherwise modelled using time demanding FDTD or less accurate simplified analytical expressions.
ABSTRACT Hybrid materials, consisting of an amphiphilic block copolymer matrix incorporating meta... more ABSTRACT Hybrid materials, consisting of an amphiphilic block copolymer matrix incorporating metal nanoparticles, have attracted great attention due to their unique properties, such as the catalytic behavior or the optical properties, making them potential candidates for photonic devices. High purity block copolymers, such as poly(isoprene-b-acrylic acid) (PI-b-PAA) and poly[(sodium sulfamate-carboxylate-isoprene)-b-tert-butylstyrene] (BS-SCI), have been synthesized by anionic polymerization and dissolved in selective solvents for the formation of well defined micelles. These block copolymers have been used as matrices for the in situ synthesis of gold nanoparticles either inside the dense core or at the periphery of the corona of their micelles. The systems were investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS), UV-visible and ATR-IR spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Additionally, the third non linear optical response of the hybrid materials synthesized has been investigated using the OKE and Z-scan techniques. The optical limiting of these systems has also been investigated.
Hydroxy-substituted tetrachlorodibenzo[b,e][1,4]dioxin and tetrachlorodibenzo[b,d]furans have bee... more Hydroxy-substituted tetrachlorodibenzo[b,e][1,4]dioxin and tetrachlorodibenzo[b,d]furans have been synthesized using 3,4-dichloroanisole, 2,3,6-trichlorophenol and 4,5-dichlorocatechol as starting materials and electrophilic and/or nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions for the assembly of the dibenzo[b,e][1,4]dioxin and dibenzo[b,d]furan systems. The thus-obtained phenolic compounds were then alkylated with N-1-(4,4-dimethyl-2,6-dioxocyclohexylidene)ethyl (Dde)-protected 3-bromopropan-1-amine to give the corresponding N-Dde protected 3-aminopropoxy-substituted tetrachlorodibenzo[b,e][1,4]dioxin and tetrachlorodibenzo[b,d]furans, respectively. Hydrazinolysis-mediated Dde removal from the former compound provided the corresponding amino-substituted dioxin, which was coupled to carboxy-substituted magnetic beads affording magnetic beads coated by the amino-substituted dioxin. The latter is an attractive intermediate for the development of selective single-standard DNA (ssDNA) ap...
Pulsed laser deposition on 3-dimensional micro-objects of complex morphology is demonstrated by t... more Pulsed laser deposition on 3-dimensional micro-objects of complex morphology is demonstrated by the paradigmatic growth of cellulose and polymer/Y3Al5O12:Ce phosphor composite nanolayers. Congruent materials transfer is a result of multicomponent ablation performed by relatively low fluence (<200 mJ cm−2) ArF excimer laser pulses (λ = 193 nm). Films grown on optical and engineering components, having a thickness from ~50 nm to more than ~300 nm, are durable, well adherent and maintain the structural and functional properties of the parent solids. The results verify the unique capabilities of deep-ultraviolet pulsed laser deposition of novel functional nanostructures on arbitrary surface morphologies and highlight its potential in future 3-dimensional nanotechnologies.
The impact of photonics in telecommunications is indisputably massive; however it relies on effic... more The impact of photonics in telecommunications is indisputably massive; however it relies on efficient cost reduction which is in turn only possible if significant cost savings are made at all steps in the development of the photonic device from the material to packaging. The PHOTOPOLIS consortium has identified polymer technology as the ideal solution for producing low-cost devices. The paper aims to discuss the status of polymer photonic components and subsystems able to generate, transmit and manage optical information in a cost effective manner.
Remote-point photonic sensors are fabricated and evaluated. They are based on nanocomposite thin ... more Remote-point photonic sensors are fabricated and evaluated. They are based on nanocomposite thin films comprising NiCl(2) nanocrystals embedded in sol-gel silica matrix and are patterned using direct UV laser microetching techniques to form surface relief structures, which exhibit environment sensitive optical diffraction effects. A strong response to ammonia is detected via the alteration of diffraction efficiency of its orders upon exposure to the analyte. Detection of ammonia in the 2 ppm level with a typical response time of about 30 s in the ambient, 50% RH 20 degrees C, room environment is demonstrated.
Optofluidics, Microfluidics and Nanofluidics, 2017
Nature-inspired micro- and nano-structures offer a unique platform for the development of novel s... more Nature-inspired micro- and nano-structures offer a unique platform for the development of novel synergetic systems combining photonic and microfluidic functionalities. In this context, we examine the paradigm of butterfly Vanessa cardui and develop artificial diffractive microstructures inspired by its natural designs. Softlithographic and nanoimprint protocols are developed to replicate surfaces of natural specimens. Further to their optical behavior, interphases tailored by such microstructures exhibit enhanced hydrophobic properties, as compared to their planar counterparts made of the same materials. Such synergies exploited by new design approaches pave the way to prospective optofluidic, lab-on-chip and sensing applications.
Systolic nanofabrication is demonstrated via conformal downsizing of three-dimensional micropatte... more Systolic nanofabrication is demonstrated via conformal downsizing of three-dimensional micropatterned monolithic master-casts made of extremely nanoporous aerogel and xerogel materials. The porous solid skeleton collapses by thermal treatment, generating miniaturized replicas, which preserve the original stereometric forms and incorporate minified nanoscale patterns. Paradigmatic holographic and biomimetic nanoarchitectures are conformally downsized by ~4×, yielding subwavelength surface features of less than ~150 nm. The operations demonstrate the super-resolution capabilities of this alternative concept and its potential evolution to an innovative nanotechnology of the future.
Photonic sensors receive an increasing global attention focusing on critical applications such as... more Photonic sensors receive an increasing global attention focusing on critical applications such as the protection of the environment, the health and safety of the citizens. In this work we are concerned with sensing of gaseous environments and focus on a novel class of nanocomposite sensor materials, which are capable to react to external stimulant-agents. These interactions amend their optical properties, fact which provides the means for optical detection. An unpowered sensor device is thus formed, which is interrogated optically and remotely to provide quantitative detection of the “agent”. “Sensing-by-light” thus unfolds the emerging conceptsof “Remote-point Photonic Sensors (RPHOS)”,we review and revisit in this work. The method offers unique means for spatially localized, real-time, multivariable sensing. This “point-in-space” detection may be contrasted to opticalpath- integrating LIDAR operations. Synergy with diffractive and holographic approaches enhance detectability and o...
Journal of Optics a Pure and Applied Optics, Dec 1, 2009
Analysis of a design scheme that relaxes alignment issues is reported. This entails the use of ve... more Analysis of a design scheme that relaxes alignment issues is reported. This entails the use of vertically coupled microring resonators (MR). It is shown that an almost flat response of the coupling coefficient to offset values up to 1 µm is feasible by judicious choice of the bus and ring waveguide geometry. The scheme is evaluated using FDTD simulations and
Wide-angle, large space-bandwidth-product coherent image amplification with a flat spatial freque... more Wide-angle, large space-bandwidth-product coherent image amplification with a flat spatial frequency response is demonstrated in photorefractive Bi(12)SiO(20) crystals under nonstationary grating recording conditions. By utilizing large-divergence, mutually phase-conjugate pump beams provided by a self-pumped BaTiO(3) crystal, high-fidelity phase conjugation with high reflectivity in Bi(12)SiO(20) is demonstrated.
ABSTRACT Polymer photonics have been identified as a strong candidate technology for producing lo... more ABSTRACT Polymer photonics have been identified as a strong candidate technology for producing low-cost optical devices. In this paper, we provide a time efficient framework for designing polymer micro-ring devices based on Coupled Mode Theory (CMT) and a Finite Difference Mode Solver. We benchmark two alternative methods for modeling the coupling regions of the micro-ring filter in 3D. We deduce that compared to full blown finite difference time domain simulations, CMT can provide accurate results in just a small fraction of time. The proposed model allows the study of bending losses on the spectral properties of the device, that can be otherwise modelled using time demanding FDTD or less accurate simplified analytical expressions.
ABSTRACT Hybrid materials, consisting of an amphiphilic block copolymer matrix incorporating meta... more ABSTRACT Hybrid materials, consisting of an amphiphilic block copolymer matrix incorporating metal nanoparticles, have attracted great attention due to their unique properties, such as the catalytic behavior or the optical properties, making them potential candidates for photonic devices. High purity block copolymers, such as poly(isoprene-b-acrylic acid) (PI-b-PAA) and poly[(sodium sulfamate-carboxylate-isoprene)-b-tert-butylstyrene] (BS-SCI), have been synthesized by anionic polymerization and dissolved in selective solvents for the formation of well defined micelles. These block copolymers have been used as matrices for the in situ synthesis of gold nanoparticles either inside the dense core or at the periphery of the corona of their micelles. The systems were investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS), UV-visible and ATR-IR spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Additionally, the third non linear optical response of the hybrid materials synthesized has been investigated using the OKE and Z-scan techniques. The optical limiting of these systems has also been investigated.
Uploads
Papers by Nikos Vainos