optical element
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Abstract A dynamic holographic optical trap uses a dynamic diffractive optical element such as a liquid crystal spatial light modulator to realize one or more optical traps with independent controls. Such holographic optical traps provide a number of flexibilities and conveniences useful in various applications. One key requirement for such a trap is the ability to move the trapped microscopic object from one point to the other with the optimal velocity. In this paper we develop a nematic liquid crystal spatial light modulator based holographic optical trap and experimentally investigate the optimal velocity feasible for trapped beads of different sizes, in such a trap. Our results show that the achievable velocity of the trapped bead is a function of size of the bead, step size, interval between two steps and power carried by the laser beam. We observe that the refresh rate of a nematic liquid crystal spatial light modulator is sufficient to achieve an optimal velocity approaching the theoretical limit in the respective holographic trap for beads with radius larger than the wavelength of light.

Vector beams (VBs) have spatially inhomogeneous polarization states distribution and have been widely used in many fields. In this paper, we proposed a method to modulate polarization states of higher-order Poincaré (HOP) beams and designed a system based on Mach-Zehnder interferometers, in which polarization state (include azimuth and ellipticity) of generated HOP beams were modulated by linear electro-optic (EO) effect of nonlinear optical crystals. Using this method, the polarization state of generated HOP beams could be controlled by voltage signal applied on EO crystals, which makes the process of the polarization state change with no optical element moving and mechanical vibrations. Besides, due to the flexibility of the voltage signal, the polarization state could be switched directly and immediately.

Abstract We report on developing a non-scanning laser-based imaging lidar system based on a diffractive optical element with potential applications in advanced driver assistance systems, autonomous vehicles, drone navigation, and mobile devices. Our proposed lidar utilizes image processing, homography, and deep learning. Our emphasis in the design approach is on the compactness and cost of the final system for it to be deployable both as standalone and complementary to existing lidar sensors, enabling fusion sensing in the applications. This work describes the basic elements of the proposed lidar system and presents two potential ranging mechanisms, along with their experimental results demonstrating the real-time performance of our first prototype.

Abstract Due to several recent developments in lasers and optics, laser igniters can now be designed to be (i) compact so as to have the same footprint as a standard spark plug, (ii) have low power draw, usually less than 50 Watts, and (iii) have vibration and temperature resistance at levels typical of reciprocating engines. Primary advantages of these laser igniters remain (i) extension of lean or dilution limits for ignition of combustible mixtures, and (ii) improved ignition at higher pressures. Recently, tests performed in a 350 kW 6-cylinder stationary natural gas reciprocating engine retrofitted with these igniters showed an extension of the operational envelope to yield efficiency improvements of the order of 2.6% points while being compliant with the mandated emission regulations. Even though laser igniters offer promise, fouling of the final optical element that introduces the laser into the combustion chamber is of concern. After performing a thorough literature search, a test plan was devised to evaluate various fouling mitigation strategies. The final approach that was used is a combination of three strategies and helped sustain an optical transmissivity exceeding 98% even after 1500 hrs. of continuous engine operation at 2400 rpm. Based on the observed trend in transmissivity, it now appears that laser igniters can last up to 6000 hrs. of continuous engine operation in a stationary engine running at 1800 rpm.

Terahertz (THz) optics often encounters the problem of small f number values (elements have relatively small diameters comparing to focal lengths). The need to redirect the THz beam out of the optical axis or form particular intensity distributions resulted in the application of iterative holographic methods to design THz diffractive elements. Elements working on-axis do not encounter significant improvement while using iterative holographic methods, however, for more complicated distributions the difference becomes meaningful. Here, we propose a totally different approach to design THz holograms, utilizing a neural network based algorithm, suitable also for complicated distributions. Full Text: PDF ReferencesY. Tao, A. Fitzgerald and V. Wallace, "Non-Contact, Non-Destructive Testing in Various Industrial Sectors with Terahertz Technology", Sensors, 20(3), 712 (2020). CrossRef J. O'Hara, S. Ekin, W. Choi and I. Song, "A Perspective on Terahertz Next-Generation Wireless Communications", Technologies, 7(2), 43 (2019). CrossRef L. Yu et al., "The medical application of terahertz technology in non-invasive detection of cells and tissues: opportunities and challenges", RSC Advances, 9(17), 9354 (2019). CrossRef A. Siemion, "The Magic of Optics—An Overview of Recent Advanced Terahertz Diffractive Optical Elements", Sensors, 21(1), 100 (2020). CrossRef A. Siemion, "Terahertz Diffractive Optics—Smart Control over Radiation", J. Infrared Millim. Terahertz Waves, 40(5), 477 (2019). CrossRef M. Surma, I. Ducin, P. Zagrajek and A. Siemion, "Sub-Terahertz Computer Generated Hologram with Two Image Planes", Appl. Sci., 9(4), 659 (2019). CrossRef S. Banerji and B.Sensale-Rodriguez, "A Computational Design Framework for Efficient, Fabrication Error-Tolerant, Planar THz Diffractive Optical Elements", Sci. Rep., 9(1), 5801 (2019). CrossRef J. Sun and F. Hu, "Three-dimensional printing technologies for terahertz applications: A review", Int. J. RF. Microw. C. E., 30(1) (2020). CrossRef E. Castro-Camus, M. Koch and A. I. Hernandez-Serrano, "Additive manufacture of photonic components for the terahertz band", J. Appl. Phys., 127(21), 210901 (2020). CrossRef https://community.wolfram.com/groups/-/m/t/2028026?p_%20479%20p_auth=blBtLb5d DirectLink P. Komorowski, et al., "Three-focal-spot terahertz diffractive optical element-iterative design and neural network approach", Opt. Express, 29(7), 11243-11253 (2021) CrossRef M. Sypek, "Light propagation in the Fresnel region. New numerical approach", Opt. Commun., 116(1-3), 43 (1995). CrossRef

The highest-quality X-ray optics can be made of single-crystal materials such as silicon, germanium, or, even better, diamond. Unfortunately, such X-ray optics have one drawback: diffraction losses or the “glitch effect”. This effect manifests itself as follows: at some energies of X-rays, the intensity of the transmitted beam drops due to the fact that some crystalline planes have satisfied the diffraction condition. Diffraction losses are usually observed in spectroscopic experiments when the energy of the X-rays changes in a certain range. However, this effect might also influence any experiment using X-rays, especially at higher energies. In this paper, we propose a method to overcome the glitch problem in transmissive optics. This is achieved using small rotations of the optical element. We describe the algorithm for “glitch-free” measurements in detail and the theory behind it.