Fluorescence lifetimes of thin, rhodamine 6G-doped polymer layers in front of a mirror have been determined as a function of the emitter-mirror separation and the conditions of excitation and observation. Lifetime is well known to depend on the spatial emitter-mirror separation. The explanation of experimental data needs to consider direction, polarization, and numerical aperture of the experimental system. As predicted theoretically, experimental results depend on the conditions of illumination and observation, because of the different lifetimes of emitters aligned horizontally or vertically with respect to the plane of interfaces and their selection by the experimental system. This effect is not observable when ions are used as a source of fluorescence, because ensemble averaging depends on the properties of sources
A new generation of micromirror arrays (MMAs) with torsional actuators is being developed within the European research project MEMI in order to extend the usable spectral range of diffractive MMAs from deep ultraviolet into the visible and near infrared. The MMAs have 256 x 256 pixels reaching deflections above 350 nm at a frame rate of 1 kHz, which enables an operation in the target wavelength range between 240 nm and 800 nm. Customized driver electronics facilitates computer controlled operation and simple integration of the MMA into various optical setups. Tests in the visible wavelength range demonstrate the functionality and the high application potential of first MMA test samples
The present article discusses an optical concept for the characterization of diffractive micromirror arrays (MMAs) within an extended wavelength range from the deep ultra-violet up to near-infrared. The task derives from the development of a novel class of MMAs that will support programmable diffractive properties between 240 nm and 800 nm. The article illustrates aspects of the achromatic system design that comprises the reflective beam homogenization with divergence control and coherence management for an appropriate MMA illumination as well as the transfer of phase modulating MMA patterns into intensity profiles for contrast imaging. Contrast measurements and grey scale imaging demonstrate the operation of the characterization system and reflect the encouraging start of technology development for multispectral, diffractive MMAs
We report on our investigation to precisely actuate diffractive micromirror arrays (MMA) with an accuracy of /100. The test samples consist of analog, torsional MEMS arrays with 65 536 (256x256) mirror elements. These light modulators were developed for structured illumination purposes to be applied as programmable mask for life science and semiconductor microscopy application. Main part of the work relies on the well known characterization of MEMS mirrors with profilometry to automatically measure and approximate the MMA actuation state with high resolution. Examples illustrate the potential of this strategy to control the tilt state of many thousand micromirrors within the accuracy range of the characterization tool. In a dynamic range between 0 and >250 nm the MMA deflection has been precisely adjusted for final MMA application in the deep-UV - VIS - NIR spectral range. The optical properties of calibrated MMAs are tested in a laser measurement setup. After MMA calib ration an increased homogeneity and improved image contrast are demonstrated for various illumination patterns
High-performance coatings for micromechanical mirrors were developed. The high-reflective metal systems can be integrated into the technology of MOEMS, such as spatial light modulators and microscanning mirrors from the near-infrared down to the vacuum-ultraviolet spectral regions. The reported metal designs permit high optical performances to be merged with suitable mechanical properties and fitting complementary metal-oxide semiconductor compatibility.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.