We have measured the subpicosecond optical response of a solid-state, semiconductor-to-metal phase transition excited by femtosecond laser pulses. We have determined the dynamic response of the complex refractive index of VO2 thin films by making pump-probe optical transmission and reflection measurements at 780 nm. The phase transition was found to be largely prompt with the optical properties of the high-temperature metallic state being attained within 5 ps. The ultrafast change in complex refractive index enables ultrafast optical switching devices in VO2.
We have measured the subpicosecond optical response of a solid-state, semiconductor-to-metal phase transition excited by femtosecond laser pulses. We have determined the dynamic response of the complex refractive index of polycrystalline VO 2 thin-films by making pump-probe optical transmission and reflection measurements at 780 nm. The phase transition was found to be largely prompt with the optical properties very close to the high-temperature metallic state being attained within about 5 ps. The equilibration of the metallic state after femtosecond excitation was modeled by non-exponentially decaying perturbations in the metallic state electron density and collision frequency. The decay of both these plasma parameters was well fit by a 1/ͱt time dependence. This indicated that a diffusion process governed the equilibration of the metallic phase of VO 2 .
International audienceThe aim of this paper is to compare the properties of four different profiles which can be used as multifocal intraocular lens. The Hankel transform based on the theory of scalar diffraction is applied to a binary profile, a parabolic one, a parabolic profile with holes, and finally a sinusoidal one. This enables to study the various distributions of the diffractive efficiencies and the axial chromatism. The image quality is evaluated by means of simulations of the MTFs with Zemax®. Finally we propose a new way to graphically synthesize all the properties of these lenses, using a radar graph
Abstract:In this paper we propose contact lens central thickness measurement with a low coherence interferometry technique using either a SLED source or a broadband continuum generated in air-silica Microstructured Optical Fiber (MOF) pumped with a picosecond microchip laser. Each of these sources associated with the interferometer provides, at the same time, good measurement resolution and quick signal recording without moving any optical elements and without need of a Fourier Transform operation. Signal improvement is performed afterwards by a numerical treatment for optimal correlation peaks detection leading to central thickness value of several contact lenses.
We demonstrate the application of a subpicosecond optical parametric amplifier working at degeneracy to imaging in diffuse media. This optical parametric amplifier exhibits small-signal gains greater than 10(4), thereby acting as a high-gain ultrafast amplifying gate. We have used it to construct the image of a grid pattern hidden behind 20 mean free paths of a highly diffusing solution of latex microspheres with a spatial resolution of 200 microm.
Gabor-domain optical coherence microscopy (GD-OCM) was applied ex vivo in the investigation of corneal cells and their surrounding microstructures with particular attention to the corneal endothelium. Experiments using fresh pig eyeballs, excised human corneal buttons from patients with Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy, and healthy donor corneas were conducted. Results show in a large field of view (1 mm × 1 mm) high definition images of the different cell types and their surrounding microstructures through the full corneal thickness at both the central and peripheral locations of porcine corneas. Particularly, an image of the endothelial cells lining the bottom of the cornea is highlighted. As compared to healthy human corneas, the corneas of individuals with Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy show characteristic microstructural alterations of the Descemet’s membrane and increased size and number of keratocytes. The GD-OCM based imaging system developed may constitute a novel tool for corneal imaging and disease diagnosis. Also, importantly, it may provide insights into the mechanism of corneal physiology and pathology, particularly in diseases of the corneal endothelium.
The evanescent wave coronagraph uses the principle of frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) to suppress the light coming from the star and study its close environment. Its focal plane mask is composed of a lens and a prism placed in contact with each other to produce the coronagraphic effect. In this paper, we present the experimental results obtained using an upgraded focal plane mask of the Evanescent Wave Coronagraph (EvWaCo). These experimental results are also compared to the theoretical performance of the coronagraph obtained through simulations. Experimentally, we reach a raw contrast equal to a few 10−4 at a distance equal to 3 λ/D over the full I band (λ
c
= 800 nm, Δλ/λ ≈ 20%) and equal to 4 λ/D over the full R band (λ
c
= 650 nm, Δλ/λ ≈ 23%) in unpolarized light. However, our simulations show a raw contrast close to 10−4 over the full I band and R band at the same distance, thus confirming the theoretical achromatic advantage of the coronagraph. We also verify the stability of the mask through a series of contrast measurements over a period of 8 months. Furthermore, we measure the sensitivity of the coronagraph to the lateral and longitudinal misalignment of the focal plane mask and to the lateral misalignment of the Lyot stop.
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