Photonic Jet-Shaped Optical Fiber Tips versus Lensed Fibers

Shaped optical fiber tips have recently attracted a lot of interest for photonic jet light focusing due to their easy manipulation to scan a sample. However, lensed optical fibers are not new. This study analyzes how fiber tip parameters can be used to control focusing properties. Our study shows that the configurations to generate a photonic jet (PJ) can clearly be distinguished from more classical-lensed fibers focusing. PJ is a highly concentrated, propagative light beam, with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) that can be lower than the diffraction limit. According to the simulations, the PJs are obtained when light is coupled in the guide fundamental mode and when the base diameter of the microlens is close to the core diameter. For single mode fibers or fibers with a low number of modes, long tips with a relatively sharp shape achieve PJ with smaller widths. On the contrary, when the base diameter of the microlens is larger than the fiber core, the focus point tends to move away from the external surface of the fiber and has a larger width. In other words, the optical system (fiber/microlens) behaves in this case like a classical-lensed fiber with a larger focus spot size. The results of this study can be used as guidelines for the tailored fabrication of shaped optical fiber tips according to the targeted application.

Improving the wear resistance of heavy-duty elements in tribomechanical systems by a combined laser-thermochemical processing method

This paper reports an analysis of the state of tribological support in the aviation industry. The use of surface strengthening technologies to extend the resource of friction node parts has been prioritized. Modern combined technologies of nitriding and laser treatment of steel surfaces have been reviewed. The mechanism has been elucidated that damages steel 30H2NVFA in the jackscrew actuator of transport aircraft flaps, which occurs due to insufficient surface hardness of the material after a generally accepted heat treatment. Auger electron spectroscopy analysis revealed a high concentration of oxygen on the surface: up to 41.4 at. %; the friction surface carbonation has been detected, especially significant at the surface of the pitting damage. A comprehensive technology of surface strengthening by nitriding+laser selective hardening has been suggested. The radiation power was 1 KW, the diameter of the focus spot was 2.5 mm, and the pitch between the focus spot centers was 2.5 mm. The total area of laser processing was 70 %. The steel temperature exceeded Ас3 and corresponded to the hardening temperature range. The depth of the nitrided layer increased to 400 µm, the maximum hardness on the surface was 1,350–1,380 HV0.2. The formation of a solid nitrided layer with a thickness of 200‒250 µm was observed, as well as a transition zone composed of column-shaped iron nitrides, which are introduced into the matrix material. As a result, a sharp gradient in the mechanical properties disappears. The tests confirmed that the wear resistance of the comprehensively treated surface was 2.1 times higher under dry friction conditions, and 4.5 times higher when lubricated with the "Era" grease (RF), compared with the 30H2NVFA steel nitrided by the conventional technology. In addition, there was no fragile destruction of the surface; the interaction with oxygen reduced significantly

Wave propagation and focusing of soft X-rays by spherical bent microchannel plates

Synchrotron radiation sources have been used to study the focusing properties and angular distribution of X-ray radiation at the exit of spherically bent microchannel plates (MCPs). In this contribution it is shown how soft X-ray radiation at energies up to 1.5 keV can be focused by spherically bent MCPs with curvature radii R of 30 mm and 50 mm. For these devices, a focus spot is detectable at a distance between the detector and the MCP of less than R/2, with a maximum focusing efficiency up to 23% of the flux illuminating the MCP. The soft X-ray radiation collected at the exit of microchannels of spherically bent MCPs are analyzed in the framework of a wave approximation. A theoretical model for the wave propagation of radiation through MCPs has been successfully introduced to explain the experimental results. Experimental data and simulations of propagating radiation represent a clear confirmation of the wave channeling phenomenon for the radiation in spherically bent MCPs.

Fast 3D movement of a laser focusing spot behind scattering media by utilizing optical memory effect and optical conjugate planes

Controlling light propagation intentionally through turbid media such as ground glass or biological tissue has been demonstrated for many useful applications. Due to random scattering effect, one of the important goals is to draw a desired shape behind turbid media with a swift and precise method. Feedback wavefront shaping method which is known as a very effective approach to focus the light, is restricted by slow optimization process for obtaining multiple spots. Here we propose a technique to implement feedback wavefront shaping with optical memory effect and optical 4f system to speedy move focus spot and form shapes in 3D space behind scattering media. Starting with only one optimization process to achieve a focusing spot, the advantages of the optical configuration and full digital control allow us to move the focus spot with high quality at the speed of SLM frame rate. Multiple focusing spots can be achieved simultaneously by combining multiple phase patterns on a single SLM. By inheriting the phase patterns in the initial focusing process, we can enhance the intensity of the focusing spot at the edge of memory effect in with 50% reduction in optimization time. With a new focusing spot, we have two partially overlapped memory effect regions, expanding our 3D scanning range. With fast wavefront shaping devices, our proposed technique could potentially find appealing applications with biological tissues.

STED Direct Laser Writing of 45 nm Width Nanowire

Controlled fabrication of 45 nm width nanowire using simulated emission depletion (STED) direct laser writing with a rod-shape effective focus spot is presented. In conventional STED direct laser writing, normally a donut-shaped depletion focus is used, and the minimum linewidth is restricted to 55 nm. In this work, we push this limit to sub-50 nm dimension with a rod-shape effective focus spot, which is the combination of a Gaussian excitation focus and twin-oval depletion focus. Effects of photoinitiator type, excitation laser power, and depletion laser power on the width of the nanowire are explored, respectively. Single nanowire with 45 nm width is obtained, which is λ/18 of excitation wavelength and the minimum linewidth in pentaerythritol triacrylate (PETA) photoresist. Our result accelerates the progress of achievable linewidth reduction in STED direct laser writing.

Improvement of Alert System against Tampering and Theft in Surveillance Cameras

Use of Surveillance cameras in houses and markets became common, that resulted to minimize theft and make it a difficult task because it let recording and viewing what is going around. The wide application of these cameras, pushed thieves to seek new ways for abolition of the surveillance system and digital recording of events, such as cutting the signal wire between the camera and Digital video recorder or changing the direction of the camera away from the focus spot or damaging the camera or steal the device which means the loss of the recorded media. This paper focuses on such abolitions and fixed it by suggesting a way to notify the administrator immediately and automatically by Email about any violation of the system using MATLAB, which allow fast action by the administrator to fix such tampering. The results show that selecting of threshold equal to two was fair in detecting motion and value of five, in case of changing the camera direction through testing of fast and slow motions. http://dx.doi.org/10.25130/tjps.24.2019.039