Methods for Properties Analysis of Crystalline Materials Based on Solid Solutions of Silver and Thallium (I) Halides

The paper presents a set of methods developed for properties control of new optical crystals based on solid solutions of silver and thallium (I) halides. Crystals and optical products based on them are used for optical and optoelectronic systems in the middle and far infrared range. In this regard, to analyze the properties of new infrared materials, new analysis methods are required, which provide high accuracy and repeatability of the results. The authors have developed methods for studying the optical, mechanical and electrical properties of materials. The studies’ results carried out by these methods for various systems of silver and thallium (I) halides solid solutions are presented.

Structured Light Control and Diagnostics Using Optical Crystals

We describe experimental results exposing the possibilities of optical crystals, especially anisotropic and birefringent, for creation, control, and diagnostics of structured light fields with singular and extraordinary properties. The efficiency of birefringent media is demonstrated for purposeful generation of optical beams with phase singularities (optical vortices) and desirable patterns of internal energy flows, in both the mono- and polychromatic light. On the other hand, anisotropic micro-objects can be used as probing bodies for investigation of the peculiar features of internal energy flows and corresponding momentum and angular momentum distributions in structured light fields. In particular, the specific mechanical action of light fields, formed under the total-reflection conditions, has been detected that confirms the existence of “extraordinary” dynamical characteristics of evanescent light waves predicted theoretically: the “transverse” momentum and “vertical” spin and their dependence on the incident beam polarization. The results can be useful for the optical trapping and micromanipulation techniques, including the biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.