A fast-Fourier-transform method of topography and interferometry is proposed. By computer processing of a noncontour type of fringe pattern, automatic discrimination is achieved between elevation and depression of the object or wave-front form, which has not been possible by the fringe-contour-generation techniques. The method has advantages over moire topography and conventional fringe-contour interferometry in both accuracy and sensitivity. Unlike fringe-scanning techniques, the method is easy to apply because it uses no moving components.

Fourier-transform method of fringe-pattern analysis for computer-based topography and interferometry

A topical review of numerical and experimental studies of supercontinuum generation in photonic crystal fiber is presented over the full range of experimentally reported parameters, from the femtosecond to the continuous-wave regime. Results from numerical simulations are used to discuss the temporal and spectral characteristics of the supercontinuum, and to interpret the physics of the underlying spectral broadening processes. Particular attention is given to the case of supercontinuum generation seeded by femtosecond pulses in the anomalous group velocity dispersion regime of photonic crystal fiber, where the processes of soliton fission, stimulated Raman scattering, and dispersive wave generation are reviewed in detail. The corresponding intensity and phase stability properties of the supercontinuum spectra generated under different conditions are also discussed.

Supercontinuum generation in photonic crystal fiber

Recent observations show that the probability of encountering an extremely large rogue wave in the open ocean is much larger than expected from ordinary wave-amplitude statistics. Although considerable effort has been directed towards understanding the physics behind these mysterious and potentially destructive events, the complete picture remains uncertain. Furthermore, rogue waves have not yet been observed in other physical systems. Here, we introduce the concept of optical rogue waves, a counterpart of the infamous rare water waves. Using a new real-time detection technique, we study a system that exposes extremely steep, large waves as rare outcomes from an almost identically prepared initial population of waves. Specifically, we report the observation of rogue waves in an optical system, based on a microstructured optical fibre, near the threshold of soliton-fission supercontinuum generation--a noise-sensitive nonlinear process in which extremely broadband radiation is generated from a narrowband input. We model the generation of these rogue waves using the generalized nonlinear Schrodinger equation and demonstrate that they arise infrequently from initially smooth pulses owing to power transfer seeded by a small noise perturbation.

Optical rogue waves

We present a review of current research on the optical properties of ZnO nanostructures. We provide a brief introduction to different fabrication methods for various ZnO nanostructures and some general guidelines on how fabrication parameters (temperature, vapor-phase versus solution-phase deposition, etc.) affect their properties. A detailed discussion of photoluminescence, both in the UV region and in the visible spectral range, is provided. In addition, different gain (excitonic versus electron hole plasma) and feedback (random lasing versus individual nanostructures functioning as Fabry-Perot resonators) mechanisms for achieving stimulated emission are described. The factors affecting the achievement of stimulated emission are discussed, and the results of time-resolved studies of stimulated emission are summarized. Then, results of nonlinear optical studies, such as second-harmonic generation, are presented. Optical properties of doped ZnO nanostructures are also discussed, along with a concluding outlook for research into the optical properties of ZnO.

Optical properties of ZnO nanostructures.

Current medical imaging technologies allow visualization of tissue anatomy in the human body at resolutions ranging from 100 micrometers to 1 millimeter. These technologies are generally not sensitive enough to detect early-stage tissue abnormalities associated with diseases such as cancer and atherosclerosis, which require micrometer-scale resolution. Here, optical coherence tomography was adapted to allow high-speed visualization of tissue in a living animal with a catheter-endoscope 1 millimeter in diameter. This method, referred to as "optical biopsy," was used to obtain cross-sectional images of the rabbit gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts at 10-micrometer resolution.

In Vivo Endoscopic Optical Biopsy with Optical Coherence Tomography

We report on the room-temperature spectroscopic properties and continuous-wave laser operation of a new Yb:LuVO4 crystal. The peak absorption cross section for the pi-polarization is 8.42 x 10(-20) cm2 at 985 nm, and the stimulated emission cross section at 1020 nm is 1.03 x 10(-20) cm2. An output power of 0.36 W at 1041 nm was obtained with a slope efficiency of 47% by use of Ti:sapphire laser pumping. With diode pumping the output power reached 1.05 W at the highest available incident pump power of 6.8 W.

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Continuous-wave laser operation of Yb:LuVO 4

The strongly anisotropic monoclinic double tungstate crystal KLu(WO/sub 4/)/sub 2/ was doped with Yb/sup 3+/ ions and shown to be a highly efficient active laser medium in the 1-/spl mu/m spectral range for continuous-wave room-temperature operation, very suitable for pumping with InGaAs laser diodes.

Continuous-wave laser oscillation of Yb/sup 3+/ in monoclinic KLu(WO/sub 4/)/sub 2/

We report on the first Tm-doped double tungstate microchip laser Q-switched with graphene using a Tm:KLu(WO4)2 crystal cut along the Ng dielectric axis. This laser generates a maximum average output power of 310 mW with a slope efficiency of 13%. At a repetition rate of 190 kHz the shortest pulses with 285 ns duration and 1.6 µJ energy are achieved.

Tm:KLu(WO(4))(2) microchip laser Q-switched by a graphene-based saturable absorber.

High-quality monoclinic planar waveguide crystals of Tm-doped $KY{(WO_4)}_2$ were grown by liquid-phase epitaxy with several dopant concentrations and thicknesses. Waveguide lasing in the 2 μm spectral range was demonstrated in the fundamental mode. The maximum continuous-wave output power achieved was 32 mW using a Ti:sapphire laser pump near 800 nm.

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Tm:KY(WO(4))(2) waveguide laser.

We acknowledge financial support through Projects MAT2002-4605-C05-05 and CAM-MAT-434-2004 (Spain) and DT-CRYS, NMP3-CT-2003-505580 (EU).

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Uwe Griebner

Papers

Continuous-wave laser operation of Yb:LuVO 4

Continuous-wave laser oscillation of Yb/sup 3+/ in monoclinic KLu(WO/sub 4/)/sub 2/

Tm:KLu(WO(4))(2) microchip laser Q-switched by a graphene-based saturable absorber.

Tm:KY(WO(4))(2) waveguide laser.

Growth and continuous-wave laser operation of disordered crystals of Yb3+:NaLa(WO4)2 and Yb3+:NaLa(MoO4)2