Showing papers on "Birefringence published in 2011"

Radially polarized optical vortex converter created by femtosecond laser nanostructuring of glass

Abstract: We demonstrate the generation of optical vortices with radial or azimuthal polarization using a space variant polarization converter, fabricated by femtosecond laser writing of self-assembled nanostructures in silica glass. Manipulation of the induced form birefringence is achieved by controlling writing parameters, in particular, the polarization azimuth of the writing beam. The fabricated converter allows switching from radial to azimuthal polarization by controlling the handedness of incident circular polarization.

Polymer-stabilized optically isotropic liquid crystals for next-generation display and photonics applications

Abstract: Polymer-stabilized optically isotropic liquid crystals, including blue phases, are emerging as a strong contender for next-generation display technology because they exhibit some revolutionary features such as no need for surface alignment, submillisecond response time, isotropic dark state, and cell gap insensitivity. The basic material properties, including electric field-induced birefringence, dispersion relation of Kerr constant, and temperature dependent Kerr constant, are reviewed. Recent progress on blue phase liquid crystal material development and device structures for lowering the operating voltage are introduced. Promising applications and remaining technical challenges are also discussed.

Liquid crystals of aqueous, giant graphene oxide flakes

Abstract: We report the observation of liquid crystals formed by giant graphene oxide flakes (aspect ratio above 10000) suspended in water As their concentration increases, the flakes undergo transitions from an isotropic dispersion to a biphasic system and then to a discotic nematic liquid crystal The gel-like liquid crystal displays an unusual defect-free uniform director alignment over hundreds of micrometres We characterize the nematic order parameter, optical birefringence and elastic properties of this novel mesomorphic system

Assembly of Optical-Scale Dumbbells into Dense Photonic Crystals

Abstract: We describe the self-assembly of nonspherical particles into crystals with novel structure and optical properties combining a partial photonic band gap with birefringence that can be modulated by an external field or quenched by solvent evaporation. Specifically, we study symmetric optical-scale polymer dumbbells with an aspect ratio of 1.58. Hard particles with this geometry have been predicted to crystallize in equilibrium at high concentrations. However, unlike spherical particles, which readily crystallize in the bulk, previous experiments have shown that these dumbbells crystallize only under strong confinement. Here, we demonstrate the use of an external electric field to align and assemble the dumbbells to make a birefringent suspension with structural color. When the electric field is turned off, the dumbbells rapidly lose their orientational order and the color and birefringence quickly go away. In this way, dumbbells combine the structural color of photonic crystals with the field addressability of liquid crystals. In addition, we find that if the solvent is removed in the presence of an electric field, the particles self-assemble into a novel, dense crystalline packing hundreds of particles thick. Analysis of the crystal structure indicates that the dumbbells have a packing fraction of 0.7862, higher than the densest known packings of spheres and ellipsoids. We perform numerical experiments to more generally demonstrate the importance of controlling the orientation of anisotropic particles during a concentration quench to achieve long-range order.

Photonic crystal fiber injected with Fe3O4 nanofluid for magnetic field detection

Abstract: We report a magnetic field sensor having advantages of both photonic crystal fiber and optofluidics, combining them on a single platform by infiltrating small amount of Fe3O4 magnetic optofluid/nanofluid in cladding holes of polarization-maintaining photonic crystal fiber We demonstrated that magnetic field of few mT can be easily and very well detected with higher sensitivity of 242 pm/mT The change in the birefringence values has been correlated to the response of nanofluid to applied field

Transparent Tetragonal Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Ceramics: Influence of Scattering Caused by Birefringence

Abstract: The correlation between grain size, optical birefringence, and transparency is discussed for tetragonal zirconia (ZrO2) ceramics using the Mie, Rayleigh, and Rayleigh–Gans–Debye scattering models. Our results demonstrate that at the degree of mean birefringence in the range (0.03–0.04) expected for tetragonal ZrO2, only the Mie theory provides reasonable results. At small particle size (o50 nm) the more straightforward Rayleigh approximation correlates with the Mie model. A real in-line transmission of B50% at visible light and 1 mm thickness is expected at a mean grain size o40 nm and B70% at a mean grain size o20 nm. At an infrared (IR) wavelength of 5 lm there should not be any scattering caused by birefringence for grain sizes o200 nm. Our simulations were validated with experimental data for tetragonal ZrO2 (3 mol% Y2O3) ceramics made from a powder with an initial particle size of B10 nm by sintering in air and using hot-isostatic pressing. The maximum in-line transmission of about 77% was observed at IR wavelengths of 3–5 lm.

Ultracompact, broadband slot waveguide polarization splitter

Abstract: In this letter, we demonstrate an ultracompact polarization splitter design leveraging the giant birefringence of silicon-on-insulator slot waveguides. The fabricated splitter device has a coupling length of only 13.6 μm, and shows average polarization extinction ratios of 21 dB and 17 dB for the TE and TM polarizations, respectively, over the entire C-band.

A Temperature-Insensitive Twist Sensor by Using Low-Birefringence Photonic-Crystal-Fiber-Based Sagnac Interferometer

Abstract: An optical fiber twist sensor is proposed by using solid core low birefringence photonic crystal fiber (LB-PCF)-based Sagnac interferometer. The twist effects on the fiber are theoretically analyzed. The results show that the dip wavelength of the transmission spectrum shifts with the twist angle with a high sensitivity and resolution of 1.00 nm/0 and 0.010 , respectively. The sensor is also insensitive to environmental temperature change with an ultralow thermal dependent coeffiecient of -0.5 pm/0C.

Ultrasensitive refractive-index sensors based on rectangular silica microfibers

Abstract: We demonstrate an ultrasensitive refractive-index (RI) sensor utilizing the polarimetric interference of a rectangular silica microfiber. The measured sensitivity is as high as 18,987 nm/RIU (refractive-index unit) around the RI of 1.33, which is 1 order of magnitude higher than that of the previously reported microfiber devices. Theoretical analysis reveals that such high sensitivity not only is originated from the RI-induced birefringence variation but also relies on the unique birefringence dispersion property for the rectangular microfiber. We predict that the sensitivity can be enhanced significantly when the group birefringence approaches zero.

Paper terahertz wave plates

Abstract: We present a low-cost terahertz wave plate based on form birefringence fabricated using ordinary paper. Measurements of the transfer function of the wave plate between polarizers closely agree with predictions based on the measured complex indices of refraction of the effective medium. For the design frequency, the dependence on wave plate angle also agrees with theory.

Tunable and Switchable Multiwavelength Passively Mode-Locked Fiber Laser Based on SESAM and Inline Birefringence Comb Filter

Abstract: A tunable and switchable multiwavelength passively mode-locked fiber laser by using a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM) and an inline birefringence fiber filter is proposed and demonstrated. By properly rotating the polarization controllers (PCs), up to 7-wavelength mode-locked pulses in 3-dB bandwidth with 3.65-nm channel spacing are obtained. The wavelength switchable operation is determined by the characteristics of the comb filter used in the experiment. Taking advantage of an intensity-dependent loss mechanism caused by the nonlinear polarization rotation (NPR) effect, the mode competition is efficiently suppressed. In addition, the lasing locations of multiwavelength mode-locked pulses can be flexibly tuned via the wavelength-dependent loss mechanism.

Electric-field-induced perfect anti-nematic order in isotropic aqueous suspensions of a natural beidellite clay.

Abstract: We study the electric-field-induced birefringence and orientational order in the isotropic phase of aqueous suspensions of exfoliated natural beidellite clay particles, thin (L = 0.65 nm) flat charged sheets with high aspect ratio, D/L ≈ 300. Our electric birefringence experiment is optimized for aqueous suspensions of colloidal particles, with a high frequency a.c. electric field, ν ≈ 1 MHz, applied by two external electrodes to a thin flat sample, sealed in an optical capillary. In isotropic and biphasic samples, we observed strong field-induced birefringence Δn(E), saturating at moderate Esat field to a plateau Δnsat proportional to the volume fraction ϕ. The field-induced order parameter S(E) is negative and saturates to Ssat = −0.5 above Esat. This corresponds to a perfect “anti-nematic” order, i.e. the normals of the beidellite particles are perpendicular to the field, without any preferred azimuthal direction. The measured specific excess polarizability ΔAsp is among the highest data reported for o...

Self-polarizing terahertz liquid crystal phase shifter

Abstract: Using sub-wavelength metallic gratings as both transparent electrodes and broadband high-efficiency polarizers, a highly-compact self-polarizing phase shifter is demonstrated by electrically tuning the effective birefringence of a nematic liquid crystal cell. The metal grating polarizers ensure a good polarizing efficiency in the range of 0.2 to 2 THz. Phase shift of more than π/3 is achieved in a 256 μm-thick cell with a saturation root mean square voltage of around 130 V in this integrated device.

Reconfigurable imaging systems using elliptical nanowires.

Abstract: Materials that have subwavelength structure can add degrees of freedom to optical system design that are not possible with bulk materials. We demonstrate two lenses that are composed out of lithographically patterned arrays of elliptical cross-section silicon nanowires, which can dynamically reconfigure their imaging properties in response to the polarization of the illumination. In each element, two different focusing functions are polarization encoded into a single lens. The first nanowire lens has a different focal length for each linear polarization state, thereby realizing the front end of a nonmechanical zoom imaging system. The second nanowire lens has a different optical axis for each linear polarization state, demonstrating stereoscopic image capture from a single physical aperture.

Five ways to the nonresonant dynamic Stark effect

Abstract: The dynamic Stark effect is the quasistatic shift in energy levels due to the application of optical fields. The effect is in many ways similar to the static Stark effect. However, the dynamic Stark effect can be applied on rapid time scales and with high energies, comparable to those of atoms and molecules themselves. The dynamic Stark effect due to nonresonant laser fields is used in a myriad of contemporary experiments to hold and align molecules, to shape potential energy surfaces, and to make rapid transient birefringence. Five approaches of increasing sophistication are used to describe the dynamic Stark effect. One application, molecular alignment, is summarized and a comparison is made between the dynamic Stark effect and Stokes light generation in a Raman scattering process.

Dependence of the femtosecond laser refractive index change thresholds on the chemical composition of doped-silica glasses

Abstract: The refractive index changes in doped silica are investigated. We observed that the permanent isotropic index change threshold (T1) is not significantly dependent on the doping. We show that strong birefringence (permanent linear birefringence) exists in doped silica but its threshold (T2) exhibits significant dependence on the used dopants. In our conditions, comparing with silica (0.31 μJ/pulse here), for 1.5 at% Ge-doped silica the T2 threshold is smaller (0.14 ± 0.05 μJ/pulse). For a silica doped with 0.3 at% of fluorine, T2 is close to 1.20 ± 0.05 μJ/pulse. An interpretation is given not only about threshold variation but also about RIC for energies beyond. It is based on the overcoming of relaxation time in the volume interaction.

Electrically induced bandwidth broadening in polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals

Abstract: The reflection notch bandwidth of a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC), equal to the product of the liquid crystal (LC) birefringence (Δn), and the pitch length (po), is typically on the order of 50-100 nm in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Static bandwidths greater than 100 nm can be observed in CLCs that possess a pitch gradient throughout the thickness of the cell. In this work, we report on polymer stabilized CLC (PSCLC) systems that exhibit electrically controllable, dynamic bandwidths governed by the strength of a direct current (DC) electric field applied across the sample. Symmetric notch broadening which increases linearly with field and reaches a maximum value at 4 V/μm is observed. Removal of the field returns the PSCLC cell to its original optical properties. A seven fold increase in bandwidth was observed for 22 μm thick cells which contained LCs with a small birefringence (∼0.04). A variety of CLC mixtures with small positive or negative dielectric anisotropies are shown t...

Ab initio studies on the mechanism for linear and nonlinear optical effects in YAl3(BO3)4

Abstract: First-principles studies of the linear and nonlinear optical properties for YAl3(BO3)4 (YAB) are presented. Based upon the electronic band structure, the optical refractive indices, birefringence, and second harmonic generation (SHG) coefficients of YAB are calculated, which are in good agreement with experimental values. In addition, the SHG-weighted electron density analysis and the real-space atom-cutting method are adopted to elucidate the origin of the linear and nonlinear optical effects in YAB. The results show that the anionic (BO3) groups have dominant contributions to the birefringence. The contribution of the Al cations to the optical effects is negligibly small. However, the Y cations bond to the neighbor O anions and form the deformed (YO6) octahedra, which results in the large SHG effects in YAB.

Polarization-gratings approach to deformed-helix ferroelectric liquid crystals with subwavelength pitch.

Abstract: Electro-optical properties of deformed helix ferroelectric liquid crystal (DHFLC) cells are studied by using a general theoretical approach to polarization gratings in which the transmission and reflection matrices of diffraction orders are explicitly related to the evolution operator of equations for the Floquet harmonics. In the short-pitch approximation, a DHFLC cell is shown to be optically equivalent to a uniformly anisotropic biaxial layer where one of the optical axes is normal to the bounding surfaces. For in-plane anisotropy, orientation of the optical axes and birefringence are both determined by the voltage applied across the cell and represent the parameters that govern the transmittance of normally incident light passing through crossed polarizers. We calculate the transmittance as a function of the electric field and compare the computed curves with the experimental data. The theoretical and experimental results are found to be in good agreement.

Weak value amplified optical activity measurements

Abstract: We present a new form of optical activity measurement based on a modified weak value amplification scheme. It has recently been shown experimentally that the left- and right-circular polarization components refract with slightly different angles of refraction at a chiral interface causing a linearly polarized light beam to split into two. By introducing a polarization modulation that does not give rise to a change in the optical rotation it is possible to differentiate between the two circular polarization components even after post-selection with a linear polarizer. We show that such a modified weak value amplification measurement permits the sign of the splitting and thus the handedness of the optically active medium to be determined. Angular beam separations of Δθ ∼ 1 nanoradian, which corresponds to a circular birefringence of Δn ∼ 1 × 10(-9), could be measured with a relative error of less than 1%.

Tunable and switchable dual‐wavelength passively mode‐locked Bi‐doped all‐fiber ring laser based on nonlinear polarization rotation

Abstract: We demonstrate a tunable and switchable dual-wavelength passively mode-locked Bi-doped all-fiber ring laser by using nonlinear polarization rotation (NPR) technique. Exploiting the spectral filtering effect caused by the combination of the polarizer and intracavity birefringence, the wavelength separation of dual-wavelength mode-locked pulses can be flexibly tuned between 2.38 and 20.45 nm. Taking the advantage of NPR-induced intensity-dependent loss to suppress the mode competition, the stable dual-wavelength pulses output is obtained at room temperature. Moreover, the dual-wavelength switchable operation is achieved by simply rotating the polarization controllers (PCs).

Femtosecond laser fabrication of birefringent directional couplers as polarization beam splitters in fused silica.

Abstract: Integrated polarization beam splitters based on birefringent directional couplers are demonstrated. The devices are fabricated in bulk fused silica glass by femtosecond laser writing (300 fs, 150 nJ at 500 kHz, 522 nm). The birefringence was measured from the spectral splitting of the Bragg grating resonances associated with the vertically and horizontally polarized modes. Polarization splitting directional couplers were designed and demonstrated with 0.5 dB/cm propagation losses and −19 dB and −24 dB extinction ratios for the polarization splitting.

Macroscopic alignment of lyotropic liquid crystals using magnetic nanoparticles.

Abstract: A versatile approach to align anisotropic mesophases in the presence of magnetic nanoparticles in response to an external magnetic field is demonstrated. A memory effect is shown, as the alignment of the nanoparticles, the mesophase, and the overall birefringence can be stored, erased, and rewritten reversibly by changing the temperature and the direction of the external magnetic field.

Theory of lossless polarization attraction in telecommunication fibers

Abstract: In this work, polarization attraction is meant to be the conservative nonlinear effect that transforms any arbitrary input state of polarization (SOP) of an intense optical signal beam fed to a nonlinear medium into approximately one and the same SOP at the output, provided that the medium is driven by a relatively stronger counterpropagating pump beam. Essentially, the combination of the nonlinear medium and the pump beam serves as a lossless polarizer for the signal beam. The degree of polarization of the outcoming signal beam can be close to 100% (90% in our present simulations). With an eye toward the development of such lossless polarizers for fiber optics applications, we theoretically study the polarization attraction effect in the optical fibers that are used in telecommunication links; i.e., randomly birefringent fibers. A generic model for the fiber-based lossless polarizers is derived, and a statistical scheme for the quantification of their performance is proposed.

Polarization-sensitive optical frequency domain imaging based on unpolarized light

Abstract: Polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) is an augmented form of OCT, providing 3D images of both tissue structure and polarization properties. We developed a new method of polarization-sensitive optical frequency domain imaging (PS-OFDI), which is based on a wavelength-swept source. In this method the sample was illuminated with unpolarized light, which was composed of two orthogonal polarization states (i.e., separated by 180° in the Poincare sphere) that are uncorrelated to each other. Reflection of these polarization states from within the sample was detected simultaneously and independently using a frequency multiplexing scheme. This simultaneous sample probing with two polarization states enabled determination of the depth-resolved Jones matrices of the sample. Polarization properties of the sample were obtained by analyzing the sample Jones matrices through eigenvector decomposition. The new PS-OFDI system ran at 31K wavelength-scans/s with 3072 pixels per wavelength-scan, and was tested by imaging a polarizer and several birefringent tissues such as chicken muscle and human skin. Lastly the new PS-OFDI was applied to imaging two cancer animal models: a mouse model by injecting cancer cells and a hamster cheek pouch model. These animal model studies demonstrated the significant differences in tissue polarization properties between cancer and normal tissues in vivo.

Polarization sensitivity as a contrast enhancer in pelagic predators: lessons from in situ polarization imaging of transparent zooplankton.

Abstract: Because light in the pelagic environment is partially polarized, it has been suggested that the polarization sensitivity found in certain pelagic species may serve to enhance the contrast of their transparent zooplankton prey. We examined its potential during cruises in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean and at a field station on the Great Barrier Reef. First, we collected various species of transparent zooplankton and micronekton and photographed them between crossed polarizers. Many groups, particularly the cephalopods, pelagic snails, salps and ctenophores, were found to have ciliary, muscular or connective tissues with striking birefringence. In situ polarization imagery of the same species showed that, while the degree of underwater polarization was fairly high (approx. 30% in horizontal lines of sight), tissue birefringence played little to no role in increasing visibility. This is most likely due to the low radiance of the horizontal background light when compared with the downwelling irradiance. In fact, the dominant radiance and polarization contrasts are due to unpolarized downwelling light that has been scattered from the animal viewed against the darker and polarized horizontal background light. We show that relatively simple algorithms can use this negative polarization contrast to increase visibility substantially.

In vivo evaluation of human skin anisotropy by polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography

Abstract: We performed an in vivo three-dimensional analysis of anisotropic changes in the dermal birefringence of mechanically deformed human skin using polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT). The papillary-dermal birefringence of the forehead increased significantly when the skin was shrunk parallel to the body axis, and decreased significantly when the skin was shrunk perpendicular to the body axis. En-face images of the papillary-dermal birefringence revealed variations among individual subjects, and that both shrinking parallel to and stretching in perpendicular to the body axis promoted the formation of macro rope-like birefringent domains. We found that PS-OCT is useful for understanding anisotropic properties of collagen structure in the skin.

2-D/3-D Switchable Display by Fresnel-Type LC Lens

Abstract: We demonstrate a multi-electrode Fresnel-type 2-D/3-D switchable display with electrically controlled birefringence mode liquid crystal (LC) lenses. By applying a discontinuous nonuniform electric field, the display with this structure can form a Fresnel-type refractive-index distribution to generate 3-D images. Compared to a normal LC lens, the Fresnel-type LC lens can achieve faster switching speed for dynamic applications. It can also replace the high sag solid lens for 3-D applications with relatively small cell gap. Furthermore, a Fresnel lens with suitable refractive-index profile is proposed to reduce the crosstalk in the 3-D displays.

Femtosecond laser writing of waveguide retarders in fused silica for polarization control in optical circuits

Abstract: Femtosecond laser (300 fs, 500 kHz, 522 nm) fabrication of optical waveguides in bulk silica glass is extended to waveguide retarders. We study the merits of nanograting orientation (perpendicular or parallel to the waveguide) for generating high and low birefringence waveguides. This is used together with other exposure condition to control the waveguide birefringence between 10−5 and 10−4 permitting for the simultaneous fabrication of the waveguides and the tuning of the retardance demonstrating quarter and half-wave retarders in the 1200 nm to 1700 nm spectrum. The wavelength dependence of the birefringence is also characterized over a range of exposure conditions.