Observation of pressure wave generated by focusing a femtosecond laser pulse inside a glass

Optical detection of the ultrasound-induced pulsed thermal lens close to the ice-water phase transition

Piezo-optic and thermo-optic coefficients are important material properties that play a critical role in the design and optimization of many optical devices. The ability to accurately measure and control these coefficients is essential for achieving high performance and reliability in a wide range of applications. In this article, we use the optical detection of the ultrasound-induced thermal lens effect to investigate these properties for water at low temperatures. The results show that the anomalous behavior of water around 4°C is easily observed. The thermal lens method is used to determine the temperature dependence of the piezo-optic and thermo-optic coefficients.

Sensing with Femtosecond Laser Filamentation

Femtosecond laser filamentation is a unique nonlinear optical phenomenon when high-power ultrafast laser propagation in all transparent optical media. During filamentation in the atmosphere, the ultrastrong field of 1013-1014 W/cm2 with a large distance ranging from meter to kilometers can effectively ionize, break, and excite the molecules and fragments, resulting in characteristic fingerprint emissions, which provide a great opportunity for investigating strong-field molecules interaction in complicated environments, especially remote sensing. Additionally, the ultrastrong intensity inside the filament can damage almost all the detectors and ignite various intricate higher order nonlinear optical effects. These extreme physical conditions and complicated phenomena make the sensing and controlling of filamentation challenging. This paper mainly focuses on recent research advances in sensing with femtosecond laser filamentation, including fundamental physics, sensing and manipulating methods, typical filament-based sensing techniques and application scenarios, opportunities, and challenges toward the filament-based remote sensing under different complicated conditions.

Induction and detection of pressure waves by pulsed thermal lens technique in water-ethanol mixtures

The mode-mismatched dual-beam thermal lens technique is widely applied in the characterization of optical and thermo-physical properties of solids and liquids. The technique has also been used to investigate transient acoustic waves induced by pulsed laser excitation at the nanosecond time scale. In this paper, we developed a semi-analytical model to describe the transient acoustic wave that allows a fitting procedure to get the physical properties of fluid samples. The method was used to investigate samples with different mixtures of ethanol and water, and quantitative information of piezo-optic coefficient and sound speed are evaluated for the fluid mixtures.

Accurate fabrication of SNAP microresonators via a femtosecond laser with multidimensional optimized parameters

Surface nanoscale axial photonics (SNAP) microresonators with nanoscale effective radius variations (ERVs) along the optical fiber axis can be fabricated by inscribing axially oriented lines inside the fiber with a femtosecond laser. Here, we propose the multi-dimensional fabrication parameter system for the femtosecond laser fabrication of SNAP devices and systematically investigate the relationships between the introduced ERV and the multidimensionally controllable fabrication parameters. Specifically, both the qualitative and quantitative processing principles are revealed. As a proof-of-principle, by multidimensionally optimizing the fabrication parameters, we realize a SNAP microresonator with the characteristics of both small axial size and maximal ERV. The achieved ERV is almost 5 times larger than the ERV achieved with the previous unoptimized method. Our work promotes the fs laser inscription technology to be a flexible and versatile approach for fabricating the SNAP devices with ultra-high precision, ultra-low loss and high robustness.

Nonlinear increase, invisibility, and sign inversion of a localized fs-laser-induced refractive index change in crystals and glasses

Multiphoton absorption via ultrafast laser focusing is the only technology that allows a three-dimensional structural modification of transparent materials. However, the magnitude of the refractive index change is rather limited, preventing the technology from being a tool of choice for the manufacture of compact photonic integrated circuits. We propose to address this issue by employing a femtosecond-laser-induced electronic band-gap shift (FLIBGS), which has an exponential impact on the refractive index change for propagating wavelengths approaching the material electronic resonance, as predicted by the Kramers-Kronig relations. Supported by theoretical calculations, based on a modified Sellmeier equation, the Tauc law, and waveguide bend loss calculations, we experimentally show that several applications could take advantage of this phenomenon. First, we demonstrate waveguide bends down to a submillimeter radius, which is of great interest for higher-density integration of fs-laser-written quantum and photonic circuits. We also demonstrate that the refractive index contrast can be switched from negative to positive, allowing direct waveguide inscription in crystals. Finally, the effect of the FLIBGS can compensate for the fs-laser-induced negative refractive index change, resulting in a zero refractive index change at specific wavelengths, paving the way for new invisibility applications.

Quantitative assessment of nonlinearly absorbed energy in fused silica via time-resolved digital holography

A fraction of incident optical energy nonlinearly absorbed by a solid medium is considered to be the main quantitative parameter of damage-inducing light-matter interaction. However, its reliable experimental evaluation is a non-trivial task. We have addressed this problem using time-resolved digital holography. This well-proven technique enables recording of time-dependent single-shot induced thermal lens in fused silica excited at fluence levels above the damage threshold and constructing a detailed picture of the dissipation of nonlinearly absorbed optical energy. In addition, we explored the dependence between the absorbed laser pulse energy and incident energy. We found that material modification started to occur when the sample absorbed more than 10% of incident energy, while the absorbance above 15% resulted in catastrophic damage. The proposed approach is expected to become a convenient tool for future studies of light-matter interaction in transparent solids.

Efficient postprocessing technique for fabricating surface nanoscale axial photonics microresonators with subangstrom precision by femtosecond laser

We demonstrated the subangstrom precise correction of surface nanoscale axial photonics (SNAP) micro-resonators by the femtosecond (fs) laser postprocessing technique for the first time. The internal stress can be induced by fs laser inscriptions in the fiber, causing nanoscale effective radius variation (ERV). However, the obtained ultraprecise fabrication usually undergoes multiple tries. Here, we propose a novel postprocessing technique based on the fs laser that significantly reduces the ERV errors and improves the fabrication precision without iterative corrections. The postexposure process is achieved at the original exposure locations using lower pulse energy than that in the initial fabrication process. The results show that the ERV is nearly proportional to the pulse energy of the postexposure process. The slope of the ERV versus the pulse energy is 0.07 Å/nJ. The maximum of the postprocessed ERV can reach 8.0 Å. The repeatability was experimentally verified by accomplishing the correction on three SNAP microresonators with the precision of 0.75 Å. The developed fabrication technique with fs laser enables SNAP microresonators with new breakthrough applications for optomechanics and filters.

High Repetition Rate UV versus VIS Picosecond Laser Fabrication of 3D Microfluidic Channels Embedded in Photosensitive Glass

Glass is an alternative solution to polymer for the fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) microfluidic biochips. Femtosecond (fs) lasers are nowadays the most promising tools for transparent glass processing. Specifically, the multiphoton process induced by fs pulses enables fabrication of embedded 3D channels with high precision. The subtractive fabrication process creating 3D hollow structures in glass, known as fs laser-assisted etching (FLAE), is based on selective removal of the laser-modified regions by successive chemical etching in diluted hydrofluoric acid solutions. In this work we demonstrate the possibility to generate embedded hollow channels in photosensitive Foturan glass volume by high repetition rate picosecond (ps) laser-assisted etching (PLAE). In particular, the influence of the critical irradiation doses and etching rates are discussed in comparison of two different wavelengths of ultraviolet (355 nm) and visible (532 nm) ranges. Fast and controlled fabrication of a basic structure composed of an embedded micro-channel connected with two open reservoirs, commonly used in the biochip design, are achieved inside glass. Distinct advantages such as good aspect-ratio, reduced processing time for large areas, and lower fabrication cost are evidenced.

Spatio-temporal analysis of glass volume processing using ultrashort laser pulses

Ultrashort laser pulses allow for the in-volume processing of glass through non-linear absorption, resulting in permanent material changes and the generation of internal stress. Across the manifold potential applications of this technology, process optimization requires a detailed understanding of the laser-matter interaction. Of particular relevance are the deposition of energy inside the material and the subsequent relaxation processes. In this paper, we investigate the spatio-temporal evolution of free carriers, energy transfer, and the resulting permanent modifications in the volume of glass during and after exposure to femtosecond and picosecond pulses. For this purpose, we employ time-resolved microscopy in order to obtain shadowgraphic and interferometric images that allow relating the transient distributions to the refractive index change profile. Whereas the plasma generation time is given by the pulse duration, the thermal dynamics occur over several microseconds. Among the most notable features is the emergence of a pressure wave due to the sudden increase of temperature and pressure within the interaction volume. We show how the structure of the modifications, including material disruptions as well as local defects, can be directly influenced by a judicious choice of pulse duration, pulse energy, and focus geometry.

Time-resolved tomography of ultrafast laser-matter interaction

We demonstrate time-resolved tomography with 200 fs resolution for the three-dimensional analysis of the non-linear dynamics of ultrafast laser-matter interaction inside the volume of transparent materials. We reconstruct as an example the three-dimensional spatial distribution of the transient extinction coefficient induced by focusing higher-order Bessel-Gaussian-beams into Gorilla glass. This approach can be employed to gaseous, liquid and transparent solid state matter which interact with laser light.

One-shot time-resolved holographic polarization microscopy for imaging laser-induced ultrafast phenomena

A time-resolved holographic polarization microscopy, based on angular multiplexing holographic technique, is proposed for imaging ultrafast phenomena in polarization-sensitive transparent materials. This method can retrieve and image the complex amplitude distributions of two orthogonal polarization components of two sequential vector wavefronts with ultrashort time interval by a single short recording. Some experimental results for imaging the pulse laser induced ultrafast events based on the method are given. It is demonstrated that this technique may provide a potential tool for characterizing ultrafast processes in polarization-sensitive materials, especially in the non-reproducible experiment conditions.

Ultrafast Laser Fabrication of Functional Biochips: New Avenues for Exploring 3D Micro- and Nano-Environments

Lab-on-a-chip biological platforms have been intensively developed during the last decade since emerging technologies have offered possibilities to manufacture reliable devices with increased spatial resolution and 3D configurations. These biochips permit testing chemical reactions with nanoliter volumes, enhanced sensitivity in analysis and reduced consumption of reagents. Due to the high peak intensity that allows multiphoton absorption, ultrafast lasers can induce local modifications inside transparent materials with high precision at micro- and nanoscale. Subtractive manufacturing based on laser internal modification followed by wet chemical etching can directly fabricate 3D micro-channels in glass materials. On the other hand, additive laser manufacturing by two-photon polymerization of photoresists can grow 3D polymeric micro- and nanostructures with specific properties for biomedical use. Both transparent materials are ideal candidates for biochips that allow exploring phenomena at cellular levels while their processing with a nanoscale resolution represents an excellent opportunity to get more insights on biological aspects. We will review herein the laser fabrication of transparent microfluidic and optofluidic devices for biochip applications and will address challenges associated with their potential. In particular, integrated micro- and optofluidic systems will be presented with emphasis on the functionality for biological applications. It will be shown that ultrafast laser processing is not only an instrument that can tailor appropriate 3D environments to study living microorganisms and to improve cell detection or sorting but also a tool to fabricate appropriate biomimetic structures for complex cellular analyses. New advances open now the avenue to construct miniaturized organs of desired shapes and configurations with the goal to reproduce life processes and bypass in vivo animal or human testing.

Laser printed nano-gratings: orientation and period peculiarities

Understanding of material behaviour at nanoscale under intense laser excitation is becoming critical for future application of nanotechnologies. Nanograting formation by linearly polarised ultra-short laser pulses has been studied systematically in fused silica for various pulse energies at 3D laser printing/writing conditions, typically used for the industrial fabrication of optical elements. The period of the nanogratings revealed a dependence on the orientation of the scanning direction. A tilt of the nanograting wave vector at a fixed laser polarisation was also observed. The mechanism responsible for this peculiar dependency of several features of the nanogratings on the writing direction is qualitatively explained by considering the heat transport flux in the presence of a linearly polarised electric field, rather than by temporal and spatial chirp of the laser beam. The confirmed vectorial nature of the light-matter interaction opens new control of material processing with nanoscale precision.

Sequentially timed all-optical mapping photography (STAMP) utilizing spectral filtering

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a new method called SF-STAMP for sequentially timed all-optical mapping photography (STAMP) that utilizes spectral filtering. SF-STAMP is composed of a diffractive optical element (DOE), a band-pass filter, and two Fourier transform lenses. Using a linearly frequency-chirped pulse and converting the wavelength to the time axis, we realize single-shot ultrafast burst imaging. As an experimental demonstration of SF-STAMP, we monitor the dynamics of a laser ablation using a linearly frequency-chirped broadband pulse (>100 nm) that is temporally stretched up to ~40 ps. This imaging method is expected to be effective for investigating ultrafast dynamics in a diverse range of fields, such as photochemistry, plasma physics, and fluidics.

Influence of laser-induced air breakdown on femtosecond laser ablation of aluminum

We investigated the influence of laser-induced air breakdown on the femtosecond laser ablation of aluminum target using time-resolved pump-probe shadowgraphic imaging method. The early-stage plasma expanding dynamics and subsequent expanding behaviors of shockwaves and material ejection plume were analyzed through shadowgraphs recorded at different time delays. The dominated mechanisms were clarified at different stages during femtosecond laser pulses ablating aluminum, which provide very valuable information for ultrashort laser ablation of metals.

Direct holographic imaging of ultrafast laser damage process in thin films

Dynamic process of femtosecond laser-induced damage formation in dielectric thin films is reconstructed from a series of time-resolved images. Ta2O5 single-layer coatings of four different thicknesses have been investigated in transmission mode by means of time-resolved off-axis digital holography. Different processes overlapped in time were found to occur; namely, the Kerr effect, free-electron generation, ultrafast lattice heating, and shockwave generation. The trends in contribution of these effects are qualitatively reproduced by numerical models based on electron-rate equations and Drude theory, which take into account transient changes in the films and interference effects of the pump and probe pulses.

Rapid fabrication of a large-area close-packed quasi-periodic microlens array on BK7 glass

Large-area close-packed microlens arrays (MLAs) are highly desirable for structured light and integrated optical applications. However, efficient realization of ultralarge area MLAs with a high fill factor is still technically challenging, especially on glass material. In this Letter we propose a high-efficiency MLA fabrication method using single-pulsed femtosecond laser wet etch and close-packed quasi-periodic concave MLAs consisting of three million units fabricated on silica glass within an hour. The fabricated MLAs are demonstrated to have extreme optical smoothness (∼8.5 nm) by an atomic force microscope. It has also been demonstrated that the profile of the quasi-periodic concave structures could be easily tuned by changing the laser scanning speed or the pulse energy. Additionally, the optical performances of the MLA diffusers were investigated by using sharp focusing, high-resolution imaging, and flat-top illumination.

Formation of periodic disruptions induced by heat accumulation of femtosecond laser pulses

The absorption and heat accumulation of successive ultrashort laser pulses in fused silica leads to melting of the material. We analyze the structure and formation of disruptions that occur within the trace of the molten material. We employed focused ion beam (FIB) milling to reveal the inner structure of these disruptions. The disruptions consist of several small voids which form a large cavity with a diameter of several tens of micrometer. Based on the observations, we suggest a model explaining the formation of these disruptions as a results of a fast quenching process of the molten material after the laser irradiation has stopped. In addition, we analyzed the periodic and non-periodic formation of disruptions. The processing parameters strongly influence the formation of disruptions.

On femtosecond micromachining of HPHT single-crystal diamond with direct laser writing using tight focusing

We investigate the formation of diversiform micro-/nano-structures in High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) synthetic single-crystal diamond by tight-focusing 200 fs regeneratively amplified Ti: Sapphire laser pulses centered at lambda = 800 nm. Ablated samples of synthetic single crystal nanodiamond and their acetate replicas are analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Using pulse energies that are significantly above the threshold for permanent change, it is shown from this work that amplified femtosecond pulses are capable of producing controlled modification of HPHT single-crystal diamond at size scales below the diffraction limit and provided negligible collateral heating and shock-wave damage. This is attributed to the low thermal losses and negligible hydrodynamic expansion of the ablated material during the femtosecond laser pulse. It is shown that low pulse energy is a key factor for the accurate and precise machining of micropattems.

Periodic metallo-dielectric structure in diamond

Intense ultrashort light pulses induce three dimensional localized phase transformation of diamond. Photoinduced amorphous structures have electrical conducting properties of a maximum of 64 S/m based on a localized transition from sp(3) to sp(2) in diamond. The laser parameters of fluence and scanning speed affect the resultant electrical conductivities due to recrystallization and multi-filamentation phenomena. We demonstrate that the laser-processed diamond with the periodic cylinder arrays have the characteristic transmission properties in terahertz region, which are good agreement with theoretical calculations. The fabricated periodic structures act as metallo-dielectric photonic crystal.

Microscale nanosecond laser-induced optical breakdown in water

Microscale optical breakdown induced in bulk pure water by high-power nanosecond KrF laser pulses was studied using optical transmission and contact broadband photoacoustic techniques. The breakdown has been identified as a sharp transmission drop coinciding with the appearance of unipolar compressive acoustic pulses, both indicating a thresholdlike rise of local intrinsic absorption in the micrometer-scale laser focal volume. The acoustic pulses, which are much broader than the exciting laser pulse and show a strongly reduced far-field diffraction effect, result from breakdown-induced millimeter-sized steam bubbles. The acoustic pulse amplitudes exhibit a sub-linear ( proportional, variantI(3/4)) pressure dependence on the laser intensity I characteristic of subcritical electron-ion plasma and demonstrating the avalanche enhancement of two-photon ionization above the breakdown threshold until the appearance of the critical plasma. In the critical plasma regime, where the transmission and the acoustic signals slowly vary as a function of laser intensity, the main acoustic pulse is preceded by nanosecond and sub- micros prepulses, where the first one represents a GPa-level plasma-driven shock wave and the second one adjacent to the main pulse appears due to weak submillimeter-long heating of water surrounding the hot plasma by its bremsstrahlung radiation, indicating significant dissociation of water molecules in the plasma.