Holographic interferometry using anisotropic self-diffraction in Bi(12)SiO(20)

Imaging of transient surface acoustic waves by full-field photorefractive interferometry

A stroboscopic full-field imaging technique based on photorefractive interferometry for the visualization of rapidly changing surface displacement fields by using of a standard charge-coupled device (CCD) camera is presented. The photorefractive buildup of the space charge field during and after probe laser pulses is simulated numerically. The resulting anisotropic diffraction upon the refractive index grating and the interference between the polarization-rotated diffracted reference beam and the transmitted signal beam are modeled theoretically. The method is experimentally demonstrated by full-field imaging of the propagation of photoacoustically generated surface acoustic waves with a temporal resolution of nanoseconds. The surface acoustic wave propagation in a 23 mm × 17 mm area on an aluminum plate was visualized with 520 × 696 pixels of the CCD sensor, yielding a spatial resolution of 33 μm. The short pulse duration (8 ns) of the probe laser yields the capability of imaging SAWs with frequencies up to 60 MHz.

Preludes to the Lattice Compatibility Theory LCT: Urbach Tailing Controversial Behavior in Some Nanocompounds

We try to give an explanation to the unexpected Urbach tailing associated to some phenomena which occur in some nano-compounds lattices. The provided discussion and notes are detailed here as a prelude to the lattice compatibility theory (LCT), a guide to a plausible understanding of this unsolved intrigue.

Multiplexed optical operation of distributed nanoelectromechanical systems arrays

We report a versatile all optical technique to excite and read-out a distributed nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) array. The NEMS array is driven by a distributed, intensity modulated optical pump through the photothermal effect. The ensuing vibrational response of the array is multiplexed onto a single probe beam in the form of a high frequency phase modulation. The phase modulation is optically down converted to a low frequency intensity modulation using an adaptive full-field interferometer, and subsequently detected using a CCD array. Rapid and single step mechanical characterization of ∼44 nominally identical high-frequency resonators is demonstrated. The technique may enable sensitivity improvements over single NEMS resonators by averaging signals coming from a multitude of devices in the array. In addition, the diffraction limited spatial resolution may allow for position-dependent read-out of NEMS sensor chips for sensing multiple analytes or spatially inhomogeneous forces.

Static and dynamic two-wave mixing in GaAs

We studied the two-wave mixing anisotropic diffraction process in GaAs for demodulation of static and dynamic phase encoded signals. The static results quantitatively agreed with a previous theoretical model for cubic crystals. This model has been described explicitly for all beam polarizations and crystal rotation angles with respect to the plane of incidence. Dynamic phase modulation, in which the signal beam was phase modulated at frequency f(s) and the reference beam at f(r) = f(s) + Deltaf, produced a signal at Deltaf that was proportional to the difference between the static beam intensities with and without two-wave mixing under all conditions of polarization and crystal orientation studied. A significant dynamic output signal was produced even when only a shift in polarization but no energy transfer occurred as a result of the anisotropic two-wave mixing process. Therefore not only is the two-wave mixing gain important when the photorefractive effect is used for dynamic phase demodulation, but so are the polarization shifts occurring from the mixing process.

Photorefractive optical lock-in vibration spectral measurement

An optical photorefractive frequency-domain method is described for measuring displacement amplitude and phase of vibrating surfaces. The method is applicable to diffusely scattering surfaces and usable in either a point-detection or imaging configuration. The method utilizes an optical lock-in approach to measure phase modulation of light scattered from continuously vibrating surfaces. Picometer displacement sensitivities have been demonstrated over a frequency range of 100 Hz to greater than 100 kHz. The response of the spectral method is independent of the vibration frequency above the photorefractive cutoff frequency. Two methods are described that produce a readout beam intensity that is a direct function of the vibration amplitude suitable for imaging.

Noise filtering in the interference pattern by dynamic holographic recording in photorefractive Bi(12)TiO(20) crystals

The possibilities of stabilization of the interference pattern by filtration of a random-phase noise caused by vibrations, turbulence, and other local changes in the wave front in interferometric measurements are investigated. Dynamic holographic recording in photorefractive Bi(12)TiO(20) crystals is used. The parameters of the holographic recording are presented for determination of the dynamic range for filtering. Noise filtering takes place in real time and contributes to the enhancement of the contrast and the signal-to-noise ratio of the interference pattern. This results in a considerable increase in the sensitivity and the accuracy of the interferometric measurements.

Dynamic holographic interferometry by photorefractive crystals for quantitative deformation measurements

A holographic interferometer that uses two-wave mixing in a photorefractive (Bi12SiO20) crystal under an applied ac field is described. The interferometer uses a repetitive sequence of separate record and readout times to obtain quasi real-time holographic interferograms of vibrating objects. It is shown that a good signal-to-noise ratio of the interferometer is obtained by turning off the object illumination and the applied ac field during readout of the hologram. The good signal-to-noise ratio of the resulting holographic interferograms enables phase measurement, which allows for quantitative deformation analysis.

Phase-shifting real-time holographic interferometry that uses bismuth silicon oxide crystals

A bismuth silicon oxide crystal is used in the diffusion regime as a dynamic recording medium in a real-time holographic interferometer based on anisotropic self-diffraction. This device is connected with an interferogram-analysis method that uses the phase-shifting technique for quantitative measurement of diffusive-reflecting object deformations. In addition to the usual error sources in phase shifting, the temporal interferogram erasure is studied and is found weakly perturbative for the measured phase. It is shown that quantitative measurements are possible for low-intensity object beams (8 µW/cm(2)) and a large observed area. Apractical situation of defect monitoring in a composite structure is presented.

Simultaneous acquisition of pi/2 phase-stepped interferograms with a photorefractive Bi(12)GeO(20) crystal: application to real-time double-pulse holography

We present a novel method for real-time analysis of vibrations in double-pulse laser holography. Two pi/2 phase-stepped interferograms are obtained simultaneously. An experimental demonstration gives a phase measurement with an accuracy of 4 degrees .

Information capacity of holograms in photorefractive crystals

From a single measurement of the signal-to-noise ratio of the image reconstructed from a hologram it is possible to estimate the information capacity of superimposed holograms and to predict the total number of superimposed holograms associated with the maximum information capacity. Information capacity densities of 3.7 x 10(6) bits/mm(3) for Bi(12)TiO(20) crystal samples and 2.3 x 10(8) bits/mm(3) for LiNbO(3) samples have been calculated.

Photorefractive two-wave mixing in the presence of high-speed optical phase modulation

Equations that describe the steady-state dependence of the coherent-coupling properties of photorefractively induced refractive-index gratings on high-speed periodic biphase, sinusoidal, and triangular phase modulation impressed on one of the input optical beams are found and solved for both depleted and undepleted pump conditions. The period of the phase modulation wave form was kept short compared with the grating-formation time but did not cause significant spectral broadening. The results obtained were verified with data obtained from measurements of two-wave mixing in the photorefractive material, InP:Fe.

Noise and sensitivity characteristics of Bi(12)SiO(20) crystals for optimization of a real-time self-diffraction holographic interferometer

The optimization of a real-time holographic interferometer that uses photorefractive Bi(12)SiO(20) crystals as the recording media through anisotropic self-diffraction is considered with regard to the optical noise and sensitivity characteristics of two particular crystals. A simple theoretical treatment is given to describe the factors influencing the maximum area of an object that can be viewed interferometrically by using these crystals. Experimental values of the noise distribution and sensitivity of the crystals are presented and used to obtain a value for the maximum observable object area of the order of 1 m(2).