Micro-optical fabrication by ultraprecision diamond machining and precision molding

Ultraprecision diamond machining and high volume molding for affordable high precision high performance optical elements are becoming a viable process in optical industry for low cost high quality microoptical component manufacturing. In this process, first high precision microoptical molds are fabricated using ultraprecision single point diamond machining followed by high volume production methods such as compression or injection molding. In the last two decades, there have been steady improvements in ultraprecision machine design and performance, particularly with the introduction of both slow tool and fast tool servo. Today optical molds, including freeform surfaces and microlens arrays, are routinely diamond machined to final finish without post machining polishing. For consumers, compression mold- ing or injection molding provide efficient and high quality optics at extremely low cost. In this paper, first ultrapreci- sion machine design and machining processes such as slow tool and fast too servo are described then both compression molding and injection molding of polymer optics are discussed. To implement precision optical manufacturing by molding, numerical modeling can be included in the future as a critical part of the manufacturing process to ensure high product quality.

Electricity Generation from Heatwaves

We chose a definition of heatwaves (HWs) that has ~4-year recurrence frequency at world hot spots. We first examined the 1940-2022 HWs climatology and trends in lifespan, severity, spatial extent, and recurrence frequency. HWs are becoming more frequent and more severe for extratropical mid- and low-latitudes. To euphemize HWs, we here propose a novel clean energy-tapping concept that utilizes the available nano-technology, micro-meteorology knowledge of temperature distribution within/without buildings, and radiative properties of earth atmosphere. The key points for a practical electricity generation scheme from HWs are defogging, insulation, and minimizing the absorption of infrared downward radiation at the cold legs of the thermoelectric generators. One sample realization is presented which, through relay with existing photovoltaic devices, provides all-day electricity supply sufficient for providing air conditioning requirement for a residence (~2000-watt throughput). The provision of power to air conditioning systems, usually imposes a significant stress on traditional city power grids during heatwaves.

Block-free optical quantum Banyan network based on quantum state fusion and fission

Optical switch fabric plays an important role in building multiple-user optical quantum communication networks.Owing to its self-routing property and low complexity, a banyan network is widely used for building switch fabric. While,there is no efficient way to remove internal blocking in a banyan network in a classical way, quantum state fusion, by which the two-dimensional internal quantum states of two photons could be combined into a four-dimensional internal state of a single photon, makes it possible to solve this problem. In this paper, we convert the output mode of quantum state fusion from spatial-polarization mode into time-polarization mode. By combining modified quantum state fusion and quantum state fission with quantum Fredkin gate, we propose a practical scheme to build an optical quantum switch unit which is block free. The scheme can be extended to building more complex units, four of which are shown in this paper.

A comprehensive review of dwell time optimization methods in computer-controlled optical surfacing

Dwell time plays a vital role in determining the accuracy and convergence of the computer-controlled optical surfacing process.However,optimizing dwell time presents a challenge due to its ill-posed nature,resulting in non-unique solutions.To address this issue,several well-known methods have emerged,including the iterative,Bayesian,Fourier transform,and matrix-form methods.Despite their independent development,these methods share common objectives,such as minimizing residual errors,ensuring dwell time's positivity and smoothness,minimizing total processing time,and enabling flexible dwell positions.This paper aims to comprehensively review the existing dwell time optimization methods,explore their interrelationships,provide insights for their effective implementations,evaluate their performances,and ultimately propose a unified dwell time optimization methodology.

Advances in the design and manufacturing of novel freeform optics

Freeform optics has become the most prominent element of the optics industry. Advanced freeform optical designs supplementary to ultra-precision manufacturing and metrology techniques have upgraded the lifestyle, thinking, and observing power of existing humans.Imaginations related to space explorations, portability, accessibility have also witnessed sensible in today’s time with freeform optics. Present-day design methods and fabrications techniques applicable in the development of freeform optics and the market requirements are focussed and explained with the help of traditional and non-traditional optical applications. Over the years,significant research is performed in the emerging field of freeform optics, but no standards are established yet in terms of tolerances and definitions. We critically review the optical design methods for freeform optics considering the image forming and non-image forming applications. Numerous subtractive manufacturing technologies including figure correction methods and metrology have been developed to fabricate extreme modern freeform optics to satisfy the demands of various applications such as space, astronomy, earth science, defence,biomedical, material processing, surveillance, and many more. We described a variety of advanced technologies in manufacturing and metrology for novel freeform optics. Next, we also covered the manufacturing-oriented design scheme for advanced optics. We conclude this review with an outlook on the future of freeform optics design, manufacturing and metrology.

Fabrication and near-infrared optical responses of 2D periodical Au/ITO nanocomposite arrays

Two-dimensional(2D) periodical Au and indium tin oxide(ITO) nanocomposite arrays have been fabricated based on a self-assembled nanosphere lithography technique. A button-shaped Au nanoparticle was formed on each hollow hemisphere-shaped ITO shell. Importantly, the underlying formation mechanism during the thermal treatment has been thoroughly explored by comparing structures resulting from different deposition conditions in detail. Compared to the Au nanoparticle arrays without ITO shells, the Au/ITO nanocomposite arrays showed a stronger localized surface plasmon resonance effect and higher absorption in the near-infrared(NIR) region, benefiting from the free-electron interaction enhancement between Au and ITO. The nonlinear optical properties were investigated using a modified femtosecond intensity-scan system, and the results demonstrated Au/ITO nanocomposite arrays with a remarkable two-photon absorption saturation effect for femtosecond pulses at 1030 nm. The versatile NIR optical responses indicate the great potential of the elaborately prepared 2D periodical Au/ITO nanocomposite arrays in many applications such as solar cells, photocatalysis,and novel nano optoelectronic devices.

Fabricating lifted Haar transform image compression optical chip based on femtosecond laser

In this paper,a lifted Haar transform(LHT)image compression optical chip has been researched to achieve rapid image compression.The chip comprises 32 same image compression optical circuits,and each circuit contains a 2×2 multimode interference(MMI)coupler and aπ/2 delay line phase shifter as the key components.The chip uses highly borosilicate glass as the substrate,Su8 negative photoresist as the core layer,and air as the cladding layer.Its horizontal and longitudinal dimensions are 8011μm×10000μm.Simulation results present that the designed optical circuit has a coupling ratio(CR)of 0:100 and an insertion loss(IL)of 0.001548 d B.Then the chip is fabricated by femtosecond laser and testing results illustrate that the chip has a CR of 6:94 and an IL of 0.518 d B.So,the prepared chip possesses good image compression performance.

Advanced optical methods and materials for fabricating 3D tissue scaffolds

Three-dimensional(3D)printing,also known as additive manufacturing(AM),has undergone a phase of rapid development in the fabrication of customizable and high-precision parts.Thanks to the advancements in 3D printing technologies,it is now a reality to print cells,growth factors,and various biocompatible materials altogether into arbitrarily complex 3D scaffolds with high degree of structural and functional similarities to the native tissue environment.Additionally,with overpowering advantages in molding efficiency,resolution,and a wide selection of applicable materials,optical 3D printing methods have undoubtedly become the most suitable approach for scaffold fabrication in tissue engineering(TE).In this paper,we first provide a comprehensive and up-to-date review of current optical 3D printing methods for scaffold fabrication,including traditional extrusion-based processes,selective laser sintering,stereolithography,and two-photon polymerization etc.Specifically,we review the optical design,materials,and representative applications,followed by fabrication performance comparison.Important metrics include fabrication precision,rate,materials,and application scenarios.Finally,we summarize and compare the advantages and disadvantages of each technique to guide readers in the optics and TE communities to select the most fitting printing approach under different application scenarios.

High speed sub-micrometric microscopy using optical polymer microlens

We report the high speed scanning submicronic microscopy （SSM） using a low cost polymer microlens integrated at the extremity of an optical fiber. These microlenses are fabricated by a free-radical photopolymerization method. Using a polymer microlens with a radius of curvature of 250 nm, a sub-micrometric gold pattern is imaged experimentally by SSM. Different distances between the tip and the sample are used with a high scanning speed of 200 cm/s. In particular, metallic absorption contrasts are described with an optical spatial resolution of 250 nm at the wavelength of 532 nm. Moreover, finite-difference time-domain （FDTD） simulations concerning the focal lengths of microlenses with different geometries and heights support the experimental data.

4×4 nonblocking optical switch fabric based on cascaded multimode interferometers

We experimentally demonstrate a 4 × 4 nonblocking silicon thermo-optic(TO) switch fabric consisting of three stages of tunable generalized Mach–Zehnder interferometers. All 24 routing states for nonblocking switching are characterized. The device's footprint is 4.6 mm × 1.0 mm. Measurements show that the worst cross talk of all switching states is-7.2 dB. The on-chip insertion loss is in the range of 3.7–13.1 dB. The average TO switching power consumption is 104.8 mW.

Study of heat transfer characteristics in PCFG fabrication technology using heat method

The fiber gratings fabrication technology with the heating method in a photonic crystal fiber （PCF） based on structural change is examined. The principle of photonic crystal fiber gratings （PCFGs） is analyzed in theory. The heat transfer theory and finite element method are used to examine the thermal field distribution in the fiber and the influence of the air hole structure in the cladding, and the parameters of the laser beam in the process of grating fabrication are discussed. The results show that gratings can be formed by the periodic collapse of air holes in the cladding of PCFs. Under double-point heating condition, the energy is uniformly distributed in the radial direction and is approximate to Gaussian distribution in the axial direction. With the same size of the luminous spot, as the layers and radius of the air holes increase, the laser power needed to make the air holes collapse decreases. With the same laser power, as the luminous spot radius increases, the needed heating time increases. Moreover, the relationship between the laser power needed and the air filling rate is obtained as the number of layers of the air holes changes from 1 to 7. This kind of PCFG can overcome the long-term thermal instability of conventional gratings in substance and thus has great potential applications in the related field of optical fiber sensors.

Free-space 1×2 wavelength-selective switches for wavelength-division multiplexing optical networks

A free-space 1 ×2 wavelength-selective switch （WSS） based on thin-film filter technology is proposed. The 1 × 2 WSS is fabricated with an electromagnetic actuator, a reflecton prism, a narrow-band thin-film filter, and three fiber collimators. The working principle and the configuration of WSS are illuminated. The experimental results indicate a fiber-to-fiber insertion loss ranging from 1.109 to 1.249 dB with 2-V voltage input, which satisfies the application of optical fiber communication.

Finite element analysis on stress-induced birefringence of polarization-maintaining optical fiber

Influence of thermal-mechanical properties on the features of the panda polarization-maintaining optical fiber (PMF-) in fabrication process is studied in detail by finite element method (FEM). The stress birefringence is 2.13443×10-4 obtained by the static analysis and 2.1269×10-4 by dynamic analysis. The difference in simulation by two methods is around 0.4%. The non-uniformity of stress birefringence in the fiber core is about 1.6%. Predicted results demonstrate that effect of the thermal conductive parameter on fiber thermal stress dominates. The high and uniform stress birefringence in the fiber core is obtained by appropriately selecting suitable stress region area and position.

Electroless nickel plating on optical fiber probe

As a component of near-field scanning optical microscope （NSOM）, optical fiber probe is an important factor influncing the equipment resolution. Electroless nickel plating is introduced to metallize the optical fiber probe. The optical fibers are etched by 40% HF with Turner etching method. Through pretreatment, the optical fiber probe is coated with Ni-P film by electroless plating in a constant temperature water tank. Atomic absorption spectrometry （AAS）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry （EDXS） are carried out to characterize the deposition on fiber probe. We have reproducibly fabricated two kinds of fiber probes with a Ni-P film： aperture probe and apertureless probe. In addition, reductive particle transportation on the surface of fiber probe is proposed to explain the cause of these probes.

Multi-hole plastic optical fiber force sensor based on femtosecond laser micromachining

We study the theoretical and experimental effects of hole quantity and inter inter-hole spacing on insertion loss for using femtosecond laser to make bend-sensitive multi-hole plastic optical fiber （POF）, and also analyze the mechanism of bending loss in multi-hole POF. A force sensor based on bending loss of the multi-hole POF is fabricated. The measurement ranges from 0 to 65 N, and the maximum output change exceeds 15.51 dB with good linearity and repeatability, and the sensitivity is 0.24 dB/N.

Highly efficient fiber-to-chip evanescent coupling based on subwavelength-diameter optical fibers

A novel, compact, and highly efficient fiber-to-chip evanescent coupling structure is proposed based on a subwavelength-diameter fiber. The coupling structure is characterized by a large misalignment tolerance and easy fabrication. The dependence of coupling efficiency on various parameters is calculated and analyzed. The simulation results show that a coupling efficiency as high as 95% can be obtained within a coupling length of 4 μm.

Optical property of an antireflection coating fabricated by an optimal spin-coating method with a pH-modified SiO2 nanoparticle solution

An antireflection （AR） coating is fabricated by applying an optimal spin-coating method and a pH-modified SiO2 nanoparticle solution on a cover glass. Because the pH value of the solution will affect the aggregation and dispersion of the SiO2 particles, the transmittance of the AR-treated cover glass will be enhanced under optimal fabricated conditions. The experimental results show that an AR coating fabricated by an SiO2 nano- particle solution of pH 11 enhances the transmittance approximately by 3% and 5% under normal and oblique incident conditions, respectively. Furthermore, the AR-treated cover glass exhibits hydrophobicity and shows a 65% enhancement at a contact angle to bare glass.

Reply to Comments on "Structural,Optical,and Electrical Properties of Zn-Doped CdO Thin Films Fabricated by a Simplified Spray Pyrolysis Technique'' by K.Usharani and A.R.Balu published in Acta Metall.Sin.(Engl.Lett.) 28(1),64–71(2015)

Following are the comments for the queries raised by Prof. Pawel E. Tomaszewski on our published paper entitled ＂Structural, Optical, and Electrical Properties of Zn-Doped CdO Thin Films Fabricated by a Simplified Spray Pyrolysis Technique＂ by K. Usharani and A.R. Balu published in Acta Metall. Sin.

Temperature-insensitive refractive index sensor based on an optical fiber extrinsic Fabry–Perot interferometer processed by a femtosecond laser

An optical fiber extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer （EFPI） is designed and fabricated for refractive index （RI） sensing. To test the RI of liquid, the following two different methods are adopted： the wavelength tracking method and the Fourier-transform white-light interferometry （FTWLI）. The sensitivities of sensors with cavity lengths of 288.1 and 358.5 μm are 702.312 nm/RIU and 396.362 μm/RIU, respectively, by the two methods. Our work provides a new kind of RI sensor with the advantages of high sensitivity, mechanical robustness, and low cross sensitivity to temperature. Also, we provide a new method to deal with gold film with a femtosecond laser.

Calibrating an optical fiber humidity sensor and applying it in real-time monitoring of relative humidity in fresh concrete

A doubly cladding single-mode fiber humidity sensor is fabricated by agarose. The sensor has an insertion loss of -0.08 dB and a power change of -17.83 dB. The responses of the sensor to a relative humidity （RH） range form 30% to 100% at a temperature range form 25 to 34 ~C are validated. The experiments demonstrate that the absorbability of agarose gel to moisture decreases with increasing RH in measured gas. We propose a calibration method that uses lookup tables and construct a corresponding calibration matrix. Using the sensor, we conduct real-time monitoring of RH in fresh concrete during its hardening nrocess.