Corrosion and Fatigue Testing of Microsized 304 Stainless Steel Beams Fabricated by Femtosecond Laser

The 304 stainless steel （SS） microcantilever specimens with dimensions of 30 #m ×30 #m ×50 #m （thicknessx width × length） were fabricated by femtosecond （fs） laser. The microsized cantilevers of good quality with structure and dimensions according commendably with that of the designed cantilever were obtained. The result shows that fs laser micromachining is a promising method for directly fabricating metallic microcomponents. Corrosion and fatigue properties of microsized specimens were carried out on the microsized 304 SS cantilever beams by a newly developed fatigue testing machine. The results show that the microsized 304 SS specimens appear to have an improved resistance towards localized corrosion compared to ordinary-sized 304 SS specimens after the static corrosion testing. The testing result shows that the presence of corrosive solution reduces the fatigue lifetime of the 304 SS specimen by a factor of 10-100. The maximum bending loads measured by fatigue testing machine decrease rapidly at the terminal stage of environment assisted fatigue testing. Corrosion fracture first occurred at the range of notch with a higher tensile bending stress, and exhibited clear evidence of trans-columnar fracture detected by SEM （scanning electron microscopy）.

Diffusion-induced deflection and the effect of two-wave mixing gain on dissipative photovoltaic solitons

In an open-circuit dissipative photovoltaic （PV） crystal, by considering the diffusion effect, the deflection of bright dissipative photovoltaic （DPV） solitons has been investigated by employing numerical technique and perturbational procedure. The relevant results show that the centre of the optical beam moves along a parabolic trajectory, while the central spatial-frequency component shifts linearly with the propagation distance; furthermore, both the spatial deflection and the angular derivation are associated with the photovoltaic field. Such DPV solitons have a fixed deflection degree completely determined by the parameters of the dissipative system. The small bending cannot affect the formation of the DPV soliton via two-wave mixing.

Measurement of the carrier recovery time in SOA based on four-wave mixing on narrow-band ASE spectrum

Carrier recovery time is a key parameter that determines the performance of a semiconductor optical amplifier （SOA）. A measurement method of carrier recovery time in SOA based on a nearly degenerate four-wave mixing of narrowband amplified spontaneous emission （ASE） spectra is presented. The results show the carrier times are 50.2, 44.6, and 23.6 ps when the injected currents are 120, 180, and 240 mA, respectively, which are in agreement with the nominal values of the sample.

Self-Deflection of Dark Screening Spatial Solitons Based on Higher-Order Space Charge Field

The effects of higher-order space charge field on the self-deflection of dark screening spatial solitons in biased photorefractive crystals are numerically investigated under steady-state conditions. The expression for an induced space-charge electric field including higher-order space-charge field terms is obtained. Numerical results indicate that dark solitons possess a self-deflection process during propagation, and the solitons always bend in the direction of the c axis of the crystal. The self-deflection of dark solitons can experience considerable increase especially in the regime of high bias field strengths.

Optical Characterization of β-FeSi2 Thin Films Prepared by Femtosecond Laser Ablation

Iron disilicide thin films are prepared on fused quartz using femtosecond laser deposition （FsPLD） with a FeSi2 alloy target. X-ray diffraction results indicate the films are single-phase, orthorhombic, β-FeSi2. Field scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy and Raman microscope are used to characterize the structure, composition, and optical properties of the β-FeSi2 films. Normal incidence spectral transmittance and reflectance data indicate a minimum, direct energy gap of 0.85 eV. The two most intense lines of Raman scattering peaked at 181.3 cm^-1 and 235.6cm^-1 for the film on fused quartz, and at 191.2cm^-1 and 243.8cm^-1 for the film on Si （100）, are observed.

Design of Highly Sensitive Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensors Using Planar Metallic Films Closely Coupled to Nanogratings

We investigate the sensitivity enhancement of surface plasmon resonance （SPR） sensors using planar metallic films closely coupled to nanogratings. The strong coupling between localized surface plasmon resonances （LSPRs） presenting in metallic nanostructures and surface plasmon polaritons （SPPs） propagating at the metallic film surface leads to changes of resonance reflection properties, resulting in enhanced sensitivity of SPR sensors. The effects of thickness of the metallic films, grating period and metal materials on the refractive index sensitivity of the device are investigated. The refractive index sensitivity of nanograting-based SPR sensors is predicted to be about 543 nm/RIU （refractive index unit） using optimized structure parameters. Our study on SPR sensors using planar metallic films closely coupled to nanogratings demonstrates the potential for significant improvement in refractive index sensitivity.

Magnetic Properties of γ-Fe_2O_3 Nanoparticles Prepared by Laser Ablation

A new method of preparing nanoparticles by pulsed-laser ablation of a tiny wire was reported, and pure maghemite （ γ-Fe2 O3 ） nanoparticles were synthesized by this method in a mixed gas flux of N2 and O2 at atmospheric pressure. The obtained γ-Fe2 O3 nanopartiles were in the range of 5 to 80 run in diameter and largely spherical in shape. Structural characteristics and morphologies of the nanoparticles were characterized by XRD and TEM , respectively. Moreover, magnetic properties of the obtained 7- Fe, O3 nanopartiles in the temperature range of 300 to 773 K were investigated. The experimental results demonstrate that the squareness value of the hysteresis loop decreases with increasing temperature. Both the coercivity and the saturation magnetization of the γ-Fe2 O3 nanoparticles show a constantly decrensing trend with increasing temperature up to the occurrerwe of the transformation from γ-Fe2O3 to α-Fe2O3. Especially, at the temperature of 773 K, the γ-Fe, O3 begins to transform to the α-Fe2 O3 phase and the hysteresis loop becomes unclosed .

The Growth of Carbon Nanotube with Chemical Vapor Deposition under Different Process Parameters

Whether the active catalytic species are in a liquid,solid phase,surface premelting or surface processes during CNT or other nanowire growth are controversial.In order to explore the mechanism for catalytically grown carbon nanotube （CNT）,the mechanism for CNT grown under different temperatures was proposed tentatively.With ethanol chemical vapor deposition （CVD）,carbon n.anotubes （CNTs） were synthesized controllably on Si substrates using cobalt （Co） as a catalyst.The effects of the Co particle size,growth temperature and ethanol pressure on CNT growth were investigated.A different dependence of CNT growth on the Co particle size at different ranges of the growth temperature was found.

Corrosion and fatigue in micro-sized Ni cantilever beams

The Ni microcantilevers were fabricated by femtosecond laser. The corrosion behavior of the micro-sized Ni cantilever beams was studied by electrochemical noise and a newly developed fatigue testing method. The results show that the micro-sized specimens exhibit general corrosion behavior under the studied corrosion condition,whereas the ordinary-sized plates exhibit the localized corrosion behavior. The critical load amplitude of the micro-sized Ni specimens under corrosion fatigue status was determined to be 15 mN. The maximum bending loads,which were measured by fatigue tests,decrease gradually prior to final fracture. Corrosion fracture first occurs in the range of notch with a higher tensile bending stress,and exhibits clear evidence of trans-columnar fracture. The variation of maximum bending loads with time agrees with that creep deformation of the micro-sized Ni specimens can easily occur at room temperature,which implies that the micro-sized Ni specimens appear to have an improved resistance towards total crack as compared with the ordinary-sized Ni specimens.

Measurement of the Carrier Recovery Time in Semiconductor Optical Amplifier Based on Dual-Pump Four-Wave Mixing Technology

A scheme of measuring the carrier recovery time in semiconductor optical amplifiers （SOAs） based on dual pump Four-wave mixing technology is presented. The carrier recovery times under 120mA, 180mA 240mA and 300mA injected currents are measured to be 111ps, 81ps, 71ps and 53ps, respectively. The carrier recovery time of the spacing between the two umps is also investigated. The experimental results show that the conversion efficiency keeps constant when the spacing of the two pumps varies within a small range.

Sensitivity and detection limit of dual-waveguide coupled microring resonator biosensors

We show that a linear relation exists between the device sensitivity and the quality （Q） factor of a dual- waveguide coupled microring resonator optical biosensor when the optimal conditions are satisfied. We also show that the detection limit depends on the loss coefficient and signal-to-nosie ratio （SNR） of the overall system, rather than the circumference of the ring. For a microring resonator sensor whose Q factor is 20000, the detection limit is found to be about 10-7 with 30-dB SNR, which is in good agreement with reported experimental data. These results indicate that loss reduction is the top priority in the design and fabrication of highly sensitive microring resonator optical biosensors.

Analyzing and tailoring spectra of arbitrary microring resonator arrays based on six transfer cells and simulated annealing algorithm

A simple approach based on six transfer cells and simulated annealing algorithm for analyzing and tailoring the spectra of arbitrary microring resonator arrays is presented. Coupling coefficients, ring sizes, and waveguide lengths of microring resonator arrays can be arbitrary in this approach. After developing this approach, several examples are demonstrated and optimized for various configurations of microring resonator arrays. Simulation results show that this approach is intuitive, efficient, and intelligent for applications based on microring resonator arrays.

Effect of yttrium oxide addition on absorption and emission properties of bismuth-doped silicate glasses

Y/Bi co-doped silicate glasses were prepared,and the effects of Y 2 O 3 on the absorption and emission properties were investigated by spectrum measurement.It was found that the absorption intensity in visible region decreases with increase of Y 3＋ concentration in（70-x）SiO 2 xY 2 O 3-30CaO-1.5Bi 2 O 3（x=0 mol.%,1 mol.%,3 mol.%,5 mol.%,7 mol.%） glasses.The emissions centered at 410,630,1200 and 1290 nm were observed under 280,470,514 and 808 nm excitation,respectively.The emission intensity had the similar change tendency in the visible and near infrared region.We also discussed the actual role of Y 3＋ ions playing in the visible and near infrared emissions of the silicate glasses.

Sensitivity enhancement of surface plasmon resonance sensors through planar metallic film closely coupled to nanogratings

We investigate the sensitivity enhancement of surface plasmon resonance （SPR） sensors through planar metallic film closely coupled to nanogratings. The effects of the thickness of metallic film and grating period on the refractive index sensitivity of the device are analyzed in detail. The refractive index sensitivity of nanograting-based SPR sensors is predicted to be about 540 nm per refractive index unit （RIU） using optimized structural parameters. Furthermore, the grating period can be used as a parameter to adjust the wavelength of resonance reflection. Our study on SPR sensors through planar metallic film closely coupled to nanogratings demonstrates the potential for significant improvement in refractive index sensitivity, since it shows much greater flexibility in terms of tuning the optical parameters of the device.

Simultaneous multi-channel RZ-OOK/DPSK to NRZ-OOK/DPSK format conversion based on integrated delay interferometers and arrayed-waveguide grating

Format conversion is enabling function at the interface of different networks with different optimal modulation formats.Meanwhile,multi-channel signal processing function has its special significance for dense wavelength division multiplexing networks.In this paper,we designed and fabricated a delay interferometer cascaded with an arrayed-waveguide grating based on silicon on insulator.The 4-channel return-to-zero on-off keying(RZ-OOK) to non-return-to-zero on-off keying(NRZ-OOK) and return-to-zero differential phase shift keying(RZ-DPSK) to non-return-to-zero differential phase shift keying(NRZ-DPSK) format conversions at 40 Gbit/s were realized with this integrated device,the output eye diagrams showed a good conversion performance.Thanks to the mature fabrication technology,this device shows great potential for its small size,low power consumption and possibility of monolithic integration.

Effects of system parameters on bright dissipative holographic photovoltaic solitons

In a photovoltaic dissipative system, evolution and stability of a bright dissipative holographic photo- voltaic (DHP) soliton are completely determined by the given dissipative system, i.e., they are impacted by the system parameters, such as the system temperature, the photovoltaic field of the crystal, the angle between two input beams, and the angle of polarized direction. Such DHP solitons can be easily amplified or absorbed by adjusting these system parameters. They have potential applications in op- tical switches or repeaters.

Broadband dispersion compensating fiber using index-guiding photonic crystal fiber with defected core

We present a novel broadband dispersion compensating photonic crystal fiber with defected core in this paper. The small central defect of air hole can flexibly control the chromatic dispersion properties of this kind of photonic crystal fiber. This kind of fiber has broadband large negative chromatic dispersion, and the chromatic dispersion coefficient varies from -440 to -480 ps/（nm.km） in the measured wavelength range of 1500 - 1625 nm. The calculated chromatic dispersion curve is well matched to the measured chromatic dispersion coefficient in the range of 1500 - 1625 nm. The proposed photonic crystal fiber can be used to design the dispersion compensating fiber in the desired wavelength range by adjusting its structural parameters.

Study on single-mode photonic crystal fibers in wide wavelength range

The comparatively large mode field single-mode photonic crystal fibers （PCFs） were fabricated, the lightwave from 600- to 1600-nm wavelength along this PCF could be transmitted in single mode. The manufacturing process technologies of the PCFs were exploited, and the drawing parameters of PCFs were also presented. The structure parameters on the single-mode performance of PCFs were theoretically studied, and in practice the design was proved. The measurements of cut-off wavelength and light intensity distri- bution showed that the PCF had comparatively wide single-mode operating wavelength range.