Band 22, Heft 3

In this paper, simulation studies on an N+-InAs0.61Sb0.13P0.26/n0-InAs0.97Sb0.03/P+-InAs0.61Sb0.13P0.26 double heterostructure laser diode suitable for use as a source in a free space optical communication system at 3.7 μm at room temperature has been presented. The device structure has been characterized in terms of energy band diagram, electric field profile, and carrier concentration profile using ATLAS simulation tool from Silvaco. The current-voltage characteristics of the structure have been estimated taking into account the degeneracy effect. The results of simulation have been validated by the reported experimental results.

Miniature rangefinding modules based on pulsed semiconductor laser technology are becoming more and more popular components of a variety of modern optoelectronics devices where precise, fast and eye-safe range estimation is needed. Current trends associated with minimization of both physical dimensions and cost of such modules lead to the design approach relying on exact meeting the requirements of a given application, concerning the spatial resolution and especially the maximum range. Optical components of a rangefinder cover a substantial part of its cost and determine its overall dimensions, but primarily — the indigenous parameters of the transmitter and receiver trains are crucial for the maximum measurable range. The quantitative analysis of transmitter optics aberrational characteristics impact on signal-to-noise ratio range dependence and thus the maximum range of a laser rangefinder is presented in the paper. Modern optical fabrication technology offers a huge range of solutions, changing in imaging/projecting characteristics which implies the price level as well. Rangefinder optics has a very specific task which sometimes makes it unreasonable to fight for the diffraction limited performance. The article provides the approach how to determine the acceptable level of optical aberrations which still does not degrade the measurable range significantly.

Optical properties of a nematic liquid crystal with small refractive index and small birefringence were studied. The ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices and birefringence were measured as functions of temperature by using an Abbe refractometer and wedge nematic cells. From values of these indices the nematic orientational order parameter was calculated by using several methods and corresponding mathematical models. Kuczyński et al. method was found to be suitable for determining the order parameter also for materials featuring small ordinary refractive index, with unknown density.

A novel wavelength selective coupler based on the all solid nine-core Ge-doped fibre has been proposed. The wavelength selective coupler is based on the phenomenon of a multi-core coupling. All the cores are made of Ge-doped silica and the index of central core is larger than the outer core. At the fixed fibre length, the different wavelength can be selected. The performances of coupling and propagation characteristics have been numerically investigated by using a full beam propagation method (BPM). Simulation results show that the all solid nine-core Ge-doped fibre can achieve simultaneous shorter coupler length and wideband filtering characteristics. The 0.763 mm and 0.745 mm wavelength selective coupler are proposed to achieve different wavelength division and the bandwidth is up to the 400 nm, and 300 nm, respectively.

In this paper an analysis of tendencies of Ge on Si quantum dots nanoheterostructures’ usage in different optoelectronic devices such as, for example, solar cells and photodetectors of visible and infra-red regions is carried out; a complex mathematical model for calculation of dependency on growth conditions of self-organized quantum dots of Ge on Si grown using the method of molecular beam epitaxy parameters is described. Ways of segregation effect and underlying layers’ influence are considered. It is shown that for realization of good device characteristics quantum dots should have high density, small sizes, uniformity, and narrow size distribution function. The desirable parameters of arrays of square and rectangular quantum dots for device application are attainable under certain growth conditions.

A photo-alignment method for micro capillaries based on the SD-1 azo-dye is demonstrated. In this work a liquid-crystal molecules aligning layer is created by point-by-point irradiation of the azo-dye film by using an UV laser light. The method opens up new possibilities for an improved molecules’ orientation control in both glass- and polymer-based photonic liquid crystal fibres.

Laser rangefinder performance (i.e., maximum range) is strongly affected by environment due to visibility-dependent laser attenuation in the atmosphere and target reflectivity variations induced by surface condition changes (dry vs. wet). Both factors have their unique spectral features which means that rangefinders operating at different wavelengths are affected by specific environmental changes in a different way. Current state of the art TOF (time of flight) semiconductor laser rangefinders are based mainly on two wavelengths: 905 nm and 1550 nm, which results from atmospheric transmission windows and availability of high power pulsed sources. The paper discusses the scope of maximum range degradation of hypothetical 0.9 μm and 1.5 μm rangefinders due to selected water-related environmental effects. Atmospheric extinction spectra were adapted from Standard Atmosphere Model and reflectance fingerprints of various materials have been measured. It is not the aim of the paper to determine in general which wavelength is superior for laser range finding, since a number of criteria could be considered, but to verify their susceptibility to adverse environmental conditions.

In this paper, the reflection properties and sensitivity of a D-shape optical fibre sensor are investigated theoretically and numerically with the emphasis on the metal layer [gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), and aluminum (Al)]. Maxwell’s equations are used to determine the electric and magnetic fields of the incident waves at each layer. Snell’s law is applied and the boundary conditions are imposed at each layer interface to calculate the reflected power and sensitivity of the sensor. In the numerical results, the mentioned power is computed and illustrated as a function of wavelength, angle of incidence, metal layer thickness and refractive index of the external medium when the metal layer changes. The variation of sensitivity with the wavelength of the incident radiations is also proposed for some of the given metals.

There exists the problem in diagnostics of dense plasma (so-called Thomson diagnostics). For this purpose the plasma is illuminated by series of high energy laser pulses. The energy of each separate pulse is as large as 3 J, so it is impossible to generate a burst of such pulses by a single laser. In this situation, the pulses are generated by several independent lasers operating sequentially, and these pulses are to be directed along the same optical path. To form an optical path with λ = 1.064 μm and absolute value of the laser pulse energy of 3 J, a special refractive index matched twisted Nematic Liquid Crystal Cell of type LCNP3, with switching on time τON smaller than 3 μs was applied.