On the Cover: Optical properties and polaritons of low symmetry 2D materials
On the Cover: Deterministic N-photon state generation using lithium niobate on insulator device
On the Cover: Accurate quantitative phase imaging by differential phase contrast with partially coherent illumination: beyond weak object approximation
On the Cover: Azimuthal vector beam illuminating plasmonic tips circular cluster for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
On the Cover: Terahertz spin dynamics in rare-earth orthoferrites

Nowadays, dozens of anisotropic two-dimensional materials with diverse and highly tunable band structures have been discovered, exhibiting much richer optical functionalities, such as anisotropic absorption, luminescence, light detection, and hyperbolic polaritons, which provides a promising platform to explore and manipulate the light-matter interactions.

The image on the cover provides a visual rendering of the on-chip scheme for deterministic N-photon state generation in lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) circuit, where deterministic parametric down-conversion (DPDC) and deterministic parametric up-conversion (DPUC) are realized through high-Q microring resonator and spiral waveguide, respectively.

An accurate quantitative phase imaging (QPI) technique based on pseudo-weak object approximation is proposed to achieve 3D quantitative measurements of both small-phase objects and large-phase objects by differential phase contrast without additional data acquisition.

Combining the special spatial distribution characteristics of the noble metal nanostructures with the special electrical-vector distribution characteristics of the azimuthal vector beam, the electrical nearfield intensity of the surface plasmonic mode localized near the noble metal nanostructures can be significantly improved, thereby achieving high sensitivity Raman examination. This vector light-field enhanced Raman spectroscopy is expected to be applied to trace detection.

It is believed that the next grand information revolution could be brought by an exotic class of devices whose operation is based on spins as the information carrier. To unveil the ultimate speed limit and energy efficiency of spintronic devices, one needs to understand the dynamics of spins in their host matrix. The emergent time-resolved terahertz technology has become not only our most advanced camera to film spins in action but also a versatile toolkit for manipulating spin states unachievable by conventional means.

PI Highlights
Scalable fabrication of sub-micron photonic devices
Micro/nanofabrication techniques have gained significant attention in photonic applications since manufacturing approaches directly determine the structural materials of photonic devices and the corresponding optical characteristics, device efficiency, and production costs. Various scalable fabrication methods have been steadily investigated for the manufacturing of photonic devices such as optical absorbers, solar cells, metalenses, metaholograms, and wearable optical devices.
Photonics Insights
  • Jun. 01, 2023
  • Vol. 2, Issue 2 (2023)
Community-News
Advanced laser processing and manufacturing technologies with HiLASE Centre optics
We recently introduced 5 new application areas that the HiLASE Centre will focus on. The first is dedicated to advanced laser processing and manufacturing technologies. Its expert guarantor is Ing. Jan Brajer, Ph.D. (Head of Department: Industrial Laser Applications).
High Power Laser Science and Engineering
  • Jun. 01, 2023
  • Vol. , Issue (2023)
Community-Publication
Bringing the Literature on Laser-Plasma Interactions Up to Date
LLNL physicist Pierre Michel has authored a newly published textbook on laser-plasma interactions that is being called "indispensable" for graduate students and researchers.
High Power Laser Science and Engineering
  • Jun. 01, 2023
  • Vol. , Issue (2023)
APN Highlights
Multifunctional interface enables manipulation of light waves in free space
Combining meta-optics with a photonic integrated circuit, the innovative interface can shape multiple light beams simultaneously in free space
Advanced Photonics Nexus
  • May. 30, 2023
  • Vol. 2, Issue 3 (2023)
APN Highlights
Organic LEDs: The future of flexible displays and lighting
A comprehensive overview of printable OLED applications in VLC systems provides guidance for designing OLED materials and devices
Advanced Photonics Nexus
  • May. 30, 2023
  • Vol. 2, Issue 4 (2023)
Newest Articles
Inertial confinement fusion ignition achieved at the National Ignition Facility – an editorial

On behalf of all at High Power Laser Science and Engineering we would like to congratulate the team at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) on de

On behalf of all at High Power Laser Science and Engineering we would like to congratulate the team at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) on demonstrating fusion ignition at the National Ignition Facility. This major scientific achievement was realized on the 5 December 2022 at the LLNL and announced at a press briefing on the 13 December 2022 by the United States Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. This was a historic milestone and the culmination of decades of effort.show less

  • Jun.01,2023
  • High Power Laser Science and Engineering,Vol. 11, Issue 3
  • 03000e40 (2023)
Monitoring and characterization of particle contamination in the pulse compression chamber of the OMEGA EP laser system

The laser-damage performance of optics is known to be negatively affected by microscale particle contamination induced by the operational environment. Thi

The laser-damage performance of optics is known to be negatively affected by microscale particle contamination induced by the operational environment. This work investigates the properties of particles accumulating in various locations near critical optics inside the OMEGA EP grating compressor chamber during quarterly operational periods over a 2-year duration. The particles found were characterized using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The analysis indicates significant concentrations of micrometer- to nanometer-scale particles inside the vacuum chamber, with higher values observed near the port leading to the OMEGA EP target chamber. The distribution of the chemical composition of these particles varies between collection periods. Although understanding of the mechanisms of particle generation and transport remains uncertain, the hypothesis is that this particle load represents a risk for contaminating the surfaces of high-value optics located inside the chamber, including the compression gratings and deformable mirrors, and therefore affecting their laser-damage resistance and overall operational lifetime.show less

  • Jun.01,2023
  • High Power Laser Science and Engineering,Vol. 11, Issue 3
  • 03000e39 (2023)
Optical beat notes assisted attosecond soft X-ray pulse generation in high-gain free electron lasers

Attosecond soft X-ray pulses are of great importance for the study of ultrafast electronic phenomena. In this paper, a feasible method is proposed to gene

Attosecond soft X-ray pulses are of great importance for the study of ultrafast electronic phenomena. In this paper, a feasible method is proposed to generate isolated fully coherent attosecond soft X-ray free electron laser via optical frequency beating. Two optical lasers with the opposite frequency chirps are used to induce a gradient frequency energy modulation, which helps to generate a gradually varied spacing electron pulse train. Subsequently, the undulator sections with electron beam delay lines are used to amplify the target ultra-short radiation. Numerical start-to-end simulations have been performed and the results demonstrate that an isolated soft X-ray pulse with the peak power of 330 GW and pulse duration of 620 as can be achieved by the proposed technique.show less

  • Jun.01,2023
  • High Power Laser Science and Engineering,Vol. 11, Issue 3
  • 03000e33 (2023)
Hyperspectral compressive wavefront sensing

Presented is a novel way to combine snapshot compressive imaging and lateral shearing interferometry in order to capture the spatio-spectral phase of an u

Presented is a novel way to combine snapshot compressive imaging and lateral shearing interferometry in order to capture the spatio-spectral phase of an ultrashort laser pulse in a single shot. A deep unrolling algorithm is utilized for snapshot compressive imaging reconstruction due to its parameter efficiency and superior speed relative to other methods, potentially allowing for online reconstruction. The algorithm’s regularization term is represented using a neural network with 3D convolutional layers to exploit the spatio-spectral correlations that exist in laser wavefronts. Compressed sensing is not typically applied to modulated signals, but we demonstrate its success here. Furthermore, we train a neural network to predict the wavefronts from a lateral shearing interferogram in terms of Zernike polynomials, which again increases the speed of our technique without sacrificing fidelity. This method is supported with simulation-based results. While applied to the example of lateral shearing interferometry, the methods presented here are generally applicable to a wide range of signals, including Shack–Hartmann-type sensors. The results may be of interest beyond the context of laser wavefront characterization, including within quantitative phase imaging.show less

  • Jun.01,2023
  • High Power Laser Science and Engineering,Vol. 11, Issue 3
  • 03000e32 (2023)
Advanced Photonics Photonics Insights

This paper reviews the recent biomedical detection developments of scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM), focusing on scattering-type SNOM (s-SNOM), atomic force microscope-based infrare

This paper reviews the recent biomedical detection developments of scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM), focusing on scattering-type SNOM (s-SNOM), atomic force microscope-based infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR), peak force infrared microscopy (PFIR), and photo-induced force microscopy (PiFM), which have the advantages of label-free, non-invasive and specific spectral recognition. Considering the high-water content of biological samples and the strong absorption of water by infrared waves, we divide the relevant researches of these techniques into two categories, one based on non-liquid environment and the other based on liquid environment. In the non-liquid environment, the chemical composition and structure information of biomedical samples can be obtained with nanometer resolution. In the liquid environment, these techniques can be used to monitor the dynamic chemical reaction process and track the process of chemical composition and structure change of single molecules, which are conducive to exploring the development mechanism of physiological processes. We elaborate their experimental challenges, technical means and actual cases for three micro biomedical samples (including biomacromolecules, cells and tissues). Their development prospect and the challenges are also discussed. This work lays a foundation for the rational design and efficient use of near-field optical microscopy to explore the characteristics of microscopic biology.show less

  • Jun.01,2023
  • Advanced Photonics Nexus

The optical angular momentum is ubiquitous to the science of light, especially whenever the polarization state and the spatial distribution of the phase are involved, which are most often associ

The optical angular momentum is ubiquitous to the science of light, especially whenever the polarization state and the spatial distribution of the phase are involved, which are most often associated with the spin and orbital parts of the total angular momentum, respectively. Noteworthy, these two contributions to the total optical angular momentum have been originally introduced in the framework of a mechanical detection framework involving a torsion pendulum. Today, the classical and quantum mechanical aspects of spin and orbital angular momentum of light, and their mutual coupling, remain active research topics offering exciting perspectives for photonic technologies. This brief historical overview shows how the torsion pendulum has accompanied scientific progress on mechanical effects based on the angular degrees of freedom of light since Beth's pioneering contribution published in 1935 [Phys. Rev. {\bf 48}, 471 (1935)].show less

  • Jun.01,2023
  • Advanced Photonics

This study analyzes the linewidth narrowing characteristics of free-space-running BLs and investigates the approaches to achieve linewidth compression and power enhancement simultaneously. The r

This study analyzes the linewidth narrowing characteristics of free-space-running BLs and investigates the approaches to achieve linewidth compression and power enhancement simultaneously. The results show that the Stokes linewidth behavior in a free-space-running BL cavity is determined by the phase diffusion of the pump and the technical noise of the system. Experimentally, a Stokes light output with a power of 22.5 W and a linewidth of 3.2 kHz was obtained at a coupling mirror reflectivity of 96%, which is nearly 2.5 times compressed compared to the linewidth of the pump (7.36 kHz). In addition, the theorical analysis shows that at a pump power of 60 W and a coupling mirror reflectivity of 96%, a Stokes output with a linewidth of 1.6 kHz and up to 80% optical conversion efficiency can be achieved by reducing the insertion loss of the intracavity. This study provides a promising technical route to achieve high-power ultra-narrow linewidth special wavelength laser radiations.show less

  • Jun.01,2023
  • High Power Laser Science and Engineering

The next generation of high-power lasers enables repetition of experiments at orders of magnitude higher frequency than was possible using the prior generation. Facilities requiring human interv

The next generation of high-power lasers enables repetition of experiments at orders of magnitude higher frequency than was possible using the prior generation. Facilities requiring human intervention between laser repetitions need to adapt in order to keep pace with the new laser technology. A distributed networked control system can enable laboratory-wide automation and feedback control loops. These higher-repetition-rate experiments will create enormous quantities of data. A consistent approach to managing data can increase data accessibility, reduce repetitive data-software development, and mitigate poorly organized metadata. An opportunity arises to share knowledge of improvements to control and data infrastructure currently being undertaken. We compare platforms and approaches to state-of-the-art control systems and data management at high-power laser facilities, and we illustrate these topics with case studies from our community.show less

  • Jun.01,2023
  • High Power Laser Science and Engineering
Nowadays, dozens of anisotropic two-dimensional materials with diverse and highly tunable band structures have been discovered, exhibiting much richer optical functionalities, such as anisotropic absorption, luminescence, light detection, and hyperbolic polaritons, which provides a promising platform to explore and manipulate the light-matter interactions.
  • Journal
  • 11th Apr,2023
The image on the cover provides a visual rendering of the on-chip scheme for deterministic N-photon state generation in lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) circuit, where deterministic parametric down-conversion (DPDC) and deterministic parametric up-conversion (DPUC) are realized through high-Q microring resonator and spiral waveguide, respectively.
  • Journal
  • 11th Apr,2023