Contents
2019
Volume: 17 Issue 9
20 Article(s)

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Reviews
Fiber optics and optical communications
Optical-fiber-based powerful tools for living cell manipulation [Invited] | Editors' Pick
Xiaotong Zhang, Shitai Yang, and Libo Yuan
By using a specialty optical fiber, a series of powerful microparticle manipulation tools, including optical tweezers, a micro-optical hand, and an optical gun, are developed and demonstrated. In this paper, a review of our research activities on the optical manipulation of microparticles is presented. In particular, we will describe a kind of specialty optical fiber designed and fabricated for building optical trapping and manipulating tools. The performances of annular core fiber-based optical tweezers, a multicore fiber-based micro-optical hand, and a coaxial dual waveguide fiber-based optical gun are demonstrated as examples of applications and discussed in detail. The fiber can be used in cell manipulation in life science and drug response in medicine.
Chinese Optics Letters
  • Publication Date: Sep. 10, 2019
  • Vol. 17, Issue 9, 090603 (2019)
Research Articles
Detectors
High-performance 4H-SiC p-i-n ultraviolet avalanche photodiodes with large active area
Xingye Zhou, Xin Tan, Yuangang Wang, Xubo Song, Tingting Han, Jia Li, Weili Lu, Guodong Gu, Shixiong Liang, Yuanjie Lü, and Zhihong Feng
Ultraviolet (UV) detectors with large photosensitive areas are more advantageous in low-level UV detection applications. In this Letter, high-performance 4H-SiC p-i-n avalanche photodiodes (APDs) with large active area (800 μm diameter) are reported. With the optimized epitaxial structure and device fabrication process, a high multiplication gain of 1.4 × 106 is obtained for the devices at room temperature, and the dark current is as low as ~10 pA at low reverse voltages. In addition, record external quantum efficiency of 85.5% at 274 nm is achieved, which is the highest value for the reported SiC APDs. Furthermore, the rejection ratio of UV to visible light reaches about 104. The excellent performance of our devices indicates a tremendous improvement for large-area SiC APD-based UV detectors. Finally, the UV imaging performance of our fabricated 4H-SiC p-i-n APDs is also demonstrated for system-level applications.
Chinese Optics Letters
  • Publication Date: Sep. 10, 2019
  • Vol. 17, Issue 9, 090401 (2019)
Fiber Optics and Optical Communications
Thermal expanded core ultraviolet fiber for optical cavity mode matching
Xin-Xia Gao, Jin-Ming Cui, Yun-Feng Huang, Chuan-Feng Li, and Guang-Can Guo
Chinese Optics Letters
  • Publication Date: Sep. 10, 2019
  • Vol. 17, Issue 9, 090601 (2019)
Beam wander relieved optical switch using Bessel beams in turbulent atmosphere
Youpeng Xie, Ting Lei, Chuanwu Yang, Luping Du, and Xiaocong Yuan
The digital micro-mirror device (DMD)-based optical switch has the advantages of high-speed channels reallocation, miniaturization, stability, and large capacity for short reach optical communication in the datacenter. However, thermal turbulent atmosphere in the datacenter would cause perturbations and channel crosstalk for the optical switch. The self-healing optical beams such as the Bessel beams have the non-diffraction property to mitigate the turbulence issue. Here, we propose and demonstrate a Bessel beams enabled DMD-based optical switch to improve the stability and performance of optical communication in turbulent atmosphere. We statistically characterize the beam wanders of the Gaussian and Bessel beams in turbulent atmosphere at temperatures of 60°C and 80°C. We build the two-channel optical switch communication system and measure the bit error rate of the 15 Gbit/s on–off keying signals transmitted by the Gaussian and Bessel beams at temperatures of 60°C and 80°C, respectively. The optical switch using the Bessel beams shows lower bit error rates with weaker fluctuations compared with the Gaussian beams. The DMD-based optical switch using the Bessel beams has the potential for practical optical communication applications in the datacenter.
Chinese Optics Letters
  • Publication Date: Sep. 10, 2019
  • Vol. 17, Issue 9, 090602 (2019)
Misalignment measurement of optical vortex beam in free space
Xin Yang, Shibiao Wei, Shanshan Kou, Fei Yuan, and En Cheng
Chinese Optics Letters
  • Publication Date: Sep. 10, 2019
  • Vol. 17, Issue 9, 090604 (2019)
Random Bragg-gratings-based narrow linewidth random fiber laser with a π-phase-shifted FBG
Shuaijie Miao, Wentao Zhang, and Ying Song
Chinese Optics Letters
  • Publication Date: Sep. 10, 2019
  • Vol. 17, Issue 9, 090605 (2019)
Holography
Ultra-lightweight and wide field of view augmented reality virtual retina display based on optical fiber projector and volume holographic lens
Zhidong Chen, Xinzhu Sang, Hui Li, Yuan Wang, and Linmin Zhao
Chinese Optics Letters
  • Publication Date: Sep. 10, 2019
  • Vol. 17, Issue 9, 090901 (2019)
Imaging Systems
Lensless Wiener–Khinchin telescope based on second-order spatial autocorrelation of thermal light | Editors' Pick
Zhentao Liu, Xia Shen, Honglin Liu, Hong Yu, and Shensheng Han
The resolution of a conventional imaging system based on first-order field correlation can be directly obtained from the optical transfer function. However, it is challenging to determine the resolution of an imaging system through random media, including imaging through scattering media and imaging through randomly inhomogeneous media, since the point-to-point correspondence between the object and the image plane in these systems cannot be established by the first-order field correlation anymore. In this Letter, from the perspective of ghost imaging, we demonstrate for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, that the point-to-point correspondence in these imaging systems can be quantitatively recovered from the second-order correlation of light fields, and the imaging capability, such as resolution, of such imaging schemes can thus be derived by analyzing second-order autocorrelation of the optical transfer function. Based on this theoretical analysis, we propose a lensless Wiener–Khinchin telescope based on second-order spatial autocorrelation of thermal light, which can acquire the image of an object by a snapshot via using a spatial random phase modulator. As an incoherent imaging approach illuminated by thermal light, the lensless Wiener–Khinchin telescope can be applied in many fields such as X-ray astronomical observations.
Chinese Optics Letters
  • Publication Date: Sep. 10, 2019
  • Vol. 17, Issue 9, 091101 (2019)
Instrumentation, measurement, and metrology
Absolute cryogenic radiometer for high accuracy optical radiant power measurement in a wide spectral range
Haiyong Gan, Yingwei He, Xiangliang Liu, Nan Xu, Houping Wu, Guojin Feng, Wende Liu, and Yandong Lin
An absolute cryogenic radiometer (ACR) with a detachable optical window was designed and built for high accuracy optical radiant power measurement and photodetector spectral responsivity calibration. The ACR receiver is an electroplated pure copper cavity with a 50-μm-thick wall and inner surface coated with a specular black polymer material mixed with highly dispersible carbon nanotubes. The absorptivity of the cavity receivers was evaluated to be ≥0.9999 in the 250 nm–16 μm wavelength range and ≥0.99995 in 500 nm–16 μm. The cavity receiver works at the temperature of ~5.2 K with nanowatt-level noise-equivalent power. The relative standard uncertainty is 0.041% for the measurement of ~100 μW optical radiant power (250 nm–16 μm) and 0.015% for ~1 mW (500 nm–16 μm).
Chinese Optics Letters
  • Publication Date: Sep. 10, 2019
  • Vol. 17, Issue 9, 091201 (2019)
Large-scale absolute distance measurement with dual free-running all-polarization-maintaining femtosecond fiber lasers
Yuepeng Li, Yawen Cai, Runmin Li, Haosen Shi, Haochen Tian, Mingzhao He, Youjian Song, and Minglie Hu
Chinese Optics Letters
  • Publication Date: Sep. 10, 2019
  • Vol. 17, Issue 9, 091202 (2019)
Lasers and Laser Optics
Dual-wavelength synchronously mode-locked Tm-doped bulk laser with terahertz frequency beating
Xinyang Liu, Xiaowen Li, Shengzhi Zhao, Kejian Yang, Lei Guo, Tao Li, Wenchao Qiao, Ming Li, Baitao Zhang, Jingliang He, Lihe Zheng, Liangbi Su, and Jun Xu
A dual-wavelength synchronously mode-locked homogeneously broadened bulk laser operating at 1985.6 and 1989 nm is presented for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, which delivers a maximum output power of 166 mW and a repetition rate of 85 MHz. The pulse duration was measured to be 16.8 ps by assuming a sech2 pulse shape. The recorded autocorrelation trace showed frequency beating signals with an interval of 3.8 ps and a full width at half-maximum duration of 2 ps, corresponding to an ultrahigh beating frequency of about 0.26 THz, which agrees well with the frequency difference of the emitted two spectral peaks. The results indicated that such a kind of dual-wavelength mode-locked Tm:YAlO3 laser could be potentially used for generating terahertz radiations.
Chinese Optics Letters
  • Publication Date: Sep. 10, 2019
  • Vol. 17, Issue 9, 091401 (2019)
Towards all-fiber structure pulsed mid-infrared laser by gas-filled hollow-core fibers
Wei Huang, Yulong Cui, Zhiyue Zhou, Zhixian Li, Yubin Chen, and Zefeng Wang
Chinese Optics Letters
  • Publication Date: Sep. 10, 2019
  • Vol. 17, Issue 9, 091402 (2019)
Materials
Efficient up-conversion Yb3+, Er3+ co-doped Na5Lu9F32 single crystal for photovoltaic application under solar cell spectrum excitation
Xiong Zhou, Hui Wang, Haiping Xia, Hongwei Song, Xu Chen, Jianxu Hu, and Baojiu Chen
Yb3+/Er3+ co-doped Na5Lu9F32 single crystals used as a spectral up-converter to improve the power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells are prepared via an improved Bridgman approach. Green and red up-conversion (UC) emissions under the excitation of near-infrared (NIR) bands of 900–1000 nm and 1400–1600 nm can be observed. The effectiveness of the prepared materials as a spectral converter is verified by the enhancement of power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells. The sample with a UC layer is 15.5% more efficient in converting sunlight to electricity compared to the UC layer-free sample due to the absorption of sunlight in the NIR range. The results suggest the synthesized Yb3+/Er3+ co-doped Na5Lu9F32 single crystals are suitable for enhancing the performance of perovskite solar cells.
Chinese Optics Letters
  • Publication Date: Sep. 10, 2019
  • Vol. 17, Issue 9, 091601 (2019)
Medical optics and biotechnology
Imaging of human wrist joint by a flexible-transducer-based morphological-adaptive photoacoustic tomography: a feasibility study
Xin Wang, and Sihua Yang
In this study, the feasibility of visualization of human joints using photoacoustic tomography (PAT) is investigated. To verify this idea, the system of integrated optical fiber bundles and a custom-made flexible transducer is established, both of which give the advantage of morphological adaptation; therefore, the coupling section can be worn on human limbs. The imaging capacity of the flexible-transducer-based PAT system is validated by mapping the structures of the finger and the wrist joint. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time to achieve photoacoustic imaging of such large human wrist joints. The cross-sectional photoacoustic images of a healthy joint clearly exhibit the main internal structures, including the phalanx, tendons, and blood vessels, which are comparable with the corresponding images by 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed system holds promise for early diagnosis of joint disorders.
Chinese Optics Letters
  • Publication Date: Sep. 10, 2019
  • Vol. 17, Issue 9, 091701 (2019)
Nonlinear Optics
Full vectorial feature of second-harmonic generation with full Poincaré beams | On the Cover
Li Zhang, Fei Lin, Xiaodong Qiu, and Lixiang Chen
We demonstrate the full vectorial feature of second-harmonic generation (SHG), i.e., from infrared full Poincaré beams to visible full Poincaré beams, based on two cascading type I phase-matching beta barium borate crystals of orthogonal optical axes. We visualize the structured features of the vectorial SHG wave by using Stokes polarimetry and show the interesting doubling effect of the polarization topological index, i.e., a low-order full Poincaré beam is converted to a high-order one. However, the polarization singularities of both C points and L lines are found to keep invariant during the SHG process. Our scheme could offer a deeper understanding on the interaction of vectorial light fields with media and can be generalized to other nonlinear optical effects.
Chinese Optics Letters
  • Publication Date: Sep. 10, 2019
  • Vol. 17, Issue 9, 091901 (2019)
Optical Design and Fabrication
Design method for freeform reflective-imaging systems with low surface-figure-error sensitivity
Yuting Deng, Guofan Jin, and Jun Zhu
Freeform surfaces are difficult to manufacture due to their lack of rotational symmetry. To reduce the requirements for manufacturing precision, a design method is proposed for freeform reflective-imaging systems with low surface-figure-error sensitivity. The method considers both the surface-figure-error sensitivity and optical specifications, which can design initial systems insensitive to surface figure errors. Design starts with an initial planar system; the surface-figure-error sensitivity of the system is reduced during construction. The proposed method and another that is irrelevant to figure-error sensitivity are used to design a freeform off-axis three-mirror imaging system. Comparison of the sensitivities of the two systems indicates the superiority of our proposed method.
Chinese Optics Letters
  • Publication Date: Sep. 10, 2019
  • Vol. 17, Issue 9, 092201 (2019)
Remote Sensing and Sensors
Spectroscopy
Narrow linewidth two-color polarization spectroscopy due to the atomic coherence effect in a ladder-type atomic system
Baodong Yang, Jinfang Zhang, and Junmin Wang
Chinese Optics Letters
  • Publication Date: Sep. 10, 2019
  • Vol. 17, Issue 9, 093001 (2019)
Thin films
A reflecting-type highly efficient terahertz cross-polarization converter based on metamaterials
Xiaoqing Luo, Zhiyong Tan, Chang Wang, and Juncheng Cao
Chinese Optics Letters
  • Publication Date: Sep. 10, 2019
  • Vol. 17, Issue 9, 093101 (2019)
Te-free SbBi thin film as a laser heat-mode photoresist
Kui Zhang, Zhengwei Wang, Guodong Chen, Yang Wang, Aijun Zeng, Jing Zhu, Syarhei Avakaw, and Heorgi Tsikhanchuk
Chinese Optics Letters
  • Publication Date: Sep. 10, 2019
  • Vol. 17, Issue 9, 093102 (2019)