In the never-ending quest for miniaturization, optically controlled particle trapping has opened up new possibilities for handling microscopic matter non-invasively. This thesis presents the application of photorefractive crystals as active substrate materials for optoelectronic tweezers. In these tweezers, flexible optical patterns are transformed into electrical forces by a photoconductive material, making it possible to handle matter with very high forces and high throughput. Potential substrate materials' properties are investigated and ways to tune their figures-of-merit are demonstrated. A large part of the thesis is devoted to potential applications in the field of optofluidics, where photorefractive optoelectronic tweezers are used to trap, sort and guide droplets or particles in microfluidic channels, or to shape liquid polymers into optical elements prior to their solidification. Furthermore, a new surface discharge model is employed to discuss the experimental conditions needed for photorefractive optoelectronic tweezers.

Synchrotron radiation is today extensively used for fundamental and applied research in many different fields of science. Its exceptional characteristics in terms of intensity, brilliance, spectral range, time structure and now also coherence pushed many experimental techniques to previously un-reachable limits, enabling the performance of experiments unbelievable only few years ago.

The book gives an up-to-date overview of synchrotron radiation research today with a view to the future, starting from its generation and sources, its interaction with matter, illustrating the main experimental technique employed and provides an overview of the main fields of research in which new and innovative results are obtained.

The book is addressed to PhD students and young researchers to provide both an introductory and a rather deep knowledge of the field. It will also be helpful to experienced researcher who want to approach the field in a professional way.

A state-of-the-art description of metastability observed in chalcogenide alloys is presented with the accent on the underlying physics. A comparison is made between sulphur(selenium)-based chalcogenide glasses, where numerous photo-induced phenomena take place entirely within the amorphous phase, and tellurides where a reversible crystal-to-amorphous phase-change transformation is a major effect. Applications of metastability in devices?optical memories and nonvolatile electronic phase-change random-access memories among others are discussed, including the latest trends. Background material essential for understanding current research in the field is also provided.

The PUILS series delivers up-to-date reviews of progress in Ultrafast Intense Laser Science, a newly emerging interdisciplinary research field spanning atomic and molecular physics, molecular science and optical science which has been stimulated by the recent developments in ultrafast laser technologies. Each volume compiles peer-reviewed articles authored by researchers at the forefront of each their own subfields of UILS. Every chapter opens with an overview of the topics to be discussed, so that researchers unfamiliar to the subfield as well as graduate students can grasp the importance and attractions of the research topic at hand. These are followed by reports of cutting-edge discoveries. This eighth volume covers a broad range of topics from this interdisciplinary research field, focusing on molecules interacting with ultrashort and intense laser fields, advanced technologies for the characterization of ultrashort laser pulses and their applications, laser plasma formation and laser acceleration.

Written by major contributors to the field who are well known within the community, this is the first comprehensive summary of the many results generated by this approach to quantum optics to date. As such, the book analyses selected topics of quantum optics, focusing on atom-field interactions from a group-theoretical perspective, while discussing the principal quantum optics models using algebraic language. The overall result is a clear demonstration of the advantages of applying algebraic methods to quantum optics problems, illustrated by a number of end-of-chapter problems.
An invaluable source for atomic physicists, graduates and students in physics.

Raman imaging has long been used to probe the chemical nature of a sample, providing information on molecular orientation, symmetry and structure with sub-micron spatial resolution. Recent technical developments have pushed the limits of micro-Raman microscopy, enabling the acquisition of Raman spectra with unprecedented speed, and opening a pathway to fast chemical imaging for many applications from material science and semiconductors to pharmaceutical drug development and cell biology, and even art and forensic science. The promise of tip-enhanced raman spectroscopy (TERS) and near-field techniques is pushing the envelope even further by breaking the limit of diffraction and enabling nano-Raman microscopy.

A dense sheet of electrons accelerated to close to the speed of light can act as a tuneable mirror that can generate bright bursts of laser-like radiation in the short wavelength range simply via the reflection of a counter-propagating laser pulse. This thesis investigates the generation of such a relativistic electron mirror structure in a series of experiments accompanied by computer simulations. It is shown that such relativistic mirror can indeed be created from the interaction of a high-intensity laser pulse with a nanometer-scale, ultrathin foil. The reported work gives a intriguing insight into the complex dynamics of high-intensity laser-nanofoil interactions and constitutes a major step towards the development of a relativistic mirror, which could potentially generate bright burst of X-rays on a micro-scale.

This thesis provides deep insights into currently controversial questions in laser filamentation, a highly complex phenomenon involving nonlinear optical effects and plasma physics. First, based on the concrete picture of a femtosecond laser beam which self-pinches its radial intensity distribution, the thesis delivers a novel explanation for the remarkable and previously unexplained phenomenon of pulse self-compression in filaments. Moreover, the work addresses the impact of a non-adiabatic change of both nonlinearity and dispersion on such an intense femtosecond pulse transiting from a gaseous dielectric material to a solid one. Finally, and probably most importantly, the author presents a simple and highly practical theoretical approach for quantitatively estimating the influence of higher-order nonlinear optical effects in optics. These results shed new light on recent experimental observations, which are still hotly debated and may completely change our understanding of filamentation, causing a paradigm change concerning the role of higher-order nonlinearities in optics.

This book focuses on the two psychological factors of naturalness and ease of viewing of three-dimensional high-definition television (3D HDTV) images. It has been said that distortions peculiar to stereoscopic images, such as the "puppet theater" effect or the "cardboard" effect, spoil the sense of presence. Whereas many earlier studies have focused on geometrical calculations about these distortions, this book instead describes the relationship between the naturalness of reproduced 3D HDTV images and the nonlinearity of depthwise reproduction. The ease of viewing of each scene is regarded as one of the causal factors of visual fatigue. Many of the earlier studies have been concerned with the accurate extraction of local parallax; however, this book describes the typical spatiotemporal distribution of parallax in 3D images. The purpose of the book is to examine the correlations between the psychological factors and amount of characteristics of parallax distribution in order to understand the characteristics of easy- and difficult-to-view images and then to seek to create a new 3D HDTV system that minimizes visual fatigue for the viewer. The book is an important resource for researchers who wish to investigate and better understand various psychological effects caused by stereoscopic images.

Terahertz (THz) radiation, which is electromagnetic radiation in a frequency int- val from 0.3 to 10 THz (1 mm-30 ?m wavelength), is the next frontier in science and technology. This band occupies a large portion of the electromagnetic sp- trum between the infrared and microwave bands. Basic research, new initiatives, and developments in advanced sensing and imaging technology with regard to the THz band remain unexplored compared to the relatively well-developed science and technology in the microwave and optical frequencies. Historically, THz technologies were used mainly within the astronomy c- munity for studying the background of cosmic far-infrared radiation, and by the laser-fusion community for the diagnostics of plasmas. Since the ?rst demonstration of THz wave time-domain spectroscopy in the late 1980s, there has been a series of signi?cant advances (particularly in recent years) as more intense THz sources and higher sensitivity detectors provide new opportunities for understanding the basic science in the THz frequency range.

Quantum Aspects of Light Propagation provides an overview of spatio-temporal descriptions of the electromagnetic field in linear and nonlinear dielectric media, appropriate to macroscopic and microscopic theories. Readers will find an introduction to canonical quantum descriptions of light propagation in a nonlinear dispersionless dielectric medium, and an approach to linear and nonlinear dispersive dielectric media. Illustrated by optical processes, these descriptions are simplified by a transition to one-dimensional propagation. Quantum theories of light propagation in optical media are generalized from dielectric media to magnetodielectrics, in addition to a presentation of classical and nonclassical properties of radiation propagating through negative-index media. Valuable analyses of quantization in waveguides, photonic crystals, and propagation in strongly scattering media are also included, along with various optical resonator properties. The theories are utilized for the quantum electrodynamical effects to be determined in periodic dielectric structures which are known to be a basis of new schemes for lasing and a control of light field state. Quantum Aspects of Light Propagation is a valuable reference for researchers and engineers involved with general optics, quantum optics and electronics, nonlinear optics, and photonics.

Disorder is everywhere, inherently present in nature, and is commonly believed to be a synonymous with disturbance. As a consequence, the methodical and customary study of the dynamics of the electromagnetic field, both in the linear and nonlinear optical regimes, leans to rule out it from the treatment. On the other hand, nonlinearity enriches the physical disciplines and brings them closer to reality with respect to the linear approximation. Nonlinearity allows to stimulate a wide and rich ensemble of optical responses that beautifies the role of matter in the active processes with electromagnetic fields. Independently of each other, both of these mechanisms foster localization of light. What happens when light enlightens their synergistic interaction? When pushed together, light, disorder and nonlinearity make new and intriguing phenomena emerge. This text provides a comprehensive investigation of the role of disorder in the nonlinear optical propagation both in transparent media and lasers. Eventually, disorder promotes and enhances complex nonlinear dynamics opening new perspectives in applied research driven by the processes of localization of the electromagnetic field. The first experimental study of laser emission in granular media unveils how randomness magnifies and largely affect laser-matter interactions. Viola Folli in her research work touches and deepens the leading milestones of the new science named Complex Photonics.

This is the seventh volume of a well-established series in which expert practitioners discuss topical aspects of light scattering in solids. Emphasis is placed on electronic excitations between crystal-field split levels of transition-metal and rare-earth ions in crystals, among them high-Tc superconductors and magnetic excitations that appear in superlattices containing magnetic metals. The contents of this volume again demonstrates the usefulness of Raman spectroscopy for the investigation and characterization of this class of materials. It will be useful to advanced students and to all researchers who apply Raman spectroscopy in their work.

Complete compendium on the physics and applications of telescope optics, underlying the original and oldest of astronomical instruments. Thoroughly scholarly work that provides both the historical perspective and the state-of-the-art technology, such as the 4-lens corrector of Delabre and the LADS corrector. Newly updated edition brings this authoritative work completely up to date.. From the reviews "... an unequalled reference for those who have interest in the field ... a unique reference in a superb presentation." ESO Messenger

To get a reasonably realistic picture of the structure and evolution of stars one needs to know accurately the abundances of chemical elements and their isotopes in the stellar atmosphere and in the galactic environment of the stars. The articles collected in this volume give a modern review of the abundance accuracies for main-sequence stars. After a general introduction in the first part the accuracies of atomic transition probabilities, ionization and excitation cross-sections, and line broad- ening data are discussed. In the second part the specific problems and results for different stellar types are presented, and, finally, an overview on the possibilities of abundance determinations for stars outside the Galaxy is given.

This volume contains ten lectures presented in the series ULB Lectures in Nonlinear Optics at the Universite Libre de Bruxelles during the period October 28 to November 4, 1991. A large part of the first six lectures is taken from material prepared for a book of somewhat larger scope which will be published,by Springer under the title Quantum Statistical Methods in Quantum Optics. The principal reason for the early publication of the present volume concerns the material contained in the last four lectures. Here I have put together, in a more or less systematic way, some ideas about the use of stochastic wavefunctions in the theory of open quantum optical systems. These ideas were developed with the help of two of my students, Murray Wolinsky and Liguang Tian, over a period of approximately two years. They are built on a foundation laid down in a paper written with Surendra Singh, Reeta Vyas, and Perry Rice on waiting-time distributions and wavefunction collapse in resonance fluorescence [Phys. Rev. A, 39, 1200 (1989)]. The ULB lecture notes contain my first serious atte~pt to give a complete account of the ideas and their potential applications. I am grateful to Professor Paul Mandel who, through his invitation to give the lectures, stimulated me to organize something useful out of work that may, otherwise, have waited considerably longer to be brought together.

Presenting the use of photonics techniques for measurement in mechanics, this book provides a state-of-the-art review of this active and rapidly growing field. It serves as an invaluable resource for readers to explore the current status and includes a wealth of information on the essential principles and methods. It provides a substantial background in a concise and simple way to enable physicists and engineers to assess, analyze and implement experimental systems needed to solve their specific measurement problems.

This is the 5th edition of the Metra Martech Directory "EUROPEAN CENTRES OF EXPERTISE - SENSORS." The entries represent a survey of European sensors development. The new edition contains 425 detailed profiles of companies and research institutions in 22 countries. This is reflected in the diversity of sensors development programmes described, from sensors for physical parameters to biosensors and intelligent sensor systems. We do not claim that all European organisations developing sensors are included, but this is a good cross section from an invited list of participants. If you see gaps or omissions, or would like your organisation to be included, please send details. The data base invites the formation of effective joint ventures by identifying and providing access to specific areas in which organisations offer collaboration. This issue is recognised to be of great importance and most entrants include details of collaboration offered and sought. We hope the directory on Sensors will help you to find the right partners with whom you can cooperate successfully and reach new markets.

Nonlinear Photonics and Novel Optical Phenomena contains contributed chapters from leading experts in nonlinear optics and photonics, and provides a comprehensive survey of fundamental concepts as well as hot topics in current research on nonlinear optical waves and related novel phenomena. The book covers self-accelerating airy beams, integrated photonics based on high index doped-silica glass, linear and nonlinear spatial beam dynamics in photonic lattices and waveguide arrays, the theory of polariton solitons in semiconductor microcavities, and Terahertz waves.

Thisbook deals with the design and analysis of fractal apertures in waveguides, conducting screens and cavities using numerical electromagnetics and field-solvers. The aim is to obtain design solutions with improved accuracy for a wide range of applications. To achieve this goal, a few diverse problems are considered. The book is organized with adequate space dedicated for the design and analysis of fractal apertures in waveguides, conducting screens and cavities, microwave/millimeter wave applications followed by detailed case-study problems to infuse better insight and understanding of the subject. Finally, summaries and suggestions are given for future work.

Fractal geometries were widely used in electromagnetics, specifically for antennas and frequency selective surfaces (FSS). The self-similarity of fractal geometry gives rise to a multiband response, whereas the space-filling nature of the fractal geometries makes it an efficient element in antenna and FSS unit cell miniaturization. Until now, no efforts were made to study the behavior of these fractal geometries for aperture coupling problems. The aperture coupling problem is an important boundary value problem in electromagnetics and used in waveguide filters and power dividers, slotted ground planes, frequency selective surfaces and metamaterials. The present book is intended to initiate a study of the characteristics of fractal apertures in waveguides, conducting screens and cavities.

To perform a unified analysis of these entirely dissimilar problems, the generalized network formulation of the aperture problems by Mautz and Harrington was extended to multiple-aperture geometry. The authors consider the problem of coupling between two arbitrary regions coupled together via multiple apertures of arbitrary shape. MATLAB codes were developed for the problems and validated with the results available in the literature as well as through simulations on ANSOFT's HFSS."

Scientific advances and several technical breakthroughs have led to a remarkable increase in available laser intensities over the past decades. In available ultra-intense laser fields, photon fluxes may become so high that free charge carriers interact coherently with several of the field's photons. In this thesis such nonlinear interactions are investigated for the prime example of radiation emission by electrons scattered from intense laser pulses of arbitrary temporal structure. To this end, nonlinear quantum field theory is employed taking the interaction with the laser into account exactly. After an in-depth introduction to classical particle dynamics as well as quantum field theory in nonlinearly intense laser fields the emission of one and two photons is explicitly analyzed. The results are then translated to viable technical applications, such as a scheme for the determination of the carrier-envelope phase of ultra-intense laser pulses and a proposal for detecting the strongly suppressed two-photon signal.

Quantum information science has found great experimental success by exploiting single photons. To date, however, the majority of quantum optical experiments use large-scale (bulk) optical elements bolted down to an optical bench, an approach that ultimately limits the complexity and stability of the quantum circuits required for quantum science and technology. The realization of complex optical schemes involving large numbers of elements requires the introduction of waveguide technology to achieve the desired scalability, stability and miniaturization of the device. This thesis reports on surprising findings in the field of integrated devices for quantum information. Here the polarization of the photon is shown to offer a suitable degree of freedom for encoding quantum information in integrated systems. The most important results concern: the quantum interference of polarization entangled photons in an on-chip directional coupler; the realization of a Controlled-NOT (CNOT) gate operating with polarization qubits; the realization of a quantum walk of bosons and fermions in an ordered optical lattice and the quantum simulation of Anderson localization of bosons and fermions simulated by polarization entangled photons in a disordered quantum walk. The findings presented in this thesis represent an important step towards the integration of a complete quantum photonic experiment in a chip.