Liquid crystal electro-optical transducers for electrophysiology sensing applications.

Objective.Biomedical instrumentation and clinical systems for electrophysiology rely on electrodes and wires for sensing and transmission of bioelectric signals. However, this electronic approach constrains bandwidth, signal conditioning circuit designs, and the number of channels in invasive or miniature devices. This paper demonstrates an alternative approach using light to sense and transmit the electrophysiological signals.Approach.We develop a sensing, passive, fluorophore-free optrode based on the birefringence property of liquid crystals (LCs) operating at the microscale.Main results.We show that these optrodes can have the appropriate linearity (µ± s.d.: 99.4 ± 0.5%,n = 11 devices), relative responsivity (µ± s.d.: 57 ± 12%V-1,n = 5 devices), and bandwidth (µ± s.d.: 11.1 ± 0.7 kHz,n = 7 devices) for transducing electrophysiology signals into the optical domain. We report capture of rabbit cardiac sinoatrial electrograms and stimulus-evoked compound action potentials from the rabbit sciatic nerve. We also demonstrate miniaturisation potential by fabricating multi-optrode arrays, by developing a process that automatically matches each transducer element area with that of its corresponding biological interface.Significance.Our method of employing LCs to convert bioelectric signals into the optical domain will pave the way for the deployment of high-bandwidth optical telecommunications techniques in ultra-miniature clinical diagnostic and research laboratory neural and cardiac interfaces.

Photodiode working in zero-mode: detecting light power change with DC rejection and AC amplification.

We propose a new mode of operation when using a photodiode to extract a variable optical signal from a constant (ambient) background. The basic idea of this 'zero-mode' of operation is to force the photodiode to operate at either zero current or zero voltage. We present possible implementations of this novel approach and provide the corresponding equivalent circuits while also demonstrating experimentally its performance. The gain and bandwidth of the zero-mode photodetector are measured and simulated, and they show highly agreement. The gain compression effect because of the nonlinearity of the forward bias region is also explored. Comparing to the conventional photoconductive photodetector, the zero-mode photodetector is able to obtain higher AC gain and lower noise. With the same component used in the circuit, the measured input referred root mean square noise of zero-mode photodetector is 4.4mV whereas that of the photoconductive mode photodetector is 96.9mV respectively, showing the feasibility of the zero-mode of operation for measuring the small variable light signal under a high power constant background light.

Numerical modelling and optimization of actively Q-switched waveguide lasers based on liquid crystal transducers.

We have recently experimentally demonstrated that a novel liquid crystal-based photonic transducer for sensing systems could be utilized as an active Q-switch in a miniaturised and integrated waveguide laser system. In this paper, we now present a comprehensive numerical modelling study of this novel laser architecture by deriving a set of equations that accurately describe the temporal optical response of the liquid crystal cell as a function of applied voltage and by combining this theoretical model with laser-rate equations. We validate the accuracy of this model by comparing the results with previously obtained data and find them in excellent agreement. This enables us to predict that under realistic conditions and moderate pump power levels of 500 mW, the laser system should be capable of generating peak power levels in excess of 1.1 kW with pulse widths of about 20 ns, corresponding to pulse energies > 20 µJ. We believe that such a low-cost and ultra-compact laser source could find applications ranging from trace gas sensing and LIDAR to material processing.

A biopotential optrode array: operation principles and simulations.

We propose an optical electrode 'optrode' sensor array for biopotential measurements. The transduction mechanism is based on deformed helix ferroelectric liquid crystals which realign, altering the optrode's light reflectance properties, relative to applied potential fields of biological cells and tissue. A computational model of extracellular potential recording by the optrode including the electro-optical transduction mechanism is presented, using a combination of time-domain and frequency-domain finite element analysis. Simulations indicate that the device has appropriate temporal response to faithfully transduce neuronal spikes, and spatial resolution to capture impulse propagation along a single neuron. These simulations contribute to the development of multi-channel optrode arrays for spatio-temporal mapping of electric events in excitable biological tissue.

Compact integrated actively Q-switched waveguide laser.

A miniaturized deformed helix ferroelectric liquid crystal transducer cell was used in combination with a femtosecond laser inscribed active waveguide to realize a compact actively Q-switched laser source. The liquid crystal cell was controlled by a low-voltage frequency generator and laser pulse durations below 40 ns were demonstrated at repetition rates ranging from 0.1 kHz to 20 kHz and a maximum slope efficiency of up to 22%. This novel, integrated and low-cost laser source is a promising tool for a broad range of applications such as trace gas sensing, LIDAR, and nonlinear optics. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of an actively Q-switched glass waveguide laser that has a user-variable repetition rate and can be fully integrated.

Role of AlN Polarity in the Band Alignment of AlN(0001)/Diamond(100) Heterojunctions: A First-Principles Study.

We present a comprehensive first-principles study of the band alignment at AlN(0001)/diamond(100) heterojunctions, considering two different polarities of the AlN and taking into account atomic relaxation at the interface. Our simulations show that the valence-band offset reduces dramatically from about 1.6 eV for one polarity to 0.6 eV for the other, changing the corresponding band alignment from staggered (type II) to straddling (type I). Our findings have important consequences for the design of many applications, most notably solid state UV-emitting devices.

Modeling the Debye dielectric response in the time domain for a liquid crystal-based biopotential optrode.

Multielectrode arrays (MEAs) are widely used for recording biopotentials, with an ongoing research effort to improve their characteristics and performance. In this spirit, we are currently investigating a novel concept for a liquid crystal-based optical electrode (optrode) that has the potential to overcome some of the limitations of MEAs, including that of wiring complexity. In this paper we present a model to fully describe the electrical response of the proposed optrode to biopotentials, taking into account dielectric relaxation. Since the frequency dependence of the complex permittivity is difficult to specify in time-stepped finite element (FE) simulations, where the implementation of time-convolution is nontrivial, we adopt an alternative approach to dielectric relaxation via the polarization vector. This approach, which is based on the Debye model, is then implemented in a FE model of the optrode. We show that the dielectric response of the liquid crystal layer has an effect on the complex signal behavior of the sensed biopotentials that must be taken into account when modeling the optrode.

Sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) from Philornis seguyi (García, 1952) and Philornis torquans (Nielsen, 1913) (Diptera: Muscidae).

Philornis Meinert, 1890 (Diptera: Muscidae) is a genus of Neotropical dipterans that parasitise birds. The currently used external morphological characters to distinguish between species within this genus present some limitations. We used the second internal transcribed spacer region (ITS2) of the rRNA gene as a molecular marker to differentiate adult specimens of Philornis identified morphologically as Philornis torquans and Philornis seguyi from different localities. Specimens identified as P. seguyi from Magdalena (Buenos Aires Province) showed an ITS2 sequence different from that for P. torquans, whereas all other specimens of P. seguyi had sequences identical to those for P. torquans. These findings do not necessarily confirm that specimens from Magdalena indeed belong to P. seguyi, nor that P. seguyi is a valid species. Instead, they alert us about the potential for species misidentification when using morphological characters alone. The use of molecular approaches to aid the identification of Philornis spp. will shed light on the systematics of this group. P. torquans is reported for the first time in Mendoza Province and Uruguay.

Multi-level determinants of parasitic fly infection in forest passerines.

The study of myiasis is important because they may cause problems to the livestock industry, public health, or wildlife conservation. The ecology of parasitic dipterans that cause myiasis is singular, as they actively seek their hosts over relatively long distances. However, studies that address the determinants of myiasis dynamics are very scarce. The genus Philornis include species that may be excellent models to study myiasis ecology, as they exclusively parasitize bird nestlings, which stay in their nests until they are fully fledged, and larvae remain at the point of entry until the parasitic stage is over, thus allowing the collection of sequential individual-level infection data from virtually all the hosts present at a particular area. Here we offer a stratified multi-level analysis of longitudinal data of Philornis torquans parasitism in replicated forest bird communities of central Argentina. Using Generalized Linear Models and Generalized Linear Mixed Models and an information theory approach for model selection, we conducted four groups of analyses, each with a different study unit, the individual, the brood, the community at a given week, and the community at a given year. The response variable was larval abundance per nestling or mean abundance per nestling. At each level, models included the variables of interest of that particular level, and also potential confounders and effect modifiers of higher levels. We found associations of large magnitude at all levels, but only few variables truly governed the dynamics of this parasite. At the individual level, the infection was determined by the species and the age of the host. The main driver of parasite abundance at the microhabitat level was the average height of the forest, and at the community level, the density of hosts and prior rainfall. This multi-level approach contributed to a better understanding of the ecology of myiasis.

Fast electro-optical mode in photo-aligned reflective deformed helix ferroelectric liquid crystal cells.

The electro-optical behavior of deformed helix ferroelectric liquid crystal in reflective mode is described in this paper. The electrically controlled reflectance has been measured at subkilohertz driving voltage frequency for different polarizations of the incident light and compared quite successfully with the simulation results.

Anisotropic optical functions of α-1,4,4-tetraphenyl-1,3-butadiene.

One of the known monoclinic polymorphs of 1,1,4,4-tetraphenyl-1,3-butadiene was grown by the floating-drop technique. This material is of interest for blue emitting devices and for fundamental studies on intermolecular interactions, excited states and vibronic coupling in the fields of chemical physics and materials science. Polarized UV-visible spectra are reported. The origin of the optical bands is resolved. The results give information on the intermolecular interactions and are compared with theoretical predictions and modeling. The full material dielectric tensor is provided, as deduced from generalized spectroscopic ellipsometry. Details on the use of this technique on strongly anisotropic and absorbing molecular materials are given. Some typical features of the optical spectra are also demonstrated to be very sensitive to the presence of misaligned domains, which, in our samples, are found to be rotated around the normal to the surface and whose amount is determined. The method allows discriminating among monocrystals, in-plane polycrystalline samples, layered samples formed by misaligned successive layers, or samples with both types of disorder. Two independent parameters giving the fraction of misaligned domains or layers are suggested for the characterization and optimization of the growth and deposition of molecular organic materials.

Optical properties of dibenzo[d,d']thieno[3,2-b;4,5-b']dithiophene monocrystals: the effect of intermolecular interactions.

The polarized UV-visible absorption spectra of dibenzo[d,d']thieno[3,2-b;4,5-b']dithiophene single crystals are reported and interpreted to definitively attribute the observed bands and their polarizations. The results provide information on the intermolecular interactions and on the aggregation in the condensed phase, which can be of either herringbone- or H-type, depending on the electronic transition taken into considerations, with consequences on the order and polarization of the absorption bands. A relatively easy method is also discussed to obtain information on the structural/morphological properties of different types of samples, including thin films, which have been recently proposed for high-performance organic film-effect transistors for their high ionization potential and photostability.

Multiple mode exciton-vibrational coupling in H-aggregates: synergistic enhancement of the quantum yield.

The impact of exciton-vibrational coupling involving fast and slow vibrational modes on absorption and emission in molecular H-aggregates is investigated using a multimode Holstein Hamiltonian. For H-aggregates composed of rigid molecules the radiative decay rate is rigorously zero due to the asymmetry of the lowest energy exciton. Increasing the Huang-Rhys factors of the coupled modes results in an increase of the radiative efficiency through increased sideband emission. Coupling to a spectrally unresolved slow mode leads to an apparent increase in the 0-0 intensity of the vibronic progression of the fast mode, thereby mimicking a distribution of molecular transition frequencies (diagonal disorder). In the intermediate coupling regime, the radiative efficiency of the aggregate exceeds the sum of the fast-mode-only and slow-mode-only radiative efficiencies. The mechanism underlying the synergistic enhancement of the radiative yield is similar to that which causes spectral splitting in the absorption spectrum of quaterthiophene crystals. [L. Silvestri et al., J. Chem. Phys. 130, 234701 (2009)]. The results here qualitatively account for the robust emission efficiency of hexaphenyl microcrystallites where the slow torsional motion involving the interphenyl dihedral angle in conjunction with the fast ring breathing mode conspire to enhance the quantum yield.

Polarized absorption, spontaneous and stimulated blue light emission of J-type tetraphenylbutadiene monocrystals.

Blue amplified spontaneous emission at room temperature is demonstrated from the exposed face of the strongly emitting organic semiconductor 1,1,4,4-tetraphenyl-1,3-butadiene in single crystal form. The symmetry of the crystal and calculation of lattice sums indicate the J-type organization of the molecular transition moments. The minimum in the lowest exciton dispersion branch, from which emission takes place, is found at the edge of the Brillouin zone leading to a dominant vibronic emission since the zero-phonon line is forbidden. The observed gain narrowed line is attributed to the vibronic replica which becomes amplified with increased pumping. The reported emission is along the normal to the exposed crystal face, important for the development of vertical cavity geometry lasers based on organic single crystals. The threshold excitation fluence of 400 microJ cm(-2) is comparable to other organic crystalline systems, even if the amplification path is much reduced as a consequence of the vertical geometry. Considering these relevant aspects, the optical characterization of this material is provided. The polarized absorption spectra are reported and the properties of the lowest-energy excitonic state investigated. Calculation of the electronic transitions for the isolated molecule, lattice sums for the transition at lowest energy, and the symmetry of the crystal allow attributing the largest face of the samples and the observed optical bands in the spectra. Polarized time-resolved spectra are also reported allowing to identify the intrinsic excitonic emission.

Exciton-phonon coupling in molecular crystals: synergy between two intramolecular vibrational modes in quaterthiophene single crystals.

Exciton-phonon (EP) coupling in molecular crystals is investigated in the case where two intramolecular vibrational modes are involved and a theoretical model is presented which applies when one of the modes is strongly coupled to crystal excitons. The model is used to simulate the low energy portion of the absorption spectra of quaterthiophene (4T) single crystals, for which we find it appropriate to consider a low energy vibrational mode at 161 cm(-1) and an effective strongly coupled high energy mode at 1470 cm(-1). Our numerical results demonstrate that the high energy mode renormalizes the excitonic band, thereby strongly affecting the environment seen by the low energy mode and the overall EP coupling regime. Numerical simulations also confirm the existence of the new coupling regimes "intermediate-I" and "strong-I" already introduced for oligothiophene aggregates [Spano et al., J. Chem. Phys. 127, 184703 (2007)], which arise as a consequence of the large effective mass of low energy excitons in 4T crystals. Comparison with experimental high resolution absorption spectra is also reported and shown to support the model predictions.