Performance analysis of a spectropolarimeter employing a continuous phase variation.

The light emitted or reflected by a medium can exhibit a certain degree of polarization. Most of the time, this feature brings valuable information about the environment. However, instruments able to accurately measure any type of polarization are hard to build and adapt to inauspicious environments, such as space. To overcome this problem, we presented recently a design for a compact and steady polarimeter, able to measure the entire Stokes vector in a single shot. The first simulations revealed a very high modulation efficiency of the instrumental matrix for this concept. However, the shape and the content of this matrix can change with the characteristics of the optical system, such as the pixel size, the wavelength or the number of pixels. To assess the quality of the instrumental matrices for different optical characteristics, we analyze here the propagation of errors, together with the impact of different types of noise. The results show that the instrumental matrices are converging towards an optimal shape. On this basis, the theoretical limits of sensitivity on the Stokes parameters are inferred.

Thickness optimization algorithm to improve multilayer diffractive optical elements performance.

The diffractive zone thicknesses of conventional diffractive optical elements (DOEs) are generally obtained using the thin element approximation (TEA). However, the TEA yields inaccurate results in the case of thick multilayer DOEs (MLDOEs). The extended scalar theory (EST) is an alternative thickness optimization method that depends on the diffractive order and the optimization wavelength. We developed an algorithm to research suitable EST input parameters. It combines ray-tracing and Fourier optics to provide a performance estimate for each EST parameter pair. The resulting "best" MLDOE designs for three different material combinations are analyzed using rigorous finite-difference time-domain. Compared to the TEA, the proposed algorithm can provide performing zone thicknesses.

Optimal design of the annular groove phase mask central region.

Vortex phase masks have been shown to be an efficient means to reduce the blinding stellar light in high-contrast imaging instruments. Once placed at the focal plane of the telescope, the helical phase ramp of a vortex phase mask diffracts the light of a bright on-axis source outside the re-imaged telescope pupil, while transmitting the light of a faint off-axis companion nearly unaffected. The Annular Groove Phase Mask (AGPM) is a broadband metasurface implementation of a vector vortex phase mask using the artificial birefringence of a circular subwavelength grating etched onto a diamond substrate. To date, the AGPM design has been optimized using rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA), which is a valid tool to simulate periodic straight gratings. However, we have now reached a performance level where the curvature of the grating lines at the center becomes a limiting factor. Here, we use a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method to correctly describe the AGPM performance, including the effect of the curved grating close to its center. We confirm the validity of this simulation framework by comparing its predictions with experimental results obtained on our infrared coronagraphic test bench, and we show that RCWA fails at reproducing correctly the central AGPM performance, confirming the need for a full 3d simulation tool such as FDTD. Finally, we use FDTD to optimize the grating parameters at the AGPM center, and conclude with a new optimal design.

Hybrid ray-tracing/Fourier optics method to analyze multilayer diffractive optical elements.

The performance (paraxial phase delay) of conventional diffractive optical elements is generally analyzed using the analytical scalar theory of diffraction, based on thin-element approximation (TEA). However, the high thickness of multilayer diffractive optical elements (MLDOEs) means that TEA yields inaccurate results. To address this, we tested a method based on ray-tracing simulations in mid-wave and long-wave infrared wave bands and for multiple f-numbers, together with the effect of MLDOE phase delay on a collimated on-axis beam with an angular spectrum method. Thus, we accurately generate optical figures of merit (point spread function along the optical axis, Strehl ratio at the "best" focal plane, and chromatic focal shift) and, by using a finite-difference time-domain method as a reference solution, demonstrate it as a valuable tool to describe and quantify the longitudinal chromatic aberration of MLDOEs.

Multilayer diffractive optical element material selection method based on transmission, total internal reflection, and thickness.

The polychromatic integral diffraction efficiency (PIDE) metric is generally used to select the most suitable materials for multilayer diffractive optical elements (MLDOEs). However, this method is based on the thin element approximation, which yields inaccurate results in the case of thick diffractive elements such as MLDOEs. We propose a new material selection approach, to the best of our knowledge, based on three metrics: transmission, total internal reflection, and the optical component's total thickness. This approach, called "geometric optics material selection method" (GO-MSM), is tested in mid-wave and long-wave infrared bands. Finite-difference time-domain is used to study the optical performance (Strehl ratio) of the "optimal" MLDOE combinations obtained with the PIDE metric and the GO-MSM. Only the proposed method can provide MLDOE designs that perform. This study also shows that an MLDOE gap filled with a low index material (air) strongly degrades the image quality.

Genetic-algorithm-aided ultra-broadband perfect absorbers using plasmonic metamaterials.

Complete absorption of electromagnetic waves is paramount in today's applications, ranging from photovoltaics to cross-talk prevention into sensitive devices. In this context, we use a genetic algorithm (GA) strategy to optimize absorption properties of periodic arrays of truncated square-based pyramids made of alternating stacks of metal/dielectric layers. We target ultra-broadband quasi-perfect absorption of normally incident electromagnetic radiations in the visible and near-infrared ranges (wavelength comprised between 420 and 1600 nm). We compare the results one can obtain by considering one, two or three stacks of either Ni, Ti, Al, Cr, Ag, Cu, Au or W for the metal, and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) for the dielectric. More than 1017 configurations of geometrical parameters are explored and reduced to a few optimal ones. This extensive study shows that Ni/PMMA, Ti/PMMA, Cr/PMMA and W/PMMA provide high-quality solutions with an integrated absorptance higher than 99% over the considered wavelength range, when considering realistic implementation of these ultra-broadband perfect electromagnetic absorbers. Robustness of optimal solutions with respect to geometrical parameters is investigated and local absorption maps are provided. Moreover, we confirm that these optimal solutions maintain quasi-perfect broadband absorption properties over a broad angular range when changing the inclination of the incident radiation. The study also reveals that noble metals (Au, Ag, Cu) do not provide the highest performance for the present application.

Atmospheric characterization of terrestrial exoplanets in the mid-infrared: biosignatures, habitability, and diversity.

Exoplanet science is one of the most thriving fields of modern astrophysics. A major goal is the atmospheric characterization of dozens of small, terrestrial exoplanets in order to search for signatures in their atmospheres that indicate biological activity, assess their ability to provide conditions for life as we know it, and investigate their expected atmospheric diversity. None of the currently adopted projects or missions, from ground or in space, can address these goals. In this White Paper, submitted to ESA in response to the Voyage 2050 Call, we argue that a large space-based mission designed to detect and investigate thermal emission spectra of terrestrial exoplanets in the mid-infrared wavelength range provides unique scientific potential to address these goals and surpasses the capabilities of other approaches. While NASA might be focusing on large missions that aim to detect terrestrial planets in reflected light, ESA has the opportunity to take leadership and spearhead the development of a large mid-infrared exoplanet mission within the scope of the "Voyage 2050" long-term plan establishing Europe at the forefront of exoplanet science for decades to come. Given the ambitious science goals of such a mission, additional international partners might be interested in participating and contributing to a roadmap that, in the long run, leads to a successful implementation. A new, dedicated development program funded by ESA to help reduce development and implementation cost and further push some of the required key technologies would be a first important step in this direction. Ultimately, a large mid-infrared exoplanet imaging mission will be needed to help answer one of humankind's most fundamental questions: "How unique is our Earth?"

Modeling infrared behavior of multilayer diffractive optical elements using Fourier optics.

In this paper, we propose to explore the infrared (IR) behavior of multilayer diffractive optical elements (MLDOEs). IR MLDOEs are designed for the development of space instruments dedicated to Earth observation. The phase effect of the MLDOE on a paraxial plane wave is studied using exact kinoform shapes for each layer. The modeling of the optical path difference uses thin element approximation. Until now, MLDOEs have been designed and simulated on ray-tracing software with binary diffractive layers. In this study, after passing through the MLDOE, the field is propagated using a method that utilizes the angular spectrum of plane waves. The Strehl ratio is used to determine the "best focus" plane, where it is shown that the focalization efficiency is above 95% for the working order in the mid- and long-wave IR bands. This result, along with the very low energy content of the other orders, proves the strong imaging potential of MLDOEs for dual-band applications. It is also demonstrated that the MLDOE has the same chromatic behavior as standard DOEs, making it a very useful component for IR achromatization.

Efficiency enhancement of perovskite solar cells based on opal-like photonic crystals.

Perovskite solar cells have shown a tremendous interest for photovoltaics since the past decade. However, little is known on the influence of light management using photonic crystals inside such structures. We present here numerical simulations showing the effect of photonic crystal structuring on the integrated quantum efficiency of perovskite solar cells. The photo-active layer is made of an opal-like perovskite structure (monolayer, bilayer or trilayer of perovskite spheres) built in a T i O 2 matrix. Fano resonances are exploited in order to enhance the absorption, especially near the bandgap of perovskite material. The excitation of quasi-guided modes inside the absorbing spheres enhances the integrated quantum efficiency and the photonic enhancement factor. More specifically, a photonic enhancement factor as high as 6.4% is predicted in the case of spheres monolayer compared to an unstructured perovskite layer. The influences of sphere's radius and incident angle on the absorbing properties are also estimated. Those numerical results can be applied to the nascent field of photonic structuring inside perovskite solar cells.

Topography and longitudinal chromatic aberration characterizations of refractive-diffractive multifocal intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE: Most optical systems present chromatic aberration quantified along the optical axis by the longitudinal chromatic aberration (LCA). LCA is controlled by the biomaterial Abbe number combined with diffractive effects, driven by the intraocular lens (IOL) topography. This study experimentally aimed at describing the effect in vitro of LCA in diffractive multifocal IOLs, with the help of dedicated optical benches and topographic characterization. SETTING: Centre Spatial de Liège, Belgium. DESIGN: Optical and topology analysis of various multifocal diffractive IOLs. METHODS: Seven diffractive multifocal IOLs, available on the market and exhibiting different diffractive profiles, made from various biomaterials, were characterized under different wavelengths. RESULTS: Through-focus modulation transfer function (MTF) curves and IOL diffraction efficiency depends on the incident light wavelength. In this study, the topology properties of various multifocal IOLs were investigated and their characteristics were correlated to their optical behavior for various wavelengths. Chromatic properties and their origins were then compared. As expected, diffractive and refractive effects were found to act in opposite ways, and could be partially or completely compensated. CONCLUSIONS: The LCA of each of the IOLs was evaluated in vitro. In most of the multifocal IOLs studied, some of the foci were found to be refractive, whereas others were diffractive. Although the results were not extrapolated to clinical relevance, it was shown, in some of the cases, that LCA could be fully compensated.

Clinically Relevant Optical Properties of Bifocal, Trifocal, and Extended Depth of Focus Intraocular Lenses.

PURPOSE: To experimentally compare the optical performance of three types of hydrophobic intraocular lenses (IOLs): extended depth of focus, bifocal, and trifocal. METHODS: The tested IOLs were: TECNIS ZMB00 (bifocal; Abbott Medical Optics, Abbott Park, IL), TECNIS Symfony ZXR00 (extended depth of focus; Abbott Medical Optics), and FineVision GFree hydrophobic (trifocal; PhysIOL, Liège, Belgium). Their surface topography was analyzed by optical microscopy. Modulation transfer function (MTF) and spherical aberrations were determined on optical bench for variable pupil apertures and with two cornea models (0 µm and +0.28 µm). United States Air Force target imaging was analyzed for different focal points (near, intermediate, and far). Point spread function (PSF) and halos were quantified and compared. RESULTS: The three lenses presented step-like optic topography. For a pupil size of 3 mm or greater, clearly distinctive MTF peaks were observed for all lenses: two peaks for the extended depth of focus and bifocal lenses with +1.75 and +4.00 diopters (D) addition, respectively, and three peaks for the trifocal lens with +1.75 and +3.50 addition for intermediate and near vision, respectively. The extended depth of focus and bifocal lens had slightly higher MTF at best focus with the +0.28 µm cornea model than with the 0 µm model, whereas the trifocal lens was likely to be more independent of the corneal spherical aberrations. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that the three lenses rely on light diffraction for their optical performance, presenting halos with comparable intensities. For small pupil apertures (< 3 mm), the MTF peaks for the far and intermediate focal distances of the trifocal and extended depth of focus lenses overlap, but the trifocal lens presented an additional MTF peak for the near focal points.

Optical study of diffraction grating/Fresnel lens combinations applied to a spectral-splitting solar concentrator for space applications.

This paper presents a new design of a planar solar concentrator with spectral splitting of light for space applications. This concentrator spectrally splits the incident light into mainly two parts. Each part is then focused onto specific spatially separated photovoltaic cells allowing for independent control of respective cells' output power. These advantages of both spectral splitting and light focusing are combined here because of a specific diffraction grating superimposed on a Fresnel lens. The theoretical principle of the optical design is presented with optimization of each element and improvement steps including optimization of grating period evolution along the lens and testing of two kinds of gratings (a blazed and a lamellar one). First numerical results are presented highlighting the possibility to design a concentrator at about 10× or more for each cell with an output power larger than that of a classical concentrator focusing on a GaAs single junction cell and less than 10% of losses for tracking errors up to ±0.8°. Some experimental results are also presented.

Performances of volume phase holographic grating for space applications: study of the radiation effect.

The special properties of volume phase holographic gratings make them promising candidates for spectrometry applications where high spectral resolution, low levels of straylight, and low polarization sensitivity are required. Therefore it is of interest to assess the maturity and suitability of volume phase holographic gratings as enabling technologies for future space missions, with demanding requirements for spectrometry. One of the main areas of research is related to grating ageing under space radiation. In the present paper, two volume grating technologies are analyzed and compared under gamma irradiation. The performances of both technologies, the photo-thermo-refractive glass and the Dichromated Gelatin, are tested on samples and assessed in the Hα and near-infrared bands. The diffraction efficiency degradation under gamma irradiation is assessed.

Flat Fresnel doublets made of PMMA and PC: combining low cost production and very high concentration ratio for CPV.

The linear chromatic aberration (LCA) of several combinations of polycarbonates (PCs) and poly (methyl methacrylates) (PMMAs) as singlet, hybrid (refractive/diffractive) lenses and doublets operating with wavelengths between 380 and 1600 nm - corresponding to a typical zone of interest of concentrated photovoltaics (CPV) - are compared. Those comparisons show that the maximum theoretical concentration factor for singlets is limited to about 1000 × at normal incidence and that hybrid lenses and refractive doublets present a smaller LCA increasing the concentration factor up to 5000 × and 2 × 10(6) respectively. A new achromatization equation more useful than the Abbé equation is also presented. Finally we determined the ideal position of the focal point as a function of the LCA and the geometric concentration which maximizes the flux on the solar cell.

Quantitative Accelerated Life Testing of MEMS Accelerometers.

Quantitative Accelerated Life Testing (QALT) is a solution for assessing thereliability of Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS). A procedure for QALT is shownin this paper and an attempt to assess the reliability level for a batch of MEMSaccelerometers is reported. The testing plan is application-driven and contains combinedtests: thermal (high temperature) and mechanical stress. Two variants of mechanical stressare used: vibration (at a fixed frequency) and tilting. Original equipment for testing at tiltingand high temperature is used. Tilting is appropriate as application-driven stress, because thetilt movement is a natural environment for devices used for automotive and aerospaceapplications. Also, tilting is used by MEMS accelerometers for anti-theft systems. The testresults demonstrated the excellent reliability of the studied devices, the failure rate in the"worst case" being smaller than 10-7h-1.

Fresnel rhombs as achromatic phase shifters for infrared nulling interferometry.

We propose a new family of achromatic phase shifters for infrared nulling interferometry. These key optical components can be seen as optimized Fresnel rhombs, using the total internal reflection phenomenon, modulated or not. The total internal reflection indeed comes with a phase shift between the polarization components of the incident light. We propose a solution to implement this vectorial phase shift between interferometer arms to provide the destructive interference process needed to disentangle highly contrasted objects from one another. We also show that, modulating the index transition at the total internal reflection interface allows compensating for the intrinsic material dispersion in order to make the subsequent phase shift achromatic over especially broad bands. The modulation can be induced by a thin film of a well-chosen material or a subwavelength grating whose structural parameters are thoroughly optimized. We present results from theoretical simulations together with preliminary fabrication outcomes and measurements for a prototype in Zinc Selenide.