Imaging stretching and displacement using gradient-index elements during the lens design process.

In this study, we propose an approach to stretch or translate images using gradient-index (GRIN) elements with a rotationally symmetric shape in lens systems. In this method, the GRIN material, instead of optical surfaces, are utilized to enable a breaking of rotational symmetry for the two image translations. GRIN expression with anamorphic and tilting terms is introduced. A pair of GRIN elements in front of the given system alters the magnification in two orthogonal directions using the anamorphic terms in the expression, which realizes image stretching. A pair of GRIN elements with tilting terms is used after the given system tilts the optical path to achieve a transverse displacement of the image. The structure of the given system remains unchanged when these translations are performed. A design method for the GRIN elements is presented. Additionally, a design example is presented whose image is stretched by 1.33 times in one direction and displaced to one side of its axis to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach. The approach in this study may enable novel imaging GRIN lens system designs with flexible image positions or special optical functions.

Christiansen filters realized with cylindrical lenses of even symmetry.

A type of Christiansen filter that takes the form of a smooth cylindrical lens of even symmetry is proposed. By varying the shape of the lens, the filter can be made to realize many common filtering responses, including the polynomial function response, the Gaussian function response, and the sinc function response. A systematic design technique based on inverse scattering is established, and a desired, prescribed response can be tailored by properly shaping the lens of the filter. Three prototypical Christiansen filters, namely, a second-order all-real-roots filter, a second-order sinc filter, and a Gaussian filter, are synthesized using the proposed method. A prescribed response at 545 nm with a FWHM of 2 nm is achieved systematically by all of the three Christiansen filters.

Experimental observation of wave localization at the Dirac frequency in a two-dimensional photonic crystal microcavity.

Trapping light within cavities or waveguides in photonic crystals is an effective technology in modern integrated optics. Traditionally, cavities rely on total internal reflection or a photonic bandgap to achieve field confinement. Recent investigations have examined new localized modes that occur at a Dirac frequency that is beyond any complete photonic bandgap. We design Al2O3 dielectric cylinders placed on a triangular lattice in air, and change the central rod size to form a photonic crystal microcavity. It is predicted that waves can be localized at the Dirac frequency in this device without photonic bandgaps or total internal reflections. We perform a theoretical analysis of this new wave localization and verify it experimentally. This work paves the way for exploring localized defect modes at the Dirac point in the visible and infrared bands, with potential applicability to new optical devices.

Spatial algebraic solitons at the Dirac point in optically induced nonlinear photonic lattices.

The discovery of a new type of soliton occurring in periodic systems is reported. This type of nonlinear excitation exists at a Dirac point of a photonic band structure, and features an oscillating tail that damps algebraically. Solitons in periodic systems are localized states traditionally supported by photonic bandgaps. Here, it is found that besides photonic bandgaps, a Dirac point in the band structure of triangular optical lattices can also sustain solitons. Apart from their theoretical impact within the soliton theory, they have many potential uses because such solitons are possible in both Kerr material and photorefractive crystals that possess self-focusing and self-defocusing nonlinearities. The findings enrich the soliton family and provide information for studies of nonlinear waves in many branches of physics.

Modulation of large absolute photonic bandgaps in two-dimensional plasma photonic crystal containing anisotropic material.

The large absolute photonic bandgaps of two-dimensional (2D) anisotropic magnetic plasma photonic crystals with hexagonal and square lattices are obtained by introducing tellurium dielectric rods using the modified plane wave expansion method. Equations for calculating the band structures in the irreducible part of the first Brillouin zone are theoretically deduced. The modulation properties indicate that the location and bandwidth of the absolute photonic bandgaps (PBGs) could be tuned by filling factor, plasma frequency, and magnetic field. The effective tunable ranges and critical values of these parameters are found. These results could be helpful in designing 2D anisotropic PPCs with large absolute PBGs.

Light trapping at Dirac point in 2D triangular Archimedean-like lattice photonic crystal.

Optical cavities and waveguides are critical parts of modern optical devices. Traditionally, optical cavities and waveguides rely on photonic bandgaps, or total internal reflection, to achieve light trapping. It has been reported that a novel light trapping, which exists in triangular and honeycomb lattices, is attributed to the so-called Dirac point. Our analysis reveals that 2D triangular Archimedean-like lattice photonic crystals also can support this Dirac mode with similar characteristics. This is a new type of localized mode with a different algebraic field profile at a different specified Dirac frequency, which is also beyond any complete photonic bandgap. The new wave localization has different features and can be applied to the design of new optical devices.

Polarization splitter based on dual-core photonic crystal fiber.

A polarization splitter based on a new type of dual-core photonic crystal fiber (DC-PCF) is proposed. The effects of geometrical parameters of the DC-PCF on performances of the polarization splitter are investigated by finite element method (FEM). The numerical results demonstrate that the polarization splitter possesses ultra-short length of 119.1 µm and high extinction ratio of 118.7 dB at the wavelength of 1.55 µm. Moreover, an extinction ratio greater than 20 dB is achieved over a broad bandwidth of 249 nm, i.e., from 1417 nm to 1666 nm, covering the S, C and L communication bands.

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oil from Agathis dammara (Lamb.) Rich fresh leaves.

The essential oil of fresh leaves from Agathis dammara (Lamb.) Rich was extracted using hydro-distillation, and GC-FID and GC-MS were used to analyse the essential oil. Nineteen compounds were identified, among which the major components were limonene (36.81%), ß-bisabolene (33.43%) and ß-myrcene (25.48%). In the antibacterial test, disc diffusion method and micro-well dilution assay proved that the essential oil had significant antibacterial activities. The inhibition zones against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were 23.7 and 23 mm, respectively, which demonstrated that the inhibition effects were greater than positive control (10 µg/disc streptomycin). And the lowest MIC value of the essential oil was found against S. aureus (1.25 mg/mL) and Bacillus subtilis (1.25 mg/mL). This is the first report on the antibacterial activities of A. dammara essential oil.

A chiral mixed metal-organic framework based on a Ni(saldpen) metalloligand: synthesis, characterization and catalytic performances.

A three-dimensional (3D) chiral mixed metal-organic framework [Cd4Cl(Ni-L)3(Ni-HL)(H2O)6(DMF)]·4DMF (CMOF 1) based on a new enantiopure dicarboxyl-functionalized Ni(saldpen) metalloligand Ni-H2L and a novel tetranuclear cadmium cluster [Cd4Cl(CO2)7(CO2H)] has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR and UV-vis spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, nitrogen and carbon dioxide adsorption, powder and single-crystal X-ray diffractions. Each tetranuclear-cadmium cluster in 1 is linked by eight Ni-L ligands, and each Ni-L ligand is linked by two tetranuclear-cadmium clusters to generate a 3D framework with 1D open channels (∼1.1 × 0.9 nm(2)) along the b-axis. Based on its good stability, permanent porosity, Lewis acid sites and moderate uptake for CO2, 1 can be used as a self-supported heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of optically active propylene carbonate by asymmetric cycloaddition of CO2 with racemic propylene oxide under relatively mild conditions.