Active feedback stabilization of super-efficient microcombs in photonic molecules.

Dissipative Kerr soliton (DKS) frequency combs, when generated within coupled cavities, exhibit exceptional performance concerning controlled initiation and power conversion efficiency. Nevertheless, to fully exploit these enhanced capabilities, it is necessary to maintain the frequency comb in a low-noise state over an extended duration. In this study, we demonstrate the control and stabilization of super-efficient microcombs in a photonic molecule. Our findings demonstrate that there is a direct relation between effective detuning and soliton power, allowing the latter to be used as a setpoint in a feedback control loop. Employing this method, we achieve the stabilization of a highly efficient microcomb indefinitely, paving the way for its practical deployment in optical communications and dual-comb spectroscopy applications.

Time-expanded φOTDR using low-frequency electronics.

Time expanded phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry (TE-φOTDR) is a recently reported technique for distributed optical fiber sensing based on the interference of two mutually coherent optical frequency combs. This approach enables distributed acoustic sensing with centimeter resolution while keeping the detection bandwidth in the megahertz range. In this paper, we demonstrate that TE-φOTDR can be realized with low-frequency electronics for both signal generation and detection. This achievement is possible thanks to the use of a couple of electro-optic comb generators driven by commercially available step recovery diodes. These components are fed by radio frequencies that are orders of magnitude lower than those involved in the signals so far originated by ultrafast waveform generation. The result is a simple, compact, low-cost and potentially field-deployable sensor that works without resorting to any decoding algorithm. Besides, high-resolution distributed sensing is carried out with no need of coding strategies or enhanced backscatter fibers. To check the capabilities of our system, we perform distributed strain sensing over a range of 20 m. The spatial resolution is 3 cm and the acoustic sampling rate can be increased up to 200 Hz. This performance reveals the prospective of the proposed approach for field applications, including structural health monitoring.

Dual electro-optic comb spectroscopy using a single pseudo-randomly driven modulator.

We present a dual-comb scheme based on a single intensity modulator driven by inexpensive board-level pseudo-random bit sequence generators. The result is a simplified architecture that exhibits a long mutual coherence time (up to 50 s) with no need of stabilization feedback loops or self-correction algorithms. Unlike approaches that employ ultrafast arbitrary waveform generators, our scheme makes it possible to produce long interferograms in the time domain, reducing the difference in the line spacing of the combs even below the hertz level. In order to check the system accuracy, we report two spectroscopic measurements with a frequency sampling of 140 MHz. All these results are analyzed and discussed to evaluate the potential of our scheme to implement a field-deployable dual-comb generator.

Quadratic phase coding for SNR improvement in time-expanded phase-sensitive OTDR.

Time-expanded phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry (TE-ΦOTDR) is a dual-comb-based distributed optical fiber sensing technique capable of providing centimeter scale resolution while maintaining a remarkably low (MHz) detection bandwidth. Random spectral phase coding of the dual combs involved in the fiber interrogation process has been proposed as a means of increasing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the sensor. In this Letter, we present a specific spectral phase coding methodology capable of further enlarging the SNR of TE-ΦOTDR. This approach is based on the use of a quadratic spectral phase to precisely control the peak power of the comb signals. As a result, an SNR improvement of up to 8 dB has been experimentally attained with respect to that based on the random phase coding previously reported.

All-optical coherent pulse compression for dynamic laser ranging using an acousto-optic dual comb.

We demonstrate a new and simple dynamic laser ranging platform based on analog all-optical coherent pulse compression of modulated optical waveforms. The technique employs a bidirectional acousto-optic frequency shifting loop, which provides a dual-comb photonic signal with an optical bandwidth in the microwave range. This architecture simply involves a CW laser, standard telecom components and low frequency electronics, both for the dual-comb generation and for the detection. As a laser ranging system, it offers a range resolution of a few millimeters, set by a dual-comb spectral bandwidth of 24 GHz, and a precision of 20 µm for an integration time of 20 ms. The system is also shown to provide dynamic measurements at scanning rates in the acoustic range, including phase-sensitive measurements and Doppler shift velocimetry. In addition, we show that the application of perfect correlation phase sequences to the transmitted waveforms allows the ambiguity range to be extended by a factor of 10 up to ∼20 m. The system generates quasi-continuous waveforms with low peak power, which makes it possible to envision long-range telemetry or reflectometry requiring highly amplified signals.

Time-expanded phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry.

Phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry (ΦOTDR) is a well-established technique that provides spatio-temporal measurements of an environmental variable in real time. This unique capability is being leveraged in an ever-increasing number of applications, from energy transportation or civil security to seismology. To date, a wide number of different approaches have been implemented, providing a plethora of options in terms of performance (resolution, acquisition bandwidth, sensitivity or range). However, to achieve high spatial resolutions, detection bandwidths in the GHz range are typically required, substantially increasing the system cost and complexity. Here, we present a novel ΦOTDR approach that allows a customized time expansion of the received optical traces. Hence, the presented technique reaches cm-scale spatial resolutions over 1 km while requiring a remarkably low detection bandwidth in the MHz regime. This approach relies on the use of dual-comb spectrometry to interrogate the fibre and sample the backscattered light. Random phase-spectral coding is applied to the employed combs to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio of the sensing scheme. A comparison of the proposed method with alternative approaches aimed at similar operation features is provided, along with a thorough analysis of the new trade-offs. Our results demonstrate a radically novel high-resolution ΦOTDR scheme, which could promote new applications in metrology, borehole monitoring or aerospace.

Bidirectional frequency-shifting loop for dual-comb spectroscopy.

We present a bidirectional recirculating frequency-shifting loop, seeded by a continuous-wave (cw) laser, to perform multi-heterodyne interferometry. This fiber-optic system generates two counter-propagating "acousto-optic" frequency combs with a controllable line spacing. Apart from its simple architecture, coherent averaging allows us to reach acquisition times up to the second scale without resorting to any active stabilization mechanism. We also show that the relative phase between the combs is quadratic and can be easily controlled by adjusting the parameters of the loop. The capability of our scheme to perform molecular spectroscopy is proven by dual-comb measurements of a transition of hydrogen cyanide in the near-infrared region (1550 nm).

Optimization of acousto-optic optical frequency combs.

Acousto-optic optical frequency combs can easily produce several hundreds of mutually coherent lines from a single laser, by successive frequency shifts in a loop containing an acousto-optic frequency shifter. They combine many advantages for multi-heterodyne interferometry and dual-comb spectroscopy. In this paper, we propose a model for an intuitive understanding of the performance of acousto-optic optical frequency combs in the steady state. Though relatively simple, the model qualitatively predicts the effect of various experimental parameters on the spectral characteristics of the comb and highlights the primordial role played by the saturation of the gain medium in the loop. The results are validated experimentally, offering a new insight in the performance and optimization of acousto-optic frequency combs.

Topical Administration of Bosentan Prevents Retinal Neurodegeneration in Experimental Diabetes.

Experimental evidence suggests that endothelin 1 (ET-1) is involved in the development of retinal microvascular abnormalities induced by diabetes. The effects of ET-1 are mediated by endothelin A- and B-receptors (ETA and ETB). Endothelin B-receptors activation mediates retinal neurodegeneration but there are no data regarding the effectiveness of ETB receptor blockage in arresting retinal neurodegeneration induced by diabetes. The main aim of the present study was to assess the usefulness of topical administration of bosentan (a dual endothelin receptor antagonist) in preventing retinal neurodegeneration in diabetic (db/db) mice. For this purpose, db/db mice aged 10 weeks were treated with one drop of bosentan (5 mg/mL, n = 6) or vehicle (n = 6) administered twice daily for 14 days. Six non-diabetic (db/+) mice matched by age were included as the control group. Glial activation was evaluated by immunofluorescence using specific antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL method. A pharmacokinetic study was performed in rabbits. We found that topical administration of bosentan resulted in a significant decrease of reactive gliosis and apoptosis. The results of the pharmacokinetic study suggested that bosentan reached the retina through the trans-scleral route. We conclude that topical administration of bosentan was effective in preventing neurodegeneration in the diabetic retina and, therefore, could be a good candidate to be tested in clinical trials.

Coherent multi-heterodyne spectroscopy using acousto-optic frequency combs.

We propose and characterize experimentally a new source of optical frequency combs for performing multi-heterodyne spectrometry. This comb modality is based on a frequency-shifting loop seeded with a continuous-wave (CW) monochromatic laser. The comb lines are generated by successive passes of the CW laser through an acousto-optic frequency shifter. We report the generation of frequency combs with more than 1500 mutually coherent lines, without resorting to non-linear broadening phenomena or external electronic modulation. The comb line spacing is easily reconfigurable from tens of MHz down to the kHz region. We first use a single acousto-optic frequency comb to conduct self-heterodyne interferometry with a high frequency resolution (500 kHz). By increasing the line spacing to 80 MHz, we demonstrate molecular spectroscopy on the sub-millisecond time scale. In order to reduce the detection bandwidth, we subsequently implement an acousto-optic dual-comb spectrometer with the aid of two mutually coherent frequency shifting loops. In each architecture, the potentiality of acousto-optic frequency combs for spectroscopy is validated by spectral measurements of hydrogen cyanide in the near-infrared region.

Electro-optic dual-comb interferometer for high-speed vibrometry.

Electro-optic frequency comb generators are particularly promising for dual-comb spectroscopy. They provide a high degree of mutual coherence between the combs without resorting to complex feedback stabilization mechanisms. In addition, electro-optic frequency combs can operate at very high repetition rates, thus providing very fast acquisition speeds. Here, we exploit these two features to resolve the rapid movement of a vibrating target. Our electro-optic dual-comb interferometer is capable of combining time-of-fight information with a more precise interferometric measurement based on the carrier phase. This fact, previously demonstrated by stabilized femtosecond frequency combs, allows us to increase the precision of the time-of-flight measurement by several orders of magnitude. As a proof of concept, we implement a fiber-based vibrometer that offers sub-nanometer precision at an effective acquisition speed of 250 kHz. These results expand the application landscape of electro-optic dual-comb spectroscopy to laser ranging and other remote sensing measurements.

Electro-optic dual-comb interferometry over 40 nm bandwidth.

Dual-comb interferometry is a measurement technique that uses two laser frequency combs to retrieve complex spectra in a line-by-line basis. This technique can be implemented with electro-optic frequency combs, offering intrinsic mutual coherence, high acquisition speed and flexible repetition-rate operation. A challenge with the operation of this kind of frequency comb in dual-comb interferometry is its limited optical bandwidth. Here, we use coherent spectral broadening and demonstrate electro-optic dual-comb interferometry over the entire telecommunications C band (200 lines covering ∼40 nm, measured within 10 µs at 100 signal-to-noise ratio per spectral line). These results offer new prospects for electro-optic dual-comb interferometry as a suitable technology for high-speed broadband metrology, for example in optical coherence tomography or coherent Raman microscopy.

Ultrafast electrooptic dual-comb interferometry.

Dual-comb interferometry is a particularly compelling technique that relies on the phase coherence of two laser frequency combs for measuring broadband complex spectra. This method is rapidly advancing the field of optical spectroscopy and empowering new applications, from nonlinear microscopy to laser ranging. Up to now, most dual-comb interferometers were based on modelocked lasers, whose repetition rates have restricted the measurement speed to ~kHz. Here we demonstrate a dual-comb interferometer that is based on electrooptic frequency combs and measures consecutive complex spectra at an ultra-high refresh rate of 25 MHz. These results pave the way for novel scientific and metrology applications of frequency comb generators beyond the realm of molecular spectroscopy, where the measurement of ultrabroadband waveforms is of paramount relevance.

Image transmission through dynamic scattering media by single-pixel photodetection.

Smart control of light propagation through highly scattering media is a much desired goal with major technological implications. Since interaction of light with highly scattering media results in partial or complete depletion of ballistic photons, it is in principle impossible to transmit images through distances longer than the extinction length. Nevertheless, different methods for image transmission, focusing, and imaging through scattering media by means of wavefront control have been published over the past few years. In this paper we show that single-pixel optical systems, based on compressive detection, can also overcome the fundamental limitation imposed by multiple scattering to successfully transmit information. But, in contrast with the recently introduced schemes that use the transmission matrix technique, our approach does not require any a-priori calibration process that ultimately makes the present method suitable to use with dynamic scattering media. This represents an advantage over previous methods that rely on optical feedback wavefront control, especially for short speckle decorrelation times.

Compressive holography with a single-pixel detector.

This Letter develops a framework for digital holography at optical wavelengths by merging phase-shifting interferometry with single-pixel optical imaging based on compressive sensing. The field diffracted by an input object is sampled by Hadamard patterns with a liquid crystal spatial light modulator. The concept of a single-pixel camera is then adapted to perform interferometric imaging of the sampled diffraction pattern by using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Phase-shifting techniques together with the application of a backward light propagation algorithm allow the complex amplitude of the object under scrutiny to be resolved. A proof-of-concept experiment evaluating the phase distribution of an ophthalmic lens with compressive phase-shifting holography is provided.

Single-pixel polarimetric imaging.

We present an optical system that performs Stokes polarimetric imaging with a single-pixel detector. This fact is possible by applying the theory of compressive sampling to the data acquired by a commercial polarimeter without spatial resolution. The measurement process is governed by a spatial light modulator, which sequentially generates a set of preprogrammed light intensity patterns. Experimental results are presented and discussed for an object that provides an inhomogeneous polarization distribution.

Closed-loop adaptive optics with a single element for wavefront sensing and correction.

We propose a closed-loop adaptive optical arrangement based on a single spatial light modulator that simultaneously works as a correction unit and as the key element of a wavefront sensor. This is possible by using a liquid crystal on silicon display whose active area is divided into two halves that are respectively programmed for sensing and correction. We analyze the performance of this architecture to implement an adaptive optical system. Results showing a closed-loop operation are reported, as well as a proof of concept for dealing with aberrations comparable to those typically found in human eyes.

Optical encryption based on computational ghost imaging.

Ghost imaging is an optical technique in which the information of an object is encoded in the correlation of the intensity fluctuations of light. The computational version of this fascinating phenomenon emulates, offline, the optical propagation through the reference arm, enabling 3D visualization of a complex object whose transmitted light is measured by a bucket detector. In this Letter, we show how computational ghost imaging can be used to encrypt and transmit object information to a remote party. Important features, such as key compressibility and vulnerability to eavesdropping, are experimentally analyzed.

Reconfigurable Shack-Hartmann sensor without moving elements.

We demonstrate wavefront sensing with variable measurement sensitivity and dynamic range by means of a programmable microlens array implemented onto an off-the-shelf twisted nematic liquid crystal display operating as a phase-only spatial light modulator. Electronic control of the optical power of a liquid lens inserted at the aperture stop of a telecentric relay system allows sensing reconfigurability without moving components. Results of laboratory experiments show the ability of the setup to detect both smooth and highly aberrated wavefronts with adequate sensitivity.

Use of principal states of polarization of a liquid crystal device to achieve a dynamical modulation of broadband beams.

A spatially resolved polarization switcher operating over a bandwidth of 200 nm is demonstrated. The system is based on liquid crystal technology and no specific-purpose birefringent element is required. The procedure is founded on the polarization mode dispersion theory of optical fibers, which provides a convenient framework for the design of broadband polarization systems. Our device benefits from the high resolution of off-the-shelf twisted nematic liquid crystal displays and is well suited for spatial modulation of the intensity of broadband beams, such as those coming from few-cycle femtosecond lasers.