This paper presents a calibration method for a line-structured optical system, specifically designed using a hinge-connected double-checkerboard stereo target. Within the camera's measurement space, the target is repositioned randomly in multiple locations and at any angle. Subsequently, utilizing a single image of the target captured with structured light lines, the 3D coordinates of the light stripe feature points are determined by leveraging the external parameter matrix relating the target plane to the camera coordinate system. Ultimately, the coordinate point cloud undergoes denoising, subsequently used for a quadratic fit of the light plane. The proposed method, contrasting with the conventional line-structured measurement system, offers the simultaneous capture of two calibration images; hence, a single line-structured light image suffices for light plane calibration. System calibration speed is remarkably improved, while maintaining high accuracy, through the absence of rigid requirements for target pinch angle and placement. The experiments confirm that the maximum RMS error for this method is 0.075 millimeters. Its simpler and more effective operation fully complies with the technical requirements of industrial 3D measurement.

A four-channel, all-optical wavelength conversion scheme employing four-wave mixing from a directly modulated, monolithically integrated, three-section semiconductor laser is put forward and investigated through experimentation. This wavelength conversion unit allows for adjustable wavelength spacing, achieved by tuning the laser bias current. A demonstration in this work utilizes a 0.4 nm (50 GHz) setting. A 16-QAM signal, with a 50 Mbps capacity, centered on the 4-8 GHz frequency range, was experimentally routed to a specific path. A wavelength-selective switch is instrumental in determining whether up- or downconversion occurs, with the conversion efficiency capable of reaching -2 to 0 dB. This research effort unveils a new photonic technology for radio-frequency switching matrices, contributing significantly to the integrated design of satellite transponders.

We introduce a new alignment method predicated on relative measurements, achieved through an on-axis test setup featuring a pixelated camera and a monitor. The new method, a fusion of deflectometry and the sine condition test, eliminates the need to relocate a test instrument to different observation points, yet still provides an estimation of alignment by measuring the system's performance under both off-axis and on-axis conditions. Importantly, it can be a highly economical method for particular projects, acting as a monitor and potentially replacing the return optic and interferometer with a camera instead of relying on the traditional interferometric techniques. The new alignment method is explained through the use of a meter-class Ritchey-Chretien telescope. In addition, a new metric, the Misalignment Metric Index (MMI), is presented, measuring the transmitted wavefront error stemming from system misalignments. Using simulations featuring a misaligned telescope, we then demonstrate the concept's validity, showcasing this method's superior dynamic range compared to interferometric techniques. Despite the presence of realistic noise levels, the new alignment methodology achieves a remarkable outcome, demonstrating a two-order-of-magnitude enhancement in the ultimate MMI value after undergoing three alignment iterations. While initial analyses of the perturbed telescope models' performance show a significant magnitude of 10 meters, precise alignment procedures drastically reduce the measurement error to one-tenth of a micrometer.

The Optical Interference Coatings (OIC) fifteenth topical meeting, a significant event, was hosted in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, from the 19th to the 24th of June, 2022. This Applied Optics feature issue brings together a curated collection of papers from the conference. Scheduled every three years, the OIC topical meeting stands as a crucial juncture for the international community focused on the science of optical interference coatings. Attendees at the conference have exceptional opportunities to exchange knowledge about their recent research and development breakthroughs and forge connections for future collaborations. The meeting will address a comprehensive array of topics, ranging from fundamental research in coating design and materials development to cutting-edge deposition and characterization techniques, and extending to a vast catalog of applications, including green technologies, aerospace, gravitational wave detection, communication systems, optical instruments, consumer electronics, high-power lasers, and ultrafast lasers, and more.

Employing a 25 m core-diameter large-mode-area fiber, this work investigates a method to enhance the output pulse energy of a 173 MHz Yb-doped fiber oscillator with all-polarization-maintaining characteristics. Employing a Kerr-type linear self-stabilized fiber interferometer, the artificial saturable absorber effects non-linear polarization rotation within polarization-maintaining fibers. The soliton-like operational regime displays highly stable mode-locked steady states, resulting in an average output power of 170 milliwatts, with a total output pulse energy of 10 nanojoules, which is distributed among two output ports. In an experimental parameter comparison with a reference oscillator, fabricated from 55 meters of standard fiber components featuring core dimensions, a 36-fold amplification of pulse energy was observed, accompanied by a reduction of intensity noise within the frequency range greater than 100kHz.

A cascaded microwave photonic filter (MPF) is distinguished by its enhanced performance, resulting from the sequential application of two disparate structures to a standard microwave photonic filter. Experimental implementation of a high-Q cascaded single-passband MPF, leveraging stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) and an optical-electrical feedback loop (OEFL), is presented. For the SBS experiment, a tunable laser is the source of the pump light. To amplify the phase modulation sideband, the Brillouin gain spectrum generated by the pump light is employed; the narrow linewidth OEFL then compresses the MPF's passband width. Precisely adjusting the pump wavelength and fine-tuning the tunable optical delay line allows for stable tuning of the cascaded single-passband MPF, resulting in a high-Q value. Empirical evidence, as per the results, reveals the MPF possesses both high-frequency selectivity and a wide frequency tuning range. Selleckchem SEL120 The filtering bandwidth, meanwhile, stretches up to 300 kHz, the out-of-band suppression surpasses 20 decibels, the maximum attainable Q-value is 5,333,104, and the tuning range of the center frequency spans from 1 GHz to 17 GHz. The cascaded MPF, which we propose, not only yields a higher Q-value but also offers advantages in tunability, a substantial out-of-band rejection, and a significant cascading capacity.

Critical for diverse applications like spectroscopy, photovoltaics, optical communications, holography, and sensing technologies are photonic antennas. The prevalence of metal antennas, attributed to their small size, is often at odds with their integration difficulties in CMOS systems. Selleckchem SEL120 All-dielectric antennas are readily integrated with silicon waveguides, but the trade-off is often their larger physical size. Selleckchem SEL120 A high-efficiency, small-form-factor semicircular dielectric grating antenna is proposed in this research paper. The key size of the antenna measures a mere 237m474m, while emission efficiency surpasses 64% across the 116 to 161m wavelength spectrum. This antenna, as far as we are aware, offers a new methodology for three-dimensional optical interconnections across various levels of integrated photonic circuits.

A scheme for modulating the structural color of metal-coated colloidal crystal surfaces, using a pulsed solid-state laser, is proposed, dependent upon the scanning speed adjustments. Cyan, orange, yellow, and magenta colors exhibit vibrancy due to the application of predefined, stringent geometrical and structural parameters. A study investigates the impact of laser scanning speeds and polystyrene particle sizes on optical properties, while also examining the angle-dependent behavior of the samples. The reflectance peak's redshift is progressively enhanced as the scanning speed increases, from 4 mm/s to 200 mm/s, using 300 nm PS microspheres. Beyond this, an experimental study into the influence of microsphere particle sizes and the angle of incidence is conducted. For 420 and 600 nm PS colloidal crystals, a gradual decrease in the laser pulse's scanning speed from 100 mm/s to 10 mm/s, coupled with an increase in the incident angle from 15 to 45 degrees, resulted in a blue shift for two reflection peak positions. This research is a foundational, inexpensive step that has implications for eco-friendly printing, anti-counterfeiting methods, and other similar fields of study.

A novel all-optical switch, based on the optical Kerr effect within optical interference coatings, is presented, to the best of our knowledge. Employing the amplified internal intensity within thin film coatings, along with highly nonlinear material integration, facilitates a novel approach for self-induced optical switching. The paper provides an understanding of the layer stack's design, the application of appropriate materials, and the evaluation of the manufactured components' switching characteristics. A 30% modulation depth was attained, paving the path for future mode-locking applications.

The lowest temperature permissible for thin-film deposition is dictated by the chosen deposition method and the process duration, typically exceeding room temperature. Consequently, the handling of heat-sensitive materials and the malleability of thin film structures are restricted. Due to the nature of low-temperature deposition processes, active substrate cooling is necessary. An investigation into the influence of reduced substrate temperature on thin-film characteristics in ion beam sputtering processes was undertaken. Optical losses are lower, and laser-induced damage thresholds (LIDT) are higher in SiO2 and Ta2O5 films cultivated at 0°C in comparison to those grown at 100°C.