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Title: Optical Imaging in Microstructures

Abstract

This research was focused on developing morphology-dependent stimulated raman scattering (MDSRS) spectroscopy as an analytic optical imaging technique. MDSRS uses the cavity modes (called morphology dependent resonances, MDRs) associated with axisymmetric dielectric microstructures to generate nonlinear optical signals. Since different cavity modes span different regions inside the microstructure, it becomes possible to generate location-specific spectra. The information gotten from MDSRS imaging experiments is analogous with that generated from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in that spatial variations in chemical composition and molecular configuration within a structure can be mapped out. The authors demonstrated that MDSRS imaging is feasible and is free from nonlinear artifact. They did this by measuring the molecular structure variations that are present in the interfaces of 180 {micro}m dia. charged water droplets. The 4 publications that resulted from these studies are attached. From a chemical perspective a water droplet is, however, a simple thing. Will it be possible to use MDSRS imaging to study more complex systems such as combusting fuel droplets, layered polymer or glass fibers, or biological cells? The long-term goal of the research was to answer this question. The answer they have come up with is yes and no. The results on nitratemore » aerosols show that it is possible to do imaging studies on optically non-absorbing, ion containing systems, but that the ultimate sensitivity is dictated by ion concentration. hence systems containing large quantities of mobile ions will be difficult to look at, so this essentially eliminates being able to look at biological samples in situ. But on the positive side, organic systems, such as layered polymer and glass fibers, and combusting organic fuel droplets can be looked at with MDSRS imaging.« less

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA (US)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Energy Research (ER) (US)
OSTI Identifier:
833829
Report Number(s):
DOE/ER/14686-1
TRN: US200503%%645
DOE Contract Number:
FG02-96ER14686
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 11 Apr 2001
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; AEROSOLS; CHEMICAL COMPOSITION; DIELECTRIC MATERIALS; FIBERS; GLASS; MAGNETIC RESONANCE; MICROSTRUCTURE; MOLECULAR STRUCTURE; MORPHOLOGY; NITRATES; POLYMERS; SCATTERING; SPECTRA; SPECTROSCOPY

Citation Formats

Aker, P. M. Optical Imaging in Microstructures. United States: N. p., 2001. Web. doi:10.2172/833829.
Aker, P. M. Optical Imaging in Microstructures. United States. doi:10.2172/833829.
Aker, P. M. Wed . "Optical Imaging in Microstructures". United States. doi:10.2172/833829. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/833829.
@article{osti_833829,
title = {Optical Imaging in Microstructures},
author = {Aker, P. M.},
abstractNote = {This research was focused on developing morphology-dependent stimulated raman scattering (MDSRS) spectroscopy as an analytic optical imaging technique. MDSRS uses the cavity modes (called morphology dependent resonances, MDRs) associated with axisymmetric dielectric microstructures to generate nonlinear optical signals. Since different cavity modes span different regions inside the microstructure, it becomes possible to generate location-specific spectra. The information gotten from MDSRS imaging experiments is analogous with that generated from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in that spatial variations in chemical composition and molecular configuration within a structure can be mapped out. The authors demonstrated that MDSRS imaging is feasible and is free from nonlinear artifact. They did this by measuring the molecular structure variations that are present in the interfaces of 180 {micro}m dia. charged water droplets. The 4 publications that resulted from these studies are attached. From a chemical perspective a water droplet is, however, a simple thing. Will it be possible to use MDSRS imaging to study more complex systems such as combusting fuel droplets, layered polymer or glass fibers, or biological cells? The long-term goal of the research was to answer this question. The answer they have come up with is yes and no. The results on nitrate aerosols show that it is possible to do imaging studies on optically non-absorbing, ion containing systems, but that the ultimate sensitivity is dictated by ion concentration. hence systems containing large quantities of mobile ions will be difficult to look at, so this essentially eliminates being able to look at biological samples in situ. But on the positive side, organic systems, such as layered polymer and glass fibers, and combusting organic fuel droplets can be looked at with MDSRS imaging.},
doi = {10.2172/833829},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Apr 11 00:00:00 EDT 2001},
month = {Wed Apr 11 00:00:00 EDT 2001}
}

Technical Report:

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  • The LIGA process has the ability to fabricate very precise, high aspect ratio mesoscale structures with microscale features [l]. The process consists of multiple steps before a final part is produced. Materials native to the LIGA process include metals and photoresists. These structures are routinely measured for quality control and process improvement. However, metrology of LIGA structures is challenging because of their high aspect ratio and edge topography. For the scale of LIGA structures, a programmable optical microscope is well suited for lateral (XU) critical dimension measurements. Using grayscale gradient image processing with sub-pixel interpolation, edges are detected and measurementsmore » are performed. As with any measurement, understanding measurement uncertainty is necessary so that appropriate conclusions are drawn from the data. Therefore, the abilities of the inspection tool and the obstacles presented by the structures under inspection should be well understood so that precision may be quantified. This report presents an inspection method for LIGA microstructures including a comprehensive assessment of the uncertainty for each inspection scenario.« less
  • The authors have studied a theoretical model to explain the nonradiative energy transfer from a photoexcited impurity into the lattice of a laser crystal. A fast three-dimensional image reconstruction algorithm, which combines a two-dimensional matrix inversion with a one-dimensional Fourier transform inversion, is built and is tested. An image of hidden objects using time-resolved simulated data is obtained. A time-resolved backscattering model, which combines a single large-angle scattering with a multiple small-angle scattering is presented. Inhomogeneity of the medium can be included in the model, so that this model can be served as a forward model for image reconstruction ofmore » highly scattering media.« less
  • The goal of this project was to create state-of-the-art optical medical imaging laboratories for the Biomedical Engineering faculty and student researchers of the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) on the campus of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW). This has been successfully achieved. These laboratories provide an unprecedented opportunity for the bioengineers (from UTA) to bring about new breakthroughs in medical imaging using optics. Specifically, three major laboratories have been successfully established and state-of-the-art scientific instruments have been placed in the labs. As a result of this grant, numerous journal and conference publications have been generated, patentsmore » for new inventions have been filed and received, and many additional grants for the continuation of the research has been received.« less
  • Implementation of optical imagery in a diffuse inhomogeneous medium such as biological tissue requires an understanding of photon migration and multiple scattering processes which act to randomize pathlength and degrade image quality. The nature of transmitted light from soft tissue ranges from the quasi-coherent properties of the minimally scattered component to the random incoherent light of the diffuse component. Recent experimental approaches have emphasized dynamic path-sensitive imaging measurements with either ultrashort laser pulses (ballistic photons) or amplitude modulated laser light launched into tissue (photon density waves) to increase image resolution and transmissive penetration depth. Ballistic imaging seeks to compensate formore » these {open_quotes}fog-like{close_quotes} effects by temporally isolating the weak early-arriving image-bearing component from the diffusely scattered background using a subpicosecond optical gate superimposed on the transmitted photon time-of-flight distribution. The authors have developed a broadly wavelength tunable (470 nm -2.4 {mu}m), ultrashort amplifying optical gate for transillumination spectral imaging based on optical parametric amplification in a nonlinear crystal. The time-gated image amplification process exhibits low noise and high sensitivity, with gains greater than 104 achievable for low light levels. We report preliminary benchmark experiments in which this system was used to reconstruct, spectrally upcovert, and enhance near-infrared two-dimensional images with feature sizes of 65 {mu}m/mm{sup 2} in background optical attenuations exceeding 10{sup 12}. Phase images of test objects exhibiting both absorptive contrast and diffuse scatter were acquired using a self-referencing Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor in combination with short-pulse quasi-ballistic gating. The sensor employed a lenslet array based on binary optics technology and was sensitive to optical path distortions approaching {lambda}/100.« less