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Results for “birefringent phase retarders”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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6 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2005

Electro-optic Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer

JPL is developing an innovative compact, low mass, Electro-Optic Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer (E-O IFTS) for hyperspectral imaging applications. The spectral region of this spectrometer will be 1 - 2.5 micron (1000-4000/cm) to allow high-resolution, high-speed hyperspectral imaging applications. One application will be the remote sensing of the measurement of a large number of different atmospheric gases simultaneously in the same airmass. Due to the use of a combination of birefringent phase retarders and multiple achromatic phase switches to achieve phase delay, this spectrometer is capable of hyperspectral measurements similar to that of the conventional Fourier transform spectrometer but without any moving parts. In this paper, the principle of operations, system architecture and recent experimental progress will be presented.

liquid crystal achromatic phase switch↗
NASA NTRS2005

Electro-optic Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer

JPL is developing an innovative compact, low mass, Electro-Optic Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer (E-0IFTS) for hyperspectral imaging applications. The spectral region of this spectrometer will be 1 - 2.5 pm (1000 -4000 cm-') to allow high-resolution, high-speed hyperspectral imaging applications [l-51. One application will be theremote sensing of the measurement of a large number of different atmospheric gases simultaneously in the sameairmass. Due to the use of a combination of birefiingent phase retarders and multiple achromatic phase switches toachieve phase delay, this spectrometer is capable of hyperspectral measurements similar to that of the conventionalFourier transform spectrometer but without any moving parts. In this paper, the principle of operations, systemarchitecture and recent experimental progress will be presen.

solild state imaging Fourier tranform spectrometer↗
NASA NTRS1977

The effect of vacuum birefringence on the polarization of X-ray binaries and pulsars

In a strong magnetic field the vacuum becomes birefringent. This effect is especially important for pulsars at X-ray wavelengths. Any polarized X-ray emission from the surface of a magnetic neutron star becomes depolarized as it propagates through the magnetic field. The soft X-ray emission from AM Her, believed to be a magnetic white dwarf, may show about one radian of phase retardation. In this case, circular polarization of the X-ray flux would be a characteristic signature of vacuum birefringence.

Novick, R.↗
DOE OSTI2025

All-alumina quarter-wave plate coatings fabricated by glancing angle deposition using serial bideposition

Anisotropic phase retarders, used in high power laser facilities to perform polarization smoothing, can be obtained by the glancing angle deposition (GLAD) coating process. Due to its high laser resistance, the coatings are mainly made of silica. Therefore, limited attention has been given to other dielectric materials. Here we present a study on alumina GLAD anisotropic coatings; a material with high laser resistance, higher birefringence and lower environmental sensitivity than silica. Since the anisotropy is related to the coatings microstructure through the deposition angle, samples were coated at angles varying from ± 68° to ± 82° using the serial bideposition technique. They were characterized by ellipsometry, polarimetry, spectrophotometry and electron microscopy. We showed that the highest birefringence is obtained at a deposition angle of ± 76° with an in-plane value of 0.053. Based on these results, a quarter-wave plate at 351 nm was designed as a multilayer with seven pairs of anisotropic layers deposited at ± 76° and isotropic layers deposited at 0°. The fabricated coating exhibited a uniform retardance of 88.51 ± 0.45 nm. The alumina GLAD wave plates presented here, open the door to new possibilities in the laser field and especially in the field of fusion energy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1999

Flow-induced birefringence measurement system using dual-crystal transverse electro-optic modulator for microgravity fluid physics applications

We have developed a new instrument that can measure fast transient birefringence and polymer chain orientation angle in complex fluids. The instrument uses a dual-crystal transverse electro-optic modulator with the second crystal's modulation voltage applied 180 deg out of phase from that of the first crystal. In this manner, the second crystal compensates for the intrinsic static birefringence of the first crystal, and it doubles the modulation depth. By incorporating a transverse electro-optic modulator with two lithium-niobate (LiNbO3) crystals oriented orthogonal to each other with a custom-designed optical system, we have produced a very small robust instrument capable of fast transient retardation measurements. By measuring the sample thickness or optical path length through the sample, we can calculate the transient birefringence. This system can also measure dichroism. We have compared the calibration results and retardation and orientation angle measurements of this instrument with those of a photoelastic modulator (PEM) based system using a quarter wave plate and a high-precision 1/16-wave plate to simulate a birefringent sample. Transient birefringence measurements on the order of 10(exp -9) can be measured using either modulator.

Mackey, Jeffrey R.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Fabrication of freeform potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystals by belt-on-wheel polishing for spatially tailored polarization control in high-power lasers

Large-aperture (>30 cm) optical components that provide spatially tailored control of the properties of a laser beam, such as phase, polarization, and amplitude, have been the focus of much research and development in recent years. Such optics can improve energy throughput and target implosion efficiency in high-power laser systems conducting inertial confinement fusion research. Here, a method is demonstrated for fabricating freeform surface topographies into the birefringent crystalline material, potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP). Belt-on-wheel polishing with an oil-based fluid, developed to mitigate the deliquescent properties of KDP, is used to deterministically polish a freeform topography into KDP, enabling the fabrication of a wave plate with spatially arbitrary retardance. Testing of the laser-induced damage threshold of belt-on-wheel polished KDP was conducted at a wavelength of 351 nm and a pulse duration of 1 ns. The results revealed that the polished surfaces are highly resistant to laser-induced damage, making them suitable for large-aperture, high-power laser applications.

Urban, Nathaniel D. [Univ. of Rochester, NY (Unite↗