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We report the results of simulations and experiments on the formation of light distributions by holograms and diffraction elements displayed by digital micromirror devices. Examples of successful experiments on the implementation of optical-digital systems based on them are demonstrated. (paper)
In the applications of scientific imaging and space exploration, the dynamic range of imaging systems is usually required to reach more than 120 dB. In order to observe a highly dynamic scene in real time, we designed an imaging system based on a digital micromirror device (DMD) that is used as a spatial light modulator. First, we designed a binocular highly dynamic light-adjusting system based on a DMD according to the DMD’s optical structure. Second, in order to realize the registration between the micromirrors of a DMD and pixels of the two cameras, a pixel-matching algorithm was developed. Finally, we introduce a novel light-adjusting algorithm that can recover the highly dynamic data of the dynamic scene. Experiments showed that the deviation between the DMD and the two cameras is reduced to 0.48 pixels after correction, and that bright and dark targets in a high-dynamic-range scene can both be displayed simultaneously in one image with high quality after light adjustment. The dynamic range of the system is theoretically 209 dB, which meets the requirements of high-dynamic-range observation.
We propose a novel technique to directly transform a linearly polarized Gaussian beam into vector-vortex beams with various spatial patterns. Full high-quality control of amplitude and phase is implemented via a Digital Micro-mirror Device (DMD) binary holography for generating Laguerre-Gaussian, Bessel-Gaussian, and helical Mathieu–Gaussian modes, while a radial polarization converter (S-waveplate) is employed to effectively convert the optical vortices into cylindrically polarized vortex beams. Additionally, the generated vector-vortex beams maintain their polarization symmetry after arbitrary polarization manipulation. Due to the high frame rates of DMD, rapid switching among a series of vector modes carrying different orbital angular momenta paves the way for optical microscopy, trapping, and communication.
Ince-Gaussian (IG) beam with elliptical profile, as a connection between Hermite-Gaussian (HG) and Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beams, has showed unique advantages in some applications such as quantum entanglement and optical micromanipulation. However, its dynamic generation with high switching frequency is still challenging. Here, we experimentally reported the quick generation of Ince-Gaussian beam by using a digital micro-mirror device (DMD), which has the highest switching frequency of 5.2 kHz in principle. The configurable properties of DMD allow us to observe the quasi-smooth variation from LG (with ellipticity ε=0) to IG and HG (ε=∞) beam. This approach might pave a path to high-speed quantum communication in terms of IG beam. Additionally, the characterized axial plane intensity distribution exhibits a 3D mould potentially being employed for optical micromanipulation.
A large dynamical-range diagnostics (LDRD) design at Jefferson Lab will be used at the FAST-IOTA injector to measure the transverse distribution of halo associated with a high-charge electron beam. One important aspect of this work is to explore the halo distribution when the beam has significant angular momentum (i.e. is magnetized). The beam distribution is measured by recording radiation produced as the beam impinges a YAG:Ce screen. The optical radiation is split with a fraction directed to a charged-couple device (CCD) camera. The other part of the radiation is reflected by a digital micromirror device (DMD) that masks the core of the beam distribution. Combining the images recorded by the two cameras provides a measurement of the transverse distribution with over a large dynamical range. The design and analysis of the optical system will be discussed including optical simulation using SRW and the result of a mockup experiment to test the performances of the system will be presented.
The quantum matter synthesizer (QMS) is a new quantum simulation platform in which individual particles in a lattice can be resolved and re-arranged into arbitrary patterns. The ability to spatially manipulate ultracold atoms and control their tunneling and interactions at the single-particle level allows full control of a many-body quantum system. We present the design and characterization of the QMS, which integrates into a single ultra-stable apparatus a two-dimensional optical lattice, a moving optical tweezer array formed by a digital micromirror device, and site-resolved atomic imaging. We demonstrate excellent mechanical stability between the lattice and tweezer array with relative fluctuations below 10 nm, diffraction-limited imaging at a resolution of 655 nm, and high-speed real-time control of the tweezer array at a 2.52 kHz refresh rate, which will be adopted to realize fast rearrangement of atoms. The QMS also features new technologies and schemes, such as nanotextured anti-reflective windows and all-optical long-distance transport of atoms.
We report that digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing is an additive manufacturing process that utilizes light patterns to photopolymerize a liquid resin into a solid. Due to the accuracy of modern digital micromirror devices (DMD) and recent advances in resin chemistry, it is now possible to create functionally graded structures using different light intensity values, also known as grayscale DLP (g-DLP). Different intensities of light lead to differences in the polymer crosslinking density after curing, which ultimately produces a part with gradients of material properties. However, g-DLP is a complicated process. First, the DLP printing is a highly coupled chemical and physical process that involves light propagation, chemical reactions, species diffusion, heat transfer, volume shrinkage, and changes in mechanical behaviors of the curing resin. Second, in g-DLP, light gradients create strong in plane gradients of chemical species concentrations in the curing liquid resin due to the strong dependence of light intensity on the rate of monomer crosslinking. Furthermore, light gradients through the depth create concentration gradients due to the degree of cure dependent light absorption and the use of photoabsorbers. These complex physical features of the printing process must be understood in order to properly control printing parameters such as light exposure time, printing speed, and grayscale variations to achieve accurate mechanical properties. In this paper, a photopolymerization reaction–diffusion model is developed and used in conjunction with experiments to investigate the coupled effects of light propagation, chemical reaction rates, and species diffusion during g-DLP 3D printing. The model is implemented numerically utilizing the finite difference method and simulation results are compared to experimental findings of simple printed structures. The agreement between experimental and model predictions of simple quantities of interest, such as geometric feature sizes, shows that the model can capture the overcure due to free-radical and other species diffusion during printing when grayscale patterns are employed. This model lays the groundwork for future extensions that can incorporate more complex coupled physics such as heat transfer, volume shrinkage, and material property evolution, which are critically important in utilizing g-DLP 3D printing for the fabrication of high-performance parts which excellent geometric and material property tolerances.
The nature of light sources is defined by the statistical fluctuations of the electromagnetic field. As such, the photon statistics of light sources are typically associated with distinct emitters. Here, the possibility of producing light beams with various photon statistics through the spatial modulation of coherent light is demonstrated. This is achieved by the sequential encoding of controllable Kolmogorov phase screens in a digital micromirror device. Interestingly, the flexibility of this scheme allows for the shaping of spatial light modes with engineered photon statistics at different spatial positions. The performance of this scheme is assessed through the photon-number-resolving characterization of different families of spatial light modes with engineered photon statistics. Furthermore, it is believed that the possibility of controlling the photon fluctuations of the light field at arbitrary spatial locations has important implications for quantum spectroscopy, sensing, and imaging.
Vat photopolymerization (VP) techniques have enabled the fabrication of complex geometries while balancing high precision and fast processing times. 3D printed objects are traditionally built layer-by-layer with newly cured layers being structurally supported by previous ones. Fabricating unsupported features such as overhangs and arches risks misalignment and sagging, limiting the range of accessible designs. To overcome this issue, support structures are fabricated along with the primary object as temporary scaffolds that provide stability and conserve print fidelity. For VP specifically, patterning dissolvable sacrificial supports is attractive to avoid manual removal after printing. In this study, we demonstrate a base-degradable thermoset to pattern print supports in a one-pot formulation along with the primary structural material. Efficient printing is enabled using a dual-wavelength negative imaging (DWNI) DLP printer that patterns the degradable thermoset with visible light and the permanent network with UV light, which are simultaneously projected using a single digital micromirror device (DMD). Printed objects undergo thermal postprocessing to enhance the final conversion of the primary material, after which thermoset supports are degraded in a basic, aqueous solution. This approach provides a robust method for the dual-wavelength patterning of sacrificial thermoset supports, broadening the range of accessible 3D printable materials and geometries.
Here in this paper, we report a demonstration of electron ghost imaging. A digital micromirror device directly modulates the photocathode drive laser to control the transverse distribution of a relativistic electron beam incident on a sample. Correlating the structured illumination pattern to the total sample transmission then retrieves the target image, avoiding the need for a pixelated detector. In our example, we use a compressed sensing framework to improve the reconstruction quality and reduce the number of shots compared to raster scanning a small beam across the target. Finally, compressed electron ghost imaging can reduce both acquisition time and sample damage in experiments for which spatially resolved detectors are unavailable (e.g., spectroscopy) or in which the experimental architecture precludes full frame direct imaging.
Here, we have developed a light-sheet microscope that uses confocal scanning of dual-Bessel beams for illumination. A digital micromirror device (DMD) is placed in the intermediate image plane of the objective used to collect fluorescence and is programmed with two lines of pixels in the “on” state such that the DMD functions as a spatial filter to reject the out-of-focus background generated by the side-lobes of the Bessel beams. The optical sectioning and out-of-focus background rejection capabilities of this microscope were demonstrated by imaging of fluorescently stained actin in human A431 cells. The dual-Bessel beam system enables twice as many photons to be detected per imaging scan, which is useful for low light applications (e.g., single-molecule localization) or imaging at high speed with a superior signal to noise. While demonstrated for two Bessel beams, this approach is scalable to a larger number of beams.
Halos in high energy particle beams require constant monitoring to minimise beam losses and damage to accelerator components. Four methods of measuring halos are described: wire scanner, laser wire scanner, diamond detector and halo masking monitors. Details of their effectiveness’ from tests at various accelerators are used to evaluate how useful they are. It is found that methods making use of wire and laser wire scanners are unable to achieve a high enough dynamic range to measure the outer halo, where the intensity of particles is very low. Diamond detectors can be used to determine the presence of a halo, but are unable to reconstruct their shape. The halo masking method, which makes use of a digital micromirror device to block out high intensity light, produces very good results, but it is possible that light is scattered inside the phosphor screen used to produce an image from the beam, skewing the measurements.
The present disclosure relates to a digital light projector (DLP) system which has first and second light sources. The first optical source may generate a first beam at a first wavelength which causes polymerization of a photopolymerizable resist. The second optical source may generate a second beam at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, and where the second beam inhibits polymerization of the photopolymerizable resist. A digital micromirror device (DMD) is included which has a plurality of micromirrors and is configured to be illuminated by the first and second beams and to generate a pattern on the micromirrors which has light from the first and second light wavelengths controlled by the micromirror position. The first light image causes polymerization of a first portion of the photopolymerizable resist, while the second image inhibits polymerization of a second portion of the photopolymerizable resist.
We present the design of an immersion-type 3D headset suitable for virtual reality applications based upon digital micro-mirror devices (DMD). Our approach leverages silicon micro mirrors offering 720p resolution displays in a small form-factor. Supporting chip sets allow rapid integration of these devices into wearable displays with high resolution and low power consumption. Applications include night driving, piloting of UAVs, fusion of multiple sensors for pilots, training, vision diagnostics and consumer gaming. Our design is described in which light from the DMD is imaged to infinity and the user’s own eye lens forms a real image on the user’s retina.
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A digital micromirror array (DMMA) is used in a simple and inexpensive approach for spatially resolved temporal gating of atomic emission detection in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Selected mirrors in the array are actuated at a time delayed from the primary laser pulse, permitting optical gating with a response time of 160 ns while using a conventional CCD detector. Detector gating is shown to decrease noise from short-lived spectroscopic background (both continuum and N II from air), improving signal-to-background ratios by 22-times for selected samples and emission lines. The utility of rapid temporal gating is also demonstrated for the optical detection of isotopes using the laser-ablation molecular isotope spectrometry (LAMIS) experiment. Additionally, optical temporal gating and spatial filtering are used to isolate regions of the laser-induced plasma, enhancing signal from molecular emission. The potential of the simple technique for use in field-portable LIBS and LAMIS experiments is explored.