A. Yu. Popov

Generation of optical vortex light beams by volume holograms with embedded phase singularity

Abstract Special features of the optical-vortex (OV) beams generated by thick holographic elements (HE) with embedded phase singularity are considered theoretically. The volume HE structure is based on the 3D pattern of interference between an OV beam and a standard reference wave with regular wavefront. The incident beam diffraction is described within the framework of a linear single-scattering model in which the volume HE is represented by a set of parallel thin layers with the “fork” holographic structure. An explicit integral expression is derived for the complex amplitude distribution of the diffracted paraxial beam with OV. The numerical analysis demonstrates that the HE thickness may essentially influence not only selectivity and efficiency of the OV beam generation but also the amplitude and phase profile of the diffracted beam as well as regularities of its propagation. We have studied the generated OV morphology and laws of its evolution; in particular, the possibility of obtaining a circularly symmetric OV beam regardless of the diffraction angle is revealed.

Optimization of the Recording Conditions for Holograms Recorded in Additively Colored KCl Crystals

The dependences of the characteristics of volume holograms recorded in additively colored crystals of potassium chloride on the spatial frequency and the recording temperature are studied. It is found that these dependences are nonmonotonic, which indicates the presence of nonlocal mechanisms of holographic recording in the crystals. These mechanisms involve diffusion and drift processes of redistribution of color centers between the nodes and antinodes of a recorded interference pattern. The results obtained are used to determine the recording conditions providing the maximum possible diffraction efficiency of the holograms.

A physical model of the action of low-intensity laser radiation on biological objects

A new model of the action of low-intensity laser radiation (LILR) on biological objects on the cellular level is proposed. The model implies that, because the laser radiation is coherent, the illumination in the bulk of a biological object can acquire a spatially periodic character (in the form of an interference pattern or speckle structure), with the period of alternating dark and light regions being comparable with the size of cells or cell organelles. Under these conditions of high-gradient illumination, an electrical field can arise (the Dember effect) that can change the character of photostimulated reactions and the membrane charge state not only in the cell itself but also in its organelles, which leads to shifts in the life cycle of cells (and/or bacteria).

Effects of speckle-like laser irradiation on growth of bacteria in vitro

In this work, for the first time, we have demonstrated the biological effects upon in vitro growth of bacteria and human peripheral blood erythrocytes of the irradiation with speckle-like highly-gradient laser light. Measurements of the growth of Staphylococcus aureus with and without antibiotic irradiated with uniform or interference pattern of intensity spatial distribution have shown strong dependence on the spatial frequency of the irradiation. Maximum inhibition of the bacteria growth was achieved at the frequency 1000 fringes/mm. It was also found that human blood erythrocytes exposure to such radiation at the power density typical for laser phototherapy could damage the erythrocytes. A possible explanation of the photo-biological effects of laser speckle irradiation relying on the electron-ion processes similar to those that occur under inhomogeneous illumination in inorganic media and called photo-stimulated diffusion of ions (Dember effect) is proposed and discussed.

Semiconductor laser's on-line coherence calibration and testing of frequency stability

One of the main constituent parts of optical coherent measuring apparatus is laser as source with stable performance of frequency, radiation intensity, and light beam uniformity. At present time semiconductor lasers are rather attractive devices in view of there low prices, small size, serviceability. Progress in its quality leads to including them not only in lightheads, but as lighting unit in measuring apparatus. In order to guarantee accuracy of measuring instruments, all parts of them must have stable performance, and in this respect semiconductor laser demand stabilization more that one characteristic quantity at once. And frequency stability on the one hand is overwhelmingly important for constancy of optical measuring instruments, on the other hand our investigations show that its regulatory control is very arduous task. Both holographic methods and phase modulated speckle interferometry clearly recognize smooth frequency shift and frequency jumping depending on pumping current and temperature. And for repeatability its required to return both of them. So it is necessary laser frequency testing during working. For interferometric comparison circuit it is frequency variation that exerts influence on fringes pattern generation, so just this parameter should be traced in the course of measuring. Specially prepared test object, introduced in holographic scheme, allows to uncover frequency variation, if they had have place, and to reproduce coherence function of laser source. Complicated coherence function of semiconductor lasers can destroy interference pattern or foul the interpretation of it. So this coherence calibration is also very useful for results validity. Phase modulated speckle interferometry method allows to build phase correlation portraits, analogical to interferograms, hence multiwavelength contour generation masks the picture of intrinsic object information too. Both real wavelength change and nonresolution area, when coherence length is less then path-length difference, may be obtained with the help of known wedge incline near the measured object. Since measured and testing image will be entered at the same time, test results will be applied in interpretation of measurement results. Thus on-line testing of laser characteristic quantities allows using unstable sources and increasing of measurement precision.

Stabilization of the interference pattern when recording volume transmission holograms

This paper describes a method of stabilizing the interference pattern when recording threedimensional transmission holograms in photochromic and photorefractive media. The method is based on using the dynamic interaction of the interference field with the recorded hologram.

Noncontact holographic method of measuring linear displacements

A noncontact optical method has been developed for measuring the linear displacements of an object to within several angstroms by measuring how the intensity of a light beam coming from a three-dimensional transmissive holographic diffraction grating (a hologram) depends on the phase mismatch between the beams incident on the hologram. The phase mismatch between the beams is caused by the displacement of the object, from which one of the beams incident on the grating is reflected. It is shown that, when a He?Ne laser (Lambda=633nm) and a photodetector whose relative error DI/Imax is 0.5X10-3 is used, the error in measuring the displacement of the object can be brought to about 0.1 nm.