Antonino Parisi

Wideband THz Time Domain Spectroscopy based on Optical Rectification and Electro-Optic Sampling

We present an analytical model describing the full electromagnetic propagation in a THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) system, from the THz pulses via Optical Rectification to the detection via Electro Optic-Sampling. While several investigations deal singularly with the many elements that constitute a THz-TDS, in our work we pay particular attention to the modelling of the time-frequency behaviour of all the stages which compose the experimental set-up. Therefore, our model considers the following main aspects: (i) pump beam focusing into the generation crystal; (ii) phase-matching inside both the generation and detection crystals; (iii) chromatic dispersion and absorption inside the crystals; (iv) Fabry-Perot effect; (v) diffraction outside, i.e. along the propagation, (vi) focalization and overlapping between THz and probe beams, (vii) electro-optic sampling. In order to validate our model, we report on the comparison between the simulations and the experimental data obtained from the same set-up, showing their good agreement.

Opals infiltrated with a stimuli-responsive hydrogel for ethanol vapor sensing

We report on a novel class of optical materials for ethanol vapor sensing, based on polystyrene opals infiltrated with an innovative stimuli-responsive hydrogel. We describe the fabrication process of the bare polystyrene opals and their subsequent infiltration. The optical characterization of the photonic crystal templates was performed to prove the good quality of the samples. Measurements on the infiltrated opals showed that the transmission spectra in the visible range strongly change at varying concentrations of ethanol vapor. The fabricated structures show a linear optical response in the visible range, for high values of ethanol concentration.

Integrated Optic Surface Plasmon Resonance Measurements in a Borosilicate Glass Substrate

The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique is a well-known optical method that can be used to measure the refractive index of organic nano-layers adsorbed on a thin metal film. Although there are many configurations for measuring biomolecular interactions, SPR-based techniques play a central role in many current biosensing experiments, since they are the most suited for sensitive and quantitative kinetic measurements. Here we give some results from the analysis and numerical elaboration of SPR data from integrated optics experiments in a particular borosilicate glass, chosen for its composition offering the rather low refractive index of 1.4701 at 633 nm wavelength. These data regard the flow over the sensing region (metal window) of different solutions with refractive indexes in the range of interest (1.3÷1.5) for the detection of contaminants in aqueous solutions. After a discussion of the principles of SPR, of the metal window design optimization by means of optical interaction numerical modeling, and of waveguide fabrication techniques, we give a description of system setup and experimental results. Optimum gold film window thickness and width in this guided-wave configuration has been for the first time derived and implemented on an integrated optic prototype device. Its characterization is given by means of the real time waveguide output intensity measurements, which correspond to the interaction between the sensing gold thin film window and the flowing analyte. The SPR curve was subsequently inferred. Finally, a modified version of the device is reported, with channel waveguides arranged in a Y-junction optical circuit, so that laser source stability requirements are lowered by a factor of 85 dB, making possible the use of low cost sources in practical applications.

Guided-wave frequency doubling in surface periodically poled lithium niobate: competing effects

We carried out second-harmonic generation in quasi-phase-matched α-phase lithium niobate channel waveguides realized by proton exchange and surface periodic poling. Owing to a limited ferroelectric domain depth, we could observe the interplay between second-harmonic generation and self-phase modulation due to cascading and cubic effects, resulting in a nonlinear resonance shift. Data reduction allowed us to evaluate both the quadratic nonlinearity in the near infrared as well as the depth of the uninverted domains.

Measurements of Silicon Photomultipliers Responsivity in Continuous Wave Regime

We report on the electrical and optical characterization, in continuous wave regime, of a novel class of silicon photomultipliers fabricated in standard planar technology on a silicon p-type substrate. Responsivity measurements, performed with an incident optical power down to tenths of picowatts, at different reverse bias voltages and on a broad (340-820 nm) spectrum, will be shown and discussed. The device temperature was monitored, allowing us to give a physical interpretation of the measurements. The obtained results demonstrate that such novel silicon photomultipliers are suitable as sensitive power meters for low photon fluxes.

Responsivity measurements of N-on-P and P-on-N silicon photomultipliers in the continuous wave regime

We report the electrical and optical comparison, in continuous wave regime, of two novel classes of silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) fabricated in planar technology on silicon P-type and N-type substrate respectively. Responsivity measurements have been performed with an incident optical power from tenths of picowatts to hundreds of nanowatts and on a broad spectrum, ranging from ultraviolet to near infrared (340-820 nm). For both classes of investigated SiPMs, responsivity shows flat response versus the optical incident power, when a preset overvoltage and wavelength is applied . More in detail, this linear behavior extends up to about 10 nW for lower overvoltages, while a shrink is observed when the reverse bias voltage increases. With regards to our responsivity measurements, carried out in the abovementioned spectral range, we have found a peak around 669 nm for the N-on-P and a peak at 417 nm for the P-on-N SiPM. A physical explanation of the all experimental results is also provided in the paper.

Thin Film CIGS Solar Cells, Photovoltaic Modules, and the Problems of Modeling

Starting from the results regarding a nonvacuum technique to fabricate CIGS thin films for solar cells by means of single-step electrodeposition, we focus on the methodological problems of modeling at cell structure and photovoltaic module levels. As a matter of fact, electrodeposition is known as a practical alternative to costly vacuum-based technologies for semiconductor processing in the photovoltaic device sector, but it can lead to quite different structural and electrical properties. For this reason, a greater effort is required to ensure that the perspectives of the electrical engineer and the material scientist are given an opportunity for a closer comparison and a common language. Derived parameters from ongoing experiments have been used for simulation with the different approaches, in order to develop a set of tools which can be used to put together modeling both at single cell structure and complete module levels.

Graded Carrier Concentration Absorber Profile for High Efficiency CIGS Solar Cells

We demonstrate an innovative CIGS-based solar cells model with a graded doping concentration absorber profile, capable of achieving high efficiency values. In detail, we start with an in-depth discussion concerning the parametrical study of conventional CIGS solar cells structures. We have used the wxAMPS software in order to numerically simulate cell electrical behaviour. By means of simulations, we have studied the variation of relevant physical and chemical parameters—characteristic of such devices—with changing energy gap and doping density of the absorber layer. Our results show that, in uniform CIGS cell, the efficiency, the open circuit voltage, and short circuit current heavily depend on CIGS band gap. Our numerical analysis highlights that the band gap value of 1.40 eV is optimal, but both the presence of Molybdenum back contact and the high carrier recombination near the junction noticeably reduce the crucial electrical parameters. For the above-mentioned reasons, we have demonstrated that the efficiency obtained by conventional CIGS cells is lower if compared to the values reached by our proposed graded carrier concentration profile structures (up to 21%).

Packet loss recovery in an indoor Free Space Optics link using rateless codes

Free Space Optics (FSO) systems present some important advantages if compared to Radio Frequency links, but they can be affected by several impairments that degrade the link quality and availability. In particular, due to temporary interruptions of the line-of-sight condition between the transmitter and the receiver, packet loss can occur during data transmission. In this work, we present an indoor Free Space Optics link, in which we have systematically generated interruptions of the beam. We demonstrate how the application of the most recent rateless codes, i.e., RaptorQ codes, can strongly improve the link quality by reducing packet loss. In particular, results show that the Packet Error Rate greatly decreases when employing RaptorQ codes. Finally, by choosing the most suitable encoding/decoding parameters, we can correctly recover all the lost packets, ensuring an error-free operation.

Design and development of a fNIRS system prototype based on SiPM detectors

Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) uses near infrared sources and detectors to measure changes in absorption due to neurovascular dynamics in response to brain activation. The use of Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) in a fNIRS system has been estimated potentially able to increase the spatial resolution. Dedicated SiPM sensors have been designed and fabricated by using an optimized process. Electrical and optical characterizations are presented. The design and implementation of a portable fNIRS embedded system, hosting up to 64 IR-LED sources and 128 SiPM sensors, has been carried out. The system has been based on a scalable architecture whose elementary leaf is a flexible board with 16 SiPMs and 4 couples of LEDs each operating at two wavelengths. An ARM based microcontroller has been joined with a multiplexing interface, able to control power supply for the LEDs and collect data from the SiPMs in a time-sharing fashion and with configurable temporal slots. The system will be validated by using a phantom made by materials of different scattering and absorption indices layered to mimic a human head. A preliminary characterization of the optical properties of the single material composing the phantom has been performed using the SiPM in the diffuse radial reflectance measurement technique. The first obtained results confirm the high sensitivity of such kind of detector in the detection of weak light signal even at large distance between the light source and the detector.