Edgar Alvarado-Méndez

Laser Temperature Sensor Based on a Fiber Bragg Grating

In this letter, a temperature sensor based on a fiber ring laser is presented. A fiber Bragg grating was used as a sensor head, and a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) was utilized as a wavelength selective filter to enhance the temperature sensing capability. The MZI was achieved by splicing a piece of photonic crystal fiber between two segments of single-mode fiber. Moreover, it is shown that when the laser emission wavelength is shifted as the temperature is varied, achieving a temperature sensitivity of 18.8 pm/°C at 1550 nm, within the temperature range from 20 °C to 90 °C.

Nonlinear optical characterization of ionics liquids of 1- methylpyrrolidine family

Research nonlinear optical properties of the materials for the fabrication of opto-electronic devices have growth in the last years. Ionics liquids present nonlinear optical properties. In this work we present the results of nonlinear optical properties of four ionic liquids of 1-methylpyrrolidine family, analyzed using a z-scan technique. The results show the difference obtained using or not a chooper for measuring the nonlinearity and the photoinduced lens. Ionic liquids have a negative nonlinearity (self-defocusing) of thermal origin.

Self-organized patterns by optical nonlinearity in 4-(4-pentenyloxy)benzonitrile

Optical characterization of the organic compound 4-(4-pentenyloxy)benzonitrile under two different conditions was carried out. The experiments show deformation of the scattered light spots upon heating as well as evidence of a thermally self-induced nonlinearity. In consequence, self-diffraction pattern, self-bending, and filamentation of the impinging beam appear as a function of the laser power, creating self-organized patterning during the filamentation due to modulation instabilities.

New prioritized value iteration for Markov decision processes

The problem of solving large Markov decision processes accurately and quickly is challenging. Since the computational effort incurred is considerable, current research focuses on finding superior acceleration techniques. For instance, the convergence properties of current solution methods depend, to a great extent, on the order of backup operations. On one hand, algorithms such as topological sorting are able to find good orderings but their overhead is usually high. On the other hand, shortest path methods, such as Dijkstra’s algorithm which is based on priority queues, have been applied successfully to the solution of deterministic shortest-path Markov decision processes. Here, we propose an improved value iteration algorithm based on Dijkstra’s algorithm for solving shortest path Markov decision processes. The experimental results on a stochastic shortest-path problem show the feasibility of our approach.

Dark periodic lattices in nonlinear liquid media

Experimental evidence of the formation of one- and two-dimensional dark periodic lattices in a negative Kerr-type nonlinear liquid media is presented. Bright periodic lattices propagate throughout two nonlinear liquids [alcohol with rhodamine (R6G), and acetone with R6G] as the negative nonlinear refractive index forms a dark periodic lattice. Our experiments demonstrate that the nonlinearity increases with the optical power and that a proper selection of the period leads to self-phase modulation of the lattice.

Cholesterol biosensor based on a plastic optical fibre with sol–gel: structural analysis and sensing properties

Abstract In this paper, we report the design and characterization of an optical fibre cholesterol biosensor by using sol–gel immobilization technique. The cholesterol enzyme is encapsulated inside of the sol–gel film onto an end of a plastic optical fibre. Two film deposition methods (Dip-Coating and Immersion) were studied. The morphology analysis and sensing properties permit us to determine the best film deposition to sense cholesterol concentration. The range of measured is 4.4–5.2 mM in real time and our results were validated by comparing them with other previously published results. The biosensor is portable, simple cheap, and easy to use.

Evolution of diffraction and self-diffraction phenomena in thin films of Gelite Bloom/Hibiscus Sabdariffa

Abstract In this work, we present a study of non-linear optical response in thin films elaborated with Gelite Bloom and extract of Hibiscus Sabdariffa. Non-linear refraction and absorption effects were studied experimentally (Z-scan technique) and numerically, by considering the transmittance as non-linear absorption and refraction contribution. We observe large phase shifts to far field, and diffraction due to self-phase modulation of the sample. Diffraction and self-diffraction effects were observed as time function. The aim of studying non-linear optical properties in thin films is to eliminate thermal vortex effects that occur in liquids. This is desirable in applications such as non-linear phase contrast, optical limiting, optics switches, etc. Finally, we find good agreement between experimental and theoretical results.

Au NPs immersed in sol-gel matrix: nonlinear optical characterization

Physical and optical characterization of thin films doped with Au Nanoparticles onto a silica substrate is presented. Films were prepared through sol-gel process, by using Au nanoparticles immersed in lipoic acid as dopant by means of hydrolysis and acid catalyzed reaction of tetraethyl-orthosilicate. The surface was characterized by SEM and AFM microscopies. Z-scan technique was used to measure nonlinear optical properties as nonlinear absorption and refraction indexes, using two different wavelengths. At 633 nm it was possible to observe nonlinear absorption only but at 514 nm both nonlinear properties were observed.

Macrocycles in sol-gel matrix: nonlinear optical characterization

Characterization of thin films doped with organic metal materials onto a silica substrate is presented. Films were prepared through sol-gel process, by using macrocycles with Cu as dopant by means of hydrolysis and acid catalyzed reaction of tetraethylorthosilicate. Z-scan technique was used to measure nonlinear optical properties, nonlinear absorption and refraction indexes.

Thin film of sol-gel deposited in photonic crystal fiber for cholesterol detection

In this work, the fabrication of thin films mixed with cholesterol enzyme as recognition component is shown, using solgel technique. The film was deposited at one end of photonic crystal fiber (optrode), which was used as carrier medium of sol-gel matrix. The concentration of cholesterol in the test sample was determined by the use of transmittance. Measuring device consists of a power source (laser diode), optrode and a light detector. The laser beam is transmitted through the optrode; the variations of intensity depending on cholesterol concentration are emitted to be detected by a photoresistor.