Jerôme Loicq

Flat Fresnel doublets made of PMMA and PC: combining low cost production and very high concentration ratio for CPV

The linear chromatic aberration (LCA) of several combinations of polycarbonates (PCs) and poly (methyl methacrylates) (PMMAs) as singlet, hybrid (refractive/diffractive) lenses and doublets operating with wavelengths between 380 and 1600 nm - corresponding to a typical zone of interest of concentrated photovoltaics (CPV) - are compared. Those comparisons show that the maximum theoretical concentration factor for singlets is limited to about 1000 × at normal incidence and that hybrid lenses and refractive doublets present a smaller LCA increasing the concentration factor up to 5000 × and 2 × 10(6) respectively. A new achromatization equation more useful than the Abbé equation is also presented. Finally we determined the ideal position of the focal point as a function of the LCA and the geometric concentration which maximizes the flux on the solar cell.

Spectroscopy of the nonlinear refractive index of colloidal PbSe nanocrystals

A spectroscopic study of the optical nonlinearity of PbSe colloidal solutions was performed with the Z-scan technique at wavelength intervals of 1200–1350 and 1540–1750nm. While nonlinear absorption remains below the detection threshold, the third order nonlinear refractive index n2 shows clear resonances, somewhat blueshifted relative to the exciton transitions in the absorbance spectrum. The occurrence of thermal effects is ruled out by time-resolved measurements. At 1.55μm, measured (resonant) n2 values exceed typical bulk semiconductor values by two orders of magnitude. At high optical intensity, the refractive index change saturates, indicating that statefilling lies at the origin of the observed effect.

Fresnel rhombs as achromatic phase shifters for infrared nulling interferometry

We propose a new family of achromatic phase shifters for infrared nulling interferometry. These key optical components can be seen as optimized Fresnel rhombs, using the total internal reflection phenomenon, modulated or not. The total internal reflection indeed comes with a phase shift between the polarization components of the incident light. We propose a solution to implement this vectorial phase shift between interferometer arms to provide the destructive interference process needed to disentangle highly contrasted objects from one another. We also show that, modulating the index transition at the total internal reflection interface allows compensating for the intrinsic material dispersion in order to make the subsequent phase shift achromatic over especially broad bands. The modulation can be induced by a thin film of a well-chosen material or a subwavelength grating whose structural parameters are thoroughly optimized. We present results from theoretical simulations together with preliminary fabrication outcomes and measurements for a prototype in Zinc Selenide.

Clinically Relevant Optical Properties of Bifocal, Trifocal, and Extended Depth of Focus Intraocular Lenses.

PURPOSE To experimentally compare the optical performance of three types of hydrophobic intraocular lenses (IOLs): extended depth of focus, bifocal, and trifocal. METHODS The tested IOLs were: TECNIS ZMB00 (bifocal; Abbott Medical Optics, Abbott Park, IL), TECNIS Symfony ZXR00 (extended depth of focus; Abbott Medical Optics), and FineVision GFree hydrophobic (trifocal; PhysIOL, Liège, Belgium). Their surface topography was analyzed by optical microscopy. Modulation transfer function (MTF) and spherical aberrations were determined on optical bench for variable pupil apertures and with two cornea models (0 µm and +0.28 µm). United States Air Force target imaging was analyzed for different focal points (near, intermediate, and far). Point spread function (PSF) and halos were quantified and compared. RESULTS The three lenses presented step-like optic topography. For a pupil size of 3 mm or greater, clearly distinctive MTF peaks were observed for all lenses: two peaks for the extended depth of focus and bifocal lenses with +1.75 and +4.00 diopters (D) addition, respectively, and three peaks for the trifocal lens with +1.75 and +3.50 addition for intermediate and near vision, respectively. The extended depth of focus and bifocal lens had slightly higher MTF at best focus with the +0.28 µm cornea model than with the 0 µm model, whereas the trifocal lens was likely to be more independent of the corneal spherical aberrations. CONCLUSIONS It appears that the three lenses rely on light diffraction for their optical performance, presenting halos with comparable intensities. For small pupil apertures (< 3 mm), the MTF peaks for the far and intermediate focal distances of the trifocal and extended depth of focus lenses overlap, but the trifocal lens presented an additional MTF peak for the near focal points.

Quantitative Accelerated Life Testing of MEMS Accelerometers

Quantitative Accelerated Life Testing (QALT) is a solution for assessing the reliability of Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS). A procedure for QALT is shown in this paper and an attempt to assess the reliability level for a batch of MEMS accelerometers is reported. The testing plan is application-driven and contains combined tests: thermal (high temperature) and mechanical stress. Two variants of mechanical stress are used: vibration (at a fixed frequency) and tilting. Original equipment for testing at tilting and high temperature is used. Tilting is appropriate as application-driven stress, because the tilt movement is a natural environment for devices used for automotive and aerospace applications. Also, tilting is used by MEMS accelerometers for anti-theft systems. The test results demonstrated the excellent reliability of the studied devices, the failure rate in the “worst case” being smaller than 10-7h-1.

Antireflective subwavelength patterning of IR optics

Thermal infrared (IR) lenses require efficient anti-reflection coating. Moth-eye (or egg-box) 2D subwavelength gratings have demonstrated their ability to reach a very high transmission for a wide wavelength and angular range. The use in thermal IR is simplified by the lower resolution for lithographic technology, compared to visible waveband. However, deeper structures must be engraved and lithography must be adapted to IR materials. In order to be cost-effective, the patterning must be produced by replication techniques, such as embossing. Our laboratory is now experimenting hot embossing of moth-eye patterns in chalcogenide substrates. In this paper, theoretical analysis, micro-lithographic technology and manufacturing processes are detailed.

Large white organic light-emitting diode lighting panel on metal foils

Large-area top-emitting PIN structure (highly p- and n- type doped transport layers for electrons and holes and an undoped emitter layer)-organic light-emitting diode (OLED) on advanced metal foils were fabricated for lighting applications. ArcelorMittal has developed a new surface treatment on metal foils, suitable for roll-to-roll production and dedicated to large-area device integration. Both monochromatic and white devices are realized on advanced metal foils. Power efficiencies at 1000 cd/m 2 of >70 lm/W (green), moreover, power efficiency of white devices of >22 lm/W are achieved. Furthermore, first large-area 60 × 60 cm white OLED sources on metal foils are presented. C 2011 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers

Hybrid wetting state on micro-waffle textures

We have studied the wetting properties of water droplets onto lattices of square micro-cavities. The contact angle has been measured along the triple line and the obtained values have been compared to both Cassie-Baxter and Wenzel models. Despite the large values of the apparent contact angle, the contact line appears to be well pinned on the lattice of square cavities. This leads to anisotropic droplet shapes, reflecting the lattice geometry. Imaging the cavities from below just after drop deposition reveals that the liquid is invading them. The drop is thus in an hybrid state where it presents a large contact angle value while it is sticking on the substrate.

The annular groove phase mask coronagraph: an achromatic optical vortex

The Annular Groove Phase Mask coronagraph (AGPM) is an intrinsically achromatic vectorial vortex. It consists of integrated subwavelength optical elements whose space-variant polarization properties can be engineered and optimized to synthesize one of the theoretically most efficient coronagraphs. This paper briefly recalls the principles of the AGPM, presents the benefit of its implementation inside a polarimetric differential imager, realistic numerical simulations assessing its performances, as well as the current status of the near-infrared and visible prototype manufacturing operations.

Spectral splitting planar solar concentrator: experimental testing of a design aiming at dye sensitized solar cells

We present a new solar concentrator concept. This concept is based on spectral splitting. It implies reflective, refractive and diffractive elements that allow two spectrally differentiated beams to reach different and/or unmatched lattice solar cells. The aimed geometrical concentration factor is 5× and the theoretical optical efficiency of that concentrator concept reaches theoretically 82%. The following study will discuss the concept of such a solar concentrator. A practical application to dye sensitized solar cells is given. The manufacturing and design of the element is then exposed. Those elements have been tested in the laboratory. Good agreements with theoretical simulations are demonstrated.