L. I. Zlobina

Raman scattering study of NaNO2-infiltrated opal photonic crystals

We have studied light scattering in synthetic opal crystals infiltrated with ferroelectric sodium nitrite, NaNO2, and have analyzed simple models for the energy band structure of photonic crystals. Expressions have been derived for the group velocity of photons whose energy is close to the photonic band gap. Our results indicate that the infiltration of photonic crystals with NaNO2 markedly increases the Raman scattering intensity.

LED-excited emission of opal loaded with silver nanoparticles

The emission spectra of opal photonic crystals loaded with silver nanoparticles have been measured under UV excitation. The spectra are found to markedly differ from the spectrum of plain (uninfiltrated) opal: silver nanoparticles give rise to an extra, long-wavelength emission band and change the shape of the spectrum. We have calculated the dispersion laws for the two lower photon branches and the corresponding dependences of the refractive index on frequency for the plain and silver-infiltrated photonic crystals.

Reflectivity spectra of gold- and silver-infiltrated opals

We have studied the optical properties of gold- and silver-infiltrated opal photonic crystals composed of close-packed SiO2 spheres ∼200 nm in diameter. The reflectivity spectra obtained are used to assess the photonic band gap of the crystals in the visible range. We present the characteristics of the emission induced in the opal photonic crystals by monochromatic and broadband light sources and calculated reflectances of the synthetic opal samples.

Second optical harmonic near the surface of ferroelectric photonic crystals and photon traps

This paper reports on the results of experimental investigations of the generation of the second optical harmonic localized in a thin subsurface layer of ferroelectric photonic crystals and photon traps. To excite the second optical harmonic, a KGW: Yb solid-state pulsed-periodic laser generating the radiation with a wavelength of 1026 nm in a form of pulses ∼10−13 s long with a repetition frequency of 200 kHz at the average power of 0.1–3.5 W and power density of ∼109−1012 W/cm2 in a spot less than 100 μm in diameter focused near the surface was used. Ferroelectrics, notably, barium titanate or sodium nitrite, were introduced into the pores between SiO2 nanoglobules. It is established that the maximal conversion efficiency of the exciting radiation into the second optical harmonic was several percents. The generation characteristics of the second optical harmonic near the surface of photonic crystals filled with ferroelectrics are compared with the generation of the second optical harmonic in ferroelectric photon traps of barium titanate ceramics and sodium nitrite microcrystals.

Local spectroscopy of band gaps in ferroelectric photonic crystals

We have measured visible to near-UV reflection spectra of opal photonic crystals infiltrated with ferroelectrics: barium titanate, sodium nitrite, potassium iodate, and triglycine sulfate. An experimental procedure has been developed for the infiltration of various ferroelectrics into opal pores through laser ablation and laser implantation. Using a fiber-optic probe, we were able to analyze surface reflection spectra of photonic crystals with a 0.2-mm resolution. A deuterium lamp was used as a broadband UV source, which allowed us to observe both the first and second [111] photonic band gaps in the reflection spectrum of opal crystals.

Emission spectra of silver-infiltrated opal photonic crystals under excitation through optical fibers

The emission spectra of opal photonic crystals loaded with silver nanoparticles have been measured in a 180° geometry under UV and visible excitation. The spectra of silver-infiltrated opal under excitation through optical fibers are found to differ from the spectra of plain (uninfiltrated) opal: the infiltrated silver shifts the emission maximum to longer wavelengths and changes the shape of the spectrum. We have calculated the dispersion laws for two photonic bands and the corresponding frequency dependences of the refractive index for the photonic crystals studied.

INFLUENCE OF PERTURBATIONS ON THE LATTICE SPECTRA OF CRYSTALLINE AMINO ACIDS

The work is devoted to the study of the lattice spectra of amino acid crystals under the action of external perturbations. The influence of temperature on the Raman spectra in the band of amino acid lattice vibrations is treated. Raman spectra of crystalline amino acids exposed to gamma-rays, as well as the spectra of crystalline amino acids containing metal ion dopants, are studied in the region of external vibrations.

Raman scattering in dried DNA and crystalline amino acids

Raman spectrum characteristics of dried deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and two types of crystalline amino acids (L-lysine, D-asparagine) are compared in a wide range of frequencies, including the regions of lattice (7 to 200 cm−1) and intramolecular (200 to 4000 cm−1) vibrations. It is found that the spectral position of the low-frequency band in the Raman spectrum of DNA with a peak near 26 cm−1 correlates with the Raman spectrum of high-Q low-frequency modes that manifest themselves in the crystalline amino acids under investigation. The low-frequency band of DNA refers to a twist-like vibrational mode of nucleobases. The intensities of this DNA mode and the high-Q lattice modes of the crystalline amino acids L-lysine and D-asparagine are several times as high as those of the Raman lines corresponding to the intramolecular modes. Resonant coupling of low-frequency modes of DNA and amino acid molecular chains is analyzed.

Spectra of secondary emission during generation of optical harmonics in globular photonic crystals

Secondary emission spectra of globular silica photonic crystals when their surfaces were exposed to laser pulses 250 fs long at a power density to 1 TW/cm2 have been studied. Optical harmonics and plasma emission were detected in this case. For the opal matrix containing pores filled with air, in the reflection mode, the third optical harmonic with a conversion efficiency of ∼10% arises. The highest conversion efficiency for exciting radiation with wavelengths of 1026 or 513 nm is implemented when the frequencies of the exciting radiation or the second harmonic are near the stop band edge. In globular photonic crystals filled with sodium nitrite or barium titanate ferroelectrics, the second optical harmonic is observed. The exciting radiation conversion efficiency to the second optical harmonic was a few percent and depended on the frequency of exciting radiation and photonic crystal globule diameters. It is found that the plasma emission intensity increases with the exciting radiation power density. The dependences of the intensity of the second and third optical harmonics on the pump intensity are constructed for various photonic crystal globule diameters.

Lowering of stimulated Raman scattering threshold as a result of light capture

Stimulated Raman Scattering in globular photonic crystals and globular photonic glasses at different diameters of globules (250 – 400 nm) with embedded molecular liquids is studied under excitation by nanosecond or picoseconds laser pulses. Substantial decrease of Stimulated Raman Scattering threshold was observed. Such phenomenon was explained as the result of laser radiation field increase in globular photonic structures due to photonic density of states enhancement near the edges of photonic stop bands of photonic crystals and due to Mie resonance or whispering gallery modes effect revealing in photonic glasses. Stimulated Raman Scattering threshold lowering as a result of light capture in globular photonic crystals and photonic glasses opens the way to new efficient laser sources created on the base of composite globular photonic structures. Experimental data on spectra of Stimulated Raman Scattering in light and heavy waters are presented. As sources of exciting light the powerful ultra short solid state laser pulses with 532.0 nm wavelength and giant pulses of Ruby laser (694.3 nm) have been used. Several Stokes and anti-Stokes satellites were observed. Libration modes have been excited and resulted in some additional Raman bands at low frequency region and also as combining tones.