Marco A. C. Potenza

Three dimensional imaging of short pulses

Abstract We exploit a slightly non-collinear second-harmonic cross-correlation scheme to map the 3D space–time intensity distribution of an unknown complex-shaped ultrashort optical pulse, down to a resolution of 10 μm in space and 200 fs in time. Moreover, we directly show that the spatial phase information is not lost in the process, thanks to the coherence of the non-linear interaction. This implies that the concept of second-harmonic holography can be employed down to the sub-picosecond time scale, and used to discuss the features of the technique in terms of the reconstructed fields.

Do protein crystals nucleate within dense liquid clusters

The evolution of protein-rich clusters and nucleating crystals were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), confocal depolarized dynamic light scattering (cDDLS) and depolarized oblique illumination dark-field microscopy. Newly nucleated crystals within protein-rich clusters were detected directly. These observations indicate that the protein-rich clusters are locations for crystal nucleation.

Colloidal aggregation in microgravity by critical Casimir forces

By using the critical Casimir force, we study the attractive strength dependent aggregation of colloids with and without gravity by means of near field scattering. Significant differences were seen between microgravity and ground experiments, both in the structure of the formed fractal aggregates as well as in the kinetics of growth. In microgravity purely diffusive aggregation is observed. By using the continuously variable particle interaction potential we can for the first time experimentally relate the strength of attraction between the particles and the structure of the aggregates.

Real-time holograms generated by second-harmonic cross correlation of object and reference optical wave fields.

Three-dimensional holographic images of extended diffusing objects are simultaneously recorded and reconstructed by optical cross correlation in a second-order nonlinear crystal. An interaction geometry in which the phase-matched object and reference fields propagate slightly noncollinearly is particularly convenient for producing these second-harmonic-generated holograms.

Dynamic heterodyne near field scattering

The technique heterodyne near field scattering (HNFS), originally developed for low-angle static light scattering, has also been implemented for carrying out dynamic light scattering. While the classical dynamic light scattering method measures the intensity-intensity correlation function, dynamic HNFS gives directly the field-field correlation function, without any assumption on the statistical properties of the sample, as the ones required by the Siegert relation. The technique has been tested with calibrated Brownian particles and its performances compared to those of the classical dynamic light scattering method.

Boolean algebra operations performed on optical bits by the generation of holographic fields through second-order nonlinear interactions

Boolean algebra operations such as AND or XOR are performed on optical bits encoded as amplitude modulations in two wave fronts that are made interact in a crystal (β-BaB2O4) endowed with second-order nonlinearity. If the corresponding wave fields are at the same frequency ω and the crystal is tuned for the phase-matched generation of 2ω, we show that the generated wave front reconstructs a holographic image containing the outputs of the desired operations. Since a nearly diffraction-limited optical resolution can be easily achieved in the holographic image at 2ω, a correspondingly high density of data is encodeable in the wave front at ω playing the role of object wave front. The experiments demonstrate the feasibility of the operation of a parallel half-adder performing the sum of multiple data with a one-digit binary number, which is encoded in the reference wave front.

EVIDENCE OF PHOTOEVAPORATION AND SPATIAL VARIATION OF GRAIN SIZES IN THE ORION 114-426 PROTOPLANETARY DISK

Deep Hubble Space Telescope broadband images taken with Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) and WFPC2 of the giant (~1000 AU diameter) dark silhouette proplyd 114-426 in the Orion Nebula show that this system is tilted, asymmetric, warped, and photoevaporated. The exquisite angular resolution of ACS allows us to map the distribution of dust grains at the northern translucent edge of the disk, dominated by the photoevaporative flow. Using the Mie theory for standard circumstellar disk grains, we find evidence for a spatial gradient in grain size. The typical dust radius ≃ 0.2-0.7 μm (less than what was reported by previous studies) becomes smaller as the distance from the disk center increases, consistent with the expectations for the dynamic of dust entrained in a gaseous photoevaporative wind. Our analysis of the disk morphology and location within the nebula indicates that this system is photoevaporated by the diffuse radiation field of the Orion Nebula, while being shielded from the radiation coming directly from the central Trapezium stars. We estimate the mass-loss rate from the disk surface and the timescale for total disk dissipation, which turns out to be of the order of 104 yr. Such a short time, of the order of 1/100 of the cluster age, indicates that this system is seen on the verge of destruction. This is compatible with the exceptional nature of the disk, namely its combination of huge size and low mass. Finally, we briefly discuss the viability of possible mechanisms that may lead to the peculiar morphology of this system: external UV flux, binary star, and past close encounter.

SODI-COLLOID: a combination of static and dynamic light scattering on board the International Space Station

Microgravity research in space is a complex activity where the often scarce resources available for the launch, accommodation, and operation of instrumentation call for a careful experiment planning and instrument development. In this paper we describe a module of the Selectable Optical Diagnostic Instrument, that has been designed as a compact optical diagnostic instrument for colloidal physics experiments. The peculiarity of the instrument is the combination of a novel light scattering technique known as near field scattering and standard microscopy with a low-coherence laser light source. We describe its main design features, as well as measurement results on colloidal aggregation taken on the International Space Station.

Ultra-broadband and chirp-free frequency doubling in β-barium borate

A method is presented to render first- and second-order dispersion effects in second-harmonic generation in β-barium borate negligible in the bandwidth of 5 fs Ti:sapphire pulses.

Heterodyne speckle velocimetry

We present a simple method for fluid velocimetry based on the velocity of the heterodyne speckles generated by tracking particles illuminated with coherent light. It works in real time and provides instantaneous two-dimensional velocity mappings in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis, independently of the particle concentration and size, also for subwavelength particles. It also provides the velocity distribution of the fluid over the entire sample thickness. The method has been quantitatively tested by using the motions of rigid diffusers and applied for mapping the flow of a confined fluid.