The examination of the application and accuracy of optical sensors for the purpose of determining rail lubricity of top-of-rail friction modifier is investigated in this research. A literature review of optical sensors as they relate to detecting thin layers is presented, as well as a literature review of the significant aspect of surface roughness on optical signature. Both commercially available optical sensors and optical devices, such as independent lasers and detectors, are examined in a comprehensive parametric study to determine the most suitable configuration for a prototype with adequate third-body detection. A prototype is constructed considering parameters such as sunlight contamination, vibrations, and angle of detection. The prototype is evaluated in a series of laboratory tests with known lubricity conditions for its accuracy of measurements and susceptibility to environmental conditions, in preparation for field testing. Upon field testing the prototype, the data indicates that it is capable of providing subjective measurements that can help with determining whether a rail is highly lubricated or unlubricated, or it is moderately lubricated. It is anticipated that the device could be used to provide a rail lubricity index. The investigation of the optical response of a rail in various conditions, including top-of-rail friction modifier presence and underlying surface roughness, reveals the behavior of friction modifying material on rail/wheel interactions. It is determined that surface roughness is imperative for distinguishing between scattering due to surface condition and scattering due to third-body layers. Additionally it is revealed that friction modifying materials become entrapped within the surface roughness of the rail, effectively causing a "seasoning" effect instead of a simple third body layer. This provides some explanation on the inadequacy of determining lubricity conditions using contacting methods since they cannot detect the entrapped material that are revealed only when the top of rail undergoes a micro deformation due to a passing wheel. Furthermore, the fluorescent signature of flange grease can be utilized to detect any flange grease contamination on top of rail. The results of the study indicate that it is possible to have practical optical sensors for top-of-rail third body layer detection and any contamination that may exist, initially through spot checking the rail and eventually through in-motion surveying. / Master of Science

Ion-selective polymeric optical sensors – ion optodes – are a promising alternative to ion-selective electrodes and fluorescent dyes for analytical and biological applications, e.g. extra- and intracellular measurements. They are non-toxic, highly selective robust probes for ionic fluxes monitoring. A large-scale fabrication of ion optodes using a solvent displacement method is introduced. This method is a single-batch process that does not require any additional steps. The influence of numerous parameters, e.g. surfactant concentration, solvent nature and membrane concentration, on the average size of the synthesized optodes was studied. The solvent displacement method allows control of the particle size in 200 nm to 30 μm range. Ion optodes selective for sodium, potassium, and calcium cations were prepared and calibrated for hydrogen (pH), sodium, potassium, and calcium. Fabricated sensors demonstrated excellent selectivity, low drift, high stability and reproducibility. Further studies of ion-optodes of different sizes but the same chemical composition revealed a significant shift in their response function. This bias is clearly seen for all fabricated optodes. A strong correlation between a calculated specific surface area and the apparent ion-exchange constant was observed. Considering this, it may be hypothesized that the surface phenomena are contributing to the overall optode response resulting in the observed effect. As a consequence, the response models, developed for the macroscopic ion optodes, cannot be easily applied to the probes at micron- and nano-scale. A primary concern for continuous sensing application of optical sensors is photobleaching of lipophilic fluorescent dye which prevents quantitative fluorescence measurements. Quantum dots, known for their high photostability, brightness and broad excitation spectra with narrow emission bands, were incorporated into polymeric matrix. They excited a fluorophore indirectly, thus, reducing its photobleaching and increasing sensors life-time. We created a composite, quantum dots doped, polymeric sensor that can be integrated into high-throughput detection platforms, such as flow cytometry, chip-based micro-total analysis system technologies, or bundled optical fiber arrays. Ultimately, a fabricated ion-optode was introduced into a Boolean logic gate serving as a reporting microparticle. It responded to the pH changes generated in situ by the enzyme logic system. The present work aimed scaling down the size of biocomputing functional units which might reach the information processing by single molecules associated with signal-transducing single nanoparticles. / Graduation date: 2012

Siekiant taupiai naudoti degalus, trąšas, sėklas, augalų apsaugos produktus, gerinti gaminamų produktų kokybę ir konkurencingumą Lietuvos ūkininkų ūkiuose pradedamos diegti tiksliojo ūkininkavimo (TŪ) priemonės. Tikslusis ūkininkavimas prasideda atskiro lauko derlingumo, maisto medžiagų ir dirvožemio tipo skirtumų nustatymu. Šių duomenų pagrindu galima tikslingai planuoti technologines operacijas ir analizuoti biomasės derliaus įvairovės priežastis. Šiame darbe pateikiami žieminių ir vasarinių kviečių tręšimo mineralinėmis trąšomis, panaudojant augalų optinės analizės jutiklius OptRx, tyrimai. Tirta tiksliojo tręšimo įtaka kviečių biometriniams rodikliams, grūdų kokybei ir užaugintos biomasės kiekiui. Tręšiant skystomis mineralinėmis trąšomis (karbamido tirpalu) ir trąšų normos parinkimui naudojant augalų optinės analizės jutiklius, vasarinių kviečių Tybalt grūdų kokybė buvo šiek tiek geresnė, negu tręšiant įprastai (vienoda trąšų norma). Įprastai tręštų vasarinių kviečių grūduose baltymų kiekis buvo 12,18 ± 0,12%, o tręštų naudojant augalų optinės analizės jutiklius OptRx – 12,79 ± 0,09%. Grūdų glitimas, atitinkamai, buvo: 31,08 ± 0,37% ir 31,9 ± 0,12%, grūdų kritimo skaičius – 338,33 ± 2,52 s ir 381 ± 3,61 s, o užaugintos biomasės (šiaudų) derlius – 7,07 ± 0,26 t/ha ir 7,46 ± 0,35 t/ha. / In order to sustainably use fuel, fertilizers, seeds, and crop protection products and improve quality and competitiveness of Lithuanian products, Lithuanian farms are introducing precision farming tools. Precision farming starts from the identification of the productivity of an individual field, the differences in its nutrient materials and soil types. Such data can be used for purposeful planning of technological operations and the analysis of the reasons of differences in biomass yield. This paper represents the research of winter and spring wheat fertilization in mineral fertilizers using optical sensors OptRx of crop analysis. The research comprises the influence of precision fertilization on wheat biometric parameters, grain quality, and biomass yield. Fertilizing in liquid mineral fertilizers (urea solution) using optical sensors OptRx, the quality of spring wheat Tybalt grains was a little bit better than usually (the same rate of fertilizers in the entire field). Grain protein content of conventionally fertilized spring wheat was 12.18 ± 0.12%, the same measure in plants fertilized using optical sensors OptRx was 12.79 ± 0.09%. Grain gluten was 31.08 ± 0.37% and 31.9 ± 0.12%, the falling number of grain was 338.33 ± 2.52 and 381.00 ± 3.61 s, and biomass (straw) yield was 7.07 ± 0.26 t/ha and 7.46 ± 0.35 t/ha, respectively.

Ce travail porte sur la conception de nouveaux composés π-conjugués, potentiellement utilisable en électronique organique en tant que matériaux actifs dans des dispositifs tels que les OLEDs, les cellules photovoltaïques et les capteurs optiques. Dans ce but, nous avons exploité le motif silacyclopentadiène appelé également silole, possédant un bon rendement quantique de fluorescence à l'état solide et une excellente conduction des électrons. Dans un premier temps, l'introduction de groupements structurants (triptycène, stilbènes..) sur le silacyclopentadiène a permis de moduler l'arrangement moléculaire dans la couche active et par conséquent, les propriétés d'électroluminescence. Des diodes possédant des performances très encourageantes furent ainsi obtenues. Dans un deuxième temps, des dérivés siloles présentant une structure tridimensionnelle et une architecture spirosilole (accepteur)-bithiophène (donneur) furent synthétisées. Une cellule photovoltaïque basée sur ces édifices présentant des performances encourageantes fut ensuite mis au point. Enfin, l'étude des mécanismes de transfert d'énergie entre un film de polymère fonctionnalisé par un groupement sensible silole et des composés nitroaromatiques nous a permis de réaliser un nouveau type de capteur optique hautement sensible pour la détection d'explosifs. / This work concerns the design of new π-conjugated compounds, potentially useful in organic electronics as active materials in devices such as OLEDs, photovoltaic cells and optical sensors. To this end, silacyclopentadiene, alias silole, groups were used exhibiting high fluorescence quantum yields in the solid state and excellent electron conductivities. Firstly, the introduction of structurizing groups (triptycene, stilbenes etc.) at the silacyclopentadiene allowed tuning of the molecular arrangement in the active layer and, consequently, the electroluminescence properties. Diodes showing very encouraging activities were thus obtained. Secondly, silole derivatives possessing a three-dimensional structure and a spirosilole (acceptor) - bithiophene (donor) architecture were synthesized. A photovoltaic cell based on these molecules was then developed exhibiting encouraging activity. Finally, a study of the mechanisms of energy transfer between a polymer film functionalized by a sensitive silole group and nitroaromatic compounds enabled the development of a new type of highly sensitive optical sensor for the detection of explosives.

Neste trabalho foram produzidos Interferômetros Mach-Zehnder (IMZ) a partir de guias de onda do tipo pedestal com filmes finos de Bi₂O₃-WO₃-TeO₂ (BWT) como camada de núcleo para aplicações em sensores ópticos integrados. A influência dos parâmetros e dos materiais utilizados nas etapas de processo foi verificada. Os valores de índice de refração efetivo e coeficiente de absorção em função do comprimento de onda foram obtidos para os filmes finos BWT. Os guias de onda pedestais foram caracterizados por Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura, medidas de perda por propagação e perfis de campo próximo em 633 nm e 1050 nm. Os valores mínimos obtidos nas perdas por propagação foram de ~1,5 dB/cm em 633 nm e 3,0 dB/cm em 1050 nm. As medidas de perfis de campo próximo mostraram que guias de onda com larguras superiores a 7 m apresentaram comportamento multimodo. Foram obtidos IMZs que apresentaram guiamento de luz por toda a estrutura, com comportamento multimodo. Sensores ópticos de pressão e temperatura foram produzidos. A fabricação de diafragmas através do processo de corrosão úmida do silício é apresentada no sensor de pressão. Sensores ópticos de temperatura foram produzidos com filamentos metálicos. As cavidades ópticas não foram obtidas nesse sensor. A potência de luz na saída dos sensores de temperatura foi medida em função da diferença de potencial aplicada no filamento metálico. Os resultados apresentados mostram que guias de onda do tipo pedestal produzidos com núcleo de BWT são promissores para aplicações em sensores ópticos integrados. / In this work Mach-Zehnder Interferometers (MZI) were produced from the pedestal-type waveguides with Bi₂O₃-WO₃-TeO₂ (BWT) thin films as the core layer for applications in integrated optical sensors. The influence of the parameters and materials used in the process steps was verified. The values of the effective refractive index and absorption coefficient as a function of wavelength were obtained for the BWT thin films. The pedestal waveguides were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy, by propagation loss measurements and near-field profiles at 633 nm and 1050 nm. The minimum values obtained by propagation losses were ~ 1.5 dB/cm at 633 nm and 3.0 dB/cm at 1050 nm. The measures of near-field profiles showed that waveguides with widths larger than 7 m presented multimode behavior. The MZIs obtained presented guiding light through the structure, with multimode behavior. Optical pressure sensors and temperature sensors were produced. The production of diaphragms using the wet etching process of silicon is presented on the pressure sensor. Optical temperature sensors were made with metallic filaments. Optical cavities were not obtained in this sensor. The light power in the output of the temperature sensors was measured as the voltage applied to the metal filament. The results show that the waveguides produced with pedestal-type and BWT thin films as core layer are promising for applications in integrated optical sensors.

[pt] Um sistema de interrogação de sensores a rede de Bragg utilizando multiplexação no tempo e multiplexação no comprimento de onda é proposto e demonstrado. O sistema apresenta uma solução para a medição de grandezas associadas ao espectro de reflexão de redes de Bragg, possibilitando o aumento do número de sensores a rede de Bragg monitorados através de grandes distâncias em uma mesma fibra óptica, sem um aumento significativo dos custos. O aspecto inovador deste sistema reside na particular associação das seguintes características: o uso de fonte pulsada de banda larga, a disposição, em série, de um grande número de sensores a rede de Bragg de baixa refletividade, a técnica de reutilização dos mesmos comprimentos de onda nominais em grupos contendo vários sensores com comprimentos de onda nominais distintos e um processo de filtragem espectral e análise de sinais pulsados utilizando o filtro DWDM comercial. Aspectos teóricos e experimentais considerando os princípios de trabalho desta técnica são discutidos. Comparações entre resultados simulados e experimentais do sistema implantado mostram boa concordância. Resultados experimentais apontam uma faixa dinâmica de 1,7 nm, podendo encontrar aplicações em medição de temperatura com uma faixa de 150°C. Incertezas com valores médios abaixo de 20 picometros foram obtidas. Simulações experimentais apontam a possibilidade de utilização de um número de aproximadamente 70 sensores com 0,4% de refletividade, por comprimento de onda. Considerando a largura de banda do dispositivo DWDM (1539- 1565 nm) utilizado neste sistema, e um espaçamento de 7 nm por comprimento de onda nominal de sensor, extrapolações mostram que este número pode chegar a 210 sensores em três diferentes comprimentos de onda nominais de sensor. Considerando as bandas C e L este número pode chegar a aproximadamente 1000 sensores em 14 diferentes comprimentos de onda nominais de sensor. / [en] An interrogation system of fiber Bragg grating sensors using time division multiplexing and wavelength division multiplexing is proposed and demonstrated. The system presents a solution to measure the magnitudes associated to the reflection spectrum of the fiber Bragg gratings, making possible to increase the number of the Bragg gratings sensors monitored through large distances at the same fiber optic, without a great increase in the costs. The innovative aspect of this system is the particular association of the following characteristics: the use of a pulsed broad band source, the disposition, in series, of a large number of low reflectivity Bragg gratings sensors, the reusing technique of the same nominal wavelengths in groups containing several numbers of sensors with distinct nominal wavelengths, and a spectral analyzing and filtering process of pulsed signals using a commercial DWDM filter. Theoretical and experimental aspects regarding the working principles of this technique are discussed. Comparisons between experimental and simulated results show a good agreement. Experimental results indicate that a dynamic range of 1,7 nm was obtained. It can be used in temperature measurement systems, with a 150°C range. Uncertainties equivalent to approximately 20 picometers was obtained. Experimental simulations indicate that it would be possible to use a number of approximately 70 sensors with 0,4% reflectivity at each nominal sensor wavelength. Considering the DWDM filter bandwidth (1539-1565 nm) used in this system, and a spectral separation of 7 nm by nominal sensor wavelength, extrapolations indicate that a number of 210 sensors can be obtained, in three different nominal sensor wavelength. Using the C-band and the L-band, a number of 1000 sensors can be obtained, in fourteen different nominal sensor wavelength.

Submitted by JOSIANE SANTOS DE OLIVEIRA (josianeso) on 2018-11-12T13:35:25Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Melissa Grahl Figueredo_.pdf: 8476500 bytes, checksum: 0e323d417d0ad90bf62e4ef266aa2f7d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-12T13:35:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Melissa Grahl Figueredo_.pdf: 8476500 bytes, checksum: 0e323d417d0ad90bf62e4ef266aa2f7d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-07-03 / Programa de Bolsas de Estudo Talentos Tecnosinos / Este trabalho apresenta o estudo para a caracterização do escoamento bifásico ar-água em um minicanal de 2,6 mm de diâmetro interno para os regimes de escoamento pistonado e bolha isolada, por meio do emprego de quatro pares de sensores ópticos: dois deles formados por emissores IR e fotodiodos como receptores, diferenciados pelo comprimento de onda dos emissores e pela área ativa dos receptores, o outro é o sensor de tubo para líquidos, formado por um emissor IR e um fototransistor como receptor e, por fim, o sensor composto por um LED branco como emissor e um LDR como receptor. Os testes foram realizados para vazões de água de 50, 75 e 100 ml/min e volumes de ar de 0,1, 0,06 e 0,02 ml, captando-se simultaneamente os sinais dos sensores e suas respectivas imagens com uma câmera de alta velocidade. Os resultados obtidos foram a fração de vazio, as curvas de calibração para os sensores, a comparação das respostas dos quatro sensores empregados e a medida da velocidade das bolhas. A calibração dos sensores é dada por meio de uma curva que relaciona a fração de vazio e a tensão do sensor. Relacionando-se as imagens e os sinais dos sensores, foi possível identificar os padrões de escoamento pistonado para os volumes de ar de 0,10 e 0,06 ml e o de bolhas isoladas para o volume de 0,02 ml. A partir da análise dos sinais dos sensores observou-se que para volume de ar de 0,02 ml o sensor de tubo para líquidos, diferentemente dos outros sensores, identificou o padrão levemente alongado da bolha. A verificação dos sinais dos sensores foi feita por meio das áreas medidas pelos sensores e aquelas obtidas através das imagens, ficando com EMR entre -9,36% e 4,49%, sendo os piores resultados os encontrados para o volume de ar de 0,02 ml. O resultado para os valores normalizados das áreas medidas pelos sensores mostrou que o sensor LDR possui resposta mais lenta durante as mudanças entre as fases líquida e gasosa, visto que a área medida por ele ficou maior em relação aos outros sensores. Nota-se ainda que o sensor de tubo para líquido foi aquele que obteve os menores tempos durante as mudanças de fases. As curvas de calibração obtidas foram melhor aproximadas por exponenciais de segunda ordem com R2 entre 0,928 e 0,897 (LDR). Por fim, a aplicação dos sensores em pares possibilitou a medida da velocidade das bolhas para as diferentes vazões de água, resultando em EMR entre -4,92 e 2,17%. / This paper presents an air-water two-phase flow characterization in a small diameter tube of 2.6 mm internal diameter for plug and isolated flow, using four pairs of optical sensors: two of them consist in IR emitter whit different wavelength and photodiodes receivers, whit distinct reception active areas, the other one is a tube liquid sensor based in an IR emitter and a phototransistor receiver and the last one is a LDR as receiver and a white LED emitter. The tests were performed for 50, 75 and 100 ml/min for water flow and 0.1, 0.06 and 0.02 ml for air volume, capturing sensors signals and its respective images in a high-speed camera. The results obtained where void fraction, sensors calibrations curves, a comparison between the four sensors response and bubbly velocity. The sensor calibration process relates void fraction and sensor signal. Images and sensor signal showed that is possible to recognize plug pattern for air volumes of 0.10 and 0.06 ml and isolated bubbly pattern for 0.02 ml. Signal sensors comparison allowed to identify that the tube liquid sensor is better in recognizing a bubbly-plug pattern. The sensors verification has compared the areas measured by the sensor and the image, the EMR results are between -9.6% and 4.49%. The worst results are for air volume of 0.02 ml. LDR sensor response is slower than the others sensors are during phase changing, since the area measured by it has been higher than the other sensors. On the other hand, tube liquid sensor showed to be faster sensor in phase changing. Despite sensors differences, four calibrations curves were obtaining and defined by second order exponentials whit R2 between 0.928 and 0.897 (LDR). Finally, the sensors in pairs allowed to measure mean velocity of bubbles for different water flow, resulting in EMR between -4.92 and 2.17%.

O interesse no uso de técnicas de aquisição de dados 3D em vídeos interativos e sistemas de videoconferência imersiva aumentou significativamente nos últimos anos. A disponibilidade de sensores de profundidade baseados em luz estruturada no varejo apresenta uma série de novas oportunidades em sistemas de teleconferência, entretenimento e e-learning. No entanto, problemas de oclusão frequentemente ocorrem quando é utilizado um único sensor ou técnicas de reconstrução 2,5D. Outras técnicas de interação e aplicações de teleconferências podem exigir uma reconstrução mais completa do usuário. Uma possível solução para isso implica na utilização de múltiplos dispositivos simultaneamente, o que traz novos desafios relacionados ao processo de calibração de câmaras e a aferição do aumento da superfície capturada quando é adicionado um novo sensor. Neste trabalho é apresentada a proposta VMD (Video-avatar from Multiple Depth maps), uma arquitetura de sistema que trata esses dois problemas. Com a finalidade de validar a viabilidade dessa proposta, três experimentos foram feitos resultando em uma análise qualitativa e quantitativa a fim de encontrar uma configuração adequada de múltiplos sensores de profundidade. / The interest in the use of 3D data acquisition techniques in video based interaction and immersive videoconferencing systems has noticeably increased in recent years. The availability of structured light 3D sensors as off-the-shelf hardware presents a series of new opportunities in teleconferences, entertainment and e-learning. However, occlusion issues often occur when it is used a single sensor or 2,5D reconstruction techniques. Other interaction techniques and teleconferencing applications may require a more complete reconstruction of the user. One possible solution to this involves the use of multiple devices simultaneously, which may bring new challenges related to the calibration process of cameras and measurement of the increase in covered area when it is added a new sensor. In this work we present VMD (Video-avatar from Multiple Depth maps), a system architecture that addresses this two issues. In order to validate the feasibility of this proposal, three experiments were performed resulting in a qualitative and quantitative analysis with the purpose of finding a suitable setup with multiple depth sensors.

This thesis addresses novel nanocomposite materials by incorporating quantum dots, and other nanoentities, into polymer and sol-gel derived matrices, aiming to produce integrated photonic structures. Its objectives embrace the synthesis and the investigation of photonic materials, together with alternative fabrication methodologies enabling the effective integration of functional nanocomposite photonic structures, such as active waveguides, micro-ring structures and diffractive optical elements for sensing applications. Design, synthesis and characterization of nanocomposite materials in this context, involves QD incorporation in tailored-made polymers, synthesized using radical polymerization as well as QD embedment in titania matrices synthesized via sol-gel methods. Low cost sol-gel derived silica incorporating NiCl2 ¬ nanoentities was exploited in the proposed scheme of remote point sensing for ammonia detection. Commercially available hybrid organic/inorganic materials of the ORMOCER family are also used for structure fabrication. Further to microscopy, characterization of the materials mainly includes spectroscopic studies and refractive index measurements using reflectance interferometry. For the demonstration of complex photonic structures by using nanocomposites elaborated studies are presented here focusing on two fabrication methods: a) direct laser ablative microfabrication using ArF excimer radiation at λ=193 nm and, b) soft lithography. To achieve this, a fully automated ArF excimer laser microfabrication station was established comprising computer controlled nanopositioning and laser beam control, as well as various prototype materials synthesis and fabrication devices. QD/polymer computer generated holograms, waveguides and micro-ring structures were simulated, designed and fabricated. Specific protocols and method were established. A modified solvent-assisted soft lithography method was also used for micropatterning and fabrication of photonic structures using QD/polymer and QD/titania films in conjunction to common UV and thermally curable materials. A solvent vapor smoothing process was found to significantly enhance the quality of the structures as observed with scanning electron microscopy. QD/polymer computer generated holograms, diffractive optical elements, micro-ring structures, vertical cavity resonators and other advanced photonic structures comprising quantum dot nanocrystals and nano-entities are investigated. A new photonic sensing scheme is proposed and demonstrated here for remote, spatially-localized sensing. It comprises a low cost diffractive thin film of a sensing material remotely interrogated by use of light beams. A silica/NiCl2 system fabricated via the sol-gel methods and micropatterned using the direct laser ablative microfabrication method is demonstrated, to allow detection of as low as 1 ppm of ammonia. Finally, the merits of incorporating epitaxially grown quantum dots in highly resonant structures for signal amplification, namely vertical cavity semiconductor optical amplifier and micro-ring semiconductor optical amplifiers, are discussed. Such devices are demonstrated to lack a laser threshold if designed properly allowing for the full exploitation of the fast carrier dynamics of quantum dots by driving them at high currents, for amplification of high-bit-rate signals of up to 100 Gb/s. A rate equation theoretical model was developed which provides both performance prediction of the devices under discussion and design guidelines for threshold-less operation. This doctoral thesis served, as a whole, its main scope of providing a palette of materials and methods as well as some useful concepts for the fabrication of functional photonic structures and devices based on advanced nanocomposites. / Στην παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή μελετώνται νανοδομημένα υλικά με ενσωματωμένες κβαντικές ψηφίδες και άλλες νανο-οντότητες σε πολυμερή και ανόργανες μήτρες μέσω της μεθόδου sol-gel, στοχευοντας στην κατασκευή δομών ολοκληρωμένων φωτονικών κυκλωμάτων. Οι στόχοι της διατριβής επικεντρώνονται στην σύνθεση και μελέτη φωτονικών υλικών και στον συνδυασμό τους με εναλλακτικές μεθόδους κατασκευής φωτονικών δομών. Τα νανοσύνθετα υλικά που μελετήθηκαν παρουσιάζουν μια σειρά από φωτονικές ιδιότητες για την υλοποίηση φωτονικών δομών διαφόρων λειτουργικοτήτων όπως ενεργοί οπτικοί κυματοδηγοί, ενεργοί συντονιστές μικροδακτυλίου και περιθλαστικά οπτικά στοιχεία για φωτονικές εφαρμογές. Στα πλαίσια της σχεδίασης, σύνθεσης και χαρακτηρισμού αυτών των νανοδομημένων υλικών κβαντικές ψηφίδες ενσωματώθηκαν σε πολυμερικές μήτρες ειδικά σχεδιασμένες για τον σκοπό αυτό καθώς και σε ανόργανες μήτρες παρασκευασμένων με την μέθοδο sol-gel. Μελετήθηκαν ακόμα υλικά διοξειδίου του πυριτίου εμπλουτισμένα με νανο-οντότητες χλωριούχου νικελίου του για χρήση σε φωτονικούς αισθητήρες. Τα υλικά αυτά συνετέθησαν με μεθόδους χαμηλού κόστους και χρησιμοποιήθηκαν σε καινοτόμες διατάξεις φωτονικών αισθητήρων που περιγράφονται εδώ. Επιπλέον μελετήθηκαν υβριδικά οργανικά/ανόργανα υλικά ORMOCER για την κατασκευή μιας σειράς φωτονικών διατάξεων. Ο χαρακτηρισμός των υλικών που περιγράφονται εδώ πραγματοποιήθηκε με φασματοσκοπικές μεθόδους ενώ ο δείκτης διάθλασης τους μετρήθηκε με την τεχνική της ανακλαστικής συμβολομετρίας. Η κατασκευή και επίδειξη σύνθετων νανοδομημένων φωτονικών διατάξεων πραγματοποιήθηκε με δύο μεθόδους: α) την μέθοδο φωτο-εκρηκτικής αποδόμησης με χρήση excimer laser σε μήκος κύματος λ=193 nm και β) με την μέθοδο soft lithography. Για τον σκοπό αυτό αναπτύχθηκε μια πλήρως αυτοματοποιημένη διάταξη μικροκατασκευής με χρήση ArF excimer laser στην οποία τόσο η πηγή laser όσο και η νανομετρική πλατφόρμα για την κίνηση του υπό διαμόρφωση δείγματος ελέγχονται από υπολογιστή. Η διάταξη αυτή χρησιμοποιήθηκε για την κατασκευή διαφόρων διατάξεων σε πολυμερικά υμένια με ενσωματωμένες κβαντικές ψηφίδες όπως υπολογιστικά σχεδιασμένων ολογραμμάτων, κυματοδηγοί και συντονιστές μικροδακτυλίου με γεωμετρικά χαρακτηριστικά που προκύπτουν από θεωρητικές προσομοιώσεις. Ακόμα αναπτύχθηκε μια παραλλαγή της μεθόδου soft lithography για την υποβοηθούμενη από χημικό διαλύτη φωτονικών δομών πολυμερικών μητρών και μητρών τιτανίας με ενσωματωμένες κβαντικές ψηφίδες σε συνδυασμό με κοινά υλικά σχεδιασμένα για την μέθοδο soft lithography και τα οποία διαμορφώνονται με έκθεση σε υπεριώδη ακτινοβολία. Στην διατριβή αυτή παρουσιάζεται ακόμα μια καινοτόμα σχεδίαση φωτονικών αισθητήρων για την τοπική ανίχνευση διαφόρων χημικών ή φυσικών παραγόντων από απόσταση. Οι αισθητήρες αυτοί αποτελούνται από περιθλαστικές δομές κατασκευασμένες σε υμένα κατάλληλων υλικών, οι οπτικές ιδιότητες των οποίων ανιχνεύονται με τη χρήση δέσμης laser. Ένας τέτοιος περιθλαστικός αισθητήρας αμμωνίας υμενίου διοξειδίου του πυριτίου με ενσωματωμένες νανο-οντότητες χλωριούχου νικελίου παρουσιάζεται εδώ, του οποίου η περιθλαστική δομή κατασκευάστηκε με τη μέθοδο της φωτο-εκρηκτικής αποδόμησης με laser. Ο αισθητήρας αυτός παρουσιάζει εξαιρετική επίδοση και ικανότητα ανίχνευσης αμμωνίας συγκέντρωσης μόλις 1 ppm. Τέλος, συζητούνται τα πλεονεκτήματα της χρήσης κβαντικών ψηφίδων αναπτυγμένων με την επιταξιακές μεθόδους σε δομές οπτικών ενισχυτών ισχυρού συντονισμού, συγκεκριμένα σε οπτικούς ενισχυτές ημιαγωγού κάθετης κοιλότητας και οπτικούς ενισχυτές ημιαγωγού μικροδακτυλίου. Συγκεκριμένα, επιδεικνύεται με τη χρήση ενός θεωρητικού μοντέλου που αναπτύχθηκε εδώ πως με τον κατάλληλο σχεδιασμό είναι δυνατόν στις διατάξεις αυτές να αποτρέπεται πλήρως η λειτουργία laser με την απουσία ρεύματος κατωφλίου. Η ιδιαιτερότητα αυτή επιτρέπει την χρήση μεγάλων ρευμάτων και την συνεπακόλουθη εκμετάλλευση της γρήγορης δυναμικής των φορέων στις κβαντικές ψηφίδες για την αποτελεσματική ενίσχυση σημάτων υψηλών ταχυτήτων (μεχρι 100 Gb/s). Η Διαδακτορική διατριβη, υπηρετεί συνολικά τον κύριο σκοπό της προσφέροντας μια παλέττα υλικών και μεθόδων για την ανάπτυξη λειτουργικών φωτονικών δομών και διατάξεων βασισμένων σε προηγμένα νανοσύνθετα υλικά.

This thesis deals with the subject of fibre optic magnetic field sensors utilizing iron garnet materials. Such materials exhibit a large Faraday rotation which make them advantageous for application in compact mag­netic field sensors. After an introduction, in which fibre optic sensors and optical methods to measure electric current are reviewed, the original research work is summarized. A system for the measurement of the magneto-optic properties of trans­parent materials is described. Measurement results, showing the influence of temperature, magnetic field direction and sample treatment on the magneto-optical proper­ties of YIG-crystals, are presented. The proper­ties of thin magneto-optical waveguiding films have also been studied using different light coupling methods. Measurement results obtained for holo­graphic grating, prism and edge (end-fire) light coupling to different substituted YIG films are presented. It is shown that the launching method may affect the properties to be measured. The design and performance of several versions of extrinsic guided wave fibre optic magnetic field sensors are then reported. The sensors employ substi­tuted YIG (Yttrium Iron Garnet, Y3Fe5O12) thin film waveguides as sensing elements. Polari­zation maintaining fibres were used as feed and return to provide two signal channels. The signals were combined in a balanced measure­ment system, providing insensitivity to both fluctuations in optical power and loss. Sensors have been made both with separate fibres to guide the light to and from the sensing element and with a single fibre for both functions. The two fibre version, although less ”elegant”, is found to have a better performance. This version also makes it possible to determine both the magnitude and sign of the magnetic field. Measurement results indicate a usable measurement range of at least several mT with a noise equivalent magnetic field level of less than 8 nT/root(Hz). The design and performance of multimode fibre optic magnetic field sensors utilizing the Faraday effect in an epitaxially grown thick (YbTbBi)IG film is also described. This type of sensor is found to be linear over a range from 27 mT to less than 270 nT. Sensor prototypes suitable for current monitoring in high voltage transmission lines have also been developed. / QC 20111209 / YIG