Insect brain is a very complex but at the same time small, simplified and accessible model with respect to the mammalian one. In neuroscience a huge number of works adopt drosophila as animal model, given its easiness of maintenance and, overall, of genetical manipulation. With such a model one can investigate many behavioral tasks and at the same time have access to a whole brain in vivo, with improved specificity and cellular resolution capabilities. Still, a remarkable goal would be to gain a precise control over the neural network, in order to fully manipulate specific areas of the brain, acting directly on network nodes of interest. This is possible thanks to optogenetics, a technique that exploits photosensitive molecules to modulate molecular events in living cells and neurons. At the same time, it is possible to perform a neuronal readout with light, exploiting calcium-based reporters; in this way, neuronal response investigation can gain in temporal and spatial resolution. This is an all-optical approach that brings many advantages in the neural network study and an insight in the functional connectivity of the system under investigation. We present here a setup that combines a two-photon imaging microscope, capable of in vivo imaging with a sub-cellular resolution and an excellent penetration depth down to hundreds of microns, with a diode laser optogenetic stimulation. With such a setup we investigate the drosophila brain in vivo, stimulating single units of the primary olfactory system (the so-called glomeruli, about 20 μm of diameter). By our knowledge this is one of the first time a similar all-optical approach is used in such an animal model: we confirm, in this way, the possibility to perform these experiments in vivo, with all the advantages coming from the improved accessibility of our model. Moreover, we present the results using a sample co-expressing GCaMP6 and ChR2-XXL, optimal performing sensor and actuator, largely exploited in the field for their high efficiency: these were rarely used in combination, since their spectral overlap, nevertheless we are able to show the feasibility of this combined approach, enabling to take advantage from the use of both these performing molecules. Finally, we will show different approaches of data analysis to infer relevant information about correlation and time response of different areas of the brain, that can give us hints in favor of some functional connectivity between olfactory subunits.

The application of epitaxially grown, III-V semiconductor-based nanostructures to the development of electro-optical and all-optical switches is investigated through the fabrication and testing of integrated photonic devices designed using multimode interference (MMI) waveguides. The properties and limitations of the materials are explored with respect to the operation of those devices through electrical carrier injection and optical pumping. MMI waveguide geometry was employed as it offered advantages such as a very compact device footprint, low polarization sensitivity, large bandwidth and relaxed fabrication tolerances when compared with conventional single-mode waveguide formats. The first portion of this dissertation focuses on the characterization of the materials and material processing techniques for the monolithic integration of In0.15Ga0.85As/GaAs self-assembled quantum dots (SAQD) and InGaAsP/InGaAsP multiple quantum wells (MQW). Supplemental methods for post-growth bandgap tuning and waveguide formation were developed, including a plasma treatment process which is demonstrated to reliably inhibit thermally induced interdiffusion of Ga and In atoms in In0.15Ga0.85As/GaAs quantum dots. The process is comparable to the existing approach of capping the SAQD wafer with TiO2, while being simpler to implement along-side companion techniques such as impurity free vacancy disordering. Study of plasma-surface interactions in both wafer structures suggests that the effect may be dependent on the composition of the contact layer. The second portion of this work deals with the design, fabrication, and the testing of MMI switches which are used to investigate the limits of electrical current control when employing SAQD as the active core material. A variable power splitter based on a 3-dB MMI coupler is used to analyze the effects of sub-microsecond electrical current pulses in relation to carrier and thermal nonlinearities. Electrical current controlled switching of the variable power splitter and a tunable 2 x 2 MMI coupler is also demonstrated. The third part of this dissertation explores the response of In0.15Ga0.85As/GaAs SAQD waveguide structures to photogenerated carriers. Also presented is a simple, but effective, design modification to the 2 x 2 MMI cross-coupler switch that allows control over the carrier distribution within the MMI waveguide. This technique is combined with selective-area bandgap tuning to demonstrate a compact, working, all-optical MMI based switch.

Fault localization is the process of realizing the true source of a failure from a set of collected failure notifications. Isolating failure recovery within the network optical domain is necessary to resolve alarm storm problems. The introduction of the monitoring trail (m-trail) has been proven to deliver better performance by employing monitoring resources in a form of optical trails - a monitoring framework that generalizes all the previously reported counterparts. In this dissertation, the m-trail design is explored and a focus is given to the analysis on using m-trails with established lightpaths to achieve fault localization. This process saves network resources by reducing the number of the m-trails required for fault localization and therefore the number of wavelengths used in the network. A novel approach based on Geographic Midpoint Technique, an adapted version of the Chinese Postman’s Problem (CPP) solution and an adapted version of the Traveling Salesman’s Problem (TSP) solution algorithms is introduced. The desirable features of network architectures and the enabling of innovative technologies for delivering future millimeter-waveband (mm-WB) Radio-over-Fiber (RoF) systems for wireless services integrated in a Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) is proposed in this dissertation. For the conceptual illustration, a DWDM RoF system with channel spacing of 12.5 GHz is considered. The mm-WB Radio Frequency (RF) signal is obtained at each Optical Network Unit (ONU) by simultaneously using optical heterodyning photo detection between two optical carriers. The generated RF modulated signal has a frequency of 12.5 GHz. This RoF system is easy, cost-effective, resistant to laser phase noise and also reduces maintenance needs, in principle. A revision of related RoF network proposals and experiments is also included. A number of models for Passive Optical Networks (PON)/ RoF-PON that combine both innovative and existing ideas along with a number of solutions for m-trail design problem of these models are proposed. The comparison between these models uses the expected survivability function which proved that these models are liable to be implemented in the new and existing PON/ RoF-PON systems. This dissertation is followed by recommendation of possible directions for future research in this area.

Este trabalho investiga a influência dos efeitos da mistura de quatro ondas (FWM -. Four- Wave Mixing) durante o estabelecimento de caminhos ópticos em uma rede GMPLS/DWDM (Generalized MultiProtocol Label Switching/Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing). Para minimizar seus impactos e assim reduzir o bloqueio total da rede, são propostas estratégias por meio de extensões ao RSVP-TE (Resource Reservation Protocol-Traffic Engineering). A partir de uma plataforma de simulação que emula e integra a camada óptica e o Plano de Controle da arquitetura GMPLS, a solução proposta é validada. Os vários métodos de alocação de comprimentos de onda são avaliados e as contribuições na redução dos sinais interferentes quantificadas. Para minimizar o bloqueio na rede, uma nova classe de métodos de alocação, classificados como híbridos, é definida e seu desempenho é avaliado. O bloqueio da rede em função da variação de parâmetros que reforçam a eficiência da FWM, tais como a quantidade e espaçamento entre canais, é observado, confirmando a necessidade de métodos de alocação especialistas para gerenciamento do QoS (Quality of Service) óptico em cada caminho a ser estabelecido. Os resultados obtidos comprovam a eficiência da solução proposta e evidenciam a necessidade de um Plano de Controle GMPLS com acurada visibilidade das restrições da camada física, tanto os efeitos estáticos quanto às degradações associadas ao comportamento dinâmico da rede. / This work investigates the effects of the Four-Wave Mixing (FWM) during the lightpaths establishment in a GMPLS/DWDM (Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching / Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) network. In order to minimize their impacts and thus reduce network blocking, strategies based on RSVP-TE (Resource Reservation Protocol- Traffic Engineering) extensions are proposed. The proposed solution is validated using a simulation platform that integrates and emulates the optical layer and the GMPLS Control Plane. The various wavelength allocation methods are evaluated and their contributions on the reduction of interfering signals are quantified. In order to minimize the network blocking, a new class of allocation methods (classified as hybrids) is defined and its performance is evaluated. The network blocking caused by the parameters that enhance the FWM efficiency, such as the number and spacing between channels, is also observed, confirming the need of specialized wavelength allocation methods for managing the optical QoS for each lightpath. The results obtained ascertain that the proposed solution is efficient and demonstrate the need for a GMPLS Control Plane endowed with an accurate visibility of the restrictions in the physical layer, concerning both static and dynamic effects.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-04T18:31:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 VICTOR ISHIZUCA TELES.pdf: 2209340 bytes, checksum: eade76b90d01487ba8c4f5e2b7226ad0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-02-10 / The objective of this work is to experimentally evaluate how physical impairments on the network can affect the performance of IP applications. Especially This work encompasses the analysis of the cross-layer effect caused by all-optical wavelength converters in the video signal. For this purpose, it was evaluated the packet error rate degradationcaused by physical layer parameters. Such analysis was made for a video signal propagation through the KyaTera Network, followed by an all optical wavelength conversion. The experimental results allowed concluding that converted signals separated by up to 1.5 THz from the original signal may experience 2.1-dB penalty. This fact indicates that for each wavelength conversion the signal propagation range will be reduced in 10 km (Considering an attenuation of 0.2 dB/km in the transmission fibers). It was also verified that the presence of the all-optical wavelength converter in the network implies a 16-dB power penalty. For this reason the wavelength conversion is a viable option for cases where the propagation distance for the unconverted signal is larger than 80 km. Results indicate the existence of a strong relation between the packet error rate and the degradation of the optical signal-noise ratio caused by the mentioned converter. It was not found any reference in the literature of any work with this type of characterization. Additionally, experiments to emulate the degradation of the video signals transmitted through links with a cascade of optical amplifiers were also performed. The results indicate that the packet error rate is related not only with optical signal-noise ratio, but also with the received signal power. / Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar experimentalmente como impedimentos f?sicos de redes ?pticas afetam o desempenho de aplica??es IP. Em especial, esse trabalho compreendeu a an?lise do efeito de cross-layer causado por conversores de comprimento de onda totalmente ?pticos em sinais de v?deo. Para isso avaliou-se a degrada??o da taxa de erro de pacotes em fun??o de par?metros da camada f?sica. Essa an?lise foi feita para uma propaga??o do sinal de v?deo pela Rede KyaTera, seguida de uma convers?o de comprimentos de onda totalmente ?ptica. Os resultados experimentais permitiram concluir que sinais convertidos, separados do sinal original por at? 1,5 THz, sofrem uma penalidade m?dia de pot?ncia de 2,1 dB. Este fato indica que para cada convers?o que o sinal sofrer o seu alcance ser? reduzido em aproximadamente 10 km (admitindo-se uma atenua??o de 0,2 dB/km nas fibras da rede). Concluiu-se tamb?m que a presen?a do conversor de comprimentos de onda na rede implica em uma penalidade de 16 dB. Este fato torna a convers?o de comprimentos de onda uma op??o vi?vel para os casos nos quais o sinal n?o convertido tenha de ser propagado por uma dist?ncia superior a 80 km. Os resultados obtidos indicam que existe uma forte correla??o entre a taxa de erro de pacotes da transmiss?o do sinal de v?deo e a degrada??o da raz?o sinal-ru?do ?ptica imposta pelo referido conversor. N?o foi encontrada nenhuma refer?ncia na literatura de qualquer trabalho que fizesse uma caracteriza??o desta maneira. Adicionalmente tamb?m foram realizados experimentos para emular a degrada??o de sinais de v?deo transmitidos por enlaces com uma cascata de amplificadores ?pticos. Os resultados deste experimento indicam que a taxa de erro de pacotes est? relacionada n?o apenas com a raz?o sinal-ru?do ?ptica, mas tamb?m com a pot?ncia do sinal no receptor.

Este trabalho investiga a influência dos efeitos da mistura de quatro ondas (FWM -. Four- Wave Mixing) durante o estabelecimento de caminhos ópticos em uma rede GMPLS/DWDM (Generalized MultiProtocol Label Switching/Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing). Para minimizar seus impactos e assim reduzir o bloqueio total da rede, são propostas estratégias por meio de extensões ao RSVP-TE (Resource Reservation Protocol-Traffic Engineering). A partir de uma plataforma de simulação que emula e integra a camada óptica e o Plano de Controle da arquitetura GMPLS, a solução proposta é validada. Os vários métodos de alocação de comprimentos de onda são avaliados e as contribuições na redução dos sinais interferentes quantificadas. Para minimizar o bloqueio na rede, uma nova classe de métodos de alocação, classificados como híbridos, é definida e seu desempenho é avaliado. O bloqueio da rede em função da variação de parâmetros que reforçam a eficiência da FWM, tais como a quantidade e espaçamento entre canais, é observado, confirmando a necessidade de métodos de alocação especialistas para gerenciamento do QoS (Quality of Service) óptico em cada caminho a ser estabelecido. Os resultados obtidos comprovam a eficiência da solução proposta e evidenciam a necessidade de um Plano de Controle GMPLS com acurada visibilidade das restrições da camada física, tanto os efeitos estáticos quanto às degradações associadas ao comportamento dinâmico da rede. / This work investigates the effects of the Four-Wave Mixing (FWM) during the lightpaths establishment in a GMPLS/DWDM (Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching / Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) network. In order to minimize their impacts and thus reduce network blocking, strategies based on RSVP-TE (Resource Reservation Protocol- Traffic Engineering) extensions are proposed. The proposed solution is validated using a simulation platform that integrates and emulates the optical layer and the GMPLS Control Plane. The various wavelength allocation methods are evaluated and their contributions on the reduction of interfering signals are quantified. In order to minimize the network blocking, a new class of allocation methods (classified as hybrids) is defined and its performance is evaluated. The network blocking caused by the parameters that enhance the FWM efficiency, such as the number and spacing between channels, is also observed, confirming the need of specialized wavelength allocation methods for managing the optical QoS for each lightpath. The results obtained ascertain that the proposed solution is efficient and demonstrate the need for a GMPLS Control Plane endowed with an accurate visibility of the restrictions in the physical layer, concerning both static and dynamic effects.

Fault localization is the process of realizing the true source of a failure from a set of collected failure notifications. Isolating failure recovery within the network optical domain is necessary to resolve alarm storm problems. The introduction of the monitoring trail (m-trail) has been proven to deliver better performance by employing monitoring resources in a form of optical trails - a monitoring framework that generalizes all the previously reported counterparts. In this dissertation, the m-trail design is explored and a focus is given to the analysis on using m-trails with established lightpaths to achieve fault localization. This process saves network resources by reducing the number of the m-trails required for fault localization and therefore the number of wavelengths used in the network. A novel approach based on Geographic Midpoint Technique, an adapted version of the Chinese Postman’s Problem (CPP) solution and an adapted version of the Traveling Salesman’s Problem (TSP) solution algorithms is introduced. The desirable features of network architectures and the enabling of innovative technologies for delivering future millimeter-waveband (mm-WB) Radio-over-Fiber (RoF) systems for wireless services integrated in a Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) is proposed in this dissertation. For the conceptual illustration, a DWDM RoF system with channel spacing of 12.5 GHz is considered. The mm-WB Radio Frequency (RF) signal is obtained at each Optical Network Unit (ONU) by simultaneously using optical heterodyning photo detection between two optical carriers. The generated RF modulated signal has a frequency of 12.5 GHz. This RoF system is easy, cost-effective, resistant to laser phase noise and also reduces maintenance needs, in principle. A revision of related RoF network proposals and experiments is also included. A number of models for Passive Optical Networks (PON)/ RoF-PON that combine both innovative and existing ideas along with a number of solutions for m-trail design problem of these models are proposed. The comparison between these models uses the expected survivability function which proved that these models are liable to be implemented in the new and existing PON/ RoF-PON systems. This dissertation is followed by recommendation of possible directions for future research in this area.

Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) is a phenomenon in which identical bosons occupy the same quantum state below a certain critical temperature. A hallmark of BEC is the coherence between particles every particle shares the same quantum wavefunction and phase. This coherence has been demonstrated for the external (motional) degrees of freedom of the atomic condensates by interfering two condensates. In this thesis, the coherence is shown to extend to the internal spin degrees of freedom of a spin-1 Bose gas evidenced by the observed coherent and reversible spin-changing collisions. The observed coherent dynamics are analogous to Josephson oscillations in weakly connected superconductors and represent a type of matter-wave four-wave mixing. Control of the coherent evolution of the system using magnetic fields is also demonstrated. The studies on spinor condensates begin by creating spinor condensates directly using all-optical approaches that were first developed in our laboratory. All-optical formation of Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC) in 1D optical lattice and single focus trap geometries are developed and presented. These techniques offer considerable flexibility and speed compared to magnetic trap approaches, and the trapping potential can be essentially spin-independent and are ideally suited for studying spinor condensates. Using condensates with well-defined initial non-equilibrium spin configuration, spin mixing of F = 1 and F = 2 spinor condensates of rubidium-87 atoms confined in an optical trap is observed. The equilibrium spin configuration in the F = 1 manifold confirms that 87Rb is ferromagnetic. The coherent spinor dynamics are demonstrated by initiating spin mixing deterministically with a non-stationary spin population configuration. Finally, the interplay between the coherent spin mixing and spatial dynamics in spin-1 condensates with ferromagnetic interactions is investigated.

In this study, possible applications of label switching in large area, fully optical networks are investigated. The objective was to design a label assignment method by using Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) concept to get an efficient optical network operation. In order to fulfill this objective, two new approaches were proposed: a label assignment method and a concatenated label structure. Label assignment method was designed to provide an efficient utilization of resources. Concatenated label structure aimed handling the label in optical domain. Mainly, the lambda switch capable GMPLS networks were investigated. In order to verify the performance of label assignment method, a simulator was developed. The results of simulation have clearly indicated that the proposed approaches could be beneficial in an optical network operation.

This dissertation is focused on the interaction between femtosecond laser and patterned two-dimensional gold nanostructures. The sample was prepared by two different lithographic techniques, the nanosphere lithography and the electron beam lithography. Characterization was carried out with scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy was used to answer a number of fundamental questions regarding the laser-nanostructure interaction. Under a low density irradiation of a femtosecond laser, we examined the effect of the lattice crystallinity on the electron-phonon relaxation in monolayer periodic array nanoparticles prepared with nanosphere lithography. We found that the electron-phonon relaxation rate was faster in polycrystalline nanoparticles and decreases greatly in single crystalline nanospheres, which is explained by the presence of high density grain boundaries. The ultrafast laser-induced coherent phonon oscillations in patterned gold nanoparticles are also fully characterized. We studied the effect of size, shape, thickness, monitoring wavelength, and materials of the prismatic array nanoparticles on the period of their coherent phonon oscillations. In a gold nanodisk pair system, we found that the fractional change in the vibration frequency increases exponentially with decreasing the ratio of the interparticle separation to the particle diameter, which is explained by the coupling of the induced electric field in one nanodisk by the strong surface plasmon field of its pair partner. Based on the coherent phonon oscillation of gold caps on a polystyrene sphere monolayer array, a new all-optical gigahertz modulation technique is developed. Under a high density irradiation of a femtosecond laser, the melting and ablation processes can be induced in gold nanoparticles. We studied femtosecond laser induced shape and localized surface plasmon resonance band changes of gold prismatic array nanoparticles. We also observed that the femtosecond laser irradiation of the nanoprisms at the surface plasmon resonance absorption maximum can cause them to detach from the substrate and 'fly away'. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy measurements revealed that the displaced nanoparticles are thinner and smaller than the undisplaced ones, which supports an atomic ablation mechanism.