Glaucoma is an ophthalmic pathology that is the second leading cause of blindness. The laboratory design of a Polarization Sensitive Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomographic System aims to detect early glaucoma symptoms and prevent vision loss that occurs due to late or no glaucoma diagnosis. In order to perform human clinical trials at partner hospitals across the country, a miniaturized and portable version of the laboratory system was developed. The system facilitates easy transportation and clinical testing of the otherwise voluminous laboratory system across different eye centers. Significant consideration was given for performance optimization, cost reduction, design improvements and providing a friendly user-patient interface. / text

Multiple geophysical and geological data sets were compiled, reprocessed, and interpreted using state-of-the-art signal processing and modeling algorithms to characterize the complex post-Paleozoic geology that overlies the southwestern projection of the Fluorspar Area Fault Complex (FAFC) in western Kentucky. Specific data included 21.5 km of SH-wave seismic reflection, 1.5 km of P-wave seismic reflection, 2 km of electrical resistivity, vertical seismic profiles, Vp and Vs sonic-suspension logs, and 930 lithologic borehole logs. The resultant model indicates three general northeast–southwest-oriented fault zones pass through the study area as southwestern extensions of parts of the FAFC. These fault zones form two significant subparallel grabens with ancillary substructures. The geometry of the interpreted fault zones indicates that they have undergone episodic tectonic deformation since their first formation. Evidence of thickening and steeply dipping reflectors within Tertiary and Quaternary sediment in the downthrown blocks indicate syndepositional movement. Subtle thickening and lack of steeply dipping intraformational reflectors in the Cretaceous suggest a more quiescent period, with sediment deposition unconformably draping and filling the earlier Paleozoic structural surface. There is also evidence that the Tertiary and early Quaternary reactivation was associated with an extensional to compressional regional stress reversal, as manifested by the antiformal folds seen in the hanging wall reflectors and the potential small-amplitude force folds in the Quaternary alluvium, as well as a clear displacement inversion along the Metropolis-loess seismic horizon in two high-resolution reflection images. A surface shear-wave splitting experiment proved to be an efficient and effective tool for characterizing shallow subsurface azimuthally anisotropic geologic inclusions in low-impedance water-saturated sediment environments. The measured azimuthal anisotropy across a well-constrained N60ºE-striking fault exhibited a natural coordinate system that had a fast direction coincident with the fault strike and an orthogonal slow direction. This is also one indicator that faults inactive during significant geologic intervals (i.e., Holocene) do not "heal". Integrated shear-wave velocity models and electrical resistivity tomography profiles across the fault zones exhibit lower shear-wave velocities and resistivities within the deformation zones compared with values outside the boundaries. This is additional evidence that the deformed sediment does not reconsolidate or heal, but that the sediment particle configuration remains more loosely packed, providing an increase in the overall porosity (i.e., hydraulic conductivity). This can wholly or in large part explain the anomalous contaminant plume migration path that is coincident with the deformed zones of the regional gravel groundwater aquifer.

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive three-dimensional imaging technique. OCT synthesizes a cross-sectional image from a series of lateral adjacent depth scans, and with a two-dimensional scanning scheme, three-dimensional intensity image of sample can be constructed. Due to its non-invasive capability, OCT has been widely applied in ophthalmology, cardiology and dermatology; and in addition to three-dimensional intensity image construction, various functional OCT imaging techniques have been developed for clinical application. My research is focused on developing functional OCT systems for application in ophthalmology, including polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) for retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) birefringence measurement and dual-wavelength photothermal optical coherence tomography (DWP-OCT) for microvasculature blood oxygen saturation (SO2) measurement. In the study, a single-mode-fiber based polarization-sensitive swept-source OCT (PS-SS-OCT) with polarization modulator, polarization-sensitive bulk-optics balanced detection module is constructed and polarization processing methods based on Stokes vectors are applied to determine birefringence. PS-OCT is able to provide human subject's RNFL thickness, phase retardation, and birefringence information. Degradation in the degree of polarization (DOP) along depth is investigated and its difference between four quadrants of RNFL (superior, temporal, inferior and nasal) indicates the structural property difference. DWP-OCT is a novel functional OCT system consisting of a phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography system (PhS-OCT) and two photothermal excitation lasers. PhS-OCT is based on a swept-source laser operating in the 1060 nm wavelength range; the two photothermal excitation lasers with wavelength 770 nm and 800 nm are intensity modulated at different frequencies. PhS-OCT probe beam and two photothermal excitation beams are combined and incident on the sample, optical pathlength (op) change on the sample introduced by two photothermal excitation beams are measured and used for blood SO2 estimation. A polarization microscope is proposed for future study. The polarization microscope is an imaging technique providing molecular structure and orientation based on probe light's polarization state information. The polarization microscope uses a wavelength tunable light source, and can achieve any incident polarization state by a retarder-rotator combination. Specimen's birefringence can be determined based on the changing of detected light amplitude. / text

No description available.

Quarter-wave retarders (QWR) that employ total internal reflection (TIR) and interference of light in a transparent thin-film coating at the base of a prism are presented. Explicit equations that guide the optimal design are provided. The optimal refractive index and normalized thickness of QWR coatings on glass and ZnS prisms are determined as functions of the internal angle of incidence from 45o to 75o. An achromatic QWR that uses an Si3N4- coated N-BK10-Schott glass prism is also presented with retardance error of 3o over the 400-600 nm wavelength range. An iterative procedure for the design of a polarizing beam splitter (PBS) that uses a form-birefringent, subwavelength-structured, one-dimensional photonic-crystal layer (SWS 1-D PCL) embedded in a high-index cubical prism is presented. The PBS is based on index matching and total transmission for the p polarization and total internal reflection for the s polarization at the prism-PCL interface at a 45o angle of incidence. A high extinction ratio in reflection ( 50 dB) over the 4-12 μm IR spectral range is achieved using a SWS 1-D PCL of ZnTe embedded in a ZnS cube within an external field of view (FOV) of ±6.6o and in the presence of grating filling factor errors of up to ±10%. Comparable results, but with a wider field of view, are also obtained with a Ge PCL embedded in a Si prism. A design for visible spectrum (553–713 nm) PBS SWS 1-D PCL of ZnTe embedded in a ZnS cube is also presented. The PBS shows a FOV of ±7o. A circular polarizing beam splitter (CPBS) with equal throughput for p and s polarization using SWS 1-D PCL embedded in a high-index cubical prism is introduced. A dual QWR in transmission and reflection with 50–50% CPBS is designed using the PCL. Such a CPBS shows large deviation from the design point as a result of small changes in the design parameters; e.g. a change of 10% in the filling factor results in 12o shift from the 90o phase shift between p and s polarizations, which limits the practical utility of the device.

Neste trabalho foram feitas as sínteses de dois poliuretanos utilizando-se o corante DR19 (4-(bis-N-2-hidroxietil)amino-4\'-nitroazobenzeno), o DR19MDI-PU derivado do 4,4\' difenilmetano-diisocianato e o DR19IPDI-PU derivado diisocianato de isofurona. O corante foi sintetizado e caracterizado por espectroscopia na região do infravermelho (FTIR), espectroscopia na região do ultravioleta visível (UV-Vis) e ressonância magnética nuclear de próton (HRMN). Os polímeros foram caracterizados por FTIR, UV-Vis, termogravimetria e calorimetria diferencial de varredura. As massas molares, Mn e Mw, e a polidispersividade foram determinadas por cromatografia de exclusão por tamanho. Um estudo sistemático foi realizado sobre as propriedades dos filmes de Langmuir destes polímeros. Monocamadas do DR19IPDI-PU puro apresentaram uma área maior por monômero, ao contrário do esperado porque sua unidade repetitiva é menor do que a do DR19MDI-PU. Entretanto, nos filmes mistos com estearato de cádmio (CdSt), na razão de 50:50% em massa, a área foi essencialmente a mesma para os dois polímeros, o que foi atribuído à influência do CdSt na agregação das macromoléculas. Isto foi confirmado pela forte interação entre CdSt e DR19MDI-PU que fez com que o potencial de superfície do filme misto fosse maior do que o dos filmes dos componentes puros. Apesar de os filmes de Langmuir dos polímeros puros serem estáveis, eles não eram passíveis de transferência para substratos sólidos, e por isso filmes Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) foram produzidos a partir dos filmes mistos com CdSt. Os filmes fabricados eram do tipo Y, com taxa de transferência próxima de 1. Medidas de espectroscopia óptica comprovaram a existência do CdSt e dos polímeros nos filmes LB e que a quantidade de material transferida em cada deposição foi a mesma. A agregação também afetou as propriedades dos filmes LB mistos, com os filmes de DR19MDI-PUICdSt apresentando um espectro UV-vis. característico de agregação do tipo H, ao contrário do caso de filmes LB de outros azopolímeros, incluindo o DR19IPDI-PU. Nos filmes LB, os domínios de CdSt e do polímero estão separados, como indicado por medidas de difração de Raios X, que mostraram picos de Bragg intensos característicos de estruturas com um espaçamento de bicamadas muito próximo do valor encontrado para filmes de CdSt puro. A fotoisomerização dos filmes LB foi investigada realizando-se ciclos de escrita-apagamento do processo de armazenamento óptico. A birrefringência induzida opticamente é estável, podendo ser eliminada com luz kircularmente polarizada. Ela aumenta com a potência do laser de escrita, antes de atingir a saturação. A potência de saturação é maior para o DR19MDIPU, provavelmente devido à agregação nestes filmes. Efeitos de agregação foram comprovados a partir de comparações dos resultados dos filmes LB com filmes obtidos por centrifugação dos polímeros investigados. A birrefringência máxima nos filmes LB diminui com o número de camadas depositadas porque o grau de ordenamento diminui quando um grande número de camadas é depositado, analogamente ao observado em filmes LB e de outros azopolímeros / Two polyurethanes have been synthesized with the functionalization with azobenzene dye, namely DR19 (4-(bis-N-2-hydroxyethyl)amino-4\'-nitroazobenzene). The dye was also synthesized as part of the work, and its structure was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-RMN). The resultant polymers, DR19IPDI-PU and DR19MDIPU, were characterized by FTIR, Uv-Vis providing results as expected from the anticipated molecular structures. Their molecular weights, Mn and Mw, and their polydispersity were determined by size-exclusion chromatography. Thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry were also employed. A systematic investigation was carried out on the monolayer properties of these polymers. While monolayers of pure DR19MDI-PU displayed a larger area per repeat unit, contrary to expected as its unit is smaller than DR19IPDI-PU, their mixed monolayers with cadmium stearate (CdSt) (50:50% in weight) had the same area as the mixed monolayers of DR19IPDIPU. This was attributed to the influence of CdSt on the aggregation of DR19MDI-PUmacromolecules, which was confirmed by the strong interaction between CdSt and DR19MDI-PU that led to a monolayer surface potential for the mixed monolayer which was higher than for the value of both separate components. Eventhoughthe Langmuir monolayers of the pure polymers were stable at the airlwater interface, their b transferability was poor and therefore Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films were produced from the mixed monolayers with CdSt, leading to Y-type films with near unity transfer ratios. Optical spectroscopy measurements confirmed the presence of CdSt as well as the polymer in the LB films, and also that the amount of material deposited in each transfer step was the same. Aggregation also played an important role in the properties of the transferred mixed LB films, as films from DR19MDI-PUICdSt displayed a UV-vis. spectrum characteristic of H-aggregates, unlike the case of LB films from other azobenzene-containing polymers, including DR19IPDI-PU. In the LB films, the domains of CdSt and polymer appear separately, as indicated by X-ray diffraction which showed intensive Bragg peaks which were characteristic of structures with a bilayer thickness very close to that of pure CdSt films. Photoisomerization of the LB films was investigated by performing writing-erasing cycles of optical storage processes. The photoinduced birefringence was stable, and could be eliminated by impinging circularly polarized light on the film. It increased with the power of the writing laser before reaching saturation. The power for saturation was higher for DR19MDI-PU, probably due to the aggregation of these films. Effects from aggregation were confirmed uponcomparing data for LB films with those from spin-coated films of the polymers investigated. The maximumbirefringence in the LB films decreased with the number of layers because the degree of order decreases as a large number of layers are deposited, similarly to the observed with LB films of other azobenzene-containing polymers

O ultra-som de baixa intensidade é um recurso que vem sendo explorado em vários tipos de tecidos, inclusive a pele, porém os estudos buscam resultados em pele em reparação. Este estudo tem a finalidade de avaliar a eficáia do ultra-som de baixa intensidade no colágeno da pele sadia de ratos, visando analisar o comportamento das fibras de colágeno da derme, por meio da birrefringência e da análise histológica. Foi utilizado um aparelho de ultra-som de 30 mW/\'CM POT.2\' (SATA), modo pulsado, com frequência de 1,5 MHz, largura de pulso de 200 milisegundos. Os animais utilizados foram 15 ratos e divididos aleatoriamente em 3 grupos (5 animais cada): grupo Ultra-som (US), tratado com ultra-som; grupo Placebo (PL), submetido à irradiação simulada; e grupo Controle (C). A irradiação foi aplicada na pele do dorso dos animais durante 10 minutos, em 10 aplicações consecutivas com intervalo de 2 dias após a quinta aplicação. Amostras da pele dos animais foram submetidas à análise de birrefringência com microscopia de luz polarizada, através de medidas de retardo óptico (RO) e à análise histológica. As medidas de RO foram submetidas à análise estatística por meio do teste de variância Anova, com nível de significância de 5%, e ao teste de Tukey. O grupo US apresentou a menor média de RO (26,03), comparando com os grupos C (31,09) e PL (29,07) e as diferenças entre as médias foram significativas (p<0,01). Estes dados demonstram que a ação do ultra-som de baixa intensidade altera o comportamento das fibras de colágeno, causando uma desorganização das fibras uma vez que quanto maior o RO, maior a organização das fibras de colágeno. Analisando as medidas separadamente para cada camada da pele observa-se que a derme papilar e a derme reticular não apresentaram o mesmo comportamento. A ação do ultra-som mostrou-se mais acentuada na camada reticular, pois esta apresentou o menor valor de média de RO (22,51). Os dados do grupo PL demonstraram que há uma ação da irradiação simulada, porém não na mesma intensidade que a do grupo US. Nas áreas adjacentes à superfície da pele irradiada, não houve ação do ultra-som, pois as médias de RO não foram diferentes estatisticamente do grupo C. Na análise histológica pode observar as fibras de colágeno do grupo US com aspecto mais compacto em relação aos demais grupos, porém num nível moderado. Conclui-se que o ultra-som de baixa intensidade, nas condições deste estudo, altera a organização das fibras de colágeno na derme, de maneira mais acentuada na camada reticular, promovendo uma desorganização das fibras. / The low intensity ultrasound is a resource that is been explored over many different kinds of tissues, including skin. However, most studies attempt only to the skin healing process. The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior of collagen fibers in the derm when exposed to the low intensity ultrasound through birefringence and histological analysis. The ultrasound equipment used had 30 mW/\'CM POT.2\' (SATA) pulsing model, frequency of 1.5 MHz and pulse width of 200 milliseconds. The 15 wistar rats used during the experiment were randomly divided into 3 distinct groups of 5 specimens each. The ultrasound group (US) was exposed to ultrasound; the placebo group (PL) was exposed to simulated ultrasound and the control group (C), with no exposition. The ultrasound irradiation was applied on the dorsal skin portion of the body for 10 minutes/day with two days rest between the sections after the fifth of the ten programmed sections. Skin samples collected were them submitted to a birefringence analysis under the polarized light microscopy and measured the optical delays (RO) as well as to a histological analysis. The optical delay (RO) analyses were them statistically analyzed under the ANOVA variance with 5% significance level and to the Tukey test. The statistical analyses demonstrated that the ultrasound group (US) had the lowest average of optical delay (RO) of the tested specimens (26.03) when compared with to control group (31.09) and the Placebo group (29.07) and the statistical difference between the series averages were significant (p<0.01). The data demonstrates that the low intensity ultrasound changes the behavior of the collagen fibers generating a disorganization of the fibers arrangement based on the concept that higher optical delay indicates a higher collagen fiber organization. Analyzing each individual skin layer was possible to see that papilar derm and reticular derm have the same behavior. The ultrasound action was more visible on the reticular derm were the optical delay average was 22.51. The placebo group also demonstrated that the simulated radiation had some effect over the area; however its level was lower than the ultrasound group. The skin surrounding the irradiated patch showed no change in behavior this fact was confirmed by the statistical analyses which matched the control group optical delay averages. The histological analyses allowed to see a more compacted collagen aspect on the ultrasound group than the observed on the other groups. Low intensity ultrasound, following this study conditions, changes the collagen fiber structure of the derm, presenting high intensity disorganization on the reticular layer.

Os equinos atletas, especialmente os cavalos de corrida, são frequentemente acometidos por lesões do sistema locomotor. A tendinite é uma enfermidade frequente, sendo o flexor digital superficial (TFDS) o mais acometido. Muitos dos métodos de tratamento para lesões de tendão são utilizados, mas poucos proporcionam cura eficiente e duradoura. Este trabalho tem por finalidade investigar o efeito do ultrassom terapêutico (UST) no processo de cicatrização do TFDS em equinos. Para tanto foram utilizados 20 equinos da raça Puro Sangue Inglês, com idade variando entre dois e nove anos, machos e fêmeas, distribuídos em três grupos (G1, G2 e G3). O G1 foi formado por oito animais, sendo que os TFDS de seus membros torácicos não foram infiltrados com colagenase e nem expostos ao UST. O G2 e o G3 foram compostos por seis animais cada. A indução da lesão foi realizada no terço médio do TFDS com 1ml da solução de colagenase (2,5mg/ml), em todos os membros torácicos dos animais do G2 e do G3. A cicatrização dos tendões foi acompanhada pelos exames clínicos e ultrassonográficos. Aleatoriamente, apenas um membro torácico de cada cavalo do G2 e do G3 foi tratado com UST, modo pulsado (ciclo de trabalho 20%), frequência de 1 MHz e intensidade 0,5 W/cm2 (SATA spatial average temporal average), por 5 minutos. Foram colhidas amostras de tecido tendíneo lesado no 15° dia após o início do tratamento (T15) no G2 para determinar a expressão das proteínas IGF-1, TGF-&beta;1 e PCNA por imunoistoquimica; no 60° dia após o início do tratamento (T60) no G3 para detectar e mensurar a variação da organização dos feixes de colágenos por análise da birrefringência. Não foram observadas diferenças clínicas entre os membros tratados e não tratados dos grupos G2 e G3. Por meio da avaliação ultrassonográfica observou-se que o tamanho e ecogenicidade do tendão, tamanho e ecogenicidade da lesão, alinhamento longitudinal das fibras dos membros tratados do G3 não diferiram de tendões normais (G1) (P>0,05). Não houve diferença estatística entre os grupos para a expressão de PCNA. Entretanto, os membros tratados do G2 apresentaram maior expressão do TGF-&beta;1, enquanto os membros não tratados apresentaram maior expressão para o IGF-1 (P<0,05). Os resultados da birrefringência mostraram diferença estatística significativa entre o G1 e os membros não tratados do G3 e, entre os membros tratados e não tratados do G3 (P<0,001). A análise dos resultados sugere que o tempo de tratamento com UST não foi suficiente no G2 para promover regeneração do tendão, mas alterou a expressão de IGF-1 e TGF-&beta;1, indicando aceleração do processo cicatricial. Já a irradiação do UST no G3 promoveu reorganização, agregação das fibras de colágeno e regeneração do tendão. Conclui-se que, este protocolo de tratamento de UST é eficaz tanto para acelerar o processo de cicatrização do tendão, como para melhorar a organização de suas fibras de colágeno. / Equine athletes are frequently afflicted with locomotor injuries, especially racing horses. Tendinitis is a common problem of lameness in horse, and then the superficial digital flexor tendinitis (SDFT) is the greatest affected. Many of the tendinitis methods of treatment have an empirical basis; but none has proved an effective cure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of therapeutic ultrasound (TUS) on equine SDFT healing process. It was submitted 20 thoroughbred horses, mares and stallions, between two and nine years old, which were divided into three groups (G1, G2 and G3). The G1 was composed of eight horses; no tendinitis was induced, so they did not received any treatment. G2 and G3 were composed of six animals each one. All G2 and G3 forelimbs received 1.0 ml of collagenase (2.5 mg/ml) in the middle of SDFT. Healing process was monitored by clinical and sonographic evaluations. Randomly, one forelimb from each horse of G2 and G3 was treated with TUS performed at a frequency of 1 MHz on pulsed mode, an intensity of 0.5 W/cm2 (SATA - spatial average temporal average), for 5 minutes. After 15 treatment days, a tendon biopsy was performed on G2 tendons and protein expression for IGF-1, TGF-&beta;1 and PCNA were determined by immunohistochemistry. After 60 treatment days, a tendon biopsy was performed on G3 with the purpose of detecting and measuring the organization of collagen fibers through birefringence. Results showed no statistically difference for clinical examination on G2 and G3 treated and untreated tendons. Sonographic evaluation parameters such as isoechogenicity of tendon and lesion, diminution of lesion and tendon cross-sectional area, good axial alignment of collagen fibers was demonstrated by G3 treated limbs compared with normal tendon (P>0,05). The results showed no statistically difference between G1 and G2 treated and untreated tendons cells for PCNA expression. However, ultrasound-treated tendon cells (G2) were stained more strongly for TGF-&beta;1; whereas untreated tendon cells (G2) stained more strongly for IGF-1. The results showed a statistically difference (P<0.001) between G1 x G3 untreated tendons and between G3 treated and untreated tendons. Our results suggest that G2 TUS treatment time was not sufficient to improve tendon regeneration; although it modified IGF-1 and TGF-&beta;1 expression, accelerating tissue healing rate. In addition, G3 TUS protocol improved the arrangement and aggregation state of the collagen fibril, and promotes tendon regeneration. In conclusion, this TUS protocol is effective either to accelerate tendon healing or to improve the arrangement of the collagen fibril.

Este trabalho visa a caracterização estrutural, mecânica e óptica de elastômeros de uretâno/uréia (PU/PBDO), baseados em óxido de poli(propileno) e poli(butenodiol), puro, após inflação em tolueno e dopados com ferrofluido. As proporções em massa (%) de PU e PBDO utilizadas são 40/60, 50/50, 60/40 e 80/20. As análises estruturais foram feitas através das técnicas de microscopia óptica de luz polarizada, microscopia de força atômica e magnética, e microscopia confocal de varredura laser com as quais foi verificado que os filmes são isotrópicos e autofluorescentes. A amostra após inflação com tolueno não apresenta diferença em sua textura em relação a amostra pura. As amostras dopadas apresentam coloração marrom devido aos grãos magnéticos. Também verificamos que o processo de dopagem com inflação dos filmes em solução de tolueno e ferrofluido é eficiente, uma vez que o filme não apresenta grandes agregados de grãos magnéticos. Medidas do coeficiente de absorção óptica mostraram que o tempo de inflação das amostras em tolueno não altera de forma significativa esses filmes. Também verificamos que o tempo, de imersão do filme na solução de tolueno e ferrofluido, para que as amostras incorporem a maior quantidade de grãos magnéticos aumenta com a concentração de PU. O número de grãos magnéticos na matriz elastomérica não aumenta depois que a amostra atinge o nível de saturação. Experimentos mecânicos e ópticos mostram que o processo de preparação do elastômero (casting) introduz uma anisotropia estrutural nas amostras opticamente isotrópicas. Esse fato foi evidenciado pelas medidas do módulo de Young e orientação do eixo óptico das amostras sob estiramento. A dependência da diferença de fase e consequentemente da birrefringência óptica em amostras puras, após inflação com tolueno e dopadas com ferrofluido, com a deformação é linear. O coeficiente de deformação óptico também é linear com a concentração de ferrofluido. Para todos os tempos de inflação em tolueno e ferrofluido as amostras 50/50 e 60/40 foram as que apresentaram maior birrefringência induzida por estiramento. / This work aims the structural, mechanical and optical characterization of urethane/urea elastomers (PU/PBDO), based on polypropylene oxide and polybutadiene diol, pure, after swelling in toluene and doped with ferrofluid. The ratios in weight % of PU and PBDO used are 40/60, 50/50, 60/40 and 80/20. The structural analysis were made through of polarized light microscopy, atomic and magnetic force microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy techniques in such was verified that films are isotropics and autofluorescents. The sample after swelling with toluene does not present difference in its texture compared with pure sample. Doped samples present brown color due the magnetic grains. It was also verified that doping process by swelling of film in solution of ferrofluid with toluene is efficient because the film not shows large aggregates of magnetic grains. Measurements of optical absorption coefficient show that the swelling time of the samples in toluene does not modify significantly these films. We verified that the immersion time of the film in the solution of ferrofluid with toluene, to incorporate in the greatest quantity of magnetic grains in samples, increases with the PU concentration. The number of magnetic grains in the elastomeric matrix does not increase after the samples reach the saturation level. Mechanical and optical experiments show that the elastomer preparation procedure (casting) introduces a structural anisotropy in the optically isotropic sample. This result was evidenced by the measurements of the Young\'s module and orientation of the sample\'s optic axis under stretching. The dependence of phase shift, and, consequently the optical birefringence, with strain in pure, after swelling in toluene and doped with ferrofluid samples, is linear. The strain-optic coefficient is linear with the concentration of ferrofluid. For all the swelling time in toluene and ferrofluid the 50/50 and 60/40 samples were those that present the greatest induced birefringence under stretching.

Geração de luz supercontínua é um efeito caracterizado por um forte alargamento espectral induzido por efeitos não-lineares no meio óptico, e que encontra uma vasta gama de aplicações, como tomografia por coerência óptica, espectroscopia e metrologia de freqüência. No presente trabalho, os fenômenos físicos responsáveis pela geração de luz supercontínua são estudados teoricamente, utilizando a ferramenta numérica desenvolvida para dar suporte à teoria. Os efeitos de polarização relacionados à geração de luz supercontínua também são analisados e, neste contexto, a utilização de uma fibra de cristal fotônico com formato tipo-D e alta birrefringência é proposta para servir como meio óptico. As características do supercontínuo gerado nesta fibra são analisadas teoricamente, novamente com o apoio da ferramenta numérica. A análise conclui que a fibra proposta apresenta consideráveis vantagens em relação às fibras convencionais, principalmente por ser capaz de manter o estado de polarização da luz supercontínua estável. / Supercontinuum generation is an effect characterized by a strong spectral broadening induced by nonlinear effects in the optical medium. There is a wide range of applications for this effect, such as optical coherence tomography, spectroscopy and frequency metrology. In this work, the physical phenomena responsible for supercontinuum generation are theoretically studied relying on the developed numerical tool to support the theory. The polarization effects related to supercontinuum generation are also assessed and, in this context, a highly birefringent D-shaped photonic crystal fiber is proposed as a medium for supercontinuum generation. The characteristics of supercontinuum generation in the proposed fiber are theoretically analyzed. The analysis concludes that the proposed fiber shows considerable advantages over conventional fibers, mainly due to the capability to keep the state of polarization of the supercontinuum stable.