Objetivo: Este estudo avaliou o efeito dos agentes dessensibilizantes associados ou não ao laser de diodo na permeabilidade dentinária e na morfologia da superfície. Materiais e Métodos: Para este estudo, 104 espécimes de dentina radicular bovina foram divididos aleatoriamente em 4 grupos e 2 subgrupos (n=13): G1A= nenhum tratamento (controle), G1B= laser de diodo, G2A= Oxagel, G2B= laser de diodo + Oxagel, G3A= Mi Paste, G3B= laser de diodo + Mi Paste, G4A= Sensitive Pró-Alívio dessensibilizante, G4B= laser de diodo + Sensitive Pró-Alívio dessensibilizante. Para análise da permeabilidade, 10 espécimes de cada grupo foram imersos em ácido clorídrico a 1% durante 20 segundos, 3 vezes, com intervalo de 2 horas entre as imersões, para exposição dos túbulos dentinários. A aplicação dos agentes dessensibilizantes foi feita de acordo com as instruções do fabricante e a irradiação com o laser de diodo foi feita no modo contato, comprimento de onda de 970 nm +/- 10 nm, potência máxima de 7 W CW, frequência de 10 Hz, durante 25 segundos. Em seguida, os espécimes foram submetidos à coloração histoquímica e seccionados para serem analisados quanto à permeabilidade por meio de microscopia óptica (MO). A permeabilidade dentinária foi dada pela porcentagem de penetração do corante em relação à área total do espécime seccionado. Os espécimes remanescentes (n = 3) foram utilizados para análise microscópica da superfície que foi dividida em duas áreas (controle e tratada). A exposição dos túbulos dentinários e a aplicação dos tratamentos foram realizadas da forma já descrita e, na sequência, os espécimes foram avaliados em microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Os valores obtidos de permeabilidade foram analisados através da ANOVA. Resultados: Nenhuma diferença estatística significante foi observada entre os tratamentos. Na microscopia eletrônica de varredura, foi observada uma ligeira diferença entre a área tratada e a área controle, exceto no grupo 4B. Comparando os grupos A e B (sem e associado ao laser, respectivamente), nenhuma mudança significativa foi notada na superfície dentinária. Conclusão: A aplicação dos agentes dessensibilizantes associados ou não ao laser diodo não influenciou na permeabilidade dentinária radicular e na morfologia da superfície dentinária. / Objective: This study evaluated the effect of desensitizing agents associated or not with laser diode on dentin permeability and surface morphology. Materials and Methods: For this study, 104 bovine root dentin specimens were randomly divided into 4 groups and 2 subgroups (n = 13): G1A = no treatment (control), G1B= diode laser, G2A= Oxagel, G2B= diode laser + Oxagel, G3A= Mi Paste, G3B= diode laser + Mi Paste, G4A= Sensitive Pro-Relief desensitizing, G4B= diode laser + Sensitive Pro-Relief desensitizing. For permeability analysis , 10 specimens were immersed in 1% hydrochloric acid for 20 seconds, three times, with an interval of 2 hours between them, to expose the dentinal tubules. The application of desensitizing agents was performed according to the manufacturers instructions and the irradiation with the laser diode was made on contact mode, wavelength of 970 nm +/- 10 nm, maximum output 7 W CW, 10 Hz, for 25 seconds. After that, the specimens were imaged in an optical microscope (OM) and permeability was measured in the digitized images as the percentage of cooper ions penetration over the total area. The remaining specimens (n = 3) were used for surface microscopic analysis and they were divided in two areas (control and treated). The dentinal tubules exposure and the treatments application were performed as previously described and then analysed in scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The permeability values were analyzed using ANOVA. Results: No statistical significant difference among the treatments was observed. For scanning electron microscopy, there was a slight difference between the treated and control area, except for group 4B. Comparing groups A and B (without and associated with laser, respectively), no significant change was verified on the dentin surface. Conclusion: The application of desensitizing agents associated or not with diode laser did not affect the root dentin permeability and the dentin surface morphology.

L’intérêt croissant de l’industrie aéronautique pour les matériaux composites favorise le développement de procédés de mise en œuvre rapides et automatisés. Technologie approuvée pour la réalisation de stratifiés à matrice thermodurcissable, les cellules de placement de fibres de la société Coriolis Composites permettent la fabrication de pièces stratifiées aux formes et dimensions variées. Ne nécessitant pas de polymérisation longue et onéreuse en autoclave tout en répondant aux nouvelles règlementations environnementales et aux besoins thermomécaniques spécifiques, les composites thermoplastiques sont une issue aux nouveaux enjeux du monde du transport. Le procédé s’appuie sur la technologie des lasers à diodes générant les densités de puissance nécessaires à la fusion des matrices thermoplastiques. Les travaux présentés s’inscrivent à la croisée de ces trois technologies en fort devenir : procédé de placement de fibres, matrice thermoplastique et laser à diodes. Ils sont menés dans le cadre du projet IMPALA (Innovation Matériaux et Procédés avec plAcement de fibres LAser) labellisé FUI 11, et, ont pour objectif de modéliser le procédé par l’expérimentation et la simulation. Le matériau composite étudié dans le cadre de cette thèse est l’APC-2/AS4 de la société Cytec Engineering Materials, pré-imprégné constitué de fibres de carbone et d’une matrice thermoplastique PEEK. Trois modèles numériques sont développés : (i) une modélisation optique fondée sur un algorithme de lancer de rayons permettant de déterminer la distribution du rayonnement laser sur la matière, (ii) une modélisation thermique renvoyant les champs de température au sein du stratifié en cours de drapage et (iii) une modélisation rhéologique afin d’étudier la déformation de la matière et la qualité du soudage des différents plis. Le développement de ces modèles s’appuie sur une caractérisation du procédé notamment du faisceau laser permettant la chauffe synchrone des fibres acheminées et des plis précédemment déposés et du module de compactage constitué d’un rouleau souple épousant la surface de drapage. Des données matériaux telles que les indices de réfractions, l’émissivité ou la viscosité sont également déterminées par voie expérimentale ou homogénéisation. En parallèle, des campagnes de mesures par thermocouples et radiométrie sont réalisées pour mieux comprendre les phénomènes thermiques dans la zone de chauffe et au sein du stratifié. Les confrontations entre ces mesures et les prédictions numériques renvoyant de bonnes corrélations, le modèle optico- thermique peut alors être exploité afin d’établir l’influence de différents paramètres sur le procédé et de proposer de solutions d’asservissement entre la puissance du laser et la vitesse de drapage. Enfin, une étude par spectroscopie infrarouge permet d’étendre une cinétique de dégradation du matériau au cas transitoire adapté au procédé de placement de fibres. / Aeronautic industry demonstrates a growing interest in composite materials and development of quick and automated manufacturing processes. Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) process is a certified technology to achieve laminate structure with thermoset composites. Coriolis Composites Company develops robotic cells for fiber placement enabling the laying of continuous fibers in all directions and on complex geometrical surfaces. Thermoplastic (TP) matrix composites are currently a promising alternative for making structures for transport applications. They do not actually require long and expensive curing step in autoclave and would meet the sustainable requirements and expect thermo-mechanical behavior. AFP process bases on high power diode lasers required to melt the TP polymers. The presented work is located at the crossroads of three technologies with a bright future: AFP process, TP matrix composite and diode lasers. It have been carried out within the framework of the IMPALA project with the aim of modeling process by experiments and numerical simulations. APC-2/AS4 from Cytec Engineering Materials is the composite material of the study. It consists of a pre-impregnated composite with carbon fibers and TP PEEK matrix. Three models developed in this study are: (1) an optical model based on a raytracing algorithm to quantify the laser distribution on materials, (2) a thermal model to calculate the thermal field in laminate structure during layup, and (3) a rheological model in order to study the squeezing and bonding of plies. These models base on a characterization of the process, including the laser beam (that heats both fed tows and previous layed plies) and the compaction system (formed by a deformable roller that molds the lay-up surface). Material data like refractive index, emissivity or viscosity are determined by experiments or homogenization method. Experimental measurements are simultaneously realized with thermocouples and infrared cameras to understand thermal phenomena in heating zone and laminate. These measures correlate well with numeric predictions. The optical-thermal model is used to study the influence of process parameters and suggest loops between laser power and lay-up velocity. A FTIR spectroscopic study have finally improved in transient condition for thermal degradation.

Dans cette thèse, j'étudie la dynamique non linéaire résultant d’une compétition entre deux modes dans des systèmes lasers à boites quantiques.D’abord, je considère le cas de la compétition entre deux modes de polarisation apparaissant dans les diodes laser nanostructurées à cavité verticale et émettant par la surface (VCSELs). Il est connu que ces composants peuvent avoir une polarisation instable menant à des dynamiques riches. Récemment, un surprenant saut de mode entre deux états polarisés elliptiquement a été récemment découvert dans les VCSELs à boites quantiques. Ce comportement montre des propriétés intrigantes qui nécessitent une interprétation alternative. Dans cette thèse, je montre que ce comportement dynamique peut-être reproduit en utilisant le modèle spin-flip (SFM). En particulier je démontre et confirme expérimentalement que les sauts de modes sont en réalité des fluctuations chaotiques de faible dimension : un chaos en polarisation. Je démontre ensuite la pertinence de la dynamique chaotique observée pour les applications exploitant le chaos optique, en réalisant un générateur de nombres aléatoires à grande vitesse basé sur le chaos en polarisation.Deuxièmement, j'étudie les effet d'une rétroaction optique à délai sur les lasers à boites quantiques émettant simultanément depuis l'état fondamental et le premier état excité. Je clarifie l'impact the cette rétroaction optique ainsi que les mécanismes et bifurcations correspondantes. Je montre théoriquement qu'une rétroaction optique favorise globalement l'émission par l'état fondamental, mais aussi qu'un tel montage peut être utilisé pour commuter entre ces deux modes d'émission lorsque l'on change le taux ou le délai de la rétroaction. Enfin, je confirme ces observations expérimentalement, en rapportant des commutations entre l'état fondamental et l'état excité. / In this thesis, I study the nonlinear dynamics induced by the competition between two modes in quantum dot laser systems.First, I focus on the competition between polarization modes that takes place in quantum dot vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). It is well-known that these devices can exhibit polarization instabilities leading to rich dynamical evolution. Recently, a new peculiar random-like hopping between two non-orthogonal elliptically polarized states has been highlighted in QD VCSELs. This behavior shows intriguing features which clearly call for a different interpretation. In this thesis, I show that the dynamical behavior reported experimentally can accurately be reproduced within the spin-flip model (SFM) framework. In particular, I demonstrate and confirm experimentally that the peculiar random-like hoppings are in fact deterministic low-dimensional chaotic fluctuations, i.e. ``Polarization Chaos''. I then make a proof-of-concept demonstration of a high-speed random bit generator based on polarization chaos, hence demonstrating that the chaotic dynamics uncovered is relevant for optical chaos-based applications.Secondly, I investigate the effects of an external optical feedback on quantum dot lasers emitting simultaneously from the ground and the excited states. I bring new light on the impact of optical feedback and the corresponding mechanisms and bifurcations. I highlight theoretically that optical feedback globally favors the ground state emission, but also that it can be used to switch from one mode to the other when changing the feedback rate and/or the time-delay. In addition, I experimentally report switching between the ground and excited states when varying the external cavity length at the micrometer scale, which supports the theoretical predictions.

The effect of strain (stress) on the below threshold output of InGaAsP diode lasers has been investigated theoretically and experimentally. The degree of polarization (DOP) and the polarization- resolved spectral output (PRSO) were obtained as a function of the external stress applied to the device. A correlation between the DOP and the peak of the PRSO as a function of the stress was found. This correlation suggests that below threshold, DOP can be used to measure the strain in the active region of lasers. A model based on a strain modified Shockley matrix for the band calculation and a strain modified dipole moment for the optical emission has been constructed to bridge the correlation between the DOP and PRSO. / Thesis / Master of Engineering (ME)

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A magneto optical trap (MOT) is capable of trapping a vapor cloud consisting of atoms cooled down to the micro Kelvin range. Three orthogonal pairs of counter-propagating laser beams of the correct circular polarisation form an optical molasses which facilitates the cooling of neutral atoms. Additionally a spatially non-uniform magnetic field produced by two current carrying coils in a Maxwell gradient configuration is used to trap the cooled atoms. In this report the effects of the trap parameters, including the laser beam intensity and frequency detuning, beam diameter and magnetic field gradient, on the number of trapped atoms are discussed. Secondly the development of an experimental setup for laser cooling and trapping of 87Rb atoms in vacuum with the aid of a MOT is presented. All trap components were implemented and characterised. The vacuum system and trapping chamber in which the cooling takes place were designed and constructed. A rubidium getter to act as a source of atoms was integrated into the vacuum system. The two external cavity diode lasers used for trapping and optical re-pumping were characterised. The optical setup required for the optical molasses was designed, constructed and characterised. Saturated absorption spectroscopy was performed to investigate the hyperfine structure of 87Rb and to frequency lock the lasers. We report on the current status of the project with regards to progress, results and future work. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Magneto-optiese val (magneto optical trap, MOT) kan 'n dampwolk van atome vang en afkoel tot in die mikro Kelvin bereik. Drie ortogonale pare laserbundels, elke paar voortplantend in teenoorgestelde rigtings, met die korrekte sirkelvormige polarisasie vorm 'n sogenaamde optiese molasse wat die afkoeling van neutrale atome moontlik maak. Bykomend word 'n ruimtelik nie-uniforme magneetveld geproduseer deur twee stroomdraende spoele in 'n Maxwell gradient-opstelling gebruik om die afgekoelde atome te vang. In hierdie verslag word die invloed van die val parameters, insluitend die laserbundel intensiteit en frekwensie afstemming, die laserbundel deursnit en magneetveld gradiënt, op die aantal atome in die val bespreek. Tweedens word die ontwikkeling van 'n eksperimentele opstelling vir laser afkoeling en vang van 87Rb atome in vakuum met die hulp van 'n MOT voorgelê. Alle komponente van die val is geïmplementeer en gekarakteriseer. Die vakuumsisteem en val-kamer waarin die afkoeling plaasvind is ontwerp en gebou. 'n Rubidium gasbinder is in die vakuumsisteem ingebou om as 'n bron van atome te dien. Die twee eksterne resonator diodelasers wat gebruik is vir die val en die optiese terugpomp is gekarakteriseer. Die optiese opstelling wat nodig is vir die optiese molasse is ontwerp, gebou en gekarakteriseer. Versadigde absorpsiespektroskopie is uitgevoer om die hiperfynstruktuur van 87Rb te ondersoek en om die lasers se frekwensies te stabiliseer. Verslag word gedoen oor die huidige stand van die projek wat betref vordering, resultate en toekomstige werk.

Semiconductor diode lasers are successful tools in atomic spectroscopy. They are routinely used in frequency conversion applications to develop devices that access regions of the spectrum not directly available. This thesis describes the practical application of novel violet diode laser systems and their possible inclusion in spectroscopic systems. The design, assembly and successful operation of a doubly resonant optical parametric oscillator is described. There is discussion of the spectral behaviour of the device and the potential for pumping with a violet diode laser. Methods to adapt the output from the solitary diode devices are demonstrated with the use of microlensed diode lasers and extended cavity configurations. Details of the current tuning, linewidth and smooth tuning characteristics of a number of the lasers used are given. A commercial violet diode laser is used within an extended cavity to measure the hyperfine structure of atomic indium from a hollow cathode galvatron source at room temperature. Stabilisation of the diode laser to a line from the indium spectrum is attempted. The remainder of the thesis is concerned with the development of techniques to deliver clearer and more precise spectral information about trace species. Microlensed red and violet diode lasers are used to generate light at 254nm via sum frequency generation for the direct detection and modulation spectroscopy of mercury vapour, with microlensed lasers with modulation allowing more accurate discrimination between spectral features than direct absorption measurements. In addition Raman tweezers modulation spectroscopy is undertaken to investigate polymer microspheres and biological cell samples where the use of the modulation technique demonstrated improvements in the acquisition time and clarity of spectra through increased signal to noise and rejection of background fluorescence effects. A comparison between the direct and modulation techniques for all the systems indicates the greater sensitivity of the modulation technique.

Dentinal hypersensitivity (DH) is a frequent clinical situation that is characterized by discomfort with pain ranging from slight to unbearable and it requires the professional to choose the appropriate therapy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform a clinical and morphological assessment of four in office therapies used for treating DH. The desensitizing therapies assessed were as follows: G1: fluoridated varnish (Control Group); G2: potassium oxalate; G3: hybridization with an adhesive system; G4: high-power diode laser. Twenty patients participated in the randomized, double-blind, controlled and split-mouth clinical study, each patient with 1 eligible tooth in each quadrant. Pain was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) after evaporative stimulus before the beginning of treatment, soon after the procedure and 15, 30 and 60 days after each application. The values of VAS immediately after the therapies, as well as after 15, 30 and 60 days, were compared to baseline values by the Wilcoxon test (non-parametric paired data) (α=0.05). The variation (Δ) in the VAS after each experimental group (VAS x days VAS baseline) was compared among the four experimental groups by ANOVA, following the Tukey s post hoc test (α =0.05). Fifteen dentin blocks (n=3) were obtained from the cervical third of vestibular faces of human pre-molar teeth for morphological analysis. Enamel was removed to expose dentin surface, polished with silicon carbide abrasive papers, and etched with 6% citric acid for 2 minutes. After therapies, the specimens were fractured in the buccolingual direction and prepared for analysis under Scanning Electron Microscope. The specimens were analyzed qualitatively both from the view of the buccal surface view and fractured surface. The variation of VAS immediately after therapies, subtracting the baseline value of VAS, differed among the groups. The highest value was found in G1 (fluoridated varnish) and the lowest value in G3 (adhesive system). With regard to VAS, no statistically significant differences among the therapies were found after the time intervals that corresponded to the assessments after 15, 30 and 60 days. In the group without treatment, etching removed the smear layer and exposed the dentinal tubules. A film on the surface with infiltration of varnish plugs into the tubules was found in the fluoridated varnish group. The oxalate group presented partial occlusion of the tubules with formation of crystals inside them. The tubules in the adhesive system group were obliterated by the formation of hybrid layer and a mechanical barrier on the surface. The high-power diode laser altered dentin superficially during melting and re-solidification, which partially occluded the tubules. All treatments were effective in reducing DH within the 60-day period and all desensitizing agents have shown the ability to modify the dentin surface by partially or completely occluding the dentinal tubules. / Caracterizada pelo desconforto causado por dores leves até insuportáveis, a hipersensibilidade dentinária (HD) é uma situação clínica frequente, exigindo do profissional o desafio da escolha de uma terapia adequada. Assim, este trabalho teve por objetivo realizar uma avaliação clínica e morfológica da ação de quatro terapias de uso em consultório no tratamento da HD. As terapias dessensibilizantes avaliadas foram: G1: verniz fluoretado (grupo controle); G2: oxalato de potássio; G3: hibridização com sistema adesivo; G4: laser de diodo em alta potência. O estudo clínico, randomizado, controlado, duplo cego, com desenho de boca-dividida contou com a participação de 20 pacientes, com um dente elegível em cada quadrante, sendo a dor quantificada através da Escala Visual Analógica (EVA) após estímulo evaporativo, antes do início do tratamento, logo em seguida à aplicação e após 15, 30 e 60 dias. Os valores da EVA após a aplicação das terapias, bem como após 15, 30 e 60 dias, foram comparados aos valores do baseline por meio de teste de Wilcoxon (dados pareados não paramétricos) (α=0,05). A variação (Δ) na EVA após cada período experimental (EVA xdias - EVA baseline) foi comparada entre os quatro grupos experimentais por meio de ANOVA, seguido de teste post hoc de Tukey (α =0,05). Para a análise morfológica foram obtidos 15 blocos de dentina (n=3) do terço cervical da face vestibular de pré-molares humanos extraídos. O esmalte foi removido para expor a superfície dentinária, sendo realizado o polimento com lixas de carbeto de silício e o condicionamento com ácido cítrico 6% por 2 min. Após a aplicação das terapias, os espécimes foram fraturados no sentido linguo-vestibular, e preparados para análise no microscópio eletrônico de varredura, sendo analisados tanto na vista da superfície vestibular quanto da superfície clivada, de forma qualitativa. Quando verificada as médias da EVA, encontrou-se efetiva ação dessensibilizante imediata no grupo do verniz fluoretado e do oxalato de potássio, sendo que aos 60 dias, todos os grupos estudados apresentaram efeito dessensibilizante significativo. A variação da EVA (EVA xdias - EVA baseline) após a aplicação imediata das terapias, subtraída do valor da EVA no baseline, diferiu entre os grupos, sendo maior no G1 (verniz fluoretado) e menor no G3 (Sistema adesivo). Nos períodos que corresponderam às avaliações de 15, 30 e 60 dias, não houve diferença estatística entre as quatro terapias quanto à variação na EVA. Na análise morfológica do grupo sem tratamento, o condicionamento promoveu remoção de smear layer e exposição de túbulos dentinários. No grupo do verniz fluoretado observou-se uma película sobre a superfície, com plugs de verniz infiltrados nos túbulos. No grupo do oxalato ocorreu oclusão parcial da embocadura do túbulo, com formação de cristais em seu interior. O grupo do sistema adesivo obliterou os túbulos pela formação da camada híbrida e de uma cobertura superficial. O laser de diodo em alta potência causou leve derretimento e ressolidificação, ocluindo parcialmente os túbulos. Todos os tratamentos foram efetivos na redução da HD no período de 60 dias, sendo que todos os agentes dessensibilizantes mostraram capacidade de modificar a superfície da dentina, ocluindo de forma parcial ou total os túbulos dentinários.

The work presented in this thesis is concerned with development of spectroscopic detection methods based on absorption spectroscopy using semiconductor lasers, with particular ref- erence to the field of medical diagnostics through breath analysis. The first part of this thesis deals with the design and testing of a prototype analyser for simultaneous monitoring of the exchange gases O₂ , CO₂ and H₂O in breath. The aim of this analyser is to provide information required to monitor respiration, with potential use in intensive care monitoring or during anaesthesia. The relatively high concentrations of these gases in breath and read- ily available diode laser sources make detection in the near-infrared (NIR) ideal. However, the relatively weakly absorbing A-band O₂ transitions at 760 nm require the application of a sensitive spectroscopic method, cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy (CEAS). In contrast, CO₂ and H₂O are monitored using direct single pass absorption spectroscopy, with transitions arising from the 2ν₁ + ν₃ band at 2 μm and ν₁ + ν₃ band at 1.3 μm, respectively. It has been demonstrated that these gases can be detected simultaneously over a short pathlength (2.74 - 4 cm) in the respiratory flow by combining various spectroscopic methodologies and real-time data analysis. This analyser is shown to offer a viable alter- native for monitoring respiration, exhibiting absolute detection limits of changes of 0.26 % O₂ , 0.02 % CO₂ and 0.003 % H₂O with a 10 ms time resolution, which are comparable to current mass spectrometry based methods, but without their inherent delays. Following this, investigations into the detection of the main gas constituents in breath in the NIR employing noise-reduction modulation based spectroscopic techniques, namely wavelength and frequency modulation (WMS and FMS respectively) are also reported. The described WMS studies on water at 1.37 μm provide a demonstration of conventional WMS detection, as well as a “proof-of-principle” example of a relatively new approach to calibrating the non-absolute information obtained from a WMS absorption signal. Typically WMS spectra are calibrated using mixtures of known gas concentrations or an absolute direct absorption spectrum where possible. In this work however, a self-calibrating method, the phasor decomposition method (PDM), is employed and the returned concentration from this calibration is compared to direct absorption measurement. From this, the calculated concentration using the PDM is found to differ by 9 % from the concentration value obtained by direct absorption, providing an alternative method of calibration for when direct absorption measurements are not possible. The use of FMS in the NIR is also demonstrated as a potential alternative to CEAS for monitoring O₂ at 760 nm. FMS detection is performed on atmospherically broadened O₂ and a time-normalised α_min(t) of 2.45 ×10⁻⁶ cm⁻¹ s^1/2 is obtained, which is two orders of magnitude less sensitive than the value of α_min(t) = 2.35 ×10⁻⁸ cm⁻¹ s^1/2 obtained with CEAS. This combined with the experimental requirements of an FMS system, make its use for detection of O₂ a less practicable option compared to CEAS for real-time breath analysis. The latter work in this thesis involves a change in focus to detection of trace gases in breath in the mid-infrared (MIR). The move of spectroscopic detection to the MIR exploits the larger absorption cross-sections available in this region, and to achieve this, a relatively new form of semiconductor laser, the quantum cascade laser (QCL) is used. The design of a continuous wave QCL spectrometer at 8 μm and its operating characteristics are demon- strated and improvements in its performances are also discussed. This QCL system is then utilised to demonstrate the potential of monitoring species in breath, namely the narrow- band absorber methane and the broadband absorber acetone, taking into consideration the potential interference from other absorbing species in breath and the different spectroscopic characteristics exhibited by these molecules. Finally, the potential to further improve the sensitive detection of trace gases in breath in the MIR is also investigated with studies on the use of CEAS and multipass cells. In this work, the molecule of interest is the biomarker OCS, using transitions of the 2ν₂ band at 1031 cm⁻¹ , that are probed using a 10 μm QCL. The application of CEAS in the MIR is not as well developed as in the NIR, and the experimental consequences of using optical cavities at these wavelengths, where equipment tends to be more limited, are investigated and sensitivities discussed in the context of other literature. The experimental procedure of optimising a cavity for CEAS using the off-axis alignment method is also studied in detail, as well as the addition of WMS to further improve the signal quality. An effective absorption pathlength of ∼ 100 m was achieved in the cavity, with a bandwidth reduced α_min(BW) of 1.7 ×10⁻⁷ cm⁻¹ Hz^−1/2 using WMS CEAS achieved. With the poorer quality optics and limitations in equipment in the MIR for CEAS experiments, the use of a multipass cell, a 238 m Herriott cell, is also investigated as an alternative to the use of an optical cavity at 10 μm. Detection of OCS using direct absorption and WMS is demonstrated in the Herriott cell, achieving α_min(BW) = 2.03×10⁻⁸ cm⁻¹ Hz^−1/2 using WMS. This shows an improvement in sensitivity compared to WMS CEAS, and also shows the potential for future work on biomarker detection, as it approaches the ∼ ppb levels required for breath analysis.

In dieser Arbeit wird der Catastrophic Optical Damage (COD) zeitaufgelöst untersucht um die beteiligten physikalischen Mechanismen zu identifizieren. Der COD Prozess konnte zeitlich in drei Phasen unterteilt werden, die Alterung, der thermische Runaway (selbst verstärkende Rückkopplung) und das Sekundärschadenswachstum. Die erste Phase konnte durch eine neu eingeführte Art der beschleunigten Bauteilalterung auf den Nanosekunden-Bereich reduziert werden. Die Rolle des Laser-Lichtfelds als Energiequelle des COD-Prozesses wurde experimentell bestätigt. Die genutzten thermographischen Techniken erlaubten eine in-situ Verfolgung des Defektwachstums. Diese direkte Messung der Ausbreitung, die Modellierung des Wärmeflusses und eine kristallographische Materialanalyse zeigen, dass das Material, welches von der Defekt-Front passiert wurde, innerhalb von Nanosekunden zu substanziell tieferen Temperaturen zurückkehrt. Verschiedene experimentelle Ansätze bestätigen das Vorhandensein einer Temperatur im Bereich von 1200°C-1500°C an der Schadensfront während des gesamten Degradationsprozesses. Dabei hat sich gezeigt, dass selbst wenn keine Laseremission mehr vorliegt, die verstärkte spontane Emission ausreicht, um den fortschreitenden Degradationsprozessmit Energie zu versorgen. Für den Start des thermischen Runaway muss ein bestimmter Temperaturunterschied zwischen der späteren COD-Position und dem übrigen aktiven Lasermaterial erreicht werden. Die vorliegende Arbeit zeigt verschiedene Mechanismen auf, die zu einer solchen Situation führen können. Dabei spielen auch physikalische Eigenschaften der verwendeten Materialsysteme und Schichtstrukturen eine entscheidende Rolle. Ein neu im Rahmen dieser Arbeit entwickeltes Modell zur Beschreibung der räumlichen Schadensausbreitung nutzt diesen Umstand, um die Defektkinetik ex-post zu rekonstruieren. Dies ermöglicht das Aufzeigen von Schwachstellen im Bauelement. / The scope of this thesis is the time-resolved investigation of the catastrophic optical damage (COD) and the identification of the underlying physical mechanisms. The COD has been separated in three temporal phases: the aging, the thermal runaway (self-amplifying feedback mechanism), and the secondary defect growth. It was possible to reduce the first phase to a couple of nano-seconds by applying a new accelerated life test scheme. It was experimentally verified that the laser light is the primary energy source of COD. The applied thermographic technologies allowed an in-situ tracing of the defect growth. A fast thermo cycle during the passage of the defect front was confirmed by this direct measurement, a modeling of the heat flow, and a crystallographic material analysis. Different experimental setups indicate the presence of a temperature in the range of 1200°C-1500°C at the defect front, during the entire COD-degradation. Even if no lasing action is present anymore, the amplified spontaneous emission is sufficient to provide enough energy for further defect growth. In order to initiate the thermal runaway, a specific temperature difference is necessary between the COD-starting location and the remaining active laser material. This thesis provides an analysis of the mechanisms leading to such a situation. This kind of analysis was used to develop a new model of the geometrical defect growth. The ability to re-construct the defect dynamics based on ex-post analysis of the defect pattern allows for the identification of bottlenecks in the investigated device design leading to COD.

Este trabalho relata o desenvolvimento de todo o aparato experimental para a realização de aprisionamento de césio através de uma armadilha magneto-óptica. As fontes de luz neste processo foram os lasers de diodo e todo seu sistema para operação, estabilização e redução da largura de linha foi construído. As medidas das constantes de mola e amortecimento foram realizadas como função dos parâmetros característicos das armadilhas de césio e de sódio. Também realizamos outros experimentos com átomos aprisionados de sódio na presença de duas freqüências, linha D1 e D2. A primeira medida constitui na obtenção da taxa de colisões entre átomos aprisionados na linha D1 e depois foi realizado observações de uma nova estrutura operando neste regime. / This thesis describes the development of a complete experimental setup for trapping cesium by a magneto-optical trap (MOT). In this work we have employed diode lasers as light sources and built the entire system for their operation, stabilization and linewidth reduction. We have measured the MOT spring and damping constants as functions of the characteristic parameters of the cesium and sodium traps. We have also carried out two other experiments on trapped sodium atoms operating in the simultaneous presence of the D1 and D2 line frequencies. The first experiment has established the collision rate of trapped atoms in the D1 line MOT and the second has allowed us to observe a new structure operating in this two-frequency regime.