The Fabry-Pérot interferometer (FPI) was investigated as a potential tool for determining stellar elemental abundances. The FPI is a tunable narrow-band filter that makes it possible to obtain hundreds of stellar spectra simultaneously without the overhead associated with other multi-object spectroscopy techniques. This thesis used simulations and previously acquired data to investigate the FPI and develop data reduction techniques. Using observations of a CaII spectral line, an algorithm was created for fitting a Voigt profile to the spectrum segments. The values for radial velocity & equivalent width were compared to the values found by the group who supplied the data and found to agree well for the radial velocity values but there was some definite scatter in the equivalent width. These differences are attributed to different placement of the continuum level in the spectra. This curve-fitting script was modified to allow the fitting of synthetic spectra to simulated data. In this way it was possible to investigate how precise the abundance determination will be using the Robert Stobie Spectrograph's FPI mode. Large simulations showed that it will be possible to determine abundances to uncertainties of ±0.1 dex. This is an excellent result and should mean that future work using the FPI will give the results desired for large-scale s-process elemental abundance determination in globular cluster stars.

The Fabry-Pérot interferometer (FPI) was investigated as a potential tool for determining stellar elemental abundances. The FPI is a tunable narrow-band filter that makes it possible to obtain hundreds of stellar spectra simultaneously without the overhead associated with other multi-object spectroscopy techniques. This thesis used simulations and previously acquired data to investigate the FPI and develop data reduction techniques. Using observations of a CaII spectral line, an algorithm was created for fitting a Voigt profile to the spectrum segments. The values for radial velocity & equivalent width were compared to the values found by the group who supplied the data and found to agree well for the radial velocity values but there was some definite scatter in the equivalent width. These differences are attributed to different placement of the continuum level in the spectra. This curve-fitting script was modified to allow the fitting of synthetic spectra to simulated data. In this way it was possible to investigate how precise the abundance determination will be using the Robert Stobie Spectrograph's FPI mode. Large simulations showed that it will be possible to determine abundances to uncertainties of ±0.1 dex. This is an excellent result and should mean that future work using the FPI will give the results desired for large-scale s-process elemental abundance determination in globular cluster stars.

Plasmonics have attracted significant attention from the scientific community for photoelectrode technologies since they offer tunability, large light absorption cross-sections, transparency and potential scalability. On the downside, plasmonics exhibit large absorption cross sections in a narrow window compared to the total electromagnetic spectrum, leading to relatively small efficiencies. It has been already demonstrated, that coupling plasmonics with a Fabry Pérot nanocavity can significantly enhance the absorption of light in photoelectrode systems. Traditionally Fabry Pérot nanocavities are fabricated through clean room processes hindering their scalability. In this project, we report the successful enhancement of light absorption in a plasmonic photoelectrode system via a Fabry Pérot nanocavity that has been produced via solution methods. Furthermore, we report significant evidence of enhancement in the electrochemical properties of the system fabricated.

Este trabalho apresenta o projeto de pesquisa desenvolvido para a obtenção do título de Mestre em Engenharia Elétrica, na área de concentração de engenharia de sistemas, da Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo. O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de um sistema de acionamento (driver) para os atuadores piezoelétricos do interferômetro de Fabry-Pérot do espectrômetro BTFI (Brazilian Tunable Filter Imager), um instrumento visitante do telescópio SOAR (Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope), no Chile. O Fabry-Pérot é um instrumento óptico composto de duas superfícies paralelas altamente reflexivas (espelhos), cuja distância é controlada por um sistema de nanoposicionamento composto de três atuadores piezoelétricos (piezos) do tipo APA® (Amplified Piezoelectric Actuators) e um sistema de medida capacitivo. O principal requisito técnico de desempenho do sistema de nanoposicionamento do Fabry-Pérot é tal que o ruído de posicionamento dos espelhos deve ser limitado a 3 . No entanto, os fenômenos não lineares de histerese e escorregamento (creep) dos piezos limitam a precisão de posicionamento do sistema de controle, razão pela qual foi desenvolvido um sistema de acionamento por carga e tensão para os piezos, com o intuito de atenuar suas não linearidades e, consequentemente, melhorar o desempenho do sistema de controle em malha fechada, em termos de ruído de posicionamento. A primeira etapa deste trabalho consistiu da caracterização do modelo e da instrumentação do sistema de nanoposicionamento do Fabry-Pérot, composto de sensores capacitivos, conversores de sinal, atuadores piezoelétricos e sistema de aquisição de dados. Após a caracterização dos componentes do sistema, sua especificação técnica de desempenho de 3 foi traduzida em requisitos de engenharia para o projeto do sistema eletrônico de acionamento dos piezos por carga e tensão, notadamente em termos de ruído, tempo de resposta, banda de resposta em frequência, ganho, corrente e tensão elétricas e dissipação de potência. Uma vez concluído o projeto do driver, um protótipo foi implementado e testado com o sistema real, a fim de se verificar experimentalmente a atenuação dos efeitos não lineares. Finalmente, foram realizados alguns experimentos com o driver e o sistema de nanoposicionamento em malha fechada, controlado por um compensador PI, a fim de se verificar a influência da atenuação das não linearidades dos piezos nesta configuração. Após a análise dos resultados experimentais obtidos, verificou-se que o ruído de posicionamento do sistema, em malha fechada, é significativamente menor quando os fenômenos não linearidades dos piezos são atenuados. / This work represents the research project to obtain the degree of Master of Sciences in Electrical Engineering, specializing in Systems Engineering, at the Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo, in São Paulo, Brazil. The main objective of this project was to design an electronic power driver for the piezoelectric actuators of the Fabry-Pérot interferometer of the BTFI spectrometer, a visitor instrument of the SOAR telescope, in Chile. Fabry-Pérot is an optical instrument composed by two high reflexive parallel surfaces (mirrors), which distance is controlled by a nanopositioning system composed by three piezoelectric actuators (piezos) of the class APA® (Amplified Piezoelectric Actuators) and a capacitive measurement system. The main performance specification of the Fabry-Pérots nanopositioning system is such that the positioning noise must be limited to 3 . However, the nonlinear behaviors (hysteresis and creep) of the piezos limit the positioning precision of the control system, for which reason a charge and voltage actuation system was developed for the piezos, in order to mitigate its nonlinearities and, consequently, improve the performance of the control system in closed loop, in terms of positioning noise. The first step in this work consisted on the characterization of the Fabry-Pérot nanopositioning systems model and instrumentation, which are composed by capacitive sensors, signal converters, piezoelectric actuators and a data acquisition board. After the characterization of the components of the nanopositioning system, the 3 specification was interpreted to low level engineering requirements for the design of the charge and voltage driver, especially in terms of noise, response time, frequency bandwidth, gain, electrical current, voltage and power dissipation. Once concluded the design of the driver, a prototype was implemented and tested in the real system, in order to verify the attenuation of the nonlinear effects. Finally, some experiments with the driver and the nanopositioning system were performed in closed loop, controlled by a PI compensator, in order to verify the influence of the attenuation of the nonlinearities of the piezos in such configuration. The analysis of the obtained experiment results showed that the nanopositioning systems noise, in closed loop, is significantly reduced when the nonlinear effects of the pizeos are attenuated.

Este trabalho apresenta o projeto de pesquisa desenvolvido para a obtenção do título de Mestre em Engenharia Elétrica, na área de concentração de engenharia de sistemas, da Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo. O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de um sistema de acionamento (driver) para os atuadores piezoelétricos do interferômetro de Fabry-Pérot do espectrômetro BTFI (Brazilian Tunable Filter Imager), um instrumento visitante do telescópio SOAR (Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope), no Chile. O Fabry-Pérot é um instrumento óptico composto de duas superfícies paralelas altamente reflexivas (espelhos), cuja distância é controlada por um sistema de nanoposicionamento composto de três atuadores piezoelétricos (piezos) do tipo APA® (Amplified Piezoelectric Actuators) e um sistema de medida capacitivo. O principal requisito técnico de desempenho do sistema de nanoposicionamento do Fabry-Pérot é tal que o ruído de posicionamento dos espelhos deve ser limitado a 3 . No entanto, os fenômenos não lineares de histerese e escorregamento (creep) dos piezos limitam a precisão de posicionamento do sistema de controle, razão pela qual foi desenvolvido um sistema de acionamento por carga e tensão para os piezos, com o intuito de atenuar suas não linearidades e, consequentemente, melhorar o desempenho do sistema de controle em malha fechada, em termos de ruído de posicionamento. A primeira etapa deste trabalho consistiu da caracterização do modelo e da instrumentação do sistema de nanoposicionamento do Fabry-Pérot, composto de sensores capacitivos, conversores de sinal, atuadores piezoelétricos e sistema de aquisição de dados. Após a caracterização dos componentes do sistema, sua especificação técnica de desempenho de 3 foi traduzida em requisitos de engenharia para o projeto do sistema eletrônico de acionamento dos piezos por carga e tensão, notadamente em termos de ruído, tempo de resposta, banda de resposta em frequência, ganho, corrente e tensão elétricas e dissipação de potência. Uma vez concluído o projeto do driver, um protótipo foi implementado e testado com o sistema real, a fim de se verificar experimentalmente a atenuação dos efeitos não lineares. Finalmente, foram realizados alguns experimentos com o driver e o sistema de nanoposicionamento em malha fechada, controlado por um compensador PI, a fim de se verificar a influência da atenuação das não linearidades dos piezos nesta configuração. Após a análise dos resultados experimentais obtidos, verificou-se que o ruído de posicionamento do sistema, em malha fechada, é significativamente menor quando os fenômenos não linearidades dos piezos são atenuados. / This work represents the research project to obtain the degree of Master of Sciences in Electrical Engineering, specializing in Systems Engineering, at the Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo, in São Paulo, Brazil. The main objective of this project was to design an electronic power driver for the piezoelectric actuators of the Fabry-Pérot interferometer of the BTFI spectrometer, a visitor instrument of the SOAR telescope, in Chile. Fabry-Pérot is an optical instrument composed by two high reflexive parallel surfaces (mirrors), which distance is controlled by a nanopositioning system composed by three piezoelectric actuators (piezos) of the class APA® (Amplified Piezoelectric Actuators) and a capacitive measurement system. The main performance specification of the Fabry-Pérots nanopositioning system is such that the positioning noise must be limited to 3 . However, the nonlinear behaviors (hysteresis and creep) of the piezos limit the positioning precision of the control system, for which reason a charge and voltage actuation system was developed for the piezos, in order to mitigate its nonlinearities and, consequently, improve the performance of the control system in closed loop, in terms of positioning noise. The first step in this work consisted on the characterization of the Fabry-Pérot nanopositioning systems model and instrumentation, which are composed by capacitive sensors, signal converters, piezoelectric actuators and a data acquisition board. After the characterization of the components of the nanopositioning system, the 3 specification was interpreted to low level engineering requirements for the design of the charge and voltage driver, especially in terms of noise, response time, frequency bandwidth, gain, electrical current, voltage and power dissipation. Once concluded the design of the driver, a prototype was implemented and tested in the real system, in order to verify the attenuation of the nonlinear effects. Finally, some experiments with the driver and the nanopositioning system were performed in closed loop, controlled by a PI compensator, in order to verify the influence of the attenuation of the nonlinearities of the piezos in such configuration. The analysis of the obtained experiment results showed that the nanopositioning systems noise, in closed loop, is significantly reduced when the nonlinear effects of the pizeos are attenuated.

A disponibilização de fontes ópticas multi-comprimento de onda de baixo custo certamente é um dos aspectos fundamentais para viabilizar a implantação de redes WDMPON (Wavelength Division Multiplexing-Passive Optical Network). Na literatura, são encontradas propostas de algumas tecnologias para a construção de tais dispositivos como a utilização de fontes ópticas sintonizáveis, uso de um vetor de lasers DFB (Distributed Feedback Laser) ou, até mesmo, o fatiamento espectral de uma fonte de banda larga. Contudo, essas propostas apresentam custo elevado, ou limitações de operação, tornando-se inapropriadas para a aplicação de interesse. Uma alternativa que vem sendo amplamente utilizada é o travamento óptico de diodos laser de Fabry-Pérot (FP-LD - Fabry-Pérot laser diode), realizado por meio da injeção de sinal óptico externo provindo do fatiamento espectral de uma fonte de banda larga. O travamento óptico possibilita o controle espectral do FP-LD, e o seu baixo custo torna essa fonte óptica atrativa na implantação de redes WDM. O entendimento do mecanismo de travamento torna-se, então, crucial na descrição da dinâmica de tais fontes ópticas. Desta forma, nesta dissertação, foi desenvolvido o estudo dos modelos matemáticos que descrevem a dinâmica de lasers travados, assim como foi investigado o desempenho de redes WDM-PON empregando estas fontes ópticas. / The availability of low cost multi-wavelength optical sources is certainly one of the fundamental aspects to allow the deployment of WDM-PON networks. Several technologies for the implementation of such optical sources are discussed in the literature, including tunable lasers, DFB arrays and spectral slicing of a broadband light source. However, those propositions suffer from high cost or operational limitations. One alternative is the optical injection locking of a Fabry Pérot laser diode (FPLD), in which the external optical injection signal is obtained from the spectral slicing of a broadband light source. This option has been widely investigated because the optical injection locking process allows for the FP-LD optical spectral control and wavelength selection. In addition, the low cost of such device makes this optical source an attractive solution for WDM-PON widespread deployment. In this context, the understanding of the locking mechanism becomes important in the optimization of such optical sources. Thus, in this dissertation, we conducted a study of mathematical models that describe the dynamics of locked lasers as well as investigated the performance of WDM-PON based on those optical sources.

A disponibilização de fontes ópticas multi-comprimento de onda de baixo custo certamente é um dos aspectos fundamentais para viabilizar a implantação de redes WDMPON (Wavelength Division Multiplexing-Passive Optical Network). Na literatura, são encontradas propostas de algumas tecnologias para a construção de tais dispositivos como a utilização de fontes ópticas sintonizáveis, uso de um vetor de lasers DFB (Distributed Feedback Laser) ou, até mesmo, o fatiamento espectral de uma fonte de banda larga. Contudo, essas propostas apresentam custo elevado, ou limitações de operação, tornando-se inapropriadas para a aplicação de interesse. Uma alternativa que vem sendo amplamente utilizada é o travamento óptico de diodos laser de Fabry-Pérot (FP-LD - Fabry-Pérot laser diode), realizado por meio da injeção de sinal óptico externo provindo do fatiamento espectral de uma fonte de banda larga. O travamento óptico possibilita o controle espectral do FP-LD, e o seu baixo custo torna essa fonte óptica atrativa na implantação de redes WDM. O entendimento do mecanismo de travamento torna-se, então, crucial na descrição da dinâmica de tais fontes ópticas. Desta forma, nesta dissertação, foi desenvolvido o estudo dos modelos matemáticos que descrevem a dinâmica de lasers travados, assim como foi investigado o desempenho de redes WDM-PON empregando estas fontes ópticas. / The availability of low cost multi-wavelength optical sources is certainly one of the fundamental aspects to allow the deployment of WDM-PON networks. Several technologies for the implementation of such optical sources are discussed in the literature, including tunable lasers, DFB arrays and spectral slicing of a broadband light source. However, those propositions suffer from high cost or operational limitations. One alternative is the optical injection locking of a Fabry Pérot laser diode (FPLD), in which the external optical injection signal is obtained from the spectral slicing of a broadband light source. This option has been widely investigated because the optical injection locking process allows for the FP-LD optical spectral control and wavelength selection. In addition, the low cost of such device makes this optical source an attractive solution for WDM-PON widespread deployment. In this context, the understanding of the locking mechanism becomes important in the optimization of such optical sources. Thus, in this dissertation, we conducted a study of mathematical models that describe the dynamics of locked lasers as well as investigated the performance of WDM-PON based on those optical sources.

Les travaux de cette thèse s’inscrivent dans un projet de développement d’un Lab-On-Chip destiné à la biodétection. Les plateformes conçues sont basées sur des circuits optiques intégrés sur niobate de lithium. La particularité de ces circuits est qu’ils intègrent le phénomène d’interférence à la fonction de guidage des ondes lumineuses.La fonction d’interférométrie est assurée grâce à une cavité Fabry-Pérot intégrée à un guide d’onde rectiligne et à une structure Mach-Zehnder. Lorsque la surface des supports de ces circuits est bio-fonctionnalisée, ces microsystèmes deviennent sensibles à des molécules cibles. Cette sensibilité se traduit par une variation de l’indice effectifde l’onde en propagation par couplage évanescent modifiant ainsi les conditions de résonance du résonateur Fabry-Pérot. Le vrai challenge de ce travail réside essentiellement dans la bio-fonctionnalisation du niobate de lithium.A notre connaissance, ce matériau favori en optique guidée grâce à ses propriétés physiques exceptionnelles n’a été que rarement sujet à des modifications chimiques de surface. L’implantation réussie de groupements fonctionnels amines à la surface de ce matériau a permis de générer un lien covalent entre ce support et les groupements fonctionnels des molécules sondes. En raison de la grande affinité entre l’avidine et la biotine, ce couple a servi de modèle pour la mise au point de ces bio-capteurs. Un suivi en temps réel des interactions à la surface était rendu possible par une expérimentation sur l’un des bio-capteurs. / The work of this thesis is part of a project of a Lab-On-Chip development intended for biosensing. The de-signed platforms are based on integrated optical circuits on lithium niobate. The peculiarity of these circuits isthat they incorporate the phenomenon of interference with the function of guiding light waves. The interferometricfunction is provided by a Fabry-Perot cavity embedded in a straight waveguide and a Mach-Zehnder structure.When the surface of these circuits substrates is biofunctionalized, these microsystems become sensitive to targetmolecules. This sensitivity results in a variation of the effective index of the propagation wave by evanescent cou-pling and modifying the resonance conditions of the Fabry-Perot resonator. The real challenge of this work liesin the biofunctionalization of lithium niobate. To our knowledge, this guided optics favorite material thanks toits exceptional physical properties has been hitherto rarely subject to chemical surface modifications. Successfulimplementation of amino functions on the surface of this material has generating a covalent bond between thissubstrate and the functional groups of the probe molecules. Due to the high affinity between avidin and biotin, thiscouple served as a model for the development of biosensors. A real-time monitoring of surface interactions wasmade possible by experimentation on one of biosensors.

Cette thèse propose une nouvelle méthode pour générer des spectres continus avec des applications possibles dans les réseaux d'accès optiques WDM. Cette nouvelle méthode devrait permettre le développement d'une structure laser type continuum avec de meilleures performances en termes de coût et de simplicité comparées aux sources supercontinuum actuelles. Dans ce but, nous avons analysé la possibilité d'élargir les modes résonants d'une cavité Fabry-Perot en n’agissant que sur la conception de l'un des miroirs de la cavité. La conception du miroir est réalisée avec un algorithme génétique en ciblant un spectre de réflectivité souhaitée. Un milieu actif est alors ajouté à l'intérieur de la cavité formée avec un tel miroir synthétisé et son comportement en dessous du seuil est simulé. Les spectres des cavités ainsi obtenues sont continus sur une bande de 5 à 15nm. / This thesis proposes a new method for the generation of continuous spectra with possible applications in optical WDM access networks. This new method would allow the development of a continuum laser type structure with better performances in terms of cost and simplicity compared to the current supercontinuum sources. For this purpose, we have analyzed the possibility of extending the resonant modes of a Fabry-Perot cavity acting only on the design of one of the cavity mirrors. The design of the mirror is generated with a genetic algorithm targeting a desired reflectivity spectrum. An active medium is then added inside the cavity formed with the synthesized mirror and the cavity’s emission is simulated below the lasing threshold. The spectra thus obtained are continuous on an interval of 5 to 15 nm.

This master's thesis is focused on optical methods of measurement of very small dynamic displacements. Principles of interfermeters with picometer resolution including Fabry-Pérot interferometer are discussed and an integration using this interferometer was designed. Parasitic influencers of Fabry-Pérot interferometer were described as well as signal processing methods for interferometer's output signal. An interferometric meter for measurement of dynamic displacement was designed with frequency range of several kHz. These parameters are achieved under condition of photonic crystal layer placed on measured sample.