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

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

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

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

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

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

Orientador: José Antonio Siqueira Dias / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica e de Computação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-21T18:07:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 BiazonFilho_AlcinoJose_D.pdf: 3212736 bytes, checksum: 5eb7bde925a233493806c588f3c39cfe (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: Sensores de fibra óptica são imunes à interferência eletromagnética (EMI), e são uma excelente escolha para ser usado em ambientes eletricamente ruidosos aplicações em sensoriamento remoto, incluindo aeroespacial, ferroviário equipamentos de segurança militar e em linhas de alta tensão. Outras vantagens incluem o fato de que eles são compactos, leves e os sinais de medição podem ser transmitidos a distâncias muito grandes (da ordem de km). Os interrogadores convencionais para redes de Bragg (FBG) do sensor são equipamentos de custo elevado e não pode ser utilizado em aplicações de baixo custo. Neste trabalho é apresentada uma nova técnica de interrogação robusta e de baixo custo que apresenta uma boa precisão. A técnica, que utiliza um circuito de retroalimentação eletrônico para estabilizar o ponto de operação DC das grades de Bragg, permite a medição simultânea de ambos sinais AC e DC. Um protótipo do interrogador proposto foi projetado e implementado. A técnica exige apenas três componentes ópticos: um laser distribuído, um acoplador óptico e um fotodiodo. O interrogador foi testado com sucesso em uma aplicação de DC (medição de temperatura) e uma aplicação AC (medição de corrente elétrica). Os resultados experimentais mostraram que o controle eletrônico em malha fechada pode controlar o ponto de operação da FBG com uma precisão de ± 2 ppm / Abstract: Fiber optic sensors are immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI), and are an excellent choice for being used in electrically noisy environments sensing applications, including aerospace, rail, military security equipment and in high voltage power lines. Other advantages include the fact that they are compact, lightweight and the measured signals can be transmitted at very large distances (of the order of kilometers). The conventional interrogators for Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG) sensor are high cost equipment and cannot be used in low cost applications. In this work it is presented a novel robust and low cost interrogation technique that presents good accuracy. The technique, which uses an electronic feedback loop to stabilize the DC operating point of the Bragg gratings, allows the simultaneous measurement of both AC and DC signals. A prototype of the proposed interrogator was designed and implemented. The technique requires only three optical components: a Distributed Feedback Laser, an optical coupler and one photodiode. The interrogator has been successfully tested in a DC application (temperature measurement) and an AC application (electrical current measurement). Experimental results showed that the electronic feedback loop can control the operation point of the FBG with a precision of ±2 ppm / Doutorado / Eletrônica, Microeletrônica e Optoeletrônica / Doutor em Engenharia Elétrica

As the demand for energy increases, competition for a sustainable alternative to non-renewable energy resources has resulted in the growth of the photovoltaic industry. Although most photovoltaic technologies are based on crystalline silicon, thin film technologies have been developed with the expectation of generating a comparably high-performing product with lower processing costs. These materials have demonstrated sufficiently high optoelectronic performance to enable commercialization but concerns such as material scarcity limit terawatt level power production.<div><br></div><div>In the continuous pursuit of earth abundant solar absorber materials appropriate for thin film technologies, enargite Cu3AsS4 has been identified as a promising material due to its ideal direct band gap, stability, and high absorption. Recent efforts have demonstrated this class of copper chalcogenides exhibits band gap tunability and has solution processing capabilities for potentially scalable manufacturing. Furthermore, recent first-principles calculations of enargite Cu3AsS4 have hypothesized this material may have high carrier mobility and defect-tolerant optoelectronic properties, which further support investigation into this material. <br></div><div><br></div><div>In this dissertation, a novel reactive deposition processing route has been developed which has produced dense, single-phase enargite thin films. A champion device efficiency of 0.54% was achieved following a post deposition etching procedure on these films, which demonstrates the density and observable secondary phases were not limiting to initial nanoparticle-based device performances. Together with recent modeling efforts, the non-ideal band alignment with both the back contact and diode junction is concluded to be the primary limiting factor for high efficiency devices. <br></div><div><br></div><div>As this technology contains arsenic, concerns have been raised about its potential carcinogenicity and toxicity. Similar concerns were raised during the development of cadmium telluride technology, but these concerns have been mitigated through careful life cycle analyses and identifying strategies for responsible life cycle management. Therefore, a life cycle analysis and two risk assessments have been completed on Cu3AsS4 systems. Although emissions of arsenic and its contributions to life cycle impacts are expected to be low due to the small quantity required, hot spots have been identified to reduce waste and emissions. Reduction strategies for this material system are found to be applicable to other PV systems and include minimizing molybdenum sputter waste, reusing and recycling balance of system components, and investigating low-energy processing routes on thin substrates. This work serves to establish a basis on which the potential environmental implications of this thin film technology are understood. <br></div><div><br></div><div>This dissertation will serve as a guide toward the technical and environmental development of Cu3AsS4 thin films. Having a life cycle perspective during the systematic development of a technology will enable sustainable engineering. Furthermore, the processing and characterization methods detailed herein are expected to be generally applicable to other copper chalcogenide systems. <br></div>

Atomically thin 2D layered semiconductor materials such as Transition Metal Di-Chalcogenides (TMDCs) have great potential for use as flexible, ultra-thin photovoltaic materials in solar cells due to their favorable photon absorption and electronic transport properties. In this dissertation, the electronic properties, such as band structure and bandgap, and optical absorption properties of a TMDC known as Tungsten Disulfide (WS2) were obtained from Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to design conventional and unconventional solar cells. Using these properties, a 1 μm thick heterojunction solar cell based on monolayer and bulk WS2 together with amorphous silicon (a-Si) was modeled using numerical calculations and simulations. The maximum efficiency of this cell is 23.3% with Voc = 0.84 V and Jsc = 33.5 mA/cm2 under the AM1.5G terrestrial solar spectrum. Next, a similar but even thinner solar cell with a thickness of 200 nm, together with a light trapping structure and an anti-reflection coating layer, was modeled under the AM0 space solar spectrum; similar device performance efficiencies around 21-23% were obtained. The performance of these solar cell models is comparable to many commercial cells in both terrestrial and space photovoltaics. As conventional photovoltaics approach the Shockley-Queisser limit, the need for unconventional materials and approaches has become more apparent. Hybrid alloys of TMDCs exhibit tunable direct bandgaps and significant dipole moments. Dark state protection induced by dipole-dipole interactions forms new bright and dark states in the conduction band that reduce radiative recombination and enhance photon-to-electron conversion, leading to significantly higher photocurrents. In our work, current enhancement of up to 35% has been demonstrated by modeling dark state protection in a solar cell composed of Tungsten Diselenide (WSe2) and Tungsten Sulfo-Selenide (WSeS), with the potential to exceed the Shockley-Queisser limit under ideal conditions.

This dissertation presents the fabrication of hollow optical waveguides integrated on planar substrates. Similar in principle to Bragg waveguides and other photonic crystal waveguides, the antiresonant reflecting optical waveguide (ARROW) is used to guide light in hollow cores filled with liquids or gases. Waveguides with liquid or gas cores are an important new building block for integrated optical sensors. The fabrication method developed for hollow ARROW waveguides makes use of standard microfabrication processes and materials. Dielectric layers are deposited on a silicon wafer using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) to form the bottom layers of the ARROW waveguide. A sacrificial core material is then deposited and patterned. Core materials used include aluminum, SU-8 and reflowed photoresist, each resulting in a different core geometry. Additional dielectric layers are then deposited, forming the top and sides of the waveguide. The sacrificial core is then removed in an acid solution, resulting in a hollow ARROW waveguide. Experiments investigating the mechanical strength of the hollow waveguides and the etching characteristics of the sacrificial core suggest design rules for the different core types. Integration of solid-core waveguides is accomplished by etching a ridge into the top dielectric layer of the ARROW structure. Improved optical performance can be obtained by forming the waveguides on top of a raised pedestal on the silicon substrate. Loss measurements on hollow ARROW waveguides fabricated in this manner gave loss coefficients of 0.26 cm-1 for liquid-core waveguides and 2.6 cm-1 for air-core waveguides. Fluorescence measurements in liquid-core ARROW waveguides have achieved single-molecule detection sensitivity. Integrated optical filters based on ARROW waveguides were fabricated, and preliminary results of a capillary electrophoresis separation device using a hollow ARROW indicate the feasibility of such devices for future investigation.