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Even though KTiOPO4 (KTP) is considered to be one of the best nonlinear materials for quasi phase matched (QPM) frequency conversion in the visible and the near-infrared spectral regions, its use is often limited by poor material homogeneity, high ionic conductivity, a considerable linear absorption and photochromatic damage. On the other hand, the improved material homogeneity and the lower ionic conductivity of bulk Rb-doped KTP (RKTP) make this material an ideal alternative for fabrication of fine-pitch QPM gratings, while the arsenate isomorph KTiOAsO4 (KTA) promises a better performance in the green spectral region and adds the advantage of a wider transparency window in the infrared. Unfortunately, the available studies on these materials are limited and unable to answer the question whether RKTP and KTA are feasible alternatives to KTP in terms of periodic poling and optical performance. The optical performance of the QPM devices depends on the periodic poling quality, therefore, a detailed comprehension of domain-grating formation in the KTP isomorphs is highly desired. The goals of this thesis were to gain a better understanding of the periodic poling process in the KTP isomorphs, in order to study the specifics of ferroelectric domain engineering in KTA and RKTP, and to evaluate the optical performance of these isomorphs. Fine-pitch periodically poled structures were engineered both in KTA and RKTP crystals. It was demonstrated that QPM gratings with excellent quality and with periods as short as 8.49 μm can be fabricated in KTA crystals. Comparative transmission studies have shown that periodically poled KTA (PPKTA) crystals can be superior to KTP for QPM second harmonic generation in the visible spectral region due to lower linear absorption. It was also demonstrated that RKTP is a superior alternative to KTP for high-quality QPM grating fabrication. A consistent room-temperature periodic poling of 5 mm thick RKTP crystals with a period of 38.86 μm has been achieved. The obtained large aperture periodically poled RKTP (PPRKTP) crystals showed an outstanding QPM grating uniformity and excellent optical performance in optical parametric oscillator (OPO) applications. Moreover, it was shown that RKTP is less susceptible to blue-induced infrared absorption than KTP. Finally, a novel and a relatively simple method for self-assembling quasi-periodic sub-μm scale ferroelectric domain structure in RKTP crystals has been presented. It was shown that, after treatment in aqueous KOH/KNO3 solution, periodic poling of RKTP with planar electrodes resulted in one-dimensional ferroelectric domain structure with an average periodicity of 650±200 nm, extending over the whole 1 mm thick crystal. Such self-assembled structures in RKTP were used to demonstrate 5th order non-collinear QPM backward second harmonic generation. / <p>QC 20140114</p>

The work presented in this thesis describes an investigation into the properties and behaviour of nonlinear optical guest molecules doped into polymeric matrices. The interactions of the guest molecule 2-(N, N dimethylamino)-5-nitroacetanilide (DAN) with a polycarbonate and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) host are compared. A detailed characterisation of the two systems is described employing infra red spectroscopy and analysis of the chromophore alignment during electric field poling. The study reveals that hydrogen bond formation between the guest and the polar polycarbonate backbone accounts for the unusually good alignment stability previously reported in the polycarbonate system. The molecular hyperpolarisibility of DAN in PMMA is also measured and the apparent enhancement compared with solution measurements is accounted for by the more polar nature of the polymer environment. A new technique allowing the measurement of the dipole moment of polar molecules doped into thin polymer films is also presented. The technique is demonstrated on a series of zwitterionic chromophores whose measured dipole moments range from 30 to 40 D. Electrochroism measurements are performed to account for aggregation of the monomer species which then permits the first hyperpolarisibility of the molecules to be calculated. The values of dipole moment and hyperpolarisibility are found to be very sensitive to the choice of dielectric cavity shape used when deriving the local field correction factors. The measured values are therefore compared with theoretical calculations and a preferred cavity shape is proposed.

The purpose with this study was to investigate the effect of a carbohydrate (CHO) mouth rinse protocol on simulated cross country (XC) sprint. The primaryaim was to investigate ifa 10 secCHO solutionmouth rinsingprotocolimprovedthe finish timein a simulated cross country (XC) sprint(800 meters for female and 1000 meters for male) compared with control (CON).The second aim was to examif post-finish blood lactateconcentrationwouldbe lowercompared with CONwith mouth rinsing. Seven participants(four males and three females)completed four simulated sprints, two CON and two experimentalrinse protocols, CHO solution and placebo (PLA).Time to completion was not different with CHO compared with CON or PLA (203.0 ±16.5 sec, 202.3 ± 15.7 sec, 203.3 ± 14.6respectively.p &gt;.05).Mean power output was CON 264 ± 73, PLA 258 ± 65, CHO 261± 70.Blood lactateat 15 minweresimilar between CHO, CON and and PLA(9.9 ± 3.9 mmol 7.6 ± 4.0 mmol, 10.1 ± 3.7 mmol respectively.p &gt;.05).We concludethat mouth rinsing a CHO solutionfor 10 sechave no effect on high intensity exercise with duration lasting between 3 and 4 minutes.

Amorphous materials present macroscopic inversion symmetry. As a consequence, their even order nonlinearities are null. The technological interest in vitreous medium with second order nonlinearity ( &#967;(2) ) to make photonic devices has stimulated the development of techniques to induce this property. Among them, the thermal-electric field poling is one of the most investigated due its experimental simplicity and results reproducibility. In this work the investigations were directed to the thermal-electric field poling dynamics in soda-lime glasses in view of identify the mainly contributions to the induced nonlinearity stability. Initially were identified the mainly contributions to the induced electrical current. It was observed during the polarizations electroluminescence emission which was shown to be due to ionic displacement and air ionization outside the sample. By using a simplified ionic conduction model was determined two activation energies: ~0,60 and ~3,8eV. The first one, determined from the induced electrical current, was attributed to the sodium conduction; while the second ones, determined by the electroluminescence, attributed to the calcium displacement. Besides the small contribution to the electrical current, the calcium ions, due their small diffusion coefficient, were identified as responsible to the possibility of induce stable second order nonlinearity in soda-lime glasses. Based on these evidences it was used an alternative procedure in which the electrical current flux is controlled. This procedure enabled induce stable &#967;(2) . This effect was demonstrated to exist 12 months after the polarization procedure, even with a ~50% decrease. The second harmonic generation efficiency was increased in until three times by pumping continuously the polarized samples with infrared radiation from an Nd-YAG laser operating at QSML regime. The threshold applied voltage to observe &#967;(2) was determined through a modulated applied voltage procedure to be due to the mobility difference between sodium and calcium. / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Materiais amorfos apresentam simetria de inversão macroscópica e, como conseqüência, as nãolinearidades ópticas de ordem par são nulas. A necessidade tecnológica de que meios vítreos apresentem não-linearidade de segunda ordem ( &#967;(2) ), visando principalmente o desenvolvimento de dispositivos fotônicos, fortalece a busca por técnicas para a sua indução. Dentre estas, o processo termo-elétrico de polarização tem sido muito investigado devido, principalmente a sua simplicidade experimental e a reprodutibilidade dos resultados. Neste trabalho as investigações são dedicadas à dinâmica do processo termo-elétrico em vidros soda-lime visando identificar as principais contribuições para a estabilidade da não-linearidade induzida. Inicialmente foram verificadas as principais contribuições à corrente elétrica induzida. Durante as polarizações observou-se emissão de eletroluminescência. Mostrou-se que esta é devido ao deslocamento dos íons de cálcio e possíveis ionizações do ar fora da amostra. Usando um modelo simplificado de condução iônica determinou-se duas energias de ativação: ~0,60 e ~3,8eV. A primeira, determinada a partir da corrente elétrica induzida, foi atribuída à condução dos íons de sódio; enquanto a segunda, determinada pela eletroluminescência, aos íons de cálcio. Apesar de pequena contribuição na corrente elétrica induzida, os íons de cálcio, devido ao baixo coeficiente de difusão, foram identificados como os responsáveis pela possibilidade de indução de &#967;(2) estável em vidros soda-lime. Baseado nessas evidências foi utilizado um procedimento alternativo de polarização controlando do fluxo de corrente induzida que permitiu a indução de &#967;(2) estável. Este efeito pôde ser comprovado existir 12 meses após o processo de polarização, mesmo com redução de ~50% do valor inicial. Observou-se que a eficiência na geração de segundo harmônico pôde ser aumentada em até 3 vezes quando as amostras polarizadas foram bombeadas continuamente com laser Nd-YAG operando no regime QSML. Através de procedimento com tensão elétrica aplicada modulada foi identificada a origem da tensão elétrica de limiar como sendo devido à diferença de mobilidade entre os íons de sódio e cálcio.

Syfte Undersöka biomekaniska och fysiologiska skillnader mellan modern och gammeldags stakteknik vid konstant submaximalt arbete på rullskidor. Metod Tolv manliga elitskidåkare rekryterades till studien (ålder: 21 ± 4 år, längd: 183,6 ± 9,3 cm, och vikt: 77,8 ± 10,3 kg). Efter en standardiserad uppvärmning genomfördes två deltester, om fyra minuter vardera, i modern och gammeldags stakning med en individanpassad hastighet och lutningen 2,5°. Syreförbrukningen och ventilation analyserades under testen och efter varje deltest togs ett laktatprov och skattning av ansträngning utifrån Borgs RPE. Testerna filmades, där vinklar sedan plockades ut i ett videoanalysprogram. De olika testvärdena analyserade sedan med Paired samples t-test samt Paired samples Wilcoxon signed-ranked test. Resultat Ingen signifikant skillnad påvisades mellan modern och gammeldags stakning för syreförbrukning, energiförbrukning, rörelseekonomi, andningsfrekvens samt laktathalt. Signifikanta skillnader påvisades för hjärtfrekvens, ventilation, respiratory exchange ratio (RER) samt Borg RPE, där gammeldags stakning uppvisade högre värden för samtliga variabler förutom RER. Även i en del ledvinklar samt för tiden i den kraftskapande- och återhämtningsfasen stakcyklerna och tyngdpunktsförflyttningen. Slutsatser Studien visar inga signifikanta skillnader i energikostnad, syrekonsumtion, rörelseekonomi samt blodlaktatskoncentration mellan modern och gammeldags stakning vid submaximalt arbete. Däremot finns signifikanta skillnader i hjärtfrekvens, ventilation samt den skattade tröttheten som tyder på att gammeldags stakning upplevs något mer ansträngande. Framtida forskning behövsför att avgöra om detta skiljer sig i annan lutning och hastighet. / Purpose Examine whether biomechanical and physiological variables differ between modern and old-fashioned double poling technique (OFDP) at a constant submaximal work rate during roller skiing. Methods Twelve male elite cross-country skiers were recruited (age: 21 ± 4 years, length: 183,6 ± 9,3 cm, and weight: 77,8 ± 10,3 kg). After a standardized two subtests followed, in modern and OFDP technique at an individual velocity and the incline 2,5°. Oxygen consumption and ventilation were measured during the testand lactate concentration as well as estimation of Borg RPE were measuredafter every subtest. The test was recorded and angles were analysed. Test values were analysed using Paired samples t-test as well as Paired samples Wilcoxon signed-ranked test. Results No significant difference in energy expenditure (EE), O2 consumption, gross efficiency (GE), breathing frequency (BF) and lactate were shown. Significant differences were shown between heart rate (HR), ventilation, RER and Borg RPE, where higher values were shown for OFDP at all variables except RER. Significant differences were shown in some joint angles as well as the time of the power creating phase,returning phase of the pole stroke and the centre of mass (COM) displacement. Conclusions No significant difference in EE, O2 consumption, GE and lactate between modern and OFDP during a submaximal work rate. Differences in HR and estimated exhaustion gives a hint of the OFDP being more exhausting. Future research is required to determine if this differs in other inclines and velocities.

Le développement croissant des réseaux de télécommunication de fibre optiques nécessite la mise au point de systèmes optiques intégrés (amplificateurs, switch optique, WDM, DWDM, ...). La découverte de génération de second harmonique dans les verres ouvre de nouvelles perspectives d'application dans le domaine des télécoms. C'est dans ce contexte que nous avons débuté cette thèse par la recherche de nouveaux systèmes vitreux (Nb2O5 – P2O5 – CaO – B2O3 et TeO2 – PbO – P2O5), qui après un traitement de poling présentent une forte susceptibilité non linéaire d'ordre deux. L'étude a porté sur la synthèse, le traitement de poling et les caractérisations physico-chimiques (structurales et optiques) des verres. Une application aux couches minces a été entreprise.

Le poling thermique est une technique consistant à appliquer un fort champ électrique (DC) à un substrat de verre chauffé. Après traitement, un champ électrique est figé au sein de la matrice vitreuse, brisant sa centrosymmétrie. La présence de ce champ permet d’accéder à des propriétés d’optique nonlinéaire du second ordre, habituellement interdite dans un milieu centrosymmétrique tel que le verre. En plus des propriétés d’optique nonlinéaire, la présence du champ électrique a été associée à des modifications structurelles et compositionnelles mais également à des changements de propriétés de surface. Notre objectif a été d’utiliser cette technique pour modifier les propriétés de réactivité de surface et optique de verres d’oxyde (borosilicate et borophosphate de niobium (BPN)) et de verres de chalcogénures. Après poling, les modifications structurelles ont été caractérisée par spectroscopie vibrationnelle Raman et infrarouge. L’intensité et la localisation du champ électrique ont été caractérisées par des techniques de génération de seconde harmonique (SHG) : une analyse quantitative avec les franges de Maker et une d’imagerie μSHG. Le traitement a permis d’augmenter localement la réactivité de surface du verre borosilicate. Dans les verres BPN et chalcogénures, le traitement a permis de contrôler les propriétés optiques à la fois linéaire et nonlinéaire à l’échelle micrométrique. Ces résultats permettent d’envisager l’utilisation du poling thermique pour des applications en photonique intégrée. / Thermal poling is a technique which consists in the application of a strong DC electric field to a heated glass substrate. Following the treatment, a static electric field is frozen inside the glass matrix, effectively breaking its centrosymmetry. Presence of the electric field allows for second order non-linear optical properties usually forbidden in centrosymmetric medium such as glasses. In addition to nonlinear optical properties, the presence of the electric field has been associated with structural/compositional modifications as well as surface property changes. Our objective was to use this technique to tailor surface reactivity and optical properties in oxide (borosilicate and niobium borophosphate) and chalcogenide glasses. After poling, structural modifications were investigated using Raman and infrared spectroscopy. Strength and localization of the electric field were characterized by Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) techniques: quantitative Maker fringes analysis and μSHG imaging. The treatment has successfully allowed to locally enhanced the surface reactivity of a borosilicate glass. In niobium borophosphate and chalcogenide glasses, the treatment has permitted to control optical properties both linearly and non-linearly at the micrometric scale. These results show that thermal poling could be used to create functional devices for applications in integrated photonics.

Title of the thesis: Current concepts of double poling by classic technique in cross-country skiing Object of the thesis: The spatial-temporal analysis of node points and kinetic phases of the kick double poling and double poling of selected competitors at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Liberec 2009. Method: A case study in which we used the kinematographic method for the analysis of the kick double poling and double poling of selected competitors. We analyzed the video of the 15-km classic in the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Liberec 2009. For the analysis we used the software APAS. Results: We performed spatial-temporal description of node points and kinetic phases of the kick double poling and double poling of selected competitors. We characterized current concepts of kick double poling technique, because selected competitors were relatively homogeneous set. By double poling we found out flexion-extension pattern in elbow, hip joints of slipping lower limb and partly in knee and ankle joints of slipping lower limb which results in generation of great propulsive force. Double poling becomes more significant driving element than push-off. Keywords: cross-country skiing, kick double poling, double poling, kinematic analysis, top competitors

<p>This thesis explores the use of nonlinear crystals from theKTiOPO₄(KTP) family with the aim to extend the possibleapplications for laser sources and to gain more knowledge aboutthe material’s benefits and limits. The work focussed onoptical parametric oscillators (OPOs) and optical parametricamplifiers (OPAs), which employ second order nonlinearprocesses. Both devices transfer energy from a laser beam at aparticular wavelength to a different wavelength, which istuneable. In OPOs two new beams at different wavelengths aregenerated, whereas in OPAs an existing weak beam is amplified.The essential part of these devices, which enables theoccurrence of the energy conversion, is a nonlinear crystal. Inthis work the ferroelectric crystals KTP and RbTiOPO₄(RTP) have been utilized.</p><p>By modifying the material’s structure,quasi-phasematching can be obtained, which is a crucialrequirement for achieving efficient energy conversion betweenthe incident and the generated waves. The fabrication ofquasi-phasematched crystals is dependent on the controlledreversion of the material’s spontaneous polarisation,which is accomplished by periodic electric field poling.</p><p>Nanosecond pulses of more than 200 kW were generated in the“eye-safe”region by employing a double pass OPA.Small signal gains exceeding 75 dB were obtained for anessentially diffraction limited beamwithout spectralbroadening of the seed. By subsequent signal coupling intofibres substantial broadening was accomplished. A systematicmeasurement series of several RTP crystals allowed us toaccurately determine the wavelength and temperature dispersionof the refractive index, which are two essential requirementsfor further employment of this material. The OPOs based on RTPwere widely tuneable by controlling the temperature. It wasalso concluded that RTP behaves similar to KTP in parametricdevices, thus being a material, which can sustain high powers,possesses large nonlinear coefficients and can operate in abroad wavelength region.Efficient Raman oscillation concurrent with parametricoscillation was observed and analysed in several KTP samples.This gave further insight into the processes taking placeinside the material when performing as a frequency converter,if the generated idler lies in the absorption band.This thesis also covers the investigation of afemtosecond optical parametric chirped pulse amplifier.Temporally stretched seed pulses were amplified to 85 µJ,resulting in a gain above 60 dB, and subsequent recompressionresulted in 270 fs pulses.</p><p><b>Keywords:</b>nonlinear optics, KTiOPO₄, optical parametric oscillator, optical parametricamplifier, RbTiOPO₄, quasi-phasematching, electric field poling,stimulated Raman scattering.</p>