Novel technologies capable of generating wavelengths not accessible with typical laser gain media have been among the primary drivers of the field of nonlinear optics. Here, we are interested in the linear and nonlinear properties of liquids beyond the visible spectrum, motivated in part by their use as core materials in optical fibers. Given their dispersion, nonlinearities, transparency, and ability to be mixed, liquids show potential for exploiting in-fiber nonlinear phenomena for developing the new generation of low cost, size, weight, and power wavelength-agile fiber-laser sources. For the design, modeling, and experimental realization of these liquid-core fiber laser sources, proper knowledge of dispersion and Raman gain coefficients is necessary. However, the data for the liquids in the near-IR spectrum are sparse, with most reported values being in the visible and only for commonly used solvents. In this thesis, we report a Rayleigh interferometry-based refractometer to characterize the refractive index of 26 solvents relative to standard materials at seven different wavelengths (543.5, 632.8, 780, 973, 1064, 1550, and 1970 nm) at a temperature of ~ 21.3±0.6 °C. The corresponding Sellmeier equations fitted to our data for each liquid are given and compared with previously published literature; percent transmittance data for each liquid are also provided. Furthermore, we use a well-known technique for obtaining the relative total differential Raman cross-section of eight selected solvents at 532 nm. By measuring and analyzing the solvents' spontaneous Raman emission, we obtain their depolarization ratios, linewidth, and calculate their Raman gain coefficients. With knowledge of the electronic resonance and frequency dependence of the total differential cross-section, extrapolations were used to provide values for the total differential cross-section and gain coefficient at 1064 nm.

Purpose: Currently there are attempts to slow myopia progression by manipulating peripheral refractive error. This study proposed to establish the distribution of peripheral refractive errors in hyperopic, emmetropic and myopic children and to test the hypothesis that relative peripheral hyperopia is a risk factor in the onset and progression of myopia. Methods: Refraction was measured under non-cycloplegic conditions, at 0°, 10° (superior, inferior, temporal and nasal retina) and 30° (temporal and nasal retina), at distance and near. Central spherical equivalent refractive error (SER) was used to classify the eyes as myopic (≤ −0.75 D), emmetropic (−0.75 < SER < +0.75 D) or hyperopic (≥ +0.75 D). Relative peripheral refraction was calculated as the difference between the central (i.e. foveal) and peripheral refractive measurements. At baseline, measurements were taken from 554 children and in a subset of 300 of these same children at the follow-up visit. The time interval between initial and follow-up measurement was 9.71 ± 0.87 months. Results: Results were analysed on 528 participants (10.21 ±0.94 years old) at baseline and 286 longitudinally. At baseline, myopic children (n=61) had relative peripheral hyperopia at all eccentricities at distance and near, except at 10°-superior retina where relative peripheral myopia was observed at near. Hyperopic eyes displayed relative peripheral myopia at all eccentricities, at distance and near. The emmetropes showed a shift from relative peripheral myopia at distance to relative peripheral hyperopia at near at all eccentricities, except at 10°-superior retina, where the relative peripheral myopia was maintained at near. In the longitudinal data analysis, myopes who became more myopic did not show greater relative peripheral hyperopia at baseline compared with myopic sub-groups whose central refraction remained stable. Conclusions: The peripheral refractive profile differences between different refractive groups that are reported in other studies have been confirmed in this study. Relative peripheral hyperopia is not found to be a significant risk factor in the onset or progression of myopia in children.

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