Objetivo: Investigar as alterações biomecânicas da córnea de suínos induzidas pela confecção de lamelas pediculadas de diferentes espessuras pelo laser de femtossegundo. Métodos: Para a formação dos dois grupos, 12 olhos de porcos foram usados: lamelas pediculadas de 100 e de 300 micrômetros confeccionadas pelo laser de femtossegundo. Cada olho foi submetido aos seguintes exames, antes da criação das lamelas: topografia por rasterstereography, Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA), tomografia do segmento anterior por coerência óptica para a avaliação paquimétrica corneal e das lamelas criadas e sistema de velocidade de onda (SVO), que mede a velocidade de propagação de ondas acústicas entre dois transdutores posicionados na superfície corneal antes e imediatamente, após a feitura da lamela. O primerio passo foi desenhado para o estudo das diferenças em relação à histerese corneal, fator de resistência corneal, mudanças na curvatura e velocidade de propagação de onda acústica entre córneas com lamelas finas e espessas. Posteriormente, as lamelas foram amputadas, e as medidas do sistema de velocidade de onda foram repetidas. Resultados: A média de espessura das lamelas ± desviopadrão (DP) foi de 108,5±6,9 (8,5% da espessura total) e 307,8±11,5 m (22,9% da espessura total), para os grupos de lamelas finas e espessas, respectivamente (p< 0,001). Histerese corneal e o fator de resistência corneal não apresentaram diferença estatística, após a criação de lamelas finas (p = 0,81 e p = 0,62, respectivamente). Histerese corneal foi significantemente mais baixa, depois da confecção de lamelas mais espessas (8,0±1,0 para 5,1±1,5 mmHg para medidas pré e pós-operatórias, respectivamente, p = 0,003, diminuição de 36,25%) e fator de resistência corneal também mostrou significante diminuição nesse grupo, após o procedimento cirúrgico; valores médios pré e pós-operatórios de 8,2±1,6 e 4,1±2,5 mmHg respectivamente (p= 0,007), diminuição de 50%. A ceratometria média simulada apresentou maiores valores, após a confecção das lamelas mais espessas em relação ao pré-operatório (ceratometria pré e pós-operatória de 39,5±1 D e 45,9±1,2 D, respectivamente, p= 0,003). Para o grupo de lamelas finas, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante (ceratometria pré e pós-operatória de 40,6±0,6 D e 41,4±1,0 D, respectivamente, p=0,55). Em relação ao Sistema de Velocidade de Onda, após a criação das lamelas e sua amputação, houve diminuição da velocidade de propagação acústica, embora na maior parte das posições não fosse estatisticamente significante. Conclusão: Nas condições experimentais estabelecidas por este estudo, a criação de lamelas de maior espessura pareceu exercer efeito mais relevante sobre a biomecânica da córnea de suínos / Purpose: To study the impact of programmed flaps at two different thicknesses on the biomechanical properties of the swine corneas. Methods: Twelve pig eyes were enrolled in this study and were formed two groups: 100m and 300 m flaps performed with the femtosecond laser. Each eye had the following procedure before the flap creation: raster photograph topographic maps, Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA), Optical Coherence Tomography to measure the pachymetry and flap thickness and Surface Wave Velocity system which is a prototype system that measures sonic wave propagation time between two transducers positioned on the corneal surface before and after flap creation. This first step was designed to investigate the differences in respect to corneal hysteresis, corneal resistance factor, curvature change and ultrasonic wave propagation between the groups with thinner and thicker flaps. After this initial procedure, flap amputation was performed and new measurements with the surface wave velocity system were taken again. Results: Measured flap thicknesses averaged 108.5±6.9 (8.5% of the total cornea) and 307.8±11.5 m (22.9% of the total cornea) for thin and thick flap groups, respectively (p< 0.001). Hysteresis and corneal resistance factor did not change significantly after flap creation in the thin flap group (p = 0.81 and p = 0.62, respectively). With thicker flaps, both parameters decreased significantly from 8.0±1.0 to 5.1±1.5 mmHg (p=0.003, reduction of 36.25%) and from 8.2±1.6 to 4.1±2.5 mmHg, respectively (p = 0.007), reduction of 50%. Simulated keratometry values increased in the thick flap group (from 39.5±1 D to 45.9±1.2 D, p=0.003) after flap creation and not in the thin flap group (from 40.6±0.6D to 41.4±1.0D, p= 0.55). Regarding surface wave velocity analysis, the surgical procedures induced lower values in some positions although most of them did not present statistically different results. Conclusion: In this experimental model, thicker flaps seemed to have a greater effect on the biomechanics of the swinish cornea

This thesis is concerned with the optimization and development of the production of nanofocusing refractive x-ray lenses. These optics made of either silicon or diamond are well-suited for high resolution x-ray microscopy. The goal of this work is the design of a reproducible manufacturing process which allows the production of silicon lenses with high precision, high quality and high piece number. Furthermore a process for the production of diamond lenses is to be developed and established. In this work, the theoretical basics of x-rays and their interaction with matter are described. Especially, aspects of synchrotron radiation are emphasized. Important in x-ray microscopy are the different optics. The details, advantages and disadvantages, in particular those of refractive lenses are given. To achieve small x-ray beams well beyond the 100nm range a small focal length is required. This is achieved in refractive lenses by moving to a compact lens design where several single lenses are stacked behind each other. The, so-called nanofocusing refractive lenses (NFLs) have a parabolic cylindrical shape with lateral structure sizes in the micrometer range. NFLs are produced by using micro-machining techniques. These micro-fabrication processes and technologies are introduced. The results of the optimization and the final fabrication process for silicon lenses are presented. Subsequently, two experiments that are exemplary for the use of NFLs, are introduced. The first one employs a high-resolution scanning fluorescence mapping of a geological sample, and the second one is a coherent x-ray diffraction imaging (CXDI) experiment. CXDI is able to reconstruct the illuminated object from recorded coherent diffraction patterns. In a scanning mode, referred to as ptychography, this method is even able to reconstruct the illumination and the object simultaneously. Especially the reconstructed illumination and the possibility of computed propagation of the wavefield along the focused beam yields findings about the optic used. The collected data give interesting information about the lenses and their aberrations. Comparison of simulated and measured data shows good agreement. Following this, the fabrication process of diamond lenses is described. Diamond with its extraordinary properties is well-suited as lens material for refractive lenses. Finally, a concluding overview of the present and future work of nanofocusing lenses is given. / Diese Dissertation beschäftigt sich mit der Entwicklung und Optimierung der Herstellungsprozesse von refraktiven nanofokussierenden Röntgenlinsen. Diese aus Silizium oder Diamant hergestellten Optiken, sind hervorragend für hochauflösende Röntgen\-mikroskopie geeignet. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, einen reproduzierbaren Herstellungsprozess zu erarbeiten, der es erlaubt, Siliziumlinsen von hoher Präzision, Qualität und Quantität zu fertigen. Zusätzlich soll ein Prozess für Diamantlinsen entwickelt und etabliert werden. In der folgenden Arbeit werden die theoretischen Grundlagen von Röntgenstrahlung und deren Wechselwirkung mit Materie beschrieben. Spezielle Aspekte der Synchrotronstrahlung werden hervorgehoben. Wichtig im Zusammenhang mit Röntgenmikroskopie sind die verschieden Optiken. Deren Details, Vor- und Nachteile, insbesondere die der brechenden Linsen, werden genannt. Zur Erzeugung fein gebündelter Röntgenmikrostrahlen im Bereich unter 100nm lateraler Größe benötigt man sehr kurze Brennweiten. Mit brechenden Linsen lässt sich dieses mittels eines kompakten Linsendesigns von vielen hintereinander gestapelten Einzellinsen realisieren. Die so genannten refraktiven nanofokussierenden Linsen (NFLs) besitzen eine parabolische Zylinderform mit lateralen Strukturgrößen im Mikrometerbereich. NFLs werden mittels spezieller Technologien der Mikroprozessierung hergestellt. Diese Mikrostrukturierungsverfahren werden mit ihren jeweiligen Prozessschritten und zugehörenden Technologien vorgestellt. Die Ergebnisse der Optimierung und der endgültige Mikrostrukturierungsprozess für Siliziumlinsen werden dargelegt. Im Anschluss daran werden zwei Experimente erläutert, die beispielhaft für die Anwendung von NFLs stehen. Ersteres ist ein ortsaufgelöstes Fluoreszenzrasterexperiment einer geologischen Probe und das zweite ein kohärentes Röntgen-Beugungsexperiment (CXDI). CXDI ist in der Lage, aus kohärent aufgenommen Beugungsbildern das beleuchtete Objekt zu rekonstruieren. Kombiniert mit einem rasternden Verfahren, welches Ptychographie genannt wird, ist diese Methode in der Lage, die Beleuchtungsfunktion und das Objekt gleichzeitig zu rekonstruieren. Besonderes die rekonstruierte Beleuchtungsfunktion und die Möglichkeit der computergestützten Propagation des Wellenfeldes entlang des fokussierten Strahls, geben aufschlussreiche Informationen über die verwendete Optik. Neue Erkenntnisse über die Linsen und deren Aberrationen können so gewonnen werden. Vergleiche von simulierten mit gemessenen Daten zeigen gute Übereinstimmung. Daran anschließend erfolgt die Beschreibung der Entwicklung eines Fabrikationsprozess für Diamantlinsen. Diamant mit seinen außergewöhnlichen Materialeigenschaften ist besonders gut als Linsenmaterial für refraktive Röntgenlinsen geeignet. Abschliessend wird ein zusammenfassender Überblick über die derzeitigen und die zu erwartenden Entwicklungen bei refraktiven Linsen gegeben.

The author of this thesis concentrates his attention on quantum optical properties of some artificial electromagnetic media, such as quantum coherent atomic vapors (various multilevel electromagnetically induced transparency vapors) and negative refractive index materials, and suggests some possible ways to manipulate wave propagations inside the artificial electromagnetic materials based on quantum coherence and quantum vacuum effects. In Chapters 1 and 2, the author reviews the previous papers on quantum coherence as well as the relevant work such as electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), atomic population trapping and their various applications. The basic concepts of quantum coherence (atomic phase coherence, quantum interferences within atomic energy levels) and quantum vacuum are introduced, and the theoretical formulations for treating wave propagations in quantum coherent media are presented. In Chapter 3, the author considers three topics on the manipulation of light propagations via quantum coherence and quantum interferences: i) the evolutional optical behaviors (turn-on dynamics) of a four-level N-configuration atomic system is studied and the tunable optical behavior that depends on the intensity ratio of the signal field to the control field is considered. Some typical photonic logic gates (e.g. NOT and NOR gates) are designed based on the tunable four-level optical responses of the N-configuration atomic system; ii) the destructive and constructive quantum interferences between two control transitions (driven by the control fields) in a tripod-type four-level system is suggested. The double-control quantum interferences can be utilized to realize some photonic devices such as the logic-gate devices, e.g., NOT, OR, NOR and EXNOR gates; iii) some new quantum coherent schemes (using EIT and dressed-state mixed-parity transitions) for realizing negative refractive indices are proposed. The most remarkable characteristic (and advantage) of the present scenarios is such that the isotropic left-handed media (with microscopic structure units at the atomic level) in the optical frequency band can be achieved. Quantum vacuum (the ground state of quantized fields) can exhibit many interesting effects. In Chapter 4, we investigate two quantum-vacuum effects in artificial materials: i) the anisotropic distribution of quantum-vacuum momentum density in a moving electromagnetic medium; ii) the angular momentum transfer between quantum vacuum and anisotropic medium. Such quantum-vacuum macroscopic mechanical effects could be detected by current technology, e.g., the so-called fiber optical sensor that can measure motion with nanoscale sensitivity. We expect that these vacuum effects could be utilized to develop sensitive sensor techniques or to design new quantum optical and photonic devices.In Chapter 5, the author suggests some interesting effects due to the combination of quantum coherence and quantum vacuum, i.e., the quantum coherent effects, in which the quantum-vacuum fluctuation field is involved. Two topics are addressed: i) spontaneous emission inhibition due to quantum interference in a three-level system; ii) quantum light-induced guiding potentials for coherent manipulation of atomic matter waves (containing multilevel atoms). These quantum guiding potentials could be utilized to cool and trap atoms, and may be used for the development of new techniques of atom fibers and atom chips, where the coherent manipulation of atomic matter waves is needed.In Chapter 6, we conclude this thesis with some remarks, briefly discuss new work that deserves further consideration in the future, and present a guide to the previously published papers by us. / QC 20100810

Les biocapteurs sont utilisés quotidiennement pour déterminer la présence de molécules biologiques dans une matrice complexe, comme l’urine pour les tests de grossesses ou le sang pour les glucomètres. Les techniques courantes pour la détection des autres maladies nécessitent fréquemment le marquage de l’analyte avec une autre molécule, ce qui est à éviter pour fin de simplicité d’analyse. Ces travaux ont pour but la maximisation de la sensibilité d’une surface d’or ou d’argent nanotrouée, afin de permettre la détection de la liaison de molécules biologiques par résonance des plasmons de surface localisés (LSPR), en utilisant la spectroscopie de transmission. Un biocapteur portable, rapide et sans marquage pour quantifier des analytes d’intérêt médical ou environnemental pourrait être construit à partir de ces travaux. Dans l’objectif d’étudier de nombreuses configurations pour maximiser la sensibilité, le temps et le coût des méthodes de fabrication de nanostructures habituelles auraient limité le nombre de surfaces nanotrouées pouvant être étudiées. Un autre objectif du projet consiste donc au développement d’une technique de fabrication rapide de réseaux de nanotrous, et à moindres coûts, basée sur la lithographie de nanosphères (NSL) et sur la gravure au plasma à l’oxygène (RIE). La sensibilité à la variation d’indice de réfraction associée aux liaisons de molécules sur la surface du métal noble et la longueur d’onde d’excitation du plasmon de surface sont influencées par les caractéristiques des réseaux de nanotrous. Dans les travaux rapportés ici, la nature du métal utilisé, le diamètre ainsi que la périodicité des trous sont variés pour étudier leur influence sur les bandes LSPR du spectre en transmission pour maximiser cette sensibilité, visant la fabrication d’un biocapteur. Les surfaces d’argent, ayant un diamètre de nanotrous inférieur à 200 nm pour une périodicité de 450 nm et les nanotrous d’une périodicité de 650 nm démontre un potentiel de sensibilité supérieur. / Biosensors are used daily to determine the presence of biomolecules in a complex matrix, like urine for pregnancy test or blood with a glucometer. The usual biodetection methods require the addition of a tag on the analyte, which is to be avoided to design a simple analytical method. The objective of this work is to maximize the sensitivity of a gold or silver nanohole arrays to detect the biomolecules liaisons close to the metal surface by localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in transmission spectroscopy. A portable and effective biosensor to quantify analytes could be built based on this work, without a tagging step. To achieve the objective of evaluating numerous configurations for maximal sensitivity, the time and cost of the usual nanostructures fabrication methods would have limited the number of nanohole arrays in metal surface that could have been studied in this project. This fact motivated another objective of this project, the development of a fast and low cost fabrication method for nanohole arrays using nanospheres lithography (NSL) followed by reactive ions etching (RIE). The plasmon sensitivity and wavelength excitation are influenced by the nanohole arrays characteristics. In the work presented here, the chemical composition of the metal surface, the diameter and the periodicity of the nanohole arrays are shown to the influence the LSPR bands. The transmission maximum and minimum position of some LSPR bands are sensitive to refractive index change, which can be exploited in a biosensor format to detect biomolecules. The optimization of these nanohole arrays characteristics allows the maximization of this sensitivity to build a biosensor. The best index refraction sensitive results were with silver surfaces, with nanohole diameters smaller than 200 nm for a periodicity of 450 nm and the nanoholes with a periodicity of 650 nm show a potential for an increased sensitivity.

In this thesis devices for controlling the flow of surface plasmon polaritons are described. Dielectric and metallic nanostructures were designed for this purpose, and characterized by leakage radiation microscopy in real and in reciprocal spaces. Manipulation of surface plasmons by dielectric lenses and gradient index elements is presented, and negative refraction, steering and self-collimation of surface plasmons in one- and two-dimensional plasmonic crystals is demonstrated. The achieved degree of control was applied for routing of nanoparticles by optical forces, as well as for two methods of enhancing the figures of merit of plasmonic refractive index sensors, based on the one hand on Fano resonances natural to leakage radiation microscopy, and on the other hand on anisotropie plasmonic bandstructures.

Thesis (Ph.D.); Submitted to Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA (US); 12 Dec 2003. / Published through the Information Bridge: DOE Scientific and Technical Information. "IS-T 2048" Stavroula Foteinopoulou. 12/12/2003. Report is also available in paper and microfiche from NTIS.

[pt] Nos últimos anos, tem aumentado o interesse no uso da transmissão de energia sem fio por acoplamento indutivo em muitas aplicações. Uma das maiores limitações dessa tecnologia é a distância de operação reduzida. Alguns trabalhos recentes sugerem usar materiais artificiais conhecidos como metamateriais para aprimorar a eficiência da transferência de potência ao longo da distância. Devido às suas propriedades eletromagnéticas únicas, tais como permeabilidade magnética negativa, metamateriais podem ser usados para amplificar as ondas evanescentes do campo próximo. No presente trabalho, é estudado o uso de metamateriais eletromagnéticos para aumentar o acoplamento indutivo por meio da amplificação do campo próximo. São apresentados cálculos analíticos e simulações dos metamateriais propostos. O melhoramento da eficiência na transferência de potência é apoiado por evidências experimentais. / [en] Over recent years, the interest in using inductive wireless power transmission for many applications has grown. One of the major limitations of this technology is the reduced operating distance. Some recent works have suggested using artificial materials known as metamaterials to improve the power transfer efficiency over distance. Due to their unique electromagnetic properties, such as negative permeability, metamaterials can be used to enhance the evanescent waves of the near field. In the present work, the usage of an electromagnetic metamaterial to increase the inductive coupling by means of enhanced evanescent waves is studied. Analytical calculations and numerical simulations of the proposed metamaterial are presented. The improvement of the power transfer efficiency is supported by empirical evidences.

SANTOS, Clenilton Costa dos. Propriedades ópticas dos vidros Er3+:PbPO4. 2010. 96 f. Tese (Doutorado em Física) - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Física, Departamento de Física, Centro de Ciências, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 2010. / Submitted by Edvander Pires (edvanderpires@gmail.com) on 2014-11-03T18:38:41Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2010_tese_ccsantos.pdf: 4778732 bytes, checksum: e9324ded793c2e668aa603d0ce9ecc71 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Edvander Pires(edvanderpires@gmail.com) on 2014-11-03T19:51:31Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2010_tese_ccsantos.pdf: 4778732 bytes, checksum: e9324ded793c2e668aa603d0ce9ecc71 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-11-03T19:51:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2010_tese_ccsantos.pdf: 4778732 bytes, checksum: e9324ded793c2e668aa603d0ce9ecc71 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / In this work we employ several techniques to investigate the optical properties of moderately high Er3+-doped lead phosphate (EDLP) glasses. The third-order optical susceptibility, χ3, and dispersion of the linear refractive index, n0(λ), of Er3+:PbPO4 were measured in the wavelength range between 400 and 1940 nm by using the spectrally resolved femtosecond Maker fringes technique. The nonlinear refractive index, n2, obtained from the third-order susceptibility was found to be five times higher than that of silica. For comparison purposes, the Z-scan technique was also employed to obtain the values of n2 of EDLP at several wavelengths, and the values obtained using the two techniques agree to within 15%. From the data obtained by absorption measurements, the Judd-Ofelt theory was employed to calculate the intensity-dependent parameters Ωλ (λ = 2, 4, and 6). We observed that increasing Er3+ content, Ω4 and Ω6 remain constant, while Ω2 decreases. Green, red, and infrared emissions centered at 530, 550, 660, and 1530 nm were observed under excitation at 800 nm. The lifetime of the Er3+: 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 (1530 nm) transition decreases with increasing Er3+ content, reflecting how significant the non-radiative process associated with this transition is. The McCumber theory was used to calculate, from absorption cross-section, the stimulated emission cross-section of the Er3+: 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 transition. A strong re-absorption of the fluorescence at 1530 nm was also observed and analyzed. Finally, we discuss the potential use of Er3+:PbPO4 glasses in photonics devices. / Neste trabalho utilizamos várias técnicas para investigar as propriedades ópticas dos vidros fosfato de chumbo (PbPO4) com concentrações moderadamente altas de íons de érbio (Er3+), EDLP. Medimos a susceptibilidade de terceira ordem, χ3, e a dispersão do índice de refração linear, n0(λ), dos vidros EDLP na região de comprimento de onda entre 400 e 1940 nm, por meio da técnica de Franjas de Maker. A partir do valor de χ3, calculamos o índice de refração não-linear, n2, cujo valor é cerca de cinco vezes maior que o da sílica (SiO2). Também obtivemos os valores de n2 dos vidros EDLP, através da técnica de varredura Z para vários comprimentos de onda. A diferença entre os valores obtidos pelas duas técnicas foi de 15%. Realizamos medidas de absorção óptica, cujos dados foram utilizados para calcular os parâmetros fenomenológicos Ωλ da teoria de Judd-Ofelt. Observamos que Ω4 e Ω6 permanecem praticamente constante com o aumento da concentração de Er3+, ao passo que Ω2 diminui. Excitando as amostras em 800 nm foi possível verificar emissões no verde, vermelho e infravermelho, centradas em 530, 550, 660 e 1530 nm, respectivamente. O tempo de vida da transição 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 (em 1530 nm) do Er3+ diminui com o aumento da concentração de Er3+, refletindo o quão importante é o processo não-radiativo associado a esta transição. A teoria de McCumber foi usada para calcular, a partir da seção de choque de absorção, a seção de choque da emissão estimulada da transição 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 do Er3+. Observamos e analisamos uma forte reabsorção da fluorescência em 1530 nm. Finalmente, discutimos a aplicabilidade dos vidros EDLP em dispositivos fotônicos.

O biodiesel tem sido amplamente utilizado como uma fonte de energia renovável, que contribui para a diminuição de demanda por diesel mineral. Portanto, existem várias propriedades que devem ser monitoradas, a fim de produzir e distribuir biodiesel com a qualidade exigida. Neste trabalho, as propriedades físicas do biodiesel, tais como massa específica, índice de refração e ponto de entupimento de filtro a frio foram medidas e associadas a espectrometria no infravermelho próximo (NIR) e espectrometria no infravermelho médio (Mid-IR) utilizando ferramentas quimiométricas. Os métodos de regressão por mínimos quadrados parciais (PLS), regressão de mínimos quadrados parciais por intervalos (iPLS), e regressão por máquinas de vetor de suporte (SVM) com seleção de variáveis por Algoritmo Genético (GA) foram utilizadas para modelar as propriedades mencionadas. As amostras de biodiesel foram sintetizadas a partir de diferentes fontes, tais como canola, girassol, milho e soja. Amostras adicionais de biodiesel foram adquiridas de um fornecedor da região sul do Brasil. Em primeiro lugar, o pré-processamento de correção de linha de base foi usado para normalizar os dados espectrais de NIR, seguidos de outros tipos de pré-processamentos que foram aplicados, tais como centralização dos dados na média, 1 derivada e variação de padrão normal. O melhor resultado para a previsão do ponto de entupimento de filtro a frio foi utilizando os espectros de Mid-IR e o método de regressão GA-SVM, com alto coeficiente de determinação da previsão, R2Pred=0,96 e baixo valor da Raiz Quadrada do Erro Médio Quadrático da previsão, RMSEP (C)= 0,6. Para o modelo de previsão da massa específica, o melhor resultado foi obtido utilizando os espectros de Mid-IR e regressão por PLS, com R2Pred=0,98 e RMSEP (g/cm3)= 0,0002. Quanto ao modelo de previsão para o índice de refração, o melhor resultado foi obtido utilizando os espectros de Mid-IR e regressão por PLS, com excelente R2Pred=0,98 e RMSEP= 0,0001. Para esses conjuntos de dados, o PLS e o SVM demonstraram sua robustez, apresentando-se como ferramentas úteis para a previsão das propriedades do biodiesel estudadas / Biodiesel has been widely used as a renewable energy source which contributes to the mineral diesel decrease demand. Therefore, there are several properties that must be monitored in order to produce and distribute biodiesel with the required quality. In this work, the biodiesel physical properties such as specific mass, refractive index and cold filter plugging point were measured and associated with near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) and mid-Infrared spectroscopy (mid-IR) spectra using chemometric tools. The Partial Least Squares Regression (PLS), Interval Partial Least Squares Regression (iPLS), and Support Vector Machines Regression (SVM) with variable selection by Genetic Algorithm (GA) methods were used to model the aforementioned properties. The biodiesel samples were synthesized from different sources such as canola, sunflower, corn, and soybean. Additional biodiesel samples were purchased from a Brazil South Region supplier. Firstly, the preprocessing baseline correction was used to normalize the NIR spectral data, following others preprocessing types were applied in such as the mean center, the first derivative and standard normal variate. The best result for predicting the cold filter plugging point was using Mid-IR spectra and GA-SVM regression method, with high coefficient determination of prediction, R2Pred = 0.94 and low value of the Root Mean Square Error of Prediction, RMSEP (C) = 0.7. For the specific mass prediction model, the best result was obtained using the Mid-IR spectrums and PLS regression, with the R2Pred = 0.98 and RMSEP (g/cm3) = 0.0002. As for a prediction model for the refractive index, the best result was obtained using the Mid-IR spectrums and PLS regression, with the R2Pred = 0.98 and RMSEP = 0.0001. For these datasets, the PLS and SVM models demonstrated theirs robustness, presenting themselves as useful tools for the biodiesel properties prediction studied

With the recent rise of 3D-printing as a form of manufacturing and their advantages for quick prototyping there is an interest for 3D-printed optical components. This thesis tests how well 3D-printed quasi-optical components preform and verify measurements with electromagnetic simulations. Measurements were made using a 60GHz FM-CW radar as well with a trihedral reflector, and tested on 3D-printed PLA lenses printed using an Ultimaker 2+. The measurements made are of the refractive index of the material, as well as the focal length of the lenses. Results showed PLA having a refractive index close to n = 1.654 in the 60GHz region. Results also showed the lenses having consistent properties like focal length and gain, two lenses having focal length of 23.7 and 23.9 mm which are close to the simulation of 24.05 mm. These findings shows 3D printed quasi-optical components have sufficient performance for use of prototyping or production depending on use. There are also some questions that have arisen like how does crystallisation in the plastic affect the components properties? And how does the PLA degrading affect the quality of the lenses over time? / På grund av framgångar inom 3D-utskrivning på senaste tiden som en form av tillverkning och dess fördelar med snabb framtagande av prototyper finns det ett intresse för utskrivna optiska komponenter. Detta examensarbete testar hur väl 3D-utskrivna kvasioptiska komponenter funger\-ar och verifierar testresultat med elektromagnetiska simuleringar. Mät\-ning\-arna gjordes med en FM-CW radar och en trihedral reflektor, och testade PLA linser utskrivna med en Ultimaker 2+. Mätningar\-na gjordes på materialets brytningsindex samt linsernas brännvidd. Resultaten visade att PLA har ett brytningsindex nära n = 1.654 i 60GHz området. Resultaten visade även hur linserna har konsekventa egenskaper som brännvidd och förstärkning. De två slutgiltiga linserna hade en brännvidd på 23.7 and 23.9 mm vilket är nära simuleringen på 24.05 mm. Dessa resultat visar att 3D-utskrivna komponenter har tillräcklig prestanda för användning i framtagande av prototyper eller produktion beroende på användning. Det finns en del frågor som kommit till, som hur påverkar plastens kristallisation komponentens egenskaper? Och hur påverkar PLAs nedbrytande linsernas kvalité?