A compact device model along with simulations and an experimental analysis of a forward-biasedPNjunction-based silicon Mach-Zehndermodulator (MZM) with a phase-shifter length of 0.5 mm is presented. By placing the PN junction to a certain off-center such that72%of thewaveguide is p-doped, the refractive index swing at a given drive voltage swing is increased by 2% compared to the symmetric layout. The effects of the phase shifters’ length mismatch and asymmetric splitting on the modulation efficiency and extinction ratio of the modulator are simulated and compared with experimental results.Without any pre-emphasis or post-processing, a high-speed operation up to 15 Gb/s using a nonreturn-to-zero modulation format is demonstrated. A modulation efficiency (V πL) as low as 0.07 V × cm is verified and power consumption of 0.88 mW/Gb/s is recorded while a high extinction ratio of 33 dB is experimentally demonstrated. Compared to previously reported forward-biased silicon integrated modulators, without active tuning of the power splitting ratio between the arms, the extinction ratio is 10 dB higher. This MZM along with its compact structure is also sufficiently energy-efficient due to its low power consumption. Thus, it can be suitable for applications like analog signal processing and high-order amplitude modulation transmissions.

Various techniques in microscopy are based on point-wise acquisition, which provides advantages in acquiring sectioned images, for example in confocal or two-photon microscopy. The advantages come along with the need to perform three-dimensional scanning, which is often realized by mechanical movement achieved by stage-scanning or piezo-based scanning in the axial direction. Lateral scanning often employs galvo-mirrors, leading to a reflective setup and hence to a folded beam path. In this paper, we introduce a fully refractive microscope capable of three-dimensional scanning, which employs the combination of an adaptive lens, an adaptive prism, and a tailored telecentric f-theta objective. Our results show that this microscope is capable to perform flexible three-dimensional scanning, with low scan-induced aberrations, at a uniform resolution over a large tuning range of X = Y = 6300 µm and Z = 480 µm with only transmissive components. We demonstrate the capabilities at the example of volumetric measurements on the transgenic fluorescence of the thyroid of a zebrafish embryo and mixed pollen grains. This is the first step towards flexible aberration-free volumetric smart microscopy of three-dimensional samples like embryos and organoids, which could be exploited for the demands in both lateral and axial dimensions in biomedical samples without compromising image quality

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and causes as well as the risk factors of visual impairment (VI) and blindness among Black South Africans with diabetes mellitus (DM) aged 40 years and older in Mopani District, Limpopo province, South Africa. This was a cross-sectional study in which Black South Africans with DM aged ≥40 years old were examined for VI and blindness. In addition, anthropometric as well as risk factors for VI and blindness were studied. A total of 225 participants were selected from seven Public Health Facilities in Mopani District. Data was collected using standard optometric instruments, anthropometric instruments and structured interviews. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) and Microsoft Excel software packages. The ages of the participants ranged from 40 to 90 years with a mean of 61.5±10.49 years. There were more females (71.5%) than males (28.4%). The prevalence of uncorrected VI and blindness in the right eyes of the participants was 70.7% and 3.6%, respectively. In the left eyes, it was 72% and 3.1%, respectively. However, following optical correction, the prevalence in right eyes was 41.3% and 3.6%, respectively. In the left eyes, it was 42.2% and 3.1%, respectively. Risk factors that were individually associated with VI and blindness include age, educational qualification, monthly income, knowledge of DM types, oral DM treatment (pills), losing weight, compliance to losing weight, family history of DM, physical activity, and date of last eye examination .When logistic regression was used, knowledge of DM types, pills, and compliance to losing weight, family history of DM, monthly income and physical activity remained associated with VI and blindness. The high prevalence of VI in this diabetes population was not primarily due to DM itself, but due to refractive error and cataract, conditions which have effective and easy treatments. A total of 84% of the participants were visually impaired due to either refractive error or cataract or both and only 3.8% due to diabetes retinopathy. It is therefore recommended that appropriate and affordable refraction and cataract surgical services be made available and accessible to this population / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Dans un monde de plus en plus pollué par l'activité industrielle, la détection des espèces gazeuses nocives dans l'atmosphère est d'une importance essentielle. Le marché des capteurs de gaz est déjà bien développé, avec la présence de diverses technologies et principes de détection, chacune présentant des avantages et des inconvénients intrinsèques. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, un alliage entre deux ou plusieurs technologies de détection typiquement utilisées de façon autonome a été visée, afin d'améliorer les performances globales des systèmes capteurs ainsi formées. A ce fin, nous avons conçu et étudié des dispositifs capteurs basées sur la transduction optique, couplée à un matériau sensible au gaz cible à détecter. Plus précisément, nous avons intégré pour la première fois un matériau catalyseur pouvant accélérer le taux d'oxydation des espèces chimiques (tel le monoxyde de carbone ou l'hydrogène) avec une architecture optique capable d'absorber la chaleur cédée lors de cette oxydation. L'augmentation de température occasionnée est traduite en une variation d'intensité lumineuse constituante le signal de sortie du capteur. Les travaux effectués sur les mesures de la dispersion thermique et chromatique de l'indice de réfraction des matériaux constituant le transducteur optique par des techniques d'optique guidé, ellipsométrie et des techniques photométriques sont présentés. Le sondage par moyen optique des propriétés électriques des matériaux semiconducteurs a également été étudié, y compris les variations de ces propriétés en présence des gaz oxydants, réducteurs et combustibles. / In a world suffering from increasing air pollution due to spiraling industrial activity, the detection of toxic gasses in the atmosphere is of paramount importance. The gas detector market is already well developed, and features a wide variety of detection technologies and techniques, each presenting its own set of intrinsic advantages and drawbacks. In this thesis, a combination of two or more technologies typically used independently has been studied in order to improve the global performances of gas detection systems. To this length, we have conceived and studied detector architectures based upon optical transduction systems, coupled with a material presenting a specific sensitivity to the target gas. More precisely, we have for the first time integrated a catalyst designed to accelerate the oxidation rate of chemical species (such as carbon monoxide or hydrogen) with an optical component capable of absorbing the heat generated by the oxidation reaction. The associated increase in temperature is translated to a variation of the optical intensity comprising the exit signal of the detector. The work carried out measuring the chromatic and temperature dispersion of the refractive index of the materials comprising the optical transduction component by guided mode techniques, ellipsometry and photometric techniques is presented. The optical probing of the electrical properties of semiconductor materials has also been studied, including the variations of these properties following interactions with oxidizing, reducing, or combustible gasses.

Cette thèse participe à l'étude générale et à la compréhension des relations structure- propriétés optiques de couches minces d'oxyde de tungstène, nanostructurées lors de leur dépôt par la technique Glancing Angle Déposition. Cette technique repose sur le contrôle de l'orientation relative du substrat vis à vis de la source de vapeur.[...] / This thesis contributes to the general study and understanding of the relationship between structure and optical properties of nanostructured tungsten oxide by Glancing Angle Déposition technique. this technique relies on the control of the relative orientation of the substrate to the vapor source.[...]

Beaucoup d'adolescents sous-estiment leur inconfort visuel, bien qu'il puisse affecter leur scolarité. La prévalence des troubles visuels chez des participants âgés de quinze à vingt-deux ans a été étudiée et les résultats obtenus ont été comparés à leur niveau scolaireEntre septembre 2012 et avril 2013, quatre cents jeunes gens âgés de quinze à vingt-deux ans ont répondu à un questionnaire relatif à des signes d’asthénopie, suivi d’un examen visuel (réfraction, fonctionnement accommodatif et vision binoculaire), afin de détecter des gênes visuelles dont ils pourraient ne pas être spontanément conscients. Lorsque des problèmes visuels ont été détectés, il a été proposé aux participants de passer un examen ophtalmologique et un bilan orthoptique. Puis, le niveau scolaire de ces quatre cents jeunes a été expertisé. Les participants ont ensuite été revus pour déterminer si le port d'une correction optique adaptée et/ou la prise en charge orthoptique ont permis d'obtenir une amélioration de la performance scolaire.Les résultats indiquent que le score au questionnaire est significatif pour prédire la probabilité d’avoir une faible performance scolaire et d’avoir des troubles visuels, que les anomalies de la réfraction et de l’accommodation ont un réel impact sur la performance scolaire et plus encore, que ce sont les troubles de la vision binoculaire qui sont les plus pénalisants. Surtout, l’absence d’une plainte visuelle spontanément exprimée ne permet pas de conclure à l’absence de problèmes visuels.Une fois la performance scolaire contrôlée par des variables utilisées habituellement pour l’expliquer (e.g. retard scolaire, CSP du chef de famille, sexe, etc.), une partie non négligeable des difficultés scolaires des participants proviennent de problèmes liés à la vision. Par conséquent, un dépistage systématique des troubles visuels chez les adolescents semble nécessaire, d’autant plus s’ils rencontrent des difficultés scolaires. Par ailleurs, le questionnaire mis en place dans l’anamnèse semble être un outil efficace dans la détection de la présence de troubles et mériterait d’être validé sur un plus large échantillon. / Many students understate their visual discomfort, although it may have an educational impact. We studied the prevalence of visual disorders among students and compared these results to their academic level.Between September 2012 and April 2013, four hundred students between fifteen and twenty two years of age responded to a questionnaire followed by a visual screening (refraction and binocular vision) in order to detect any visual discomfort that they might be unaware of. When visual problems were detected, the participants were asked to have an ophthalmology and orthoptic assessment. Then the participants’ academic performance was appraised and subjects were reviewed to determine whether wearing the appropriate optical correction or taking orthoptic care have improved their grades.The results indicate that the questionnaire score is very significant to predict the probability of having academic difficulties or vision problems, that ametropia and accommodation anomalies increase academic difficulties and that binocular vision disorders are even more disadvantageous. Moreover, not spontaneously expressing visual discomfort doesn’t mean that there are no visual defects.Once controlled by variables commonly used to explain academic difficulties (e.g. academic delay, occupational category, gender, etc.) a significant proportion of participants’ academic difficulties are related to vision anomalies. Therefore, vision screening among adolescents appears to be necessary, especially if there are academic difficulties. In addition, the questionnaire used in case history seems to be an effective tool to detect vision anomalies and should be validated with a larger sample.

Vidros teluritos são considerados fortes candidatos para aplicações em lasers e óptica não linear devido a importantes características, como o elevado índice de refração, baixa energia de fônons, baixa temperatura de transição vítrea e sua fácil preparação. Neste trabalho foram produzidas amostras dos sistemas vítreos TeO2- ZnO-Na2O, TeO2-Nb2O5-Na2O e Te2O-Na2O incluindo ou não dopagens de AgNO3 para estudos estruturais e ópticos. As propriedades estruturais e os mecanismos de recombinação destes vidros foram estudados por meio das técnicas de ressonância paramagnética eletrônica, termoluminescência e correntes de despolarização termicamente estimuladas. Já as propriedades ópticas como o coeficiente de absorção linear, índice de refração linear e não linear foram estudadas por meio das técnicas de absorção óptica, acoplamento de prismas e varredura Z. Foram ainda desenvolvidos estudos da precipitação de nanopartículas de prata para o sistema TeO2-ZnO-Na2O com dopagens de AgNO3 com diferentes temperaturas de tratamento térmico. A caracterização das nanopartículas metálicas foi realizada por meio da técnica de absorção óptica auxiliada por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e espectrometria de energia dispersiva. Foram observadas por ressonância paramagnética eletrônica quatro respostas paramagnéticas dos vidros irradiados com raio , sendo uma de natureza desconhecida e as outras três identificadas como g¹, g² e g³ atribuídas respectivamente ao centro de buraco do telúrio e do oxigênio, centro de buraco do oxigênio terminal e centro de elétron do telúrio. Foi proposto ainda um modelo para explicar os mecanismos de formação destes centros. A partir dos resultados de termoluminescência observou-se que os processos de recombinação destes centros de defeitos são não radioativos. Neste projeto foram estudados pela primeira vez na literatura os fenômenos de polarização e despolarização em vidros teluritos, com e sem irradiação gama, por meio da técnica de correntes de despolarização termicamente estimuladas. Quanto às propriedades ópticas, foi investigada a influência da adição de prata dos sistemas vítreos TeO2-ZnO-Na2O e TeO2-Nb2O5-Na2O em relação à energia do gap, a cauda de Urbach, índice de refração linear e não linear.Nos resultados de varredura Z do sistema vítreo TeO2-Nb2O5-Na2O foi observado o aumento da assimetria na curva com aumento da adição de AgNO3 Este fenômeno foi explicado por meio de uma adaptação do modelo de Sumi para processos não radiativos, responsáveis pelo aumento do caráter térmico do índice de refração não linear. Por fim um modelo foi criado para explicar a precipitação de nanopartículas de prata na matriz vítrea TeO2-ZnO-Na2O mediante tratamento térmico. / Tellurite glasses are considered powerful candidates for applications in lasers and nonlinear optics due to their important properties such as high refractive index, low phonon energy, relatively low glass transition temperature and easy glass production at room atmosphere. In this work glass samples of the systems ZnO-Na2O, TeO2-Nb2O5-Na2O and Te2O-Na2O were produced, including or not the AgNO3 doping for the structural and optical study purposes. The structural properties and the recombination mechanisms of these glasses were studied by means of the techniques of electron paramagnetic resonance, thermoluminescence and thermally stimulated depolarization currents. The optical properties such as the optical linear absorption coefficient, linear and nonlinear refractive index were studied by means of the optical absorption techniques, prism coupling and Z-scan. Further studies were developed on the precipitation of silver nanoparticles embedded in the glass system TeO2-ZnO-Na2O doped with AgNO3, by means of thermal treatments at different temperatures. The characterization of the metallic nanoparticles was carried out by optical absorption aided by transmission electron microscopy and dispersive energy spectroscopy. Four paramagnetic responses were observed by electron paramagnetic resonance of the -irradiated glasses, one not yet identified and the other three identified as g0, g1 and g3 attributed respectively to the tellurium-oxygen hole center, non-bridging oxygen hole center and tellurium electron center. A model to explain the formation mechanisms of these centers was proposed. The thermoluminescence results indicated that the recombination processes of these centers are non-radiative. This is the first study that deals with polarization and depolarization phenomena in tellurite glasses with and without gamma irradiation, by the technique of thermally stimulated depolarization currents. In what regards the optical properties of the glass systems TeO2-ZnONa2O and TeO2-Nb2O5-Na2O, the effect of the silver doping on the gap energy, Urbach tail, linear and nonlinear refractive indices were investigated. Through the Z-scan technique results of the glass system TeO2-Nb2O5-Na2O, an increasing asymmetry of the curve, with increasing AgNO3 content was observed. This phenomenon was explained through an adaptation of Sumi´s model for non-radiative processes, applied to a silver doped insulating glass, to explain the thermal character of the nonlinear refractive index. Finally, a model was developed to explain the silver nanoparticles precipitation in the TeO2-ZnO-Na2O glass matrix submitted to thermal treatment.

Les traitements antireflets (AR) sont très largement utilisés pour améliorer la transmission de systèmes optiques composés de hublots, lentilles, de lames séparatrices,… Dans cette thèse les gammes spectrales visées sont le visible étendu [400-1800nm] et le moyen infrarouge [3,7-4,8µm]. La méthode de nanostructuration par dépôts de films minces utilisant des techniques PVD en incidence oblique (Oblique Angle Deposition) a été choisie car elle permet d’envisager des AR hautes performances sur une large gamme de longueur d’onde, via un procédé industrialisable. L’introduction de porosité via le contrôle des angles de dépôt est utilisée pour nanostructurer l’architecture de chaque couche et de l’empilement ; méthode permettant de modifier et d’optimiser les propriétés optiques des couches constituantes en vue d’un design complet optimal. Une cartographie des indices effectifs accessibles par OAD a été dégagée concernant les trois matériaux déposés (TiO2, SiO2 et Ge). Mais les propriétés optiques de ces couches nanostructurées diffèrent largement de celles des couches denses du fait de la présence d’anisotropie, de gradient d’indice, de diffusion et d’absorption. A partir de caractérisations microstructurales, chimiques et optiques poussées (AFM, MEB, MET, tomographie FIB, tomographie MET, EDX, EELS, spectrophotométrie et ellipsométrie généralisée) un modèle optique analytique plus complexe et couplé à des analyses par éléments finis (FDTD) est présenté. L’ensemble du travail a permis d’élaborer par OAD de simples antireflet bicouches démontrant déjà de hauts niveaux de transmission, supérieurs aux traitements AR existants (interférentiel) ou en développement (Moth-eyes). / Anti-reflective (AR) coatings are widely used to improve the transmission of optical systems composed of window, lenses, separating filters,... In this thesis, the spectral ranges targeted are the extended visible [400-1800nm] and the mid infrared [3.7-4.8µm]. Thin film deposition nanostructuring method using oblique angle deposition (oblique angle deposition) PVD technique was chosen because it allows high performance AR to be considered over a wide wavelength range, by an industrial process. The introduction of porosity with the control of deposition angle is used to nanostructure the architecture of each layer and stack; a method for modifying and optimizing the optical properties of the constituent layers for optimal complete design. A mapping of the effective indices accessible by OAD has been identified for the three materials deposited (TiO2, SiO2 and Ge). However optical properties of these nanostructured layers differ greatly from those of dense layers due to the presence of anisotropy, index gradient, diffusion and absorption. Based on advanced microstructural, chemical and optical characterizations (AFM, SEM, TEM, FIB tomography, TEM tomography, EDX, EELS, spectrophotometry and generalized ellipsometry) a more complex analytical optical model coupled with finite element analyses (FDTD) is presented. All the work has enabled OAD to develop simple two-layer anti-reflective coatings that already demonstrate high levels of transmission, superior to existing (interferential) or work in progress (Moth-eyes) AR treatments.

Este trabalho apresenta um sistema computacional que utiliza técnicas de Aprendizado de Máquina (AM) para auxiliar o diagnóstico oftalmológico. Trata-se de um sistema de medidas objetivas e automáticas dos principais vícios de refração ocular, astigmatismo, hipermetropia e miopia. O sistema funcional desenvolvido aplica técnicas convencionais de processamento a imagens do olho humano fornecidas por uma técnica de aquisição chamada Hartmann-Shack (HS), ou Shack-Hartmann (SH), com o objetivo de extrair e enquadrar a região de interesse e remover ruídos. Em seguida, vetores de características são extraídos dessas imagens pela técnica de transformada wavelet de Gabor e, posteriormente, analisados por técnicas de AM para diagnosticar os possíveis vícios refrativos presentes no globo ocular representado. Os resultados obtidos indicam a potencialidade dessa abordagem para a interpretação de imagens de HS de forma que, futuramente, outros problemas oculares possam ser detectados e medidos a partir dessas imagens. Além da implementação de uma nova abordagem para a medição dos vícios refrativos e da introdução de técnicas de AM na análise de imagens oftalmológicas, o trabalho contribui para a investigação da utilização de Máquinas de Vetores Suporte e Redes Neurais Artificiais em sistemas de Entendimento/Interpretação de Imagens (Image Understanding). O desenvolvimento deste sistema permite verificar criticamente a adequação e limitações dessas técnicas para a execução de tarefas no campo do Entendimento/Interpretação de Imagens em problemas reais. / This work presents a computational system that uses Machine Learning (ML) techniques to assist in ophthalmological diagnosis. The system developed produces objective and automatic measures of ocular refraction errors, namely astigmatism, hypermetropia and myopia from functional images of the human eye acquired with a technique known as Hartmann-Shack (HS), or Shack-Hartmann (SH). Image processing techniques are applied to these images in order to remove noise and extract the regions of interest. The Gabor wavelet transform technique is applied to extract feature vectors from the images, which are then input to ML techniques that output a diagnosis of the refractive errors in the imaged eye globe. Results indicate that the proposed approach creates interesting possibilities for the interpretation of HS images, so that in the future other types of ocular diseases may be detected and measured from the same images. In addition to implementing a novel approach for measuring ocular refraction errors and introducing ML techniques for analyzing ophthalmological images, this work investigates the use of Artificial Neural Networks and Support Vector Machines (SVMs) for tasks in Image Understanding. The description of the process adopted for developing this system can help in critically verifying the suitability and limitations of such techniques for solving Image Understanding tasks in \"real world\" problems.

Structural colours arise from the interaction of visible light with nano-structured materials. The occurrence of such structures in nature has been known for over a century, but it is only in the last few decades that the study of natural photonic structures has fully matured due to the advances in imagining techniques and computational modelling. Even though a plethora of different colour-producing architectures in a variety of species has been investigated, a few significant questions are still open: how do these structures develop in living organisms? Does disorder play a functional role in biological photonics? If so, is it possible to say that the optical response of natural disordered photonics has been optimised under evolutionary pressure? And, finally, can we exploit the well-adapted photonic design principles that we observe in Nature to fabricate functional materials with optimised scattering response? In my thesis I try to answer the questions above: I microscopically investigate $\textit{in vivo}$ the growth of a cuticular multilayer, one of the most common colour-producing strategies in nature, in the green beetles $\textit{Gastrophysa viridula}$ showing how the interplay between different materials varies during the various life stages of the beetles; I further investigate two types of disordered photonic structures and their biological role, the random array of spherical air inclusions in the eggshells of the honeyguide $\textit{Prodotiscus regulus}$, a species under unique evolutionary pressure to produce blue eggs, and the anisotropic chitinous network of fibres in the white beetle $\textit{Cyphochilus}$, the whitest low-refractive index material; finally, inspired by these natural designs, I fabricate and study light transport in biocompatible highly-scattering materials.