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Conventional passive metamaterials always suffer from the limitation of loss and dispersion due to fundamental causality issue. Especially it becomes severe due to material loss at terahertz frequency. Our work resolves the loss problem by introducing gain device into the metamaterial structure. A passive volumetric metamaterial is firstly designed on the quartz substrate. A negative resistance is inserted into the wire of the structure to provide the gain. We have identified resonant tunneling diodes that work up into THz frequency and shown in simulation that simultaneous negative index and gain can be obtained.

We examine three case studies during the Deep Convective Clouds and Chemistry (DC3) field experiment when storm inflow and outflow air were sampled for aerosol subsaturated hygroscopicity and the real part of refractive index (n) with a Differential Aerosol Sizing and Hygroscopicity Probe (DASH-SP) on the NASA DC-8. Relative to inflow aerosol particles, outflow particles were more hygroscopic (by 0.03 based on the estimated parameter) in one of the three storms examined. Two of three control flights with no storm convection reveal higher values, albeit by only 0.02, at high altitude (> 8km) versus < 4km. Entrainment modeling shows that measured values in the outflow of the three storm flights are higher than predicted values (by 0.03-0.11) based on knowledge of values from the inflow and clear air adjacent to the storms. This suggests that other process(es) contributed to hygroscopicity enhancements such as secondary aerosol formation via aqueous-phase chemistry. Values of n were higher in the outflow of two of the three storm flights, reaching as high as 1.54. More statistically significant differences were observed in control flights (no storms) where n decreased from 1.50-1.52 (< 4km) to 1.49-1.50 (> 8km). Chemical data show that enhanced hygroscopicity was coincident with lower organic mass fractions, higher sulfate mass fractions, and higher O:C ratios of organic aerosol. Refractive index did not correlate as well with available chemical data. Deep convection is shown to alter aerosol radiative properties, which has implications for aerosol effects on climate.

Este trabalho tem como finalidade o desenvolvimento de um sistema objetivo e automático de medidas de vícios de refração ocular. Para tanto, a forte interação entre a Física e a Oftalmologia foi de fundamental importância para que o objetivo fosse atingido. Foram desenvolvidos quatro sistemas, dentre os quais, três são completamente distintos entre si no que se refere aos princípios utilizados para a determinação das ametropias oculares, bem como no que se refere ao modo de detecção da luz retro-espalhada pela retina. O quarto sistema é apenas um refinamento do terceiro que se apresentou eficaz para o uso clínico. O terceiro e quarto sistemas, denominados Sistemas DVL-1 e DVL-2, têm como base a projeção com um laser de diodo de um alvo luminoso no fundo do olho do paciente. Os feixes emergentes do olho testado são divididos em seis partes (três meridianos) e são analisados dois a dois por um CCD (linear no caso do sistema DVL-1 e matricial no caso do sistema DVL-2). A distância entre as duas imagens formadas em cada meridiano fornece o poder de refração naquele meridiano. Com os poderes de refração dos três meridianos (0&#176, 120&#176 e 240&#176) é possível determinar o erro refrativo ocular. Testes em réplicas oculares apresentaram uma precisão média de 0,06di (a precisão aceitável para este tipo de exame oftalmológico é de 0,125di) e em olhos in vivo 0,125di para as coordenadas esférica e cilíndrica e 5&#176 para o eixo de astigmatismo, o que está dentro das precisões clínicas necessárias. / The purpose of the present work is the development of an objective and automatic system for ocular refractive errors measurements. Hence, a strong interaction between Physics and Ophthalmology was fundamentally important in order to provide the success of the work four systems have been developed, where three of them are completely different from each other in the sense of the basic principles used for determining the ocular ametropies, as well as for the detection of the scattered light from the retina. System four is just an improvement of system three, which has presented a good efficiency for clinical use purposes. The third and fourth systems, called DVL-1 and DVL-2 systems, consist on projecting a target in the fundus of the tested eye with a diod laser light. The beams which emerge from the tested eye are divided into six portions (three meridians) and are analyzed in pairs by a CCD (linear CCD for DVL-1 and matrix CCD for DVL-2). The distances between the two images in each meridian provide the refractive power in that particular meridian. As the refractive power is obtained for the three meridians (0&#176, 120&#176 e 240&#176), it is possible to determine the ocular refractive error . Tests in artificial eyes have been done and an average error of 0,06di was obtained (0,125di is the allowed precision for this kind of examination). For measurements in vivo eyes a precision of 0,125di for spherical and cylindrical coordinates were obtained, as well as a 5&#176 precision for the axis of astigmatism. These precision values are the ones required by the clinical evaluation.

by Woo Ka Fai. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-63). / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgment --- p.ii / Contents --- p.iii / Abbreviations --- p.iv / List of Figures --- p.vii / List of Tables --- p.ix / Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 2. --- Theoretical background / Chapter 2.1 --- Static light scattering for homopolymer --- p.5 / Chapter 2.2 --- Static light scattering for copolymer --- p.16 / Chapter 2.3 --- Dynamic light scattering --- p.19 / Chapter 2.4 --- Modified method for copolymer --- p.28 / Chapter 3. --- Experimental / Chapter 3.1 --- Preparation of PET-PCL --- p.31 / Chapter 3.2 --- Preparation of solution for LLS --- p.31 / Chapter 3.3 --- Refractive index increment measurement --- p.32 / Chapter 3.4 --- Laser light scattering instrumentation --- p.35 / Chapter 4. --- Results and Discussion --- p.36 / Chapter 5. --- Conclusion --- p.60 / Chapter 6. --- References --- p.61

BACKGROUND: Laser vision correction (LVC) developed as a more permanent alternative to other forms of refractive error correction. In the last several decades, visual outcomes of corneal refractive surgeries like LVC have improved dramatically with the discovery of new technologies and techniques designed to make the patient experience more comfortable and worthwhile. LVC has been shown to safely and effectively treat refractive errors in myopic and hyperopic eyes, with gradually improving outcomes and safety measures. However, it is important to note whether specific excimer lasers impart the same level of safe, effective treatments for patients as technology advances. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify whether any statistically significant difference exists in the visual and refractive outcomes of hyperopic laser vision correction using two excimer laser platforms, the VISX STAR S4 IR® and the WaveLight® EX500, and to determine whether either laser shows any statistically significant difference in the rate of repeat surgery within one year post-operatively. METHODS: Using EMR data collected from December 2008 through December 2016, distance and near visual acuity outcomes for hyperopic eyes treated with LASIK, LASEK, or PRK were compared at one month and up to one year post-operatively. Distance eyes were compared separately from monovision (near-targeted) eyes for visual acuity; however, if manifest refraction post-operative data were available, they were used to identify whether any difference existed in the refractive outcomes in either category. The number of enhancements (repeat surgeries) was also tabulated. X2 Tests of Independence were used to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: Visual acuity outcomes in distance eyes at one month post-operatively showed similar trends between the two lasers, with 54% of the 267 VISX- and 60% of the 119 EX500-treated eyes presenting with UCVA of 20/20 or better. Eyes available for follow-up within one year post-operatively kept with this trend; 98 (51%) VISX- and 58 (67%) EX500-treated, eyes had UCVA measured at 20/20 or better. For monovision (treated for reading vision) eyes, 29 (47%) eyes and 19 (54%) of VISX- and EX500-treated eyes, respectively, read J1+ by one month post-operatively. By one year, 16 (39%) and 3 (21%) of available eyes read J1+ after treatment with the VISX and EX500 respectively. The relative enhancement rate was 7.82% (28 eyes) on the VISX and 4.19% (7 eyes) on the EX 500. CONCLUSION: Overall, visual outcomes of laser vision correction for hyperopic patients did not differ consistently between the two lasers. Only distance-treated eyes measured up to one year post-operatively showed a statistically significant difference between the two lasers. The visual and, more importantly, the refractive outcomes were statistically similar at both one month and up to one year post-operatively irrespective of treatment type. Enhancement rate between the two lasers also showed no differences. Both lasers are similarly safe and effective for treating hyperopia and hyperopic astigmatism. / 2018-01-11T00:00:00Z

In our modern society, we are surrounded by numerous sensors, constantly feeding us information about our physical environment. From small, wearable sensors that monitor our physiological status to large satellites orbiting around the earth, detecting global changes. Although, the performance of these sensors have been significantly improved during the last decades there is still a demand for faster and more reliable sensing systems with improved sensitivity and selectivity. The rapid progress in nanofabrication techniques has made a profound impact for the development of small, novel sensors that enables miniaturization and integration. A specific area where nanostructures are especially attractive is biochemical sensing, where the exceptional properties of nanomaterials can be utilized in order to detect and analyze biomolecular interactions.  The focus of this thesis is to investigate plasmonic nanoparticles composed of gold or silver and optimize their performance as signal transducers in optical biosensors. Metal nanoparticles exhibit unique optical properties due to excitation of localized surface plasmons, which makes them highly sensitive probes for detecting small, local changes in their surrounding environment, for instance the binding of a biomolecule to the nanoparticle surface. This is the basic principle behind nanoplasmonic sensing based on refractometric detection, a sensing scheme that offers real-time and label-free detection of molecular interactions.  This thesis shows that the sensitivity for detecting local refractive index changes is highly dependent on the geometry of the metal nanoparticles, their interaction with neighboring particles and their chemical composition and functionalization. An increased knowledge about how these parameters affects the sensitivity is essential when developing nanoplasmonic sensing devices with high performance based on metal nanoparticles.

This thesis describes a new type of refractive lens for hardx-rays. It is shown that a linear array of prisms, slightlyinclined with respect to the optical axis, will form a linefocus at a certain distance from the lens. Hence, the namemulti-prism lens. These lenses are free from sphericalaberration and are similar to planar parabolic compoundrefractive lenses in terms of performance. However, theydistinguish themselves in that only planar surfaces need to befabricated. A special feature is that the focal length can beeasily varied by adjusting the inclination angle. Theoretical calculations, based on geometrical and physicaloptics, are used to characterize the lenses. Aberrations arediscussed, as well as the sensitivity to fabricationimperfections, and insufficient flatness is identified as apotential problem. Ray-tracing is used to test theapproximations and assumptions used in the theory. Applicationsin x-ray microscopy and mammography are discussed. Lenses have been made of beryllium, silicon, epoxy anddiamond using different methods. Results from measurements ofsurface roughness and figure error show that the imperfectionsof the silicon and epoxy lenses should have a small impact,while the beryllium lenses should suffer from strongscattering. Experiments were performed at the EuropeanSynchrotron Radiation Facility and sub-µm focal linewidths, close to theoretical expectations, were measured forsilicon and epoxy lenses at 30 keV and 14 keV, respectively.Insertion gains up to 40 were reached. Two crossed lenses wereused to obtain focusing in two dimensions and a point focus.The smallest measured focal spot size was 1.0 µm by 5 .4µm, and an insertion gain exceeding 100 was achieved usingepoxy lenses. The diamond lenses suffered from voids in the materialformed in the chemical vapor deposition process, butnevertheless provided focal lines less than 2 µm in width,albeit at at relatively low insertion gain of 13. Due to theirexcellent thermal properties, these lenses are put forward ascandidates for optics at the next generationultra-high-intensity synchrotron beams and x-ray free electronlasers. Keywords:x-ray, optics, refractive, lens, mammography,synchrotron. / QC 20100524

L' ATP es una molecula clau en el metabolisme cel.lular, actuant com a donador d'energia lliure i acoplant reaccions endergoniques i exergoniques. L'ATP es sintetitzat a la mitocondria en un proces anomenat fosforil.lacio oxidativa despres d'una serie de reaccions a la cadena de citocroms que es troba en la membrana interna de l'organel.la. La font d'energia necessaria per aquesta sintesi s'obte en les cel.lules animals dels nutrients de l'ingestio, i de la llum solar en les plantes. Existeix una via alternativa de sintesi d'ATP extramitocondrial, la glicolisi, que s'inicia amb la fosforilacio de la glucosa per l'enzim hexokinasa.Interaccio llum-materiaL'energia electromagnetica l'ona de la qual oscil.la en una longitud d'ona de nanometres es anomenada llum. En aquestes frequencies, l'energia promou excitacio electronica de certs atoms i molecules. Existeix una interaccio diferent de la llum amb molecules, produida per el camp electromagnetic que per definicio la llum provoca en qualsevol medi. El camp electric resultant desplaca els electrons dels enllacos quimics produint una polaritzacio del medi sense que existeixi absorcio de l'energia. Aquest es un mecanisme interactiu que existeix sempre, i es l'unic que es dona en molecules que son transparents (no absorbeixen) per a una determinada frequencia de la llum, com es el cas de l'ATP per l'energia visible i infravermella propera. Experiments, resultats i discussioQuan l'ATP es excitat amb fotons ultraviolats, es produiex una fluorescencia en longituts d'ona visibles. L'io magnesi s'ha utilitzat per estudiar com la llum visible i infravermella propera produiex un desplacament de carregues electriques a la molecula d'ATP. La construccio d'un interferometre de Michelson ha servit per observar l'interaccio no absortiva de la llum i l'ATP. La mesura directa de l'index de refraccio d'una solucio d'ATP dona informacio sobre les caracteristiques electriques del medi. L'observacio de que aquest index canvia despres d'irradiar la solucio amb longituds d'ona visibles i infravermelles properes, confirmen que la llum provoca canvis electrics significatius en l'ATP. En aquest treball tambe s'ha estudiat el comportament bioquimic de l'ATP irradiat quant forma part de dues reaccions quimiques diferents: la de la luciferina-luciferasa i la de la hexoquinasa. En tots dos casos, l'us d'aquest ATP irradiat ha produit una alteracio dels parametres cinetics estudiats, V0 i k en la reaccio de la luciferina-luciferasa, i km i vmax en la reaccio de l'hexoquinasa.ConclusionsAquesta interaccio no absortiva de la llum amb l'ATP es la primera descrita per a una biomolecula. El mecanisme aporta noves dades per explicar els efectes observats en el metabolisme cel.lular despres de l'irradiacio d'organismes, teixits i cultius cel.lulars amb llum visible i infravermella propera. / ATP is a key molecule in cellular metabolism. In this thesis, I examined the effects of visible (635 and 655 nm) and near-infrared (810 and 830 nm) light on ATP in solution. I also examined were the biochemical behavior of light-exposed ATP in the luciferine-luciferase reaction and hexokinase reaction, the initial step in glycolysis that begins extra mithocondrial ATP synthesis. Irradiated groups in the luciferine-luciferase reaction showed an improvement in the kinetic parameters V0 and k, and more ATP molecules reacted with the enzyme when they were excited by light. When irradiated ATP was added to the hexokinase reaction, the experimental groups showed significant differences in the Michaelis-Menten kinetic parameters (km for ATP and vmax) and the rate of product synthesis was greater. Changes in both reactions were wavelength and dose dependant. When ATP was excited with UV photons, it fluoresced. This fluorescence decreased when Mg2+ was added, probably because the ion binds the phosphates, which are the part of the molecule responsible for light emission. Irradiating the ATP-Mg2+ solution with 655 nm and 830 nm light increased the fluorescence resulting from a displacement of charges in the phosphor-oxygen bond that repels Mg2+. The refraction of light in an ATP solution was observed by the Michelson interferometer and by directly measuring the refractive index. The refractive index changed after red and near-infrared light interaction due to a change in the electrical permittivity of the medium. Since ATP in water is transparent to visible and near-infrared light, and is therefore not a chromophore for those wavelengths, I conclude that the observed light interaction with ATP is not due to photon absorption but to the electromagnetic disturbance produced by the light, which leads to a polarization of the dielectric molecule that is ATP. This interaction of visible and near-infrared electromagnetic energy with ATP offers new perspectives for explaining light interaction at subcellular level.