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The vectorial nature (polarization) of light plays a significant role in light-matter interaction that leads to a variety of optical devices. The polarization property of light has been exploited in imaging, metrology, data storage, optical communication and also extended to biological studies. Most of the past studies fully explored and dealt with the conventional polarization state of light that has spatially symmetric electrical field geometry such as linear and circular polarization. Recently, researchers have been attracted to light whose electric field vector varies in space, the so-called optical vector vortex beam (VVB). Such light is expected to further enhance and improve the efficiency of optical systems. For instance, a radially polarized light under focusing condition is capable of a tighter focus more than the general optical beams with a uniform polarization structure, which improves the resolution of the imaging system [1]. Interaction of ultrafast laser pulses with matter leads to numerous applications in material processing and biology for imaging and generation of microfluidic systems. A femtosecond pulse, with very high intensities of (10^{12} - 10^{13} W/cm^2), has the potential to trigger a phenomenon of optical breakdown at the surface and therefore induce permanent material modification. With such high intensities and taking into account the fact that most materials possess large bandgap, the interaction is completely nonlinear in nature, and the target material can be modified locally upon the surface and even further in bulk. The phenomenon of optical breakdown can be further investigated by studying the nonlinear absorption. Properties like very short pulse duration and the high irradiance of ultrashort laser pulse lead to more precise results during the laser ablation process over the long pulsed laser. The duration of femtosecond laser pulse provides a high resolution for material processing because of the significant low heat-affected zone (HAZ) beyond the desired interaction spot generated upon irradiating the material. Under certain condition, the interaction of intense ultrashort light pulses with the material gives rise to the generation of periodic surface structures with a sub-micron periodicity, i.e., much smaller than the laser wavelength. The self-oriented periodic surface structures generated by irradiating the material with multiple femtosecond laser pulses results in improving the functionality of the material's surface such as controlling wettability, improving thin film adhesion, and minimizing friction losses in automobile engines, consequently, influences positively on many implementations. In this work, we introduced a new method to study complex polarization states of light by imprinting them on a solid surface in the form of periodic nano-structures. Micro/Nanostructuring of diamond by ultrafast pulses is of extreme importance because of its potential applications in photonics and other related fields. We investigated periodic surface structures usually known as laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) formed by Gaussian beam as well as with structured light carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM), generated by a birefringent optical device called a q-plate (QP). We generated conventional nano-structures on diamond surface using linearly and circularly polarized Gaussian lights at different number of pulses and variable pulse energies. In addition, imprinting the complex polarization state of different orders of optical vector vortex beams on a solid surface was fulfilled in the form of periodic structures oriented parallel to the local electric field of optical light. We also produced a variety of unconventional surface structures by superimposing a Gaussian beam with a vector vortex beam or by superposition of different order vector vortex beams. This thesis is divided into five chapters, giving a brief description about laser-matter interaction, underlying the unique characterization of femtosecond laser over the longer pulse laser and mechanisms of material ablation under the irradiation of fs laser pulse. This chapter also presents some earlier studies reported in formation of (LIPSS) fabricated on diamond with Gaussian. The second chapter explains the properties of twisted light possessing orbital angular momentum in its wavefront, a few techniques used for OAM generation including a full explanation of the q-plate from the fabrication to the function of the q-plate, and the tool utilized to represent the polarization state of light (SoP), a Poincar'e sphere. Finally, the experimental details and results are discussed in the third and fourth chapters, respectively, following with a conclusion chapter that briefly summarizes the thesis and some potential application of our findings.

An asymptotically-exact methodology is presented for obtaining the cross-sectional stiffness matrix of a pre-twisted, moderately-thick beam having rectangular cross sections and made of transversely isotropic material. The beam is modelled with-out assumptions from 3-D elasticity. The strain energy of the beam is computed making use of the constitutive law and the kinematical relations derived with the inclusion of geometrical nonlinearities and initial twist. Large displacements and rotations are allowed, but small strain is assumed. The Variational Asymptotic Method (VAM) is used to minimize the energy functional, thereby reducing the cross section to a point on the reference line with appropriate properties, yielding a 1-D constitutive law. In this method as applied herein, the 2-D cross-sectional analysis is performed asymptotically by taking advantage of a material small parameter and two geometric small parameters. 3-D strain components are derived using kinematics and arranged as orders of the small parameters. Warping functions are obtained by the minimisation of strain energy subject to certain set of constraints that renders the 1-D strain measures well-defined. Closed-form expressions are derived for the 3-D non-linear warping and stress fields. The model is capable of predicting interlaminar and transverse shear stresses accurately up to first order.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1955 R54 / Master of Science

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1985 H57 / Master of Science

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The beam quality factor (M2) of a laser is important because it describes both the quality of a laser beam as well as its propagation. Particular applications require that the beam radii (from which the M2 factor is determined) be defined in a specific way. The International Standards Organisation (ISO) recently standardised the theoretically correct, but practically difficult second moment definition of the beam radius. This thesis aims to establish correlations between the second moment definition and other more practical definitions. Chapter 2 presents a systematic introduction of moment theory for general beams. Beam centre and radius definitions as well as beam classification are derived by means of second and mixed moments. In Chapter 3 simple laser beams are modelled by means of a resonator approach. The infinite number of solutions of this model is called Gaussian solutions, which are found to be different for rectangular and cylindrical symmetric resonators. The zero order solution for both symmetries is identified as the ideal solution to which all others can be compared to for quality determinations. Chapter 4 presents different beam scanning devices, beam radius definitions and correlations between these definitions. The theoretical basis for a new correlation theory is also given. Chapter 5 describes programs and computations used to verify existing correlation methods and to calculate correlation factors for a newly proposed theory. Chapter 6 presents the results of the computations for both circular and rectangular symmetric beams. The ISO’s correlation theories are tested first. Newly proposed correlation functions between the second moment and alternative definitions as well as theoretical error graphs are given for various beams. A novel method to correlate several important beam subclasses is also presented. Chapter 7 describes the experimental setup, automation software and post processing techniques that were used to characterise a modified CO2 TEA laser. It is further shown how the theory developed in previous chapters could be applied to the experimental data. Chapter 8 presents the experimental results of the beam characterisation measurements performed on two different beams that emanated from the CO2 TEA laser. Existing and newly developed correlation theories are applied to the experimental data and the corresponding results are compared. In Chapter 9, conclusions and suggestions with respect to the initial aims identified in the first chapter are made. Several suggestions for future work are also made. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die bundel kwalitietsfaktor (M2) is baie belangrik omdat dit beide die kwaliteit en voortplanting van ‘n laser bundel beskryf. Bundel radiusse (waarvan die M2 faktor bepaal word) word verskillend gedefinieer vir spesifike toepassings. Die teoreties korrekte, maar minder praktiese tweede moment definisie is onlangs deur die Internasionale Standaard Organisasie (ISO) gestandariseer. Hierdie tesis se hoofdoel is om die tweede moment definisie en ander meer praktiese definisies te korreleer. Hoofstuk 2 stel die moment teorie van bundels sistematies bekend. Dit word gewys hoe die senter en radius van ‘n bundel deur tweede en gemengde momente gedefinieer kan word. In Hoofstuk 3 word laser bundels gemodeleer deur middel van resonator aanslag. Die oneindige aantal oplossings wat verkry word heet Gaussiese oplossings en is verskillend vir reghoekige en silindriese simmetriese resonators. Dit word gewys dat die ideale bundel, waarmee alle ander bundels vergelyk word, die zero orde oplossing van beide simmetrieë is. Hoofstuk 4 stel verskillende bundel skanderings apparaat, bundel radius definisies en korrelasies tussen die definisies bekend. Die teoretiese basis vir ‘n nuwe korrelasie teorie word ook gegee. Hoofstuk 5 beskryf die rekenaarprogramme en berekeninge wat gebruik word om huidige korrelasie teorie mee te toets asook om nuwes mee te skep. Hooftuk 6 gee die resultate van die berekeninge van die rekenaarprogramme vir beide reghoekig en silindriese simmetrie. Die ISO se korrelasies word eerste getoets voordat nuwe teorieë bekend gestel word. In Hoofstuk 7 word die eksperimentele opstelling, outomisasie sagteware en postprosessering tegnieke gewys wat gebruik was om ‘n aangepaste CO2 TEA laser te karakteriseer. Verder word dit gewys hoe die teorie wat in voorafgaande hoofstukke ontwikkel is op eksperimentele data toegepas kan word. Hoofstuk 8 gee die eksperimentele resultate van die bundel karakterisering van twee verskillende bundels vanaf die CO2 TEA laser. Bestaande en nuwe korrelasie metodes word gebruik om die bundels te korreleer en die resultate van elke metode word dan met mekaar vergelyk. In Hoostuk 9 word afleidings gemaak. Daar word ook voorstelle gemaak vir potensiële toekomstige werk.

published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Master / Master of Science in Engineering

published_or_final_version / Civil Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy