This dissertation focuses on near-field radiative transfer, which can be defined as the discipline concerned with energy transfer via electromagnetic waves at sub-wavelength distances. Three specific subjects related to this discipline are investigated, namely nearfield thermal radiation, nanoscale-gap thermophotovoltaic (nano-TPV) power generation and optical characterization. An algorithm for the solution of near-field thermal radiation problems in one-dimensional layered media is developed, and several tests are performed showing the accuracy, consistency and versatility of the procedure. The possibility of tuning near-field radiative heat transfer via thin films supporting surface phononpolaritons (SPhPs) in the infrared is afterwards investigated via the computation of the local density of electromagnetic states and the radiative heat flux between two films. Results reveal that due to SPhP coupling, fine tuning of near-field radiative heat transfer is possible by solely varying the structure of the system, the structure being the film thicknesses and their distance of separation. The coexistence of two regimes of near-field thermal radiation between two thin films of silicon carbide is demonstrated via numerical simulations and an asymptotic analysis of the radiative heat transfer coefficient. The impacts of thermal effects on the performances of nano-TPV power generators are investigated via the solution of the coupled near-field thermal radiation, charge and heat transport problem. The viability of nano-TPV devices proposed so far in the literature, based on a tungsten radiator at 2000 K and indium gallium antimonide cell, is questioned due to excessive heating of the junction converting thermal radiation into electricity. Using a convective thermal management system, a heat transfer coefficient as high as 105 Wm-2K-1 is required to maintain the junction at room temperature. The possibility of characterizing non-intrusively, and potentially in real-time, nanoparticles from 5 nm to 100 nm in size via scattered surface wave is explored. The feasibility of the characterization framework is theoretically demonstrated via a sensitivity analysis of the scattering matrix elements. Measurements of the scattering matrix elements for 200 nm and 50 nm gold spherical particles show the great sensitivity of the characterization tool, although an ultimate calibration is difficult with the current version of the experimental set-up.

This research investigates the use of G-M counters to triage the individuals who have been exposed to a Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD). Upon being exposed to an RDD, inhalation of the airborne radionuclide is a method which someone can receive a considerable amount of dose. Bioassay via analysis of excreta is a commonly used method of determining the dose received, yet it would be cumbersome if there are a large number of people needing to be screened. An in vivo method must be considered so that a non-intrusive and more efficient triaging method can be implemented. Whole body counters are commonly used in counting facilities as an in vivo bioassay method, yet they are limited in number and not easily portable. Therefore, a more portable and more common detection device should be considered. G-M survey meters are common devices that are highly portable, making them ideal candidates to fulfill this necessity. The ease of use contributes to the viability of the device as a portable, in vivo screening device. To analyze this detector, a Monte Carlo model of the detector was created to be used in simulations with the Medical Internal Radiation Dose phantoms. The detector was placed in a few locations on the phantoms. Four locations were strategically chosen for detector placement: the posterior upper right torso, the anterior upper right torso, the lateral upper thigh, and the anterior of the neck. Six phantoms were considered: Reference Male, Female, Adipose Male, Adipose Female, Post Menopausal Adipose Female, and a Child. Six radionuclides were investigated: Am-241, Co-60, Cs-137, I-131, Ir-192, and Sr-90. The nuclides were distributed throughout the phantoms according to Dose and Risk Calculation Software, a code that determines how a radionuclide is distributed over time upon inhalation, ingestion, or injection. A set of time dependent guidelines were developed, determining the count rate per unit dose inhaled for each detector location and phantom type.

The thesis deals with the measurement of tolerance zone and the influence of birefringence on the activity of polarization multiplex. The theoretical part deals with polarization of light, mathematical description using Stokes and Jones vectors and its representation by Poincaré sphere. It also deals with optical transmission and channel merging. The final part describes the designed measuring workplace and the measurement itself.

Tkáňová optika nabývá rychle na významu a přesná znalost optických vlastností biologických tkání je podstatná pro výzkum v biomedicíně i pro kontrolu kvality potravin. Jestliže je vzorek tkáně osvětlen, dochází k mnohonásobnému odrazu světla. V případě postmortem neživých tkání (maso) je rozměr buněk větší než vlnová délka použitého světla. Dochází k Mieovu rozptylu prošlého nebo zpět odraženého světla, v důsledku čehož se objevují různé polarizační stavy světla. Polarizační stavy světla rozptýleného na difúzním prostředí jsou experimentálně zkoumány a modelovány. V práci jsme provedli dva modifikované experimenty: rozptyl polarizovaného světla, které dvakrát prochází vzorkem (vpřed a vzad) a jen světla, které jen prochází vzorkem. Měření rozptýleného světla ukazuje, že dochází k depolarizaci a ke stáčení polarizační roviny, což obojí závisí na orientaci svalových vláken a stárnutí tkání postmortem. Mimo experimentů byl také proveden teoretický popis difúzní biologické tkáně a byla vypočtena radiační přenosová rovnice pomocí modifikované Monte Carlo metody, která zahrnuje polarizační stav světla (PLMC). Je ukázáno, že stupeň polarizace podstatně závisí na optických vlastnostech rozptylového prostředí. Výsledky ukazují, že stav polarizace světla na výstupu závisí na stavu polarizace světla před vzorkem a na optických vlastnostech a tloušťce vrstvy prostředí v průběhu jejího stárnutí. Je také provedena korelace změn polarizace na čerstvosti masa, i popis dynamického chování polarizace při stárnutí masa.

Les plasmas froids produits par les décharges électriques sont des gaz faiblement ionisés, ce qui maintient la température du gaz à une température proche de la température ambiante, contrairement à la température de l'électron qui peut atteindre plusieurs électron-volts. Les applications des plasmas froids en médecine et en agriculture sont des nouveaux domaines de recherche multidisciplinaires basés sur les interactions de ces plasmas avec des organismes vivants. Le champ électrique ainsi que les espèces réactives de l’oxygène et de l'azote peuvent inactiver les bactéries, stimuler la régénération de la peau (dermatologie), la réduction tumorale (oncologie) et la germination des graines (agriculture). Ces nouveaux domaines de recherche, basé sur la chimie produite par l’interaction plasma-liquide est très prometteur et se développe rapidement. L’objectif de ce travail est d’étudier les interactions entre les plasmas froids et l’eau pour les applications biologiques, d’une part la promotion de la germination des graines au moyen d’une décharge à barrière diélectrique (DBD) et, d’autre part, l’effet ex vivo d’un traitement par jet de plasma froid sur la peau.Ce manuscrit est divisé en cinq chapitres: i) On présente tout d'abord une revue de la littérature présentant l'état de l’art concernant l'interaction plasma-liquide et les principales avancées en matière d'applications des plasmas froids à la germination des semences. Ii) Deuxièmement, les dispisitifs expérimentaux sont décrits, en particulier la fabrication de réacteurs à plasma utilisant l’impression 3D. Iii) Ensuite, la production d'espèces réactives gazeuses et aqueuses formées par des plasmas de type DBD a été mesurée quantitativement et l'interaction plasma-liquide a été analysée. Iv) Puis, plusieurs variétés de graines ont été sélectionnées pour évaluer l’effet un traitement par plasma DBD ; l'étude des mécanismes de promotion de la germination du plasma a été spécifiquement étudiée en traitant les graines de soja vert dans différentes conditions de décharge, dans différents milieux, avec un champ électrique seul et dans différentes conditions de cultures ou de niveau d'hydratation des graines.v) Enfin, l'imagerie paramétrique de Muller (MPI) a été appliquée pour la modification de la peau de souris ex vivo traitées par un plasma à jet d'hélium. / Non-Thermal-Plasmas (NTP) produced by electric discharges are weakly ionized gases, which keeps the gas temperature at near room temperature contrary to the electron temperature which can reach several electron-Volts. Applications of NTP to medicine and agriculture are new multidisciplinary research fields based on interactions of the Non-Thermal-Plasmas with living organisms. Electric field as well as Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species produced by NTP may inactivate bacteria, stimulate skin regeneration (dermatology), tumor reduction (oncology) and seeds germination (agriculture). These new fields of research are based on the plasma-liquid chemistry. The objective of this work is to study the NTP interacting with water for biological applications including on one hand, the promotion of the germination of seeds using a Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) and on the other hand, the effect of a plasma jet treatment ex vivo on skinThis manuscript is divided in five chapters: i) First a literature review is presented showing the state of the art of the plasma-liquid interaction, and the main advances of the application of non thermal plasmas to seed germination. Ii) Second, experimental set ups are described, in particular the manufacturing of plasma reactors using 3D printing. Iii) then , the production of gaseous and aqueous reactive species formed by DBD plasmas was measured quantitatively and plasma-liquid interaction was analyzed. Iv) Next, different varieties of seeds were selected to evaluate the effect of a DBD plasma treatment and the study of the mechanisms of plasma germination promotion was specifically investigated by treating mung bean seeds in different discharge conditions, in different mediums, in electric field alone and in different hydration levels of seeds.v) Finally, Muller parametric imaging (MPI) was applied to study the modification of ex vivo mice skin treated by a helium jet plasma.

Dans ce travail, nous avons étudié l'interaction entre une lumière contrôlée en polarisation et deux structures sub-longueurs d'onde gravées dans un film métallique opaque, en utilisant la méthode de la " matrice de Mueller ". Tout d'abord, nous avons montré qu'un réseau concentrique de fentes sub-longueurs d'onde percées à travers le film permet de filtrer et de convertir une polarisation incidente, ce qui génère une polarisation radiale. Nous avons aussi montré sa capacité à générer des faisceaux de Bessel non-diffractifs J0 ou J2 à travers de telles structures, et à contrôler leur hélicité en changeant la polarisation circulaire en préparation ou en analyse. Ensuite, nous avons montré la création d'une cible plasmonique ayant les propriétés d'une lame quart d'onde, en travaillant sur l'ellipticité des anneaux - pour générer une phase plasmonique - etdu trou central - pour compenser les forts effets de dichroïsme induits par l'absorption différentielle des plasmons de surface.

No description available.

Optics are a powerful probe of chemical structure that can often be linked to theoretical predictions, providing robustness as a measurement tool. Not only do optical interactions like second harmonic generation (SHG), single and two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF), and infrared absorption provide chemical specificity at the molecular and macromolecular scale, but the ability to image enables mapping heterogeneous behavior across complex systems such as biological tissue. This thesis will discuss nonlinear and linear optics, leveraging theoretical predictions to provide frameworks for interpreting analytical measurement. In turn, the causal mechanistic understanding provided by these frameworks will enable structurally specific quantitative tools with a special emphasis on application in biological imaging. The thesis will begin with an introduction to 2nd order nonlinear optics and the polarization analysis thereof, covering both the Jones framework for polarization analysis and the design of experiment. Novel experimental architectures aimed at reducing 1/f noise in polarization analysis will be discussed, leveraging both rapid modulation in time through electro-optic modulators (Chapter 2), as well as fixed-optic spatial modulation approaches (Chapter 3). In addition, challenges in polarization-dependent imaging within turbid systems will be addressed with the discussion of a theoretical framework to model SHG occurring from unpolarized light (Chapter 4). The application of this framework to thick tissue imaging for analysis of collagen local structure can provide a method for characterizing changes in tissue morphology associated with some common cancers (Chapter 5). In addition to discussion of nonlinear optical phenomena, a novel mechanism for electric dipole allowed fluorescence-detected circular dichroism will be introduced (Chapter 6). Tackling challenges associated with label-free chemically specific imaging, the construction of a novel infrared hyperspectral microscope for chemical classification in complex mixtures will be presented (Chapter 7). The thesis will conclude with a discussion of the inherent disadvantages in taking the traditional paradigm of modeling and measuring chemistry separately and provide the multi-agent consensus equilibrium (MACE) framework as an alternative to the classic meet-in-the-middle approach (Chapter 8). Spanning topics from pure theoretical descriptions of light-matter interaction to full experimental work, this thesis aims to unify these two fronts. <br>