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Interesting topics for 2010/2011 are:

1) Highly Accurate Distance Measurements in Space using a Frequency Comb Laser; supervision: prof.dr. H.P. Urbach, email, [email protected] and Prof.dr. E. Gill, Chair Space Systems Engineering (SSE), email, [email protected]

2) Manipulating light-metal interactions at the nanoscale for solar applications; supervision: prof.dr. H.P. Urbach, email, [email protected]

3) Detection of bio-markers using cavity ring down spectroscopy using a fiber base femtosecond comb; supervision, Dr. N. Bhattacharya, email, [email protected]

4) Inspection of defect on aeronautic composites using terahertz (far-infrared) radiation; supervision, Dr. A.J.L. Adam, email [email protected] and Prof.dr. P.C.M. Planken, email, [email protected]

5) Multiplexing in optical recording Supervision: Dr. S. F. Pereira, email, [email protected]

6) New scanning microscope using cavities: Supervision: Dr. S. F. Pereira, email: [email protected]

7) Nulling interferometry using three beams: Supervision: Dr. S. F. Pereira, email, [email protected]

8) Highly focussed light beams: Supervision: Dr. S. F. Pereira, email, s.f. [email protected]) Networks of local minima and saddle points in optical system optimization: Supervision:

Dr. F. Bociort, email, [email protected]) THz bio photonics: Ultra fast dynamics of molecules. Supervision: Prof.dr. P.C.M.

Planken, email: [email protected]) THz bio photonics: THz time-domain spectroscopy of organic crystal. Supervision:

Prof.dr. P.C.M. Planken, email: [email protected]) Diffractive Optics for flat panel displays; supervision: prof.dr. H.P. Urbach, email,

[email protected] and Philips NV, Eindhoven.13) Diffractive lenses for 3D TV; supervision: prof.dr. H.P. Urbach, email,

[email protected] and Philips NV, Eindhoven.

General Information:

For more information about the topics please contact one of the above supervisors, or maybe you want to do another project, please contact: Prof.dr. H.P. Urbach, email, [email protected].

Master projects at the Optics research Group of TU Delft

Optics Research Group

+31 (0)15 2781444 http://www.tudelft.nl

Abbe School of Photonics at Friedrich-Schiller-Universitªt Jena Topics for Research Labworks and Master Thesis Winter Semester 2010/11, Vers. 02-09-2010

Topics for Research Labworks and Master Thesis Guidelines All M.Sc. in Photonics of the 3rd se mester are required to complete the module "Research Lab work". In this module students have the opportunity to work in optical research laboratories at the Friedrich-Schiller-Universitªt Jena, the Fraunhofer Institute of Applied Optics, and the Institute of Photo nic Technology. The Research Labwork can also involve activities in the research labs of associated companies. The topic of this Research Labwork should be directly connected to the topic of the Master Thesis project of the 4th semester. Hence, students should choose this topic carefully since they will spend a full year on it. The stud ents should contact th e professor s or lecture rs directly a nd ask for appropriate topics. A collection of research p rojects which are offer ed at individual inst itutes can be taken from this list. However, the students should also ask other professors dir ectly if they are interested in the professor' s research activities.


Institute of Applied Physics Master/Diploma Thesis or Research Labworks on

High-Q optical microresonators The topic is centered on micro- and nanostructured optical resonators. With a nearly atomic-scale surface finish, surface-tension induced microcavities ar e superior to all other dielectric microresonant structur es when comparing their giant photo n lifetime o r equiva lently ultra-high Q factor. These devices have opened a myriad of l ab-on-chip applications ranging fro m Laser Physics, Quantum Optics, Nonlinear Optics to Biochemical Sensing. Fo r instance t oroidal micr ocavities ha ve been the enabling setting fo r observation of strong co upling of a single atom and a microresonator, as well as t he demonstration of chip-based parametric oscillators or radiation pressure induced phenomena. Wafer-based processin g of reson ators can a chieve unprecedented process par allelism and contro l. However, such resonators-on-a-chip suffer from Q factors that are many orders of magnitude lower than for single microspheres. The goal o f this resear ch act ivity will be t he producing, characterization, and demonstration of micro-resonators-on-a-chip with ultra-high Q factors, as well as applications of the high-Q microresonators. This result will o pen the doo r to creat ing highly inte grated nonlinear device s, as e.g. Raman lasers, Erbium microlasers, as well as optical parametric oscillators, being the basis for all-optical signal processing. The topic will include several of the listed subjects and activities:

Covered subjects − Eigen mode structure of the microresonators of different types (microspheres, microdiscs, microtoroids) ï

Helmholtz equation in case of spherical and cylindrical symmetry, special functions, Mie theory − Microre sonator structure characterization (optical microscope, SEM, SNOM) − Tunable erbium fiber laser with microresonator as feedback element, Excitation dynamics in coupled resonators,

and Nonlinear effects in coupled microresonators − Experimental work with waveguides and bulk optics, different laser types (gas, semiconductor), and peripheral

devices (receivers, power meters, optical spectrum analyzers, etc)

Experimental activities − Design and realization of experimental set ups − Set up an experimental procedure of surface quality characterization by means of optical and electron

microscope image processing, including SNOM techniques − Computer controlled automation of experimental setups for parameter optimization and precise measurement

procedures − Experimentally investigate the optical excitation dynamics in the created systems − Building and characterization of lasers with microresonators

Theoretical activities − Creating numerical programs for the simulation of nonlinear light propagation in microresonators and for images

processing in order to characterize the surface quality of microresonators − Creating a model for the melting processes

Contact for further information and application Dr. Arkadi Chipouline ([email protected]) Prof. Thomas Pertsch ([email protected]), www.iap.uni-jena.de, www.ultra-optics.de



Ultrafast, nonlinear nanophotonics The interaction of micro- and nanostructured photonic materials with ultr ashort pulses is a relatively new and exciting topic in opt ics. It combines two cutt ing edge fields of photo nics research, which ha ve seen major technological bre akthroughs in the last years. Photonic nanomaterials allo w the subwavelength control of lig ht and the c onstruction of optical ñmaterialsò with properties that are u nparalleled in nature. Ultrafast opt ics has advanced to the point of creating femtosecond pu lses with not much more than a single opt ical cycle an d tremendous peak po wers. The combination of the two fields pro mises new insights into fundamental physical effects and potential ap plications in all-optical data-processing and communication, optical sensing and nano-manipulation. This resear ch area po ses a number of challengi ng tasks. Among them the design, setup, and characterization of new experiment s and applications; the generation and on-line control of few-cycle optical pulses; modeling of nonlinear light propagation in high structured media; and the improvement of existing characterization methods for spatiotemporal field distributions.

Covered subjects − development of spatiotemporal characterization techniques with femtosecond and nanometers resolution − ultrab roadband, nonlinear nanophotonics − evolution dynamics of discrete-continuous light bullets − nonlinear effects in coupled waveguide arrays − few-cycle pulses and carrier envelope phase effects in photonic nanomaterials − implementation, and characterization of ultrafast pulse shaping techniques − modeling and parallel, numerical simulation of spatiotemporal photonic effects

Contact for further information and application Falk Eilenberger ([email protected]) Prof. Thomas Pertsch ([email protected]), www.iap.uni-jena.de, www.ultra-optics.de



Nonlinear experiments with new excitation techniques in lithium niobate waveguide arrays

Lithium niobate waveguide arrays offer a rich variety of interesting no nlinear propagation effects which are not fully explored yet. Due to the limit ations of current excitation techn iques many of these phenomena are current ly not acce ssible sin ce they rely on the input of very complicated op tical fie ld patterns. However, spatial light modulators (SLMs), devices which can shape the phase profile of a beam of light, allow for an unprecedented freedom in the generation of various beam shapes. The aim of this work is to explore the possibilities offered by a SLM. Therefore several possible setups for the coupling to a one-di mensional array of waveguides have to be in vestigated. Based on a nu mber of criteria, an optimal setup will be re alized and characterized. A working coupling setup based o n a SLM will then be used to excite dif ferent stationary field pattern s in the wa veguide array which h ave been proposed theoretically but could yet not be realized experimentally.

Covered subjects − Optics in Fourier space − Imaging systems − Characterization of optical beams − Waveguide and integrated optics − Nonlinear optics in waveguides − Numerical beam propagation calculations − Programming in MatLab and LabView

Experimental activities − Characterization of the properties of the SLM − Realization and characterization of an optimal coupling setup − Development of a convenient software interface (pattern generator) for the SLM − Nonlinear experiments with various types of structured excitations

Theoretical activities − Estimation of the limitations of the proposed coupling setup − Calculation of the coupling properties of the realized coupling setup − Numerical solution of the nonlinear propagation equations to determine optimal excitation parameters

Contact for further information and application Frank Setzpfandt ([email protected]) Prof. Thomas Pertsch ([email protected]), www.iap.uni-jena.de, www.ultra-optics.de



Angular resolved spectroscopy of optical metamaterials Optical metamaterials are a novel class of artificial matter consisting of periodically or randomly arranged unit cells, called meta-atoms, which have usually a size in t he order of or smaller than the wavelength of light. A suit able meta-atom design promises to obtain complete control over all properties char acterizing the light propagation. By designing these meta-atoms one can tailor th e light propagation in such media beyond the limits given by natural occurring materials. Recent advances in fab rication technology have allowed for the realization of optical structures with sub-wavelength dimensions. Modern nanostructure technologies enable the creation of optical metamaterials in order to examine them experimentally. However, to date the majority of spectroscopic data was gained only for one specia l case: The light propagation was always normal to the plane of the metamaterial. To evaluate the performance of a particular metamaterial design it is nece ssary to investigate its response for all propagation direct ions, i.e., all angles of in cidence. The challenge is therefore to establish a setup that enable s for fully angular and wavelength resolved spectroscopy. So far, only few experimental attempts regarding this subject have been reported. Our group has a long- term experi ence about the fabrica tion of char acterization optical metamaterials. Several samples suitable for angular resolved characte rization are readily available (see figures). The task for the candidate is to build and thorou ghly characterize an o ptical setup for angle resolved spectroscopic measurements whose components are most ly ready for setup integ ration. The aim of the work is to quantitatively determine the meas urement accuracy of the setup in dependency of al l experimentally accessib le paramet ers and to improve t he detectio n system and optical design if necessary. The candidate should be able to work in a p urposeful and independent way. High interest, basic lab experience and good experimental skills are appreciated.

Covered subjects − Metamaterial structure characterization (optical microscope, SEM, SNOM) − Resonant excitation of plasmonic eigenmodes in artificial meta-atoms with wavelength and angular resolution − Experimental work in real scientific environment with bulk optics, laboratory peripheral devices (receivers, power

meters, optical spectrum analyzers, etc) − Spectral data processing and physical interpretation in terms of the topography associated with the meta-atoms − Oral presentations of results at internal group and institute meetings

Experimental activities − Characterization and optimization of an existing experimental set up − Computer controlled automation of an experimental procedure for parameter optimization and precise

measurement procedures − Set up high-quality angular resolved measurements of readily available metamaterial samples

Theoretical activities − Comparing experimental results to numerical simulations

1 cm 1 Õm 100 nm3 Õm 500 nm

Contact for further information and application Matthias Kroll ([email protected]) and Christian Helgert (christianhelgert @uni-jena.de) Prof. Thomas Pertsch ([email protected]), www.iap.uni-jena.de, www.ultra-optics.de



Resonant excitation of radially polarized surface plasmons at the conical metal tip

The emerging field of NanoPlasmonics addresses the study of the interaction bet ween electromagnetic waves and electron pla smas on metal surface s and in metallic nano structures. I t has received muc h attention last decade due to the hig h potential of new applications rang ing from subwavelength photonic circuits to high resolut ion microscopy. Plasmonic devices are capa ble of efficiently confin ing and enhancing optical fields, serving as a bridge between t he realm of diffract ion-limited optics and the nanoscale. One of the main mail topics in NanoPlasmonics is the sca nning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) targeted to obtain ultimate topographic and optical resolutio n for nanoimaging. To break the diffraction limit, a tip enhanced SNOM (T E-SNOM) has been proposed in which a nano-sized plasmonic tip (metallic probe) scans the sampl e surface to form topography and optical image with extremely high spatial re solution. The principle of TE-SNOM i s based on the excitation of lo calized modes of surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) at the metallic t ip with far-field illumination, which generates a nano-sized spot of light at the apex of the nano-tip. We suggested a new way of creating a TE-SNOM on the basis of superfocusing / nanofocusing of radially polarized SPPs in the conical metallic tip. To ge nerate SPPs propagating towards the tip we use tapered optical few-mode fiber covered by very thin metal f ilm. When the wave vectors of radially polarized fiber mode and SPP modes become equal, energy transfer from the fiber mode to the SPP takes place and as a result su rface plasmons are re sonantly excited. Durin g their pro pagation, d ue to the shrinking wavelength, the SPP excitation localizes (nanofocusi ng) at the cone tip in a nanometer scale. The resulting str ong field enhancement and confine ment allow registering both linear and nonlinear optical signals from surfaces as well as substantially increasing the resolution of a TE-SNOM. The goal of this work is to complete the setup of generating radially polarized fiber modes and SPPs in a metal-coated tapered fiber and to develop method for investigating the resonant excitation of the SPP.

Covered subjects − Excitation of SPP − Excitation and guiding of beam in few-mode fibers − Conversion between radially polarized and Gaussian beams in few mode fibers

Contact for further information and application Angela Klein ([email protected]) Prof. Thomas Pertsch ([email protected]), www.iap.uni-jena.de, www.ultra-optics.de



Interferometric heterodyne-SNOM for optical near-field characterizations of nanophotonic structures

Nanophotonic materials, such as plasmonic nanostructures and photo nic crystals, have the ability to control and confine the light at a subwavelength r ange, providing interesting miniaturize d devices optimized either for biosensing applications or fo r optoelectronics applications. In order to investigate the physics of such components, the use of highly resolving microscopes is required. The topic of this work is to develop an interferometric heterodyne detection coupled to a scanning near-field optical microscope (SNOM) to measure both the a mplitude an d the pha se of the o ptical field with a sub wavelength resolution. Two configurations are possible: the first one will be developed for na noplasmonic studies a t the visible wavelength range and t he other on e will be de voted to optical near-fie ld characteri zation of photonic crystals at tele com wavelengths. Depending on the choice of the configur ation, the st udent will be involved either in investigation of nanoplasmonic structur es for biological applications or in photonic crystal studies especially dedicated to nonlinearities in lithium niobate nanostructures.

Covered subjects − Scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) − Interfero metric heterodyne detection − Plasmonic nanostructures: gold nanoparticle chain... − Optical nonlinearities in lithium niobate photonic crystals

Contact for further information and application Dr. Norik Janunts ([email protected]) and Dr. S®verine Diziain ([email protected]) Prof. Thomas Pertsch ([email protected]), www.iap.uni-jena.de, www.ultra-optics.de



Discrete beam combiners for astronomical interferometers

Optical astr onomical interferometry is a state-of -the-art technique delivering the sharpest astrop hysical images ever. The operation princip le is based on the analysis of the con trast of inter ference fringes from the starlight collected by several telescopes and combined interferometrically. The achieved resolution of the images is equivalent to a conve ntional telescope with a diameter e qual to the maximum separation between the telescope s (100-300 m). Part of the succe ss of the technique is due to t he use of modern photonic technologies, including integrated optics. Next generation optical interferometers will be able to combine simultaneously the light from more than 3 telescopes [Figure, left] in order to provide hig h resolution images of fast events such as exo-planet transits, no vae and fla res near b lack ho les. Integrated o ptics could play a decisive role in providing miniaturized beam combiners with exceptional stability. The goal of the project is to build a laboratory de monstrator of a n ovel design of integrated beam combiners for astronomy using a la ser-written 2D array of c oupled waveguides [Figure, right ï Opt. Lett. 35, 3009 (2010)], which could d ramatically simplify the design of interferometers featuring man y telescopes. Numerical analysis and optimization of the scheme may be part of the work.

Covered subjects − Astron omical interferometry − Coh erence optics − Fiber optics − Opt ical design − Nume rical simulations − Data processing and its presentations at internal group and institute meetings − Preparation of scientific articles

Experimental activities − Build a star and interferometer simulator − Test existing discrete beam combiners samples − Characterize the performance of the demonstrator

Theoretical activities − Design of the experiment − Optimization of the array geometry/configurations

Contact for further information and application Dr. Stefano Minardi ([email protected]) Prof. Thomas Pertsch ([email protected]), www.iap.uni-jena.de, www.ultra-optics.de



Time-resolved laser-plasma dynamics in water Nonlinear self-focusing of femtosecond light pulses in gase s or transparent condensed media c an excite long and thin filaments of cold plasmas. Owing to nonlinear pulse dynamics, these filaments have rather uniform diameter and density, two attractive characteristics for material processing and/or eye surgery on the micro-nano scale. In polar media such as water, the solvation of the plasma gives raise to a complex dyna mics of the formed plasma which c an be studied by means of shadowgraphy. Shadowgraphy i s a sensitive optica l characterization technique which uses defocuse d images of the plasma to derive its complex refractiv e index and, thus, the electron density. Goal of this labwork is to join an o ngoing experiment at IAP aimed at the characterization of the fine-structure of laser plasma filament in water excit ed and probed with 50 fs laser pulses (see Fig ure ï Opt. Lett. 34, 3020 (2009)). In particular, plasmonic effects in the filament will be investigated.

Covered subjects − Time-dynamics of solvated laser plasmas − Image procesing − Quantitative shadowgraphy − Femtosecond nonlinear optics − Data processing and its presentations at internal group and institute meetings − Preparation of scientific articles

Experimental activities − Acquisition and analysis of time resolved images − Upgrade of existing set-up to include spectral sensitivity in shadowgrams

Theoretical activities − Numerical simulation of laser pulse and plasma dynamics

Contact for further information and application Dr. Stefano Minardi ([email protected]) Prof. Thomas Pertsch ([email protected]), www.iap.uni-jena.de, www.ultra-optics.de

Abbe School of Photonics at Friedrich-Schiller-Universitªt Jena Topics for Research Labworks and Master Thesis Winter Semester 2010/11, Version 21-10-2010

Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry Master/Diploma Thesis or Research Labworks on

Photonic Nanostructures by Chemical Lithography The topic is centered on the implementation of new che mical lithog raphic appr oaches to f abricate nanostructured surfaces and to o btain photonic nanomaterials. This approach is a very versatile technique that allows the fabrication of nanostructures with suitable dimensions, as well as of tailor-made shape. The subject is performed in an interdiscip linary research environment and involves components from physical science as well as from chemistry. Different structural layouts, e.g., split ring resonators, will be fabricated in a prototyping/scree ning approach. The sub strates will be characte rized regard ing their optical properties. The goal of this resear ch activity is to obtain a better understanding of the influencing para meters of photonic nanostructures on their opt ical properties. Moreover, it is possible to obtain insight into the work of an (organic) chemist while still physical measurements are in the focus of the lab work. The work will be performed in the l abs the Org anic and Macromolecul ar Chemistry Departme nt and is open to can didates with different b ackground. Essentially no specia l chemical qualification is required. After the labwork stage a continuation of the research on the master and/or PhD level is possible.

Covered subjects Scanning force microscopy and electro-chemical oxidation lithography Preparation of self-assembled monolayers and polymer coatings Characterization of the structural features by means of scanning probe microscopy, FT-IR microscopy Metallization of structures by electroless metal deposition techniques

Experimental activities Fabrication of prototype photonic nanostructures Process design for chemical functionalization Characterization of the resulting structures Scanning electro-oxidative force microscopy

Theoretical activities Pediction of new structural components in photonic crystal/nanomaterial research (chiral centers, combination of

different design features, influence of material combinations, etc.)

Contact for further information and application Dr. Stephanie Hoeppener ([email protected]) Prof. Dr. Ulrich S. Schubert ([email protected]), www.schubert-group.de


Institute of Condensed Matter Theory and Solid State Optics Master/Diploma Thesis or Research Labworks on

High-bandwidth second harmonic generation in lithium niobate slot waveguides

The theoretical work is aiming at in creasing the conversion efficiency o f second-harmonic generation in high-dielectric contra st wire waveg uides of lith ium niobate with the help of modifications in t he cross section. In this parametric process a signal is generated at twice the frequency (the second harmonic) o f a strong pump, the so-called fundamental wave. In order to have a high conversion phase matching of the fundamental and second harmonic waves is essential. The important p arameter is the phase mismatch which depends on the difference of the effective indexes of the interacting linear modes. Using slot s in the waveguide cross sect ion can dramat ically alter th e dispersio n properties of these modes and, moreover, enhance the nonlinear overlap between the inter acting light fields. It is anticipated that a thin waveguide with a good confinement and with a properly adjusted cross section can give phase matching a nd a good modal overlap. Due to the bi g flexibility in the system also a broadba nd phase matching should be possible. The waveguides are made of lithium niobate, an established optical material with a quadratic nonlinearity used for electroopic modulators, sensors, and namely, fo r frequency conversion. Fabrication methods developed recently will make such high-dielectric contrast structures feasible.

Covered subjects vectorial waveguide equation quadratically nonlinear parametric effects modal theories from the reciprocity theorem propagation of short pulses in dispersive nonlinear waveguides numerical schemes for solving nonlinear partial differential equations

Activities calculation of waveguide modes and propagations constants of slotted waveguides at fundamental and second-

harmonic frequencies application of modal theories to model the light propagation in the quadratically nonlinear regime implementing numerical schemes for solving the evolution equations exploring the parameter region (cross section geometry, temperature) for possibilities of phase and group

velocity matching

Examples of the electric field distribution in a lithium niobate slot waveguide

Contact for further information and application Dr. Rumen ILIEW [email protected], Tel. 03641/9-47175) Prof. Falk LEDERER [email protected], Tel. 03641/9-47170), http://www.photonik.uni-jena.de/

FH E field @1550nm SH E field @755nm



Optical properties of quasi-periodic crystals Optical quasi-periodic crystals are photonic structures composed of suitably arranged unit cells, such as dielectric or metallic cyli nders (in 2D) or spheres (in 3D). The peculiarity of quasi-pe riodic crystals, when compared to other optical materials, is the lack translational symmetry in the arrangement of the unit cells, but they can show instead a rotational symmetry. Optical properties of quasi-periodic photonic crystal are dictated by the peculiar scattering r esponse of the individual unit cells and the long range order of the quasicrystal; a rich vari ety of ph ysical phenomena can be observed, such as, e. g., the suppression o f propagation which is co mparable to a photonic band gap or it features intrinsic various loca lized modes. Also non linear optica l effects appear in qua sicrystals such as the formation of la ttice solitons in a two diminsional lattice with long range order. In this Mast er/Diploma Thesis or Research La bworks the student sha ll familiarize her-/himself with the basic properties of quasi-periodic photonic crystals, especially the theoretical description of qua siperiodic structures, shall use d evoted numerical tools for their optical analysis to explore optical properties of quasicrystals with symmetries that were thus far not investigated. Ba sic work ca n concentra te on 2D systems, whereas advanced work can unravel properties of 3D systems.

Covered subjects Establishing of algorithms to compute the lattice sites for arbitrary quasi-periodic structures Investigation of the possible occurrence of band gaps in 3D quasi-periodic structures as a function of various

parameters Describing experimental accessible quantities of such systems

Theoretical activities Development of Matlab programs to compute the geometrical details of quasi-periodic lattices Using of already existing Matlab programs to compute the scattering response of an arbitrary ensemble of a

cluster of particles Discussing the meaning of a local density of states in quasi-periodic systems

Contact for further information and application Prof. Carsten Rockstuhl, [email protected] Stefan M¿hlig, [email protected]



Spectral properties of metamaterials Metamaterials constitute an emergin g class of artificia l matter that permit to affect the properties of light by a suitably chosen micro- and nanostructure. In many cases the nanostructures are such small that light will not resolve the fine details of the structure but merely experiences effective properties. The medium is said to be homogenizable. The properties of such a homogenizable medium one tries to affect ar e manifold; representative would be a negative in dex or a strong optical activity (that is the ability of the structure to rotate the state of polarization). The unit cells of metamaterials for such purposes may attain simple shapes, such as spheres or ellipsoid s, but may also take complex forms. In this inter nship the student shall familiarize her-/himself with the to pic of metamaterials by analyzing spectrally resolved the properties o f unit cells currently at the fo cus of re search interest. S he/he shall moreover in vestigate whether and to which extent effective properties can be assigned to such media. Metamaterials at various frequencies domains are of interest, e.g., the optical or t he THz domain. The work can be done on analytical grounds but also available numerical t ools can be fully exploited f or this analysis. No requirements are need ed except a passion for theoretica l and numerical work an d the ability to adap t quickly to existing computational tools.

Covered subjects Understanding and learning numerical and analytical techniques to describe metamaterials Homogenization of metamaterials and their effective description using various concepts Describing experimental accessible quantities of such systems

Theoretical activities Investigating in a systematic manner how possible symmetries in the unit cells of metamaterials affect the

spectral properties (e.g. properties that affect the polarization of the transmitted light) Discussing spectral properties of metamaterials at different frequencies (optical vs. THz) and understanding the

peculiarities

Contact for further information and application Prof. Carsten Rockstuhl, [email protected] Christoph Menzel, [email protected]



Scattering resonances of 3D nanoparticles Calculating resonance s of nanop articles is computationally costly when trying to solve Maxwellôs equations. A far more elegant method is provided by the Boundary Element Met hod which is of great importance not only in photonics but also e.g. in quantum mechanics and acoustics. In this method, the field equations are rewritten in terms of surface integrals using Greenôs function. This formulation can further be interpreted as an operator equation where the resonances are characterized by the roots of the upcoming discretized integral operator. This approach is very efficient since it allows for a dimensional reduction of the problem and the fields need not be calculated explicitly. During the thesis the st udent shall familiarize her-/himself with the BEM and its a pplications in photonics and other research are as. He/she shall use analytical a nd numerical tools to explore properties of photonic resonators ranging from microwave to ultrav iolett frequencies. Basic work can concentrate on 2D system whereas advanced work can unravel properties of 3D systems.

Covered subjects Implementation of a BEM algorithm to calculate photonic resonances Parametric Investigation of resonators Describing experimental accessible quantities of such systems

Theoretical activities Comparing the results for known symmetries to those of Mie- and other scattering theories Using of already existing computer programs to compute the scattering response of photonic resonators Discussing certain approximations for resonators in different frequency regimes

Picture take n form : Wi ersig J. Boundary element metho d for resonances in dielectric micr ocavities. Journal of Optics A: Pure and Applied Optics. 2003;5(1):53-60

Contact for further information and application Prof. Carsten Rockstuhl, [email protected] Robert Filter, [email protected]


Center for Molecular Biomedicine (CMB) Department of Biophysics

Master/Diploma Thesis or Research Labworks on

Biophotonic subcellular generation and detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS)

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role in various biologica l processes. While an excess of ROS typically results in cell damage and death, weak ROS stimulat ion constitu tes a cellular signal important for maintaining key functions. Detection of ROS inside living cells, however, is a nontrivial task, and novel methods are required to shed light on the mol ecular mechanisms underlying the generation and processing of ROS under physiological conditions. L ikewise, methods devise d to liberate specific ROS at subcellular resolution are also desired. In this labwork we thus will establish and evaluate various means to g enerate ROS inside cel ls (e.g. usin g genetica lly encoded KillerRed pr oteins) and to detect them with biophotonic te chnologies. In particular, we will try to combine photonic an d eletrophysiological (patch clamp) measurements to obtain a deep er in sight in to how ROS distribute inside ce lls and how molecular targets are chemically modified. The topic will include several of the listed subjects and activities:

Covered subjects Preparation of biological samples for biophotonic research Detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by means of fluorescence imaging Generation of ROS by photochemical reactions in single cells Combination of ion channel electrophysiology with optical recordings

Experimental activities Culturing of mammalian cells Transfection of cells with plasmid DNA coding for fluorescent proteins and ion channels Whole-cell patch clamp of single cells to gain electrical control of the plasma membrane Set up and calibration of single-cell epifluorescence imaging (cooled CCD camera) Synchronization of imaging and electrophysiological recording Time-resolved ratiometric fluorescence imaging

Theoretical activities Image analysis and correlation with electrical cell parameters

Contact for further information and application Prof. Dr. Stefan H. Heinemann, [email protected], www.biophysik.uni-jena.de


Institute of Applied Optics Master/Diploma Thesis or Research Labworks on

Self-induced waveguiding structures in photopolymer PMMA+PQ

We investigate photopolymers based on plexiglass with photosensitive molecules of phenanthrenquinone. Illumination of the photopolymer lea ds to the increasing of the refractive index of t he material. If a light beam with the wavelength in the range between 480nm and 520nm propagates in the bulk photopolymer, it generates a waveguide, which can be used for guiding of the beams with other wavelengths. The aim of the planed research work is to invest igate conditions of the generation of the wavegu ides and behavior of the propagating waves in these waveguides.

Covered subjects Holography, Diffraction, Interferometry Photopolyme rization Molecular diffusion

Contact for further information and application Dr. V. Matusevich ([email protected])



Camera Rig Calibration for highly accurate surface measurements

Optical surf ace measurements usin g structured light provides a fast a nd reliable way to dete rmine the shape of a macroscopic object. Today, up to a million 3D surface poi nts of an ar bitrary object can b e measured within a second. Aside of the accurate assignation of correspondences between different views of an object , the calibra tion of a multi-camera setup is the major factor, which def ines the qu ality of a measurement. We deve loped a new pattern design for t he intrinsic ca libration, which showed promising calibration results. This new concept has still to be tested experimentally to estimate its usefulness to the overall calibration chain, with the main focus on comparative experiments to conventional patterns. In the next step, and last step, of the calibration chain, the geometry of the camera setup has to be determined based on the initial estimate of the intrinsic calibra tion. Afterwards, a parameter refinement called bundle-block-adjustment could be applied. To conclude, the goal of this labwork is to check the whole calibration chain for possible improvements. A major part i s the experi mental evaluation of a new pattern approach for intrinsic calibration. In order to achieve this a lot of effort has to be put into creating means to evaluate the quality of a calibration against others. Note that this work is strongly related to programming and image processing! The topic will include several of the listed subjects and activities:

Covered subjects Basics of projective geometry, homogeneous coordinates Calibration of a multi camera rig Image processing, including feature matching, filtering, image rendering Experimental work with one of our structured light setups

Experimental activities Design and realization of experimental set ups Design of an adequate evaluation approach for comparing different calibrations

Theoretical activities Creating numerical programs to simulate a multi camera setup, compare the calibration performance of your

experiments with results obtained via the simulations

Contact for further information and application Dipl.-Phys. Marcus GroÇe ([email protected]) Prof. Richard Kowarschik ([email protected]), http://www.physik.uni-jena.de/inst/iao/



Digital Holographic Contouring Instead of using photoplates for recording a hologram the digital technique uses CCD devices. Storing of two states of a object caused for example b y ther mal or mechanical loads, the reconstruction yields interferometric fringes which describ e the differe nce between the two st ates. The method used is called the digital holographic interferometry (DHI). A special application of the DHI is the generation of a fringe pattern corresponding to contours of constant elevation with respect to a reference plane. Such contour fringes can be used to determine the shape of a three-dimensional object. Holographic contour interferograms can be generated by different methods. In our ca se we are interested in the two-illumination-point method.

The principle of the two-illumination-point method is to make a double exposure hologram in which the point source illuminating the object is shifted slightly between the two exposures.

Covered subjects Principle of digital holography Principle of Interferometry Experimental work with bulk optics, different laser types (gas, solid), and peripheral devices

Experimental activities Design and realization of experimental set ups Set up an experimental procedure to realize contour lines on a test object Computer aided measurement of the 3D shape of an object and the comparison with stereo photogrammetric

measurements

Theoretical activities Creating numerical programs for the calculation of 3D shapes

Contact for further information and application Dr. Armin Kiessling ([email protected]) Prof. Richard Kowarschik ([email protected]), www.physik.uni-jena.de/inst/iao

Abbe School of Photonics at Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena Topics for Research Labworks and Master Thesis Winter Semester 2010/11, Version 21-10-2010


3D Shape-Measurement We are working in the field of optical shape measurement using photogrammetric techniques. In order to encode the objects surface structured light patterns are projected onto the test-object. The object-shape can be deducted from aquired images. In our work we focus on high-speed pattern projection and image aquisition in order to be able to accuratly measure dynamic or moving surfaces.

Solution of the correspondence problem using phase shift information We want to compare the performance of our existing structured light setup for shape measurement to a setup

using the phase-shift technique. A common phase-shift algorithm has to be implemented into our software, and its performance has to be compared to the existing technique using simulated and experimental data. Good knowlegde of C or C++ is necessary.

Intrinsic Camera calibration using time coded planar patterns In order to extract metric information of images, it is necessary to determine a set of parameter describing the

mapping of 3D-points into 2D-image-points. This set of parameters is called intrinsic parameters. There are several techniques avaiable to determine an accurate set of intrinsic parameters. The use of time-coded planar patterns offers some advantages compared to conventional planar pattern with spatial coding. Your task is to look at the advantages and disadvantages of this new concept and compare its performance against conventional methods. Good knowlegde of C or C++ is necessary.

Contact for further information and application Prof. Kowarschik, [email protected] Dipl. Phys. Marcus Große, [email protected]

Possible Project areas in Optics for Second Year Erasmus Mundus studentsat Imperial College London

IntroductionAs part of your general considerations, projects will be available in areas where projects have previously been offered as part of our Masters level teaching. This means that previous project titles are a useful indication of topics in which projects are likely to be available. The following is a list of past projects offered by MSc students studying Optics. The 2008-09 and 2009-10 Erasmus Mundus projects are in red.

Adaptive Optics and Interferometry: Development of a background polarimetric imaging technique;Design and Construction of a low light wavefront sensor Programmable holographic references for wavefront interferometry Adaptive Optics using cost function minimisation Measuring group display dispersion with a white light interferometer Quadature Interferometer in Fibre for use in MAGPIE.

Imaging, Biomedical Imaging and Imaging Through Turbulence: Three dimensional super-resolution imaging by localization microscopy;Measuring the dynamic topography of the tear film OPT-FLIM: Optical Projection Tomography with Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Modeling light propagation in biological tissues by Monte Carlo method Mid-IR biological imaging Optimising photodetection for microfluidic chemiluminescence High Performance Short Pass Filters for Chemical and Biological Analysis Extracting 3-D images from endoscopic images Hyperspectral FLIM of biological tissue LED microstrip arrays for FLIM;Development and analysis of a novel optically sectioning microscope;

Optical Displays: Real-time projection using computer generated holograms Optical testing of Large Optical Displays 3D Displays with vertical parallax Contact printed polymer thin film transistors for liquid crystal displays

Optical Analysis and Sensors: Characterisation of gas jet targets for laser Wakefield accelerators Surface roughness measurement through speckle analysis Testing of aspheric surfaces of variable profiles Setup of a stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscope Comparing the performance of wide-field optically-sectioning microscopes Characterisation of wavefront errors for segmented mirrors Measurement of complex pupil function of high NA lenses Integrated optical chemical sensors; Optimising photodetection for microfluidic chemiluminescence; High Performance Short Pass Filters for Chemical and Biological Analysis.

Laser Development: Self-organising laser networks High finesse optical fibre resonators Mode-Locking of high power bounce geometry lasers Passive Q-switched eye safe laser

Nonlinear modelocking of high power DPSS lasers Carbon Nanotube mode-locked lasers; Strongly coupled lasers.

Ultrafast Laser Development: OPAC: Optical Parametric Correlator Pico-Second OPCPA Front-end For Vulcan Novel Optical Phase Shaper for High Power Femtosecond Pulses Processes of transformation of femtosecond pulses Development of an infra-red ultra-short pulse OPG Computer simulation of ultrafast pulse propagation Polarisation Gating for Attosecond Pulse Generation Building and modeling an alternate gradient guide Generation of high-power few-optical-cycle laser pulses for driving attosecond pulse production from solid targets: theory and experiment Shaping of sub ps pulses with an LCD array; Validation of XPWG filters for ultrashort pulses.

Quantum Optics: Quantum Cryptography

Optical Design: Design of lens systems for mobile phones; Historical review of Binoculars;Optical design of a stereo viewing device Design of an Optical Pen Thermally compensated plastic lenses Adaptive forward lighting system

Optical Trapping and Cold Matter: Casimir-Polder forces on moving atoms – friction forces; Design and implementation of a 3D vision and manipulation for an optical tweezers system;Optical fibres for single atom traps Holographic optical trapping

Optoelectronics and Telecommunications: Development and characterisation of a micro-photoluminescence system; Electromagnetic simulation of optical nano-antennae; Self-assembled quantum dot lasers;Propagation in Optical Fibres; Double Grating Fabrication by Using Soft Lithography;Fabrication of photonic crystal lens structures using holographic lithography Measuring the Performance of Triple-Junction Solar Cells Optically Pumped ZnO Nanowire Lasers INAs/GaAs quantum dot bilayer laser optical emission Silicon Germanium Distributed Feedback Reflector: Modeling and Experimental Investigation Waveguiding in aluminium using surface plasmon polaritons FTTH free space optical communications Characterisation of multimode optical fibres Photoluminescence spectroscopy of quantum dots in charge tuneable structures Emitter structure and current collection in concentrator solar cells

Polymer Light Sources: Light Efficiency Enhancement for Polymer LEDs Organic thin film phototransistors Hybrid Organic/Inorganic Quantum Dot Photosensitive Devices Electroabsorption Spectroscopy of organic Light Emitting Diodes Organic solar cells on flexible substrates Coherent Control of the Nitrogen-Vacancy Centre Spin Qubit with Detuned Optical Pulses. Characterisation of liquid crystal devices using a polarimetric measurement system; Investigation of Molecular Semiconductor Based Photodiode Arrays Fabricated Via Spray Coating.

Research group links: Details of the Optics Research in the Department may be found at: http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/pls/portallive/docs/1/55893696.PDF (Department’s annual report)http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/photonics/research/topics/index.htm http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research/qols/research_areas/index.htm http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/experimentalsolidstate/researchactivities Projects in these areas can be arranged.

Master thesis at Institut d’Optique Graduate School – Paris

Master’s thesis topics proposed by Institut d'Optique Graduate School

Biomedical optical imaging Arnaud DUBOIS ([email protected])

Development and application of original biomedical optical imaging technologies based on: - Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), - Multi-photon fluorescence microscopy, - Second harmonic generation microscopy, - Stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy.

New lasers Patrick GEORGES ([email protected])

- High power laser based on new diode-pumped crystal fiber doped with ytterbium ions, a way to overcome the thermal limitations in bulk crystals and the nonlinear limitations of classical fiber lasers. - High power diode-pumped femtosecond oscillator based on new Ytterbium doped CALGO crystal in a thin disk configuration, the solution to produce high power and very short pulses. - Amplification of ultrashort pulses in large mode area ytterbium doped fiber, active control of the phase, amplitude and spectrum of the pulses in order to reach the limits and replace the Titanium based femtosecond sources. - Development of UV diode pumped solid state laser based on new Neodyme transitions and non linear conversion with borates crystals, a solution for a solid state laser to replace the excimer laser at 193 nm. - Towards high power single-frequency emission of optically pumped vertical external cavity semiconductor lasers for spectroscopy applications.

Metamaterials with NEGATIVE refractive indices at optical frequencies Philippe LALANNE ([email protected])Christophe SAUVAN ([email protected])

The work includes both theoretical, numerical and experimental contributions, in collaboration with the “Laboratoire des Nanostructures” for the fabrication and the characterisation of the metamaterials.


Optical antennas for efficient photovoltaic cells Jean-Jacques GREFFET ([email protected]), Marine LAROCHE ([email protected])

The aim of the project is to design nanostructures which will optimize the absorption of the incoming light by the photovoltaic cell. This work is made in collaboration with IRDEP (Institut de Recherche et Développement de l’Energie Photovoltaique, EDF-CNRS) and LPN (Laboratoire Photonique et Nanostructures).

Thermal radiation at the nanoscale Jean-Jacques GREFFET ([email protected]), Marine LAROCHE ([email protected])

At the nanoscale, the exchange of energy by radiation is no longer given by the well-known Stefan’s law (proportional to �T4). When two materials are located at few nanometers from each other, photon tunneling can occur and the power exchanged is enhanced by several orders of magnitude. This is becoming a key issue in the nano-electromechanical systems whose performances are limited by their thermal management. This project is made in collaboration with the CEA-LETI.

Optically bistable compounds: physics and applications to optical signal processing Carole ARNAUD ([email protected])

Innovative holographic data storage architectures Gilles PAULIAT ([email protected])

New laser sources for biological applications based on liquid filled photonic crystal fibres Sylvie LEBRUN ([email protected])

Stimulated Raman scattering in the evanescent field of a microfibre Sylvie LEBRUN ([email protected])

Wavelength conversion in photonic crystals for quantum information processing Philippe DELAYE ([email protected])

Non linear micro-cavities for optical information processing Nicolas DUBREUIL ([email protected])

Production and detection of correlated atoms Christopher WESTBROOK ([email protected])

Quantum non destructive measurement of BEC coupled in an optical resonator Philippe BOUYER ([email protected])


Ultracold atomic gases in optical disorder: a theoretical studyLaurent SANCHEZ-PALENCIA ([email protected])

Detection and Manipulation of single biomolecules for the study of protein traduction dynamicsKaren PERRONET ([email protected]) and Nathalie WESTBROOK([email protected])

Development and application of optical single-molecule methods to study biomolecular motors such as ribosome - fluorescence microscopy including Förster Resonance Energy Transfer - optical tweezers and accurate measurement of exerted forces - microfluidics

work in close collaboration with biologist teams and use of biochemical techniques

Optics in XUV Franck DELMOTTE ([email protected])

- Optics for attosecond pulses - Nanometric thin films and multilayers for extrem UV optics

Potential topics of OpSciTech master thesis work at Warsaw University of Technology

Title of work: The development of a method to detect changes in the 3D shape of ground level.

Supervisor: dr Robert SitnikContent of work:

1. Literature studies: Overview of related and existing technology. 2. Preparation of suitable testing scenes and subsequent collection of data. 3. Proposal of the concept or solution. 4. Implementation of the concept in Windows platform with C++. 5. Testing, Validation and optimization of the solution.

Required skills: Knowledge of image processing, C++ programming

Title of work: Interferometric methods for microlens investigations Supervisor: dr Michal Jozwik Content of work:

1. Literature studies including theoretical aspects of optical elements in microscale (with focus on microlenses) and optical inspection methodes.

2. Development of virtual interferometric setup for reference data creation. 3. Experimental verification of simulated data with interferometric system dedicated

for microlens investigation. 4. Description of works.

Required skills:Software development with Matlab or LabView Ability of experimental work with optical laboratory systems

Title of work: Micro object vibration measurements usingadvanced interferometric techniques Supervisor: dr Adam StykContent of work:

1. Literature studies concerning different methods applied to micro-objects vibration measurement;

6. Comparison of two selected measurement methods – time averaging interferometry with heterodyning and classical time averaging interferometry with advanced Bessel fringes evaluation;

7. Numerical simulations showing the influence of selected measurement errors on the accuracy of amplitude calculations for both methods;

8. Experimental work for numerical studies verification; 9. Conclusions

Required skills:- Matlab programming abilities; laboratory work dexterity, interferometric measurement method as well as fringe pattern analysis knowledge;


Title of work: Design of cavity waveguide grating microinterferometer with automatic fringe pattern analysis

Supervisor: prof. Leszek SalbutContent of work:

1. Survey of literature referred to grating interferometry (GI) and configurations of grating interferometers.

2. Theoretical analysis and numerical modelling of cavity waveguide GI head. 3. Development of the method for implementation of automatic fringe pattern analysis

based on temporal phase shifting technique. 4. Experimental modelling of the interferometer with implemented FringeApplication

software for interferogram analysis. 5. Design of the grating microinterferometer working with a standard optical microscope:

- selection of the source, detector, actuators and other commercial elements, - design of the optical system (GI head and illuminating optics), - design of the mechanical parts and phase shifting module, - development of the mounting and adjusting procedures.

6. Development of the user manual.

Title of work: Optical diffraction tomography for internal structure investigation in tapered fiber optics Supervisor: Prof. M. Kujawinska Content of work:

1. Literature search with the focus on the optical diffraction tomography methods to enhance signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution in projections (interferometric and digital holography)

2. Development of two modified experimental systems providing projections and capturing of initial projections of tapered fiber

3. Critical analysis of data obtained in both systems and proposal of experimental-numerical enhancements

4. Simulation of tomographic process (filtered backprojection) with the model and experimental projection data

5. Determination of the projection and tomographic reconstruction errors and the ways of their elimination

6. Performing a series of measurements of tapered optical fibers by means of the selected tomography method (based on interferometry or digital holography)

Required skills: programming in MatLab and experimental skills Laboratory intership at Institute of Physics, Military Academy, Warsaw

Title of work: Analysis of systematic errors in multiwavelength interferometric system for cerified measurements of long (1m) gauge blocks Supervisor: Prof. Leszek Salbut Required skills: programming in MatLab and experimental skills

Student internship in Polish Bureau of Standards, Warsaw

Title of work: Development of hybrid termographic/digital image correlation method of monitoring big civil engineering structures


Supervisor: Prof. Malgorzata Kujawinska Required skills: programming in MatLab and experimental skills

Student internship in infrared detector company Vigo Inc., Warsaw