Dynamic analysis of a new piezoelectric flextensional actuator using the J1-J4 optical interferometric method

Piezoelectric actuators are widely used in positioning systems which demand high resolution such as scanning microscopy, fast mirror scanners, vibration cancellation, cell manipulation, etc. In this work a piezoelectric flextensional actuator (PFA), designed with the topology optimization method, is experimentally characterized by the measurement of its nanometric displacements using a Michelson interferometer. Because this detection process is non-linear, adequate techniques must be applied to obtain a linear relationship between an output electrical signal and the induced optical phase shift. Ideally, the bias phase shift in the interferometer should remain constant, but in practice it suffers from fading. The J1-J4 spectral analysis method provides a linear and direct measurement of dynamic phase shift in a no-feedback and no-phase bias optical homodyne interferometer. PFA application such as micromanipulation in biotechnology demands fast and precise movements. So, in order to operate with arbitrary control signals the PFA must have frequency bandwidth of several kHz. However as the natural frequencies of the PFA are low, unwanted dynamics of the structure are often a problem, especially for scanning motion, but also if trajectories have to be followed with high velocities, because of the tracking error phenomenon. So the PFA must be designed in such a manner that the first mechanical resonance occurs far beyond this band. Thus it is important to know all the PFA resonance frequencies. In this work the linearity and frequency response of the PFA are evaluated up to 50 kHz using optical interferometry and the J1-J4 method.

Double optical monitoring of time-dependent film formation

A brief overview of optical monitoring for vacuum and wet bench film deposition processes is presented. Interferometric and polarimetric measurements are combined with regard to simultaneous real-time monitoring of refractive index and physical thickness. Monitor stability and accuracy are verified with transparent oil standards. This double optical technique is applied to dip coating with a multi-component Zirconyl Chloride aqueous solution, whose time varying refractive index and physical thickness curves indicate significant sensitivity to changes of film flow properties during the process.

The effect of endodontic materials on the optical density of dyes used in marginal leakage studies

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the exposure of different endodontic materials to different dye solutions by evaluating the optical density of the dye solutions. Seventy-five plastic tubes were filled with one of the following materials: AH Plus, Sealapex, Portland cement, MTA (Angelus and Pro Root) and fifteen control plastic tubes were not. Each specimen of material and control was immersed in a container with 1 ml of each dye solution. A 0.1 ml-dye solution aliquote was removed before immersion and after 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours of each specimen immersion to record its optical density (OD) in a spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis was performed with ANOVA and Tukey tests (5%). No significant difference was found among any of the solution OD values for AH Plus cement. Portland cement promoted different OD values after 12 hours of immersion. MTA-Angelus cement presented different OD values only for 2% rhodamine B and the MTA-Pro Root cement presented different OD values in all 2% rhodamine B samples. Sealapex cement promoted a reduction in the India Ink OD values. Dye evaluation through OD seems to be an interesting method to select the best dye solution to use in a given marginal leakage study.

Optical density of bone repair after implantation of homogenous demineralized dentin matrix in diabetic rabbits

This research evaluated the bone repair process after implantation of homogenous demineralized dentin matrix (HDDM) in surgical defects in the parietal bone of rabbits with alloxan-induced diabetes, using a polytetrafluorethylene (PTFe) barrier for guided bone regeneration. Thirty-six rabbits were used and divided into four groups: control (C, n = 12), diabetic (D, n = 12, left parietal bone), diabetic with PTFe (DPTFe, same 12 rabbits, right parietal bone), and diabetic with PTFe associated to HDDM (D-PTFe+HDDM, n = 12). Bone defects were created in the parietal bone of the rabbits and the experimental treatments were performed, where applicable. The rabbits were sacrificed after 15, 30, 60 and 90 days. The bone defects were examined radiographically and by optical density (ANOVA and Tukey test, p < .05). The radiographic findings showed that the D-PTFe+HDDM group presented greater radiopacity and better trabecular bone arrangement when compared to that of the C, D and D-PTFe groups. The statistical analysis showed significant differences in the optical density of the newly formed bone among the studied groups. It was possible to conclude that HDDM was biocompatible in diabetic rabbits.

Study of the glass transition temperature of as-s glasses for the fabrication of chalcogenide optical fibers

Values of glass transition temperature (Tg) and of linear expansion coefficient (α) for Asx S100-x glasses were measured in the range of concentrations 35 × 42. Because of the importance of the glass formation region 35 × 42 for the optical fibers elaboration, special attention was made on high-pure Asx S100-x glasses. For the glass in the range of 35 × 38, we measure Tg with the interval of x equal to 1 at.% of arsenic. We also measured the Tg values with the interval of x equal to 0.5 at.% of As. We obtained nonlinear behavior of Tg, reflecting the change in molecular composition of As-S glass in the glass composition range studied. The control of such parameters is important to produce optical fibers with specific numerical aperture. © 2013 The American Ceramic Society and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Structural and optical properties of brominated plasma polymers

Novel brominated amorphous hydrogenated carbon (a-C:H:Br) films were produced by the plasma polymerization of acetylene-bromoform mixtures. The main parameter of interest was the degree of bromination, which depends on the partial pressure of bromoform in the plasma feed, expressed as a percentage of the total pressure, R-B. When bromoform is present in the feed, deposition rates of up to about 110 nm min(-1) may be obtained. The structure and composition of the films were characterized by Transmission Infrared Reflection Absorption Spectroscopy (IRRAS) and X-ray Photo-electron Spectroscopy (XPS). The latter revealed that films with atomic ratios Br:C of up to 0.58 may be produced. Surface contact angles, measured using goniometry, could be increased from similar to 63 degrees (for an unbrominated film) to similar to 90 degrees for R-B of 60 to 80%. Film surface roughness, measured using a profilometer, does not depend strongly on R-B. Optical properties the refractive index, n, absorption coefficient, alpha(E), where E is the photon energy, and the optical gap, E-g, were determined from film thicknesses and data obtained by Transmission Ultraviolet-Visible Near Infrared Spectroscopy (UVS). Control of n was possible via selection of R-B. The measured optical gap increases with increasing F-BC, the atomic ratio of Br to C in the film, and semi-empirical modeling accounts for this tendency. A typical hardness of the brominated films, determined via nano-indentation, was similar to 0.5 GPa. (C), 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Writing saturated holograms in LiNbO3 crystals through phase control and double diffraction

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Cr+3 distribution in Al1 and Al2 Sites of alexandrite (BeAl2O4: Cr3+) induced by annealing, investigated by optical spectroscopy

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)