This PDF file contains the front matter associated with SPIE Proceedings Volume 9764, including the Title Page, Copyright information, Table of Contents, Introduction, and Conference Committee listing.

This presentation gives an overview on some of seminal research in optical science, condensed matter physics, biophysics, biology, biomedical, nonlinear optics, and structure light propagation and interactions at CCNY and GTE Labs over past 46 years. The advent of ultrafast laser pulses with picosecond and femtosecond pulses and optical spectroscopy (label free native fluorescence and Raman) has led to unravel some of mysteries in the molecular world leading to breakthroughs in various areas of science and medicine. The following topics are discussed: white light continuum called now Supercontinuum (SC); first direct measurement of Optical Phonon’s lifetimes; first observation of creation of daughter vibrations in time from excited mother vibration in liquids; first direct measurement of creation and decay of Spin Angular Momentum of electrons in GaAs where picosecond Circular Polarized Light carrying Optical Spin Angular Momentum is generated; Pulse break up into ballistic, snake and diffusive components in scattering media such as um beads and tissues; and use of optical spectroscopy for first cancer detection in label free tissues. Most recently, advances in Biomedical Optics showed that Tryptophan as a key biomarker for aggressive cancers; there are three new optical windows with the Golden window #3 the best for penetrating tissue from 1600 nm to 1800 nm; Complex light with OAM offers potential deeper tissue penetration and Resonance Raman excited using magic 532 nm wavelength in tissues.

We provide an overview of recent theoretical and experimental studies, which revisited the basic dynamical properties of light: momentum and angular momentum. Recently, we described qualitatively new types of the spin and momentum in structured optical fields. These are: (i) the transverse spin, which is orthogonal to the wave vector and is independent of the helicity, and (ii) the anomalous transverse momentum, which depends on the helicity of light. Both of these quantities were described and measured experimentally in various optical systems, and they are currently attracting rapidly growing attention. In particular, the transverse spin in evanescent waves has found promising applications for robust spin-controlled unidirectional coupling to surface and waveguide optical modes. In turn, the transverse momentum provides a weak spin-dependent optical force, which is orthogonal to both the propagation direction and the intensity gradient in a wave field.

Descriptions of optical beams with structured wavefronts or vector polarizations are widely cast in terms of classical field theory. The corresponding fully quantum counterparts often present new insights into what is physically observed, and they are especially of interest when tackling issues such as entanglement. Similarly, when determining angular momentum densities, it appears that the separate roles of photon spin and beam topological charge can only be satisfactorily addressed within a quantum framework. In some such respects, the quantum versions of theory might be considered to introduce an additional layer of complexity; in others, they can clearly and very substantially simplify the theoretical representation. At the photon level, the fully quantized descriptions of topologically structured and singular beams nonetheless raise important fundamental questions and puzzles, whose resolution continue to invite attention. Many of the mechanistic interpretations and predictions (those that appear to be supported by a true congruence between classic and quantum optical descriptions, essentially conflating electromagnetic field and state wavefunction concepts) can lead to theoretical pitfalls. This paper highlights some physical implications that emerge from a fully quantum treatment of theory.

In 1935, Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen (EPR) questioned the completeness of quantum mechanics by devising a quantum state of two massive particles with maximally correlated space and momentum coordinates. The EPR criterion qualifies such continuous-variable entangled states, as shown successfully with light fields. Here, we report on the production of massive particles which meet the EPR criterion for continuous phase/amplitude variables. The created quantum state of ultracold atoms shows an EPR parameter of 0.18(3), which is 2.4 standard deviations below the threshold of 1/4. Our state presents a resource for tests of quantum nonlocality with massive particles and a wide variety of applications in the field of continuous-variable quantum information and metrology.

A platform for lab-scale replication of phase optics and microfluidics is presented in this paper. The platform is based on the use of a rotational micro-moulding technique using light-curable polymers as the media for holding the phase optics or microfluidics. As the moulding technique essentially can be repeated in sequential steps, the method can be used for more complex combinations of micro- and nanostructures than a simple moulding process would permit. Furthermore, the use of light-curable polymers makes it possible to use materials with a refractive index ranging from 1.4 to 1.6 allowing for precise control of the phase shift in the replicated optical components. The use of light-curable polymers also paves the way for subsequent modification of the surface chemistry e.g. the replicated microfluidic structure. Such a modality is high desirable in the making of e.g. lab-on-a-chip system. The paper will address on how to use the technology on lab-scale but also how it can be scaled to high-volume production if needed.

Microstructures can be used to realize repetitive and singular high contrast features at different distances behind a structure. For practical applications, the amplitude field needs to be considered. To realize defined amplitude features at long distances behind the surface of reference, the phase of the light field plays a crucial role. The highest contrast can be reached if phase singularities (or phase jumps) can be used because at the positions of their appearance in space the intensity becomes zero. In practice, it is important to identify cases where phase singularities can be designed in position in space. As a first example, we will discuss the case of phase fields produced by Talbot light carpets for wavelength-scale amplitude gratings. Such systems are used today in lithography to print small repetitive structures. For arbitrary structures to be printed, different design strategies are necessary. As a second example we will discuss the case of rule based design phase mask technique to realize high-resolution prints at proximity. In such a case phase singularities are created at the phase level and can be found still at long distances, which leads to high contrast modulation far behind the microstructure. An interesting situation appears when a fully optimized diffractive optical structure is used to create particular amplitude fields at defined proximity distances. We will discuss the appearance of phase singularities behind the structure in such a case and give details of their behavior at long proximity distances.

In this work FZL and FPL fabricated using Focused Ion Beam milling on the top of custom-made optical fibers are presented. Primary, single mode fibers are spliced to a segment of multimode fiber allowing to expand the core region. Subsequently, FZL and FPL with several focusing distances are milled on the top of the fibers. In this regard, the zone and phase plates offer distinct focusing characteristics which are here presented and analyzed. Moreover, the output optical intensity field of the FPL and FZP are evaluated and validated using an implementation of the Finite Differences Time Domain (Lumerical). Lastly, some considerations on the use of the tips as fiber optical tweezers are given.

Early detection of diseases can save lives. Hence, there is emphasis in sorting rare disease-indicating cells within small dilute quantities such as in the confines of lab-on-a-chip devices. In our work, we use optical forces to isolate red blood cells detected by machine vision. This approach is gentler, less invasive and more economical compared to conventional FACS systems. As cells are less responsive to plastic or glass beads commonly used in the optical manipulation literature, and since laser safety would be an issue in clinical use, we develop efficient approaches in utilizing lasers and light modulation devices. The Generalized Phase Contrast (GPC) method that can be used for efficiently illuminating spatial light modulators or creating well-defined contiguous optical traps is supplemented by diffractive techniques capable of integrating the available light and creating 2D or 3D beam distributions aimed at the positions of the detected cells. Furthermore, the beam shaping freedom provided by GPC can allow optimizations in the beam’s propagation and its interaction with the catapulted cells.

Generalized Phase Contrast (GPC) is an efficient method for efficiently shaping light into speckle-free contiguous optical distributions useful in diverse applications such as static beam shaping, optical manipulation and recently, for excitation in two-photon optogenetics. GPC typically results in a 3x intensified user defined input mask shape against a dark background. In this work, we emphasize GPC’s capability of optimal destructive interference, normally used to create the dark background surrounding the shaped light. We also study input parameters wherein the locations of light and darkness are interchanged with respect to typical GPC output, thus resulting to a well-defined structured darkness. The conditions that give destructive interference for the output are then applied to near-arbitrary shapes. Preliminary experimental results are presented using dynamic spatial light modulator to form scaled arbitrary darkness shapes. Supporting demonstrations that reverse the light and dark regions of amplitude-modulated input are also presented as a related case of structuring destructive interference. Our analysis and experimental demonstrations show a simplified approach in the generation of extended regions of destructive interference within coherent beams.

Uniaxial and/or biaxial crystals, because of their birefringent properties, can dramatically change the polarization of the light which travels through them. Based on that, crystals can be and have been used as a versatile tool to generate complex light with spatially structured phases and/or polarizations. To better understand the behavior of light in birefringent materials and to help design the components that generates complex light, we develop a spectrum-of-plane- wave based simulation technique which handles any kind of optical anisotropies. By using the technique in combination with a semi-analytical Fourier transformation, both high numerical efficiency and accuracy can be obtained simultaneously. With this technique we demonstrate several simulation examples, including the generation of single optical vortices using a uniaxial crystal, the generation of Bessel beam using a biaxial crystal, and the generation of a configurable optical bottle beam.

A cell is in constant interaction with its environment, it responds to external mechanical, chemical and biological signals. The response to these signals can be of various nature, for instance intra-cellular mechanical re-arrangements, cell-cell interactions, or cellular reinforcements. Optical methods are quite attractive for investigating the mechanics inside living cells as, e.g., optical traps are amongst the only nanotools that can reach and manipulate, measure forces, inside a living cell. In the recent years it has become increasingly evident that not only biochemical and biomolecular cues, but also that mechanical ones, play an important roles in stem cell differentiation. The first evidence for the importance of mechanical cues emerged from studies showing that substrate stiffness had an impact on stem cell differentiation. Recently, techniques such as optical tweezers and stretchers have been applied to stem cells, producing new insights into the role of mechanics in regulating renewal and differentiation. Here, we describe how optical tweezers and optical stretchers can be applied as a tool to investigate stem cell mechanics and some of the recent results to come out of this work.

Normally occurring charges on small particles provide a means to control the motion of the particles. Using a piezoelectric transducer to launch microparticles into a trap, we can vary particle-surface interactions to transfer charge to the particle via contact electrification. This allows more detailed studies of contact electrification itself as well generation of higher charge states for precision measurements of force or nonlinear dynamics using electric field modulation. In practice, particles may be repeatedly landed on the substrate and relaunched during loading. This leads to charge transfer so that the net charge on the polystyrene (PS) particle becomes sufficient to allow electrostatic forcing to drive ballistic motion over a range of displacement two orders of magnitude greater than thermal fluctuations. An increase in charge from 1000 to 3000 electrons is demonstrated and the induced motion of the trapped particle is accurately described using simple classical mechanics in phase space.

Spatially resolved spectroscopy of vortex beams is able to test the orbital angular momentum state of optical systems, to decode specific information or to sensitively indicate light-matter interactions. Spectral maps of ultrashort vortex pulses were studied experimentally and theoretically. Local spectra were detected by scanning with a spatially highly resolving fiber-coupled spectrometer. Characteristic distributions of spectral statistical moments were analyzed for ultra-broadband near-infrared pulses with pulse durations in few-cycle range. It is shown that the spectral moments can be used for improving the contrast of vortex recognition and localization as well as for the data transfer via orbital angular momentum maps. In combination with time-resolved wavefront data, a more complete characterization of dynamic vortices is feasible. Gouy phase effect and radial oscillatory behavior of spectral maps of vortex pulses are demonstrated. Further implications of the spatio-spectral information content for singular optics and related applications will be addressed.

We implement an SLM to generate laser beams of variable orbital angular momentum, also referred as Laguerre- Gaussian beams. Input beam polarization takes into account a local birefringence of each pixel of the SLM. We identify the beam polarization eigenstates allowing generate L-G beams of different order via matching variable birefringence of every separate pixels. Zero-order beam passing through the SLM can interact with a generated OAM beam to create an interference pattern. Experimental results demonstrate good agreement with simulations.

In this work, spiral phase lenses fabricated on the tip of single mode optical fibers are reported. This allows tailoring the fundamental guided mode, a Gaussian beam, into a Laguerre - Gaussian profile without using additional optical elements. The lenses are fabricated using Focused Ion Beam milling, enabling high resolution in the manufacturing process. The phase profiles are evaluated and validated using an implementation of the Finite Differences Time Domain. The output optical intensity profiles matching the numerical simulations are presented and analyzed. Finally, results on cell trapping and manipulation are briefly described.

We present modelings of high-order line singularities encoded in space-variant polarization of light. This involves calculating the line patterns produced by the superposition of light beams in orthogonal states of circular polarization, with each beam carrying an optical vortex, and where one of them is asymmetric. This setting allowed us to study the case of monstars of high order. We find that monstars can have positive or negative singularity indices, modifying the previous understanding of the pattern, which was based on the case of lowest-order C- points. Monstars then remain characterized only by their own unique feature: sectors with patterns of mostly curved lines that radiate from the center. Given this definition, we propose that the case where the index is +1 be classified as a monstar. We also found that the asymmetric modes contain kinks that appear in the C-lines of a distinct but related pattern that contains line orientation discontinuities.

In this contribution, we experimentally demonstrate a new type of spatial solitons arising from the mutual interaction of multiple two-dimensional Airy beams in a photorefractive nonlinear refractive index medium. Thereby, we combine two important concepts of optics: the fascinating accelerated Airy beams and nonlinear beam localization such as spatial soliton formation. We investigate the generation of this novel type of solitons and soliton pairs with respect to the number and phase relation of the superimposed Airy beams and support all experiments with comprehensive numerical simulations.

It is well-known that, in a homogeneous fluid medium, most optical means that afford discrimination between molecules of opposite handedness are intrinsically weak effects. The reason is simple: the wide variety of origins for differential response commonly feature real or virtual electronic transitions that break a parity condition. Despite being electric dipole allowed, they manifest the chirality of the material in which they occur by breaking a selection rule that would otherwise preclude the simultaneous involvement of magnetic dipole or electric quadrupole forms of coupling. Although the latter are typically weaker than electric dipole effects by several orders of magnitude, it is the involvement of these weak forms of interaction that are responsible for chiral sensitivity. There have been a number of attempts to cleverly exploit novel optical configurations to enhance the relative magnitude – and hence potentially the efficiency – of chiral discrimination. The prospect of success in any such venture is enticing, because of the huge impact that such an advance might be expected to have in the health, food and medical sectors. Some of these proposals have utilized mirror reflection, and others surface plasmon coupling, or optical binding methods. Several recent works in the literature have drawn attention to a further possibility: the deployment of optical beam interference as a means to achieve chiral separations of sizeable extent. In this paper the underlying theory is fully developed to identify the true scope and limitations of such an approach.

Small, fibre-based endoscopes have already improved our ability to image deep within the human body. A novel approach introduced recently utilised disordered light within a standard multimode optical fibre for lensless imaging. Importantly, this approach brought very significant reduction of the instruments footprint to dimensions below 100 μm. The most important limitations of this exciting technology is the lack of bending flexibility - imaging is only possible as long as the fibre remains stationary. The only route to allow flexibility of such endoscopes is in trading-in all the knowledge about the optical system we have, particularly the cylindrical symmetry of refractive index distribution. In perfect straight step-index cylindrical waveguides we can find optical modes that do not change their spatial distribution as they propagate through. In this paper we present a theoretical background that provides description of such modes in more realistic model of real-life step-index multimode fibre taking into account common deviations in distribution of the refractive index from its ideal step-index profile. Separately, we discuss how to include the influence of fibre bending.

Light transmission of Laguerre Gaussian (LG) vortex beams with different orbital angular momentum (OAM) values (L) in scattering beads and mouse brain tissue media were experimentally investigated for the first time in comparison with Gaussian (G) beams. The LG beams with different OAM were generated using a spatial light modulator (SLM) in reflection mode. The scattering beads media consist of various sizes and concentrations of latex beads in water solutions. The transmissions of LG and G beams through scattering beads and brain tissue media were measured with different ratios of sample thicknesses (z) to scattering mean free path (l_s) of the turbid media, z/l_s. The results indicate that within the ballistic region where z/l_s is small, the LG and G beams show no significant difference, while in the diffusive region where z/l_s is higher, the vortex beams show higher transmission than G beams. In the diffusive region, the LG beams with higher L values show higher transmission than the beams with lower L values due to the eigen channels in the media. The transition points from the ballistic to diffusive regions for different scattering beads and brain tissue media were studied.

Optical binding occurs in systems of both dielectric and metal particles and results in the formation of clusters and coupled dynamical behaviour. Optical binding between spherical particles has been long studied, but comparatively little work has appeared describing binding in lower symmetry systems. In this paper we discuss recent theoretical work and computer simulations of optical binding between nanowires in linearly polarised counter propagating beams.

The Dielectric Totally Internally Reflecting Concentrator (DTIRC) has been developed in the past for wireless infrared communications and solar energy applications. This paper proposes a novel non-imaging optic design based on the DTIRC family of concentrators for use in illumination applications. The novel optic can be integrated with a light emitting diode (LED) and can be tailored to meet specific requirements. The proposed optic can be used as a first or secondary optic to provide uniform illumination within a circular footprint with a desired radius. The results from this work show that, with the optimised DTIRC, it is possible to achieve a uniformity of illuminance of over 95%.

Tractor beams are traveling waves that transport illuminated objects in the retrograde direction relative to the direction of propagation. The theory of photokinetic effects identifies design criteria for long-range general- purpose tractor beams. These criteria distinguish first-order tractor beams that couple to induced dipole moments from higher-order tractor beams that rely on coupling to higher-order multipole moments to achieve pulling. First-order tractor beams are inherently longer-ranged and operate on a wider variety of materials. We explore the physics of first-order tractor beams in the context of a family of generalized solenoidal waves.

Arbitrary and variable beam shaping of femtosecond pulses by a computer-generated hologram (CGH) displayed on a spatial light modulator (SLM) have been applied to femtosecond laser processing. The holographic femtosecond laser processing has been widely used in many applications such as two-photon polymerization, optical waveguide fabrication, fabrication of volume phase gratings in polymers, and surface nanostructuring. A vector wave that has a spatial distribution of polarization states control of femtosecond pulses gives good performances for the femtosecond laser processing. In this paper, an in- system optimization of a CGH for massively-parallel femtosecond laser processing, a dynamic control of spatial spectral dispersion to improve the focal spot shape, and the holographic vector-wave femtosecond laser processing are demonstrated.

3D printing as a tool to generate complicated shapes from CAD files, on demand, with different materials from plastics to metals, is shortening product development cycles, enabling new design possibilities and can provide a mean to manufacture small volumes cost effectively. There are many technologies for 3D printing and the majority uses light in the process. In one process (Multi-jet modeling, polyjet, printoptical©), a printhead prints layers of ultra-violet curable liquid plastic. Here, each nozzle deposits the material, which is then flooded by a UV curing lamp to harden it. In another process (Stereolithography), a focused UV laser beam provides both the spatial localization and the photo-hardening of the resin. Similarly, laser sintering works with metal powders by locally melting the material point by point and layer by layer. When the laser delivers ultra-fast focused pulses, nonlinear effects polymerize the material with high spatial resolution. In these processes, light is either focused in one spot and the part is made by scanning it or the light is expanded and covers a wide area for photopolymerization. Hence a fairly “simple” light field is used in both cases. Here, we give examples of how “complex light” brings additional level of complexity in 3D printing.

Two-photon polymerization (2PP) has emerged as a powerful platform for processing three-dimensional microstructures with high resolution. Furthermore, by adding nanoparticles of different materials to the photopolymer the microstructures can be functionalized, e.g. magnetic or electric properties can be adjusted. However, to combine different functions within one microstructure or to manufacture complex microsystems, assembling techniques for multiple 2PP written building blocks are required. In this paper a qualitative approach for assembling microstructures utilizing optical forces is presented. Therefore, screw and nut shaped microstructures are produced by 2PP-technique and screwed together using a holographic optical tweezer (HOT). The interlocking structures are trapped and rotated into each other to cause connection. In this paper the used parameters and possible designs of the interlocking connection are discussed. These findings provide not only the assembling of building blocks to complex microstructures, rather different functionalized 2PP-microstructures can be combined by simply screwing them together with the use of optical forces.

Material transport is an important mechanism in microfluidics and drug delivery. The methods and solutions found in literature involve passively diffusing structures, microneedles and chemically fueled structures. In this work, we make use of optically actuated microtools with embedded metal layer as heating element for controlled loading and release. The new microtools take advantage of the photothermal-induced convection current to load and unload cargo. We also discuss some challenges encountered in realizing a self-contained polymerized microtool. Microfluidic mixing, fluid flow control and convection currents have been demonstrated both experimentally and numerically for static metal thin films or passively floating nanoparticles. Here we show an integration of aforementioned functionalities in an optically fabricated and actuated microtool. As proof of concept, we demonstrate loading and unloading of beads. This can be extended to controlled transport and release of genetic material, bio-molecules, fluorescent dyes. We envisioned these microtools to be an important addition to the portfolio of structure-mediated contemporary biophotonics.

Photo-induced force microscopy (PiFM) is a new scan probe method that enables imaging with spectroscopic contrast at the nanoscale. The operating principle of PiFM is based on the coupling between a sharp atomic tip and a polarizable object, as mediated by the electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the tip-sample junction. In this contribution, we develop a description of the photo-induced force in the limit where the tip and object can be approximated as dipoles. This description provides an insightful picture of the forces at play in the tip-sample junction in terms of the gradient and scattering forces. We consider various approximations that are relevant to experimental conditions. The theoretical approach described here successfully explains the previous spectroscopic PiFM measurements in the visible and in the near-IR range, and the anticipated spectral information that can be retrieved under mid infrared illumination.