This PDF file contains the front matter associated with SPIE Proceedings Volume 10455, including the Title Page, Copyright information, Table of Contents, Introduction (if any), and Conference Committee listing.

Biometrics is a technique for automatic recognition of a person based on physiological or behavior characteristics. Since the characteristics used are unique, biometrics can create a direct link between a person and identity, based on variety of characteristics. The human face is one of the most important biometric modalities for automatic authentication. The most popular method of face recognition which relies on processing of visual information seems to be imperfect. Thermal infrared imagery may be a promising alternative or complement to visible range imaging due to its several reasons. This paper presents an approach of combining both methods.

In the paper a numerical analysis of optical sensors based on multimode interference in planar one-dimensional step-index configuration is presented. The structure consists in single-mode input and output waveguides and multimode waveguide which guide only few modes. Material parameters discussed refer to a SU8 polymer waveguide on SiO₂ substrate. The optical system described will be designed to the analysis of biological substances.

We perform a numerical analysis of mid-infrared photoluminescence emitted by praseodymium (III) doped chalcogenide selenide glass pumped at near-infrared wavelengths. The results obtained show that an effective inversion of level populations can be achieved using both 1480 nm and 1595 nm laser diodes. The rate of the spontaneous emission achieved when pumping at 1480 nm and 1595 nm is comparable to this achieved using the standard pumping wavelength of 2040 nm.

Interband cascade type-II mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) InAs/GaSb superlattice (T2SL) detector in room temperature (300 K) is investigated. A single stage in the cascade is a double heterostructure with the absorber sandwiched between electron and hole barriers. The absorber region is non-intentionally doped and is made of MWIR 9ML InAs/9ML GaSb T2SL. At low temperatures structure has a residual doping of p-type, but at room temperature the SL is n-type with n(300K) = 10¹⁶cm^-3. In this article we calculate dark current being treated as a sum of two currents: average bulk current and average leakage current, flowing through the device. Average bulk current is theoretically calculated, while the average leakage current results from a comparison of theoretically estimated bulk current and measured one. We show that it is possible to fit theoretical model to experimental data, assuming that transport in absorber region is determined by the dynamics of the intrinsic carriers. Based on the fit we estimated carrier lifetime equal about 100 ns at temperature 300 K.

In this paper a two liquid crystal (LC) modulators for mid-wave infrared radiation (MWIR) are presented. A two electrooptical effects (EOE) in liquid crystalline structures have been utilized for MWIR modulation: electric field induced cholesteric - nematic (Ch-N*) phase transition (ChN mode) and switching of the twisted-nematic (TN) structure (TN mode). At the Ch-N* mode an intensity modulation depth was of order of 15% but there wasn’t a dark state. In case of the modulation induced at TN mode was near full. These modulators are quite slow, switching times are order of a few hundreds of milliseconds for Ch-N* mode electrooptical effect and dozens of minutes in case of TN mode.

In this work we compare two superlattices: InAs/GaSb (sample A) and InAs/InAsSb (sample B). Both samples were grown in MBE VIGO/ MUT laboratory on 2 inch (001) GaAs substrate using MBE technique. We characterized quality and thickness of the samples using three methods: photoluminescence, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman scattering. Period of superlattice layers was obtained using Raman scattering and XRD measurements. For sample A it was equal 5.3 nm and 4.76 nm for InAs and GaSb layers respectively, for sample B 8.3 nm and 9.4 nm. Photoluminescence spectrum for sample A exhibits two peaks: band gap peak at 0.5 eV and deep state peak at 0.25 eV. Spectrum for sample B consists of one band gap peak at 0.17 eV.

The article presents the construction off a non-contact integrated optical sensor for property protection, with particular emphasis on artwork. The optical sensor described in the paper represents thee programmable and non-contact optical device designed based on a miniature video camera. The video camera used in the sensor was integrated with a high-speed video processing unit. In dangerous situations (during movement of artwork), the sensor generates an alert signal. Object movement is detected based on analysis of variability of a small part of the image of the artwork, which is remembered only inside the sensor during the arming procedure. The described optical sensor determines object movement inn 3D space with the use of a dedicated camera, hardware image processing unit and laser illuminator. The alert signal can be sent to any end point device using Ethernet infrastructures, GSSM or local wireless communication.

In the article we presented results obtained during research, which are the continuation of work on the use of artificial neural networks to determine the relationship between the view of the membrane and the stroke volume of the blood chamber of the mechanical prosthetic heart. The purpose of the research was to increase the accuracy of determining the blood chamber volume. Therefore, the study was focused on the technique of the features that the image extraction gives. During research we used the wavelet transform. The achieved results were compared to the results obtained by other previous methods. Tests were conducted on the same mechanical prosthetic heart model used in previous experiments.

The article presents the method of encoding a laser beam for control systems. The experiments were performed using a red laser emitting source with a wavelength of λ = 650 nm and a power of P ≈ 3 mW. The aim of the study was to develop methods of modulation and demodulation of the laser beam. Results of research, in which we determined the effect of selected camera parameters, such as image resolution, number of frames per second on the result of demodulation of optical signal, is also shown in the paper. The experiments showed that the adopted coding method provides sufficient information encoded in a single laser beam (36 codes with the effectiveness of decoding at 99.9%).

In the paper the research results, which are a continuation of work on the use of image processing techniques to determine the membrane shape of an artificial ventricle, were presented. The studies focused on developing a technique for measuring the accuracy of the membrane shape mapping. It is important to ensure the required accuracy of determining the instantaneous stroke volume of a controlled pneumatic artificial ventricular. Experiments were carried out on the following type of membrane models: convex, flat and concave. The purpose of the research was to obtain a numerical indicator, which will be used to evaluate the options to improve mapping techniques of thee shape of the membrane.

Biometrics is a science that studies and analyzes physical structure of a human body and behaviour of people. Biometrics found many applications ranging from border control systems, forensics systems for criminal investigations to systems for access control. Unique identifiers, also referred to as modalities are used to distinguish individuals. One of the most common and natural human identifiers is a face. As a result of decades of investigations, face recognition achieved high level of maturity, however recognition in visible spectrum is still challenging due to illumination aspects or new ways of spoofing. One of the alternatives is recognition of face in different parts of light spectrum, e.g. in infrared spectrum. Thermal infrared offer new possibilities for human recognition due to its specific properties as well as mature equipment. In this paper we present the scheme of subject’s verification methodology by using facial images in thermal range. The study is focused on the local feature extraction methods and on the similarity metrics. We present comparison of two local texture-based descriptors for thermal 1-to-1 face recognition.

The paper reports on the long-wave (λ_c = 8.05−11 μm) HgCdTe (Cd composition, x_Cd = 0.17−0.2) infrared detector for ultra short response time operating for unbiased condition and room temperature (300 K). The optimal structure in terms of the short response time versus device architecture was shown. The response time of the long-wave (x_Cd = 0.17−0.2) HgCdTe detector for 300 K was calculated at the level of τ_s ~ 400−440 ns for zero bias condition and lack of the extra series resistance. It was presented that extra series resistance related to the processing (in the range ~ 0−20 Ω) extends response time within the range τ_s ~ 650−800 ps for active layer x_Cd = 0.2.

Nitrogen-vacancy (N-V) centers are the most widely studied crystallographic defect in the diamond lattice since their presence causes strong and stable fluorescence. The negative charge state of the defect (NV-) is especially desired because of its potential for quantum information processing. In this study, fluorescent suspensions of diamond particles have been produced by microbead-assisted ultrasonic disintegration of commercially obtained diamond powder containing N-V color centers. Zirconium dioxide ZrO₂ was chosen as an abrasive and a mixture of deionized water and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was used as a solvent. Raman spectrum of the starting material has been obtained and the resulting liquids have been measured in terms of photoluminescence. Moreover, thin layer of the diamond particles has been deposited on a silicon substrate and examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). During the course of the experiment a new method, which uses sodium chloride NaCl as an abrasive, has been proposed. The results of fluorescence measurements of the suspension prepared using this technique are highly promising.

In this work we compare two InAs/GaSb superlattice samples grown in MBE VIGO/MUT laboratory on 2 inch (001) GaAs substrate, using MBE technique. Both samples have the same architecture, however their growth processes were conducted at different temperatures. For sample A the growth temperature was equal 668 K (395°C), for sample B 588 K (315°C). Photoluminescence measurements were performed at 30 K. For sample A there is no photoluminescence signal, while spectrum for sample B consists of two peaks: bandgap peak at 0.5 eV and deep state peak at 0.25 eV. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements indicate that sample A has better crystallographic quality than sample B. Raman spectra consists of low energy peaks (20-100 cm^-1) which confirm the existence of superlattice for both samples [4]. Additionally, for sample A there are peaks related to Sb precipitates. It suggests that except the InAs/GaSb superlattice there is an additional Sb layer which may disturb band structure of superlattice and cause the disappearance of photoluminescence for sample A.

Solutions in the field of virtual reality are very strongly associated with optoelectronic technologies. This applies to both process design and operation of VR applications. Technologies such as 360 cameras and 3D scanners significantly improve the design work. What is more, HMD displays with high field of view or optoelectronic Motion Capture systems and 3D cameras guarantee an extraordinary experience in immersive VR applications. This article reviews selected technologies from the perspective of their use in a broadly defined process of creating and implementing solutions for virtual reality. There is also the ability to create, modify and adapt new approaches that show team own work (SteamVR tracker). Most of the introduced examples are effectively used by authors to create different VR applications. The use of optoelectronic technology in virtual reality is presented in terms of design and operation of the system as well as referring to specific applications. Designers and users of VR systems should take a close look on new optoelectronics solutions, as they can significantly contribute to increased work efficiency and offer completely new opportunities for virtual world reception.

This study is a preliminary evaluation of the effectivenes of laser-based surgery of maxillary and mandibular bone in dogs. Current methods of gingivial surgery in dogs require the use of general anaesthesia.^{1, 2} The proposed methods of laser surgery can be performed on conscious dogs, which substantially reduces the associated risks. Two choices of lasers, Nd:YAG and a 930 nm semiconductor lasers were evaluated. The former is already widely used in human laser surgery, while the latter provides an opportunity of decreasing the size of the optical setup. The results obtained from the simulations warrant further experiments with the evaluated wavelengths and animal tissue samples.

This paper raises two questions concerning guiding properties of silica-titania rib waveguides. The first one is a relationship between silica-titania rib waveguides morphological parameters and their single mode operation regime. A set of these parameters includes rib height t, width w and a thickness h of a parent slab waveguide. It was shown that if a parent slab waveguide thickness is equal or higher to the value which maximizes homogeneous sensitivity of a fundamental TM mode then, depending on a value of rib width, there can be single or double range of rib height values for which the rib waveguide is single modal for quasi-TM modes. The second issue concerns an analysis of a magnitude of bend losses. It was shown that a magnitude of bend losses in silica-titania rib waveguides can be small enough allowing their application in designing of planar integrated optical circuits. The magnitude of bend losses is significantly decreased when slab waveguides adjacent the rib are cut-off.

Uniformity of display luminance and color is important for comfort and good perception of the information presented on the display. Although display technology has developed and improved a lot over the past years, different types of displays still present a challenge in selected applications, e.g. in medical use or in case of multi-screen installations. A simplified 9-point method of determining uniformity does not always produce satisfactory results, so a different solution is proposed in the paper. The developed system consists of the large-format X-Y-Z ISEL scanner (isel Germany AG), Konica Minolta high sensitivity spot photometer-colorimeter (e.g. CS-200, Konica Minolta, Inc.) and PC computer. Dedicated software in LabView environment for control of the scanner, transfer the measured data to the computer, and visualization of measurement results was also prepared. Based on the developed setup measurements of plasma display and LCD-LED display were performed. A heavily wornout plasma TV unit, with several artifacts visible was selected. These tests show the advantages and drawbacks of described scanning method with comparison with 9-point simplified uniformity determining method.

The paper presents numerical analysis of integrated optics structure in the form of planar waveguide based on polymer material (SU-8) with additional cover layer based on wide band gap oxide semiconductor – zinc oxide (ZnO). The theoretical studies of integrated optics structure presented in the paper was focused on determination of waveguide properties such as: modal field distribution and effective refractive index N_eff as a function of optical and geometrical properties of waveguide and cover layer. The theoretical studies presented in the paper was carried out for two type of planar waveguide structure: without additional cover layer and with additional cover layer based on ZnO. The second part of the paper presents experimental results focused on technology of a single mode planar waveguide based on SU-8 polymer.

Thromboembolic complications are one of the major problems in mechanical heart support of patients suffering from critical heart failure. The goal of the study was to present and discuss methodology of non-invasive assessment of embolization in rotary blood pumps. The study was carried out based on power consumption trend analysis as well as spectral analysis of acoustic signal produced by the pump during its operation. It has been demonstrated that the trend of power rising and presence of 3^rd harmonic in acoustic spectrum corresponds to the clinical symptoms of pump embolization.

The paper presents an analysis of spectral interference in silicon-on-insulator (SIO) planar waveguide structures. The analysis was performed for the wavelength range of 1540nm-1560nm. The TE₀ and TM₀ orthogonal modes which propagate in this wavelength range are considered. At the output of the system, an interference signal behind a polarizer can be recorded. If a spectrometer is used as a detector, the recorded signal is a function of the wavelength. Change in the propagation conditions results in a change of the recorded signal shape.

In this paper graft copolymer of poly(3-hexylthiophene) and poly(ethylene) glycol on the polymethylsiloxane core are investigated as a receptor material for resistance gas sensor. Sensor response to 5 ppm of NO₂ and its recovery after the interaction with NO₂ are studied at different conditions: room temperature (RT), RT with ultraviolet (UV) radiation and at elevated temperature (50 °C). Results shows that sensor regeneration occurred faster at RT with UV than at 50 °C in dark conditions. The sensor response at RT is also higher than at 50 °C. The mixed operation conditions, namely dark conditions for adsorption and UV for desorption, provides high sensor response (3590% for 5 ppm of NO₂) and relatively good regeneration (250% deviation from base-line after 30 min). Thanks to this investigated graft copolymers are promising receptor materials for chemical NO₂ sensors operating at RT.

Saturated hydrocarbons are mainly nontoxic, but as extremely flammable gases forming explosive mixtures with air. The Lower Explosive Level (LEL) for methane is 4.4%, which is very dangerous in the mining industry. Methane is also an asphyxiant gas causing coma or death. Therefore, continuous monitoring of the hydrocarbons concentration is very important. Optoelectronic methods are very attractive for this application, especially nondispersive infrared (NDIR) technique. It enables a direct, fast, and selective measurement of different gas concentrations. NDIR sensors have many advantages, which make them very promising for use as hydrocarbon detectors. Despite a lot of benefits, common used NDIR sensors have some disadvantages. They need periodic calibration and have limited detection range, from ~100ppm. These parameters can be improved thanks to modernization detection scheme and use of newest IR sources and detectors. During Analyses selected IR sources and detectors were taken into account. Absorption spectra of analyzed hyrdrocarbons were studied to minimize impact interfering gases like carbon dioxide and water.

We report on fabrication of a new type high birefringent microstructured polymer fiber with a PMMA stress applied element in the core. An inner part of preform consists regular three rings of holes, made by drilling method. Inside the microstructure we drilled an additional hole, where a special type – strongly stressed PMMA rod was placed. The manufactured preform was measured in an polarimetric microscope configuration where we observed very large internal stresses - especially seen in a core area.

In presented study a thin boron-doped diamond film was proposed for application in the interferometry as a highly durable optical mirror. The unique properties of the diamond films, like high chemical stability and hardness, allow them to be used even in the chemically aggressive environment, where the commonly used silver mirrors can be susceptible to damage. The investigated nanodiamond layer was fabricated by uPE CVD method on a glass plate and the boron concentration in the gas phase was 7500 ppm. The mirror made from this layer was exposed to several corrosive acids and then the optical properties and surface quality of the film was examined by optical microscopy. To further evaluate the performance of the proposed mirror, it was placed in a fiber optic Fabry-Pѐrot interferometer and the quality of the detected spectra was also analyzed. Performed measurements allow us to conclude that the thin film diamond mirror is well suited for the application in the optical interferometer and it ensures high resistance to the harsh environmental conditions.

This article presents results of research on an optical fiber current sensor with external conversion (OFCS-EC), which was presented in article [1]. In this article the research is concentrated on an analysis of the sensor toward its application in power protection automation systems. For this purpose a busbar, designed for an operation in a current range up to 200 A, was selected. Such basbars are used in low voltage electric substations. A proper orientation of the OFCS-EC sensor head was chosen basing on calculations of a spatial magnetic field distribution round the busbar. Measurements were carried out in laboratory conditions. The sensor was placed in an alternating magnetic field generated by an air magnetic coil. A value of magnetic field induction generated in the coil corresponded to conditions round the busbar for given intensity of electric current conducting in it. Investigations presented in this paper are focused on checking whether a response signal of the OFCS-EC in conditions corresponding to the ones prevailing in an industrial environment. The results of these investigations have proven linearity of a response signal. Uncertainty of measurements of electric current was 18 A for current effective value 200 A.

The paper presents some aspects of approach to construct an optical detection system for laser absorption sensing. These aspects concern a designing procedure of the system, starting with a photodetector, preamplifier, and ending with a signal processing. There is also discussed a project of integrated preamplifier which can be applied in Cavity Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy (CEAS). In the preamplifier, boxcar method was implemented using integrated circuit (IC) of switched integrator and a special synchronous block. Taking into account an idea of CEAS operation, selected methods of the exponential signal analyzing are described and tested. The main task of the methods is to determine decay time of this signal. The results of these tests make it possible to define some virtues of the designed boxcar technique that could be useful in CEAS sensing instrument.

The preliminary results of quantitative mobility spectrum analysis of highly iodine-doped Hg_0,685Cd_0,315Te and arsenicdoped Hg_0,827Cd_0,173Te for the 5 – 300 K temperature range have been presented. Electron mobilities for the samples made by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition technique have been compared with the available literature data.

This work presents an investigation on conductive graft comb copolymer like SILPEG CH9 with carbon materials like graphite oxide or reduced graphite oxide. Morphology and optical properties like sample roughness, graphite oxide particles distribution, optical transmittance were measured of obtained thin films deposited on glass substrate using spin coating method. The study showed that obtained thin films are repeatable, convenient to process, and their parameters can be easy changed by the spin rate regulation during the deposition. Given results shows the possibility of using such polymer blend in the implementation of organic photovoltaic cells and different optoelectronics applications.

Most of the HgCdTe infrared detectors are fabricated by mesa geometry using a wet chemical or plasma etching techniques. The mesa definition etch process induces undesirable changes in HgCdTe surface properties. In narrow bandgap materials these surface changes could deteriorate a device performance. Uncontrolled band bending occurred on the slopes of the active layer increase of the recombination velocity causing surface leakage current which is a serious problem that affects infrared detectors. Adequate passivation is essential to minimize the effects from the surface states by saturating them. The HgCdTe barrier detectors were investigated for unpassivated and passivated devices. For the unpassivated structure the experimental value of J_bulk (at -0.2 V bias and a temperature of 200 K) was found at the level of 52% of the total dark current for devices with large diameters (500 μm). In the case of detectors with small diameters, the dark current is dominated by the surface leakage current. For a detector with a diameter of 200 μm, the bulk current consists only 28% of the total dark current. After passivation the level of bulk current increase to 58% in cause of 200 μm diameter and almost 75% in cause of large diameter.

In this paper I report the preparation and characterisation of an improved hydrogen gas sensor with a better sensitivity, using an amorphous thin WO₃ film covered Pd film. Using a very sensitive optical sensing technique, such as the interference phenomena and a special configuration of the sensing structure were obtained interested results showing the influence of H₂ gas on the optical sensor response. I present the design and results for an interferometric fiber optic hydrogen gas sensor, the Intrinsic Fabry-Perot Interferometer (IFPI), which uses the changing properties of layered interferometric sensing structure Pd/WO₃ to detect hydrogen gas concentrations in the 500 – 2,000 ppm in synthetic dry air, with the working temperature at 80 °C in the presence of CH₄.

In this paper, we present our studies on electrical and thermal tuning of light propagation in waveguide channels, made for the scope from a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate infiltrated with nematic liquid crystal (LC). We demonstrated, via numerical simulations, the changes of the waveguide optical parameters when solicited by temperature changes or electric fields. Moreover, the paper goes through the fabrication process of a waveguide channel sample and its characterization, as well as some preliminary experimental trials of sputtering indium tin oxide (ITO) and chromium layers on PDMS substrate to obtain flat electrodes.

A network of photonic CO₂ sensors based on distributed sensing elements that are spread around the tested ecosystem area is proposed. Each of the sensing elements is connected to a wireless network with adjacent sensing elements and a base station that collects, archives, and analyzes results of measurements. The sensing element includes a CO₂ sensor module for data transmission as well as power supply module that analyzes speed and direction of flow of the air mass within the specified measurement point.