Search results for " Optics"

The NEXT Project: Towards Production and Investigation of Neutron-Rich Heavy Nuclides

2022

The heaviest actinide elements are only accessible in accelerator-based experiments on a one-atom-at-a-time level. Usually, fusion–evaporation reactions are applied to reach these elements. However, access to the neutron-rich isotopes is limited. An alternative reaction mechanism to fusion–evaporation is multinucleon transfer, which features higher cross-sections. The main drawback of this technique is the wide angular distribution of the transfer products, which makes it challenging to catch and prepare them for precision measurements. To overcome this obstacle, we are building the NEXT experiment: a solenoid magnet is used to separate the different transfer products and to focus those of …

Solid phase extraction materials as a key for improving the accuracy of silver nanoparticle characterization with single-particle inductively coupled…

2022

The accurate characterization of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in environmental samples is crucial for understanding the potential impact of these materials on the environment and human health. Single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) is one of the few techniques available for quantifying NPs at environmentally relevant concentrations. However, the spICP-MS detection of Ag NPs can be interfered with coexisting dissolved analyte causing high background signals, which mask NP signals leading to a significant bias in NP characterization. In this paper, a simple sample pre-treatment procedure for efficient removal of dissolved silver in natural waters is proposed …

Obituary in memory of Prof. Franco Persico

2017

Generation of programmable 3D optical vortex structures through devil’s vortex-lens arrays

2013

Different spatial distributions of optical vortices have been generated and characterized by implementing arrays of devil's vortex lenses in a reconfigurable spatial light modulator. A simple design procedure assigns the preferred position and topological charge value to each vortex in the structure, tuning the desired angular momentum. Distributions with charges and momenta of the opposite sign have been experimentally demonstrated. The angular velocity exhibited by the phase distribution around the focal plane has been visualized, showing an excellent agreement with the simulations. The practical limits of the method, with interest for applications involving particle transfer and manipula…

Quantum memories with zero-energy Majorana modes and experimental constraints

2016

In this work we address the problem of realizing a reliable quantum memory based on zero-energy Majorana modes in the presence of experimental constraints on the operations aimed at recovering the information. In particular, we characterize the best recovery operation acting only on the zero-energy Majorana modes and the memory fidelity that can be therewith achieved. In order to understand the effect of such restriction, we discuss two examples of noise models acting on the topological system and compare the amount of information that can be recovered by accessing either the whole system, or the zero-modes only, with particular attention to the scaling with the size of the system and the e…

Optical tomography from focus

2007

A model and a method providing a 3D reconstruction of a given translucent object from a series of image acquisitions performed with various focus tunings is proposed. The object is imaged by transmission; refraction, reflection and diffusion effects are neglected. It is modeled as a stack of translucent parallel slices and the acquisition process can be described by a set of linear equations. We propose an efficient inversion technique with O(n) complexity, allowing practical applications with a simple laptop computer in a very reasonable time. Examples of results obtained with a simulated 3D translucent object are presented and discussed.

Frontal Electroencephalogram Alpha Asymmetry during Mental Stress Related to Workplace Noise

2021

This study aims to investigate the effects of workplace noise on neural activity and alpha asymmetries of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during mental stress conditions. Workplace noise exposure is a pervasive environmental pollutant and is negatively linked to cognitive effects and selective attention. Generally, the stress theory is assumed to underlie the impact of noise on health. Evidence for the impacts of workplace noise on mental stress is lacking. Fifteen healthy volunteer subjects performed the Montreal imaging stress task in quiet and noisy workplaces while their brain activity was recorded using electroencephalography. The salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) was measured before and immedi…

Laser illumination designs for snapshot multi-spectral-line imaging

2019

For multi-spectral imaging, both acquisition time of the spectral image set and the spectral bandwidth of each image have to be minimized. Ultimate performance can be achieved if the set of monochromatic (single-wavelength) spectral images is obtained with a single snapshot — a technique provisionally called "snapshot multi-spectral-line imaging" or SMSLI. Using contemporary RGB colour cameras, up to three spectral line images can be extracted from a snapshot image data cube at specific illumination that comprises only three spectral lines, each of them positioned within one of the detection bands (R, G or B) [1]. Techniques able to provide more spectral line images are under development, a…

Microvascular blood flow changes of the abductor pollicis brevis muscle during sustained static exercise

2021

A practical assessment of the general health and microvascular function of the palm muscle, abductor pollicis brevis (APB), is important for the diagnosis of different conditions. In this study, we have developed a protocol and a probe to study microvascular blood flow using near-infrared diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) in APB during and after thumb abduction at 55% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Near-infrared time resolved spectroscopy (TRS) was also used to characterize the baseline optical and hemodynamic properties. Thirteen (n=13) subjects were enrolled and subdivided in low MVC (N=6, MVC<2.3 kg) and high MVC (N=7, MVC≥2.3 kg) groups. After ruling out significant cha…

Validity and Reliability of an Instrumented Treadmill with an Accelerometry System for Assessment of Spatio-Temporal Parameters and Impact Transmissi…

2021

Running retraining programs focused on concurrent feedback of acceleration impacts have been demonstrated to be a good strategy to reduce running-related injuries (RRI), as well as to improve running economy and reduce acceleration impacts and injury running incidence. Traditionally, impacts have been registered by mean of accelerometers attached directly to the athletes, which is inaccessible to the entire population, because it requires laboratory conditions. This study investigated the validity and reliability of a new device integrated directly into the treadmill, compared to a traditional acceleration impact system. Thirty healthy athletes with no history of RRI were tested on two sepa…