|
|
Angeluts, A. A., Bezotosnyi, V. V., Cheshev, E. A., Goltsman, G. N., Finkel, M. I., Seliverstov, S. V., et al. (2014). Compact 1.64 THz source based on a dual-wavelength diode end-pumped Nd:YLF laser with a nearly semiconfocal cavity. Laser Phys. Lett., 11(1), 015004 (1 to 4).
Abstract: We describe a compact dual-wavelength (1.047 and 1.053 μm) diode end-pumped Q-switched Nd:YLE laser source which has a number of applications in demand. In order to achieve its dual-wavelength operation it is suggested for the first time to use essentially nonmonotonous dependences of the threshold pump powers at these wavelengths on the cavity length in the region of the cavity semiconfocal configuration under a radius of the pump beam smaller than the radius of the zero Gaussian mode. Here we demonstrate one of the most interesting applications for this laser: difference frequency generation in a GaSe crystal at a frequency of 1.64 THz. A superconducting hot-electron bolometer is used to detect the THz power generated and to measure its pulse characteristics.
|
|
|
|
Galin, M. A., Klushin, A. M., Kurin, V. V., Seliverstov, S. V., Finkel, M. I., Goltsman, G. N., et al. (2015). Towards local oscillators based on arrays of niobium Josephson junctions. Supercond. Sci. Technol., 28(5), 055002 (1 to 7).
Abstract: Various applications in the field of terahertz technology are in urgent need of compact, wide-tunable solid-state continuous wave radiation sources with a moderate power. However, satisfactory solutions for the THz frequency range are scarce yet. Here we report on coherent radiation from a large planar array of Josephson junctions (JJs) in the frequency range between 0.1 and 0.3 THz. The external resonator providing the synchronization of JJ array is identified as a straight fragment of a single-strip-line containing the junctions themselves. We demonstrate a prototype of the quasioptical heterodyne receiver with the JJ array as a local oscillator and a hot-electron bolometer mixer.
|
|
|
|
Gayduchenko, I. A., Fedorov, G. E., Moskotin, M. V., Yagodkin, D. I., Seliverstov, S. V., Goltsman, G. N., et al. (2018). Manifestation of plasmonic response in the detection of sub-terahertz radiation by graphene-based devices. Nanotechnol., 29(24), 245204 (1 to 8).
Abstract: We report on the sub-terahertz (THz) (129-450 GHz) photoresponse of devices based on single layer graphene and graphene nanoribbons with asymmetric source and drain (vanadium and gold) contacts. Vanadium forms a barrier at the graphene interface, while gold forms an Ohmic contact. We find that at low temperatures (77 K) the detector responsivity rises with the increasing frequency of the incident sub-THz radiation. We interpret this result as a manifestation of a plasmonic effect in the devices with the relatively long plasmonic wavelengths. Graphene nanoribbon devices display a similar pattern, albeit with a lower responsivity.
|
|
|
|
Iomdina, E. N., Goltsman, G. N., Seliverstov, S. V., Sianosyan, A. A., Teplyakova, K. O., & Rusova, A. A. (2016). Study of transmittance and reflectance spectra of the cornea and the sclera in the THz frequency range. J. Biomed. Opt., 21(9), 97002 (1 to 5).
Abstract: An adequate water balance (hydration extent) is one of the basic factors of normal eye function, including its external shells: the cornea and the sclera. Adequate control of corneal and scleral hydration is very important for early diagnosis of a variety of eye diseases, stating indications for and contraindications against keratorefractive surgeries and the choice of contact lens correction solutions. THz systems of creating images in reflected beams are likely to become ideal instruments of noninvasive control of corneal and scleral hydration degrees. This paper reports on the results of a study involving transmittance and reflectance spectra for the cornea and the sclera of rabbit and human eyes, as well as those of the rabbit eye, in the frequency range of 0.13 to 0.32 THz. The dependence of the reflectance coefficient of these tissues on water mass percentage content was determined. The experiments were performed on three corneas, three rabbit scleras, two rabbit eyes, and three human scleras. The preliminary results demonstrate that the proposed technique, based on the use of a continuous THz radiation, may be utilized to create a device for noninvasive control of corneal and scleral hydration, which has clear potential of broad practical application.
Keywords: BWO, IMPATT diode, Schottky diode, medicine, animals, cornea, physiology, humans, rabbits, sclera diagnostic imaging, physiology
|
|
|
|
Iomdina, E. N., Seliverstov, S. V., Sianosyan, A. A., Teplyakova, K. O., Rusova, A. A., & Goltsman, G. N. (2018). Terahertz scanning for evaluation of corneal and scleral hydration. STM, 10(4), 143–149.
Abstract: The aim of the investigation was to study the prospects of using continuous THz scanning of the cornea and the sclera to determine water concentration in these tissues and on the basis of the obtained data to develop the experimental installation for monitoring corneal and scleral hydration degree.Materials and Methods. To evaluate corneal and scleral transmittance and reflectance spectra in the THz range, the developed experimental installations were used to study 3 rabbit corneas and 3 scleras, 2 whole rabbit eyes, and 3 human scleras. Besides, two rabbit eyes were studied in vivo prior to keratorefractive surgery as well as 10 and 21 days following the surgery (LASIK).Results. There have been created novel experimental installations enabling in vitro evaluation of frequency dependence of corneal and scleral transmittance coefficients and reflectance coefficients on water percentage in the THz range. Decrease in corneal water content by 1% was found to lead to reliably established decrease in the reflected signal by 13%. The reflectance spectrum of the whole rabbit eye was measured in the range of 0.13–0.32 THz. The study revealed the differences between the indices of rabbit cornea and sclera, as well as rabbit and human sclera. There was developed a laboratory model of the installation for in vivo evaluation of corneal and scleral hydration using THz radiation.Conclusion. The preliminary findings show that the proposed technique based on the use of continuous THz radiation can be employed to create a device for noninvasive control of corneal and scleral hydration.
|
|
|
|
Iomdina, E. N., Seliverstov, S. V., Teplyakova, K. O., Jani, E. V., Pozdniakova, V. V., Polyakova, O. N., et al. (2021). Terahertz scanning of the rabbit cornea with experimental UVB-induced damage: in vivo assessment of hydration and its verification. J. Biomed. Opt., 26(4).
Abstract: SIGNIFICANCE: Water content plays a vital role in the normally functioning visual system; even a minor disruption in the water balance may be harmful. Today, no direct method exists for corneal hydration assessment, while it could be instrumental in early diagnosis and control of a variety of eye diseases. The use of terahertz (THz) radiation, which is highly sensitive to water content, appears to be very promising. AIM: To find out how THz scanning parameters of corneal tissue measured by an experimental setup, specially developed for in vivo contactless estimations of corneal reflectivity coefficient (RC), are related to pathological changes in the cornea caused by B-band ultraviolet (UVB) exposure. APPROACH: The setup was tested on rabbit eyes in vivo. Prior to the course of UVB irradiation and 1, 5, and 30 days after it, a series of examinations of the corneal state was made. At the same time points, corneal hydration was assessed by measuring RC. RESULTS: The obtained data confirmed the negative impact of UVB irradiation course on the intensity of tear production and on the corneal thickness and optical parameters. A significant (1.8 times) increase in RC on the 5th day after the irradiation course, followed by a slight decrease on the 30th day after it was revealed. The RC increase measured 5 days after the UVB irradiation course generally corresponded to the increase (by a factor of 1.3) of tear production. RC increase occurred with the corneal edema, which was manifested by corneal thickening (by 18.2% in the middle area and 17.6% in corneal periphery) and an increased volume of corneal tissue (by 17.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that the proposed approach can be used for in vivo contactless estimation of the reflectivity of rabbit cornea in the THz range and, thereby, of cornea hydration.
|
|
|
|
Neroev, V. V., Iomdina, E. N., Khandzhyan, A. T., Khodzhabekyan, N. V., Sengaeva, M. D., Ivanova, A. V., et al. (2021). Experimental study of the effect of corneal hydration and its biomechanical properties on the results of photorefractive keratectomy. Vestn. Oftalmol., 137(3), 68–75.
Abstract: Water content in the cornea may affect the outcome of its excimer laser ablation, especially in presbyopic patients with myopic refraction. This hypothesis can be tested by scanning the cornea in the terahertz (THz) range to determine its hydration level.
Purpose: To study the effect of hydration of the cornea determined by non-contact THz scanning and its biomechanical parameters on the results of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in an experiment.
Material and methods: PRK was performed using the Nidek EC-5000 QUEST excimer laser on 8 rabbit eyes. Corneal hydration was evaluated by determining the reflection coefficient (RC) in the THz electromagnetic radiation range before PRK, after 3-5 days, and after 1, 2, 3, and 4 months. Clinical examination included autorefractometry, assessment of corneal thickness and other anatomical and optical parameters of the anterior eye segment (Galilei G6, Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG 6.0.2, Switzerland), measurement of corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) using the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA; Reichert, USA), as well as tear production (Schirmer test).
Results: The initial water content in the cornea has a significant effect on the thickness of the removed layer, i.e. on the PRK effect, with correlation coefficient of Rs= -0.976 (p<0.01). The correlation between CH and the ablation depth is less pronounced (Rs=0.643), and CRF had no correlation with it (Rs= -0.089). Biomechanical indicators of the cornea depend on its hydration: changes in CH and CRF after excimer laser ablation qualitatively coincide with changes in RC, the correlation coefficient between RC and the initial value of CH is R= -0.619 (moderate negative correlation).
Conclusion: THz scanning is an effective non-contact technology for monitoring corneal hydration level. The mismatch of the hypoeffect of keratorefractive excimer laser intervention planned for patients with presbyopia with the actual outcome can be caused by individual decrease in the initial water content in the cornea.
|
|
|
|
Seliverstov, S. V., Anfertyev, V. A., Tretyakov, I. V., Ozheredov, I. A., Solyankin, P. M., Revin, L. S., et al. (2017). Terahertz heterodyne receiver with an electron-heating mixer and a heterodyne based on the quantum-cascade laser. Radiophys. Quant. Electron., 60(7), 518–524.
Abstract: We study characteristics of the laboratory prototype of a terahertz heterodyne receiver with an electron-heating mixer and a heterodyne based on the quantum-cascade laser. The results obtained demonstrate the possibility to use this receiver as a basis for creation of a high-sensitivity terahertz spectrometer, which can be used in many basic and practical applications. A significant advantage of this receiver will be the possibility of placing the mixer and heterodyne in the same cryostat, which will reduce the device dimensions considerably. The obtained experimental results are analyzed, and methods of optimizing the parameters of the receiver are proposed.
|
|
|
|
Seliverstov, S. V., Rusova, A. A., Kaurova, N. S., Voronov, B. M., & Goltsman, G. N. (2016). Attojoule energy resolution of direct detector based on hot electron bolometer. In J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. (Vol. 741, 012165 (1 to 5)). IOP Publishing.
Abstract: We characterize superconducting antenna-coupled NbN hot-electron bolometer (HEB) for direct detection of THz radiation operating at a temperature of 9.0 K. At signal frequency of 2.5 THz, the measured value of the optical noise equivalent power is 2.0×10-13 W-Hz-0.5. The estimated value of the energy resolution is about 1.5 aJ. This value was confirmed in the experiment with pulsed 1.55-μm laser employed as a radiation source. The directly measured detector energy resolution is 2 aJ. The obtained risetime of pulses from the detector is 130 ps. This value was determined by the properties of the RF line. These characteristics make our detector a device-of-choice for a number of practical applications associated with detection of short THz pulses.
|
|
|
|
Tretyakov, I. V., Finkel, M. I., Ryabchun, S. A., Kardakova, A. I., Seliverstov, S. V., Petrenko, D. V., et al. (2014). Hot-electron bolometer mixers with in situ contacts. Radiophys. Quant. Electron., 56(8-9), 591–598.
Abstract: We report on the latest achievements in the development of superconducting hot-electron bolometer (HEB) mixers for terahertz superheterodyne receivers. We consider application ranges of such receivers and requirements for the basic characteristics of the mixers. Main features of the mixers, such as noise temperature, gain bandwidth, noise bandwidth, and required local-oscillator power, have been improved significantly over the past few years due to intense research work, both in terms of the element fabrication quality and in terms of understanding of the physics of the processes occurring in the HEB mixers. Contacts between the superconducting bridge and the planar antenna play a key role in the mixer operation. Improvement of the quality of the contacts leads simultaneously to a decrease in the noise temperature and an increase in the gain bandwidth of a mixer.
|
|
