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In this paper, we review our recent work on the statistical properties of polarization speckle with its unique properties of random polarization states fluctuating in space. From random walks of polarization phasor, we provide the origins of the polarization speckle by taking the vector nature into account for stochastic electric fields. Based on the random polarization phasor sum as an extension of conventional random phasor sum, the first and second moments of the Stokes parameters of the resultant polarization speckle have been examined. Two types of devices for polarization optics, i.e. rough-surfaced retardation plate and random polarizer array, will be introduced as the physical realization of the desired phenomena of polarization speckles. Some statistical properties of the stochastic electric fields are reviewed in order to understand the performance of these two polarization optics devices for generation and development of the polarization speckle.

An investigation of the influence of an evanescent wave on the dynamics of motion of erythrocytes in blood plasma is presented. Computer simulation of erythrocytes moving in an evanescent field and experimental demonstration of the forecasted motion substantiate the possibility for control of position of red blood cells in a solution. The range of velocities of transversal motion of erythrocytes due to the action of the optical force of the generated evanescent field is determined as a function of the angle of illumination of a cell by a linearly polarized wave with the azimuth of polarization 45 deg.

In this paper, we review our recent work on the statistical properties of polarization speckle generated by a birefringent material with rough surface. After a short introduction of a less-known concept of polarization speckle with its unique properties of random polarization states fluctuating in space, we provide an intuitive explanation of the cause of polarization speckle by vector random walks in the complex plane for two components of the vectorial electric fields. The surface polarization scattering is investigated in terms of the coherence matrix, and a relationship between the statistical properties of the scattered light at the scattering surface and the micro-structure of the anisotropic media has been explored to understand the underlying mechanism. The coherence and polarization properties of the stochastic electric fields at the far field after propagation have been studied in order to describe their spatial structure and evolution. Furthermore, the dynamic properties of polarization speckle have also been investigated in order to investigate the simultaneous reduction of coherence and polarization of the scattered light for the first time.

The metamaterial filter introduced in the form of the so-called METATOY Johannes Courtial et al., j. opt. 13 (2011))[ 1] has a series of interesting properties, although it can presently only be realized as an array of discrete elements, being it an array of Dove prisms or lens arrays. Nevertheless, a theoretical analysis of field propagation through such a twisting filter is still lacking. Based on the complex-valued ray matrix formalism (ABCD-matrices/canonical transforms), the propagation through such a filter can be mimicked by using the known Green's function (e.g. Aykut et al. Journal of the Optical Society of America a (2010) 27(9) 1896)[ 2]. This matrix for an entire system including a flipping filter is non-symplectic, which in fact indicates that this filter's perturbation is ray-optically forbidden. However, if we proceed and insert the matrix-values into this Green's function, we arrive at results that are in agreement with the previously shown examples with METATOY. It is further shown how e.g. Fourier transformation of this filter will give rise to unexpected ray transformations. Finally, a new ray-optically forbidden element is discussed, as will possible future applications.

Based on a previously devised speckle-based set-up for probing minute wavelength changes for a coherent field [1], [2] we will here present the first experiments where these changes are resolved on a millisecond time scale. The setup is based on probing the lateral shift of a speckle pattern arising from a slanted rough object, the speckle displacement being linearly proportional to the wavenumber change. Thus, by shearing the speckle pattern across a grating-like structure [3],[4] and [5], a frequency proportional to the frequency of the wavelength change can be derived as will the irradiance. Thus, a cordial display of the complex field amplitude may be obtained with a high temporal resolution and a reasonable spectral resolution. The spatial filter is here preliminarily implemented by recording the speckle pattern with a CMOS array with subsequent digital image processing mimicking the use of a spatial filter.

Speckle-based techniques have noteworthy applications in the field of material science, surface characterization, determining mechanical displacements, biological activity in diffuse layer, imaging through turbid layer etc. The passage of coherent light through a diffuse layer generates a random speckle pattern, which have the inherent feature of carrying information associated with the diffuse layer. Dynamic laser speckle associated with the displacements of scattering surface has prominent impacts in the study of biological activity inside the diffuse layer. Investigations are progressing in the direction of exploring the dynamical properties associated with speckled speckles and its applications in imaging and characterization scenarios. In this work, we theoretically and experimentally study the dynamical properties of speckles through a static scattering layer using intensity correlation. The displacement (transverse or angular) produced in the concealed scatterer generates the dynamic speckle pattern which is observed through a second static diffuser. We expect to find applications of this investigation into the tracking objects hidden in the diffuse layer, measuring biological activity in diffuse layer, displacement measurements, etc.

A method is described for the generation of micrometer-sized vapor-gas bubbles in a water suspension containing absorptive pigment nanoparticles. The diluted suspension (mean interparticle distance 20 mu m) absorbs the continuous laser radiation (wavelength 808 nm), and each particle in the best illuminated volume (similar to 10 x 10 x 200 mu m(3) ) serves as a bubble-nucleation center. The suspension heating is inessential (several degrees above the room temperature) and the bubbles are formed mainly of the air gases dissolved in water. The bubbles can stably exist within or near the illuminated area where their location is governed by the competition between thermal and optical forces and can be controlled via the laser beam parameters. The method enables controllable creation, support, prescribed transportation, and destruction of the bubbles. This can be useful in applications aimed at precise sorting, transportation, and delivery of species in nano-and micro-engineering as well as for biomedical studies. (C) 2018 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement

All optical fields undergo random fluctuation and the underlying theory referred to as coherence and polarization of optical fields has played a fundamental role as an important manifestation of the random fluctuations of the electric fields. In this paper, we reviewed our recent theoretical and experimental work on the unified theory of polarization and coherence including coherence tensor wave, degree of coherence tensor, degree of generalized Stokes parameters, and their applications including coherence tensor holography and two-point resolution of polarimetric imaging.

Micrometer-sized vapor-gas bubbles are formed due to local heating of a water suspension containing absorptive pigment particles of 100 nm diameter. The heating is performed by CW near-infrared (980 nm) laser radiation with controllable power, focused into a 100 mu m spot within a 2 mm suspension layer. By changing the laser power, four regimes are realized: (1) bubble generation; (2) stable growth of the existing bubbles; (3) stationary existence of the bubbles and (4) the bubbles' shrinkage and collapse. This behavior is interpreted based on the temperature conditions. The generation and evolution of single bubbles and ensembles of bubbles with controllable sizes and numbers is demonstrated. The bubbles are grouped within the laser-illuminated region and form quasi-ordered structures. They can easily be moved and transported controlled by the focal spot. The results are useful for applications associated with the precise manipulation, sorting and specific delivery in nano- and micro-engineering problems. (C) 2017 Optical Society of America

Mechanical action caused by the optical forces connected with the canonical momentum density associated with the local wavevector or Belinfante ' s spin angular momentum is experimentally verified. The helicity-dependent and the helicity-independent forces determined by spin momenta of different nature open attractive prospects for the use of optical structures for manipulating minute quantities of matter of importance in nanophysics, nanooptics and nanotechnologies, precision chemistry and pharmacology and in numerous other areas. Investigations in this area reveal new, extraordinary manifestations of optical forces, including the helicity-independent force caused by the transverse helicity-independent spin or vertical spin of a diagonally polarized wave, which was not observed and exploited up to recently. The main finding of our study consists in a direct experimental demonstration of the physical existence and mechanical action of this recently discovered extraordinary transverse component of the spin here arising in an evanescent light wave due to the total internal reflection of a linearly polarized probing beam with azimuthal angle 45(circle) at the interface between the birefringent plate and air, which is oriented perpendicularly to the wavevector of an evanescent wave and localized over the boundary of the transparent media with polarization-dependent refraction indices. (C) 2017 Optical Society of America

Laser speckle has received extensive studies of its basic properties and associated applications. In the majority of research on speckle phenomena, the random optical field has been treated as a scalar optical field, and the main interest has been concentrated on their statistical properties and applications of its intensity distribution. Recently, statistical properties of random electric vector fields referred to as Polarization Speckle have come to attract new interest because of their importance in a variety of areas with practical applications such as biomedical optics and optical metrology. Statistical phenomena of random electric vector fields have close relevance to the theories of speckles, polarization and coherence theory. In this paper, we investigate the correlation tensor for stochastic electromagnetic fields modulated by a depolarizer consisting of a rough-surfaced retardation plate. Under the assumption that the microstructure of the scattering surface on the depolarizer is as fine as to be unresolvable in our observation region, we have derived a relationship between the polarization matrix/coherency matrix for the modulated electric fields behind the rough-surfaced retardation plate and the coherence matrix under the free space geometry. This relation is regarded as entirely analogous to the van Cittert-Zernike theorem of classical coherence theory. Within the paraxial approximation as represented by the ABCD-matrix formalism, the three-dimensional structure of the generated polarization speckle is investigated based on the correlation tensor, indicating a typical carrot structure with a much longer axial dimension than the extent in its transverse dimension.

This feature issue of Applied Optics contains a series of selected papers reflecting recent progress of correlation optics and illustrating current trends in vector singular optics, internal energy flows at light fields, optical science of materials, and new biomedical applications of lasers. (C) 2016 Optical Society of America

The statistical properties of the electric fields with random changes of the polarization state in space generated by a depolarizer are investigated on the basis of the coherence matrix. The depolarizer is a polarizer array composed of a multitude of contiguous square cells of polarizers with randomly distributed polarization angles, where the incident fields experience a random polarization modulation after passing through the depolarizer. The propagation of the modulated electric fields through any quadratic optical system is examined within the framework of the complex ABCD matrix to show how the degree of coherence and the degree of polarization change on propagation.

The technology of electrically adjustable optical interfaces has found applications in, e.g., camera lenses, where an adjustable focal length provides automatic focusing for the camera. In this paper, we will investigate a liquid lens, where both the focal length and the tilt of this lens can be adjusted electrically. Specifically, the tilting ability of this lens will be tested by combining the liquid lens with a projector in order to scan lines across a three-dimensional (3D) object. The linearity, reproducibility, hysteresis, and time response of its tilting functionality will be tested. Further, crosstalk between the two functionalities of the liquid lens is tested for the specific case, where the focal length is set to infinity. Finally, the liquid lens and the projector in combination with four stereo cameras will be demonstrated as a 3D imaging setup.

An analytical expression for the bias effect in digital speckle correlation is derived based on a Gaussian approximation of the spatial pixel size and array extent. The evaluation is carried out having assumed an incident speckle field. The analysis is focused on speckle displacements in the order of one pixel, thus having no speckle decorrelation. Furthermore, sensitivity is a main issue wherefore we need speckles close to the pixel size, which means that speckle averaging becomes important, and that Nyquist’s criteria may not be fulfilled. Based on these observations, a new correlation method is introduced, which alleviates the need to know the expected shape of the crosscovariance between the original and the off-set recorded speckle pattern. This concept calls for correlating the crosscovariance with the auto covariance, which essentially carries information on the expected shape of the crosscovariance.

In this paper, a high-dimensional statistical signal processing is revisited with the aim of introducing the concept of vector signal representation derived from the Riesz transforms, which are the natural extension and generalization of the one-dimensional Hilbert transform. Under the new concepts of vector correlations proposed recently, the statistical properties of the vector signal representation for random signal are presented and some applications to speckle metrology developed recently are reviewed to demonstrate the unique capability of Riesz transforms.

Recent research work on speckle patterns indicates a variation of the polarization state during propagation and its nonuniformly spatial distribution. The preliminary step for the investigation of this polarization speckle is the generation of the corresponding field. In this paper, a kind of special depolarizer: the random roughness birefringent screen (RRBS) is introduced to meet this requirement. The statistical properties of the field generated by the depolarizer is investigated and illustrated in terms of the 2x2 beam coherence and polarization matrix (BCPM) with the corresponding degree of coherence (DoC). and degree of polarization (DoP) P. The changes of the coherence and polarization when the speckle field propagates through any optical system are analysed within the framework of the complex ABCD-matrix theory.

The absorption parameters of micro-particles have been associated with the induced spin exerted upon the particle, when embedded in a circularly polarized coherent field. The induced rotational speed is theoretically analyzed, showing the influence of the beam parameters, the parameters of the particle and the tribological parameters of the surrounding fluid. The theoretical findings have been adequately confirmed in experiments. (C)2015 Optical Society of America

Water suspension of light-absorbing nano-sized particles is an example of a medium in which non-linear effects are present at moderate light intensities favorable for optical treatment of organic and biological objects. We study experimentally the phenomena emerging in a thin layer of such a medium under the action of inhomogeneous light field formed due to the Pearcey diffraction pattern near a microlens focus. In this high-gradient field, the light energy absorbed by the particles induces inhomogeneous distribution of the medium refraction index, which results in observable self-diffraction of the incident light, here being strongly sensitive to the medium position with respect to the focus. This technique, based on the complex spatial structure of both the incident and the diffracted fields, can be employed for the detection and measurement of weak non-linearities.

This feature issue of Applied Optics contains a series of selected papers reflecting recent progress of correlation optics and showing, in part, the trend from micro-optics to nano-optics.

We propose an optical correlation algorithm illustrating a new general method for reconstructing the phase skeleton of complex optical fields from the measured two-dimensional intensity distribution. The core of the algorithm consists in locating the saddle points of the intensity distribution and connecting such points into nets by the lines of intensity gradient that are closely associated with the equi-phase lines of the field. This algorithm provides a new partial solution to the inverse problem in optics commonly referred to as the phase problem.

Precision machinery and manufacturing technology are be- coming more important in current and future technologies. New knowledge in this field will aid in the advancement of various technologies that are needed to gain industrial competitiveness. To this end, the special issue aims to disseminate the latest advancements of relevant fundamental and applied research works of high quality to the inter- national community. The topics of the accepted articles in the special issue include precision manufacturing pro- cesses, measurements and control, robotics and automation, machine tools, advanced manufacturing systems, sensors and materials, CAD/CAM/CAE for precision machinery, computation/numerical method, intelligent system and ap- proach, vibration engineering, mechanism design, and fluid- dynamics/thermodynamics.

We study the self-action of light in a water suspension of absorbing subwavelength particles. Due to efficient accumulation of the light energy, this medium shows distinct non-linear properties even at moderate radiation power. In particular, by means of interference of two obliquely incident beams, it is possible to create controllable phase and amplitude gratings whose contrast, spatial and temporal parameters depend on the beams' coherence and power as well as the interference geometry. The grating characteristics are investigated via the beams' self-diffraction. The main mechanism of the grating formation is shown to be thermal, which leads to the phase grating; a weak amplitude grating also emerges due to the particles' displacements caused by the light-induced gradient and photophoretic forces. These forces, together with the Brownian motion of the particles, are responsible for the grating dynamics and degradation. The results and approaches can be used for investigation of the thermal relaxation and kinetic processes in liquid suspensions.

Objective speckles produced by two beams overlapping and interfering on a rough object surface contain information about the angle of incidence of the two beams, and how well they overlap. We obtain the autocovariance function for such a speckle pattern, and demonstrate how the information carried by the objective speckles can be used to probe the distance between the object and the observation plane. From a distance of 75 mm to a distance of 150 mm, and using an angle of 0.3 deg between the two incident beams, we can measure the actual distance with an uncertainty of better than ±0.1% of the full range. As long as the beams overlap at the object surface, the proposed method can measure distance with an uncertainty inversely proportional to the spot size at the object.

Based on the Mie theory and on the incident beam model via superposition of two plane waves, we analyze numerically the momentum flux of the field scattered by a spherical, nonmagnetic microparticle placed within the spatially inhomogeneous circularly polarized paraxial light beam. The asymmetry between the forward- and backward-scattered momentum fluxes in the Rayleigh scattering regime appears due to the spin part of the internal energy flow in the incident beam. The transverse ponderomotive forces exerted on dielectric and conducting particles of different sizes are calculated and special features of the mechanical actions produced by the spin and orbital parts of the internal energy flow are recognized. In particular, the transverse orbital flow exerts the transverse force that grows as a3 for conducting and as a6 for dielectric subwavelength particle with radius a, in compliance with the dipole mechanism of the field-particle interaction; the force associated with the spin flow behaves as a8 in both cases, which testifies for the nondipole mechanism. The results can be used for experimental identification and separate investigation of the spin and orbital parts of the internal energy flow in light fields.

Methods for simulation of two-dimensional signals with arbitrary power spectral densities and signal amplitude probability density functions are disclosed. The method relies on initially transforming a white noise sample set of random Gaussian distributed numbers into a corresponding set with the desired spectral distribution, after which this colored Gaussian probability distribution is transformed via an inverse transform into the desired probability distribution. In most cases the method provides satisfactory results and can thus be considered an engineering approach. Several illustrative examples with relevance for optics are given.

This paper analyzes the dynamics of objective laser speckles as the distance between the object and the observation plane continuously changes. With the purpose of applying optical spatial filtering velocimetry to the speckle dynamics, in order to measure out-of-plane motion in real time, a rotational symmetric spatial filter is designed. The spatial filter converts the speckle dynamics into a photocurrent with a quasi-sinusoidal response to the out-of-plane motion. The optical spatial filter is emulated with a CCD camera, and is tested on speckles images arising from a real application. The analysis discusses the selectivity of the spatial filter, the nonlinear response between speckle motion and observation distance, and the influence of a distance-dependent speckle size. Experiments with the emulated filters illustrate performance and potential applications of the technology., This paper analyzes the dynamics of objective laser speckles as the distance between the object and the observation plane continuously changes. With the purpose of applying optical spatial filtering velocimetry to the speckle dynamics, in order to measure out-of-plane motion in real time, a rotational symmetric spatial filter is designed. The spatial filter converts the speckle dynamics into a photocurrent with a quasi-sinusoidal response to the out-of-plane motion. The spatial filter is here emulated with a CCD camera, and is tested on speckles arising from a real application. The analysis discusses the selectivity of the spatial filter, the nonlinear response between speckle motion and observation distance, and the influence of the distance-dependent speckle size. Experiments with the emulated filters illustrate performance and potential applications of the technology.

The internal energy flow in a light beam can be divided into the "orbital" and "spin" parts, associated with the spatial and polarization degrees of freedom of light. In contrast to the orbital one, experimental observation of the spin flow seems problematic because it is converted into an orbital flow upon tight focusing of the beam, usually applied for energy flow detection by means of the mechanical action upon probe particles. We propose a two-beam interference technique that results in an appreciable level of spin flow in moderately focused beams and detection of the orbital motion of probe particles within a field where the transverse energy circulation is associated exclusively with the spin flow. This result can be treated as the first demonstration of mechanical action of the spin flow of a light field.