Inverse estimation of temperature-dependent refractive index profile in conductive-radiative media

Refractive-index measurement of absorbing condensed media.

Advanced interferometric profile measurements through refractive media.

Optical profilers are valuable tools for the characterization of microelectromechanical systems (MEMSs). They use phase sifting interferometry (PSI) or vertical scanning interferometry to measure the topography of microscale structures with nanometer resolution. However, for many emerging MEMS applications, the sample needs to be imaged while placed in a liquid or in a package with a glass wind...

Broadband, Volumetric Negative-Refractive-Index Media

Broadband, Volumetric Negative-Refractive-Index Media by Scott M. Rudolph Chair: Anthony Grbic Since their invention, negative-refractive-index (NRI) media have been plagued by three primary limitations: narrow bandwidth, high loss and polarization dependence. In this thesis, each of these problems is addressed. First, a new metamaterial topology that achieves negative permeability over a broad...

High temperature-gradient refractive index liquid crystals.

We have analyzed the physical origins of the temperature gradient of the ordinary refractive index ( dn(o) /dT) of liquid crystals. To achieve a large dn(o) /dT , high birefringence and low clearing temperature play crucial roles. Based on these simple guidelines, we formulated two exemplary liquid crystal mixtures, designated as UCF-1 and UCF-2, and compared their physical properties with a co...

Radiative transfer equations with varying refractive index: a mathematical perspective.

Established mathematical techniques to model the energy density of high-frequency waves in random media by radiative transfer equations and to model the small mean-free-path limit of radiative transfer solutions by diffusion equations are reviewed. These techniques are then applied to the derivation of radiative transfer and diffusion equations for the radiance, also known as specific intensity...