Influence of Physicochemical Properties of Ni/Clinoptilolite Catalysts in the Hydrogenation of Acetophenone.

Heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation is an interesting alternative to conventional methods that use inorganic hydrides. The hydrogenation of acetophenone under heterogeneous conditions with the supported catalysts based on Ni is the most useful due to its redox properties and lower cost. As is well-known, catalyst support can significantly affect catalyst performance. We have investigated the influence of various physical-chemical parameters on the selective reaction of the hydrogenation of acetophenone by using different nickel catalysts on clinoptilolite supports, in four different forms: natural, previously modified with NH3 (Ni/Z+NH4 +), with HNO3 (Ni/Z+H+), and thermally treated (Ni/Z 500 °C). In particular, our work focuses on determining the influence of the mentioned physical-chemical parameters on the percentages of conversion and the selectivity of the catalysis. This study aims to identify the combination of parameters that allows for obtaining the best catalytic results. The identification of the physical-chemical parameters that determine the percentages of conversion and selectivity allows us to design optimal catalysts.

Determination of thickness-dependent damping constant and plasma frequency for ultrathin Ag and Au films: nanoscale dielectric function.

This paper is devoted to determine an analytical expression for the thickness dependent complex dielectric function for the case of Ag and Au thin films. Free and bound electron contributions are dealt with independently. Using Drude model for the former and taking experimental refractive index values for Ag and Au thin films, we apply a previously developed method to determine for the first time damping constant and plasma frequency parameters for specific film thicknesses. Fitting separately each one of these parameters allowed us to find an analytical expression for their dependence on arbitrary film thickness and consequently for the free electron contribution. Concerning bound electrons, its contribution for small wavelengths is the same for all analyzed thicknesses and may be set equal to the bulk bound contribution. Taking these facts into account, the complex dielectric function is rewritten analytically, in terms of bulk dielectric function plus corrective film thickness dependent terms. From the fitting process for the damping constant we determine that electron scattering at the film boundary is mainly inelastic for both silver and gold thin films. It is also shown that, in accordance with theoretical studies, plasma frequency shows a red shift as the film thickness decreases.

Textural Characterization by Using an Alternative Langmuir Isotherm and a New Thickness Function.

Samples with micropores can not be adequately described by using the Langmuir isotherm. The Langmuir expression is obtained by using the monolayer assumption, which is not valid in samples with micropores. Then, we propose to include in the isotherm a corrective parameter related to the sample porosity. We show that the modified isotherm enables us to describe the experimental values for different samples (aluminas, clays, silicas, zeolites, and zirconias) in low and full relative pressure ranges. Indeed, a new thickness function for the adsorbate layer in terms of the relative pressure is proposed. Then, a better description of the external surface areas, mesopores, and micropores of the samples can be obtained with the new thickness function. The VBS model with this new thickness shows a better pore distribution description.

Novel vortex-transform for high frequency modulated patterns.

A novel vortex-transform is proposed. This transform allows for generating complex-valued functions from modulated intensity patterns, including high frequency components from modulation, without the generation of unstable phase singularities. From these complex-valued functions it is possible to obtain intensity and pseudo-phase maps to analyze the intensity recordings without the necessity of phase retrieval techniques. The intensity and pseudo-phase maps obtained by using this transform preserve the modulation structure onto the intensity and phase modulo 2π maps, including stable phase singularities.

In-plane displacement measurement in vortex metrology by synthetic network correlation fringes.

Recently we proposed an alternative method of displacement analysis in vortex metrology, based on the application of the Fourier optics techniques, that is suitable for an intermediate range of displacement measurements ranging below the resolution of speckle photography and above that of the conventional vortex metrology. However, for smaller displacements, we introduce an approach to perform the Fourier analysis from vortex networks. In this work, we present an enhanced method for measuring uniform in-plane displacements, taking advantage of the capability of determining the subpixel locations of vortices and having the ability to track the homologous vortices onto a plane. It is shown that high-quality fringe systems can be synthesized and analyzed to accurately measure in an extended range of displacements and for highly decorrelated speckle patterns. Experimental results supporting the validity of the method are presented and discussed.

Vortex metrology using Fourier analysis techniques: vortex networks correlation fringes.

In this work, we introduce an alternative method of analysis in vortex metrology based on the application of the Fourier optics techniques. The first part of the procedure is conducted as is usual in vortex metrology for uniform in-plane displacement determination. On the basis of two recorded intensity speckled distributions, corresponding to two states of a diffuser coherently illuminated, we numerically generate an analytical signal from each recorded intensity pattern by using a version of the Riesz integral transform. Then, from each analytical signal, a two-dimensional pseudophase map is generated in which the vortices are located and characterized in terms of their topological charges and their core's structural properties. The second part of the procedure allows obtaining Young's interference fringes when Fourier transforming the light passing through a diffracting mask with multiple apertures at the locations of the homologous vortices. In fact, we use the Fourier transform as a mathematical operation to compute the far-field diffraction intensity pattern corresponding to the multiaperture set. Each aperture from the set is associated with a rectangular hole that coincides both in shape and size with a pixel from recorded images. We show that the fringe analysis can be conducted as in speckle photography in an extended range of displacement measurements. Effects related with speckled decorrelation are also considered. Our experimental results agree with those of speckle photography in the range in which both techniques are applicable.

Multiplexing of encrypted data using fractal masks.

In this Letter, we present to the best of our knowledge a new all-optical technique for multiple-image encryption and multiplexing, based on fractal encrypting masks. The optical architecture is a joint transform correlator. The multiplexed encrypted data are stored in a photorefractive crystal. The fractal parameters of the key can be easily tuned to lead to a multiplexing operation without cross talk effects. Experimental results that support the potential of the method are presented.

Experimental multiplexing of encrypted movies using a JTC architecture.

We present the first experimental technique to encrypt a movie under a joint transform correlator architecture. We also extend the method to multiplex several movies in a single package. We use a Mach-Zehnder interferometer to encrypt experimentally each movie. One arm of the interferometer is the joint transform correlator and the other arm is the reference wave. We include the complete description of the procedure along with experimental results supporting the proposal.

Talbot effect by a photorefractive volume phase grating.

In our proposal a light intensity distribution generated by an incoherently illuminated planar amplitude grating is projected into a photorefractive crystal. This 3D distribution is mapped as an index refractive perturbation via the photorefractive effect thereby generating a volume phase grating. The self-imaging phenomenon in the Fresnel field of this volume phase grating coherently illuminated is theoretically and experimentally analyzed. A model to simulate this volume grating that considers the 3D light intensity distribution formed in the crystal combined with the photorefractive grating formation theory is proposed. A path-integral approach to calculate the self-image patterns which account for the inhomogeneous propagation through the photorefractive grating is employed. The experimental and theoretical results show that the self-images location coincides with that of the self-images generated by planar phase grating of the same period. Moreover, the self-images visibility depends on three parameters: the exit pupil diameter of the incoherent recording optical system, the external electric field applied on the crystal, and the crystal thickness. To study the visibility behavior, a phase parameter which includes the three mentioned parameters is proposed. The self-images visibility shows the typical sinusoidal dependence found in planar phase grating. A good agreement between theoretical and experimental results is observed.

Optical smart packaging to reduce transmitted information.

We demonstrate a smart image-packaging optical technique that uses what we believe is a new concept to save byte space when transmitting data. The technique supports a large set of images mapped into modulated speckle patterns. Then, they are multiplexed into a single package. This operation results in a substantial decreasing of the final amount of bytes of the package with respect to the amount resulting from the addition of the images without using the method. Besides, there are no requirements on the type of images to be processed. We present results that proof the potentiality of the technique.

Pure optical dynamical color encryption.

We introduce a way to encrypt-decrypt a color dynamical phenomenon using a pure optical alternative. We split the three basic chromatic channels composing the input, and then each channel is processed through a 4f encoding method and a theta modulation applied to the each encrypted frame in every channel. All frames for a single channel are multiplexed. The same phase mask is used to encode all the information. Unlike the usual procedure we do not multiplex the three chromatic channels into a single encoding media, because we want to decrypt the information in real time. Then, we send to the decoding station the phase mask and the three packages each one containing the multiplexing of a single channel. The end user synchronizes and decodes the information contained in the separate channels. Finally, the decoding information is conveyed together to bring the decoded dynamical color phenomenon in real-time. We present material that supports our concepts.

All-optical encrypted movie.

We introduce for the first time the concept of an all-optical encrypted movie. This movie joints several encrypted frames corresponding to a time evolving situation employing the same encoding mask. Thanks to a multiplexing operation we compact the encrypted movie information into a single package. But the decryption of this single package implies the existence of cross-talk if we do not adequately pre-process the encoded information before multiplexing. In this regard, we introduce a grating modulation to each encoded image, and then we proceed to multiplexing. After appropriate filtering and synchronizing procedures applied to the multiplexing, we are able to decrypt and to reproduce the movie. This movie is only properly decoded when in possession of the right decoding key. The concept development is carried-out in virtual optical systems, both for the encrypting and the filtering-decrypting stages. Experimental results are shown to confirm our approach.

Known-plaintext attack on a joint transform correlator encrypting system.

We demonstrate in this Letter that a joint transform correlator shows vulnerability to known-plaintext attacks. An unauthorized user, who intercepts both an object and its encrypted version, can obtain the security key code mask. In this contribution, we conduct a hybrid heuristic attack scheme merge to a Gerchberg-Saxton routine to estimate the encrypting key to decode different ciphertexts encrypted with that same key. We also analyze the success of this attack for different pairs of plaintext-ciphertext used to get the encrypting code. We present simulation results for the decrypting procedure to demonstrate the validity of our analysis.

Wavelength multiplexing encryption using joint transform correlator architecture.

We show that multiple secure data recording under a wavelength multiplexing technique is possible in a joint transform correlator (JTC) arrangement. We evaluate both the performance of the decrypting procedure and the influence of the input image size when decrypting with a wavelength different from that employed in the encryption step. This analysis reveals that the wavelength is a valid parameter to conduct image multiplexing encoding with the JTC architecture. In addition, we study the influence of the minimum wavelength change that prevents decoding cross talk. Computer simulations confirm the performance of the proposed technique.

Optical-data storage-readout technique based on fractal encrypting masks.

We propose the use of fractal structured diffractive masks as keys in secure storage-readout systems. A joint transform correlator based on a photorefractive crystal in the Fourier domain is implemented to perform encryption and decryption. We discuss the advantages of encrypting information using this kind of deterministic keys in comparison to conventional random phase masks. Preliminary experimental results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed system.

Multichanneled encryption via a joint transform correlator architecture.

We propose a multichanneling encryption method by using multiple random-phase mask apertures in the input plane based on a joint transform correlation scheme. In the proposal, this multiple aperture arrangement is changed as different input objects are inserted and stored. Then, during the decryption step, the appropriate use of the random-phase mask apertures can ensure the retrieval of different information. This approach provides different access levels. Computer simulations show the potential of the technique and experimental results verify the feasibility of this method.

Multiple rotation assessment through isothetic fringes in speckle photography.

The use of different pupils for storing each speckled image in speckle photography is employed to determine multiple in-plane rotations. The method consists of recording a four-exposure specklegram where the rotations are done between exposures. This specklegram is then optically processed in a whole field approach rendering isothetic fringes, which give detailed information about the multiple rotations. It is experimentally demonstrated that the proposed arrangement permits the depiction of six isothetics in order to measure either six different angles or three nonparallel components for two local general in-plane displacements.

Wave propagation and optical properties in slabs with light-induced free charge carriers.

A theoretical analysis on wave propagation and optical properties of slabs with light-induced free charge carriers within a Fabry-Pérot framework is presented. The key of the analysis is to attack the wave propagation problem in terms of the time-averaged Poynting vector modulus within the medium through an alternative approach. This fact allows coupling the microscopic (free charge rate) and macroscopic (electromagnetic field evolution) equations self-consistently by means of the nonlinear permittivity and conductivity, which, in turn, depend on the time-averaged Poynting vector modulus. Thereby, the transmittance, reflectance, and absorptive power are derived as functions of the pump intensity and medium thickness. Bistable behavior is found at relatively high excitation intensity for positive values of the nonlinear permittivity coefficient. The bistability enhances for increasing values of such coefficient and weakens for increasing values of nonlinear photoconductivity coefficient. On the contrary, for negative nonlinear permittivity coefficient, bistability does not appear possessing these media mirrorlike behavior. Some possible applications are suggested.

Phase-object detection by use of double-exposure fringe-modulated speckle patterns.

We study the properties of a double-exposure image specklegram of a diffuse object obtained by use of a double-aperture pupil. A phase object is placed in front of one aperture during the first or the second exposure. Also, it is assumed that a uniform displacement of the diffuser between exposures is produced. The recorded specklegram is coherently illuminated and analyzed by Fourier transform operations. The average intensity distribution and the interference fringe visibility in the Fourier plane are investigated. On this basis, an alternative interference technique to detect phase objects is proposed.

Phase-object analysis with a speckle interferometer.

We describe the characteristics of a double-exposure specklegram obtained through a double-aperture system, by introduction of a wedge in front of one aperture in one exposure. It is assumed that a uniform displacement of the diffuser is produced between exposures. The average intensity distribution and visibility of the interferometric fringes in the Fourier plane are analyzed. An alternative interferometric technique for phase-object detection is proposed.