Zeno and inverse Zeno effects are demonstrated in Raman (Brillouin) scattering of strong coherent as well as quantum pump beams including phase mismatches. Raman coupler is used to control optical beams involved by means of a linear waveguide.

We present our experimental realization of a quantum random number generator (RNG) based on the quantum random process of division of light pulse on a fiber coupler. Our prototype consists of fiber optics elements: a pigtailcd laser diode, two mechanical attenuators, a fiber coupler, and two single photon detectors. The RNG contains all necessary electronics for the generation of light pulses, synchronized reading of detectors' states, processing of these results, and transfer of data to a host computer. The connection to the computer is done via a 25-pin parallel port, that makes our device easy to use with any personal computer (PC). The RNG can be operated in four different modes, that arc selected by the PC. The zeroth mode is just for the device control, the first mode serves for appropriate setting of generation efficiency, the second mode is designed for raw data sequence generation at a rate of 114 kByte/s, and the last mode provides balanced data sequence at a rate of 28 kByte/s utilizing von Ncumann's extraction procedure. This procedure is used to gain a properly balanced ratio between '0's and '1's. The balanced data sequence generated by the RNG in the third mode passes all kinds of tests we arc using [for example 15 tests proposed by G. Marsaglia, WWW: http://stat.fsu.edu/ geo/diehard.html 1. The raw data sequence can be used for purposes that do not need properly balanced data, because raw data passes tests that arc not inspecting the sequence balance.

Discrimination task is treated in the case of only partial prior information from measurements of unknown quantum sources. The construction of the optimal discrimination device and estimation of quantum states produced by unknown sources is performed simultaneously. A communication through a noisy quantum channel is formulated in terms of the proposed discrimination protocol.

The model of a random laser is reconsidered which utilises Langevin equations as appropriate for calculations of photon statistics. A "probabilistic description" is outlined, i.e., equations governing the temporal evolution of the probabilities of photon numbers in the radiation modes and the densities of the excited atoms in the medium. The usual procedure of numerical solution is extended by monitoring numbers of the photons absorbed by a photodetector.

The interaction of electromagnetic waves with metal surface is analyzed in terms of electrons waves and quasiparticles theory. Work function for any metal is presented in dependence on electrons density and Fourier transform of potential due to single electron. Influence of different factors on change of work function value is considered.

The classical information entropy defined by Wehrl in terms of the Husimi Q-function is discussed and generalized over the concepts of the Wehrl phase distribution, and the Wehrl intermode-correlation parameters. The classical entropic functions are applied to describe the quantum properties of single and/or two-mode optical fields.

We analyze generation of maximally entangled states (EPR and W states) of the conduction-band electron spins in systems of an arbitrary number of semiconductor quantum dots under equivalent-neighbor interactions mediated by a single-mode cavity field. We show that the perfect EPR states in bipartite systems and perfect W states in multipartite ones can only be generatcd in systems of up to six and four dots, respectively, with single or equivalently, all dots except one excited.

Schemes for preparation of optical qubits represented by any chosen Superposition of number states, in particular the vacuum and single-photon states. arc studied. The schemes enable truncation of an input light to qubit states via linear or nonlinear processes thus are referred to as the linear or nonlinear quantum scissors. The basic propertics of the schemes are discussed.

Pairs of entangled photons can be employed for quantum key distribution. For each bit exactly one pair of photons is needed. Unfortunately, the quantum states produced by real sources, like a parametric down conversion, contain also terms with more than only one photon pair. We discuss several aspects of the use of such states for quantum key distribution. It is shown that the presence of multi-pair signals (together with low detection efficiencies) causes errors in transmission even in the absence of al1 eavesdropper. However, the most important result is that an individual eavesdropping on multi-pair signals increases the error rate. This fact represents the important advantage of the entanglement-based quantum key distribution.

Properties of entangled photon pairs generated in spontaneous parametric downconversion and propagating in a Fabry-Perot resonator are investigated. We assume the Fabry-Perot resonator in the path of one photon from an entangled photon pair. The second photon is delayed and then both photons enter the Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer. We study how parameters of the resonator together with those of the pump field and nonlinear crystal determine the coincidence-count interference pattern.

The presented paper may be treated as a short introduction to Singular Optics - the new branch of the contemporary optics and photonics. At the first part three main area of interest of the singular optics, Le. ray, phase and polarization singularities, are briefly presented. Second part gives better insight into the phase singularities, which are of special author's interest. Last part is devoted to the some possible phase singularities applications (interferometry and microscopy).

The Kerr reflection is studied on various cases of binary magneto-optical grating with circular dots. Proposed grating schemes correspond to irregular grating preparation. Kerr rotation is calculated using theoretical model based on coupled wave method. Obtained results are compared with experimental data and discussed to find conditions of optimal coincidence.

In the communicate an optical characteristics of the phase sampling filter, a recently designed new diffractive structure is presented. The phase sampling filter is a kinoform version of the known earlier amplitude sampling filter, which in turn is a periodic array of transparent openings placed in an opaque screen and forms multiple images of a single object in the near diffraction zone. It can be shown that the sampling filter, both in an amplitude and in a phase version, is equivalent to a microlenses array. There are discussed quantities relevant for the evaluation of the image quality, such as the impulse response function, the optical transfer functions, and the resolution.

Design of equilateral hyperbolic zone plate moire pattern formed by a mutual rotation of two basic grids is studied in detail. The advantages of this zone plate moire pattern are analysed in comparison with solutions for other moire zone plates. Two most important advantages are: a constant aperture of the element during the mutual rotation of basic grids and a lack of aberrations due to their undesired displacements. The applicability of considered moire pattern for the three point alignment technique is mentioned.

When an axicon is illuminated under an angle different than the assumed one, its focal segment looses quality and broadens significantly. In order to compensate this aberration, harmful in scanning and metrological applications of axicons, a concept of an aberrationless axicon doublet working in the real time is proposed. The constant part of the doublet is an ordinary and conventional linear axicon, whereas the second, variable part, for which the application of spatial light modulator (SLM) device is proposed, introduces a phase shift completing the transmittance of the whole doublet to that of the corresponding elliptical axicon forming in a given moment a properly inclined focal segment.

Phase object visualization method is useful as a phase shift measurement technique when output image intensity signal is a known function of object phase or its derivative. This paper presents a comparison of performances of three real frequency domain filters: Foucault frequently called knife edge filter, Hoffman known in microscopy as a modulation contrast method and the semi-derivative filter. Its performance is simulated using Virtual Lab 1.O software in 4f imaging system with coherent illumination.

The goal of this paper is the analysis of the wavefield in the vicinity of the simple two dimensional caustics. The caustics and the focuses are the objects of interest of many technical applications. Ten years ago it seemed that due to packets of the special functions stored in memory of computer evaluation of the field in the caustic area and in focuses will become the simple procedure. Nothing such occurred excepting the access to the special functions. On the example of the simplest case the caustic with one cusp was shown how the problem of evaluation of the amplitude may be overcome. For the appearing of caustics are responsible the concave fragments of the wavefront. From many possibilities we choose to consider the concavity which produces at the plane closing it cosine phase function (formula in paper)and the unity amplitude. Thus, our elementary task is simplified to the niche, which acts as cosine phase filter. The calculations were carried out on the cross section from the caustic to their asymptote using several methods. The first rough estimation was obtained on the grounds of knowledge of created caustic type and focusing index. Then it was shown as the stationary phase method which fails in this region is helpful besides of overlapping of active regions. The obtained results were compared with these obtained due to Kirchhoff s integral.

Laser speckle field can be generated as the result of interaction of a laser wave with randomly rough surface. Information on statistical properties of the surface is encoded in statistical properties of the light intensity distribution of the scattered wave. We can get this information from the degree of correlation of two laser speckle fields obtained step by step with two laser waves of different wavelengths scattered from the same area of the surface. The angle of incidence is the same for those two waves. As a quantitative parameter for evaluation of the rate of correlation of those two laser speckle fields we use the autocorrelation function of their sum. We calculate this function in the framework of the scalar Kirrchoff theory of wave scattering from random surfaces. We compare results obtained in the Fresnel approximation and in the Fraunhofer approximation of the scattered wave. We discuss the disparity of solutions from the point of view of surface roughness measurement.

The interference of Bessel beams, analysed hitherto only for the case of two superposed beams, is generalized onto the case of multiple beams. In this way a counterpart of diffraction grating for radial geometry can be created and axial intensity distribution becomes analogous to the grating factor, Le., the far diffraction pattern due to interference of multiple linear slits. Peaks corresponding to different diffraction orders are spaced equally along the optical axis. A kind f optical ruler can be obtained in this way.

The simplest achromatic hybrid lens consists of a refractive (glass) lens with a diffractive microstructure deposited on one of its surfaces. In such lens the reasonable aberration correction is possible only for very limited aperture and field angles. Better possibilities of aberration correction appear if we split the refractive lens onto two identical parts separated by certain distance and locate the diffractive element between the glass lenses. We show that in such way it is possible to obtain hybrid lens of the same or even smaller aberrations for substantially greater aperture and field angles.

Spectacle lens is a very particular optical imaging element of great practical importance. Although its construction is very simple some demands are specific (in particular remarkable shift of output pupil). A number of classic spectacle lens designs is known for long time, however some new possibilities of aberration correction appear if we use a hybrid (diffractive refractive). Hybrid lens is an optical system composed of a classic refractive (glass) lens and a diffractive microstructure deposited on one of its surfaces. Imaging properties of such lens can be expressed in terms of dimensionless parameters(formula available in paper)(describing the distribution of focusing power between diffractive and refractive part). By proper choice of parameter η we can compensate chromatic aberration. Thanks to other free parameters spherical aberration and astigmatism can be corrected also what is reasonable choice for spectacle lens. In this contribution the possibilities of particular Seidel aberration correction of hybrid lens will be presented. As an illustration some examples of spectacle hybrid lenses will be shown and its imaging characteristics compared with imaging characteristics of commercially available refractive lenses.

White light interferometry is an established method for height profile measurement of objects. This method, unlike classical interferometry, can be used for measurement of objects with rough surface which is an important advantage. The white light interferometer is in principle a Michelson interferometer with a broad-band light source and a CCD camera as a detector. The Michelson interferometer has the object to be measured in one arm and the reference mirror in the other arm. Due to the reflection on the rough surface, a speckle pattern arises in the detector plane. This pattern is superimposed on the reference wave. The phase in particular speckle is random, but it remains approximately constant within one speckle. This renders the white light interference observable, if the optical path lengths of the two arms differ less than the coherence length. The object to be measured is mounted on a micropositioner for translating in the longitudinal direction. Gradually, as parts of the object surface cross the reference plane, the white light interference is observable in thc corresponding speckles. The position of the micropositioner in which the interference is maximal is stored for each pixel. This value for each pixel of the object image describes the geometrical shape of thc measured object. The measurement range is theoretically unlimited, practically it is limited by the range of the micropositioner. Thc longitudinal uncertainty does not depend on the parameters of the optical setup, its value is given by the roughness of the measured surface. The height profile of the object is measured during one measurement process, unlike the scanning profilers. The illumination and the observation are coaxial which avoids shadows.

The diameter measurement of the cylinder bores is the specific problem of the length metrology. In practice, this operation is realised using three-pointed bore gauges - inside micrometers. The ring gauges - setting rings are used for testing of the inside micrometers. Such ring gauges are manufactured from the wear resistant steel or zirconium ceramic with diameter tolerance of 1 μm and shape tolerances according to DIN 2250. Since the setting rings of highest accuracy are the reference standards of 2nd order, there is necessary to carry out their precise calibration. This article describes the optical design of the device for the ring gauges calibration.

This paper analyzes the usage of the Yamaguchi's method, so-called the speckle pattern decorrelation, for determination of small static and dynamic object translations. At first the philosophy of the method is presented briefly. Then relationships between the cross correlation function and the small deformation tensor for the case of optically free space and image field are mentioned. Next, different experimental arrangements for the measurement of in-plane and normal object translations are analyzed. Possible measurement ranges and sensitivities for each arrangement are discussed, too. Finally, some results of our experiments are shown.

The novel laboratory system for the optical tomography is used to obtain three-dimensional temperature field around a heated element. The Mach-Zehnder holographic interferometers with diffusive illumination of the phase object provide the possibility to scan of multidirectional holographic interferograms in the range of viewing angles from 0 deg to 108 deg. These interferograms form the input data for the computer tomography of the 3D distribution of the refractive index variation, which characterizes the physical state of the studied medium. The configuration of the system allows automatic projection scanning of the studied phase object. The computer calculates the wavefront deformation for each projection, making use of different methods of Fourier-transform and phase-sampling evaluations. The experimental set-up together with experimental results is presented.

We present two methods for surface profiles measurement using optically trapped probe in tightly focused laser beam (optical tweezers). The first method is based on a continuous contact of the probe with the surface (contact mode) and the second one employes the alternating contact (tapping mode). The probe deviations are detected by two-photon fluorescence excited by the trapping beam and emitted by the trapped dyed probe.

The most frequently appearing criteria of the quality of optical surfaces and elements are analysed in detail in this article. There are described both geometrical-optics criteria and diffraction criteria. The connection between different criteria is also escribed. Some terms lacking classical analogy in optics are described, e.g. the focal length of the plane parallel plate, prism etc.

Topography is a method giving a contour map as result of measurement describing three-dimensional shape of measured objects. The paper is focused to projection moire topography. The measurement model is compiled at first of all. The parameters of topography (accuracy, sensitivity, resolution, range) are introduced by virtue of this model. They are the great tool for description of measurement from the point of view of its quality. Some examples of topography of object are introduced to illustrate the theoretical principles at the end.

Nondiffracting beams have been in the center of interest for the last decade. These beams, however, can be realized in practice only approximately. The simplest scheme for generating such a beam is to use a sufficiently narrow annular source placed in the back focal plane of a lens. Behind the lens, the beam is pseudo-nondiffracting in some length. The inverse problem is detection of Cerenkov radiation. The trace of a charged particle traveling through a dielectric medium faster than light emits this radiation under a certain angle. Generated conical wave front creates in the back focal plane of a lens a diffraction pattern in form of a ring. The contribution analyses theoretically both mentioned problems.

We present an experimental arrangement for the investigation of the spectra of a iodine in the spectral region around 1315 nm. The work was motivated by the need to assemble a stabilized laser system emitting at the wavelength matching with the transition used in iodine laser optical amplifiers where the laser frequency stability is limited by the linewidth of this ²P_1/2-²P_3/2 hyperfine transition. This stabilized laser system followed by an electro-optic Q-switch and fibre-optic preemplifiers will serve as a master oscillator for a pulsed high-power laser Asterix IV in the PALS facility.

The algebraic method for correction of aberrations was exploited in this work both for solving the problem of optical glass selection and for determining the radii of curvatures of cemented doublet. Exact aperture aberrations in the meridional plane are taken into consideration and the only limitation is the usage of the spherical surfaces. Optical properties of the hypothetical optical glass were determined with the use of only two parameters. Method consists in the solution of the system of 13 nonlinear equations, where unknowns are the angles of incidence at each surface of 4 specific rays and one parameter connected with the optical glass properties. Finite lens thicknesses selected for given aperture are fixed similarly to some glass parameters. Two approaches are recommended to solve the problem of the selection of the first optical glass. The algebraic analysis of the selection of hypothetical optical glass in the cemented doublet with the leading crown for the most interesting range of variation of the refractive indices of the crown and flint glass was performed. An example of full calculations of cemented doublet f10013 was given together with the algebraic choice of catalog glasses and determination of radii of curvatures.

Joint Laboratory of Optics produce mirrors for fluorescence optical detector of the Pierre Auger Project placed in Argentina. We want resume our manufacturing quality measurements and compare first two made telescopes with the prototype one. We measure radius of curvature, spot size and reflectivity in ultra-violet region.

We describe an unusual optical layout of the fluorescence detector telescope what is a part of the Pierre Auger observatory. The fluorescence detector is a very fast telescope with the relative aperture f_no ~ 0.77 and the large field of view 30 × 30 degrees. The primary objective for the Auger fluorescence telescope is to measure accurately the longitudinal development profiles of air showers of the cosmic rays above 10 EeV energy.

We have developed a new laboratory version of a reflected-light holographic confocal microscope (HCM). The confocal imaging capability with the depth discrimination have been verified by the measurement of the axial intensity response for a perfect plane mirror. The considerable improvement of axial resolution is achieved without necessity of high-NA objectives using broadband illumination. The operating principle of the mechanisms employed in a laboratory version of the HCM is outlined.

This article contains basic theoretical results of mathematical interpretations of some fundamental phenomena in the modern digital electronic imaging systems with pixel photodetection structure mainly from the standpoint of the mean mutual information. For such a purpose, the mentioned systems are approximated by a suitable linear and isoplanatic signal transfer model of a two-dimensional stationary and ergodic continuous stochastic distribution of the object scene- light intensity which is limited in size by the input field of view. The treated mathematical modelling of the presented phenomena is based on utilizing the continuous linear signal transfer theory and the extended modem communication and information theory for the spectral domain of spatial frequencies, especially. The presented equations are acceptable for an analysis and optimal synthesis of digital electronic imaging systems fidfilling the proposed signal transfer model. These systems give conventionally a better information efficiency and image quality in comparison with the older analog imaging systems.

We present a method for elimination of global intensity deformation in gray-scale images using contrast control based on image resolution manipulation. During the process, a Gaussian pyramid representation of an input image is constructed by means of low-pass filtering and sampling of successive pyramid levels, where the input image constitutes the first (zero) level of the pyramid. In the second step, a Laplacian pyramid is built, through subtracting successive levels of the Gaussian pyramid. Then, all levels in the Laplacian pyramid are expanded to the original image size and added with weights, to reconstruct the image. An algorithm and a computer routines library written in object programming language C++ are developed.

This paper presents a way for practical use of the CCD linear image sensor for scanning of light in some optical applications (spectroscopy). Communication of the equipment (detector CCD) with computer is realized by the help of a parallel interface of a personal computer (PC) without additive interface card. In final part of this contribution is presented a realization of measuring circuit (enhanced parallel interface PC) for the sensor ILXS 1 1. The use of the line detector is demonstrated on detection of the optical spectrum of the mercury lamp.

This paper discusses the possibility of exploiting of the tennovision registration and artificial neural networks for facial recognition systems. A biometric system that is able to identify people from thermograms is presented. To identify a person we used the Eigenfaces algorithm. For the face detection in the picture the backpropagation neural network was designed. For this purpose thermograms of 10 people in various external conditions were studies. The Eigenfaces algorithm calculated an average face and then the set of characteristic features for each studied person was produced. The neural network has to detect the face in the image before it actually can be identified. We used five hidden layers for that purpose. It was shown that the errors in recognition depend on the feature extraction, for low quality pictures the error was so high as 30%. However, for pictures with a good feature extraction the results of proper identification higher then 90%, were obtained.

In our work there is shown one of possible approaches to education of various parts of optics with a mathematical system MATLAB. The work is focused mainly on education of interference and diffraction of light and the diffraction theory of optical imaging. In our laboratories students can simply perform a computer simulation of various problems, which they can meet in practice, e.g. two-beam interferometry, imaging in coherent, partially coherent or incoherent light, diffraction from gratings of different types, etc. The system Matlab can be also used for simulating problems in holography and holographic interferometry of static and dynamic events. Students can further simulate transforming of optical beams through a simple lens or a system of lenses by means of ray tracing. For every described part of optics we have the software programmed in the Matlab system. Matlab seems to be a very good tool for numerical modelling of properties of various optical systems and for teaching optics.

Methods of real-time reconstruction of digitally recorded off-line microinterferograms working in Fresnel and Fourier configuration are presented. The principle of numerical calculations is described. Exemplary reconstructions of some holographic images, especially for digital holographic interferometry, are shown.

Different methods of vortex localization in the vortices aided interferometry (VAI) presented in our previous work are presented and compared. The methods are tested first on the computer generated and then on the experimental interferograms. On the numerical generated interferograms vortex points can be localized with the accuracy of 1 pixel. On the experimental inteferograms different methods give the difference up to 4 pixels. Simple measuring scheme is applied to test this kind of the interferometer.

Spectral-domain interference of two beams from a white-light source is analyzed theoretically and experimentally when the effects of both dispersion in an interferometer and the response function of a, spectrometer are taken into account. The spectral interference law is expressed analytically under the condition of a Gaussian response function of a spectrometer. It is revealed that the spectral interference fringes can be resolved, visibility of which depends on the bandpass of the spectrometer and on the group optical path difference (OPD) between interfering beams. The theoretical analysis is accompanied by experiments employing a dispersive Michelson interferometer and a low-resolution Spectrometer. Two experiments with different amounts of dispersion in the Michelson interferometer are realized giving the spectral interference fringes resolved only in the vicinity of the so-called equalization wavelength, at which the group OPD between interfering beams is zero. The spectral interferograms recorded within both experiments are compared with the theoretical ones, which are modeled knowing dispersion in the interferometer and the bandpass of the spectrometer. Dispersion in the interferometer is affected by the thickness of the optical sample made of fused silica and the refractive index dispersion governed by the Sellmeier dispersion relation. It is revealed good agreement between the theory and experiment indicating a possibility of proposing a new method of measuring distances and displacements when dispersion in the interferometer is known.

Two models of gain and thermal guiding effects were derived. In the first one the complex ABCD matrix for a crystal under gain and thermal guiding was applied to describe the operation of microchip near threshold. In the second one, the simple iterative procedure was proposed to calculate effective fundamental mode parameters of a cavity under thermal and gain guiding for given bare cavity ABCD matrix and pumping parameters, including gain saturation, passive cavity losses and reabsorption ones. The influence of gain guiding effects causes changes of waist width in the range up to 50% comparing to expectations derived from thermal guiding theory. Application of such method for resonators of passively Q switched lasers was proposed. Results of calculations for microchips were verified with experiment.

Numerical model of side pumped gain elements of rod or slab shape enabling estimation of overlapping efficiency and threshold was developed. This model was applied for analysis and optimization of laser heads side pumped by single diode bar. The diode side pumped lasers heads for rod and slab active elements were elaborated and characterized under real pumping conditions with 40W diode bar. It was shown in experiments that the optical performance for both types of heads is delimited by transversal, asymmetrical thermal gradients resulting in high level of depolarization and diffraction losses. The fundamental mode limit is about 20 W per 1 cm for a head side pumped by single diode bar.

This paper describes a numerical finite element method modeling of laser applications, especially laser cutting and drilling a steel, concrete or brick. In the first part of this contribution there is a very brief description of laser processing in metal (a kind of carbon steel) and non-metal material (concrete and brick), possibility of mathematical modeling and needful parameters for this modeling. One of the systems, that uses this method, is ANSYS. The ANSYS computer code is a large-scale multipurpose finite element program, which may be used for solving several classes of engineering analyses, for example thermal analyses, that calculates the temperature distribution and related thermal quantities in a system or its components. The main part of this paper deals with examples of temperature field computed by ANSYS in carbon steel, concrete and brick after incident of the high-power laser beam upon their surfaces. In conclusion we compare various theoretical results mutually and also with practically obtained facts.

In this paper, a new automatic glaucoma diagnostics method which enables to determine the probability of glaucoma occurrence in a studied eye is described. This method is based on the computer image analysis of two-dimensional images of the blind spot of the human eye retina and on the successive statistical evaluation of the obtained data. First, the characteristic symptoms of glaucoma are shortly described. Next, a suitable numerical parameter of the retina blind spot is defined. The computer image analysis method of the automatic determination of the mentioned parameter is described and it is applied to a set of normal healthy eye images and to a set of glaucomatous eye images. The probability of glaucoma occurrence for each value of the introduced parameter is suitably defined and computed by virtue of the statistical evaluation of the obtained results.

Visual quality depends on many factors of different nature and therefore it is not easy to define. Different measures are used to describe vision quality, such as: two point resolution, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity function (CSF) etc. We concentrate especially on CSF. There are two important factors affecting character of CSF. One of them is connected with the Optical Transfer Function (OTF) of the eye and the second one with the retinal response. Typically CSF is measured in incoherent light. Due to it is dependence on both mentioned above factors simultaneously it is impossible to extract the information on the eye optical system only. We hope that additional information offered by CSF measured in coherent light can help to solve this problem.

The presented paper reports the continuation of research on the linear model of human eyeball. We use the physically linear eye model, also presented in the paper by Srodka et al.'), but we introduce a new element to this model- passive non-accommodating eye lens. We look for such conditions, that placed upon geometry and material parameters of the eyeball, would enable the model to show optical self-adjustment effect. The Finite Element Method was used to model the eyeball tissue by means of physically linear materials. The current paper also investigates limitations imposed on boundary conditions, as well as geometrical and material parameters of model, by postulated requirement of eyeball models the optical self-adjustment effect. Subsequently, the results of investigations carried out on the model with and without eye lens are compared.

This paper reports the method of recording the Pupil Light Reflex with using a CCD linear sensor as a detector. The system allows to obtain a linear resolution 0,005 mm and a temporary resolution 11 ins. The principle of measuring method and example results of PLR study are presented.

We study the transfer of the cell nucleus and individual chromosomes from one living cell to the other one during their fusion. To achieve this, the nuclei of the two fused cells are stained with different fluorescent dyes which serve as identification markers. The fusion itself is done in an inverted optical microscope by combined system that uses optical tweezers to bring two living cells into contact and optical scalpel to punctuate their membranes at the contact point. This process initiates a fusion of both cells into one hybrid cell containing two nuclei. If the fusion product is viable, these nuclei tend to mix together. The dynamics of the fusion process is then visualized by exciting the fluorescently labeled fusion product with a suitable light source. The time evolution of the mutual position of the fused cell nuclei and their final orientation is traced from a video record of the experiment. The spatial distribution of the nuclear material in the resulting hybrid nucleus is studied by analysis of positions of FISH (fluorescent hybridization in situ) signals of specific genetic loci in automated fluorescence microscope (high resolution cytometer). The obtained results are compared to the signals distribution of FISH in the original cells.

The application of fluorescence spectroscopy methods in investigations of camptothecin (CPT) is presented in this paper. Fluorescence of CPT enables one to follow the process of hydrolysis, i.e. the process of converting the biologically active lactone form into inactive carboxylate. The fluorescence spectra of CPT recorded during the hydrolysis were analysed using Principale Component Analysis and Factor Analysis. The results obtained on the basis of fluorescence spectra analysis are compared with HPLC data.

Starting from Maxwell electromagnetic equations one executed such kind of transformation, which make possible to express the energy of radiation by measurement of light intensity. The propagation of electromagnetic waves in heterogeneous medium we can treat as a process of multiple interaction of energy with particles of matter. If we use monochromatic source of light the interaction becomes univocal. The diffraction processes in heterogeneous medium form indicatrix of scattering, which shape introduces correlation between size of scattering particles as well as energy of scattered radiation. Got effects of measurement of energetic distribution can be used in processes of many technological fields, in which granulosis of product is measure of quality.

The paper presents an analysis of the influence of volumetric solar radiation absorption on vertical temperature profiles changes and the thickness of mixed sea layer in the case of occurrence of crude oil pollution. The simulations were done for Southern Baltic in spring-summer season for the case of surface and volumetric pollution in the form of oil film and emulsion, respectively. The results of calculations show that, in dependence of the kind and amount of crude oil, the magnitude of the mixed sea layer thickness drop is in the range from 1 up to 9 meters, while the magnitude of the mixed sea layer temperature growth is in the range 0,05 + 10,2 °C.

Influence of enhanced backscattering effect on laser measurements of dust and aerosols content in a turbulent atmosphere is discussed. It is shown that doubling of the backscattered light intensity, characteristic for enhanced backscattering, leads to overestimating dust content in the air. To avoid undesirable effect of overestimation, it is recommended to displace receiving aperture sidewise relatively to laser source. Other method to eliminate overestimation is to use wider laser beam and extended receiving aperture as compared to coherence radius of the scattered wave field.

Seasonal changes of values of light attenuation coefficient in Oder River and in coastal waters of Pomeranian Bay (Poland) are presented. Modified theoretical junction approximating very well spectra of light attenuation coefficient for these waters is applied. The approximate formula based on Mie theory for light attenuation coefficient can be applied for examination of degree and kind of contamination in natural water areas. Spectral distributions of light attenuation coefficient are related to concentration of optically active water coinponents. The light attenuation coefficient determines efficiency of transport of radiation in water, under-water visibility conditions and also serves as an indicator of contaminations. The spectrum of light attenuation coefficient characterizes and differentiates waters in different areas.

A pair (A, B) of interacting oscillators treated as a master system sending signals to its slave copy (a, b) is considered. We synchronize a with A and b with B through two communication channels A → a and B → b. The effect of synchronization is non-simultaneous. The pairs (a, A) and (b, B) have different times of synchronization. This two-time synchronizm is demonstrated in an optical model (coupled Kerr oscillators producing hyperchaotic beats). It is possible to synchronize an individual pair, for example, (b, B) when its communication channel B → b is turned off, provided that the second channel for the pair(a,A) is turned on. The resulted synchronization is termed induced. The efficiencies of the presented synchronization precesses are studied.

Characteristic features of a dynamical system are well-represented by Lyapunov exponents map in a parametric space. The order, quasiperiodic and chaotic regions were identified by the first Lyapunov exponent, whereas in the case of hyperchaotic regions the sign of the second Lyapunov exponents was also needed. We used this tool to investigate the system governing second-harmonic generation (SHG) of light with a modulated pump as well as a pulsating external field (square-wave). The influence of the pump parameters on dynamics of the generation process is numerically investigated. Chaotic and hyperchaotic behaviour in the system with a weak damping is found in both cases of pumping. This kind of performance of the system can be employed in communication devices. Especially, all-optical switching via second-harmonic generation in a directional coupler is extensively studied. A good diagnostic of dynamical system is the first steep for development of methods of manipulation and control of generated signals.

Spectral domain characteristics and parameters of optical fibers such as losses and their wavelength dependence, cutoff wavelengths for different fiber modes, wavelength dependencies of both the beat length and intermodal dispersion, etc., are important from the point of view of the development of new types of optical fibers. More recently, a new spectral domain white light interferometric technique employing a low resolution spectrometer has been used in measurement of the intermodal dispersion in optical fibers. The technique utilizes the fact that the spectral interference fringes are resolved at the output of a tandem configuration of the compensated (non-dispersive) Michelson interferometer and a few-mode optical fiber only in the vicinities of the so called equalization wavelengths at which the optical path difference (OPD) in the interferometer is the same as the intermodal group OPDs. Thus in the case of a two mode optical fiber the OPD adjusted in the interferometer and measured as a function of the equalization wavelength gives directly the spectral dependence of the intermodal group OPD in the optical fiber. The aim of this work is to use the new spectral domain white light interferometric technique to measure the intermodal dispersion in three different optical fibers. The aim of the work is also to perform an adequate theoretical analysis using a model of a weakly guiding, step-index optical fiber and to compare the corresponding results with the measured intermodal dispersion.

Mode-locking technique based on intracavity frequency doubling referred as a nonlinear mirror mode-locking proposed by Stankov is discussed. Frequency doubler inside the cavity, together with an output mirror with high reflectivity at the second harmonics, builds a reflector, whose reflectivity at the fundamental wavelength can either increase or decrease, depending on the phases of the fundamental and second harmonic radiation. Application of this method to lamp and diode pumped solid state lasers are discussed as well as its difference from recently studied technique of mode locking using polarization rotation in quadratic nonlinear crystal.

We propose to adapt the cellular automata approach as a tool for investigation of quantum optical systems. As an example we propose a model comprising a cavity filled with a one dimensional chain of identical two level atoms. To simulate the probabilistic character of a single atom evolution we use the Monte Carlo algorithm. We assume that the cavity is confined by mirrors of the reflectivity r. This fact allows simulation of the cavity losses. In this communication we shall show the influence of the probabilities of photon absorption by a single atom inside the cavity, on the system dynamics.

The coupled wave method (CWM) has been applied to the description of electromagnetic wave propagation in binary optic gratings. The electromagnetic field and the permittivity profile are expanded into two-fold Fourier series. The reflection coefficients of 2D periodical structures have been specified and the ellipsometric angles of discussed shapes have been computed. The theoretical results computed for SiO₂ and Si₃N₄ dots are compared with experimental data obtained for the square silicon nitride dots on the Si substrate. The measurements were performed using computer controlled four zone null ellipsometer in spectral range from 240 nm to 700 nm. The influences of Si0₂ ultrathin oxidation layer and dot thickness on spectral ellipsometric angles are also discussed.

The application of the Senarmont compensator setup for measuring of elliptically birefringent media properties is presented. The measurement procedure is carried out in two steps. In the first one, the medium is treated as a linearly birefringent, while, after a little modification of the measurement setup, is treated as a circularly one. Formulae for the phase shift introduced by the medium and the ellipticity angle of the first eigenvector of the medium are presented, also in the case when the quartenvave plate does not introduce the phase shift that is equal exactly 90°.

The first purpose of the article is to discuss the Senarmont method of the measurement of the phase difference of the birefringence medium, which is effective even if the quarter wave plate with the phase shift different from 90 degrees is used in the measurement setup. And also the modification of the Senarmont compensator is presented in the second part of this paper. It uses standard simple and reverse Senarmont setups, however, the phase retardances of unknown medium as well as the element used as a quarter wave plate in classical setups could be measured.