@article{GrunwaldtHaebelSpitzetal.2002, author = {Grunwaldt, Gisela and Haebel, Sophie and Spitz, Christian and Steup, Martin and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Multiple binding sites of fluorescein isothiocyanate moieties on myoglobin : photophysical heterogeneity as revealed by ground- and excited-state spectroscopy}, issn = {1011-1344}, year = {2002}, language = {en} } @article{SeefeldtHeuerMenzel2003, author = {Seefeldt, Michael and Heuer, Axel and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Compact white-light source with an average output power of 2.4 W and 900 nm spectral bandwidth}, year = {2003}, language = {en} } @article{HeuerHaenischMenzel2003, author = {Heuer, Axel and H{\"a}nisch, Christoph and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Low-power phase conjugation based on stimulated Brillouin scattering in fiber amplifiers}, year = {2003}, language = {en} } @article{RaabSkoczowskyMenzel2003, author = {Raab, Volker and Skoczowsky, Danilo and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Tuning high-power diodes with as much as 0.38 W of power and M2 = 1.2 over a range of 32 nm with 3-GHz bandwidth}, year = {2003}, language = {en} } @article{HeuerHaenischMenzel2003, author = {Heuer, Axel and H{\"a}nisch, Christoph and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {New concept for low threshold optical phase conjugation via SBS in a fiber amplifier}, isbn = {0-8194-4772-2}, year = {2003}, language = {en} } @article{Menzel2004, author = {Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Metrological Applications}, isbn = {3-540-20114-9}, year = {2004}, language = {en} } @article{HeuerMenzel2004, author = {Heuer, Axel and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Principles of Phase Conjugating Brillouin Mirrors}, isbn = {0-471-43957-6}, year = {2004}, language = {en} } @article{OstermeyerMenzel2004, author = {Ostermeyer, Martin and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Laser resonators with brillouin mirrors}, series = {Phase conjugate laser optics}, journal = {Phase conjugate laser optics}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken, NJ}, isbn = {0-471-43957-6}, year = {2004}, language = {en} } @article{UnterhuberPovazayBizhevaetal.2004, author = {Unterhuber, Angelika and Povazay, B. and Bizheva, K. and Hermann, B. and Sattmann, Harald and Stingl, A. and Le, Trang and Seefeldt, Michael and Menzel, Ralf and Preusser, Matthias and Budka, Herbert and Schubert, Christian and Reitsamer, H. and Ahnelt, Peter Kurt and Morgan, J. E.}, title = {Advances in broad bandwidth light sources for ultrahigh resolution optical coherence tomography}, issn = {0031-9155}, year = {2004}, abstract = {Novel ultra-broad bandwidth light sources enabling unprecedented sub-2 pm axial resolution over the 400 nm-1700 nm wavelength range have been developed and evaluated with respect to their feasibility for clinical ultrahigh resolution optical coherence tomography (UHR OCT) applications. The state-of-the-art light sources described here include a compact Kerr lens mode locked Ti:sapphire laser (lambda(c) = 785 nm, Deltalambda = 260 nm, P-out = 50 mW) and different nonlinear fibre-based light sources with spectral bandwidths (at full width at half maximum) up to 350 nm at lambda(c) = 1130 nm and 470 nm at lambda(c) = 1375 run. In vitro UHR OCT imaging is demonstrated at multiple wavelengths in human cancer cells, animal ganglion cells as well as in neuropathologic and ophthalmic biopsies in order to compare and optimize UHR OCT image contrast, resolution and penetration depth}, language = {en} } @article{vonSeggernModrakowskiSpitzetal.2004, author = {von Seggern, David and Modrakowski, Claudia and Spitz, Christian and Schl{\"u}ter, A. D. and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Charge transfer initiated by optical excitation in diester substituted biphenylpyrene as a function of the solvent characterized by excited state absorption spectroscopy}, year = {2004}, abstract = {Cross-sections for ground and excited state absorptions of the charge transfer system 3-(3-tert- butoxycarbonylamino-propyl)-4'-pyren-1-yl-biphenyl-2,5-dicarbo xylicacid dimethyl ester (Py-C) are determined from nonlinear absorption and fluorescence measurements as a function of solvent. While in non-polar solvents no stable charge transfer (CT) state occurs after optical excitation, in polar solvents the CT state is stabilized. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved}, language = {en} } @article{TedeschiLiMoehwaldetal.2004, author = {Tedeschi, Concetta and Li, L. and M{\"o}hwald, Helmuth and Spitz, Christian and von Seggern, David and Menzel, Ralf and Kirstein, Stefan}, title = {Engineering of layer-by-layer coated capsules with the prospect of materials for efficient and directed electron transfer}, year = {2004}, abstract = {We show a Lefschetz fixed point formula for holomorphic functions in a bounded domain D with smooth boundary in the complex plane. To introduce the Lefschetz number for a holomorphic map of D, we make use of the Bergman kernel of this domain. The Lefschetz number is proved to be the sum of the usual contributions of fixed points of the map in D and contributions of boundary fixed points, these latter being different for attracting and repulsing fixed points}, language = {en} } @article{LiMoehwaldSpitzetal.2005, author = {Li, L. and M{\"o}hwald, Helmuth and Spitz, Christian and von Seggern, David and Mucke, M. and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Long-lived photoinduced charge separation inside polarity gradient capsules}, year = {2005}, language = {en} } @article{OstermeyerKappeMenzeletal.2005, author = {Ostermeyer, Martin and Kappe, Philip and Menzel, Ralf and Wulfmeyer, Volker}, title = {Diode-pumped Nd : YAG master oscillator power amplifier with high pulse energy, excellent beam quality, and frequency-stabilized master oscillator as a basis for a next-generation lidar system}, issn = {0003-6935}, year = {2005}, abstract = {In the original publication [Ostermeyer et al., Appl. Opt., 44, 582-590 (2005)], Fig. 5 appeared twice as Figs. 4 and 5. This inaccuracy is corrected here. (c) 2005 Optical Society of America}, language = {en} } @article{KappeOstermeyerMenzel2005, author = {Kappe, Philip and Ostermeyer, Martin and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Active mode locking of a phase-conjugating SBS-laser oscillator}, issn = {0946-2171}, year = {2005}, abstract = {We present a flashlamp-pumped Nd: YAG laser simultaneously emitting pulse structures on microsecond, nanosecond and picosecond time scales. Within a microsecond flashlamp pump pulse a nonlinear reflector based on stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) generates several Q-switch pulses. The phase-conjugating effect of the SBS reflector provides a compensation of phase distortions generated inside the laser rod, resulting in transverse fundamental mode operation. Additional acousto-optic loss modulation inside the resonator leads to mode locking. As a result, each Q-switch pulse is subdivided into several picosecond pulses. Energies of up to 2 mJ for the mode-locked pulses with durations between 220 and 800 ps are demonstrated. The wide variability of the laser's temporal output parameters as well as its high beam quality make it a splendid tool for fundamental research in laser materials processing}, language = {en} } @article{KappeOstermeyerMenzel2005, author = {Kappe, Philip and Ostermeyer, Martin and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Active mode locking of a phase-conjugating SBS-laser oscillator}, issn = {0946-2171}, year = {2005}, language = {en} } @article{OstermeyerKlemzKubinaetal.2005, author = {Ostermeyer, Martin and Klemz, Guido and Kubina, P. and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Enhanced brightness and extraction efficiency of Nd:YAG rod lasers resulting in 180 W output power with M2<1.2}, isbn = {1-557-52697-4}, year = {2005}, language = {en} } @book{OstermeyerKappeMenzeletal.2005, author = {Ostermeyer, Martin and Kappe, Philip and Menzel, Ralf and Sommer, S. and Dausinger, Friedrich}, title = {Laser drilling in thin materials with bursts of ns-pulses generated by stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS)}, year = {2005}, abstract = {A passively Q-switched laser with a nonlinear mirror on the basis of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS), generates bursts of pulses with a few 10 ns pulse duration and a separation between 20-90 mu s. Percussion drilling and trepanning are performed in different materials with 1 mm thickness. The optimum parameter set of these pulse trains with regard to the burr height and ablation rate is investigated. Differences in the processing results between single pulse and multi pulse structures are discussed. In addition the laser allowed for transiently mode locked operation. Results for mode locked and merely Q-switched operation were compared}, language = {en} } @book{OstermeyerKappeMenzeletal.2005, author = {Ostermeyer, Martin and Kappe, Philip and Menzel, Ralf and Wulfmeyer, Volker}, title = {Diode-pumped Nd : YAG master oscillator power amplifier with high pulse energy, excellent beam quality, and frequency-stabilized master oscillator as a basis for a next-generation lidar system}, year = {2005}, abstract = {A pulsed, diode-laser-pumped Nd:YAG master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) in rod geometry, frequency stabilized with a modified Pound-Drever-Hall scheme is presented. The apparatus delivers 33-ns pulses with a maximum pulse energy of 0.5 J at 1064 nm. The system was set up in two different configurations for repetition rates of 100 or 250 Hz. The beam quality was measured to be 1.5 times the diffraction limit at a pulse energy of 405 mJ and a repetition rate of 100 Hz. At 250 Hz with the same pulse energy, the M-2 was better than 2.1. The radiation is frequency converted with an efficiency of 50\% to 532 nm. This MOPA system will be the pump laser of transmitters for a variety of high-end, scanning lidar systems. (C) 2005 Optical Society of America}, language = {en} } @article{JechowRaabMenzel2006, author = {Jechow, Andreas and Raab, Volker and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {High cw power using an external cavity for spectral beam combining of diode laser-bar emission}, issn = {0003-6935}, doi = {10.1364/AO.45.003545}, year = {2006}, abstract = {In extension to known concepts of wavelength-multiplexing diode laser arrays, a new external cavity is presented. The setup simultaneously improves the beam quality of each single emitter of a standard 25 emitter broad-area stripe laser bar and spectrally superimposes the 25 beams into one. By using this external resonator in an "off-axis" arrangement, beam qualities of M-slow(2) < 14 and M-fast(2) < 3 with optical powers in excess of 10 W in cw operation are obtained.}, language = {en} } @article{KappeMenzelOstermeyer2006, author = {Kappe, Philip and Menzel, Ralf and Ostermeyer, Martin}, title = {Analysis of the temporal and spectral output properties of a mode-locked and Q-switched laser oscillator with a nonlinear mirror based on stimulated Brillouin scattering}, issn = {1050-2947}, doi = {10.1103/Physreva.74.013809}, year = {2006}, abstract = {The emission dynamics of a mode-locked laser oscillator with a nonlinear mirror based on stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) has been investigated with regard to its spectrum and to its intensity distribution. The investigation was carried out experimentally as well as by numerical simulations. The laser yields trains of pulses with measured durations of 410 ps and energies of the single pulse of up to 2 mJ. Two theoretical models describing the complex emission dynamics of a mode-locked SBS-laser oscillator are introduced. The first model consists of spectrally resolved laser rate equations and thus describes the mode locking in the frequency domain by the superposition of the longitudinal resonator modes. The SBS-Q-switch is incorporated by a phenomenological description of the time dependent SBS reflectivity. Numerical simulations based on this model yield the evolution of a few 100 longitudinal laser modes and the corresponding intensity distribution during the course of a Q-switch pulse with 10-ps resolution. The influences of the different components on the spectrum and thus on the pulse duration will be discussed. The second model describes all occurring dynamics in the time domain providing easy access to the study of misalignment on the output dynamics. Results of numerical simulations of both models and measurement results are compared}, language = {en} } @article{Menzel2007, author = {Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Photonics : linear and nonlinear interactions of laser light and matter}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Berlin}, isbn = {978-540-67074-2}, pages = {1024 S.}, year = {2007}, language = {en} } @article{JechowLichtnerMenzeletal.2009, author = {Jechow, Andreas and Lichtner, Mark and Menzel, Ralf and Radziunas, Mindaugas and Skoczowsky, Danilo and Vladimirov, Andrei G.}, title = {Stripe-array diode-laser in an off-axis external cavity : theory and experiment}, issn = {1094-4087}, doi = {10.1364/OE.17.019599}, year = {2009}, abstract = {Stripe-array diode lasers naturally operate in an anti-phase supermode. This produces a sharp double lobe far field at angles {\~n}a depending on the period of the array. In this paper a 40 emitter gain guided stripe-array laterally coupled by off-axis filtered feedback is investigated experimentally and numerically. We predict theoretically and confirm experimentally that at doubled feedback angle 2a a stable higher order supermode exists with twice the number of emitters per array period. The theoretical model is based on time domain traveling wave equations for optical fields coupled to the carrier density equation taking into account diffusion of carriers. Feedback from the external reflector is modeled using Fresnel integration.}, language = {en} } @article{JechowLichtnerMenzeletal.2009, author = {Jechow, Andreas and Lichtner, Mark and Menzel, Ralf and Radziunas, Mindaugas and Skoczowsky, Danilo and Vladimirov, Andrei G.}, title = {Stripe-array diode-laser in an off-axis external cavity : theory and experiment}, issn = {1094-4087}, doi = {10.1364/OE.17.019599}, year = {2009}, abstract = {Stripe-array diode lasers naturally operate in an anti-phase supermode. This produces a sharp double lobe far field at angles +/-alpha depending on the period of the array. In this paper a 40 emitter gain guided stripe-array laterally coupled by off-axis filtered feedback is investigated experimentally and numerically. We predict theoretically and confirm experimentally that at doubled feedback angle 2 alpha a stable higher order supermode exists with twice the number of emitters per array period. The theoretical model is based on time domain traveling wave equations for optical fields coupled to the carrier density equation taking into account diffusion of carriers. Feedback from the external reflector is modeled using Fresnel integration.}, language = {en} } @article{SkoczowskyJechowMenzeletal.2010, author = {Skoczowsky, Danilo and Jechow, Andreas and Menzel, Ralf and Paschke, Katrin and Erbert, G{\"o}tz}, title = {Efficient second-harmonic generation using a semiconductor tapered amplifier in a coupled ring-resonator geometry}, issn = {0146-9592}, doi = {10.1364/OL.35.000232}, year = {2010}, abstract = {A new approach for efficient second-harmonic generation using diode lasers is presented. The experimental setup is based on a tapered amplifier operated in a ring resonator that is coupled to a miniaturized enhancement ring resonator containing a periodically poled lithium niobate crystal. Frequency locking of the diode laser emission to the resonance frequency of the enhancement cavity is realized purely optically, resulting in stable, single-frequency operation. Blue light at 488 nm with an output power of 310 mW is generated with an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 18\%.}, language = {en} } @article{SkoczowskyJechowStuermeretal.2010, author = {Skoczowsky, Danilo and Jechow, Andreas and St{\"u}rmer, Herbert and Poßner, Torsten and Sacher, Joachim and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Quasi-monolithic ring resonator for efficient frequency doubling of an external cavity diode laser}, issn = {0946-2171}, doi = {10.1007/s00340-009-3802-7}, year = {2010}, abstract = {A quasi-monolithic second-harmonic-generation ring resonator assembled with miniaturized components is presented. The ring contains a 10-mm-long bulk periodically poled lithium niobate crystal for second-harmonic generation, four plane mirrors and two gradient-index lenses. All parts are mounted on a glass substrate with an overall size of 19.5 mmx8.5 mmx4 mm. As pump source a broad-area laser diode operated in an external resonator with Littrow arrangement is utilized. This external cavity diode laser provides near diffraction limited, narrow-bandwidth emission with an optical output power of 450 mW at a wavelength of 976 nm. Locking of the diode laser emission to the resonance frequency of the ring cavity was achieved by an optical self-injection locking technique. With this setup more than 126 mW of diffraction-limited blue light at 488 nm could be generated. The opto-optical conversion efficiency was 28\% and a wall plug efficiency better than 5.5\% could be achieved.}, language = {en} } @article{ElsnerUllmannHeueretal.2012, author = {Elsner, Robert and Ullmann, Roland and Heuer, Axel and Menzel, Ralf and Ostermeyer, Martin}, title = {Two-dimensional modeling of transient gain gratings in saturable gain media}, series = {OPTICS EXPRESS}, volume = {20}, journal = {OPTICS EXPRESS}, number = {7}, publisher = {OPTICAL SOC AMER}, address = {WASHINGTON}, issn = {1094-4087}, doi = {10.1364/OE.20.006887}, pages = {6887 -- 6896}, year = {2012}, abstract = {A transient two-dimensional model describing degenerate four-wave mixing inside saturable gain media is presented. The new model is compared to existing one-dimensional models with their qualitative results confirmed. Large quantitative differences with respect to peak reflectivity and optimum pump fluence are observed. Furthermore, the influence of the beam focus size, the transverse position and the crossing angle on the reflectivity of the grating is investigated using the improved model. It is demonstrated that the phase conjugate reflectivity depends sensitively on the transverse features of the interacting beams with a transverse shift in the position of the pump beams yielding a threefold improvement in reflectivity. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America}, language = {en} } @article{MenzelPuhlmannHeueretal.2012, author = {Menzel, Ralf and Puhlmann, Dirk and Heuer, Axel and Schleich, Wolfgang P.}, title = {Wave-particle dualism and complementarity unraveled by a different mode}, series = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {109}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, number = {24}, publisher = {National Acad. of Sciences}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0027-8424}, doi = {10.1073/pnas.1201271109}, pages = {9314 -- 9319}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The precise knowledge of one of two complementary experimental outcomes prevents us from obtaining complete information about the other one. This formulation of Niels Bohr's principle of complementarity when applied to the paradigm of wave-particle dualism-that is, to Young's double-slit experiment-implies that the information about the slit through which a quantum particle has passed erases interference. In the present paper we report a double-slit experiment using two photons created by spontaneous parametric down-conversion where we observe interference in the signal photon despite the fact that we have located it in one of the slits due to its entanglement with the idler photon. This surprising aspect of complementarity comes to light by our special choice of the TEM01 pump mode. According to quantum field theory the signal photon is then in a coherent superposition of two distinct wave vectors giving rise to interference fringes analogous to two mechanical slits.}, language = {en} } @article{HeuerSagahtiJechowetal.2012, author = {Heuer, Axel and Sagahti, A. and Jechow, Andreas and Skoczowsky, D. and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Multi-wavelength, high spatial brightness operation of a phase-locked stripe-array diode laser}, series = {Laser physics}, volume = {22}, journal = {Laser physics}, number = {1}, publisher = {Pleiades Publ.}, address = {New York}, issn = {1054-660X}, doi = {10.1134/S1054660X12010057}, pages = {160 -- 164}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Stable continuous wave multi-wavelength operation of a stripe-array diode laser with an externalcavity spectral beam combining geometry is presented. In this setup each emitter of the stripe-array is forced to operate at a different wavelength, which leads to a decoupling between the usually phase-locked emitters. With a reflective diffraction grating with a period of 300 lines per mm, 33 equidistant laser lines around a center wavelength of 978 nm were realized, spanning a spectral range of 26 nm. With this novel approach near-diffraction limited emission with a beam quality of M (2) < 1.2 and an output power of 450 mW was achieved. This laser light source can be used for applications requiring low temporal but high spatial coherence.}, language = {en} } @article{GarzSandmannRadingetal.2012, author = {Garz, Andreas and Sandmann, Michael and Rading, Michael and Ramm, Sascha and Menzel, Ralf and Steup, Martin}, title = {Cell-to-cell diversity in a synchronized chlamydomonas culture as revealed by single-cell analyses}, series = {Biophysical journal}, volume = {103}, journal = {Biophysical journal}, number = {5}, publisher = {Cell Press}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {0006-3495}, doi = {10.1016/j.bpj.2012.07.026}, pages = {1078 -- 1086}, year = {2012}, abstract = {In a synchronized photoautotrophic culture of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, cell size, cell number, and the averaged starch content were determined throughout the light-dark cycle. For single-cell analyses, the relative cellular starch was quantified by measuring the second harmonic generation (SHG). In destained cells, amylopectin essentially represents the only biophotonic structure. As revealed by various validation procedures, SHG signal intensities are a reliable relative measure of the cellular starch content. During photosynthesis-driven starch biosynthesis, synchronized Chlamydomonas cells possess an unexpected cell-to-cell diversity both in size and starch content, but the starch-related heterogeneity largely exceeds that of size. The cellular volume, starch content, and amount of starch/cell volume obey lognormal distributions. Starch degradation was initiated by inhibiting the photosynthetic electron transport in illuminated cells or by darkening. Under both conditions, the averaged rate of starch degradation is almost constant, but it is higher in illuminated than in darkened cells. At the single-cell level, rates of starch degradation largely differ but are unrelated to the initial cellular starch content. A rate equation describing the cellular starch degradation}, language = {en} } @article{JechowSeefeldtKurzkeetal.2013, author = {Jechow, Andreas and Seefeldt, Michael and Kurzke, Henning and Heuer, Axel and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Enhanced two-photon excited fluorescence from imaging agents using true thermal light}, series = {Nature photonics}, volume = {7}, journal = {Nature photonics}, number = {12}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {1749-4885}, doi = {10.1038/NPHOTON.2013.271}, pages = {973 -- 976}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) is a standard technique in modern microscopy(1), but is still affected by photodamage to the probe. It has been proposed that TPEF can be enhanced using entangled photons(2,3), but this has proven challenging. Recently, it was shown that some features of entangled photons can be mimicked with thermal light, which finds application in ghost imaging(4), subwavelength lithography(5) and metrology(6). Here, we use true thermal light from a superluminescent diode to demonstrate TPEF that is enhanced compared to coherent light, using two common fluorophores and luminescent quantum dots, which suit applications in imaging and microscopy. We find that the TPEF rate is directly proportional to the measured(7) degree of second-order coherence, as predicted by theory. Our results show that photon bunching in thermal light can be exploited in two-photon microscopy, with the photon statistic providing a new degree of freedom.}, language = {en} } @article{MenzelHeuerPuhlmannetal.2013, author = {Menzel, Ralf and Heuer, Axel and Puhlmann, Dirk and Dechoum, K. and Hillery, M. and Spaehn, M. J. A. and Schleich, W. P.}, title = {A two-photon double-slit experiment}, series = {Journal of modern optics}, volume = {60}, journal = {Journal of modern optics}, number = {1}, publisher = {Routledge, Taylor \& Francis Group}, address = {Abingdon}, issn = {0950-0340}, doi = {10.1080/09500340.2012.746400}, pages = {86 -- 94}, year = {2013}, abstract = {We employ a photon pair created by spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC) where the pump laser is in the TEM01 mode to perform a Young's double-slit experiment. The signal photon illuminates the two slits and displays interference fringes in the far-field while the idler photon measured in the near-field in coincidence with the signal photon provides us with which-slit' information. We explain the results of these experiments with the help of an analytical expression for the second-order correlation function derived from an elementary model of SPDC. Our experiment emphasizes the crucial role of the mode function in the quantum theory of radiation.}, language = {en} } @article{HeuerRaabeMenzel2014, author = {Heuer, Axel and Raabe, S. and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Phase memory across two single-photon interferometers including wavelength conversion}, series = {Physical review : A, Atomic, molecular, and optical physics}, volume = {90}, journal = {Physical review : A, Atomic, molecular, and optical physics}, number = {4}, publisher = {American Physical Society}, address = {College Park}, issn = {1050-2947}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevA.90.045803}, pages = {4}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) in a nonlinear crystal generates two single photons (signal and idler) with random phases. Thus, no first-order interference between them occurs. However, coherence can be induced in a cascaded setup of two crystals if, e.g., the idler modes of both crystals are aligned to be indistinguishable. Due to the effect of phase memory it is found that the first-order interference of the signal beams can be controlled by the phase delay between the pump beams. Even for pump photon delays much larger than the coherence length of the SPDC photons, the visibility is above 90\%. The high visibilities reported here prove an almost perfect phase memory effect across the two interferometers for the pump and the signal photon modes.}, language = {en} } @article{ZinkWernerJechowetal.2014, author = {Zink, Christof and Werner, Nils and Jechow, Andreas and Heuer, Axel and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Multi-wavelength operation of a single broad area diode laser by spectral beam combining}, series = {IEEE photonics technology letters}, volume = {26}, journal = {IEEE photonics technology letters}, number = {3}, publisher = {Inst. of Electr. and Electronics Engineers}, address = {Piscataway}, issn = {1041-1135}, doi = {10.1109/LPT.2013.2291963}, pages = {253 -- 256}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Stabilized multi-wavelength emission from a single emitter broad area diode laser (BAL) is realized by utilizing an external cavity with a spectral beam combining architecture. Self-organized emitters that are equidistantly spaced across the slow axis are enforced by the spatially distributed wavelength selectivity of the external cavity. This resulted in an array like near-field emission although the BAL is physically a single emitter without any epitaxial sub-structuring and only one electrical contact. Each of the self-organized emitters is operated at a different wavelength and the emission is multiplexed into one spatial mode with near-diffraction limited beam quality. With this setup, multi-line emission of 31 individual spectral lines centered around and a total spectral width of 3.6 nm is realized with a 1000 mu m wide BAL just above threshold. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of such a self-organization of emitters by optical feedback utilizing a spectral beam combining architecture.}, language = {en} } @article{ZinkNiebuhrJechowetal.2014, author = {Zink, Christof and Niebuhr, Mario and Jechow, Andreas and Heuer, Axel and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Broad area diode laser with on-chip transverse Bragg grating stabilized in an off-axis external cavity}, series = {Optics express : the international electronic journal of optics}, volume = {22}, journal = {Optics express : the international electronic journal of optics}, number = {12}, publisher = {Optical Society of America}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1094-4087}, doi = {10.1364/OE.22.014108}, pages = {14108 -- 14113}, year = {2014}, abstract = {The emission characteristics of a novel, specially designed broad area diode laser (BAL) with on-chip transversal Bragg resonance (TBR) grating in lateral direction were investigated in an off-axis external cavity setup. The internal TBR grating defines a low loss transversal mode at a specific angle of incidence and a certain wavelength. By providing feedback at this specific angle with an external mirror, it is possible to select this low loss transverse mode and stabilize the BAL. Near diffraction limited emission with an almost single lobed far field pattern could be realized, in contrast to the double lobed far field pattern of similar setups using standard BALs or phase-locked diode laser arrays. Furthermore, we could achieve a narrow bandwidth emission with a simplified setup without external frequency selective elements. (C) 2014 Optical Society of America}, language = {en} } @article{SchwarzeGarzTeuchneretal.2014, author = {Schwarze, Thomas and Garz, Andreas and Teuchner, Klaus and Menzel, Ralf and Holdt, Hans-J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Two-photon probes for metal ions based on phenylaza[18]crown-6 ethers and 1,2,3-triazoles as pi-linkers}, series = {ChemPhysChem : a European journal of chemical physics and physical chemistry}, volume = {15}, journal = {ChemPhysChem : a European journal of chemical physics and physical chemistry}, number = {12}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1439-4235}, doi = {10.1002/cphc.201402232}, pages = {2436 -- 2439}, year = {2014}, language = {en} } @article{NiebuhrZinkJechowetal.2015, author = {Niebuhr, Mario and Zink, Christof and Jechow, Andreas and Heuer, Axel and Glebov, Leonid B. and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Mode stabilization of a laterally structured broad area diode laser using an external volume Bragg grating}, series = {Optics express : the international electronic journal of optics}, volume = {23}, journal = {Optics express : the international electronic journal of optics}, number = {9}, publisher = {Optical Society of America}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1094-4087}, doi = {10.1364/OE.23.012394}, pages = {12394 -- 12400}, year = {2015}, abstract = {An external volume Bragg grating (VBG) is used for transverse and longitudinal mode stabilization of a broad area diode laser (BAL) with an on-chip transverse Bragg resonance (TBR) grating. The internal TBR grating defines a transverse low-loss mode at a specific propagation angle inside the BAL. Selection of the TBR mode was realized via the angular geometry of an external resonator assembly consisting of the TBR BAL and a feedback element. A feedback mirror provides near diffraction limited and spectral narrow output in the TBR mode albeit requiring an intricate alignment procedure. If feedback is provided via a VBG, adjustment proves to be far less critical and higher output powers were achieved. Moreover, additional modulation in the far field distribution became discernible allowing for a better study of the TBR concept. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America}, language = {en} } @article{HeuerMenzelMilonni2015, author = {Heuer, Axel and Menzel, Ralf and Milonni, P. W.}, title = {Complementarity in biphoton generation with stimulated or induced coherence}, series = {Physical review : A, Atomic, molecular, and optical physics}, volume = {92}, journal = {Physical review : A, Atomic, molecular, and optical physics}, number = {3}, publisher = {American Physical Society}, address = {College Park}, issn = {1050-2947}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevA.92.033834}, pages = {8}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Coherence can be induced or stimulated in parametric down-conversion using two or three crystals when, for example, the idler modes of the crystals are aligned. Previous experiments with induced coherence [Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 053601 (2015)] focused on which-path information and the role of vacuum fields in realizing complementarity via reduced visibility in single-photon interference. Here we describe experiments comparing induced and stimulated coherence. Different single-photon interference experiments were performed by blocking one of the pump beams in a three-crystal setup. Each counted photon is emitted from one of two crystals and which-way information may or not be available, depending on the setup. Distinctly different results are obtained in the induced and stimulated cases, especially when a variable transmission filter is inserted between the crystals. A simplified theoretical model accounts for all the experimental results and is also used to address the question of whether the phases of the signal and idler fields in parametric down-conversion are correlated.}, language = {en} } @article{ElsnerPuhlmannPieplowetal.2015, author = {Elsner, Robert and Puhlmann, Dirk and Pieplow, Gregor and Heuer, Axel and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Transverse distinguishability of entangled photons with arbitrarily shaped spatial near- and far-field distributions}, series = {Journal of the Optical Society of America : B, Optical physics}, volume = {32}, journal = {Journal of the Optical Society of America : B, Optical physics}, number = {9}, publisher = {Optical Society of America}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0740-3224}, doi = {10.1364/JOSAB.32.001910}, pages = {1910 -- 1919}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Entangled photons generated by spontaneous parametric downconversion are ubiquitous in quantum optics. In general, they exhibit a complex spatial photon count distribution. This spatial structure is responsible for seemingly surprising results concerning, e.g., complementarity such as the apparent simultaneous observation of interference fringes V and which-way information D at a double slit, as recently reported by Menzel et al. [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 109, 9314 (2012)]. We implement a complete quantitative model of the SPDC interaction that fully incorporates the effects of crystal anisotropies, phase matching, and the pump beam structure and allows for arbitrary manipulations of the SPDC light in the near and far fields. This enables us to establish an upper bound D-2 + V-2 <= 1.47 for the experimental parameters reported by Menzel et al. We report new experimental results that agree excellently with these theoretical predictions. The new model enables a detailed quantitative analysis of this surprising result and the fair sampling interpretation of biphotons passing a double slit. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America}, language = {en} } @article{SandmannGarzMenzel2016, author = {Sandmann, Michael and Garz, Andreas and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Physiological response of two different Chlamydomonas reinhardtii strains to light-dark rhythms}, series = {Botany}, volume = {94}, journal = {Botany}, publisher = {NRC Research Press}, address = {Ottawa}, issn = {1916-2790}, doi = {10.1139/cjb-2015-0144}, pages = {53 -- 64}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Cells of a cell-wall deficient line (cw15-type) of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and of the corresponding wild type were grown during repetitive light-dark cycles. In a direct comparison, both lines showed approximately the same relative biomass increase during light phase but the cw-line produced significantly more, and smaller, daughter cells. Throughout the light period the average cellular starch content, the cellular chlorophyll content, the cellular rate of dark respiration, and the cellular rate of photosynthesis of the cw-line was lower. Despite this, several non-cell volume related parameters like the development of starch content per cell volume were clearly different over time between the strains. Additionally, the chlorophyll-based photosynthesis rates were 2-fold higher in the mutant than in the wild-type cells, and the ratio of chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b as well as the light-saturation index were also consistently higher in the mutant cells. Differences in the starch content were also confirmed by single cell analyses using a sensitive SHG-based microscopy approach. In summary, the cw15-type mutant deviates from its genetic background in the entire cell physiology. Both lines should be used in further studies in comparative systems biology with focus on the detailed relation between cell volume increase, photosynthesis, starch metabolism, and daughter cell productivity.}, language = {en} } @misc{RaetzelWilkensMenzel2016, author = {R{\"a}tzel, Dennis and Wilkens, Martin and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Gravitational properties of light}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-90553}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The gravitational field of a laser pulse of finite lifetime, is investigated in the framework of linearized gravity. Although the effects are very small, they may be of fundamental physical interest. It is shown that the gravitational field of a linearly polarized light pulse is modulated as the norm of the corresponding electric field strength, while no modulations arise for circular polarization. In general, the gravitational field is independent of the polarization direction. It is shown that all physical effects are confined to spherical shells expanding with the speed of light, and that these shells are imprints of the spacetime events representing emission and absorption of the pulse. Nearby test particles at rest are attracted towards the pulse trajectory by the gravitational field due to the emission of the pulse, and they are repelled from the pulse trajectory by the gravitational field due to its absorption. Examples are given for the size of the attractive effect. It is recovered that massless test particles do not experience any physical effect if they are co-propagating with the pulse, and that the acceleration of massless test particles counter-propagating with respect to the pulse is four times stronger than for massive particles at rest. The similarities between the gravitational effect of a laser pulse and Newtonian gravity in two dimensions are pointed out. The spacetime curvature close to the pulse is compared to that induced by gravitational waves from astronomical sources.}, language = {en} } @article{RaetzelWilkensMenzel2016, author = {R{\"a}tzel, Dennis and Wilkens, Martin and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Gravitational properties of light}, series = {New journal of physics : the open-access journal for physics}, volume = {18}, journal = {New journal of physics : the open-access journal for physics}, publisher = {IOP Science}, address = {London}, issn = {1367-2630}, doi = {10.1088/1367-2630/18/2/023009}, pages = {1 -- 16}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The gravitational field of a laser pulse of finite lifetime, is investigated in the framework of linearized gravity. Although the effects are very small, they may be of fundamental physical interest. It is shown that the gravitational field of a linearly polarized light pulse is modulated as the norm of the corresponding electric field strength, while no modulations arise for circular polarization. In general, the gravitational field is independent of the polarization direction. It is shown that all physical effects are confined to spherical shells expanding with the speed of light, and that these shells are imprints of the spacetime events representing emission and absorption of the pulse. Nearby test particles at rest are attracted towards the pulse trajectory by the gravitational field due to the emission of the pulse, and they are repelled from the pulse trajectory by the gravitational field due to its absorption. Examples are given for the size of the attractive effect. It is recovered that massless test particles do not experience any physical effect if they are co-propagating with the pulse, and that the acceleration of massless test particles counter-propagating with respect to the pulse is four times stronger than for massive particles at rest. The similarities between the gravitational effect of a laser pulse and Newtonian gravity in two dimensions are pointed out. The spacetime curvature close to the pulse is compared to that induced by gravitational waves from astronomical sources.}, language = {en} } @article{RaetzelWilkensMenzel2016, author = {R{\"a}tzel, Dennis and Wilkens, Martin and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Gravitational properties of light-the gravitational field of a laser pulse}, series = {NEW JOURNAL OF PHYSICS}, volume = {18}, journal = {NEW JOURNAL OF PHYSICS}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {1367-2630}, doi = {10.1088/1367-2630/18/2/023009}, pages = {16}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The gravitational field of a laser pulse of finite lifetime, is investigated in the framework of linearized gravity. Although the effects are very small, they may be of fundamental physical interest. It is shown that the gravitational field of a linearly polarized light pulse is modulated as the norm of the corresponding electric field strength, while no modulations arise for circular polarization. In general, the gravitational field is independent of the polarization direction. It is shown that all physical effects are confined to spherical shells expanding with the speed of light, and that these shells are imprints of the spacetime events representing emission and absorption of the pulse. Nearby test particles at rest are attracted towards the pulse trajectory by the gravitational field due to the emission of the pulse, and they are repelled from the pulse trajectory by the gravitational field due to its absorption. Examples are given for the size of the attractive effect. It is recovered that massless test particles do not experience any physical effect if they are co-propagating with the pulse, and that the acceleration of massless test particles counter-propagating with respect to the pulse is four times stronger than for massive particles at rest. The similarities between the gravitational effect of a laser pulse and Newtonian gravity in two dimensions are pointed out. The spacetime curvature close to the pulse is compared to that induced by gravitational waves from astronomical sources.}, language = {en} } @article{RaetzelWilkensMenzel2016, author = {R{\"a}tzel, Dennis and Wilkens, Martin and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {The effect of entanglement in gravitational photon-photon scattering}, series = {epl : a letters journal exploring the frontiers of physics}, volume = {115}, journal = {epl : a letters journal exploring the frontiers of physics}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Mulhouse}, issn = {0295-5075}, doi = {10.1209/0295-5075/115/51002}, pages = {S12 -- S13}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The differential cross-section for gravitational photon-photon scattering calculated in perturbative quantum gravity is shown to depend on the degree of polarization entanglement of the two photons. The interaction between photons in the symmetric Bell state is stronger than between not entangled photons. In contrast, the interaction between photons in the anti-symmetric Bell state is weaker than between not entangled photons. The results are interpreted in terms of quantum interference, and it is shown how they fit into the idea of distance-dependent forces. Copyright (C) EPLA, 2016}, language = {en} } @article{PuhlmannHenkelHeueretal.2016, author = {Puhlmann, Dirk and Henkel, Carsten and Heuer, Axel and Pieplow, Gregor and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Characterization of a remote optical element with bi-photons}, series = {Physica scripta : an international journal for experimental and theoretical physics}, volume = {91}, journal = {Physica scripta : an international journal for experimental and theoretical physics}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {0031-8949}, doi = {10.1088/0031-8949/91/2/023006}, pages = {113 -- 114}, year = {2016}, abstract = {We present a simple setup that exploits the interference of entangled photon pairs. 'Signal' photons are sent through a Mach-Zehnder-like interferometer, while 'idlers' are detected in a variable polarization state. Two-photon interference (in coincidence detection) is observed with very high contrast and for significant time delays between signal and idler detection events. This is explained by quantum erasure of the polarization tag and a delayed choice protocol involving a non-local virtual polarizer. The phase of the two-photon fringes is scanned by varying the path length in the signal beam or by rotating a birefringent crystal in the idler beam. We exploit this to characterize one beam splitter of the signal photon interferometer (reflection and transmission amplitudes including losses), using only information about coincidences and control parameters in the idler path. This is possible because our bi-photon state saturates the Greenberger-Yelin-Englert inequality between contrast and predictability.}, language = {en} } @article{RaetzelWilkensMenzel2017, author = {R{\"a}tzel, Dennis and Wilkens, Martin and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Effect of polarization entanglement in photon-photon scattering}, series = {Physical review : A, Atomic, molecular, and optical physics}, volume = {95}, journal = {Physical review : A, Atomic, molecular, and optical physics}, number = {1}, publisher = {American Physical Society}, address = {College Park}, issn = {2469-9926}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevA.95.012101}, pages = {6}, year = {2017}, abstract = {It is found that the differential cross section of photon-photon scattering is a function of the degree of polarization entanglement of the two-photon state. A reduced general expression for the differential cross section of photon-photon scattering is derived by applying simple symmetry arguments. An explicit expression is obtained for the example of photon-photon scattering due to virtual electron-positron pairs in quantum electrodynamics. It is shown how the effect in this explicit example can be explained as an effect of quantum interference and that it fits with the idea of distance-dependent forces.}, language = {en} } @article{MenzelPuhlmannHeuer2017, author = {Menzel, Ralf and Puhlmann, Dirk and Heuer, Axel}, title = {Complementarity in single photon interference - the role of the mode function and vacuum fields}, series = {Journal of the European Optical Society-Rapid}, volume = {13}, journal = {Journal of the European Optical Society-Rapid}, publisher = {Springer}, issn = {1990-2573}, doi = {10.1186/s41476-017-0036-x}, pages = {7}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background In earlier experiments the role of the vacuum fields could be demonstrated as the source of complementarity with respect to the temporal properties (Heuer et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 114:053601, 2015). Methods Single photon first order interferences of spatially separated regions from the cone structure of spontaneous parametric down conversion allow for analyzing the role of the mode function in quantum optics regarding the complementarity principle. Results Here the spatial coherence properties of these vacuum fields are demonstrated as the physical reason for complementarity in these single photon quantum optical experiments. These results are directly connected to the mode picture in classical optics. Conclusion The properties of the involved vacuum fields selected via the measurement process are the physical background of the complementarity principle in quantum optics.}, language = {en} } @misc{MenzelPuhlmannHeuer2017, author = {Menzel, Ralf and Puhlmann, Dirk and Heuer, Axel}, title = {Complementarity in single photon interference - the role of the mode function and vacuum fields}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-395210}, pages = {7}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background In earlier experiments the role of the vacuum fields could be demonstrated as the source of complementarity with respect to the temporal properties (Heuer et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 114:053601, 2015). Methods Single photon first order interferences of spatially separated regions from the cone structure of spontaneous parametric down conversion allow for analyzing the role of the mode function in quantum optics regarding the complementarity principle. Results Here the spatial coherence properties of these vacuum fields are demonstrated as the physical reason for complementarity in these single photon quantum optical experiments. These results are directly connected to the mode picture in classical optics. Conclusion The properties of the involved vacuum fields selected via the measurement process are the physical background of the complementarity principle in quantum optics.}, language = {en} } @article{RaetzelWilkensMenzel2017, author = {Raetzel, Dennis and Wilkens, Martin and Menzel, Ralf}, title = {Gravitational properties of light: The emission of counter-propagating laser pulses from an atom}, series = {Physical review : D, Particles, fields, gravitation, and cosmology}, volume = {95}, journal = {Physical review : D, Particles, fields, gravitation, and cosmology}, publisher = {American Physical Society}, address = {College Park}, issn = {2470-0010}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevD.95.084008}, pages = {11}, year = {2017}, language = {en} } @misc{MenzelHeuerMilonni2019, author = {Menzel, Ralf and Heuer, Axel and Milonni, Peter W.}, title = {Entanglement, complementarity, and vacuum fields in spontaneous parametric down-conversion}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {1077}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-47354}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-473542}, pages = {16}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Using two crystals for spontaneous parametric down-conversion in a parallel setup, we observe two-photon interference with high visibility. The high visibility is consistent with complementarity and the absence of which-path information. The observations are explained as the effects of entanglement or equivalently in terms of interfering probability amplitudes and also by the calculation of a second-order field correlation function in the Heisenberg picture. The latter approach brings out explicitly the role of the vacuum fields in the down-conversion at the crystals and in the photon coincidence counting. For comparison, we show that the Hong-Ou-Mandel dip can be explained by the same approach in which the role of the vacuum signal and idler fields, as opposed to entanglement involving vacuum states, is emphasized. We discuss the fundamental limitations of a theory in which these vacuum fields are treated as classical, stochastic fields.}, language = {en} } @article{MenzelMarxPuhlmannetal.2019, author = {Menzel, Ralf and Marx, Robert and Puhlmann, Dirk and Heuer, Axel and Schleich, Wolfgang}, title = {The photon}, series = {Journal of the Optical Society of America : B, Optical physics}, volume = {36}, journal = {Journal of the Optical Society of America : B, Optical physics}, number = {6}, publisher = {Optical Society of America}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0740-3224}, doi = {10.1364/JOSAB.36.001668}, pages = {1668 -- 1675}, year = {2019}, abstract = {We investigate the role of the spatial mode function in a single-photon experiment designed to demonstrate the principle of complementarity. Our approach employs entangled photons created by spontaneous parametric downconversion from a pump mode in a TEM01 mode together with a double slit. Measuring the interference of the signal photons behind the double slit in coincidence with the entangled idler photons at different positions, we select signal photons of different mode functions. When the signal photons belong to the TEM01-like double-hump mode, we obtain almost perfect visibility of the interference fringes, and no "which slit" information is available in the idler photon detected before the slits. This result is remarkable because the entangled signal and idler photon pairs are created each time in only one of the two intensity humps. However, when we break the symmetry between the two maxima of the signal photon mode structure, the paths through the slits for these additional photons become distinguishable and the visibility vanishes. It is the mode function of the photons selected by the detection system that decides if interference or "which slit" information is accessible in the experiment.}, language = {en} }