PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Allen Taflove

Publications and source records attributed to Allen Taflove.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Backscattering enhancement of light by nanoparticles positioned in localized optical intensity peaks.

We report what we believe to be a novel backscattering phenomenon associated with localized optical intensity peaks (spanning as little as 43 nm) arising at the shadow-side surfaces of plane-wave-illuminated dielectric microcylinders of noncircular cross sections. Namely, for nanometer-scale dielectric particles positioned within the localized intensity peaks, their backscattering of visible light is enhanced by several orders of magnitude relative to the case of isolated nanoparticles (i.e., Rayleigh scattering). The positions of the localized intensity peaks can be quickly scanned along the microcylinder surface by changing either the incident wavelength or angle. This combination of giant backscattering enhancement of nanoparticles and ease and rapidity of scanning may present advantages relative to the use of fragile, mechanically scanned, near-field probes. Potential applications include visible-light detection, characterization, and manipulation of nanoparticles.

Light↗
PubMed2006

Highly efficient optical coupling and transport phenomena in chains of dielectric microspheres.

Using the generalized multiparticle Mie theory, we investigate optical coupling and transport through chains of dielectric microspheres. We identify two distinct coupling mechanisms of optical transport in terms of the coupling efficiency between neighboring microspheres, namely, evanescent coupling and nanojet coupling. We demonstrate that perfect whispering gallery mode propagation through a chain of evanescently coupled microspheres can be achieved. However, optical coupling and transport through a chain of nanojet-inducing microspheres is less efficient due to the radiative nature of photonic nanojets. Understanding these two optical coupling mechanisms is critical for selecting appropriate microspheres to build coupled resonator optical waveguides and other photon-manipulation devices for effective and low-loss guiding of photons.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Superenhanced backscattering of light by nanoparticles.

We report a physical explanation for the phenomenon wherein the backscattering of light by dielectric particles of sizes between 100 and 1 nm is enhanced by 7-11 orders of magnitude. The phenomenon involves complex composite interactions between a dielectric microsphere and a nanoparticle positioned in close proximity to the microsphere. We provide both analytical and perturbation analyses that show that the enhanced backscattering intensity of a nanoparticle is proportional to the third power of its size parameter. Potential applications of this phenomenon include visible-light detection, characterization, and manipulation of particles as small as a few nanometers.

Biosensing Techniques↗
PubMed2005

Quantitative analysis of depolarization of backscattered light by stochastically inhomogeneous dielectric particles.

We determine the relationship between the depolarization properties of inhomogeneous particles and the statistical parameters of their internal refractive-index distributions. Our analysis demonstrates that the linear depolarization ratio of backscattered light by an inhomogeneous particle is approximately proportional to both the squared standard deviation and the squared correlation length of the particle's internal refractive-index distribution. We verify this result by conducting rigorous numerical studies using the finite-difference time-domain method. This improved understanding of light depolarization by inhomogeneous structures may enhance polarization-based biomedical optical imaging techniques.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Exact solution of Maxwell's equations for optical interactions with a macroscopic random medium: addendum.

This Addendum provides a revised set of figures containing converged numerical data for total scattering cross section (TSCS), replacing the figures in our recent publication [Opt. Lett. 29, 1393 (2004)]. Due to the use of an overly large time step, our original TSCS data exhibited a systematic, nonphysical diminution above 150 THz for all cases studied. We have determined that numerical convergence in the temporal sense for the pseudospectral time-domain (PSTD) algorithm employed previously requires limiting the time step to no more than 1/60th of the sinusoidal period at the maximum frequency of interest, which in the previous case was 300 THz. This is an important point that we hereby report to future users of PSTD simulations in electrodynamics and optics. Note that all our original conclusions remain valid.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2004

Equiphase-sphere approximation for light scattering by stochastically inhomogeneous microparticles.

We report the development and validation of the equiphase-sphere (EPS) approximation for calculating the total-scattering cross-section (TSCS) spectra of inhomogeneous microparticles having complex interior structures. We show that this closed-form, analytical approximation can accurately model the TSCS of randomly inhomogeneous spherical particles having internal refractive index variations with geometrical scales spanning from nanometers (i.e., subwavelength) to microns (i.e., suprawavelength). Moreover, we derive an easy-to-use criterion for the range of validity of the EPS approximation in modeling TSCS of inhomogeneous particles. The work discussed in this paper may positively impact tissue optical imaging and diagnostic applications.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Equiphase-sphere approximation for analysis of light scattering by arbitrarily shaped nonspherical particles.

We extend the previously proposed concept of equiphase sphere (EPS) to analyze light-scattering properties of arbitrarily shaped particles. Our analyses based on the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin technique and numerical studies based on the finite-difference time-domain method demonstrate that a wide range of irregularly shaped particles can be approximated as their equivalent equiphase ellipsoids to determine their total scattering cross-section (TSCS) spectra. As a result, a simple expression given by the EPS approximation can be used to calculate the TSCS spectra of these particles. We find that the accuracy of the EPS approximation is influenced by both the magnitude and the geometric scale of the surface perturbation of the particle, and we derive validity conditions of the EPS approximation to guide the practical application of this method.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Superior signal-to-noise ratio of a new AA1 sequence for random-modulation continuous-wave lidar.

In an earlier work [Proc. SPIE 4484, 216 (2001)] we proposed a new AA1 modulation sequence for random-modulation continuous-wave lidar. It possesses significantly better signal properties than other pseudorandom codes (the M, A1, and A2 sequences). We derive and compare the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the new AA1 sequence with those of previous modulation sequences. Using a figure of merit proposed for pseudorandom sequences in additive (and generally colored) noise, we show that the SNR of the AA1 sequence in 1/f noise can be as much as 50 times better than that of the commonly used M sequence. This improved SNR should permit as much as a 7:1 increase of the maximum lidar sensing range in baseband-modulation direct-detection infrared lidar with no significant changes to the transmitter and receiver.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Exact solution of Maxwell's equations for optical interactions with a macroscopic random medium.

We report what we believe to be the first rigorous numerical solution of the two-dimensional Maxwell equations for optical propagation within, and scattering by, a random medium of macroscopic dimensions. Our solution is based on the pseudospectral time-domain technique, which provides essentially exact results for electromagnetic field spatial modes sampled at the Nyquist rate or better. The results point toward the emerging feasibility of direct, exact Maxwell equations modeling of light propagation through many millimeters of biological tissues. More generally, our results have a wider implication: Namely, the study of electromagnetic wave propagation within random media is moving toward exact rather than approximate solutions of Maxwell's equations.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed2004

Analytical techniques for addressing forward and inverse problems of light scattering by irregularly shaped particles.

Understanding light scattering by nonspherical particles is crucial in modeling the transport of light in realistic structures such as biological tissues. We report the application of novel analytical approaches based on modified Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin and equiphase-sphere methods that facilitate accurate characterization of light scattering by a wide range of irregularly shaped dielectric particles. We also demonstrate that these approaches have the potential to address the inverse-scattering problem by means of a spectral analysis of the total scattering cross section of arbitrarily shaped particles.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2004

Concept of the equiphase sphere for light scattering by nonspherical dielectric particles.

We introduce the concept of the equiphase sphere for light scattering by nonspherical dielectric particles. This concept facilitates the derivation of a simple analytical expression for the total scattering cross section of such particles. We tested this concept for spheroidal particles and obtained a bound on the minor-to-major axis ratio for the valid application of this technique. We show that this technique yields results that agree well with the rigorous numerical solution of Maxwell's equations obtained with the finite-difference time-domain method. The new technique has the potential to be extended to the study of light scattering by arbitrarily shaped convex dielectric particles.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Initial three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain phenomenology study of the transient response of a large vertically coupled photonic racetrack.

We report the initial three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain modeling of a vertically coupled photonic racetrack. The modeling reveals details of the full suite of space-time behavior of electromagnetic-wave phenomena involved in guiding, coupling, multimoding, dispersion, and radiation. This behavior is not easily obtainable by analytical or full-vector frequency-domain methods, measurements of terminal properties, or near-field scanning optical microscopy.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Equivalent volume-averaged light scattering behavior of randomly inhomogeneous dielectric spheres in the resonant range.

Finite-difference time-domain numerical experiments and supporting analyses demonstrate that the spectral dependence of the total scattering cross sections of randomly inhomogeneous dielectric spheres of sizes in the resonant range closely resemble those of their homogeneous counterparts that have a volume-averaged refractive index. This result holds even for the extreme case in which the refractive index within an inhomogeneous sphere varies randomly over the range 1.0-2.0.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Finite-element time-domain algorithms for modeling linear Debye and Lorentz dielectric dispersions at low frequencies.

We present what we believe to be the first algorithms that use a simple scalar-potential formulation to model linear Debye and Lorentz dielectric dispersions at low frequencies in the context of finite-element time-domain (FETD) numerical solutions of electric potential. The new algorithms, which permit treatment of multiple-pole dielectric relaxations, are based on the auxiliary differential equation method and are unconditionally stable. We validate the algorithms by comparison with the results of a previously reported method based on the Fourier transform. The new algorithms should be useful in calculating the transient response of biological materials subject to impulsive excitation. Potential applications include FETD modeling of electromyography, functional electrical stimulation, defibrillation, and effects of lightning and impulsive electric shock.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2002

A multiple-layer finite-element model of the surface EMG signal.

The effect of skin, muscle, fat, and bone tissue on simulated surface electromyographic (EMG) signals was examined using a finite-element model. The amplitude and frequency content of the surface potential were observed to increase when the outer layer of a homogeneous muscle model was replaced with highly resistive skin or fat tissue. The rate at which the surface potential decreased as the fiber was moved deeper within the muscle also increased. Similarly, the rate at which the surface potential decayed around the surface of the model, for a constant fiber depth, increased. When layers of subcutaneous fat of increasing thickness were then added to the model, EMG amplitude, frequency content, and the rate of decay of the surface EMG signal around the limb decreased, due to the increased distance between the electrodes and the active fiber. The influence of bone on the surface potential was observed to vary considerably, depending on its location. When located close to the surface of the volume conductor, the surface EMG signal between the bone and the source and directly over the bone increased, accompanied by a slight decrease on the side of the bone distal to the active fiber. The results emphasize the importance of distinguishing between the effects of material properties and the distance between source and electrode when considering the influence of subcutaneous tissue, and suggest possible distortions in the surface EMG signal in regions where a bone is located close to the skin surface.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2002

Frequency- and time-domain FEM models of EMG: capacitive effects and aspects of dispersion.

Electromyography (EMG) simulations have traditionally been based on purely resistive models, in which capacitive effects are assumed to be negligible. Recent experimental studies suggest these assumptions may not be valid for muscle tissue. Furthermore, both muscle conductivity and permittivity are frequency-dependent (dispersive). In this paper, frequency-domain and time-domain finite-element models are used to examine the impact of capacitive effects and dispersion on the surface potential of a volume conductor. The results indicate that the effect of muscle capacitance and dispersion varies dramatically. Choosing low conductivity and high permittivity values in the range of experimentally reported data for muscle can cause displacement currents that are larger than conduction currents with corresponding reduction in surface potential of up to 50% at 100 Hz. Conductivity and permittivity values lying toward the middle of the reported range yield results which do not differ notably from purely resistive models. Also, excluding dispersion can also cause large error-up to 75% in the high frequency range of the EMG. It is clear that there is a need to establish accurate values of both conductivity and permittivity for human muscle tissue in vivo in order to quantify the influence of capacitance and dispersion on the EMG signal.

Computer Simulation↗