We analyze how information encoded in quantum systems can be optimally processed. In particular, we investigate copying (cloning) of quantum information (represented as states of 2-level quantum systems--qubits). We present unitary transformations which describe the optimal universal cloning of a qubit. Universality of the transformation guarantees that the fidelity of the cloning does not depend on the input state of the qubit, i.e. all states are cloned equally well. We present network for the optimal universal quantum cloning `machine' (transformation) which produces N + 1 copies from the original qubit. Here again the quality (fidelity) of the copies does not depend on the state of the original and is only a function of the number of copes, N. We also present the `machine' which universally and optimally clones states of quantum objects in arbitrary- dimensional Hilbert spaces. In particular, we discuss universal cloning of quantum registers. In addition to cloning of qubits we analyzed another universal operation-- the Universal NOT. We present the optimal transformation and the corresponding logical network which optimally complements an arbitrary input state of a qubit. We show that the fidelity of the performance of the Universal NOT operation increases as a function of the number of input qubits prepared in the same state.

Quantum statistical properties of light in nonlinear coupler in which Raman or Brillouin scattering are in operation are investigated. Main attention is given to possibility of generation of nonclassical states of light. Phase mismatches and losses are included and their influence is discussed. The second part of the paper is devoted to analysis of stationary point. Coherent pumping of optical modes is assumed and stationary solution for c-number amplitudes is found and small linear operator corrections are calculated. Stability of the stationary point is discussed and it is shown that phase uncertainty induces instability.

Applying the general concept of the vectorial phase conjugation based on the temporal reversion principle, the attainable fidelity of the phase-conjugate field generated in four-wave mixing in Kerr-like media is discussed. General results are obtained in the interaction model dealing with the electromagnetic plane waves of arbitrary polarizations.

We examine phase properties of the contradirectional nonlinear asymmetric coupler with the second harmonic generation. We derive a phase distribution using the concept of phase space. An interesting behavior of the linear mode, namely bifurcation of the phase distribution and phase switching are demonstrated. It is shown that light initially in the coherent state approximately maintains its phase properties during amplification through its Poissonian photon-number statistics are not conserved.

We investigate quantum interference effects of entangled two-photon states generated in a nonlinear crystal pumped by femtosecond pulses. Attention is devoted to the effects of the pump-pulse profile (pulse duration and chirp) as well as those originating in second-order dispersion, both in the nonlinear crystal and in the optical elements through which the down-converted photons propagate. The characteristics of the pump pulse, along with the dispersion, influence on the visibility and the symmetry of the coincidence-count interference pattern. Nonlocal dispersion cancellation occurs in some cases.

We calculate a joint distribution of the photon number and the momentum-like quadrature measured in a simple experimental scheme. We assume that any quantum state is preamplifier to compensate for the attenuation on a beam splitter. Particularly, we investigate a single input photon. We compare the measured joint distribution with quasidistributions related to partially symmetric orderings of the photon number and momentum-like quadrature operators.

This paper deals with a determination of so called small deformation tensor of the elementary area of an object surface by means of an optical experimental method, availing of statistical properties of the speckle field in an optically free space geometry. The small deformation tensor and a correlation function are briefly mentioned, and the main emphasis is aimed at the theoretical derivation of the relationship between the correlation function of two speckle intensities, being recorded before and after deformation. This results in the relationship theoretically enabling a determination of all components of a small deformation tensor by means of a relatively simple optical arrangement in connection with computer and linear CCD detector.

We study theoretically the parameters of the laser trap, created due to the interference of the incident wave and the wave reflected from a dielectric mirror (standing wave trap). We show that (up to our knowledge) this type of the optical trap is the only one which enables 3D optical trapping using a classical (non-inverted) microscope with low N.A. optics. Due to the standing wave nature there are many stable trapping points in this trap so that several objects can be simultaneously trapped along the beam axis. The force and trap stiffness are studied as the functions of the laser beam parameters (beam waist w₀, distance of the beam waist from the mirror z₀) and particle properties (radius a, relative refractive index n_rel). The effect of the structural resonances on the force magnitude is also discussed.

Quantum optics has offered new possibilities for experimental tests of basic principles of quantum mechanics. It enables us to experimentally investigate such phenomena as quantum interference and quantum non-locality. By means of cascade transitions or spontaneous parametric down- conversion, entangled photon pairs can be prepared. It makes possible to test the violation of Bell's inequalities and to study other issues connected with the question of completeness of quantum theory. The results of experiments of this kind pronounce in favor of quantum mechanics. The entangled pairs can further be used to demonstrate the violation of other classical inequalities, `non-local' interference in frequency domain, induced interference without induced emission, etc. They are also employed for quantum teleportation. Another family of interesting quantum optical experiments relates to single-photon interference. These experiments demonstrate wave-particle duality and correspondence between the interference visibility and the degree of knowledge of the photon's path in an interferometer. A spectacular example is the so-called interaction-free measurement. Quantum optical experiments open a new window on the quantum world and help us understand it. Further, quantum optics provides the ground for new interesting applications: quantum cryptography, quantum communications, and quantum computation.

Quantum cryptography is a quickly developing field that brings direct applications of fundamentals of quantum theory. In this paper we present a brief review of the tasks and problems faced by classical cryptography and we point out the benefits of quantum cryptography to their solution. An overview of the experimental achievements and an outline of the principle of quantum key distribution are given. Various experimental approaches are compared. The quantum cryptographic device built by the authors is described and its use for mutual identification system is presented.

In the paper the simple method of designing and manufacturing the synthetic holograms generating wavefront containing optical vortices is presented. The simple method of numerical analyses of plane wave passing through such holograms is also described.

Physicoacoustical properties of wood influenced by surface coating are studied by modal analysis. Resonant spruce plates were coated by stain, nitrocellulose varnish, special violin paint and shellac. The modal testing was performed by electronic speckle pattern interferometry. For this purpose, equipment called VIBROVIZER was used. The collected values of physicoacoustical characteristics (density, Young's modulus, acoustic constant) were compared using the graphic plots of data. The 3D plots help to evaluate wooden plates from a viewpoint of the quality control. This fact offers new opportunity for musical instrument manufacturers.

The paper presents the conception of narrow-band interference filters with variable half-width at normal incidence. Such filters are a combination of a birefringence layers and dielectric multilayers. These interference filters need linear polarized radiation. The effective optical thickness of separating layer changes value when the filter is rotated at normal incidence. These filters may be useful as a switching element, in detecting and telecommunication systems.

The paper presents an approach for measurements of the corneal topography by use of lateral-shearing interferometry. In shearing interferometry the wavefront reflected from the object is split in two wavefronts. The introduction of lateral shift and superposition of the wavefronts produces interference pattern. We used phase shifting algorithm to obtain the phase differences of the wavefront reflected from the cornea. The measurements of the phase differences are carried out in two orthogonal directions. The phase of the wavefront is reconstructed by use of algorithm for the large grid based on the discrete integration. The computer-generated interferograms are used to test the procedure and to estimate its accuracy.

The aim of this paper is to review our recent experimental studies on the spectral interference between two beams at the output of a Michelson interferometer and between two modes at the output of an optical fiber. The paper starts with important theoretical part in which fundamentals of the time-domain and the spectral-domain optical interferometry are applied to the two-beam and the two-mode interference experiments and then some important results of our recent experimental studies are presented. It is successfully demonstrated that the interference effects of optical beams or optical modes occur no matter how long or short the optical path difference (OPD) between beams or modes may be, so that the effect is reproduced as a periodic spatial variation when the OPD between beams or modes is shorter than the source coherence length, and as a spectral variation when the OPD between beams or modes is greater than the source coherence length. Moreover, it is successfully demonstrated that the spectral interference is resolved for both multimode and singlemode low-coherence sources. The aim of the paper is also to address some important applications of the two-beam and the two-mode spectral interferometry, including for example dispersion measurements.

This paper concentrates on theoretical studies of diffraction process in periodic diffractive structures-- gratings. Its contribution can be seen on several levels: it reviews the terminology and different approaches of diffraction methods, presents a new form of diffraction process characterization (described by the diffraction efficiency), and discusses five regions with typical diffraction regimes. In more detail, this contribution analyses the mechanisms during the diffraction process in terms of phase synchronisms, and distinguishes between angular, transversal and Bragg (volume) phase synchronisms. Using such terminology, diffraction regions are discussed in more detail. The case of Bragg diffraction is treated by both an approximate (Kogelnik's method) and a rigorous method (rigorous coupled-wave analysis-RCWA), and these two methods are compared. Properties of high-spatial frequency gratings are summarized, and resonant regions, characterized by strong resonant processes, are introduced. Finally, three different methods for the analysis of diffraction gratings are reviewed: RCWA, Kogelnik's approximate method, and approximate methods of transmittance function. The review of basic transmittance methods is made (primitive, modified), and a different approach (TCWA-transmittance coupled-wave analysis) is presented.

In the paper, the authors discuss an increase of the precision of a laser interferometer for measurement in the subnanometer range, for example, for refractometry and ultra-high precision measurements. There are two methods of the detection of interferometer fringes. One type applies the heterodyne principle with the frequency subtracting and the two-frequency laser. The other type is based on the amplitude division of the fringe and on the single-frequency laser. The paper deal with the latter type of the interferometer.

The principle of Fourier spectroscopy is shortly remembered. The advantages of Fourier spectroscopy with comparison to other spectroscopic techniques are presented. The design and construction of Fourier spectrometer, especially with high resolving power, require to overcome many mechanic, electronic and optic technological difficulties. The requirements related to some of them are extremely high. Some engineering problems, such as mirror motion irregularities during interferogram scanning, sampling density, influence of temperature instability, beam splitter construction and influence of water vapor are discussed and some ways to solve the problems are proposed.

To study a form of a space object of large dimensions and depth, the optical moire topography can be used as one of the advisable non-contact measuring methods. The moire pattern can be realized by projection of a grating from two directions on a studied object. The resulting moire pattern is a contour line system showing equal depth from any fundamental plane, if the light sources lie on a plane parallel to this fundamental plane. CCD video camera provided with a special video-signal-filtering unit was used to improve moire-topographical image. This better visualization of moire pattern enables adjustment of the TV signal for its direct computer processing. Obtained contour line system can be considered as a map describing in high precision the space form of a testing object.

Holographic gratings of various kinds used as parts of optical layouts have received increasing attention in optical science and technology. It is a proposal to use a holographic grating in order to change the state of polarization of polarized light, what is the contribution dealing with. The subject follows our previous work. The treatment of that process is given. Attention had been paid to the properties of both amplitude and phase holographic grating. A possibility to use such a layout is discussed.

Holographic diffractive optical elements collimating highly divergent, elliptical and astigmatic edge emitted diode laser beams are analyzed. Elements are recorded using only divergent beams with spherical wavefronts while off-axis astigmatism and coma of the holographic recording arrangement are compensated in a narrow beam approximation. Because of the very asymmetrical recording setup, significant blazing properties are present. Two types of the collimators are proposed: one for obliquely and the other for perpendicularly incident laser beam. Astigmatic properties of the output beams were measured in the reverse setup, i.e. when the collimated laser beams impinge on elements from their back side. Comparison of the advantages and drawbacks of both arrangements is presented.

In this paper we describe and demonstrate a new generation of all-optical devices (Demultiplexer, Routing switch and Clock extractor) based on a recently developed Terahertz Optical Asymmetric Demultiplexer. These devices are capable of ultrafast all-optical operation and can be used in the future terabit optical networks.

The principle and application of evanescent-wave chemical sensor is presented. The used capillary waveguide structure ensures good interaction between evanescent field of guided mode and measurand. Quasi monomode state can be easily achieved, which ensures the monoexponential response corresponding to the Lambert-Beer law. Good correspondence between calculated dispersion characteristics and measured cut-off was observed. The sensitive polymeric layer was used to achieve the sensitivity to gaseous NH₃.

Successful applications of low-coherence interferometry both in the time and spectral domains are demonstrated in the evaluation of the group optical path differences (OPDs) between two linearly polarized (LP) modes of weakly guiding optical fibers excited by a multimode laser diode TOLD 9201. Using the first measuring technique, the visibility of spatial interference fringes is measured as a function of the OPD in the experimental setup comprising a bulk-optic Michelson interferometer and a two-mode optical fiber under test. From the visibility dependences, the group OPDs between two LP modes of the optical fibers are obtained. Using the second measuring technique with the same exciting source TOLD 9201, the wavelength-dependent modulations of the source spectrum are obtained at the outputs of the two- mode optical fibers. By processing three spectral modulations using the Fourier-transform method, the wavelength dependences of the group OPDs between two LP modes are obtained and good agreements with the time-domain measurements are confirmed. When a halogen lamp is used as an exciting source, the wavelength-dependent modulation is resolved only in the vicinity of the equalization wavelength, where the period of modulation is sufficiently large to be resolved by the spectrometer. From the corresponding dependence, a value of the equalization wavelength of two LP modes of a single optical fiber is obtained.

The spectral interference between two modes of an optical fiber, which shows up as a periodic modulation of the source spectrum at its output, cannot be used to measure intermodal dispersion in the optical fiber when the period of modulation is too small to be resolved by a spectrometer. We proposed a novel measuring technique utilizing a tandem configuration of a dispersive Michelson interferometer and a two-mode optical fiber in which the intermodal interference can be restored, and consequently spectral interference fringes can be resolved, even if a low-resolution spectrometer is used. In the tandem configuration of the Michelson interferometer and the two-mode optical fiber, the optical path difference (OPD) in the Michelson interferometer is adjusted close to the group OPD between modes of the optical fiber so that the low-frequency spectral modulation that can be processed is produced. The feasibility of this technique has successfully been demonstrated in obtaining the wavelength dependence of the group OPD between two modes of the optical fiber. Using the Fourier transform method in processing the measured spectral modulations and subtracting the effect of the dispersive Michelson interferometer, the intermodal dispersion of the two-mode optical fiber has been obtained.

In the first part of this paper optical fibers and fiber based devices frequently used in sensor systems are presented. These are fibers with high and low birefringence, polarizing fibers, in-fiber Bragg gratings, polarization preserving fiber-optic couplers, and in-fiber phase modulators. In the second part the most popular sensing mechanisms are reviewed. This review covers intensity modulated sensors based on microbending or absorption losses, difference types of interferometric sensors, and fiber-optic gyros. Finally, the concept of distributed sensors allowing measurement of 1D distribution of a specific physical parameter are presented.

We describe our first experiments with the erbium doped single-mode fiber amplifier. Although our results of the total gain obtained are not very impressive compared to the best achievements in this area, we decided to share our experience connected with designing, alignment and diagnostics of EDFA (erbium doped fiber amplifier).

In this paper we report on the computer design of multilayer optoelectronic devices. The software based on the optical transfer matrix method was successfully applied for distributed Bragg reflector and resonant cavity enhanced PIN photodiode design. The designed structures based on the InP/InAlGaAs and InP/InGaAs/InAlGaAs material systems were prepared by low-pressure MOVPE method. The simulated and experimental reflectivity and photoresponse spectra of the designed and prepared structures are presented. A very good agreement between experimental and simulated results has been obtained. Our results show that the computer design based on the transfer matrix method is a useful and effective tool for the design of advanced multilayer optoelectronic structures.

The mean square fluctuations of log amplitude and phase are studied analytically for TM modes propagating in an uniaxial anisotropic waveguide having random inhomogeneities caused by fluctuations in space of the optic-axis direction. In considered configuration the TE modes propagates unperturbed. The perturbed TM field is obtained by using the Green's function technique. The fluctuation characteristics of log-amplitude and phase are calculated by using a method of Rytow approximation. The dependence of the mean-square values of log-amplitude and phase on the propagation distance, and the degree of random inhomogeneities of the dielectric tensors is discussed.

The influence of a pumping beam parameters of a dye DFB laser, such as polarization, angle of incidence, and intensity distribution, on a dynamic thermal grating quality had been analyzed. The attention had been focused on a DFB laser, in which a prism is used to accomplish interference in a pumping beam. To determine either intensity distribution or contrast of a dynamic thermal grating, Fresnel relations had been used. Three various kinds of a prism had been analyzed. The results achieved enables us to equalize conditions of generation at various wavelengths.

It is to present the results dealing with the influence of pressure on CARS spectra. The gaseous medium-molecules of CO₂, at the transition frequency 1388.2 cm^-1 had been chosen. Simultaneously, it was to verify within what parameters our CARS spectrometer device can be used.

Effect of backward stimulated Raman scattering in dimethylsulfoxide has been studied with the modified correlation technique. The pumping pulses (532 nm) had 30 ps duration and up to 1 mJ energy. We observed and investigated the very intensive backward Stokes component. The formation of extra narrow peaks of correlation functions was observed. A set of correlation functions, which represent the complicated temporal structure of subpicosecond order of backward component has been presented.

Properties of the picosecond supercontinuum generated from water have been studied. We have shown development of a stimulated Raman scattering cross-phase modulation spectrum at the anti-Stokes side of the pump frequency. Supercontinuum diffraction patterns have been recorded and diffraction angles for several wavelengths have been measured. Requirement of the supercontinuum generation power threshold have been found out for different outputs. We have also analyzed defocusing interaction among pulses of the pump train.

The analytical model of caustics of multimode asymmetrical beam absorbed in active medium was developed. There were found criteria of optimum waist location and optimum Rayleigh range in dependence on absorption length of active medium and parameters of pumping beam. There was shown that the diode beam forming optics satisfying the condition of optimum pumping should equalize the Rayleigh ranges in vertical and horizontal directions. The results of optimization were qualitatively confirmed in experiment with Nd:YAG laser end pumped by highly asymmetric beam of 2 W diode laser.

Spectral aspects of pulse operation of RF excited CO₂ waveguide lasers are presented. The hopping of emission lines were monitored and identified through the pulse duration of the laser. Syntheses of the laser total output pulse shapes were done summing of all lines taking part in oscillations.

This work presents the parameters of diode pumped solid state lasers worked in longitudinally pump configuration in CW operation. We built heterodyne set up with offset frequency stabilization and results are presented in this work. This heterodyne was based on neodymium doped monolithic lasers (Nd:YAG).

In this contribution, the design of an iodine stabilized laser system is presented. The arrangement is with an external iodine cell, and a detection system employs a derivative spectroscopy technique based on the third harmonic phase sensitive demodulation. To prove the frequency stability, the comparison with a 633 nm He-Ne-I₂ stabilized laser was arranged. To record a beat signal frequency, an additional 633 nm He-Ne laser which tracks frequency fluctuations of the 543 nm He-Ne-I₂ system was used.

This contribution presents a design of the circuitry for operation of a high stability and high coherence laser diode emitting in the visible region of spectra. The laser diode is used in a laser system with an external cavity with a large mode-hop free tuning range. This system can be used in spectroscopic and interferometric applications. The laser diode instrumentation consists of a low noise and high stability current source, high frequency modulation circuitry and electromagnetic interference protection. Special attention is paid to the protection against fast transients induced from the outside or generated by switching leading to the degradation of the laser diode active channel or its damage. Details concerning stability, noise and interference shielding are presented.

Several mathematical methods of center evaluation of laser spot on a surface measured by the light-cut profile meter are described and analyzed. All these methods are implemented in the light-cut profile meter software and compared from the point of view of uncertainty measurement minimization. A novel method of center evaluation based upon approximation of laser spot intensity distribution by polynomial of second order is also introduced. Experimental results have shown, that this method gives the best results from the point of view of measurement uncertainty minimization.

The method expands the use of spherical test plates in a production of aspherical surfaces of fast lenses. Utilization of this method is convenient for a small-lot production of IR optical systems. It enables the use of test plates in some cases in which the radius difference or distance between both the test plate and generated surface is too big for interference fringes discrimination by using usual contact test plate interferometer method.

A miniature CO₂ DIAL system has been constructed. Dimension of the system are 500 X 450 X 240 mm, its mass is only 28 kg. The system consists of two tunable TEA CO₂ lasers, receiving optics, IR detector, signal processing electronics and single chip microcomputer with display. The lasers are tuned manually by means of micrometric screw and are capable to generate pulses on more than 50 CO₂ laser lines. The output energy is 50 mJ. The system was tested using various toxic gases and simulants, mostly at range 300 m, most of the measurements were done using pyrodetector in the receiver. The system shows good sensitivity, but it exhibits substantial instability of zero concentration. In the next stage the work will be concentrated on use of high-sensitivity MCT detector in the receiver and implementation of automatic tuning of lasers to the system.

An influence of usual measurement equipment and set-up used by photodetector responsivity calibration is discussed. To keep the reproducibility and correctness of the responsivity a mathematical method using Taylor's polynome is worked out for correction of the spectral bandwidth influence on primary measured responsivity. An polynomial model using polynomial regression is also worked out. An example is given to demonstrate a capability of this mathematical correction method.

The light beam crossing the dust area meets with the loss of energy. We know by experience that the scattering indikatrix depends on the size of the dust particles. The measurement of the light energy scattered into given solid angle enables to identify and specification of the grain composition of the dust particles. Basis on the research a special head has been made to step change of the location of the photodetectors and in result to measure a specific or even desirable dust fraction for the sake of technology. In this paper the graphs of the grain dust distribution are presented with regard to the materials which are transported most frequently by Polish merchant marine.

Essence of this work is formulation of nonlinear dependencies, which allow to determine parameters of an optical system. Previous methods of the aberration correction have commonly used algebraic methods in a simple form for primary aberrations and thin lenses. Efficiency of those methods should be appreciated critically because they usually need a further aberration correction. Nowadays, progress in development professional mathematical software commercially available encourages to taking out works concerning algebraic correction methods. In this work aberration dependencies are investigated in their full complexity without simplification and approximation. Dependencies containing angles and ratios of dimensions have form of very complex trigonometric expressions. An optical system may be corrected by controlling these dependencies in the entire optical systems. Solution of the problem require the selection of number of unknowns, and expression of all residual relations as a function of these unknowns. Problem of the algebraic correction relies on solving of a non- linear equation system with separately described auxiliary functions which are nested up to certain depth. Radii of curvatures and eventual distances between surfaces are determined in the second final stage after solving the nonlinear equation system and taking account of the scale. Two simple numerical examples are presented.

A method of spectral correction of detectors used in illuminance meter heads is discussed. An equation is presented by means of which it is possible to determine the monochromatic transmittance (tau) _(lambda ) of the filter set which should be used in order that the photometric head be spectrally corrected for the luminous flux falling from the half-space. The spectral characteristics of the filter set for spectral correction of a silicon detector are given for cases in which the luminous flux measured comes from a half-space of uniform luminance distribution. For a head so corrected, the measurement errors due to an inappropriate geometry of the light beams falling on its active surface were calculated. A relation between the magnitude of errors f₁ and f₁' and the luminous flux incidence on the active surface of the luxmeter head was found.

In last years many algorithms and techniques based on whole field polarimetry has been presented. Most of them could be applied in photoelasticity. In this paper we propose a method supported with digital image processing that makes the evaluation of photoelastic patterns simpler. The phase retardation and the azimuth angle induced by photoelastic sample were measured using phase stepping imaging polarimetry technique. Some approaches taken from phase stepping technique were used to minimize number of data needed to calculate two maps of the phase retardation and the azimuth angle. In contrary to other methods this technique offers simple setup, few moving parts and fast acquisition of data. The theory and experimental results are included in the paper.

This paper builds upon the theory of determination of object deformation tensor by means of a method availing of statistical properties of speckle in optically free space geometry. It deals with the analysis of accuracy and sensitivity of a given method from the viewpoint of the theory of errors. The introduction summarizes basic theoretical relations for computational of stress components in the tangent plane of object, together with the manner of their error equations. As it flows from theory, the exact results at stress determination depends crucially upon the geometrical arrangement of the optical system. In the main part of paper, the emphasis on the analysis of accuracy of individual geometrical parameters of assembly are given, with the aim to find an optimized geometry of experimental arrangement. The feasibility of an easy realization in practice and most importantly achieving satisfactory results of measurements are the important criteria. The conclusion presents the results obtained at concrete measurement with the proposed experimental assembly.

The present method is based on utilization of optical trace of luminous slot on tire profile. This optical trace enables the measurement of tires growth at free rotation during low and high revolution. It is one of tests in sense of regulation of U.N. Committee for homologation of motorcycle tires.

In this paper we studied the chromatic properties of the bovine eye. Dispersion of the ocular liquids was measured in the Pulfrich refractometer. The measurements was done for five different wavelengths. From this data the dispersion curves and Abbe number of the eye substances was derived. To measure the distribution of the refractive index within the crystalline lens we modified the Pulfrich refractometer. Gradient of the refractive index of the crystalline lens was measured for three wavelengths. Distribution of the refractive index within the crystalline lens was be approximated by the parabolic function. Additionally, we measured the spherical aberration of the bovine crystalline lens for four different wavelengths. The experiment showed, that crystalline lens is corrected for the spherical aberration.

The subject of the paper concerns utilization of optical properties of a living object in noninvasive sensing of its attributes. The transmission type of light-tissue interaction is considered. Presented quantities express the optical phenomena caused by pulsatile nature of a living tissue set which makes the integral part of the measuring system. Two sets of the optical parameters such as the absorption, scattering and anisotropy coefficient, respectively, represent two-stage light propagation in a living optical medium; light losses are manifested by equivalent components of the optical density. Metrological requirements for reliable acquisition and processing of optical signals to estimate a given parameter of the transilluminated pulsatile object are specified. The transmission variant of pulse oximetry, which is the only optical method for monitoring blood oxygenation without blood drawing, is taken to illustrate more general problems. The achieved results may be useful in modeling effects of light-tissue interaction in order to make it possible to detect a quantitative or qualitative change in the living cuvette composition. As it was shown, 1D modeling can be applicable in noninvasive oximetry. Further studies will be focused on extension of the results to represent events in a living cuvette taking into account its spatial configuration.

The shearing interferometry is presented as in vivo method for testing artificial tears covering the cornea. The stability of two types of artificial tears (gel and liquid) on the surface of the cornea was estimated by the analysis of interferograms. The 3 mW He-Ne laser was used as the light source in the shearing interferometer and CCD camera for recording the interference images. The coherent light is reflected from the surface of the cornea covered with the artificial tears. The reflected wavefront is directed to the lateral shearing interferometer and forms the interference pattern. The sequence of the obtained interferograms were recorded on VHS video tape. Then selected frames were digitized and analyzed in computer by use of image processing software. The proposed method is noncontact and noninvasive.

The paper presents the complex structure of the human tear film. From the optics point of view the homogeneously distributed tear film on the corneal surface makes this diffused surface optically smooth. Every eye blink distributes a new portion of tears on the surface of the cornea or the contact lens. If the production of tears is not sufficient or their composition is inappropriate, the tear film is deteriorated and so called tear film break-up (TFBU) appears on the surface of the cornea. These local break-ups of the smooth tear film introduce disturbances in the phase of a quasiplane wavefront falling on the cornea from a far-located point source of light. Two types of the TFBUs are considered in this paper. Topography of a point one and a linear one form of the break ups are approximated by use of four different continuous functions. The modeled topography of the TFBU is used for calculation of the local variation of the wavefront phase. The Point Spread Function of the eye model is calculated by use of the Fast Fourier Transform without and with the different approximations of TFBUs. It is shown that different type of TFBU approximation influences significantly the form of the Point Spread Function of the eye.

The method of visual acuity measurement is proposed. The way of data analyzing and accuracy testings are presented. Some applications of the method are shown.

The possibilities of laser micro-manipulation using a single beam trap and standing wave trap are demonstrated on polystyrene micro-spheres of diameters 15, 5, 1 and 0.295 micrometers , on protozoa cells of families Colpidium, Paramecium, and on Mouse Carcinoma cells. The optical trap based on the standing wave is experimentally presented for the first time.

Three basic configurations are usually distinguished in calculations of the light propagation in magneto-optical media: polar, longitudinal and transverse direction of the magnetization. In these particular cases the fourth order equations for normal components of the wave vectors reduce to bi-quadratic ones. Analytic solutions of this equation are obtained also for a mixture of longitudinal and transverse effects (magnetization in the plane of interface) and for a mixture of polar and transverse effects. These configurations are discussed in details. If the magnetization is in general direction, the fourth-order characteristic equation has to be solved by using numerical methods. Permittivity tensor is considered for the case of cubic magneto-optical crystal. Its linear and quadratic terms in magnetization are included. The magneto-optical medium is described by the index of refraction and by linear and quadratic epitaxial Fe layer on MgO substrate. The magnetization component effects in general direction are studied by numeric calculations of the reflection coefficients. The mixture of the polar, longitudinal and transverse magneto-optical effects is analyzed taking into account the second order terms. The effects of the magnetization components are specified at normal incidence geometry, because in this case the calculation becomes simpler.

In the ion beam deposition process the source of material was Cr target subjected to magnetron sputtering. Cr and CrN layers deposition processes were carried out in the presence of Ar and Ar + N₂ ions atmosphere. The optical investigations of Cr and CrN layers obtained by IBAD processes were made to estimate the efficiency of such modifying factor as ion beam bombardment. The optical constants n and k were determined by ellipsometry for Cr and CrN layers deposited onto grounded or negatively biased (bias voltages from 0 to 500 V) BK7 glass substrates.

In this review paper a survey of the most significant optical methods usable for characterizing solid surfaces is performed. Examples allowing to show practical features of applying these methods at investigating the surfaces mentioned are presented too. By means of these examples both a reliability and accuracy of the method are namely demonstrated.

The electron beam welding belongs to so-called physical methods of welding and it is utilized to welding of most materials, that can be arc welded. It is of use there, where one taxing welding technics and structure technologyableless heavily. As a rule, the quality of weld is better than at most first-rate welds being done by inert gas shielded arc welding (WIG, Argoarc). In plant instrumentation, where the limitation of any welded material distortion is of extraordinary importance, this way of welding is significant at welding of thermal-treated Cu-Be alloys, used in measurement technics, structural members from Ti alloys and stainless steels in branches of biomedicine and cryotechnics. This technology positives, especially high weld purity, narrow and deep root penetration, high welding rate, together with low energy consumption, lead to applications and verification of optimum operating mode at welding of frequent materials. In the contribution the results of this proofs of selected welded materials from viewpoint of weld quality, their physical-mechanic properties and microhardness, are presented.

The restoring investigation of works of art by the invisible radiation (X-ray, ultraviolet and infrared radiation) sometimes gives the possibility to obtain the information which cannot be identified or is hardly perceivable in visible light. Infrared radiation makes possible to examine deteriorated paintings, sculptures, engravings, manuscripts, tissues etc. The infrared image can provide for the restorer the supplementary information bout the technique of old masters and also later changes in the composition of the work. This article describes the modern implements for the realization of the infrared image.

The values of the basic characteristics of surface roughness measured by means of optical and non-optical methods often differ mutually. So far a systematic comparison of the results obtained by those methods has not been done. The results we have achieved comparing optical and non-optical methods of the surface roughness measurement for selected samples of rough surfaces and for selected methods are presented.

Our results consider the surface impedance of a metallic half space in the presence of the external magnetic field perpendicular to the surface. We consider a weak magnetic field and the strong one separately. The presented results include of Fermi liquid effects (the quasiparticles interaction), consequently they are valid only in low temperatures when the elastic electron scattering on the impurities is predominant. The shape of the integral terms of the impurity scattering operator allows distinguishing the difference between the transport mean free path from the mean free path. Because we take into account the kind of polarization of the electromagnetic wave, all calculations are made in the circular coordinates. Each part of the surface impedance has been separated to express exactly the influence of magnetic field and kind of polarization on the real part of impedance and on the imaginary one. All considerations are restricted to the isotropic metal model because the anisotropic case may be a matter of purely numerical calculations only.

Hybrid lens is a classic two-spherical glass lens with a diffractive microstructure deposited on one of its surfaces. The imaging properties of such lens depend on four parameters: two radii of curvature of both surfaces constituting two-spherical and two parameters describing the geometry of diffractive microstructure. The III-order aberration coefficients depend explicit on those parameters. Additionally the location of input pupil alters also the expression for aberrations. By proper choice of the said parameters it is possible to construct achromatic hybrid lens with corrected spherical aberration and coma, astigmatism or field curvature alternatively. In the paper we present the algorithm of necessary calculations and illustrate the results with such image characteristics as spot diagrams, wave aberrations or point spread function of the exemplary lenses.