Abstract
A versatile time-domain optical coherence tomography system is presented that can generate cross-sectional images by using either transverse priority or depth priority scanning. This is made possible by using a transmissive scanning delay line compatible with balance detection operating at a speed similar to that of the transverse scanner used to scan the beam across the target. In vivo images from the retina are generated and shown using the same system switched to either transverse or depth priority scanning regime, by using the scanning delay line either in slow or fast scanning modes, respectively. A comparative analysis of different scanning regimes depending on image size to fit different areas to be imaged is presented. Safety thresholds due to the different continuous irradiation time per transverse pixel in different scanning regimes are also considered. We present the maximum exposure level for a variety of scanning procedures, employing either A scanning (depth priority) or T scanning (transverse priority) when generating cross-sectional images, en face images, or collecting 3D volumes. (c) 2007 Optical Society of America.

Abstract

Abstract
We show how stationary entanglement between an optical cavity field mode and a macroscopic vibrating mirror can be generated by means of radiation pressure. We also show how the generated optomechanical entanglement can be quantified, and we suggest an experimental readout scheme to fully characterize the entangled state. Surprisingly, such optomechanical entanglement is shown to persist for environment temperatures above 20 K using state-of-the-art experimental parameters.

Abstract
We present a new formulation for the direct laser acceleration of electrons in vacuum based on the Hamiltonian theory, Two different regimes for the snow-plowed, accelerated electrons are identified and characterized, the first pertaining to high-intensity and the second to low-intensity pulses, both leading to efficient electron acceleration. Particle energy yields are shown to be independent of the exact shape of the laser pulse and energy gains are estimated.

Abstract
In this paper we investigate how the complex rotation and quivering motion of an elongated polarized dust grain in the presence of a monochromatic electromagnetic (EM) wave can produce dipolar emission with two distinct spectral components. We present a model for the emission of radiation by elongated polarized dust grains under the influence of both an external EM wave and a constant background magnetic field. The dust, exhibiting rotational motion at the external EM field frequency w(0) as well as quivering motion at a frequency Omega(0), proportional to the EM field amplitude, will radiate with frequencies that will depend on the external field wavelength and amplitude. The radiated spectra exhibits a frequency around w(0), and sidebands at w(0) +/- Omega(0) and w(0) +/- 2 Omega(0). Since the amplitude and the frequency of the background EM field are independent parameters, this model establishes a correlation between different spectral components of galactic dipolar emission, which may help to explain the correlation between a component of the Galactic microwave emission and the 100 mu m thermal emission from interstellar dust that has been recently measured.

Abstract
The use of the scintillation produced in the charge avalanches in GEM holes as signal amplification and readout is investigated for xenon. A VUV-sensitive avalanche photodiode has been used as photosensor. Detector gains of about 4 x 104 are achieved in scintillation readout mode, for GEM voltages of 490 V and for a photosensor gain of 150. Those gains are more than one order of magnitude larger than what is obtained using charge readout. In addition, the energy resolutions achieved with the scintillation readout are lower than those achieved with charge readout. The GEM scintillation yield in xenon was measured as a function of GEM voltage, presenting values that are about a half of those achieved for the charge yield, and reach about 730 photons per primary electron at GEM voltages of 490 V.