We describe a fully-analytical, simple yet sufficiently accurate method to compute the color pattern of the light emitted from multicolor light-emitting diode (LED) assemblies. Spatial distributions for both color variation and correlated color temperature (CCT) as a function of typical parameters of influence, such as LED spectrum, spatial distribution of LED radiation, target distance, LED-to-LED spacing, and number of LEDs, are shown. To illustrate the method, we simulate and analyze the color patterns of linear, ring, and square RGB (red, green, and blue) arrays for Lambertian-type, batwing, and side emitting LEDs. Our theory may be useful to choose the optimal value for both the array configuration and the array-diffuser distance for lighting systems with color mixing devices.

It is well known that a particle put into an ultrasonic standing wave tends to move towards an equilibrium position, where the acoustic pressure-induced force on its surface compensates the particle weight. We demonstrate, by means of a full three-dimensional numerical analysis and a thorough experimental study, that the acoustic force, and thus the particle’s behavior, critically depends on its size. While particles within certain size ranges, including those smaller than half the wavelength, are trapped on axis around the pressure nodes, particles in other size ranges are trapped off axis nearby the pressure antinodes. This behavior, related with sign inversions of the radiation force, implies that the magnitude of the force, and thus the trapping stiffness, can be maximum or null for some specific sizes. As a case of study, we analyze expanded polystyrene particles levitated in air with an ultrasonic frequency of 40 kHz, a relevant system due to recent applications for the development of volumetric displays. Yet, our results illustrate a general behavior of radiation-based traps with structured wave fields.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy is presented for trace element detection of liquid samples by analyzing a single droplet levitated by ultrasonic waves. A single liquid droplet is placed in the node of a standing acoustic wave produced by a uniaxial levitator for further chemical analysis. The acoustic levitator consists of a commercial Langevin-type transducer, attached to a concave mechanical amplifier, and a concave reflector. A micro-syringe was used to manually place individual liquid droplet samples in the acoustic levitation system. For chemical analysis, a laser-induced plasma is produced by focusing a single laser pulse on the levitated water droplet after it partially dries. The performance of the acoustic levitator on micron-sized droplets is discussed, and the detection of Ba, Cd, Hg, and Pb at parts per million (milligrams/liter) and sub-parts per million levels is reported. The process, starting from placing the sample in the acoustic levitator and ending on the chemical identification of the traces, takes a few minutes. The approach is particularly interesting in applications demanding limited volumes of liquid samples and relative simple and inexpensive techniques.

Self-mixing interferometry (SMI) represents a simple, robust, and self-aligned technique for metrology applications. Still, its applicability on diffuse targets is limited to distances up to few meters. We present an enhanced approach based on the detection of the frequency-modulated (FM) self-mixing signal. The FM signal detection is achieved using an acetylene edge filter that maps laser frequency variations into intensity variations as the laser wavelength is tuned to the edge of the steep absorption profile. An experimental comparison between the enhanced and the conventional SMI approach is presented. The new approach yields to about two orders of magnitude larger signal-to-noise ratio and extends the applicability of SMI into new fields allowing longer detection ranges and lower backscattering signals.