Title:
SPDC: Generation and Characterization
Abstract:
Using the combined theories of quantum entanglement, “ghost imaging”, and SPDC to form defined images using less light. It provides possibilities for a new microscopy technique that overcomes using huge light sources and uses a nonlinear crystal in order to generate different SPDC types and characterize the images seen. SPDC produces pairs of entangled photons from a higher wavelength pump photon. The pairs are split in to two using a beam splitter where one photon, the “idler”, is detected by an array of photon-counting detectors; while the “signal” photon is directed to a sample. Measuring one photon can provide information about its entangled pair because they are highly correlated. Depending on the type of SPDC performed, the photons have either an overlap of two annulus figures which have the same polarization (type I) or two annulus figures with opposite polarizations (type II). Type different SPDC Type 1 setups using UV light and visible light were examined.
Title:
Roles of Self-Help Groups in the Empowerment of Women in Rural India
Abstract:
The purpose of this presentation is to understand the role of self-help groups (SHGs) / non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the empowerment of women in rural India. This study tries to determine if a relationship exists between SHGs/NGOs membership among women in rural India and their awareness on the issues such as digital financial services, healthcare literacy, and democratic political inclusiveness. It also examines the different programs used by SHGs/NGOs for the empowerment of women and tries to inform appropriate policies for the government to increase the role of SHGs/NGOs for the empowerment of rural women in India. The study looks at the effect of SHGs/NGOs in engaging, training, and empowering women in economic, psychological, political as well as socio-cultural dimensions. India is a developing country and one of the major economies in the world. But the situation of women in rural India has not drastically improved even after seventy years of independence. Despite several policies initiated by the Indian government, lack of empowerment of women living in India is still a major problem. Self-help groups can play an important role in the process of empowerment of women in India. SHGs/ NGOs have primarily focused on improving the economic well-being of their women members by offering micro financial services.
Title:
Investigation of Breast Cancer using Optical Tweezing
Abstract:
Breast cancer is a significant cause of death but has favorable outcomes when diagnosed early. Most conventional way of diagnosing cancer is mammographic screening, which has limitation of overdiagnosis and overtreatment due to the number of high false negatives. Other diagnostic techniques are fraught with low sensitivity and destruction of cancer cell architecture. Here, we present a label-free approach to diagnose breast cancer based on cell responses to optical stretching using a dual-beam tweezer lasers. This setup allows detection of the effect of the cumulative changes that occur in cell architecture resulting in alterations in cytoskeletal properties and therefore elasticity of cells during cancer progression. Our optimization of the optical tweezing system includes design of micro and macro fluidic channels using photolithography in clean room and femto laser scrubbing techniques. The microfluidic design allows for optical fibers to direct two aligned and slightly divergent beams from two high power laser sources at 975nm wavelength. These lasers then trap the cells placed in the flow channel in laminar flow allowing us to stretch human breast cancer cells with epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2+) and normal cells at different optical powers. The experiment involves using both increasing and decreasing optical powers to study the reversibility of the deformation of cells. Images of stretching and deformed cells at various stages are analyzed using MATLAB image analysis. This method shows potential in distinguishing cell properties relevant to changes that occur during breast cancer progression.