The concept of 2D gated imaging for particle sizing in a laminar diffusion flame

In this work, time-resolved laser-induced incandescence (TiRe LII) has been employed to measure primary particle diameters of soot in an atmospheric laminar ethylene diffusion flame. The generated data set complements existing data determined in one single location and takes advantage of the good spatial resolution of the ICCD detection. Time resolution is achieved by shifting the camera gate along the LII decay. One key input parameter for the analysis of time-resolved LII is the local flame temperature. This was determined on a grid throughout the flame by coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering. The accurate temperature data, in combination with other published data from this flame, are well suited for soot model validation purposes while we showed feasibility of a shifted gate approach to deduce 2D particle sizes in the chosen standard flame.     

Diffuse surface calibration method to improve accuracy and dynamic range of aerosol elastic light scattering measurements

A new method to calibrate detectors for elastic light scattering (ELS) measurement based on diffuse scattering from a Lambertian surface is presented. The method produces a calibration signal that is approximately seven orders of magnitude larger than a propane gas Rayleigh scattering calibration. The method also allows for calibration of detectors such as photodiodes, which are not sensitive enough to detect Rayleigh scattering for calibration but possess characteristics desirable for the measurement of soot ELS. Since the method is only suitable for backward scattering calibrations, transfer of calibration data from a backward- to a forward-oriented detector is accomplished with a secondary laser and integrating sphere. In demonstration experiments, calibration constants for photomultiplier tube (PMT) detectors obtained using both Rayleigh scattering and diffuse surface scattering agreed within experimental uncertainties as did measurements of in-flame scattering coefficients obtained with PMTs and photodiodes. However, achievable uncertainties with the diffuse-surface calibration approach were significantly reduced. More importantly, by enabling the use of photodiode detectors in ELS measurements, the new method facilitates operation at higher photon fluxes resulting in improved signal-to-noise ratios, reduced influence of photon shot noise, and the ability to achieve higher dynamic range in transient measurements.     

Purity assignment for peptide certified reference materials by combining qNMR and LC-MS/MS amino acid analysis results: application to angiotensin II

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry - The purity value assignment of metrologically traceable peptide reference standards requires specialized primary methods. Conventionally, amino acid...     

Chiolite,a case study for combining NMR crystallography,diffraction and structural simulation

Chiolite has been selected as a test case for developing a general approach to solve inorganic structures from powders by combining NMR, modeling, and X-ray diffraction. The different steps of the strategy are successfully performed, building the candidate integrant units using NMR, simulating candidate crystal structures using the computational AASBU method, and checking the consistency of the candidate structures against the diffraction data analyzed with FOX computer program.     

Sensitivity and relative error analyses of soot temperature and volume fraction determined by two-color LII

The sensitivity and relative sensitivity of soot temperature and soot volume fraction inferred from the two-color laser-induced incandescence technique to different variables were systematically investigated to quantitatively understand how the detection wavelengths affect the behavior of the detection system. The effects of signal shot noises on the derived soot temperature and soot volume fraction were also analyzed. The detection wavelengths are in general between about 400 nm for the lower band and near infrared for the upper one. Numerical calculations were conducted for seven detection wavelength selections commonly used in two-color laser-induced incandescence experiments reported in the literature. To achieve a better accuracy for soot temperature and volume fraction measurements, it is desirable to use a shorter lower detection wavelength and a longer upper detection wavelength in the spectral range of about 400 nm to near infrared. The lower detection wavelength has a stronger impact on the detection system performance than the upper one. The sensitivity and shot noise analyses are valuable tools to assess the relative performance of different detection wavelengths and should be used in combination with other considerations to design an optimal detection system in a two-color laser-induced incandescence experiment.     

An Abel inversion method for radially resolved measurements in the axial injection torch

A method for the radial analysis of the plasma torch produced by the axial injection torch device at atmospheric pressure is proposed. The method uses a fast high-resolution acquisition set-up including an intensified charge coupled device and an image rotation system, as well as a new data processing procedure based on the Abel inversion technique that provides the radial profile of thin plasmas. Use of the Fernández-Palop smoothing technique significantly reduces distortion in the data profile. The accuracy of the proposed method was assessed by applying it to the estimation of the populations of HeI excited states.     

Quantum dot saturable absorber for passive mode locking of Nd:YVO<Subscript>4</Subscript> lasers at 1064 nm

An InAs/GaAs quantum dot saturable absorber mirror was used to mode lock a Nd:YVO₄ solid-state laser at the operation wavelength of 1064.6 nm. Multi-watt average power was obtained during stable cw mode locking with pulses as short as 24 ps, and with a repetition rate of 65 MHz. PACS 45.55.-f; 78.67.Hc; 42.60.Fc     

Design analysis of all-optical devices using second harmonic generation into a region with periodically modulated optical property

We investigate the nonlinear optical interaction through a periodic waveguide structure consisting of two alternating segments with different linear and nonlinear optical properties. A coupled equation system has been used to calculate the intensity of fundamental and second harmonic waves and the phase shift of the fundamental. The model has been experimentally tested with good results, but the effect of the phase shift has not been considered. Comparison with the quasi-phase match (QPM) technique has been presented. The novel features introduced by alternating segments with different linear and nonlinear optical properties have been discussed. The model shows a more flexible approach, which can be used in designing optical components based on coherent nonlinear interaction. Applications are straightforward for frequency doubler and all-optical switch.     

A unified approach to aerodynamic damping and drag/lift instabilities,and its application to dry inclined cable galloping

Inclined cables of cable-stayed bridges often experience large amplitude vibrations. One of the potential excitation mechanisms is dry inclined cable galloping, which has been observed in wind tunnel tests but which has not previously been fully explained theoretically. In this paper, a general expression is derived for the quasi-steady aerodynamic damping (positive or negative) of a cylinder of arbitrary cross-section yawed/inclined to the flow, for small amplitude vibrations in any plane. The expression covers the special cases of conventional quasi-steady aerodynamic damping, Den Hartog galloping and the drag crisis, as well as dry inclined cable galloping. A nondimensional aerodynamic damping parameter governing this behaviour is proposed, which is a function of only the Reynolds number, the angle between the wind velocity and the cable axis, and the orientation of the vibration plane. Measured static force coefficients from wind tunnel tests have been used with the theoretical expression to predict values of this parameter. Two main areas of instability (i.e. negative aerodynamic damping) have been identified, both in the critical Reynolds number region, one of which was previously observed in separate wind tunnel tests on a dynamic cable model. The minimum values of structural damping required to prevent dry inclined cable galloping are defined, and other factors in the behaviour in practice are discussed.