Fiber optical parametric amplifiers in optical communication systems

The prospects for using fiber optical parametric amplifiers (OPAs) in optical communication systems are reviewed. Phase‐insensitive amplifiers (PIAs) and phase‐sensitive amplifiers (PSAs) are considered. Low‐penalty amplification at/or near 1 Tb/s has been achieved, for both wavelength‐ and time‐division multiplexed formats. High‐quality mid‐span spectral inversion has been demonstrated at 0.64 Tb/s, avoiding electronic dispersion compensation. All‐optical amplitude regeneration of amplitude‐modulated signals has been performed, while PSAs have been used to demonstrate phase regeneration of phase‐modulated signals. A PSA with 1.1‐dB noise figure has been demonstrated, and preliminary wavelength‐division multiplexing experiments have been performed with PSAs. 512 Gb/s have been transmitted over 6,000 km by periodic phase conjugation. Simulations indicate that PIAs could reach data rate x reach products in excess of 14,000 Tb/s × km in realistic wavelength‐division multiplexed long‐haul networks. Technical challenges remaining to be addressed in order for fiber OPAs to become useful for long‐haul communication networks are discussed.

     

Enhanced Static Modulated Fourier Transform Spectrometer for Fast Approximation in Field Application

We discuss the data sampling frequency, the spectral resolution, and the limit for non-aliasing in the static modulated Fourier transform spectrometer based on a modified Sagnac interferometer. The measurement was performed in a very short 4 ms, which is applicable for real time field operation. The improved spectrometer characteristics were used to investigate the spectral properties of an InGaAs light emitting diode. In addition, The measured spectral peak was shifted from 6420 cm⁻¹ to 6365 cm⁻¹, as the temperature increased from 25 °C to 40 °C, when the operating current is fixed to be 0.55 A. As the applied current increased from 0.30 A to 0.55 A at room temperature, the spectral width was broadened from 316 cm⁻¹ to 384 cm⁻¹. Compared to the conventional Fourier transform spectrometer, the measured spectral width by the static modulated Fourier transform spectrometer showed a deviation less than 10%, and the spectral peak shift according to the temperature rise showed a difference within 2%.     

Metabolite Profiling and Characterization of LW6, a Novel HIF-1α Inhibitor,as an Antitumor Drug Candidate in Mice

A novel HIF (hypoxia-inducible factor)-1α inhibitor, the (aryloxyacetylamino)benzoic acid derivative LW6, is an anticancer agent that inhibits the accumulation of HIF-1α. The aim of this study was to characterize and determine the structures of the metabolites of LW6 in ICR mice. Metabolite identification was performed using a predictive multiple reaction monitoring-information dependent acquisition-enhanced product ion (pMRM-IDA-EPI) method in negative ion mode on a hybrid triple quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometer (QTRAP). A total of 12 metabolites were characterized based on their MS/MS spectra, and the retention times were compared with those of the parent compound. The metabolites were divided into five structural classes based on biotransformation reactions: amide hydrolysis, ester hydrolysis, mono-oxidation, glucuronidation, and a combination of these reactions. From this study, 2-(4-((3r,5r,7r)-adamantan-1-yl)phenoxy)acetic acid (APA, M7), the metabolite produced via amide hydrolysis, was found to be a major circulating metabolite of LW6 in mice. The results of this study can be used to improve the pharmacokinetic profile by lowering the clearance and increasing the exposure relative to LW6.     

Applications of Vibrational Spectroscopy for Analysis of Connective Tissues

Advances in vibrational spectroscopy have propelled new insights into the molecular composition and structure of biological tissues. In this review, we discuss common modalities and techniques of vibrational spectroscopy, and present key examples to illustrate how they have been applied to enrich the assessment of connective tissues. In particular, we focus on applications of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), near infrared (NIR) and Raman spectroscopy to assess cartilage and bone properties. We present strengths and limitations of each approach and discuss how the combination of spectrometers with microscopes (hyperspectral imaging) and fiber optic probes have greatly advanced their biomedical applications. We show how these modalities may be used to evaluate virtually any type of sample (ex vivo, in situ or in vivo) and how “spectral fingerprints” can be interpreted to quantify outcomes related to tissue composition and quality. We highlight the unparalleled advantage of vibrational spectroscopy as a label-free and often nondestructive approach to assess properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) associated with normal, developing, aging, pathological and treated tissues. We believe this review will assist readers not only in better understanding applications of FTIR, NIR and Raman spectroscopy, but also in implementing these approaches for their own research projects.     

Preparation of Alum-borneol-PVP Drug-loaded Fibers by Electrospinning

The alum-borneol nanoemulsion(ABN), which combines the mineral medicine alum and the botanical medicine borneol, has been applied for approximately 40 years in the clinical treatment of burns, scalds, radiation dermatitis and shingles, and has a good curative effect. However, the current formula and dosage form of ABN pose problems of low borneol content and ease of precipitation, which greatly affects the efficacy of the drug. In this study, polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP) was selected as a carrier mixed with different proportions of alum and borneol to produce alum-borneol-PVP fibers(ABPF) by electrospinning. The results showed that the stable system with good drug dispersion was 2:3(alum:borneol). The dissolution content of borneol from the ABPF was about 80% in 4 h, which was much higher than that of the alum-borneol liquid(ABL) and ABN. The ABPF membrane showed a more significant inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus than the ABL and ABN. The composite fiber markedly increased the drug content of borneol, which was 800 times of that in ABN. The fiber had a higher solubility than the nanoemulsion in vitro, which is of great importance for the de-velopment of new forms for the clinical application of alum and borneol.     

Hierarchical Porous Tubular Biochar Based Sensor for Detection of Trace Lead (II)

Hierarchical porous tubular biochar (PTBC) was prepared by selectively removing lignin simply according to reverse the pyrolysis sequence of cellulose. The properties of the PTBC sample were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, Raman spectra, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrochemical performances of PTBC modified on the screen-printing electrode illustrated excellent detection of lead ions (lead (II)) in water with the linear range (0.5–120 μg/L) and the detection limit (0.02 μg/L) by in-situ bismuth film square wave anode stripping voltammetry.     

980nm半导体激光器输出光谱特性的改善

为了改善980nm半导体激光器的输出光谱特性,采用传输矩阵分析法推导了双布喇格光纤光栅谐振腔的传输表达式,对布喇格光纤光栅长度和谐振腔腔长对输出光谱的影响进行模拟仿真,结果表明布喇格光纤光栅长度对输出光谱的影响大于谐振腔腔长对输出光谱的影响,加长布喇格光纤光栅长度能压缩输出光谱线宽.在980nm半导体激光器尾纤上写入不同布喇格光纤光栅长度的双布喇格光纤光栅谐振腔,验证了引入双布喇格光纤光栅谐振腔在压缩980nm半导体激光器输出光谱线宽的同时改善了其输出光谱的稳定性.当环境温度在0~75℃范围内变化时,980nm半导体激光器输出中心波长仅变化0.06nm.     

基于光纤锥级联结构的湿度传感器

提出了一种基于普通单模光纤粗锥级联结构的马赫-曾德尔干涉湿度传感器.将两根单模光纤对芯熔融成一个粗锥,并依次级联,形成光纤锥-单模光纤-光纤锥-单模光纤-光纤锥结构.外界环境湿度、温度的改变使传感器的纤芯基模和包层模的光程差发生改变,引起传感器干涉光谱发生变化.通过监测干涉谱波长和能量的变化实现对外界物理量的测量.实验结果表明,当空气中湿度在35~95%RH范围内变化时,传感器的湿度灵敏度为-0.065dB/%RH,线性度为0.997;当温度在30~80℃范围内变化时传感器的温度灵敏度为69.4pm/℃,线性度为0.998.该传感器可以避免温湿度的交叉影响,实现单参量的同时在线区分测量.     

基于选择性填充的超高非线性纳米纤芯光纤特性

为了改善纳米纤芯光纤的非线性与色散特性,提出利用气孔填充非线性液体的新型纳米纤芯光纤结构来增强现有纳米纤芯光纤的非线性系数,利用选择性填充方法来改进现有纳米纤芯光纤的特性调控能力,实现改善光纤非线性和色散特性目的.分析结果表明采用选择性气孔填充方式和适当的光纤参量有助于实现光纤单模单偏振工作,可以大幅度地提升纳米纤芯光纤的非线性系数和改善光纤色散特性.