Experimental investigation and numerical simulation of the influence of resonator-length detuning on the output power,pulse duration and spectral width of a cw mode-locked picosecond optical parametric oscillator

We report on a cw mode-locked non-critically phase matched KTP optical parametric oscillator synchronously pumped by a picosecond Ti:Sapphire laser. High average signal output power of up to 950 mW over a large tuning range has been achieved. For this OPO the influence of resonator-length detuning on the output power, pulse duration and spectral bandwidth has been investigated. The measured data are in good agreement with the results of a numerical simulation using a split-step Fourier method which considers the group-velocity mismatch, the group-velocity dispersion and the self-phase modulation. The numerical simulation also describes the measured strong pump depletion and its influence on the OPO output and efficiency.     

Remote stereocontrol by the sulfinyl group: Mukaiyama aldol reactions of (S)-2-[2-(p-tolylsulfinyl)phenyl]acetaldehyde in the asymmetric synthesis of β-hydroxyacids and 1,3-diols

(S)-2-[2-(p-Tolylsulfinyl)phenyl]acetaldehyde reacts with different O-silylated ketenethioacetals in the presence of Yb(OTf)₃ yielding β-hydroxythioesters in high yields and diastereoselectivities. The obtained compounds were readily transformed into β-hydroxyacids and their corresponding diols. These Mukaiyama aldol reactions are a direct evidence of the ability of the sulfinyl group to control 1,5- and 1,6-asymmetric induction processes.     

Conceptual continuity as a mode of understanding complex systems: Applications to the dynamics sociopolitical systems

In complex biological systems, entities that are conceptually distinct but empirically related—such as sunlight and plant growth or antigene and immune response—are being explicitly linked through the identification of highly specific uninterrupted interaction sequences that take place between their macromolecular system components. These uninterrupted sequences of causation include common elements that are shared by the empirically related but conceptually distinct entities. Through the identification of specific shared elements, “conceptual continuity” is established between these entities. Examples are introduced to suggest that in sociopolitical systems, an analogous conceptual continuity can be established between distinct sociopolitical entities. The identification of specific shared elements, essential for the well being of each of the entities, can play a significant role in resolving conflicts between those separated by seemingly insurmountable obstacles such as race or religion or ideology. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 11:20–24, 2006     

Preparation of rhodium–phyllosilicate catalysts without leaching in liquid-phase 1-hexene hydrogenation

Rhodium catalysts have been prepared on palygorskite and montmorillonite (clay) supports by reduction with hydrogen (1 atmosphere) at room temperature of a cationic organometallic rhodium compound anchored to the support. The activity of these catalysts for the hydrogenation of liquid-phase 1-hexene remains constant with increase of prehydrogenation time and with re-use for several runs. No rhodium leaching is observed.     

Convergence of multistep discretizations of DAEs

Standard ODE methods such as linear multistep methods encounter difficulties when applied to differential-algebraic equations (DAEs) of index greater than 1. In particular, previous results for index 2 DAEs have practically ruled out the use of all explicit methods and of implicit multistep methods other than backward difference formulas (BDFs) because of stability considerations. In this paper we embed known results for semi-explicit index 1 and 2 DAEs in a more comprehensive theory based on compound multistep and one-leg discretizations. This explains and characterizes the necessary requirements that a method must fulfill in order to be applicable to semi-explicit DAEs. Thus we conclude that the most useful discretizations are those that avoid discretization of the constraint. A freer use of e.g. explicit methods for the non-stiff differential part of the DAE is then possible.Dedicated to Germund Dahlquist on the occasion of his 70th birthdayThis author thanks the Centro de Estadística y Software Matemático de la Universidad Simón Bolivar (CESMa) for permitting her free use of its research facilities.Partial support by the Swedish Research Council for Engineering Sciences TFR under contract no. 222/91-405.     

Production and characterization of refractive index gratings in high-birefringence fibre optics

In this work, we report production and modelling of both Bragg gratings and rocking filters in high birefringence fibre optics. Bragg gratings are produced by UV (257.0 nm) external interferometric exposition of a frequency-doubled Ar⁺ ion laser, whereas for rocking filters formation the visible Ar⁺ ion laser lines in 488.0 and 514.5 nm are used in an internal method. The spectral characteristics due to the birefringence properties are studied through numerical methods and experimental techniques. The spectral responsivity of the structures under temperature changes and stress application is presented.     

Realisation and metrological characterisation of thickness standards below 100 nm

High-accuracy film thickness measurements in the range below 100 nm can be made by various complex methods like spectral ellipsometry (SE), scanning force microscopy (SFM), grazing incidence X-ray reflectometry (GIXR), or X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF). The measurement results achieved with these methods are based on different interactions between the film and the probe. A key question in nanotechnology is how to achieve consistent results on a level of uncertainty below one nanometre with different techniques.Two different types of thickness standards are realised. Metal film standards for X-ray techniques in the thickness range 10 to 50 nm are calibrated by GIXR with monochromatised synchrotron radiation of 8048 eV. The results obtained at four different facilities show excellent agreement. SiO₂ on Si standards for SE and SFM in the thickness range 6 to 1000 nm are calibrated by GIXR with monochromatised synchrotron radiation of 1841 eV and with a metrological SFM. Consistent results within the combined uncertainties are obtained with the two methods. Surfaces and interfaces of both types of standards are additionally investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). PACS 61.10.Kw; 68.55.Jk; 06.20.Fn; 06.60.Mr; 07.79.Lh