The amounts of hydroxyl radicals generated by titanium dioxide and 3.5% hydrogen peroxide under 405-nm diode laser irradiation

A new bleaching agent consisting of a titanium dioxide photocatalyst and 3.5% hydrogen peroxide has recently been developed for in-office bleaching and has proven to react well with irradiated light around a wavelength of 400 nm. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of dental bleaching with a 405-nm diode laser irradiation on titanium dioxide and 3.5% hydrogen peroxide by measuring the generation of hydroxyl radicals. The amount of hydroxyl radicals generated from a titanium dioxide and 3.5% hydrogen peroxide irradiated by a 405-nm diode laser were measured using electron spin resonance spin-trapping techniques. The irradiation conditions of the laser were a spot size of 1 mm, output powers of 100, 200, 400 mW, and 600 mW, and irradiation times of 10, 20, 30, and 60 s. Nonirradiated samples were used as controls. DMPO-OH adduct spectra and DMPO-O ₂ ^? adduct spectra were observed when the bleaching agent was irradiated by laser light. The amount of hydroxyl radicals generated changed in accordance with adjustments in the irradiation power and irradiation time. In the nonirradiated controls, hydroxyl radicals were generated in far smaller amounts. The 405-nm diode laser is effective in inducing the generation of hydroxyl radicals and shows promise as a bleaching light source for use in combination with bleaching agents composed of titanium dioxide and low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide.     

Effect of titanium dioxide and 3.5% hydrogen peroxide with 405-nm diode laser irradiation on bonding of resin to pulp chamber dentin

This study was conducted to determine the effect of a 3.5% hydrogen peroxide solution containing titanium dioxide on bonding of resin to pulp chamber dentin. Extracted bovine anterior teeth were allocated to three groups of ten teeth each. The coronal labial pulp chamber dentin was exposed and bleached with 3.5% hydrogen peroxide with titanium dioxide with 405-nm diode laser irradiation for 15 min (Group 1); 30% hydrogen peroxide with halogen lamp irradiation for 15 min (Group 2); and distilled water for 15 min (Group 3). After bleaching, the pulp chamber dentin was prepared for composite resin bonding and the interface between the resin and dentin was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The microtensile bond strength (μTBS) and failure patterns were determined. The μTBS values (mean ± SD) were: 17.28 ± 5.79 MPa (n = 36), 0 MPa, and 26.50 ± 9.83 MPa (n = 36) in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The μTBS in Group 3 was significantly higher than that in Group 1 (P < 0.05). Hybrid layers and resin tags were clearly observed at the interface in Groups 1 and 3, but not in Group 2. Adhesive failure was mainly observed in Group 1, whereas dentin failure was the main failure pattern in Group 3.     

Surgical effects on soft tissue produced by a 405-nm violet diode laser in vivo

This study evaluated the surgical performance of a 405-nm diode laser in vivo, using living rat liver tissue. Tissue was incised by irradiation with the laser at low output power ranging from 1 W (722 W/cm²) to 3 W (2165 W/cm²) on a manual control at a rate of 1 mm/s. As a control, incisions using a stainless scalpel were compared. Immediately after operation, the surface of the incisions was macroscopically observed and histopathologically evaluated by microscopy. Laser-ablated liver tissue was smooth with observable signs of remnant carbonization and easily acquired hemostasis. The thickness of the denatured layer increased in proportion to the output power; the coagulation layer did not thicken accordingly. Bleeding could not be stopped for tissues incised with the stainless scalpel. The 405-nm diode laser thus proved to be effective for ablating soft tissue with high hemostatic ability at low power.     

Study on hydrogen sulfide 790-nm laser diode plasma passivation of cavity surface

In order to improve the optical properties of the Ⅲ-Ⅴ laser diodes （LDs） by means of H2S plasma passivation technology, H2S plasma passivation treatment is performed on the GaAs（110） surface. The optimum passivation conditions obtained are 60-W radio frequency （RF） power and 20-min duration. So the laser cavity surfaces are treated under the optimum passivation conditions. Consequently, compared with unpassivated lasers with only AR/HR-eoatings, the catastrophic optical damage （COD） threshold value of the passivated lasers by H2S plasma treatment is increased by 33%, which is almost the same as that of （NH4）2Sx treatment. And the life-test experiment has demonstrated that this passivation method is more stable than （NH4）2Sx solution wet-passivated treatment.     

Study on hydrogen sulfide plasma passivation of 790-nm laser diode cavity surface

In order to improve the optical properties of the Ⅲ-Ⅴ laser diodes(LDs) by means of H2S plasma passivation technology,H2S plasma passivation treatment is performed on the GaAs(110) surface.The optimum passivation conditions obtained are 60-W radio frequency(RF)power and 20-min duration.So the laser cavity surfaces axe treated under the optimum passivation conditions.Consequently,compared with unpassivated lasers with only AR/HR-coatings,the catastrophic optical damage (COD) threshold value of the passivated lasers by H2S plasma treatment is increased by 33%,which is almost the same as that of (NH4)2Sx treatment.And the life-test experiment has demonstrated that this passivation method is more stable than(NH4)2Sx solution wet-passivated treatment.     

Second-harmonic generation of 405-nm light using periodically poled KTiOPO4 pumped by external-cavity laser diode with double grating feedback

A frequency-doubled laser diode system for generation of blue–UV light is described. The system is based on an external-cavity high-power laser diode with double feedback from the zeroth and the first orders of a diffraction grating. Light at 405 nm is generated in a single-pass configuration using periodically poled KTiOPO₄. We show that the double grating feedback improves the second harmonic conversion efficiency by several orders of magnitude as compared to the freely running laser. The conversion efficiency may be improved further such that higher second-harmonic powers may be generated.     

Photoconductive properties of titanium dioxide film modified by femtosecond laser irradiation

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) films were irradiated with a femtosecond laser to alter their photoconductive properties. The laser wavelength and pulse duration were 775 nm and 150 fs, respectively. The TiO₂ films irradiated with the femtosecond laser were darkened without changing the topography of the TiO₂ film surface. The electrical resistances of the films as a function of time were measured under visible-light illumination. The transient electrical resistances decreased as time was increased after turning on the light. There were two stages in the reduction process of the electrical resistance.     

Synergistic effect of hydrogen peroxide production and sonochemiluminescence under dual frequency ultrasound irradiation

The synergistic effect of H(2)O(2) production and sonochemiluminescence (SCL) was studied under both orthogonal and opposite dual irradiation at the frequencies of 28, 584 and 970 kHz and at various acoustic powers. The largest reduction in H(2)O(2) production was observed under opposite dual irradiation at a 28/28 kHz frequency without considering the acoustic power levels. The largest enhancement was observed under dual irradiation at a frequency of 28/970 kHz. This enhancement might be due to the increased number of bubbles that underwent violent collapse by low frequency ultrasound (28 kHz). These results were also confirmed by observing the SCL. Under dual irradiation at relatively high frequencies (i.e., 584 and 970 kHz), the synergistic effect was high at low acoustic power levels. However, the effect tended to decrease (to the equivalent of the calculation from the result of each single irradiation) with increasing acoustic power. Unlike dual irradiation coupled with a frequency of 28 kHz, the inhibition effect was not observed under dual irradiation at relatively high frequencies. With respect to H(2)O(2) production, the production rate constants of H(2)O(2) followed the order of 584/584>584/970>28/970≈28/584>28/28 kHz, which resulted from the fact that the production efficiency of H(2)O(2) at an irradiation frequency of 584 kHz was considerably higher than that at other frequencies.     

RHEED study of titanium dioxide with pulsed laser deposition

Reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) operated at high pressure has been used to monitor the growth of thin films of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) on (1 0 0) magnesium oxide (MgO) substrates by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). The deposition is performed with a synthetic rutile TiO₂ target at low fluence. The topography and structure of the deposited layers are characterized using in situ high pressure RHEED and atomic force microscope (AFM). Based on these observations the growth mode of the films is discussed. The results will be compared to earlier results obtained for the growth of TiN films on (1 0 0) MgO.     

Cantilever-based photoacoustic detection of carbon dioxide using a fiber-amplified diode laser

A compact and sensitive photoacoustic setup has been developed based on a recently demonstrated cantilever technique. A micromechanical cantilever transducer is attached to a cylindrical photoacoustic cell and the cantilever’s deflection is monitored with a compact Michelson interferometer. A commercial 1-Watt optical fiber amplifier was used to enhance the performance of the system. A normalized sensitivity of 1.4×10^-10 cm^-1 W Hz^-1/2 was achieved in the detection of carbon dioxide at 1572 nm wavelength. Using 34 mW optical power from a DFB diode laser, the noise-equivalent detection limit for carbon dioxide at this wavelength is 4.0 ppm. Employing the fiber amplifier, we improved the sensitivity to yield measurement of sub-ppm concentrations. PACS 42.62.Fi; 42.55.Px; 82.80.Ch     

Surface hardening of titanium by pulsed Nd:YAG laser irradiation at 1064- and 532-nm wavelengths in nitrogen atmosphere

The surface hardness of titanium modified by laser irradiation at different wavelengths in nitrogen atmosphere was investigated. Further, surface characteristics such as morphology, chemical state, and chemical composition in the depth direction were also studied. The size and depth of the craters observed in the laser-irradiated spots increased monotonically with an increase in the laser power. Furthermore, the crater formed by the 532-nm laser was deeper than that formed by the 1064-nm laser for the same laser power. Laser power beyond a certain threshold value was required to obtain a titanium nitride layer. When the laser power exceeds the threshold value, a titanium nitride layer of a few tens of nanometers in thickness was formed on the substrate, whereas a titanium oxide layer containing small amounts of nitrogen was formed when the laser power is below the threshold value. Thus, it was shown that laser irradiation using appropriate laser parameters can successfully harden a titanium substrate, and the actual hardness of the titanium nitride layer, measured by nanoindentation, was approximately five times that of an untreated titanium surface.     

Q-switch operation of a c-cut 2132-nm Tm, Ho:YAP laser pumped by a laser diode of 794.3 nm

Q-switch operation of a c-cut Tm (5 at %), Ho (0.3 at %):YAP laser at 2132 nm wavelength were reported in this paper. In the temperature of 77 K, the Tm, Ho:YAP crystal was double end-pumped by a 21.4-W fiber-coupled laser diode (LD) at the center wavelength of 794.3 nm. A 5.29-W Q-switch output power was acquired at pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of 10 kHz, corresponding to an optical-optical conversion efficiency of 24.7% and a slope efficiency of 28.1%. The energy per pulse of 3.57 mJ in 38 ns was achieved at 1.25 kHz with the peak power of 93.9 kW.     

Sub-100-nm laser-induced periodic surface structures upon irradiation of titanium by Ti:sapphire femtosecond laser pulses in air

The formation of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) on titanium upon irradiation with linearly polarized femtosecond (fs) laser pulses (τ=30 fs, λ=790 nm) in an air environment is studied experimentally and theoretically. In the experiments, the dependence on the laser fluence and the number of laser pulses per irradiation spot has been analyzed. For a moderate number of laser pulses (N<1000) and at fluences between ～0.09 and ～0.35 J/cm², predominantly low-spatial-frequency-LIPSS with periods between 400 nm and 800 nm are observed perpendicular to the polarization. In a narrow fluence range between 0.05 and 0.09 J/cm², high-spatial-frequency-LIPSS with sub-100-nm spatial periods (～λ/10) can be generated with an orientation parallel to the polarization (N=50). These experimental results are complemented by calculations based on a theoretical LIPSS model and compared to the present literature.     

Cantilever enhanced photoacoustic detection of carbon dioxide using a tunable diode laser source

Recently introduced cantilever enhanced photoacoustic sensing has been applied to the tunable diode laser-based trace gas detection. The pressure variations due to the photoacoustic signal are detected with a miniature silicon cantilever, whose displacement is measured with a compact Michelson type laser interferometer. The system has been used to detect carbon dioxide (CO₂) at 1572 nm with a distributed feedback diode laser. With a new photoacoustic cell, that was optimized for the laser sources, a normalized noise equivalent sensitivity of 1.7×10^-10 cm^-1W/ at atmospheric pressure was realized. The result obtained in the non-resonant operation mode is at least 10 times better than in previous reports. The future improvements of the technique are also discussed. PACS 07.07.Df; 42.55.Px; 82.80.Kq     

可调谐半导体激光吸收光谱法监测二氧化碳的通量

含碳温室气体浓度增加所加剧的温室效应是气候变化的重要原因,大面积范围内二氧化碳气体通量的测量对于评价各类陆地生态系统对大气中主要温室气体浓度的贡献具有重要的意义。可调谐半导体激光吸收(TDLAS)光谱技术具有高分辨率、高灵敏度以及快速响应等特点,是痕量气体高灵敏快速监测的新方法。文章以可调谐分布反馈半导体激光器作为光源,通过波长调制方法对1.573μm附近二氧化碳气体某一吸收线的二次谐波信号测量,结合激光分束技术,实现对不同高度层面700多米光程范围内二氧化碳气体浓度的快速在线检测。结合大口径闪烁仪测量出来的莫宁-奥布霍夫长度和特征速度,通过公式计算得到一天内二氧化碳气体的通量在-1.5～2.5mg·(m2·s)-1范围内的波动,突破了目前对近地面痕量气体通量的监测只能提供局地结果的状况,使大面积范围内痕量气体通量的测量成为可能。     

High-power 390-nm laser source based on efficient frequency doubling of a tapered diode laser in an external resonant cavity

We frequency doubled the single-frequency beam from an external-cavity tapered laser diode operating at 780 nm in a resonant cavity containing a beta -barium borate crystal to generate an output at 390 nm with high efficiency. Output powers as great as 233 mW were obtained, corresponding to an efficiency of 65%/W . The resonant-cavity design was a low-loss three-mirror configuration that provided compensation for astigmatism and coma. The laser diode frequency was locked to the doubling-cavity resonance by use of the H?nsch-Couillaud discrimination technique.     

Memristive effect in a nanotubular layer of anodized titanium dioxide

A layer of titanium dioxide (TiO₂-NT) nanotubes 500 nm thick with average diameters of 60 nm is grown via anodizing. Memristive behavior typical of synthesized Ti/TiO₂-NT/Au structures is observed in full cycles of resistive switching, and during the multiple reading of data. Impedance in the states of low (R _LRS ≈ 3 Ohm) and high (R _HRS ≈ 180 Ohm) resistance are estimated for the obtained memristors.     

Bleaching and diffusion of laser dyes in solution under high power UV irradiation

Bleaching experiments in some laser dyes under high power UV irradiation from a nitrogen laser are described. Very high bleaching quantum efficiencies, of the order of 10^-3 molecules bleached/photon absorbed, and a dependence of this efficiency on intensity have been found. The diffusion coefficients for the dyes in ethyl alcohol were also measured.