On the possibility of detecting superheavy quasimolecules

The formation of superheavy electronic quasimolecules leads to measurable deviations from the Rutherford cross section in heavy ion collisions. For the system ²³⁸₉₂U-²³⁵₉₂U with E_c.m. = 800 MeV we find an average correction of 1.5% for the scattering cross section in forward directions. Additional background contributions like electronic shielding of the nucleus, vacuum polarization, nuclear Coulomb excitation and static deformations of the nuclei are taken into account.     

Crack depth estimation by photoacoustic microscopy

We use photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) to monitor the occurrence of fatigue cracks in metal specimens. Using piezoelectric detection, it is possible to estimate their depth in the extreme near-field of the acoustic wave by measuring the signal-width in a given scan. We also discuss shortly our experimental apparatus and the parameters relevant to the improvement of the signal to noise ratio leading to an acceptable scanning speed.Dedicated to K. Dransfeld on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

On the possibility of detecting low-energy scalar and pseudo-scalar bosons

The properties of the conversion of “cold” extra-light scalar or pseudo-scalar bosons weakly interacting with material media to photons with energies of 0.001–1.0 meV are analyzed. Various possible experimental schemes including closed resonant cells at low temperatures and highly sensitive receivers of radio-frequency photons are presented. The existence of such elementary particles is predicted in various expansion versions of the “standard model”. Their direct or indirect detection would make it possible to clarify the nature of the “dark matter” phenomenon.     

Studying murine hindlimb ischemia by photoacoustic microscopy

The murine model of hindlimb ischemia is extensively used in studies on the physiology and pathology of ischemia and angiogenesis. Traditional non-invasive evaluation methods, such as laser or ultrasound blood flow perfusion imaging and micro-CT angiography, are limited either by low resolution or toxic exogenous agents. Relying on intrinsic high optical absorption contrast, we conduct label-free imaging of subcutaneous blood vasculature in the hindlimb of murine models by photoacoustic microscopy (PAM). The angiogenesis induced by ischemia in the hindlimb is successfully observed at high resolution in vivo and non-invasively. PAM is a potentially powerful imaging method for studying ischemic diseases and resultant angiogenesis.     

On the possibility of detecting the relaxation optical bistability in an extended medium

The possibility for efficient detection of wave phenomena in an optically extended semiconductor in the case of development of instability in a system with the relaxation mechanism of optical bistability was studied. It is shown that the use of two-wave action allows the development of processes in the bulk of the semiconductor to be detected with the help of probing radiation. The influence of diffusion and thermal conductivity on the characteristics of wave processes in a semiconductor and the possibility of realizing the detection are revealed.     

Scanning photoacoustic microscopy of coal

Scanning photoacoustic microscopy was utilized to investigate the possibility of characterization of coal by its thermal properties. A band of iron pyrite was clearly observed photoacoustically as were CO₂ and argon-ion laser pyrolyzed areas. The change in photo-acoustic data due to laser pyrolysis was analyzed and confirmed by a scanning electron microscope with X-ray fluorescence capability.     

Multifocal optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy in vivo

Although ultrasound arrays have been exploited in photoacoustic imaging to improve imaging speed, ultrasound-array-based optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR-PAM) has never been achieved previously to our knowledge. Here we present our development of multifocal OR-PAM using a microlens array for optical illumination and an ultrasound array for photoacoustic detection. Our system is capable of imaging hemoglobin concentration and oxygenation in individual microvessels in vivo at high speed. Compared with a single focus, multiple foci reduce the scanning load and increase the imaging speed significantly. The current multifocal system can acquire 1000 × 500 × 200 voxels at ~10 μm lateral resolution within 4 min.     

On the possibility of detecting gluon condensation from the spectra of heavy quarkonia

We compute the effect of the gluon condensate on the spectra of heavy quarkonia, taking into account the condensate correlation length. We compare the results obtained for the hydrogen-like model with a more realistic model. The effects are shown to be very small both in bottomonium and toponium.     

Simultaneous dual molecular contrasts provided by the absorbed photons in photoacoustic microscopy

We investigated the feasibility of simultaneously imaging two distinctive molecular contrasts provided by the absorbed photons in biological tissues with a single light source. The molecular contrasts are based on two physical effects induced by the absorbed photons: photoacoustics (PA) and autofluorescence (AF). In an integrated multimodal imaging system, the PA and AF signals were detected by a high-sensitivity ultrasonic transducer and an avalanche photodetector, respectively. The system was tested by imaging ocular tissue samples, including the retinal pigment epithelium and the ciliary body. The acquired images provided information on the spatial distributions of melanin and lipofuscin in these samples.     

Label-free in vivo fiber-based optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy

In this Letter, the capability of label-free fiber-based optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy is demonstrated. This real-time imaging system takes advantage of image-guide fibers and a unique fiber laser. The 800?μm image-guide consists of 30,000 individual single-mode fibers in a bundle and the diode-pumped, pulsed Ytterbium fiber laser is utilized to perform up to 600?kHz repetition rate. Phantom studies indicate 7?μm resolution. The proposed setup keeps many of the powerful properties of previous tabletop OR-PAM systems, but also offers a submillimeter probe footprint and high flexibility due to the nature of the image-guide. This system could have significant clinical impact for endoscopic applications where the thin fiber can be inserted into the body.     

基于光声信号的高铁钢轨表面缺陷检测方法

针对传统的基于超声信号的高铁钢轨无损检测方法对于表面微裂纹检测效果不佳的问题,提出了一种基于光声信号的高铁钢轨表面缺陷检测方法.首先,使用有限元及K-wave方法建立了钢轨模型并获得了模拟光声信号;然后利用时间反演的方法对钢轨表面的光声图像进行了重建,并研究了不同传感器中心频率对成像结果的影响;最后设计实验采集了钢轨表面的光声信号并进行了处理和分析.实验结果表明,基于光声信号的高铁钢轨表面缺陷检测方法对于表面微裂纹有很好的检测效果,该方法在钢轨探伤领域有较大的可行性及发展潜力.     

On the possibility of detecting asymmetric magnetization reversal processes in exchange bias systems by low temperature nuclear orientation

Low temperature nuclear orientation has been used for the first time to investigate the magnetization reversal processes in an exchange bias system (Co/Au/CoO), with the advantage of observing both the Co and Au layers at the same time. By monitoring the counting-rate ratio of two γ-ray detectors, the measurements may be used to distinguish between reversal processes dominated by domain wall motion as opposed to rotation of the magnetization.     

Single-wavelength functional photoacoustic microscopy in biological tissue

Recently, we developed a reflection-mode relaxation photoacoustic microscope, based on saturation intensity, to measure picosecond relaxation times using a nanosecond laser. Here, using the different relaxation times of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin molecules, both possessing extremely low fluorescence quantum yields, the oxygen saturation was quantified in vivo with single-wavelength photoacoustic microscopy. All previous functional photoacoustic microscopy measurements required imaging with multiple-laser-wavelength measurements to quantify oxygen saturation. Eliminating the need for multiwavelength measurements removes the influence of spectral properties on oxygenation calculations and improves the portability and cost-effectiveness of functional or molecular photoacoustic microscopy.     

On the possibility of detecting the transverse component of the hexadecapole moment of atoms in fluorescent emission

It is shown that the hexadecapole moment of normal atoms can be indirectly observed with high efficiency by detecting the alignment of excited atoms. An estimate is made of the efficiency of this method of observation of the transverse component of the hexadecapole moment produced under excitation of the four-quantum transition used in quantum magnetometers.     

On amplifications of photonuclear neutron flux in thunderstorm atmosphere and possibility of detecting them

The reliability of communications reporting observations of neutron flux enhancements in thunderstorm atmosphere is analyzed. The analysis is motivated by the fact that the employed gas-discharge counters on the basis of reactions ³He(n, p)³H and ¹⁰B(n; ⁴He, γ)⁷Li detect not only neutrons but any penetrating radiations. Photonuclear reactions are capable of accounting for the possible amplifications of neutron flux in thunder-storm atmosphere since in correlation with thunderstorms γ-ray flashes were repeatedly observed with spectra extending high above the threshold of photonuclear reactions in air. By numerical simulations, it was demonstrated that γ-ray pulses detected in thunderstorm atmosphere are capable of generating photonuclear neutrons in numbers sufficient to be detected even at sea level.     

Subwavelength-resolution label-free photoacoustic microscopy of optical absorption in vivo

Optical absorption provides essential biological functional information but cannot be sensed by mainstream optical microscopy technologies directly, which detect fluorescence or scattering and may require undesirable labeling. Here we developed in vivo subwavelength-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (SW-PAM) that provides exquisitely high optical-absorption contrast due to nonfluorescent, or fluorescent, endogenous pigments. Having approached the ultimate diffraction-limited optical resolution, SW-PAM can resolve subcellular organelles. Vasculature and early-stage melanoma were imaged with 12:1 and 17:1 contrasts, respectively, without labeling. SW-PAM along with the scaled-up macroscopy, as the only technology that measures the same contrast origin over such a wide length scale, can potentially accelerate translation from microscopic research to clinical practice.     

Theoretical and experimental investigation of the photoacoustic effect in solids with residual stresses

Modern experiment and theory in the field of residual stress detection by the photoacoustic method are summarized and analyzed. A multimode approach based on the simultaneous application of several photothermal and photoacoustic methods is proposed for the study of thermal and thermoelastic effects in solids with residual stress. Some experimental results obtained within the framework of this approach for Vickers indentation zones in ceramics are presented. The effect of annealing on the photoacoustic, piezoelectric signal for ceramics and the influence of the given external loading on the behavior of the photoacoustic signal near the radial crack tips is investigated. It is experimentally shown that both compressive and shear stresses contribute to the photoacoustic signal near the radial crack tips. The model of the photoacoustic, thermoelastic effect in solids with residual stress is proposed. It is based on the modified Murnaghan model of non-linear elastic bodies, which takes into account a possible dependence of the thermoelastic constant on stress. This model is further developed to explain the photoacoustic signal behavior near the radial crack tips. It is demonstrated that this model of the photoacoustic effect agrees qualitatively with the available experimental data.     

Optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy for in vivo imaging of single capillaries

Capillaries, the smallest blood vessels, are the distal end of the vasculature where oxygen and nutrients are exchanged between blood and tissue. Hence, noninvasive imaging of capillaries and function in vivo has long been desired as a window to studying fundamental physiology, such as neurovascular coupling. Existing imaging modalities cannot provide the required sensitivity and spatial resolution. We present in vivo imaging of the microvasculature including single capillaries in mice using optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR-PAM) developed in our laboratory. OR-PAM provides a lateral resolution of 5 microm and an imaging depth >0.7 mm.     

Local breaking stresses in loaded microporous SiC ceramics

The ballistic strength and hardness have been measured for a series of SiC ceramic samples with variable (from 1 to 20%) porosity. It is shown that interpore bridges are stress concentrators, and the dependence of the factor of stress concentration on porosity is determined. The conclusions based on the experimental results are confirmed by the finite-element calculations of stress fields in porous systems.     

Thermal stresses in layered barium titanate-based semiconductor ceramics

Thermal stresses emerging in a barium titanate-based semiconducting ceramic during heating by electric current are studied using numerical methods. It is shown that the highest tensile stresses are formed in the plane equidistant from the electrodes. The values of these stresses can be as high as 70 MPa, which is commensurate with the critical stresses. A method is proposed for reducing stresses by developing thermistors with a layered structure.