Spectral compression of femtosecond pulses in photonic crystal fibers

We demonstrate efficient spectral compression of femtosecond pulses near the zero-dispersion wavelength in nonlinear photonic crystal fibers (PCFs). The highest measured compression factor is 21, in which case the spectral brightness increases by a factor of 5. We numerically model the pulse propagation and find good agreement with the experiment. We argue that the fibers studied allow for spectral narrowing of more than 2 orders of magnitude. With dispersion-shifted PCFs, efficient spectral compression can take place across the visible and near-infrared part of the spectrum.     

Time-multiplexed multifocal multiphoton microscope

We resolve the classical conflict between parallelization and axial resolution in three-dimensional fluorescence microscopy through time-multiplexed multifocal multiphoton excitation. A rotating array of microlenses on a disk splits ultrafast laser pulses in such a way that an array of high-aperture foci are created in the sample. Two rigidly mounted corotating glass disks with suitable arrays of holes ensure that adjacent foci illuminate the sample at different time points. Recordings of biological specimens demonstrate elimination of out-of-focus haze for densely packed foci and concomitant substantial improvement of contrast and resolution.     

Laser photodissociation of H2O at 157 nm: rotational energy distribution in product OH(X2II)

Water molecules are photolyzed into the electronic ground states of H and OH. A non-Boltzmann distribution of OH rotational levels is found, in disagreement with a previous measurement, and with analogous results for H₂S.     

Universal flow-density relation of single-file bicycle,pedestrian and car motion

The relation between flow and density is an essential quantitative characteristic to describe the efficiency of traffic systems. We have performed experiments with single-file motion of bicycles and compared the results with previous studies for car and pedestrian motion in similar setups. In the space–time diagrams we observe three different states of motion (free flow state, jammed state and stop-and-go waves) in all these systems. Despite their obvious differences they are described by a universal fundamental diagram after proper rescaling of space and time which takes into account the size and free velocity of the three kinds of agents. This indicates that the similarities between the systems go deeper than expected.     

Expanding the dynamic measurement range for polymeric nanoparticle pH sensors

Conventional optical nanoparticle pH sensors that are designed for ratiometric measurements in cells have been based on utilizing one sensor fluorophore and one reference fluorophore in each nanoparticle, which results in a relatively narrow dynamic measurement range. This results in substantial challenges when conducting live cell measurements, which often leads to misleading results. In the present work we provide a simple solution to this problem.     

Water‐in‐oil Emulsions Stabilized by Hydrophobized Microfibrillated Cellulose

The properties of water‐in‐toluene emulsions stabilized solely by hydrophobized microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) were investigated. By varying the degree of surface substitution (DSS), the wettability of the MFC was altered. All emulsions prepared with MFC displayed excellent stability to coalescence. The stability to gravity‐induced sedimentation increased with increasing MFC concentration, the highest stability being obtained with MFC of moderate hydrophobicity. Drop sizes increased with increasing DSS, with a corresponding decrease in stability to sedimentation. An increase in the toluene:water ratio at constant MFC concentration resulted in a decrease in the average drop size. For all emulsions, the polydispersity in drop size decreased with decreasing average drop diameter.     

Organic matter flow in the food web at a temperate heath under multifactorial climate change

The rising atmospheric CO(2) concentration, increasing temperature and changed patterns of precipitation currently expose terrestrial ecosystems to altered environmental conditions. This may affect belowground nutrient cycling through its intimate relationship with the belowground decomposers. Three climate change factors (elevated CO(2), increased temperature and drought) were investigated in a full factorial field experiment at a temperate heathland location. The combined effect of biotic and abiotic factors on nitrogen and carbon flows was traced in plant root → litter → microbe → detritivore/omnivore → predator food-web for one year after amendment with (15)N(13)C(2)-glycine. Isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) measurement of (15)N/(14)N and (13)C/(12)C in soil extracts and functional ecosystem compartments revealed that the recovery of (15)N sometimes decreased through the chain of consumption, with the largest amount of bioactive (15)N label pool accumulated in the microbial biomass. The elevated CO(2) concentration at the site for 2 years increased the biomass, the (15)N enrichment and the (15)N recovery in detritivores. This suggests that detritivore consumption was controlled by both the availability of the microbial biomass, a likely major food source, and the climatic factors. Furthermore, the natural abundance δ(13)C of enchytraeids was significantly altered in CO(2)-fumigated plots, showing that even small changes in δ(13)C-CO(2) can be used to detect transfer of carbon from primary producers to detritivores. We conclude that, in the short term, the climate change treatments affected soil organism activity, possibly with labile carbohydrate production controlling the microbial and detritivore biomass, with potential consequences for the decomposition of detritus and nutrient cycling. Hence, there appears to be a strong coupling of responses in carbon and nitrogen cycling at this temperate heath.