Observation of nonlinear optical interactions of ultralow levels of light in a tapered optical nanofiber embedded in a hot rubidium vapor

We report the observation of low-light level optical interactions in a tapered optical nanofiber (TNF) embedded in a hot rubidium vapor. The small optical mode area plays a significant role in the optical properties of the hot vapor Rb-TNF system, allowing nonlinear optical interactions with nW level powers even in the presence of transit-time dephasing rates much larger than the intrinsic linewidth. We demonstrate nonlinear absorption and V-type electromagnetically induced transparency with cw powers below 10 nW, comparable to the best results in any Rb-optical waveguide system. The good performance and flexibility of the Rb-TNF system makes it a very promising candidate for ultralow power resonant nonlinear optical applications.     

Self-assembled quantum dot semiconductor nanostructure modeling

The calculation of the electronic structure of a vertical multifold stack of self-assembled InAs/GaAs lens-shaped quantum dots is presented. The developed numerical method is based on a rigorous Hamiltonian formulation of an eight-band k.p perturbation accounting for the carrier kinetics and lattice-mismatch strain endured by the islands. The considered implementation is built upon a custom partition of the unit cell. The accompanying validation analysis—consisting of a comprehensive hierarchy of convergence criteria, qualitative, and quantitative test cases—unequivocally shows that the obtained results adhere to the prescribed zero dimensional physics.     

Gap detection in modulated noise: across-frequency facilitation and interference

This study tested the hypothesis that a detection advantage for gaps in comodulated noise relative to random noise can be demonstrated in conditions of continuous noise and salient envelope fluctuations. Experiment 1 used five 25-Hz-wide bands of Gaussian noise, low-fluctuation noise, and a noise with increased salience of the inherent fluctuations (staccato noise). The bands were centered at 444, 667, 1000, 1500, and 2250 Hz, with the gap signal always inserted in the 1000-Hz band. Results indicated that a gap detection advantage existed in continuous comodulated noise only for Gaussian and staccato noise. Experiment 2 demonstrated that the advantage did not exist for gated presentation. This experiment also showed that the advantage bore some similarity to comodulation masking release. However, differences were also noted in terms of the effects of the number of flanking bands and the absence of a detection advantage in gated conditions. The detrimental effect of a gated flanking band was less pronounced for a comodulated band than for a random band. This study indicates that, under some conditions, a detection advantage for gaps carried by a narrow band of noise can occur in the presence of comodulated flanking bands of noise.     

Design Criteria for Accurate Measurement of Bimolecular Radical Termination Rate Coefficients via the RAFT‐CLD‐T Method

The reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer chain length dependent termination (RAFT‐CLD‐T) technique allows a simple experimental approach to obtain chain‐length‐dependent termination rate coefficients as a function of conversion, k(x). This work provides a set of criteria by which accurate k(x) can be obtained using the RAFT‐CLD‐T method. Visualization of three‐dimensional plots varying all kinetic rate parameters and starting concentrations demonstrates that only certain combinations give an accurate extraction of k(x). The current study provides hands‐on guidelines for experimentalists applying the RAFT‐CLD‐T method.

     

Auto‐Initiating Performance of Styrene on Surface Photografting Polymerization

Investigating the surface photografting polymerization of styrene (St), it was found that in the absence of photoinitiator and at high temperatures, a remarkable amount of St‐grafted polymer is formed. The initiation performance of St was further confirmed by surface photografting polymerization of acrylic acid, where St was used as the photoinitiator. This finding is useful to investigate the reaction mechanism of aromatic compounds under UV radiation and develop photoinitiator‐free polymerization systems.     

Formation and stabilization of persistent free radicals

We demonstrate that stable and relatively unreactive “environmentally persistent free radicals (PFRs)” can be readily formed in the post-flame and cool-zone regions of combustion systems and other thermal processes. These resonance-stabilized radicals, including semiquinones, phenoxyls, and cyclopentadienyls, can be formed by the thermal decomposition of molecular precursors including catechols, hydroquinones and phenols. Association with the surfaces of fine particles imparts additional stabilization to these radicals such that they can persist almost indefinitely in the environment. A mechanism of chemisorption and electron transfer from the molecular adsorbate to a redox-active transition metal or other receptor is shown through experiment, and supported by molecular orbital calculations, to result in PFR formation. Both oxygen-centered and carbon-centered PFRs are possible that can significantly affect their environmental and biological reactivity.     

Optical wave propagation in photonic crystal metamaterials

Metamaterials that provide negative refraction can be implemented in photonic crystals (PhCs) through careful design of the devices. Theoretically, we demonstrate that the dispersion can be altered to achieve negative refraction. This can be done through engineering the geometry of the device as well as selecting appropriate materials. The PhC also demonstrates slow light that facilitate sensing chemicals or biological agents. Using metallic materials such as gold nano-particle enables PhCs to guide optical waves in desired pathways. Also using magnetic materials such as highly doped n-GaAs, we can tune the band gap by changing magnetic field. The simulated results are consistent with some of the previously reported experimental results and give us guidance for future experiments.     

Facile P−C/C−H Bond‐Cleavage Reactivity of Nickel Bis(diphosphine) Complexes

Unusual cleavage of P?C and C?H bonds of the P₂N₂ ligand, in heteroleptic [Ni(P₂N₂)(diphosphine)]²⁺ complexes under mild conditions, results in the formation of an iminium formyl nickelate featuring a C,P,P‐tridentate coordination mode. The structures of both the heteroleptic [Ni(P₂N₂)(diphosphine)]²⁺ complexes and the resulting iminium formyl nickelate have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to investigate the mechanism of the P?C/C?H bond cleavage, which involves C?H bond cleavage, hydride rotation, Ni?C/P?H bond formation, and P?C bond cleavage.