Numerical realization of helical vortices: application to vortex instability

Theoretical and Computational Fluid Dynamics - The need to numerically represent a free vortex system arises frequently in fundamental and applied research. Many possible techniques for realizing...     

Additive‐like amounts of HDPE prevent creep of molten LDPE: Phase‐behavior and thermo‐mechanical properties of a melt‐miscible blend

Low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) is the preferred type of polyolefin for many medical and electrical applications because of its superior purity and cleanliness. However, the inferior thermo‐mechanical properties as compared to, for example, high‐density polyethylene (HDPE), which arise because of the lower melting temperature of LDPE, constitute a significant drawback. Here, we demonstrate that the addition of minute amounts of HDPE to a LDPE resin considerably improves the mechanical integrity above the melting temperature of LDPE. A combination of dynamic mechanical analysis and creep experiments reveals that the addition of as little as 1 to 2 wt% HDPE leads to complete form stability above the melting temperature of LDPE. The investigated LDPE/HDPE blend is found to be miscible in the melt, which facilitates the formation of a solid‐state microstructure that features a fine distribution of HDPE‐rich lamellae. The absence of creep above the melting temperature of LDPE is rationalized with the presence of tie chains and trapped entanglements that connect the few remaining crystallites. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017 , 55, 146–156     

Asymptotically Hyperbolic Manifolds with Small Mass

For asymptotically hyperbolic manifolds of dimension n with scalar curvature at least equal to ?n(n ? 1) the conjectured positive mass theorem states that the mass is non-negative, and vanishes only if the manifold is isometric to hyperbolic space. In this paper we study asymptotically hyperbolic manifolds which are also conformally hyperbolic outside a ball of fixed radius, and for which the positive mass theorem holds. For such manifolds we show that the conformal factor tends to one as the mass tends to zero.     

Porphyrin-doped solgel-lined structured optical fibers for local and remote sensing

We constructed a type of sensor by depositing a solgel layer within the interior holes of a silica-structured fiber and, subsequently, coating this with an acid-responsive porphyrin. Protonation of the porphyrin by an acidic gas (HCl in this case), is detected by a large change in the visible spectrum. Compared to previous work on a liquid-core sensor in a structured optical fiber, the signal-to-noise ratio of this gas sensor shows a reduced signal strength, but the detection rate is increased about fortyfold.     

Invited Paper: Design and modeling of a transistor vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser

A multiple quantum well (MQW) transistor vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (T-VCSEL) is designed and numerically modeled. The important physical models and parameters are discussed and validated by modeling a conventional VCSEL and comparing the results with the experiment. The quantum capture/escape process is simulated using the quantum-trap model and shows a significant effect on the electrical output of the T-VCSEL. The parameters extracted from the numerical simulation are imported into the analytic modeling to predict the frequency response and simulate the large-signal modulation up to 40 Gbps.     

Combined use of algorithms for peak picking, peak tracking and retention modelling to optimize the chromatographic conditions for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of fluocinolone acetonide and its degradation products

A strategy for rapid optimization of liquid chromatography column temperature and gradient shape is presented. The optimization as such is based on the well established retention and peak width models implemented in software like e.g. DryLab and LC simulator. The novel part of the strategy is a highly automated processing algorithm for detection and tracking of chromatographic peaks in noisy liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) data. The strategy is presented and visualized by the optimization of the separation of two degradants present in ultraviolet (UV) exposed fluocinolone acetonide. It should be stressed, however, that it can be utilized for LC-MS analysis of any sample and application where several runs are conducted on the same sample. In the application presented, 30 components that were difficult or impossible to detect in the UV data could be automatically detected and tracked in the MS data by using the proposed strategy. The number of correctly tracked components was above 95%. Using the parameters from the reconstructed data sets to the model gave good agreement between predicted and observed retention times at optimal conditions. The area of the smallest tracked component was estimated to 0.08% compared to the main component, a level relevant for the characterization of impurities in the pharmaceutical industry.     

Detection of mid-IR radiation by sum frequency generation for free space optical communication

We present an experiment where mid-infrared radiation is detected indirectly via the second-order non-linear process of sum frequency generation. The mid-infrared sources used for the experiment are quantum cascade lasers, and we use a pump wavelength that yields an up-converted wavelength within the detection window of Silicon avalanche photo diodes. Compared with direct detection using state-of-the-art mid-infrared semiconductor detectors, the detection scheme we propose in this paper has the advantages of greater bandwidth and lower noise equivalent power.