Structure design of refractive index sensor based on LPFG with double-layer coatings

Based on the coupled-mode theory, the mode transition and transmittance of LP modes in an LPFG with double-layer coatings are studied theoretically. As a refractive index sensor, this LPFG structure is designed for high sensitivity by selecting a suitable thickness and refractive index of the double-layer coatings. Date simulation indicates that the effective index of the LP cladding mode increases in steps with the first coating thickness, thus LP mode is guided to the overlay and the mode transition takes place, where the LP modes can be easily affected by the ambient. Thereby, the coated LPFG sensor should be designed to operate at the transition region. In addition, the effective refractive index of LP cladding modes also increases in steps with the refractive index of the second overlay. For the higher order LP modes, the transition regions are broaden and the dynamic responses are greater than the lower LP modes, which means the higher order LP modes can be used for lower index overlay sensing. Further, the transmittance spectrum, sensitivity and measurable dynamic range of this LPFG are analyzed. The sensitivity of the LPFG sensor is available to $10^{3}$ with suitable overlay thickness and measurable dynamic range of the sensitive film refractive index is available to $10^{-2}$ . So the presented LPFG sensor enhances the design flexibility and enlarges the scope of application, which will likely be developed for high sensitivity LPFG sensors.     

A bubble detection technique based on light intensity and Mie scattering theory for spinning solution

A novel bubble detection technique based on light intensity and Mie scattering theory for spinning solution is presented theoretically and experimentally. With the light intensity in every direction, the particle or bubble size distribution can be calculated with the Mie scattering theory. The light intensity distribution in every direction, corresponding to the light intensity received by every assumed annulus of the detector has been calculated theoretically. According to the light intensity distribution, the size distribution of bubbles can be deduced. A series of standardized polystyrene micro-sphere (with 7 μm diameter) solution has been used not only as sample for experiments and calibration, but also as the bubbles in the glycerin. Theoretical and experimental results show that the technique can be used for bubble detection, in order to improve the traditional bubble detection scheme, and to lower production costs.     

Emergent rotational symmetries in disordered magnetic domain patterns

Uniaxial systems often form labyrinthine domains that exhibit short-range order but are macroscopically isotropic and would not be expected to exhibit precise symmetries. However, their underlying frustration results in a multitude of metastable configurations of comparable energy, and driving such a system externally might lead to pattern formation. We find that soft x-ray speckle diffraction patterns of the labyrinthine domains in CoPd/IrMn heterostructures reveal a diverse array of hidden rotational symmetries about the magnetization axis, thereby suggesting an unusual form of emergent order in an otherwise disordered system. These symmetries depend on applied magnetic field, magnetization history, and scattering wave vector. Maps of rotational symmetry exhibit intriguing structures that can be controlled by manipulating the applied magnetic field in concert with the exchange bias condition.     

Bidirectional passively mode-locked soliton fiber laser with a four-port circulator

We present an all-fiber bidirectional passively mode-locked soliton laser with what we believe is a novel cavity configuration. Using a four-port circulator, we incorporate two different semiconductor saturable absorber mirrors (SESAMs) into the laser cavity, which enables bidirectional mode locking. The laser allows the generation of two independent countercirculating mode-locked pulse trains, each with an individual fundamental repetition rate that can be adjusted by varying the SESAM pigtail length. Two countercirculating pulse trains with repetition rates of 21.3 and 15.2 MHz are obtained simultaneously. By controlling the intracavity loss imposed on these two pulse trains, either one of the two pulse trains can be switched on or off. The bidirectional operation with other repetition rates is also demonstrated.     

Comparison of catalytic activities for photocatalytic and sonocatalytic degradation of methylene blue in present of anatase TiO2-CNT catalysts

Anatase TiO(2)-CNT catalysts with high specific surface areas were prepared by depositing TiO(2) particles on the surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using a modified sol-gel technique. These catalysts prepared with different amounts of CNTs were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, Fourier Transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of the anatase TiO(2)-CNT catalysts was assessed by examining the degradation of methylene blue (MB) from model aqueous solutions as a probe reaction under visible light and ultrasonic irradiation. The synergistic effect of the greater surface area and catalytic activities of the composite catalysts was examined in terms of the strong adsorption ability and interphase interaction by comparing the different amounts and roles of CNTs in the catalysts.     

光束发散度对紫外写入光纤光栅的影响

用傅里叶衍射光学分析了准分子激光束发散度对于光纤光栅制备的影响,发现光束发散角使光纤光栅的布拉格波长发生改变,相位版后干涉场沿光纤轴向和径向不均匀,对制备30dB高反射率光纤光栅造成困难。实验结果与理论分析基本一致,相对于理想平行光束情况,会聚光束使得光纤光栅布拉格波长出现在短波一边,发射光束使得光纤光栅布拉格波长出现在长波一边。     

Thermal loading induced near-infrared broadband upconversion emission of Sm-doped β-NaYbF4 nano-phosphors

A non-closed hydrothermal synthetic processing is improved to synthesize Sm³⁺ doped β-NaYbF₄ nano-phosphors at 98 °C without any high-temperature and high-pressure treatments as a final step. Novel green, red, and near-infrared broadband (799-873 nm) upconversion emissions of Sm³⁺-doped β-NaYbF₄ nano-phosphors under 980 nm excitation are observed. These UC emissions can be assigned to the Sm³⁺ transitions of ⁴G_J, ⁴F_3/2 and ⁶F_11/2→⁶H_J. The half-width of 873 nm emission band is broadened nearly two-fold through the annealing treatment for nano-phosphors. The upconversion process in Yb³⁺-Sm³⁺ system is discussed based on energy transfer mechanisms.     

Two Mechanisms for Extracting Energy and Angular Momentum from a Rotating Black Hole

Two mechanisms of extracting energy and angular momentum from a rotating black hole, the Blandford-Znajek (BZ) process and magnetic coupling (MC) of a rotating black hole (BH) with the surrounding accretion disk, are discussed in detail by using a modified equivalent circuit. We obtain the same value for the BZ power as given by Lee. The strength of the power and torque produced by the rotating BH in the BZ process are compared with those in MC process. In addition, entropy production on the BH horizon due to the BZ process and that due to MC process are compared and discussed also by using the modified equivalent circuit.     

Properties of a vector soliton laser passively mode-locked by a fiber-based semiconductor saturable absorber operating in transmission

We experimentally demonstrate a passively mode-locked fiber laser employing a fiber-based semiconductor saturable absorber (SSA) operating in transmission. Polarization rotation locked vector solitons are observed in the laser. Due to the intrinsic dynamic feature of the laser, period-doubling of these vector solitons has also been observed. Furthermore, extra spectral sidebands are formed on the optical spectrum, caused by the energy exchange between the two orthogonal polarization components of the vector solitons. By careful reduction of the pump power together with fine adjustment to the cavity birefringence, period-one state can further be obtained. Additionally, the phase noise properties of the vector soliton fiber laser have also been characterized experimentally and analytically.     

Bias dependence of apparent layer thickness and Moiré pattern on NaCl/Cu(001)

Bias-dependent features of the insulating NaCl layer grown on Cu(001) have been investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS). The apparent layer thickness of the NaCl film is variable at bias voltages ranging from 2.8 to 3.2 V as well as from 4.0 to 5.0 V, and the Moiré pattern induced by NaCl–Cu lattice mismatch also shows bias dependence. The z–V (dz/dV–V) curves and dI/dV mapping measurements reveal that the resonant tunneling between the image potential states (IPSs) on Cu(001) and the Fermi level of the STM tip leads to drastic variations of these features.