Two-dimensional optical micro-scanner on silicon technology

A two-dimensional optical micro-scanner, which main components are two mobile flat and a concave micro-mirrors, is designed such that, all optical components can be fabricated on the same substratum. The optical parameters, which physical dimensions are between 50 and 500 μm, are obtained within the geometrical optics. The optical performance is evaluated by means of the MTF and Rayleigh resolution criteria, given 80% of modulation for a frequency of 8 cycles/mm with a Gaussian source, the resolution limit is 30 μm.     

Development of an optical refractometer by analysis of one-dimensional photonic bandgap structures with defects

A theoretical analysis of an optical fiber photonic-bandgap-based refractometer is presented. The design is based on a quarter-wave reflector with one defect. By modifying both the real and the imaginary parts of the index of refraction of the defects we begin to change either the frequency or the amplitude of the localized optical mode. So we could fabricate a specific optical fiber refractometer by combining all the variables: index of refractive index of the defects and the rest of layers, thickness of the defect, number of layers, etc. to yield a large set of design possibilities, for example, detecting wider or thinner ranges of refractive indices, or controlling the detection accuracy. Some rules for the practical implementation of the refractometer are given.     

Stoichiometry,Association Constant,and Solvation Model of Chiral Hydroxyfuranones in the Presence of Pirkle's Alcohols

ABSTRACT

(S)-(+)-Dihydro-3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-2(3H)-furanone, (R)-(-)-dihydro-3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-2(3H)-furanone, (S)-(-)-dihydro-4-hydroxy-2(3H)-furanone, and (S)-(-)-5-hydroxymethyl-2(5H)-furanone in the presence of pure enantiomers of 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(9-anthryl)ethanol were studied by ¹H NMR in deuterated chloroform solutions. Experimental Job's plots suggest that the resulting solvates are formed with one molecule of solute and one of the chiral solvating agent. From the magnitude of the association constant determined for (S)-(+)-dihydro-3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-2(3H)-furanone in the presence of (R)-(-)-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(9-anthryl)ethanol (1.26 ± 0.09 M^?1), it is inferred that the solvate is weak and cannot be isolated at 298 K. The correlation between the magnitude of induced chemical shifts, NOESY maps, and the known configuration of solutes and chiral solvating agents suggests that intermolecular hydroxyl-hydroxyl interaction is the primary interaction. Accordingly, the secondary interaction might occur between benzylic-hydrogen of the chiral solvating agent and the carbonyl- or furan ring-oxygen atoms of the solute.     

Linear polarization degree for detecting magnetic properties of small particles

Motivated by the recent advances with magnetic nanoparticles, in this research we propose a new technique for their characterization based on the measurement of certain polarimetric parameters of the scattered light, such as the linear polarization degree when it is determined at a "right-angle" scattering configuration. We will show the sensitivity of its spectral evolution with the magnetic properties of the particle.     

On the symmetry of three identical interacting particles in a one-dimensional box

We study a quantum-mechanical system of three particles in a one-dimensional box with two-particle harmonic interactions. The symmetry of the system is described by the point group D_3d$D_{3d}$. Group theory greatly facilitates the application of perturbation theory and the Rayleigh–Ritz variational method. A great advantage is that every irreducible representation can be treated separately. Group theory enables us to predict the connection between the states for the small box length and large box length regimes of the system. We discuss the crossings and avoided crossings of the energy levels as well as other interesting features of the spectrum of the system.     

Modelling phenolic and technological maturities of grapes by means of the multivariate relation between organoleptic and physicochemical properties

The ripeness of grapes at the harvest time is one of the most important parameters for obtaining high quality red wines. Traditionally the decision of harvesting is to be taken only after analysing sugar concentration, titratable acidity and pH of the grape juice (technological maturity). However, these parameters only provide information about the pulp ripeness and overlook the real degree of skins and seeds maturities (phenolic maturity). Both maturities, technological and phenolic, are not simultaneously reached, on the contrary they tend to separate depending on several factors: grape variety, cultivar, adverse weather conditions, soil, water availability and cultural practices. Besides, this divergence is increasing as a consequence of the climate change (larger quantities of CO₂, less rain, and higher temperatures).     

A cytotoxic dimeric furanoheliangolide from Piptocoma rufescens

A new sesquiterpene lactone, rufescenolide C (1), the first furanoheliangolide dimer, was isolated from the leaves of Piptocoma rufescens, collected in the Dominican Republic. Its structure was determined by interpretation of its spectroscopic data, with the absolute configuration being established by analysis of the CD spectrum. A plausible biogenesis of this dimer is proposed. This compound showed potent cytotoxicity with an IC₅₀ value of 150 nM, when tested against HT-29 human colon cancer cells.     

Oxidation of alkenes with non-heme iron complexes: suitability as an organic synthetic method

In the course of a preliminary study to determine the preparative value and the synthetic applications of the non-heme iron(II) complexes Fe(bpmen)(OTf)₂ and Fe(tpa)(OTf)₂, in particular the oxidation of alkenes by using hydrogen peroxide as the terminal oxidant, we have found significant differences in catalyst behavior. After several attempts it was clear that the preparative relevance of the oxidation processes was linked to the concentration of the catalyst and optimal results were obtained when the concentration value was 5 mol %. At that concentration, the Fe(bpmen)(OTf)₂ catalyst mostly gave rise to mixtures of the epoxide and the trans-dihydroxylation products formed by water-assisted hydrolytic cleavage of the epoxides. Furthermore, the use of the tripodal ligand tpa led to cis dihydroxylation products. When deactivated olefins were used as substrates for the oxidation reaction, the cis-diols were obtained exclusively, although with modest conversions, regardless of the catalyst used.     

Influence of composition and roughness on the pigment mapping of paintings using mid-infrared fiberoptics reflectance spectroscopy (mid-IR FORS) and multivariate calibration

Mid-infrared fiberoptics reflectance spectroscopy (mid-IR FORS) is a very interesting technique for artwork characterization purposes. However, the fact that the spectra obtained are a mixture of surface (specular) and volume (diffuse) reflection is a significant drawback. The physical and chemical features of the artwork surface may produce distortions in the spectra that hinder comparison with reference databases acquired in transmission mode. Several studies attempted to understand the influence of the different variables and propose procedures to improve the interpretation of the spectra. This article is focused on the application of mid-IR FORS and multivariate calibration to the analysis of easel paintings. The objectives are the evaluation of the influence of the surface roughness on the spectra, the influence of the matrix composition for the classification of unknown spectra, and the capability of obtaining pigment composition mappings. A first evaluation of a fast procedure for spectra management and pigment discrimination is discussed. The results demonstrate the capability of multivariate methods, principal component analysis (PCA), and partial least squares discrimination analysis (PLS-DA), to model the distortions of the reflectance spectra and to delimitate and discriminate areas of uniform composition. The roughness of the painting surface is found to be an important factor affecting the shape and relative intensity of the spectra. A mapping of the major pigments of a painting is possible using mid-IR FORS and PLS-DA when the calibration set is a palette that includes the potential pigments present in the artwork mixed with the appropriate binder and that shows the different paint textures. Graphical Abstract

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