Bending-insensitive single-mode hole-assisted fibers with reduced splice loss

We propose and demonstrate a novel type of bending-insensitive single-mode hole-assisted fiber that has a doped core and two layers of holes with two different airhole diameters. The fiber has a 9.3 microm mode field diameter, a bending loss of 0.011 dB/turn at 1.55 microm for a bending diameter of 10 mm, and a cutoff wavelength below 1.1 microm. The fiber can be fusion spliced to a conventional single-mode fiber with low loss.     

Three-color photonic crystal demultiplexer based on ultralow-refractive-index metamaterial technology

We numerically demonstrate the operation of a novel class of wavelength-division demultiplexing circuit based on photonic crystal waveguides that are entirely synthesized by ultralow-refractive-index metallic nanopillars. The operational principle of the newly proposed device is based on the phenomenon of total external reflections in ultralow-refractive-index metallic photonic crystal structures (metamaterials). In addition we provide detailed design guidelines for optimum device performance. The low propagation losses and compact size, as well as temperature-insensitive operation over a wide temperature range, are only a few of the advantages of the proposed technology, making this new type of demultiplexer an excellent candidate for applications in the visible spectrum.     

Two-dimensional vibrational analysis of the Lippincott-Schröder potential for OHO,NHO and NHN hydrogen bonds and the deuterium isotope effect

Two-dimensional vibrational analyses [i.e. crude adiabatic approximation, SCF approximation and variational method (crude adiabatic basis function)] are performed on the hydrogen bond systems consisting of the Lippincott-Schröder potentials for the OHO, NHO and NHN bonds. The OHO and NHN systems are supposed to be linear and the bent structure is considered for the NHO system. The frequency shift for the hydrogen bond length variation and its deuterium substitution effects are in good agreement with experiment. The anomalies in the frequency ratio ν_OH/ν_OD at an O—O distance of 2.5 Å, and in the interminimum distance shift on deuteration at 2.5 Å are well explained as the difference of double minimum behavior between the vibrational states of proton and deuterium. It is also shown that the Lippincott-Schröder model for the OHO system supplies the general features for proton tunneling, proton delocalization beyond the barrier and other type processes in hydrogen bonds.     

Mode grüneisen parameters for long-wave phonons under pressure of Si and Ge

The elastic stiffness constants under pressure of Si and Ge are studied theoretically using the higher-order perturbational formalism and the local Heine-Abarenkov model pseudopotential, and the mode Grüneisen parameters for long-wave phonons are estimated as a function of the compressed volume. The results obtained for atmospheric pressure are in good agreement with the experimental data. The long-wave LA mode Grüneisen parameters decrease slightly as the volume is reduced by compression. The TA mode Grüneisen parameters show a large decrease as function of the volume strain, and become negative near the covalent-metallic phase transition. The volume-dependences of the long-wave mode Grüneisen parameters are useful in the study of the anharmonic properties of Si and Ge.     

In-situ photoluminescence and capacitance-voltage characterization of InAlAs/InGaAs regrown heterointerfaces by molecular beam epitaxy

This paper characterizes the electronic properties of InAlAs/InGaAs molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) regrown interfaces by combined use of in-situ photoluminescence surface state spectroscopy (PLS³) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) techniques. It is shown that the interface state density at the continuously grown InAlAs/InGaAs interface is low and comparable with that of the uninterrupted AlGaAs/GaAs interface, and that the effect of the growth interruption was surprisingly small, whereas the same interruption resulted in almost 10² times reduction of the PL efficiency for the AlGaAs/GaAs system. It is also shown that a high density of surface states exists at the MBE InGaAs surface. Interruption after the growth of the bottom InAlAs layer in the InAlAs/InGaAs/InAlAs system also leads to appreciable generation of interface states, but it is much smaller as compared with the case of the AlGaAs/GaAs/AlGaAs system.     

Characterization of silicon layers epitaxially grown on metallurgical-grade polycrystalline substrates

The structural and electrical properties of silicon layers epitaxially grown on metallurgical-grade polycrystalline silicon substrates are examined to clarify the effect of grain boundaries, crystal defects and impurities in the substrates. Chemical etching of the epitaxial layer reveals that all the grain boundaries continue from the substrate into the epitaxial layer, whereas lines of high density etch pits do not always continue. The polycrystalline thin film solar cells are fabricated on the metallurgical-grade silicon substrates by successive deposition of p and n⁺ layers. These cells show short circuit current densities around 70% of that of the conventional single crystal cell. This reduction of the short circuit current is caused mainly by the short minority carrier diffusion length in the grains probably due to impurities involved in the epitaxial layers. The origins of such impurities are discussed by considering autodoping and solid-state diffusion from the substrate during growth of epitaxial layers.     

Quantitative determination of propranolol in plasma and plasma water from normal subjects and patients with angina pectoris by high-performance liquid chromatography

A precise and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method using a column packed with porous polystyrene gel is described for the determination of propranolol in plasma and plasma water from normal subjects and patients with angina pectoris. Propranolol in the samples was extracted with an n-heptane-isoamylalcohol (98.5:1.5) mixture after addition of penbutolol used as an internal standard. The extracts were chromatographed and detected with a spectrofluorophotometer. The quantitative limit of propranolol was 1 ng using 1 ml of plasma or 0.5 ml of plasma water. The present method should be useful for monitoring propranolol concentrations in plasma and plasma water during drug therapy and for pharmacokinetic study of propranolol.     

Immobilization of capsaicin onto silica nanoparticle surface and stimulus properties of the capsaicin‐immobilized silica

To prepare silica nanoparticle having biorepellent activity, the immobilization of capsaicin onto hyperbranched poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM)‐grafted silica was investigated. Grafting of PAMAM onto a silica surface was achieved in a solvent‐free dry system using PAMAM dendrimer synthesis methodology. The immobilization of capsaicin was achieved by the reaction of hydroxyl groups of capsaicin with isocyanate groups of Silica‐PAMAM, which were introduced by the reaction of terminal amino groups of Silica‐PAMAM with hexamethylene diisocyanate. The immobilization of capsaicin was confirmed by thermal decomposition GC‐MS. The amount of capsaicin immobilized onto PAMAM‐grafted silica was determined to be 0.10 mmol/g. Capsaicin‐immobilized Silica‐PAMAM (Silica‐PAMAM‐Cap) was dispersed uniformly in water and Tyrode solution. Stimulus activity of Silica‐PAMAM‐Cap was estimated using two stimulus tests, that is a magnus test and a paw licking test, to sensory nerve of mice. As the result of magnus test, it was found that the Silica‐PAMAM‐Cap shows stimulus activity. It was found that elution of capsaicin could be depressed by immobilizing capsaicin onto Silica‐PAMAM from the result of paw licking test. In addition, the stimulus property of Silica‐PAMAM‐Cap to the human skin could be observed and it was found that Silica‐PAMAM‐Cap had acrid taste. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1800–1805, 2010     

Defensive effects of fullerene-C60/liposome complex against UVA-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species generation and cell death in human skin keratinocytes HaCaT,associated with intracellular uptake and extracellular excretion of fullerene-C60

The UVA-irradiation of 10 J/cm² on HaCaT keratinocytes increased 59.1% of the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by NBT assay and the cell viability decreased to 31.5% by WST-1 assay, comparing to the non-irradiated control. In the presence of fullerene-C60 (C60) incorporated in phospholipid membrane vehicle (LiposomeFullerene: Lpsm-Flln) of 250–500 ppm, they were restored to ?9.1% to  + 2.3% of the ROS and 83.0–84.8% of the cell viability, but scarcely restored by the liposome without C60 (Lpsm). In HaCaT cells administered with Lpsm-Flln (150 ppm), C60 was ingested at the intracellular concentrations of 1.4–21.9 ppm for 4–24 h, and, intracellular C60 was excreted by 80% at 4 h after rinsing-out, and decreased to 2–10% after 24–48 h. C60 was predominantly distributed around the outside of nuclear membrane without deterioration of intact cell morphology according to fluorescent immunostain. Thus Lpsm-Flln is found to be an effective antioxidant that could preserve HaCaT keratinocytes against UVA-induced cellular injury. Lpsm-Flln has a potential to serve as a cosmetic material for skin protection against UVA.