Control of resonant peak depths of tunable long-period fiber gratings using overcoupling

We present a method to reduce changes in the resonant peak depth of a long-period fiber grating (LPFG) as the resonant band is tuned by varying the external refractive index. We theoretically analyze the effects of the initial coupling strength on the peak depth change as external refractive index is varied. By controlling the initial coupling strength, it is experimentally demonstrated that an optimum peak depth can be obtained over a range of operating wavelengths that will maximize the sensitivity and stability of LPFG based sensors and tunable filters.     

Warm-intermediate inflationary universe model in braneworld cosmologies

Warm-intermediate inflationary universe models in the context of braneworld cosmologies are studied. This study is done in the weak and strong dissipative regimes. We find that the scalar potentials and dissipation coefficients in terms of the scalar field evolve as type-power-law and powers of logarithms, respectively. General conditions required for these models to be realizable are derived and discussed. We also study the scalar and tensor perturbations for each regime. We use recent astronomical observations to constrain the parameters appearing in the braneworld models.     

Unconventional photoluminescence effect of SrTiO3 thin film under UV-illumination

We find that PL intensity I(t) of SrTiO₃ thin film measured under UHV condition increases with UV-laser illumination over long time scale of ∼ 2 h. The intensity increase takes place at lower sample temperature as well, 200, 100 K, and 20 K. When O₂ and N₂ gas are introduced into the sample chamber the PL intensity decreases with the UV-illumination time, opposite to the UHV-case. We consider a quantitative thermal energy flow model of the laser-power and heat absorption by the sample, but find that temperature change of the sample is not large enough to account for the time dependent I(t). We propose photo-catalysis effect on STO surface as possible scenario of the PL intensity change.     

Studies in crystal structure and luminescence properties of Eu-doped metal tungstate phosphors for white LEDs

The correlation between the crystal structure and luminescent properties of Eu³⁺-doped metal tungstate phosphors for white LEDs was investigated. Red-emitting A_4−3x(WO₄)₂:Eu_x³⁺ (A=Li, Na, K) and B_(4−3x)/2(WO₄)₂:Eu_x³⁺ (B=Mg, Ca, Sr) phosphors were synthesized by solid-state reactions. The findings confirmed that these phosphors exhibited a strong absorption in the near UV to green range, due to the intra-configurational 4f-4f electron transition of Eu³⁺ ions. The high doping concentration of Eu³⁺ enhanced the absorption of near UV light and red emission without any detectable concentration quenching. Based on the results of a Rietveld refinement, it was attributed to the unique crystal structure. In the crystal structure of the Eu³⁺-doped metal tungstate phosphor, the critical energy transfer distance is larger than 5 Å so that exchange interactions between Eu³⁺ ions would occur with difficulty, even at a high doping concentration. The energy transfer between Eu³⁺ ions, which causes a decrease in red emission with increasing concentration of Eu³⁺, appears to be due to electric multi-polar interactions. In addition, the Eu-O distance in the host lattice affected the shape of emission spectrum by splitting of emission peak at the ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺.     

Fabrication of microstructures on paraffin substrate using laser heating

In this paper, a technique of forming convex microstructures on a paraffin substrate using laser heating is described. This technique makes use of a phenomenon that solid paraffin, melted by continuous laser irradiation, grows into a pillar-shaped structure with a high aspect ratio in a liquid. Two-dimensional structures, such as line- and wall-shaped structures, are available by scanning irradiation. Also, it is possible to fabricate oblique structures with an inclined laser irradiation. In addition, some characteristics of this fabrication method, such as the laser power and the material temperature, are investigated. Furthermore, the mechanism of this fabrication method is presented. PACS 07.10.Cm; 47.55.Pf; 65.40.De; 79.20.Ds; 81.05.-t     

Disease spreading on fitness-rewired complex networks

As people travel, human contact networks may change topologically from time to time. In this paper, we study the problem of epidemic spreading on this kind of dynamic network, specifically the one in which the rewiring dynamics of edges are carried out to preserve the degree of each node (called fitness rewiring). We also consider the adaptive rewiring of edges, which encourages disconnections from and discourages connections to infected nodes and eventually leads to the isolation of the infected from the susceptible with only a small number of links between them. We find that while the threshold of epidemic spreading remains unchanged and prevalence increases in the fitness rewiring dynamics, meeting of the epidemic threshold is delayed and prevalence is reduced (if adaptive dynamics are included). To understand these different behaviors, we introduce a new measure called the “mean change of effective links” and find that creation and deletion of pathways for pathogen transmission are the dominant factors in fitness and adaptive rewiring dynamics, respectively.     

Adsorption of 2‐amino‐5‐cyanopyridine on a gold surface as probed by surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy

The adsorption of 2‐amino‐5‐cyanopyridine (2‐ACP) was investigated in solution at different pH values by i n situ surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy combined with the electrochemical method. The assignments of the main bands were first performed on the basis of the spectral features of similar compounds and with the help of density functional theory calculations. The results revealed that the adsorption and the interfacial structure of 2‐ACP on the Au electrode depended on the applied potential and the pH values of the solution. In the natural solution, 2‐ACP was adsorbed on the surface with a vertical orientation by the CN group from − 0.4 to − 1.0 V, whereas in the − 0.4 to 0.8 V range, the N atom of the pyridine ring was bound to the surface. A transition region for the reorientation of the two adsorption modes was observed from − 0.8 to − 0.4 V. A flat configuration was preferred at an extremely negative potential. A similar surface adsorption behavior was observed in the alkali environment, while the Stark effect slope decreased because of the adsorption of OH⁻. Due to the protonation of N atom in the acidic solution, the potential region for the coexistence of two configurations ranged from − 0.4 to 0.2 V. Additionally, a similar adsorption configuration was proposed on the Au colloids at various pH values. The results revealed that the adsorption behavior became more complex on colloidal surfaces than that on a rigid electrode surface. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The long term impact of a coherence based model for mathematics intervention

This article presents a large-scale longitudinal study of hundreds of students across the state of Kentucky that participated in a dual-focus mathematics intervention initiative when they were in the third grade. Rather than an exclusive focus on intervention, this initiative focused on both (i) high quality pull-out intervention and (ii) coherence between pull-out intervention and classroom instruction. The study found that over half of the third grade intervention students that participated in this initiative were classified as “novice” (the lowest possible performance category) on state standardized mathematics assessments at the end of the third grade. However, over the course of the following four years, the novice reduction rate of these students was significantly (p < .01) greater than other novices in Kentucky that did not participate in the initiative. These findings indicate that when implementing intervention initiatives to help students that are struggling with mathematics, it may be important to establish coherence between pull-out intervention and classroom instruction. The long term impact of this approach among traditionally underrepresented minorities suggest that this publication may provide insight into important equity issues where long-term analyses may sometimes be needed to capture the full impact of intervention initiatives.     

Intertwined electronic and structural phase transitions in the In/Si(111) interface

The structural (4 x 1) to (8 x 2) transition and the electronic metal to semimetal transition at the In/Si interface are studied with scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. Both transitions are gradual, resulting in a complex domain structure in the transition temperature regime. At these intermediate temperatures, the metallic (4 x 1) and semimetallic (8 x 2) domains coexist with each other and with new nanophases. By probing the two intertwined but distinguishable transitions at the atomic level, the interaction between different phases is visualized directly.     

Correlation between Al2O3 particles and interface of Al-Al2O3 coatings by cold spray

Al-Al₂O₃ composite coatings with different Al₂O₃ particle shapes were prepared on Si and Al substrate by cold spray. The powder compositions of metal (Al) and ceramic (Al₂O₃) having different sizes and agglomerations were varied into ratios of 10:1 wt% and 1:1 wt%. Al₂O₃ particles were successfully incorporated into the soft metal matrix of Al. It was found that crater formation between the coatings and substrate, which is typical characteristic signature of cold spray could be affected by initial starting Al₂O₃ particles. In addition, when the large hard particles of fused Al₂O₃ were employed, the deep and big craters were generated at the interface between coatings and hard substrates. In the case of pure soft metal coating such as Al on hard substrate, it is very hard to get proper adhesion due to lack of crater formation. Therefore, the composite coating would have certain advantages.