Intensity-related dynamics of femtosecond frequency combs

We have performed systematic studies of intensity-related dynamics of the pulse repetition and carrier-envelope offset frequencies in mode-locked Ti:sapphire lasers. We compared the results far two laser systems that have different intracavity dispersion-compensation schemes. We found that the carrier-envelope phase noise and its dynamic response depend critically on the mode-locking conditions. An intensity-related shift of the laser spectrum was found to be instrumental in interpretations.     

Two-photon excited intramolecular energy transfer and light-harvesting effect in novel dendritic systems

Two-photon absorption excited intramolecular energy transfer and light-harvesting effects are demonstrated in three novel dendritic systems. These systems contain both an antenna structure that can effectively absorb two-photon energy at approximately 800 nm and emit fluorescence at approximately 515 nm and a core moiety that can absorb one-photon energy at approximately 520 nm and emit at approximately 590 nm. Covalently combining the core and antenna functionalities intrinsically changes the optical behavior of the component pieces. The two-photon energy absorbed by the antenna structure is resonantly transferred to the core, where the core's emission intensity is enhanced by 8, 20, and 34 times for the three dendritic systems.     

Dynamic self-assembly of rings of charged metallic spheres

This Letter describes dynamic self-assembly in a system of stainless steel spheres ( approximately 1 mm in diameter) rolling on a flat dielectric surface under the influence of an external magnetic field that rotates parallel to the plane of the surface. As the spheres move, they charge triboelectrically. Self-assembly is mediated by two types of electrostatic interactions among these charges: (i) attraction between negatively charged regions of the surface and positively charged spheres and (ii) repulsion between the like-charged spheres. The spheres organize into highly ordered rings as a result of these electrostatic interactions.     

Continuous-wave-pumped Raman-assisted fiber optical parametric amplifier and wavelength converter in conventional dispersion-shifted fiber

We present a continuous-wave-pumped fiber optical parametric amplifier, operating near 1539 nm in conventional dispersion-shifted fiber, with maximum on-off gain and wavelength-conversion efficiency of 13.7 and 13.1 dB, respectively. In addition, we show a novel configuration based on Raman amplification assistance in the parametric gain fiber that further increases the gain and wavelength-conversion efficiencies to 16.7 and 16.2 dB, respectively.     

Birefringence changes in vertebrate striated muscle.

The changes in birefringence in the rigor to relax transition of single Triton-extracted rabbit psoas muscle fibers have been investigated. The total birefringence of rigor muscle fibers was dependent on sarcomere length and ranged from (1.46 +/- 0.08) X 10(-3) to (1.60 +/- 0.06) X 10(-3) at sarcomere lengths from 2.70 mum to 3.40 mum. An increase in total birefringence was measured dependent on sarcomere length when 55 single fibers were relaxed from the rigor state with Mg-ATP. Pyrophosphate relaxation produced a smaller increase in retardation when compared to Mg-ATP. The expected change in intrinsic birefringence during the rigor to relax transition was calculated assuming a hinge function of the subfragment 2 moiety of myosin. The changes in birefringence during isometric contraction and relaxation have been discussed in relation to possible structural changes.     

Electrochemical studies on glassy carbon electrodes: II. Oxygen reduction in solutions of high pH (pH>10)

On the basis of measurements using rotating disc, rotating ring disc and stationary glassy carbon electrodes, together with polarization curves, reaction order and stoichiometric number determinations, a mechanism for the reduction of oxygen in aqueous solution at pH>10 is proposed. This involves an initial electron transfer, followed by rate-determining surface migration of O₂^? ions to active sites on the electrode surface. Differences between our interpretation of the experimental results and the conclusions of other investigators are discussed.     

Copolymerization behavior of vinylimidazolium salts

Copolymerization studies of cationic monomers have been reported in the literature to yield wide variations in reactivity ratios and Q–e values, depending on the comonomer and the nature of the solvent. In this work are presented the copolymerization characteristics of a variety of vinylimidazolium salts in both water and ethanol solution. From these studies, the effect of solvent polarity, of substitution at the imidazolium 2-position, of the type of counterion, and of the hydrophilic–hydrophobic character of the monomeric salts could be ascertained. The results of the study are consistent with other related investigations, in that solvent polarity and comonomer both strongly affected copolymerization.     

A new approach to intermolecular forces in non-bonding regions

A new method to compute intermolecular energies in non-bonding regions is presented. It is based on the assumption that in such regions molecules can be reviewed as the sum of distorted, possibly overlapping, and electron exchanging atoms. The intermolecular energy change at a given distance is due to the sum of the atomic energy changes caused by these distortions. The energy change of any particular atom is computed in a Hartree—Fock model in which the effect of the other atom is represented by an effective potential. This potential in turn is computed from a calculation at a slightly larger intermolecular distance of the potential seen by an external electron in the field of the “other” atom. This potential computed in the RPA approximation and involves the distorted Hartree—Fock orbitals of the other atom (computed in a similar manner to the above) and the RPA response function of the other distorted atom.     

Emission from aromatic hydrocarbon-diene and -olefin exciplexes

Luminescence from aromatic hydrocarbon-olefin and -diene exciplexes, providing strong evidence for their intermediary in singlet quenching processes, is reported. Solvent dependence of the emission maximum gives a value of 10.8D for the dipole moment of the 1-cyanonaphthalene-1,2-dimethylcyclopentene exciplex while the temperature dependence affords a value of 6.7 kcal/M for the heat of formation. Linear-free-energy correlations of rate constants for 1-cyanonaphthalene and naphthalene fluorescence quenching by dienes and olefins and strained hydrocarbons with the adiabatic ionization potentials of the quenchers are consistent with major contributions from charge-resonance in the exciplex formation process.