Generation of a single picosecond pulse using Raman backscattering

The second harmonic pulse train from a mode-locked NdYAG Self-Filtering Unstable Resonator has been compressed by a factor of 2.3 using Raman backscattering. Single pulses of 7.4 picoseconds at=0.68m and with 70 percent success probability have been obtained.     

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance in paramagnetic NiSO4 · 1 H2O

Parameters characterizing the magnetic interactions between the paramagnetic ions Ni²⁺ and the protons of crystalline water in powderedNiSO ₄ · 1H ₂O were derived from the field and temperature dependences of the second moment of NMR spectra. The Curie-Weiss constant, magnetic moment _i and the part of second momentM ₂O corresponding to the nuclear dipoledipole interaction were evaluated from the experimental data. The parameters characterizing the local magnetic field acting on the proton-pairs were calculated and compared with those obtained from the analysis of the shape of the NMR spectrum.The authors express their grateful acknowledgement to Prof. Dr. hab. Z. Pajak, Dr. S. GIo-winkowski, Dr. J. Kapturczak and Ing. W. Porzuckoviak from Institute of Physics, A. Mickiewicz University in Poland for their help in NMR measurements and fruitful discussions.     

Near-quantum-limit efficiency of picosecond stimulated Raman scattering in BaWO(4) crystal

Stimulated Raman scattering of 35-ps pulses in BaWO(4) crystal was studied. The second harmonic of a Nd:YAG double-mode-locked laser system was used as a pump radiation source. The first Stokes conversion efficiency reached 38% in a single-pass setup and 85% in a double-pass setup. The second Stokes was generated with 20% (single-pass) and 50% (double-pass) conversion efficiency. Measurement of the temporal profiles of pump and first Stokes radiation with picosecond resolution was performed. The obtained conversion efficiency data were compared with the a plane-wave numerical model. BaWO(4) crystal can be considered an efficient Raman-active material for utilization in picosecond solid-state laser systems.     

Experimental Test of the Evans’ <Emphasis Type="Italic">B</Emphasis>(3)-Field: Measuring the Interaction with Free Electrons

During the past decade, M.W. Evans and his coworkers have been developing so-called “Evans” or “ECE theory” that intends to serve as an unified field theory. One of its predictions is an existence of a radiation magnetic field called a “B(3)-field” which should accompany a circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation. This field should affect free electrons in two ways: (1) the electrons should behave in the B(3)-field in the same way as in a classical magnetic field (i.e., Larmor precession) and moreover, (2) the electrons should undergo quantum interaction with the B(3)-field with the formation of a spin connection resonance. This paper presents an experimental test of the B(3)-field existence by observing the changes in trajectories of free electrons in special detector, when strong (up to 200 W/m²) continuous circularly polarized microwave radiation of a frequency of 2.45 GHz is applied. We have not detected any sign of B(3)-field in presented experiment. It follows that if the B(3)-field really exists, it should be at least 4 orders of magnitude smaller than the Evans’ theory predicts.     

Determination of cyclodextrins and their derivatives by capillary electrophoresis with indirect UV and conductivity detection

A fast and simple capillary electrophoretic method suitable for the determination of native α-, β-, γ-cyclodextrins, their randomly substituted tert-butyl derivatives (average degree of substitution 3.8 – 4.4), heptakis (2,6-di-O-methyl)- and heptakis (2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin was developed. Naphthyl-2-sulfonic acid (2-NSA), 3-iodobenzoic acid (3-IBA) and (1S)-1-phenylethylamine (PHEA) were tested as selective complex forming and UV absorbing background electrolyte additives. The composition of optimized background electrolyte for the separation of uncharged cyclodextrins and their derivatives was: 15 mM 3-iodobenzoic acid titrated with tris[hydroxymethyl]aminomethane to pH 8.0, 5% (v/v) of acetonitrile. A complete resolution of mono-2-O-, mono-3-O- and mono-6-O-carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin regioisomers was achieved in the optimized background electrolyte system: 40 mM PHEA titrated with 2-[N-morpholino]ethanesulfonic acid to pH 5.6. In addition to indirect UV detection a contactless conductometric detector was successfully utilized.     

High-throughput quantification of lincomycin traces in fermentation broth of genetically modified Streptomyces spp. Comparison of ultra-performance liquid chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection

A new separation and quantification method using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) with UV detection was developed for detection of lincomycin traces in fermentation broth of different Streptomyces spp. A similar high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) protocol was simultaneously developed for comparison purposes. Both methods were validated and showed a linear range of detector response for quantification of lincomycin in concentration from 3.125 to 1000.0 microgml(-1) with correlation coefficient 0.999 and recoveries ranging from 81.5 to 89.85% with precision < or =5%. Compared with the HPLC, the UPLC method offered high sample throughput and about 10 times lower consumption of solvents. The developed assays were used for determination of lincomycin production in genetically manipulated production strain Streptomyces lincolnensis and for determination of lincomycin production after heterologous expression of lincomycin biosynthetic gene cluster in non-producing strain Streptomyces coelicolor.     

Permethylated 6I-alkenoylamino-6I-deoxy β-cyclodextrin derivatives as modifiers of photoluminescence sensor response of porous silicon

A set of permethylated 6^I-(ω-alkenoyl)-6^I-amino-6^I-deoxy-β-cyclodextrin derivatives with different chain length of the alkenoyl group (used as a spacer) was synthesized. These derivatives were attached by photochemically activated hydrosilylation reaction to the surface of porous silicon. Photoluminescence response of the modified PS to controlled concentrations of various molecules in gas phase revealed strong host-guest interactions between β-cyclodextrin and the detected molecules. The strongest interaction was observed for aromatic molecules, which have the optimal size to fit into the β-cyclodextrin molecular cavity.     

MAPLE activities and applications in gas sensors

During the last decade, many groups have grown thin films of various organic materials by the cryogenic Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) technique with a wide range of applications. This contribution is focused on the summary of our results with deposition and characterization of thin films of fibrinogen, pullulan derivates, azo-polyurethane, cryoglobulin, polyvinyl alcohol, and bovine serum albumin dissolved in physiological serum, dimethyl sulfoxide, sanguine plasma, phosphate buffer solution, H₂O, ethylene glycol, and tert-butanol. MAPLE films were characterized using FTIR, AFM, Raman scattering, and SEM. For deposition, a special hardware was developed including a unique liquid nitrogen cooled target holder. Overview of MAPLE thin film applications is given. We studied SnAcAc, InAcAc, SnO₂, porphyrins, and polypyrrole MAPLE fabricated films as small resistive gas sensors. Sensors were tested with ozone, nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen, and water vapor gases. In the last years, our focus was on the study of fibrinogen-based scaffolds for application in tissue engineering, wound healing, and also as a part of layers for medical devices.