Controlling the spontaneous emission rate of single quantum dots in a two-dimensional photonic crystal

We observe large spontaneous emission rate modification of individual InAs quantum dots (QDs) in a 2D photonic crystal with a modified, high-Q single-defect cavity. Compared to QDs in a bulk semiconductor, QDs that are resonant with the cavity show an emission rate increase of up to a factor of 8. In contrast, off-resonant QDs indicate up to fivefold rate quenching as the local density of optical states is diminished in the photonic crystal. In both cases, we demonstrate photon antibunching, showing that the structure represents an on-demand single photon source with a pulse duration from 210 ps to 8 ns. We explain the suppression of QD emission rate using finite difference time domain simulations and find good agreement with experiment.     

Columnar AlGaN/GaN nanocavities with AlN/GaN Bragg reflectors grown by molecular beam epitaxy on Si(111)

Self-assembled columnar AlGaN/GaN nanocavities, with an active region of GaN quantum disks embedded in an AlGaN nanocolumn and cladded by top and bottom AlN/GaN Bragg mirrors, were grown. The nanocavity has no cracks or extended defects, due to the relaxation at the Si interface and to the nanocolumn free-surface to volume ratio. The emission from the active region matched the peak reflectivity by tuning the Al content and the GaN disks thickness. Quantum confinement effects that depend on both the disk thickness and the inhomogeneous strain distribution within the disks are clearly observed.     

Comparison of Numerical Simulation Models for Open Loop Flight Simulations in the Human Centrifuge

To achieve predefined Gz load profile in high G training in human centrifuge, it is necessary to determine angular velocity and acceleration of a planetary axis (centrifuge arm). Initial value problem that can not be solved in closed form was obtained. Several discretization methods for calculating angular velocity of centrifuge arm driven by DC servo motor are presented. Simulations are performed for different positive and negative values of Gz onset. (© 2013 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Complete asymptotic analysis of positive solutions of odd-order nonlinear differential equation

We study the asymptotic behavior of solutions of the odd-order differential equation of Emden–Fowler type $$ {x^{{\left( {2n+1} \right)}}}(t)=q(t){{\left| {x(t)} \right|}^{\gamma }}\operatorname{sgn}x(t) $$ in the framework of regular variation under the assumptions that 0 < γ < 1 and q(t) : [a, ∞) → (0, ∞) is regularly varying function. We show that complete and accurate information can be acquired about the existence of all possible positive solutions and their asymptotic behavior at infinity.     

Asymptotic analysis of positive solutions of generalized Emden-Fowler differential equations in the framework of regular variation

Positive solutions of the nonlinear second-order differential equation $(p(t)|x'|^{\alpha - 1} x')' + q(t)|x|^{\beta - 1} x = 0,\alpha > \beta > 0,$ are studied under the assumption that p, q are generalized regularly varying functions. An application of the theory of regular variation gives the possibility of obtaining necessary and sufficient conditions for existence of three possible types of intermediate solutions, together with the precise information about asymptotic behavior at infinity of all solutions belonging to each type of solution classes.     

Structural Changes in Lymphocytes Membrane of Chernobyl Clean-up Workers from Latvia

ABM (3-aminobenzanthrrone derivative) developed at the Riga Technical University, Riga, Latvia) has been previously shown as a potential probe for determination of the immune state of patients with different pathologies .The fist study (using probe ABM) of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) membranes of 97 Chernobyl clean-up workers from Latvia was conducted in 1997. Now we repeatedly examine the same (n = 54) individuals in dynamics. ABM spectral parameters in PBMC suspension, fluorescence anisotropy and blood plasma albumin characteristics were recorded. In 1997 screening showed 5 different patterns of fluorescence spectra, from which in 2007 we obtained only two. These patterns of spectra had never been previously seen in healthy individuals or patients with tuberculosis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc., examined by us. Patterns of ABM fluorescence spectra are associated with membrane anisotropy and conformational changes of blood plasma albumin. We observed that in dynamics 1997–2007 the lipid compartment of the membrane became more fluid while the lipid-protein interface became more rigid. The use of probe ANS and albumin auto-fluorescence allowed show conformational alterations in Chernobyl clean-up workers blood plasma. It is necessary to note that all investigated parameters significantly differ in observed groups of patients. These findings reinforce our understanding that that the cell membrane is a significant biological target of radiation. The role of the membrane in the expression and course of cell damage after radiation exposure must be considered. So ten years dynamic of PBMC membrane characteristics by ABM (spectral shift and anisotropy indexes) in Chernobyl clean-up workers reveal progressive trend toward certain resemblance with those of chronic B-cell lymphoid leukemia.     

Technical and radiological characterisation of fly ash and bottom ash from thermal power plant

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Huge quantities of fly ash and bottom ash are generated from thermal power plants and it&nbsp;presents great concern for country, mainly due...     

Active 3-D microscaffold system with fluid perfusion for culturing in vitro neuronal networks

This work demonstrated the design, fabrication, packaging, and characterization of an active microscaffold system with fluid perfusion/nutrient delivery functionalities for culturing in vitro neuronal networks from dissociated hippocampal rat pup neurons. The active microscaffold consisted of an 8 x 8 array of hollow, microfabricated, SU-8 towers (1.0 mm or 1.5 mm in height), with integrated, horizontal, SU-8 cross-members that connect adjacent towers, thus forming a 3-D grid that is conducive to branching, growth, and increased network formation of dissociated hippocampal neurons. Each microtower in the microscaffold system contained a hollow channel and multiple fluid ports for media delivery and perfusion of nutrients to the in vitro neuronal network growing within the microscaffold system. Additionally, there were two exposed Au electrodes on the outer wall of each microtower at varying heights (with insulated leads running within the microtower walls), which will later allow for integration of electrical stimulation/recording functionalities into the active microscaffold system. However, characterization of the stimulation/recording electrodes was not included in the scope of this paper. Design, fabrication, fluid packaging, and characterization of the active microscaffold system were performed. Furthermore, use of the active microscaffold system was demonstrated by culturing primary hippocampal embryonic rat pup neurons, and characterizing cell viability within the microscaffold system.     

Chiral lutetium benzamidinate complexes

Enantiomerically pure lutetium complexes were synthesized as the first rare earth metal complexes containing a chiral amidinate ligand. The catalytic activity and the enantioselectivity in hydroamination reactions were studied.