Fiber-optic distributed measurement of polarization beat length using slope-assisted Brillouin optical correlation-domain reflectometry

Optical Review - We demonstrate distributed measurement of the polarization beat length along single-mode optical fibers (SMFs) using slope-assisted Brillouin optical correlation-domain...     

Magnetoresistance of Fe3O4/Au/Fe3O4 and Fe3O4/Au/Fe spin-valve structures

A detailed study of the in-plane magnetotransport properties of spin valves with one and two Fe₃O₄ electrodes is presented. Fe₃O₄/Au/Fe₃O₄ spin valves exhibit a clear anisotropic magnetoresistance in small magnetic fields but no giant magnetoresistance (GMR). The absence of GMR in these structures is due to simultaneous magnetization reversal in the two Fe₃O₄ layers. By contrast, a negative GMR effect is measured on Fe₃O₄/Au/Fe spin valves. The negative GMR is attributed to an electron spin scattering asymmetry at the Fe₃O₄/Au interface or an induced spin scattering asymmetry in the Au interfacial layers.     

Hybrid optical resonator type laser proposed for direct coupling into optical fiber

Combining one stable resonator with a concave mirror and a coupling-hole plane mirror, and another unstable resonator having a concave mirror and a convex mirror, a new hybrid optical resonator type laser has been proposed by overlapping the concave mirror as a common one and fitting the convex mirror exactly to the coupling-hole. Using theABCD law, the so-called g-parameters are first found for beam confinement. Then, based on the eigen-equation, the field distribution on the plano-convex mirror is obtained with the g-parameters above. Knowing this field distribution results in an effective transmittanceG _{e e}. Finally, the ratio of the inner convex to outer plane mirror radii can be determined for an optimum coupling in both the limiting cases of homogeneously and inhomogeneously broadened gain media. Some numerical examples will also be given for a CO₂ laser having the proposed hybrid resonator.     

Maximization of the total population in a reaction–diffusion model with logistic growth

This paper is concerned with a nonlinear optimization problem that naturally arises in population biology. We consider the effect of spatial heterogeneity on the total population of a biological species at a steady state, using a reaction–diffusion logistic model. Our objective is to maximize the total population when resources are distributed in the habitat to control the intrinsic growth rate, but the total amount of resources is limited. It is shown that under some conditions, any local maximizer must be of “bang–bang” type, which gives a partial answer to the conjecture addressed by Ding et al. (Nonlinear Anal Real World Appl 11(2):688–704, 2010). To this purpose, we compute the first and second variations of the total population. When the growth rate is not of bang–bang type, it is shown in some cases that the first variation becomes nonzero and hence the resource distribution is not a local maximizer. When the first variation becomes zero, we prove that the second variation is positive. These results implies that the bang–bang property is essential for the maximization of total population.     

Beijing Lectures on the Grade Restriction Rule

The authors describe the relationships between categories of B-branes in different phases of the non-Abelian gauged linear sigma model.The relationship is described explicitly for the model proposed by Hori and Tong with non-Abelian gauge group that connects two non-birational Calabi-Yau varieties studied by Rφdland.A grade restriction rule for this model is derived using the hemisphere partition function and it is used to map B-type D-branes between the two Calabi-Yau varieties.     

Structure and O2-reactivity of copper(I) complexes supported by pyridylalkylamine ligands

The structure and O2-reactivity of a series of copper(I) complexes supported by the pyridylalkylamine ligands are summarized, and the ligand effects such as the chelate ring size effect (five- vs. six-membered ring), the denticity effect (tetradentate vs. tridentate vs. didentate), the steric effect of 6-methylpyridine and the steric and/or electronic effects of N-alkyl substituents are discussed in detail.     

Synthesis and characterization of bromonium ylides and their unusual ligand transfer reactions with N-heterocycles

Stable aliphatic bromonium ylides (RfSO2)2C--Br+C6H4-p-CF3 (Rf = CF3, CF3(CF2)3) have been synthesized and structurally characterized for the first time. X-ray crystallographic analyses indicated a ylide structure with an sp2 hybridization of the ylide carbanions and with little double-bond character for the ylidic bond. The bromonium ylides selectively undergo transfer of the aryl group to nitrogen heterocycles, such as pyridines, yielding N-arylpyridinium salts. This is in a marked contrast to the reaction of the iodonium ylides, which produces pyridinium ylides through transylidations.     

Comparison of the characteristics of cellulose microfibril aggregates of wood, rice straw and potato tuber

The focus of this study has been to isolate cellulose microfibril aggregates by the one-time grinding treatment from wood, rice straw and potato tuber, and to compare their morphological and mechanical properties. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images showed that the diameter range of isolated microfibril aggregates from wood, 12–20 nm, was smaller than those from rice straw and potato tuber, 12–35 nm and 12–55 nm, respectively. These differences were observed even in the purified rice straws and potato tuber before the grinder treatment, but were hardly observed in the purified wood. The results of X-ray analysis and tensile tests indicated that there were no significant differences among the sources in the cellulose crystallinity and Young’s modulus of the isolated microfibril aggregates in the dry state. These results suggest that the inherent characteristics of cellulose microfibril aggregates in the dry state are very similar regardless of plant sources and tissue functions.     

Separation of microamounts of fluoride coexisting with large amounts of aluminium and silica by improved trimethylsilylating distillation

The previously reported distillation method for the separation of fluoride as trimethyl- fluorosilane is much improved. When hexamethyldisilazane serves as the silylating agent, interference of silica can be avoided and distillation is rapid at room temperature. Aluminum is effectively masked by pyrophosphoric acid. Almost all ions tested can be tolerated in 1000-fold molar amounts to fluoride. Over 98% recovery is obtained for 49 μg of fluoride in the presence of 80 mg of aluminum plus 200 mg of silica. Concentration of fluoride from very dilute (μg l^-1) solutions is easily achieved. Satisfactory results were obtained for standard rocks.     

Interplay between magnetism and conductivity derived from spin-polarized donor radicals

Tutorial review: to achieve molecule-based spintronic devices, an organic conducting magnet that exhibits both conductivity and magnetism in a cooperative manner must be constructed. As a building block for such new materials, a spin-polarized donor radical, which serves as a molecular "spin-filter" in its singly oxidized state, was designed and synthesized. The resistivity of ion radical salts of selenium-substituted, tetrathiafulvalene-based spin-polarized donor radicals decreased substantially in the presence of a magnetic field, thus indicating cooperative conductivity and magnetism.