Periodic solutions of some infinite-dimensional Hamiltonian systems associated with non-linear partial difference equations. II

This is our second paper devoted to the study of some non-linear Schrödinger equations with random potential. We study the non-linear eigenvalue problems corresponding to these equations. We exhibit a countable family of eigenfunctions corresponding to simple eigenvalues densely embedded in the band tails. Contrary to our results in the first paper, the results established in the present paper hold for an arbitrary strength of the non-linear (cubic) term in the non-linear Schrödinger equation.     

Pure-silica optical waveguides, fiber couplers, and high-aspect ratio submicrometer channels for electrokinetic separation devices

A new fabrication procedure for integration of ultraviolet transparent pure-silica planar waveguides, fiber couplers and high-aspect ratio submicrometer channels is presented. Only a single photolithographic mask step is required. The channels are 80-90 microm deep and the width can be reduced to about 0.5 microm, corresponding to a height-to-width ratio of more than 150. The core of the waveguides consists of pure silicon dioxide, which is favorable over doped silica, due to the absence of absorption centers associated with the dopants. This furthermore improves the long-term stability of the waveguides, because of an increased radiation resistance of the glass. The propagation loss decreases from 1.0 dB/cm at 200 nm to 0.2 dB/cm at 800 nm, which, to our knowledge, is the lowest propagation loss reported for integrated planar waveguides in the ultraviolet wavelength region to date. The effective optical path length is 1.2 mm for an absorbance cell with a nominal length of 1.0 mm, indicating effective suppression of stray light. The limit of detection for paracetamol when present in the entire channel network was determined to 3 microg/mL. Finally, the applicability of the fabricated devices for capillary electrophoresis was evaluated by separation of caffein, paracetamol and ketoprofone using absorbance detection at 254 nm.     

Enzymatic synthesis of neopentylpolyol esters in organic media

Utilization of lipases for synthesis of esters of hydrophilic polyols has been investigated. The choice of a suitable solvent is crucial in this type of reaction. An interesting case is fatty acid esters from neopentylpolyols, such as trimethylolpropane, which are of great interest as high temperature lubricants. Enzymatic synthesis of trimethylolpropane tricaprylate was studied as an alternative to chemical manufacturing. Triester production occurred only if the water produced by esterification was continuously removed from the medium. In these condition, kinetics of appearance and transformation of mono-, di- and triesters were determined in order to define optimal conditions.     

Characterization of polyethylene terephthalate by gel permeation chromatography (GPC)

The use of the solvent mixture chloroform/hexafluoroisopropanol (98 : 2 vol %) in the GPC-analysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is described. PET-samples of different molecular weight have been prepared and characterized by light scattering, viscometry, and improved techniques of osmometry and end group titration. These well characterized samples were used in calibrating the GPC. The calibration with polydisperse standards was found superior to the universal calibration procedure in the solvent system chosen.