Discrete solitons and nonlinear surface modes in semi-infinite waveguide arrays

We discuss the formation of self-trapped localized states near the edge of a semi-infinite array of nonlinear optical waveguides. We study a crossover from nonlinear surface states to discrete solitons by analyzing the families of odd and even modes centered at finite distances from the surface and reveal the physical mechanism of the nonlinearity-induced stabilization of surface modes.     

Surface bound states in the continuum

We introduce a novel concept of surface bound states in the continuum, i.e., surface modes embedded into the linear spectral band of a discrete lattice. We suggest an efficient method for creating such surface modes and the local bounded potential necessary to support the embedded modes. We demonstrate that the surface embedded modes are structurally stable, and the position of their eigenvalues inside the spectral band can be tuned continuously by adding weak nonlinearity.     

Application of high-resolution magic-angle spinning NMR spectroscopy to define the cell uptake of MRI contrast agents

A new method, based on proton high-resolution magic-angle spinning ((1)H HR-MAS) NMR spectroscopy, has been employed to study the cell uptake of magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents (MRI-CAs). The method was tested on human red blood cells (HRBC) and white blood cells (HWBC) by using three gadolinium complexes, widely used in diagnostics, Gd-BOPTA, Gd-DTPA, and Gd-DOTA, and the analogous complexes obtained by replacing Gd(III) with Dy(III), Nd(III), and Tb(III) (i.e., complexes isostructural to the ones of gadolinium but acting as shift agents). The method is based on the evaluation of the magnetic effects, line broadening, or induced lanthanide shift (LIS) caused by these complexes on NMR signals of intra- and extracellular water. Since magnetic effects are directly linked to permeability, this method is direct. In all the tests, these magnetic effects were detected for the extracellular water signal only, providing a direct proof that these complexes are not able to cross the cell membrane. Line broadening effects (i.e., the use of gadolinium complexes) only allow qualitative evaluations. On the contrary, LIS effects can be measured with high precision and they can be related to the concentration of the paramagnetic species in the cellular compartments. This is possible because the HR-MAS technique provides the complete elimination of bulk magnetic susceptibility (BMS) shift and the differentiation of extra- and intracellular water signals. Thus with this method, the rapid quantification of the MRI-CA amount inside and outside the cells is actually feasible.     

IR Evidences for N-9 and N-7 Regioisomers of the Acyclic Purine Nucleoside Analogues

The IR spectra have been recorded in the solid state for the parent molecule, 6-(N-pyrrolyl)purine (1) and its N-9-and N-7-substituted derivatives: 9-and 7-(2-hydroxyprop-1-yl)-6-(N-pyrrol-1-yl)purine (2 and 3), 9-and 7-(2-acetoxyprop-1-yl)-6-(N-pyrrol-1-yl)purine (4 and 5), 9-and 7-(2,3-dihydroxyprop-1-yl)-6-(N-pyrrol-1-yl)purine (6 and 7) as well as 9-and 7-(2,3-diacetoxyprop-1-yl)-6-(N-pyrrol-1-yl)purine (8 and 9). Analysis of the characteristic bands has proved to be useful in differentiating between N-9 and N-7 regioisomers.     

Crystal-field induced dipoles in heteropolar crystals I: Concept

The electrostatic part of the internal energy of heteropolar crystals is largely assumed to be purely of the Coulomb or monopole type. Here, it is argued, ions in a crystal lattice may not only bear a net charge, but also higher electrostatic moments. This applies explicitly for dipole moments. Dipoles are assumed to occur only for ions on lattice sites where the point symmetry allows a non-vanishing crystal electric field to cause a polarization. Infinite lattice sums that account for the electrostatic interaction between point charges and dipoles are given, with the Madelung constant being the first of them in a more general Taylor expansion. An expression for the binding energy of heteropolar solids is hereby presented. The share due to induced dipoles is always negative if dipole-dipole interactions are neglected, i.e. it increases the strength of crystal binding. The concept, which is developed for crystals of arbitrary symmetry is explained on the basis of the examples (i) sphalerite (ZnS), (ii) pyrite (FeS₂), (iii) rutile (TiO₂), and (iv) orthorhombic La₂CuO₄.     

Single-shot extreme ultraviolet laser imaging of nanostructures with wavelength resolution

We have demonstrated near-wavelength resolution microscopy in the extreme ultraviolet. Images of 50 nm diameter nanotubes were obtained with a single ~1 ns duration pulse from a desktop-size 46.9 nm laser. We measured the modulation transfer function of the microscope for three different numerical aperture zone plate objectives, demonstrating that 54 nm half-period structures can be resolved. The combination of near-wavelength spatial resolution and high temporal resolution opens myriad opportunities in imaging, such as the ability to directly investigate dynamics of nanoscale structures.     

Advances in Atomic Physics: An Overview,by Claude Cohen-Tannoudji and David Guéry-Odelin

There are seemingly compelling reasons for expecting the laws of physics to be unchanged under various symmetry transformations. However, during the last fifteen years it has been discovered that many of these symmetries are in fact broken. The search for the electric dipole moment of the neutron has already made, and will continue to make, an important contribution to the understanding of this fascinating and fundamental problem. The experimental limits of sensitivity can be understood in terms of the Heisenberg uncertainty principle and the achievable limits for such things as the electric field strengths and observation times in various systems. The two experimental methods used to date are neutron beam magnetic resonance and crystal diffraction. New methods which have been proposed, such as that using bottled neutrons and further work on existing methods, promise a considerable improvement in sensitivity in the next few years.     

Estimating the spatial distribution of artificial groundwater recharge using multiple tracers

Stable isotopes of water, organic micropollutants and hydrochemistry data are powerful tools for identifying different water types in areas where knowledge of the spatial distribution of different groundwater is critical for water resource management. An important question is how the assessments change if only one or a subset of these tracers is used. In this study, we estimate spatial artificial infiltration along an infiltration system with stage–discharge relationships and classify different water types based on the mentioned hydrochemistry data for a drinking water production area in Switzerland. Managed aquifer recharge via surface water that feeds into the aquifer creates a hydraulic barrier between contaminated groundwater and drinking water wells. We systematically compare the information from the aforementioned tracers and illustrate differences in distribution and mixing ratios. Despite uncertainties in the mixing ratios, we found that the overall spatial distribution of artificial infiltration is very similar for all the tracers. The highest infiltration occurred in the eastern part of the infiltration system, whereas infiltration in the western part was the lowest. More balanced infiltration within the infiltration system could cause the elevated groundwater mound to be distributed more evenly, preventing the natural inflow of contaminated groundwater.

Dedicated to Professor Peter Fritz on the occasion of his 80th birthday     

Coherence and wavefront characterization of Si‐111 monochromators using double‐grating interferometry

A study of the coherence and wavefront properties of a pseudo‐channel‐cut monochromator in comparison with a double‐crystal monochromator is presented. Using a double‐grating interferometer designed for the hard X‐ray regime, the complex coherence factor was measured and the wavefront distortions at the sample position were analyzed. A transverse coherence length was found in the vertical direction that was a factor of two larger for the channel‐cut monochromator owing to its higher mechanical stability. The wavefront distortions after different optical elements in the beam, such as monochromators and mirrors, were also quantified. This work is particularly relevant for coherent diffraction imaging experiments with synchrotron sources.     

A computationally efficient finite element model with perfectly matched layers applied to scattering from axially symmetric objects

A frequency-domain finite-element (FE) technique for computing the radiation and scattering from axially symmetric fluid-loaded structures subject to a nonsymmetric forcing field is presented. The Berenger perfectly matched layer (PML), applied directly at the fluid-structure interface, makes it possible to emulate the Sommerfeld radiation condition using FE meshes of minimal size. For those cases where the acoustic field is computed over a band of frequencies, the meshing process is simplified by the use of a wavelength-dependent rescaling of the PML coordinates. Quantitative geometry discretization guidelines are obtained from a priori estimates of small-scale structural wavelengths, which dominate the acoustic field at low to mid frequencies. One particularly useful feature of the PML is that it can be applied across the interface between different fluids. This makes it possible to use the present tool to solve problems where the radiating or scattering objects are located inside a layered fluid medium. The proposed technique is verified by comparison with analytical solutions and with validated numerical models. The solutions presented show close agreement for a set of test problems ranging from scattering to underwater propagation.