Dispersion Robustness of Millimeter Waves Generated by Up-Conversion Strategies

Abstract

The performance degradation caused by transmission along dispersive single-mode fibers of optically generated millimeter-wave signals using up-conversion is theoretically assessed and validated by numerical simulation. Up-conversion techniques based on optical double sideband, optical single sideband, and optical carrier suppression are considered. The generation of 60 GHz by frequency tripling using the optical single sideband is shown to be particularly tolerant to the fiber dispersion. The practical imbalance of Mach-Zehnder modulators is taken into account for optical carrier suppression modulation, where the finite extinction ratio is found to increase tolerance to fiber dispersion.     

Relative Intensity Noise in Optical Single Side Band Systems with Multiple In-Line Amplifiers: Analysis and Validation

Abstract

This article analyzes and validates through simulation the influence of fiber nonlinearity, dispersion, and loss on the Relative Noise Intensity (RIN) spectrum at fiber output in externally modulated optical single side band (OSSB) systems. The analysis includes the RIN generated by the laser source, the effect of the OSSB modulator, and noise generated by the in-line optical amplifiers. The analysis takes into account conversion between phase noise and intensity noise introduced by fiber transmission. It is shown that, depending on the operating conditions, the system performance may be predominantly affected either by the laser RIN or by the noise generated by the in-line optical amplifiers. The impact of the OSSB modulator can be relevant when the RIN of the system is dominated by the laser noise and should therefore be considered.     

Vortex condensation in the dual Chern–Simons–Higgs model

The contribution of nontrivial vacuum (topological) excitations, more specifically vortex configurations of the self-dual Chern–Simons–Higgs model, to the functional partition function is considered. By using a duality transformation, we arrive at a representation of the partition function in terms of which explicit vortex degrees of freedom are coupled to a dual gauge field. By matching the obtained action to a field theory for the vortices, the physical properties of the model in the presence of vortex excitations are then studied. In terms of this field theory for vortices in the self-dual Chern–Simons–Higgs model, we determine the location of the critical value for the Chern–Simons parameter below which vortex condensation can happen in the system. The effects of self-energy quantum corrections to the vortex field are also considered.     

Carbon Dots (C‐dots) from Cow Manure with Impressive Subcellular Selectivity Tuned by Simple Chemical Modification

Improved cellular selectivity for nucleoli staining was achieved by simple chemical modification of carbon dots (C‐dots) synthesized from waste carbon sources such as cow manure (or from glucose). The C‐dots were characterized and functionalized (amine‐passivated) with ethylenediamine, affording amide bonds that resulted in bright green fluorescence. The new modified C‐dots were successfully applied as selective live‐cell fluorescence imaging probes with impressive subcellular selectivity and the ability to selectively stain nucleoli in breast cancer cell lineages (MCF‐7). The C‐dots were also tested in four other cellular models and showed the same cellular selection in live‐cell imaging experiments.     

The complex Busemann-Petty problem for arbitrary measures

The complex Busemann-Petty problem asks whether origin symmetric convex bodies in with smaller central hyperplane sections necessarily have smaller volume. The answer is affirmative if and negative if . In this article we show that the answer remains the same if the volume is replaced by an “almost” arbitrary measure. This result is the complex analogue of Zvavitch’s generalization to arbitrary measures of the original real Busemann-Petty problem. Received: 6 May 2008     

Purification of an Fc-fusion biologic: clearance of multiple product related impurities by hydrophobic interaction chromatography

An hydrophobic interaction chromatography step was developed for the large-scale production of an Fc-fusion biologic. Two abundant product-related impurities were separated from the active monomer using a Butyl resin and a simple step-wash and step-elution strategy. Capacity and resolution of the HIC step was optimal when sodium sulfate was employed as the lyotropic salt and pore size of the Butyl resin was 750A. Factorial analysis identified critical parameters for the Butyl chromatography and an operating window capable of delivering high product quality and yield over a broad column loading range.     

Why is copper locally etched by scanning electrochemical microscopy?

The etching of thin copper films by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) was investigated. It is not trivial that locally injected charge by an oxidized mediator will lead to dissolution of copper as the charge can easily be dissipated by lateral charge propagation. We studied the effect of different parameters, such as thickness of the Cu film and concentration of the mediator, on the efficiency of etching. The feedback current is the sum of three charge transfer contributions: diffusion of mediator species, chemical reaction on the surface and lateral charge propagation across the copper film. We have introduced an approach for isolating the lateral contribution and studied the parameters affecting the fate of the locally injected charge. We found that etching becomes effective once the lateral contribution cannot dissipate the locally injected charge. This occurs as the concentration of the etchant increases or the film thickness decreases. Measuring the steady-state current above Cu films with different thickness, allowed estimating the potential difference across the Cu area underneath the tip. We conclude that driving local processes, such as etching, depends on creating a mechanism which maintains the injected charge focused.     

Synthesis of epi-oxetin via a serine-derived 2-methyleneoxetane

The unique reactivity of 2-methyleneoxetanes and 1,5-dioxaspiro[3.2]hexanes has been exploited for the synthesis of epi-oxetin (26), an oxetane-containing beta-amino acid. While the preparation of the natural product oxetin (1) was the original goal, the unexpected diastereoselectivity of an precedented reduction provided the epi-oxetin framework. The methodology described herein should be amenable for the preparation of oxetin with a change in nitrogen protection.     

Self-assembled films of cellulose nanofibrils and poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-ethoxyaniline)

Nanostructured films of poly(o-ethoxyaniline) (POEA) alternated with cellulose nanofibrils (CnF) were successfully produced by self assembly (SA) at different pH values and investigated by atomic force microscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Results show that it was possible to build up films by alternating POEA and CnF layers with relatively precise architectural control by controlling the number of layers and pH. Film thickness had a dependence on pH which is a combination of the effects of the deposited amount for each POEA layer and the pH at which the absorption of the cellulose nanofibrils was carried out. Comparison of alternated layers of POEA and CnF with multi-immersions of POEA at different pH values, as measured by the ratio between slopes of the straight lines of deposited amount of polymer versus the number of self-assembled layers, shows that alternate deposition at pH 2 has a fourfold increase in the slope. Alternatively, at pH 5, there is no significant difference whether the deposition is alternated (POEA–CnF) or not (POEA).