Synthesis and optical properties of basic fuchsin dye-doped PMMA polymeric films for laser applications: wide scale absorption band

Basic fuchsin dye-doped poly(methyl methacrylate) polymeric films were sensitized with various dye concentrations ranging from 0.0833 to 1.667 wt% of basic fuchsin. Their structure, linear absorption, and optical limiting properties were examined. The films were prepared using a simple and fast casting technique dissolved in chloroform for both the dye and the polymer. Structural characterizations were achieved by XRD, and the films showed an amorphous hump supporting the noncrystalline structure of studied polymeric composites. Spectrophotometer measurements were used to estimate the spectral absorption measurements of the films such as transmittance, absorbance with the calculations of absorption index (k), and optical energy band gap (E _g ) in the wavelength region from 190 to 2500 nm. Results show that the optical constants change with increasing the dye doping concentrations. It has been found that optical energy gap (E _g ) appearing that, both direct and indirect optical transitions are conceivable for these films. Optical limiting properties of the films with various dye concentrations were studied using a continuous wave He–Ne laser operating at 632.8 nm. The results appeared that the sample has an obvious optical limiting effect. The designed BF/PMMA composites can be applicable in wide-scale applications.     

Angle-independent plasmonic infrared band-stop reflective filter based on the Ag/SiO₂/Ag T-shaped array

A plasmonic infrared (IR) filter assisted by localized surface plasmon polaritons (LSPPs) in a Ag/SiO?/Ag T-shaped array was theoretically and experimentally investigated. By using a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, an angle-independent LSPP resonant mode caused by a Fabry-Pérot resonance in the structure was observed in agreement with the prediction from the rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) simulation. The resonant wavelength of the mode can also be controlled by modifying the geometry of the T-shaped structure. Such LSPP property can be used as an IR reflection-type band-stop filter with a single spectral bandwidth and an ultrahigh immunity to incident angles.     

Linearization of vector fields and embedding of diffeomorphisms in flows via Nash–Moser theorem

In the first part of this paper we give suitable spectral properties of the adjoint operators induced by appropriate perturbations of some hyperbolic linear vector fields. These properties are useful to prove general facts based on the Nash–Moser inverse function theorem. In the second part of this work we study circumstances where a global linearization of a vector field X$X$ in a real numerical space is feasible and where some diffeomorphisms which are close to exp(X)$exp\left(X\right)$ can be embedded in a flow.     

Vibrational Spectroscopy of Phenols and Phenolic Polymers. Theory,Experiment, and Applications

In the first part of this review, the authors give a survey on the literature of vibrational spectroscopy of phenol, phenol derivatives, and other phenolic componds from the last decade of the last century through today. The classical and modern methods of vibrational spectroscopy are also introduced and a glossary is included to aid comprehension. The second part deals with the literature regarding the importance of vibrational spectroscopy in the investigation and identification of phenolic compounds in natural substances, the application of vibrational spectroscopy in composite and synthetic polymer chemistry, and following of chemical processes and investigating their resulting products. Vibrational spectroscopy is a very good tool for determination of molecular structures and is important in chemical analysis and in the chemical industry.     

Fiber Optic Excitation of Silicon Microspheres in Amorphous and Crystalline Fluids

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the optical resonance spectra of free-standing monolithic single crystal silicon microspheres immersed in various amorphous fluids, such as air, water, ethylene glycol, and 4-Cyano-4’-pentylbiphenyl nematic liquid crystal. For the various amorphous fluids, morphology-dependent resonances with quality factors on the order of 10⁵ are observed at 1428 nm. The mode spacing is always on the order of 0.23 nm. The immersion in various amorphous fluids affects the spectral response of the silicon microsphere and heralds this technique for use in novel optofluidics applications. Even though the nematic liquid crystal is a highly birefringent, scattering, and high-index optical medium, morphology-dependent resonances with quality factors on the order of 10⁵ are observed at 1300 nm in the elastic scattering spectra of the silicon microsphere, realizing a liquid-crystal-on-silicon geometry. The relative refractive index and the size parameter of the silicon microsphere are the parameters that affect the resonance structure. The more 4-Cyano-4’-pentylbiphenyl interacting with the silicon microsphere, the lower the quality factor of the resonances is. The more 4-Cyano-4’-pentylbiphenyl is interacting with the silicon microsphere, the lower the mode spacing Δλ of the resonances is. The silicon microspheres wetted with nematic liquid crystal can be used for optically addressed liquid-crystal-on-silicon displays, light valve applications, or reconfigurable optical networks.     

Characterization of AZ91D Granules Covered with a Flux during In‐Situ Melting

Oxidation and melting behaviors of AZ91D granules throughout the in‐situ melting process using flux were investigated. The granules were heated under unprotected environment at four different temperatures between 650 and 800 °C, for the durations of 30 and 60 min. The products of heating process were characterized macroscopically and the oxides formed on the granules were examined using field emission scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis. Thermal analysis was used to reveal the response of the granules to heating during the in‐situ melting. The results showed that the granules experienced severe oxidation even in the presence of the flux, and significant amount of them changed to a powdered state due to oxidation and combustion, especially at 800 °C. It was discovered that the granules melted during heating; however, oxides formed on their surface encapsulated the molten metal and prevented the liquids from merging. The results also revealed that increasing heating temperature and time enhanced mold‐magnesium reaction resulted in the entrance of mold materials into the oxidation residues.     

In-situ electrical characterisation of a photodiode during nano-structuring with a focussed ion beam

We study the fabrication and power conversion efficiency of GaAs photodiodes, which have been nano-structured and covered with colloidal quantum dots. A focussed ion beam is used to etch vertical channels into the photodiodes and the detrimental effects of this treatment are characterised in-situ during the fabrication process. A novel experimental configuration allows the electrical characterization of the photodiodes under laser illumination during the nano-fabrication process and reveals the gradual decrease of the photodiodes’ shunt resistance with increasing laterally revealed surface along the etched channels. This is interpreted as evidence for leakage currents through redeposited material and surface states on the lateral channel surface. After the fabrication step the channels are filled with colloidal quantum dots, which upon absorption of light transfer electronic excitations to the photodiode via resonance energy transfer. It is found that after the addition of quantum dots the nano-structured photodiodes show larger enhancements of the energy conversion efficiency under simulated solar irradiance than the pristine photodiodes. Nevertheless, the device degradation induced by the ion beam treatment itself cannot be compensated for.     

Theoretical estimates for proton-NMR spin–lattice relaxation rates of heterometallic spin rings

Heterometallic molecular chromium wheels are fascinating new magnetic materials. We reexamine the available experimental susceptibility data on MCr₇ wheels in terms of a simple isotropic Heisenberg Hamiltonian for M=Fe, Ni, Cu, and Zn and find in that FeCr₇ needs to be described with an iron–chromium exchange that is different from all other cases. In a second step we model the behavior of the proton spin lattice relaxation rate as a function of applied magnetic field for low temperatures as it is measured in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. It appears that CuCr₇ and NiCr₇ show an unexpectedly reduced relaxation rate at certain level crossings.     

Spectrophotometric determination of Chromium(VI) using cyclam as a reagent

A simple, rapid, sensitive, and inexpensive method for spectrophotometric determination of chromium(VI), based on the absorbance of its complex with 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) is presented. The complex showed a molar absorbtivity of 1.5?×?10⁴?L?mol^?1?cm^?1 at 379?nm. Under optimum experimental conditions, a pH of 4.5 and 1.960?×?10³?mg?L^?1 cyclam were selected, and all measurements were performed 10?min after mixing. Major cations and anions did not show any interference; Beer's law was applicable in the concentration range 0.2–20?mg?L^?1 with a detection limit of 0.001?mg?L^?1. The standard deviation in the determination is ±0.5?mg?L^?1 for a 15.0?mg?L^?1 solution (n?=?7). The described method provides a simple and reliable means for determination of Cr(VI) in real samples.     

Is PF-00835231 a Pan-SARS-CoV-2 Mpro Inhibitor? A Comparative Study

The COVID-19 outbreak continues to spread worldwide at a rapid rate. Currently, the absence of any effective antiviral treatment is the major concern for the global population. The reports of the occurrence of various point mutations within the important therapeutic target protein of SARS-CoV-2 has elevated the problem. The SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) is a major therapeutic target for new antiviral designs. In this study, the efficacy of PF-00835231 was investigated (a Mpro inhibitor under clinical trials) against the Mpro and their reported mutants. Various in silico approaches were used to investigate and compare the efficacy of PF-00835231 and five drugs previously documented to inhibit the Mpro. Our study shows that PF-00835231 is not only effective against the wild type but demonstrates a high affinity against the studied mutants as well.