Measurement of the spectral distribution of a multi-mode dye laser light by using speckle patterns

A simple method of measuring the wavelength γ₁ and the spectral line spacing Δγ of a multi-mode dye laser light by using the correlated speckle patterns produced at the far-field of a diffuser is proposed. Examples of the obtained values of γ₁ and Δγ are 6.0 × 10³ Å and 3.0 × 10¹ Å, respectively.     

Photodecarbonylation of ruthenium carbonyl octaethylporphyrin via stepwise two-photon absorption of visible light

The photoinduced decarbonylation of a ruthenium(II) carbonyl octaethylporphyrin (RuOEP(CO)(Py)) complex has been shown to occur upon nanosecond pulse laser irradiation as a visible light excitation source, which is reasonably interpreted by a stepwise two-photon absorption process.     

Practical synthesis of a 1beta-methylcarbapenem, J-111,225, using 4-mercapto-2-[4-(N-methylaminomethyl)phenyl]pyrrolidine as a precursor

An effective and practical procedure for the synthesis of J-111,225 (1), a new 1beta-methylcarbapenem, was developed using 4-mercapto-2-14-(N-methylaminomethyl)phenyl]pyrrolidine (2a) as a precursor. The coupling reaction of 2a with p-nitrobenzyl (PNB)-protected 1beta-methylcarbapenem enolphosphate 3a and successive removal of PNB group afforded J-111,225 (1) in significantly increased yield compared to the ordinary procedure using a C-2 side-chain thiol with amino-protective groups.     

Solubilization of C60 by micellization with a thermoresponsive block copolymer in water: Characterization,singlet oxygen generation,and DNA photocleavage

Water‐soluble diblock copolymer, poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐block‐poly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrroridone) (PNIPAM_m‐b‐PNVP_n), was found to associate with fullerene (C₆₀), and thus C₆₀ can be solubilized in water. The 63C₆₀/PNIPAM_m‐b‐PNVP_n micelle formed a core‐shell micelle‐like aggregate comprising a C₆₀/PNVP hydrophobic core and a thermoresponsive PNIPAM shell. The C₆₀‐containing polymer micelle formation and its thermoresponsive behavior were characterized using light scattering and ¹H NMR techniques. The hydrodynamic radius (R_h) of the C₆₀‐bound polymer micelle increased with increasing temperature, which was ascribed to the hydrophobic association between dehydrated PNIPAM shells above lower critical solution temperature (LCST). ¹H NMR data suggest that the motion of the PNIPAM block is restricted above LCST due to the dehydration of the PNIPAM shell in water. The generation of singlet oxygen by photosensitization by the C₆₀‐bound polymer micelle was confirmed from photooxidation of 9,10‐anthracenedipropionic acid. Furthermore, DNA was found to be cleaved by visible light irradiation in the presence of the C₆₀‐bound polymer micelle. Therefore, there may be a hope for a pharmaceutical application of the C₆₀‐bound polymer micelle to cancer photodynamic therapy. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011.     

Measurement of the neutron beam polarization of BL05/NOP beamline at J-PARC

We measured the neutron beam polarization of the BL05/NOP (Neutron Optics and Physics) beamline at J-PARC with an accuracy of less than 10⁻³ using polarized ³He gas as a neutron spin analyzer. Precise polarimetry of the neutron beam is necessary to understand the beamline optics as well as for the asymmetry measurements of the neutron beta decay, which are planned in this beamline.     

Application of Surface Relief Hologram Using Azobenzene Containing Polymer Film

Surface relief holograms are fabricated by irradiation of laser interference patterns on an azobenzene polymer film. The hologram needs no post-treatment, and can be erased by heating the films to above its glass transition temperature. Rewritable Fresnel holograms are fabricated on azo-polymer film. Replication of the surface relief hologram is also demonstrated. An application for business cards is considered.     

Nonlinear rheological behavior of a concentrated spherical silica suspension

Linear and nonlinear viscoelastic properties were examined for a 50 wt% suspension of spherical silica particles (with radius of 40 nm) in a viscous medium, 2.27/1 (wt/wt) ethylene glycol/glycerol mixture. The effective volume fraction of the particles evaluated from zero-shear viscosities of the suspension and medium was 0.53. At a quiescent state the particles had a liquid-like, isotropic spatial distribution in the medium. Dynamic moduli G^* obtained for small oscillatory strain (in the linear viscoelastic regime) exhibited a relaxation process that reflected the equilibrium Brownian motion of those particles. In the stress relaxation experiments, the linear relaxation modulus G(t) was obtained for small step strain (0.2) while the nonlinear relaxation modulus G(t, ) characterizing strong stress damping behavior was obtained for large (>0.2). G(t, ) obeyed the time-strain separability at long time scales, and the damping function h() (–G(t, )/G(t)) was determined. Steady flow measurements revealed shear-thinning of the steady state viscosity () for small shear rates (< ^–1; = linear viscoelastic relaxation time) and shear-thickening for larger (>^–1). Corresponding changes were observed also for the viscosity growth and decay functions on start up and cessation of flow, + (t, ) and _– (t, ). In the shear-thinning regime, the and dependence of ₊(t,) and _–(t,) as well as the dependence of () were well described by a BKZ-type constitutive equation using the G(t) and h() data. On the other hand, this equation completely failed in describing the behavior in the shear-thickening regime. These applicabilities of the BKZ equation were utilized to discuss the shearthinning and shear-thickening mechanisms in relation to shear effects on the structure (spatial distribution) and motion of the suspended particles.Dedicated to the memory of Prof. Dale S. Parson     

Pyrimidine-pyrimidine base pairs stabilized by silver(I) ions

In the presence of Ag(I) ions, the C-T and m(5)iC (5-methylisocytosine)-T base pairs showed comparable stability to the C-Ag(I)-C base pair, and the m(5)iC-C base pair was highly stabilized by the synergetic effect of Ag(I) coordination and possible hydrogen bonding.