Beam combining of lasers with high spectral density using volume Bragg gratings

Incoherent combining of multiple laser beams with offset wavelengths into a single near-diffraction-limited beam is an effective solution to increasing energy brightness and scaling output power of high-power lasers. Volume Bragg gratings (VBGs) recorded in photo-thermo-refractive (PTR) glass allow spectral beam combining with a remarkably high spectral density of channels. Spectral beam combining (SBC) of five channels within 1-2 nm bandwidth around 1064 and 1550 nm into a single near-diffraction-limited beam with absolute efficiency 92-94% is demonstrated. Scaling of this technique to multi-kW power level is discussed.     

Diameter and diametrical pairs of points in ultrametric spaces

Let F(X) be the set of finite nonempty subsets of a set X. We have found the necessary and sufficient conditions under which for a given function τ: F(X) → ℝ there is an ultrametric on X such that τ(A) = diamA for every A ∈ F(X). For finite nondegenerate ultrametric spaces (X, d) it is shown that X together with the subset of diametrical pairs of points of X forms a complete k-partite graph, k ⩾ 2, and, conversely, every finite complete k-partite graph with k ⩾ 2 can be obtained by this way. We use this result to characterize the finite ultrametric spaces (X, d) having the minimal card{(x, y): d(x, y) = diamX, x, y ∈ X} for given card X.     

The synthesis of a 2-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane by rearrangement of a spirocyclic epoxide

An unusual rearrangement of a 1-oxa-6-azaspiro[2.5]octane derivative giving access to novel 5-substituted 2-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes is described. The synthetic application of the reaction is demonstrated by the synthesis of N-Boc-2,3-methano-β-proline. The amino acid was prepared through a three-step synthesis from easily available reagents in an overall yield of 15%.     

Theoretical study of the EE reaction mechanism with comproportionation and different diffusivities of reactants

In this article we investigate the origin of unexpected features appearing in voltammetry or double-step chronoamperometry of EE systems when the rate of comproportionation is extremely fast and the diffusion coefficients of the reactant and products highly differ. These features were noticed during the testing of our new software KISSA intended to solve any reaction mechanisms even when acute reaction fronts develop near the electrode surface or within the solution. To validate the principle of the new adaptive algorithm [C. Amatore, O. Klymenko, I. Svir, Electrochem. Commun. doi:10.1016/j.elecom.2010.06.009] implemented in KISSA we used analytical and numerical solutions for double-step chronoamperometry. This revealed that the peculiar current jumps stem from a rapid variation of the reaction front position when the starting material is still reducible at the electrode while the product of the second electron transfer is re-oxidized. The exact convergence between the predictions by these independent methods demonstrated that KISSA is perfectly accurate even under such extreme mechanistic conditions.     

Heterogeneous Wide Range <Emphasis Type="Italic">pH</Emphasis>-sensing Materials Allowing Ratiometric Fluorescence Detection Based on Structurally Rigid Analogs of 2,6-distyrylpyridine

The new sensing materials based on the microsized silica gel powder with non-covalently immobilized structurally rigid analogs of 2,6-distyrylpyrydine ((3E,5E)-3,5-dibenzylidene-8-phenyl-1,2,3,5,6,7-hexahydrodicyclopenta[b,e]pyridines) were developed and tested. Most of the investigated compositions demonstrate linear ratiometric fluorescence response on pH in the physiologically important interval (pH 6–9). The compound with the greatest number of protolytic centers within the studied series demonstrated the widest pH sensitivity range, however in this case the analytical signal was the lowest. The prospects for the practical application of the investigated materials in the fiber optics sensing devices were outlined.     

Heterometallic M/Mn (M=Cu, Co, Zn) acetate complexes as precursors for binary oxides

A facile one-pot procedure, or so-called “direct synthesis,” was used to prepare the novel heterometallic complexes [M₂Mn(OAc)₆(bpy)₂], where M=Cu (1), Co (2), Zn (3), bpy=2,2′-bipyridyl, with high yields via oxidative dissolution of pure metals in a liquid phase. The complexes were characterized by an elemental analysis, single crystal X-ray diffraction method and FTIR. These complexes are proposed as precursors, whose thermal degradation may lead to the formation of solids possessing nano- to microsize levels of dispersity. The thermal behavior of the complexes obtained was studied by thermal analysis (TG/DTA/DTG) in both air and N₂ and also by TPD mass-spectrometry in vacuo. The FTIR, X-ray powder diffraction (PXRD) and thermoanalytical data were used for the identification of the solid products of thermal degradation. The morphology and microstructure of the solid residues were analyzed, using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (SEM/EDX) at mkm and sub-micro levels.     

Postsynthesis transformation of three-dimensional framework into a lamellar zeolite with modifiable architecture

Mild treatment of zeolite UTL results in degradation of its structure with preservation of the initially present dense layers connected by D4R "bridges". The lamellar product obtained through this 3D to 2D zeolite conversion has been structurally modified similar to methodologies applied to layered zeolite precursors, which show the opposite 2D to 3D zeolite transformation.     

Strong solutions and trajectory attractors to the thin-film equation with absorption

We prove local and global in time existence of non-negative weak solutions to the thin-film equation with absorption and obtain sufficient conditions for extra regularity of these solutions. Moreover, for the class of global strong solutions, we show existence of a trajectory attractor.