Coherence properties of the supercontinuum source

Mutual–temporal coherence of the supercontinuum (SC) generation has been experimentally investigated using a diffraction grating based interferometer. A broadband SC generation was produced in a pyrex glass plate with a 1.6-μm coherence length at 550-nm center wavelength. The degree of mutual coherence of 0.34 was measured for a wavefront shift for zero and first diffraction orders of half of the beam diameter. A design of SC source with the capability of manipulating the amplitudes and phases of optical frequency components within the SC pulse is presented for coherence applications.     

Analysis of tunable diode-laser spectra of Q(J,0) lines in CH3F near 1475 cm using a multispectrum fitting technique

We have analyzed the methyl fluoride ^RQ(J,0)Q branch lines located near 1475 cm⁻¹ using a simultaneous multi-spectrum fitting technique. In this analysis we have used previously recorded diode-laser data in which we collected many data points covering only one or two Q branch lines in a particular run. The analysis consists of simultaneously fitting 57 spectra collected with numerous pressure and path length conditions for all absorption lines. The data are concatenated to create one continuous spectrum of the Q branch. We have determined the intensity and self-broadened widths at 296 K for 23 ^RQ(J,0) lines.     

Nonequilibrium Ionization by Vibrationally Excited Molecules in Supersonic Flows

The results of experimental investigations on thermal nonequilibrium ionization in CO₂: N₂: He mixtures are presented. Measurements of electron density, n_e, in vibrationally excited nitrogen were made in a supersonic flow with different CO₂ contents as well as in a CO₂: N₂: He = 1 : 5 : 4 mixture laser gas. The mixtures were heated in a shock tube and expanded through a supersonic nozzle. Furthermore, supersonic mixing of N₂ and CO₂ + He was used in some experiments. The measured values of n_e in the plenum chamber and in the supersonic nozzle are reported, and the processes responsible for nonequilibrium ionization in a laser-active medium are discussed.     

Generalized Complex Spectral Decomposition for a Quantum Decay Process

By extending the notion of mixed states to functionals acting on the space of observables with diagonal singularity we obtain a well-defined complex spectral decomposition of the time evolution for a quantum decaying system. In this formalism, generalized Gamow states are obtained with well-defined physical properties.     

Rate constants for the gas‐phase reaction of CF3CF2CF2CF2CF2CHF2 with OH radicals at 250–430 K

The rate constants k₁ for the reaction of CF₃CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CHF₂ with OH radicals were determined by using both absolute and relative rate methods. The absolute rate constants were measured at 250–430 K using the flash photolysis–laser‐induced fluorescence (FP‐LIF) technique and the laser photolysis–laser‐induced fluorescence (LP‐LIF) technique to monitor the OH radical concentration. The relative rate constants were measured at 253–328 K in an 11.5‐dm³ reaction chamber with either CHF₂Cl or CH₂FCF₃ as a reference compound. OH radicals were produced by UV photolysis of an O₃–H₂O–He mixture at an initial pressure of 200 Torr. Ozone was continuously introduced into the reaction chamber during the UV irradiation. The k₁ (298 K) values determined by the absolute method were (1.69 ± 0.07) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (FP‐LIF method) and (1.72 ± 0.07) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (LP‐LIF method), whereas the K₁ (298 K) values determined by the relative method were (1.87 ± 0.11) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (CHF₂Cl reference) and (2.12 ± 0.11) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 (CH₂FCF₃ reference). These data are in agreement with each other within the estimated experimental uncertainties. The Arrhenius rate constant determined from the kinetic data was K₁ = (4.71 ± 0.94) × 10^?13 exp[?(1630 ± 80)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Using kinetic data for the reaction of tropospheric CH₃CCl₃ with OH radicals [k₁ (272 K) = 6.0 × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, tropospheric lifetime of CH₃CCl₃ = 6.0 years], we estimated the tropospheric lifetime of CF₃CF₂CF₂CF₂CF₂CHF₂ through reaction with OH radicals to be 31 years. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 26–33, 2004     

Naphthyl azomesogens with lateral chloro groups

A homologous series of azomesogens, 2″-[4-(4′-n-alkoxybenzoyloxy)-2-chlorophenylazo] naphthalenes, with lateral chloro groups was synthesised. All the homologues synthesized exhibit enantiotropic nematic mesophase. The mesomorphic properties of the present series are compared with other structurally related series to evaluate the effect of lateral chloro group and its position on mesomorphism This paper was presented at the 10th National Conference on Liquid Crystals held at Bangalore, India during 9–11 October 2003.