High-quality sub-100-fs optical pulse generation by fiber-optic soliton compression of gain-switched distributed-feedback laser-diode pulses in conjunction with nonlinear optical fiber loops

We report our investigations of a new and simpler femtosecond fiber-optic soliton compressor for chirp-compensated gain-switched diode-laser pulses and of pedestal suppression by a compound fiber loop mirror (CFLM) and nonlinear-optical loop mirrors (NOLM's), both of which are designed for sub-100-fs pulse generation of high quality. The soliton compressor, composed of a 21.1-m-long steplike dispersion profiled fiber, exhibited 44-fs pulses and a compression ratio of approximately 60. Pedestals of 100-fs soliton pulses were suppressed successfully (>20 dB) by the CFLM and the NOLM's. In particular, 63-fs pedestal-free sech(2) pulses were obtained by NOLM propagation.     

Time domain measuring system of molecular fluorescence with real-time monitor and control of pulsed dye laser

A computer controlled system is presented for a high-precision, time-domain measurement of molecular fluorescence induced by a pulsed dye laser field. In this system three intelligent functions are assembled by the system controller: they are an automatic wavelength control of pulsed dye laser to 0.45 GHz resolution, a digital wavelength meter of 10^–7 precision, and a high-speed waveform digitizer with 10 ps inherent resolution. Then the system achieves a unique capability such as to record real-time data of fluorescence decay in the nanosecond regime under an on-line monitor and control of the laser wavelength to milliangstrom precision. The basic constitution and practical performance of the system are described with particular emphasis on its high precision and multi-task capability.     

High power subpicosecond pulse generation from a synchronously pumped dye laser combined with an external compressor

A new scheme of subpicosecond pulse generation based on a dye laser is described. Output pulses of 15 ps from a rhodamine-6G laser pumped synchronously by a frequency-double mode-locked Nd: YAG laser are compressed into 0.8 ps pulses of 2 MW by two passes of saturable absorber (DODCI) and saturable amplifier (rhodamine-6G). The technique is useful for generating widely tunable, high power repetitive subpicosecond pulses.     

Ammonium tungstate modified Li-rich Li<Subscript>1+x</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>0.35</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.35</Subscript>Mn<Subscript>0.30</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> to improve rate capability and productivity of lithium-ion batteries

LiNi_1-x-yCo_xMn_yO₂ (NCM) with excessive lithium is known to exhibit high rate capability and charge–discharge cycling durability. However, the practical usage of NCM is difficult, because the positive electrode slurry is unstable and battery cells swell due to the alkaline residual lithium compound generated on the surface of NCM particles. To reduce the residual lithium compound, ammonium metatungstate (AMT) added to NCM is studied, and the effect is investigated by scanning electron microscopy, aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, synchrotron X-ray diffractometry, and several electrochemical measurements. It is found that the AMT modification reduces the amount of alkaline residual lithium compound and improves the rate capability due to the ~1-nm-thick W-rich layer generated on the NCM surface.

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High-energy, narrow-bandwidth periodically poled Mg-doped LiNbO3 optical parametric oscillator with a volume Bragg grating

We have demonstrated a simple, high-energy, narrow spectral bandwidth optical parametric oscillator (OPO) by use of a large aperture periodically poled Mg-doped LiNbO(3) device with a volume Bragg grating (VBG). A free-running degenerate OPO pumped by a Q-switched 1.064 microm Nd:YAG laser exhibits maximum output pulse energy of 110 mJ with high slope efficiency of 75% around room temperature. Broad spectral bandwidth (Dlambda~100 nm) around the degeneracy wavelength was suppressed by using a VBG as an output coupler. Up to 61 mJ of the output pulse energy with narrowed spectral bandwidth of less than 1.4 nm was obtained at the degeneracy wavelength of 2.128 microm.     

Highly beta-selective and direct formation of 2-O-glycosylated glucosides by ring restriction into twist-boat

Three disaccharide donors, ethyl 2-O-(2,3,4-tris-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-beta-D-xylopyranosyl)-3,4,6-tris-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranoside, ethyl 2-O-(2,3,4-tris-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-3,4,6-tris-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and ethyl 2-O-(2,3,4,6-tetrakis-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-3,4,6-tris-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranoside, produced a highly beta-selective glycosidation up to alpha/beta = 2/98 using MeOTf as the activator and 2,6-lutidine as an additive. The ring conformations of the glucose part in these disaccharide donors were all restricted to 3S1, and the conformation would lead to the stereoselectivity.     

Inhibitory effects of 5,6,7-trihydroxyflavones on tyrosinase

Baicalein (1), 6-hydroxyapigenin (6), 6-hydroxygalangin (13) and 6-hydroxy-kaempferol (14), which are naturally occurring flavonoids from a set of 14 hydroxy-flavones tested, exhibited high inhibitory effects on tyrosinase with respect to L-DOPA, while each of the 5,6,7-trihydroxyflavones 1, 6, 13 or 14 acted as a cofactor to monophenolase. Moreover, 6-hydroxykaempferol (14) showed the highest activity and was a competitive inhibitor of tyrosinase compared to L-DOPA. 5,6,7-Trihydroxyflavones 1, 6, 13 or 14 showed also high antioxidant activities. Hence, we conclude that the 5,6,7-trihydroxy-flavones are useful as good depigmentation agents with inhibitory effects in addition to their antioxidant properties.