Sub-nanometer metrology of chirped phase masks by optical Moiré

Optical Moiré fringe formation between a linear and chirped phase mask has been investigated theoretically and experimentally and used to determine the chirp rate. Period difference determination down to 0.4 nm is demonstrated using a 1080 nm period linear grating and a nominally 1 nm/mm chirped grating. Direct optical diffraction is also used to independently assess the chirp rate.     

A STUDY OF THE PHOTODYNAMIC EFFICIENCIES OF SOME EYE LENS CONSTITUENTS

We have studied the photochemical quantum yields of singlet oxygen production (using the RNO bleaching method) and superoxide production (using the EPR-spin trapping method and the SOD-inhibitable ferricytochrome c reduction spectral assay) of kynurenine (Ky), N-formylkynurenine (NFK), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3HK), kynurenic acid (KUA), and the flavins, riboflavin (RF) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN). Such a study of the photodynamic efficiencies is important since these compounds appear endogenously in the eye. The singlet oxygen quantum yields of the flavins and KUA are high, while Ky and 3HK generate no detectable amounts of singlet oxygen. The superoxide quantum yields of the sensitizers are low compared to their singlet oxygen, and Ky and 3HK produce no detectable amounts of superoxide. The production of the superoxide radical is enhanced in the presence of electron donor molecules such as EDTA and NADH. These results suggest that the production of oxyradicals in the lens may be modulated by the presence of endogenous electron donor molecules such as the coenzymes NADH and NADPH, which are present in significant amounts in some lenses. They also suggest that Ky and 3HK, which are known to be present in aged lenses, might play a protective rather than a deleterious role in the eye.     

The unsteady-state energy conservation equation for a small spherical particle in LII modeling

This paper discusses the formalization of the energy variation rate of a small particle encountered in the modeling of an unsteady-state soot particle temperature and diameter during laser-induced incandescence. A derivation of the particle energy equation is presented based on the first law of thermodynamics applied to an open system. Problems associated with an incorrect particle internal energy variation rate used in the literature are discussed. Numerical calculations are presented to demonstrate the effects of several incorrect particle internal energy variation rates on the calculated particle temperature and diameter. PACS 44.05.+e; 61.46.Df     

Laser Mass Spectrometry of Organophosphorus Pesticides and Related Compounds

Abstract

Laser mass spectra obtained for 20 organophosphorus (OP) compounds were systematically evaluated for groups containing analogous structural features. Variations in fragmentation can be understood based on simple organic reactions. While detailed mechanistic interpretations of the laser mass spectra (LMS) were not possible, the qualitative features in the LMS obtained from five compounds, not in the original set, could be predicted based on the characteristics of the other OP compounds studied. The success of the prediction lends credence to the qualitative models developed for rationalizing the LMS. A specific feature in the LMS of aromatic thionophosphates is a thiono-thiolo rearrangement. Detailed investigation into the phenomena involved comparison of LMS obtained from aromatic thionophosphates with spectra from electron impact, chemical ionization, field desorption, and secondary ion mass spectrometry. These results led to the conclusion that the rearrangement in laser mass spectrometry must occur during volatilization while the molecule/ion is in the “cloud” present immediately above the laser impact area.     

Polymerization (Polycondensation) of Alkanes over Fluosulfonic Acid and Antimony Pentafluoride

Several low molecular weight alkanes have been polymerized (polycondensed) over HSO₃ F-SbF₅ to yield a highly branched oily oligomer with a molecular weight range from the molecular weight of the monomer to around 700. The order of reactivity for butane and lower molecular alkanes is isobutane > n-butane > propane > ethane > methane. The reactivity is explained by the ease of attack of an acid proton derived from the acid on the alkane sigma bonds as well as the relative stability of the resulting cation formed. A cationic mechanism for this reaction is proposed.     

Short-Chain Branching in Polyethylene and Poly(vinyl Chloride) Using Pyrolysis Hydrogenation Gas Chromatography and 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Analysis

This study compares the use of pyrolysis hydrogenation gas chromatography (PHGC) and ¹³C Fourier transform nuclear magnetic resonance (FTNMR) methods for the analysis of reference polyethylene (PE) samples, ethylene-α-olefin copolymers, and specially prepared poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) samples which were reduced to their PE skeletal structures. The nature and relative quantities of the short branches along the polymer chains were determined using both techniques. Improved high-resolution PHGC data, obtained with a fused silica capillary separation column, gave results which were in satisfactory agreement with the ¹³C FTNMR data. This approach confirms that detailed microstructural information can be obtained with these methods by using carefully controlled experimental conditions and appropriate reference systems.