Resolution enhancement using a new multiple-pulse decoupling sequence for quadrupolar nuclei

A new decoupling composite pulse sequence is proposed to remove the broadening on spin S=1/2 magic-angle spinning (MAS) spectra arising from the scalar coupling with a quadrupolar nucleus I. It is illustrated on the (31)P spectrum of an aluminophosphate, AlPO(4)-14, which is broadened by the presence of (27)Al/(31)P scalar couplings. The multiple-pulse (MP) sequence has the advantage over the continuous wave (CW) irradiation to efficiently annul the scalar dephasing without reintroducing the dipolar interaction. The MP decoupling sequence is first described in a rotor-synchronised version (RS-MP) where one parameter only needs to be adjusted. It clearly avoids the dipolar recoupling in order to achieve a better resolution than using the CW sequence. In a second improved version, the MP sequence is experimentally studied in the vicinity of the perfect rotor-synchronised conditions. The linewidth at half maximum (FWHM) of 65 Hz using (27)Al CW decoupling decreases to 48 Hz with RS-MP decoupling and to 30 Hz with rotor-asynchronised MP (RA-MP) decoupling. The main phenomena are explained using both experimental results and numerical simulations.     

Dynamics of polaritons resonantly created at the upper polariton branch

We have studied the polariton relaxation dynamics in a CdTe microcavity at low temperatures after resonant excitation into the upper polariton branch (UPB). Initially, we have set a negative exciton–cavity detuning, such that the energy difference between the two polariton branches coincides with that of an LO phonon. Our experimental results reveal a sublinear dependence of the integrated emission from the lower polariton branch (LPB) with excitation power. This evidences not only an inefficient LO phonon mediated relaxation from the UPB to the LPB but also a substantial inhibition of polariton relaxation along the LPB. After that, we have progressively reduced the negative detuning, approaching the exciton–cavity resonance. Under these conditions it is possible to observe a nonlinear emission arising from K0 LPB-states similar to that observed after nonresonant excitation. Marked oscillations are present in the time evolution traces, with a period that does not depend on excitation power or detuning.     

Energy dependence of transverse quark flow in heavy ion collisions

Energy dependence of quark transverse flow carries information about dynamical properties (equation of state, initial conditions) of deconfined matter produced in heavy ion collisions. We assume quark-antiquark matter formation in Pb+Pb collisions at CERN SPS and Au+Au collisions at RHIC energies and determine quark transverse flow at the critical temperature of the quark-hadron phase transition. Coalescence of massive quarks is calculated in the MICOR hadronization model and hadronic final state effects are considered using the GROMIT cascade program. Comparing theoretical results to data, transverse flow values are determined and energy dependence is discussed.     

Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of poly-(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles containing violacein

Since violacein—an antibiotic, antiviral, and antiparasitic compound—exhibits poor solubility in water, polymeric poly-(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles containing this compound improved its solubility and biological activity. The nanoparticles were prepared by the nanoprecipitation method and characterized in terms of average diameter, zeta potential, drug loading, polymer recovery, in vitro release kinetic, and in vitro antibacterial activity. Nanoparticles with diameters between 116 and 139 nm and negative-charged outer surfaces were obtained. Drug-loading efficiency and polymer recovery were 87 and 93%, respectively. In vitro release kinetics assays showed that violacein loaded in these nanoparticles has sustained release behavior until 5 days. Both free and nanoparticles-loaded violacein exhibited in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 and ATCC 25923 strains and exhibiting around two to five times lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) than free violacein, respectively. The encapsulated violacein was efficient against methicilin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. No significant activity against Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica was found.     

Dense monoenergetic proton beams from chirped laser-plasma interaction

Interaction of a frequency-chirped laser pulse with single protons and a hydrogen gas target is studied analytically and by means of particle-in-cell simulations, respectively. The feasibility of generating ultraintense (10(7) particles per bunch) and phase-space collimated beams of protons (energy spread of about 1%) is demonstrated. Phase synchronization of the protons and the laser field, guaranteed by the appropriate chirping of the laser pulse, allows the particles to gain sufficient kinetic energy (around 250 MeV) required for such applications as hadron cancer therapy, from state-of-the-art laser systems of intensities of the order of 10(21) W/cm(2).     

Quantum readout and fast initialization of nuclear spin qubits with electric currents

Nuclear spin qubits have the longest coherence times in the solid state, but their quantum readout and initialization is a great challenge. We present a theory for the interaction of an electric current with the nuclear spins of donor impurities in semiconductors. The theory yields a sensitivity criterion for quantum detection of nuclear spin states using electrically detected magnetic resonance, as well as an all-electrical method for fast nuclear spin qubit initialization.     

InN thin film lattice dynamics by grazing incidence inelastic x-ray scattering

Achieving comprehensive information on thin film lattice dynamics so far has eluded well established spectroscopic techniques. We demonstrate here the novel application of grazing incidence inelastic x-ray scattering combined with ab initio calculations to determine the complete elastic stiffness tensor, the acoustic and low-energy optic phonon dispersion relations of thin wurtzite indium nitride films. Indium nitride is an especially relevant example, due to the technological interest for optoelectronic and solar cell applications in combination with other group III nitrides.     

Real-time increase in depth of field of an uncooled thermal camera using several phase-mask technologies

Imaging systems that combine a phase mask in the pupil and digital postprocessing may have better performance than conventional ones. We have built such a system to enhance the depth of field of an uncooled thermal camera. The phase masks are binary, their structures are optimized thanks to an image quality criterion, and they have been realized with three different technologies that give equivalent results. The deconvolution postprocessing is performed in real time with a graphics processing unit. A significant increase of the depth of field of a factor 3 has been obtained.     

Phase clustering in complex networks of delay-coupled oscillators

We study the clusterization of phase oscillators coupled with delay in complex networks. For the case of diffusive oscillators, we formulate the equations relating the topology of the network and the phases and frequencies of the oscillators (functional response). We solve them exactly in directed networks for the case of perfect synchronization. We also compare the reliability of the solution of the linear system for non-linear couplings. Taking advantage of the form of the solution, we propose a frequency adaptation rule to achieve perfect synchronization. We also propose a mean-field theory for uncorrelated random networks that proves to be pretty accurate to predict phase synchronization in real topologies, as for example, the Caenorhabditis elegans or the autonomous systems connectivity.     

Two-site Kondo effect in atomic chains

Linear CoCu(n)Co clusters on Cu(111) fabricated by atomic manipulation represent a two-site Kondo system with tunable interaction. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy reveals oscillations of the Kondo temperature T(K) with the number n of Cu atoms for n≥3. Density functional calculations show that the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida interaction mediated by the Cu chains causes the oscillations. Calculations find ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interaction for n=1 and 2, respectively. Both interactions lead to a decrease of T(K) as experimentally observed.