Superconducting microwave cavity towards controlling the motion of polar molecules

We propose the use of superconducting microwave cavities for the focusing and deceleration of cold polar molecular beams. A superconducting cavity with a high quality factor produces a large ac Stark shift in polar molecules, which allow us to efficiently control molecular motion. Our discussion is based on the experimental characterization of a prototype cavity: a lead–tin-coated cylindrical copper cavity, which has a quality factor of 10⁶ and tolerates several watts of input power. Such a microwave device provides a powerful way to control molecules not only in low-field-seeking states, but also in high-field-seeking states such as the ground rotational state.     

Prolongation of life span of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) ingesting persimmon tannin

The effects of persimmon tannin on pathophysiological changes in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) were investigated. When the persimmon tannin was chronically ingested by SHRSP, the life span was significantly prolonged, yet the effect on blood pressure was slight. The incidences of brain hemorrhage and infarction were also significantly decreased by this treatment. To elucidate the mechanisms involved in these events, the effects of condensed tannins, including persimmon tannin, on free radicals and lipid peroxidation were examined in vitro. Using electron spin resonance analysis, we found that these tannins have a potent, concentration-dependent scavenging action toward active oxygen free radicals. These tannins strongly inhibited lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenates, in a concentration-dependent manner. Persimmon tannin inhibited lipid peroxidation similarly to (-)-epigallocatechin. Persimmon tannin was 20 times more effective than alpha-tocopherol in terms of the 50%-inhibitory concentration. The radical scavenging action and inhibition of lipid peroxidation by persimmon tannin may explain, in part, the prolongation of the life span of the SHRSP ingesting persimmon tannin.     

Rapid wavelength scanning based on acousto-optically tuned external-cavity laser diode

High-speed, wide-range wavelength scanning is demonstrated using a laser diode with an antireflection coating and an external cavity employing an acousto-optic deflector. The narrow spectral width of 0.2 nm observed in the experiment indicates the availability of a highly coherent laser beam. The scanning range of 15 nm under rapid modulation is confirmed in the prototype system. A tuning rate of more than 100 kHz is achieved without any mode hops. To the best of our knowledge, no such high-speed wavelength tuning based on an acousto-optical configuration has been demonstrated thus far.     

Synthesis of hyperolactones A and C

Hyperolactones A ( 1 ) and C ( 3 ) have been synthesized starting from (S)‐malic acid by a straightforward route. The unique spirolactone skeleton was efficiently constructed by one‐pot reaction as a key step. The absolute stereochemistry of hyperolactones was unambiguously established by this synthesis.     

Curdlan as a Polymeric Starting Material to Access C6-Modified Glucose Derivatives

We evaluated the potential of a linear β-1,3-glucan (curdlan) as a starting material to access C6-modified glucose derivatives and found that 6-bromo-6-deoxyglucose, 6-azide-6-deoxyglucose, and 6-acetamido-6-deoxyglucose could be readily prepared from curdlan through its C6-selective and quantitative modifications and subsequent acid-catalyzed hydrolysis.     

Photochemical tuning of the helical structure of cholesteric liquid crystals by photoisomerization of chiral azobenzenes, and their structural effects

Several chiral azobenzene compounds having different chiral substituents were synthesized. A cholesteric phase was induced by mixing each chiral azobenzene compound with a host non-chiral nematic liquid crystal (E44). The helical twisting power (HTP) as well as the change in HTP by trans-cis photoisomerization of the chiral azobenzene compound was dependent on the structure of the chiral substituents. A compensated nematic phase was induced by combination of E44, a chiral azobenzene compound and a non-photochromic chiral compound. Reversible switching between the compensated nematic phase and cholesteric phase was brought about by trans-cis photoisomerization of the chiral azobenzene compound in the liquid crystalline systems. An azobenzene compound substituted with a menthyl group showed the highest efficiency as the trigger for the switching; this efficiency was related to the compactness of the chiral group substituted within the azobenzene core moiety.     

Analysis of one-and two-particle spectra at RHIC based on a hydrodynamical model

We calculate the one-particle hadronic spectra and correlation functions of pions based on a hydrodynamical model. Parameters in the model are so chosen that the one-particle spectra reproduce experimental results of √s= 130 AGeV Au + Au collisions at RHIC. Based on the numerical solution, we discuss the space-time evolution of the fluid. Two-pion correlation functions are also discussed. Our numerical solution suggests the formation of the quark-gluon plasma with large volume and low net baryon density.     

Bit-rate Flexible Picosecond Pulse Width Conversion with All-optical Mono-stable Multivibrator Laser Diode

An optical mono-stable multivibrator laser diode (MM-LD) is realized by using a multi-electrode distributed feedback laser diode. All-optical pulse-width conversion of ultra-short pulses to non-return-to-zero (NRZ) is achieved using an MM-LD. The MM-LD is adopted for a wide range of bit-rates between 2-10 Gbit/s by tuning the DC bias. Data format transformation from 10-Gbit/s return-to-zero optical signals to NRZ optical-signals is achieved with error free operation. Converted optical signals, which have a narrower spectral bandwidth and lower peak power than when input, are transmitted using a 1.3-μm zero dispersion fiber (1.3Aλ₀-SMF).     

Measurement of diameter of metal cylinders using a sinusoidally vibrating interference pattern

A method for measuring external diameters of metal cylinders is proposed in which a sinusoidally vibrating interference pattern (SVIP) of 100-μm period is used as an exact scale. Lights from the end-points of a metal cylinder are extracted with a spatial filtering in an imaging system to form a cross-sectional image of the metal cylinder. On the image a sinusoidally phase-modulated signal owing to the SVIP is detected with a CCD image sensor to measure the phases of the SVIP at the two end-points of the cylinder. The coordinates of the two end-points are obtained from the phases at the two end-points, the phase distribution of the SVIP, and the coordinates of the pixels of the CCD image sensor. Metal cylinder diameters of 7.99, 8.00, and 9.00 mm are measured along their length directions with an error less than 1 μm.