Tuning high-power laser diodes with as much as 0.38 W of power and M(2) = 1.2 over a range of 32 nm with 3-GHz bandwidth

Gain-guided diode lasers usually have emission wavelengths determined by the manufacturing process, with typically 0.5-1-nm bandwidth. Furthermore, their beam quality is rather poor. We show that external cavities allow for tunable narrow-bandwidth operation of gain-guided diode lasers. At the same time the beam quality is drastically improved; almost diffraction-limited light of more than 200 mW has been achieved over the whole tuning range from 910 to 942 nm with narrow bandwidth.     

Isotope-selective laser photodetachment for 129I accelerator mass spectrometry

2D coordination polymer iron(II) spin crossover complexes containing 3,5-lutidine with host framework Fe(3,5-lutidine)₂Ni(CN)₄were synthesized. Their spin crossover properties were studied by temperature dependent ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. Materials show gradual incomplete spin crossover with distinct thermochromism, while only 25 % of iron(II) ions are switched to the low spin state at 80 K, as determined by a detailed ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer study.     

Development of high resolution resonance ionization mass spectrometry for trace analysis of 93mNb

⁹³Nb(n, n′)^93mNb reaction allows retrospective estimation of integrated fast neutron dose in nuclear reactor. We proposed isomer-selective trace analysis of ^93mNb by Resonance Ionization Mass Spectrometry (RIMS) combined with a gas-jet atomic source and an injection locked Ti:Sapphire laser system operated at several kHz. Resonant ionization spectroscopy of Nb in gas-jet using Ti:Sapphire laser was demonstrated.     

The shadow of a collapsing dark star

The shadow of a black hole is usually calculated, either analytically or numerically, on the assumption that the black hole is eternal, i.e., that it has existed for all time. Here we ask the question of how this shadow comes about in the course of time when a black hole is formed by gravitational collapse. To that end we consider a star that is spherically symmetric, dark and non-transparent and we assume that it begins, at some instant of time, to collapse in free fall like a ball of dust. We analytically calculate the dependence on time of the angular radius of the shadow, first for a static observer who is watching the collapse from a certain distance and then for an observer who is falling towards the centre following the collapsing star.     

Generalization of the Knizhnik–Zamolodchikov Equations

In this Letter, we introduce a generalization of the Knizhnik–Zamolodchikov equations from affine Lie algebras to a wide class of conformal field theories (not necessarily rational). The new equations describe correlations functions of primary fields and of a finite number of their descendents. Our proposal is based on Nahm's concept of small spaces which provide adequate substitutes for the lowest energy subspaces in modules of affine Lie algebras. We explain how to construct the first order differential equations and investigate properties of the associated connections, thereby preparing the grounds for an analysis of quantum symmetries. The general considerations are illustrated in examples of Virasoro minimal models.     

Characterization of an optical multilayer hydrophone with constant frequency response in the range from 1 to 75 MHz

The performance of an optical multilayer hydrophone for ultrasound measurements is investigated both in theoretical terms and experimentally. The optical measurement system comprises a thin high-finesse dielectric interference filter structure that is deposited onto a plane glass plate. An incident acoustic pressure wave deforms the layer system, and the induced variation of the optical reflectance is determined. Applying the concept of an optical off-axis detection scheme offers good sensitivity and a simple and low-cost setup. A primary interferometric calibration technique is applied to experimentally determine the pressure-voltage transfer function in the range from 1 to 75 MHz. Within the measurement uncertainty a constant transfer factor is obtained for the whole frequency range. Measurements of broadband ultrasound pulses are influenced neither by acoustic resonances of the very thin sensing element nor by diffraction phenomena that are known to cause waveform distortions in small probe hydrophone measurements. High temporal and spatial resolution is combined with high durability of the probe, which is why the optical multilayer hydrophone is well suited for use as a reference for secondary hydrophone calibration.     

Conformal field algebras with quantum symmetry from the theory of superselection sectors

According to the theory of superselection sectors of Doplicher, Haag, and Roberts, field operators which make transitions between different superselection sectors—i.e. different irreducible representations of the observable algebra—are to be constructed by adjoining localized endomorphisms to the algebra of local observables. We find the relevant endomorphisms of the chiral algebra of observables in the minimal conformal model with central chargec=1/2 (Ising model). We show by explicit and elementary construction how they determine a representation of the braid groupB which is associated with a Temperley-Lieb-Jones algebra. We recover fusion rules, and compute the quantum dimensions of the superselection sectors. We exhibit a field algebra which is quantum group covariant and acts in the Hilbert space of physical states. It obeys local braid relations in an appropriate weak sense.     

Long-range critical wetting: observation of a critical end point

Alkanes deposited on aqueous substrates exhibit two different types of wetting behavior: alternatively to the usual first-order wetting transition, a sequential-wetting scenario of a long-range critical wetting transition preceded by a first-order thin-thick transition may be observed. Here, we present the first successful experimental attempt to locate the transition point between the standard first-order wetting and the long-range critical wetting: a critical end point, observed in a mixture of pentane and hexane which is deposited on an aqueous solution of glucose. Furthermore, we present the first direct measurement of the contact angle in the intermediate wetting state (frustrated-complete wetting) in the sequential-wetting scenario of hexane on brine and compare to theoretical predictions.     

Simultaneously suppressing frequency and intensity noise in a Nd:YAG nonplanar ring oscillator by means of the current-lock technique

We show that frequency and intensity noise in a Nd:YAG laser are correlated to a high degree and can be traced to the same underlying cause, namely, power fluctuations of the pump source. Because of this correlation, simultaneous suppression of frequency and intensity noise by 30 dB is achieved by means of a single actuator, the pump power.     

Quantitative, dynamic fuel distribution measurements in combustion-related devices using laser-induced fluorescence imaging of biacetyl in iso-octane

Knowledge of in-situ fuel distributions in practical combustion devices, such as internal combustion engines, is crucial for research and devlopment purposes. Numerous imaging techniques, mostly based on laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), have been developed and yield high levels of 2-D spatial information, but generally lack the temporal resolution (frame rates) necessary to resolve important timescales at sub-millisecond levels for sustained times. A planar LIF technique for quantitatively visualizing fuel distribution is presented which gives not only high spatial resolution, but also high temporal resolution. Using a high-speed CMOS camera, a lens-coupled image intensifier, and frequency-tripled diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser allows for capturing LIF images of biacetyl that is used as a fluorescence tracer at 12 kHz (one crank-angle resolution at 2000 RPM) for hundreds of consecutive engine cycles. The LIF signal strength of biacetyl doped in iso-octane is shown to vary substantially over a wide range of temperatures and pressures. The low absorption coefficient at 355 nm and a longpass filter in the detection path exclude bias errors due to laser beam attenuation and fluorescence trapping. An intensifier gate time of 350 ns is shown to suppress the detection of phosphorescence signals under practical conditions. An example for a quantitative high-speed measurement of fuel concentration at varying pressure and temperature conditions is presented. Quantitative equivalence ratio maps are shown for the fuel injection event within a single cycle in a spark-ignition direct-injected engine, showing the ability of the technique to not only reveal static fuel concentration maps, but also the motion of the fuel cloud along with very steep gradients. Spray velocities determined from the moving fuel cloud are in agreement with previous particle image velocimetry measurements.