Power content M 2-values smaller than one

The M ² beam propagation factor or times-diffraction-factor is widely used to characterize the quality of laser radiation and its propagation. When M ² is defined by the normalized product of the second moments, it is easily to prove that, for each radiation field in the paraxial approach, M ²≥1, with the equality in the case of the fundamental mode. For many applications, it is more convenient to use the power content values, also proposed by ISO. They are defined as the radii of the circles which contain a certain amount of the total power, normally η=86.5%. For the corresponding power content M _pc ² , it is often assumed that its minimum is again obtained for the fundamental mode, but no proof exists. In this paper it is shown that fields can be generated with M _pc ² <1 and that it strongly depends on the power content η. One example is the superposition of two coherent Gauss–Laguerre modes with radial symmetry. The beam radius as a function of the propagation distance is calculated, and for the 86.5% power content, the value M _pc ² =0.95 is obtained. This does not mean that such a beam is of higher quality than the fundamental mode but rather that the M _pc ² is not a reliable parameter for beam characterization.     

Spectroscopic investigations and luminescence spectra of Nd and Dy doped different phosphate glasses

Spectral properties of Nd³⁺ and Dy³⁺ ions in different phosphate glasses were studied and several spectroscopic parameters were reported. Covalency of rare-earth-oxygen bond was studied in these phosphate glass matrices with the variation of modifier in host glass matrix. Using Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters (Ω₂, Ω₄ and Ω₆), radiative transition probabilities (A) and radiative lifetimes (τ_R) of certain excited states of Nd³⁺ and Dy³⁺ ions are estimated in these glass matrices. From the magnitudes of branching ratios (β_R) and integrated absorption cross-sections (Σ), certain transitions of both the ions are identified for laser excitation. From the emission spectra, peak stimulated emission cross-sections (σ_P) are evaluated for the emission transitions observed in all these phosphate glass matrices for both Nd³⁺ and Dy³⁺ ions.     

Compressibility and isotope effect of fluid hydrogen

The calculations of the P-V isotherms, Hugoniots, dissociation and ionization degrees of fluid (liquid) hydrogen isotopes have been performed by using the self-consistent fluid variational theory under isothermal and shock compression. The isotope effect of fluid hydrogen was discussed. The present results are compared with the available experiments and calculations.     

In vitro mouse model in Duchenne muscular dystrophy diagnosis using 50-MHz ultrasound waves

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by the absence of dystrophin, the protein that plays a key mechanical role in maintaining muscle membrane integrity. One of the major consequences of dystrophin deficiency is the degeneration of muscle fibres, with a progressive loss in muscle strength. The objective of this research was to find an ultrasonic parameter sensitive to DMD, which could give relevant information related to microstructure if compared to traditional investigations such as morphometrical analysis. This “in vitro” study focused on the Mdx mouse model and investigated the potential differences between wild-type and dystrophin-deficient mice diaphragms. Using a 50 MHz ultrasonic sensor built in our group, we recorded an increase in ultrasonic wave attenuation in the dystrophin-deficient samples in comparison with normal muscles. A correlation between attenuation, mouse age and the percentage of non-muscular proportion in muscle was observed. As Mdx mouse is the best animal model for DMD and reproduces the degenerative pattern observed in human DMD muscles, this approach could be a powerful tool for in vitro DMD investigation and, more generally, for the characterisation of muscle properties.     

Seasonal changes in antifreeze protein gene transcription and water content of beetle Microdera punctipennis (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) from Gurbantonggut desert in Central Asia

Desert beetle Microdera punctipennis (Coleoptera: Tenebriondae) is a special species in Gurbantonggut Desert in Central Asia. To investigate the possible strategy it employs for cold survival, seasonal changes in supercooling point (SCP), body water content, haemolymph osmolality and antifreeze protein gene (Mpafp) expression were measured over 13 months. Our results show SCPs in M. punctipennis adults changed from -8.0°C in summer to -18.7°C in winter. During winter, adults endured modest water loss; total water decreased from 65.4 percent in summer to 55.9% in winter. Mpafp mRNAs level increased by 13.1 fold from summer to early winter, and haemolymph osmolality increased accordingly from 550 mOsm to 1486 mOsm. Correlation coefficient of Mpafp mRNAs level and SCP indicates that Mpafp mRNA explained 65.3 percent of the variation in SCPs. The correlation between Mpafp mRNA level and total water reflected an indirect influence of antifreeze protein on water content via reducing SCP.     

Nano‐imaging through tip‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy: Stepping beyond the classical limits

The spatial resolution in optical imaging is restricted by so‐called diffraction limit, which prevents it to be better than about half of the wavelength of the probing light. Tip‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS), which is based on the SPP‐induced plasmonic enhancement and confinement of light near a metallic nanostructure, can however, overcome this barrier and produce optical images far beyond the diffraction limit. Here in this article, the basic phenomenon involved in TERS is reviewed, and the high spatial resolution achieved in optical imaging through this technique is discussed. Further, it is shown that when TERS is combined with some other physical phenomena, the spatial resolution can be dramatically improved. Particularly, by including tip‐applied extremely localized pressure in TERS process, it has been demonstrated that a spatial resolution as high as 4 nm could be achieved.     

Infrared moving target detection and tracking based on tensor locality preserving projection

This paper presents an algorithm for detecting and tracking dim moving target in IR image sequence with low SNR. The algorithm, which is designed based on the locality preserving projection, accepts tensors as inputs. The justification for the algorithm comes from the role of the generalized eigenvalue problem in providing an optimal embedding for the manifold. Not only does the proposed method inherit the attractive characteristics of the locality preserving projections in terms of exploiting the intrinsic manifold structure, it is also appealing in terms of significant reduction in both space complexity and time complexity. Experimental results on two IR image sequences demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.     

Effects of intrapulse stimulated Raman scattering and intermodal dispersion on short pulse propagation in a nonlinear two-core PCF coupler

The switching dynamics of ultrashort pulse under the effects of intrapulse stimulated Raman scattering (ISRS) and intermodal dispersion in a nonlinear two-core photonic crystal fiber coupler is investigated theoretically. A general model is proposed that includes all the significant linear and nonlinear effects. In particular, we demonstrate with numerical examples how the interaction of ISRS and intermodal dispersion affects the pulse shape.