Fabrication and microscopic characterization of a single quantum-wire laser with high uniformity

A T-shaped single quantum-wire laser with high spatial uniformity has been fabricated by a cleaved-edge overgrowth method with molecular beam epitaxy and a growth-interrupt annealing technique. Using micro-photoluminescence imaging and spectroscopy, we confirmed the formation of a spatially uniform quantum wire over 20 μm long without hetero-interface roughness. By optical pumping, we achieved single-mode lasing from the ground state of the single quantum wire at a threshold excitation power as low as 5 mW at 5 K.     

Vibration-rotation spectra of CH3CN: The ν7 band and its hot bands near 1040 cm−1

Infrared spectra of CH₃CN were measured in the range 170–600 cm^?1 with a Fourier transform spectrometer (0.06 cm^?1 resolution) and several small portions in the range 1020–1065 cm^?1 with a tunable Pb_1?xSn_xTe diode laser spectrometer (0.001 cm^?1 resolution). The ν₇ band was analyzed by taking account of local Fermi resonance with 3ν₈¹, and the following parameters were determined: ν₇ = 1041.8446(15) cm^?1; 3ν₈¹ =1077.88(5) cm^?1; and ∥k₇₈₈₈∥ = 1.98(1) cm^?1. Two hot bands in the ν₇ band region, i.e., (ν₇ + ν₈)² ? ν₈¹ and ν₆¹ ? ν₈¹, were also analyzed, and ν₈ = 365.05(5) cm^?1 and ζ₈ = 0.874(1) were determined by use of the observed transitions of the ν₇ + ν₈ and ν₆ bands.     

Electron-spin relaxation phenomena in irradiated saccharides detected by pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy

We measured the relaxation times of radicals in saccharides upon γ-irradiation by means of X-band pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. We found that the field-swept signal of irradiated fructose by pulsed EPR showed three to four peaks depending on the dose. The relaxation times (T₁ and T₂) of the side peaks were longer than those of the main peak(s) from each irradiation, indicating that the radicals showing side peaks interact less with the surrounding environment. From relaxation time measurements of several irradiated saccharides, we conclude that T₂ relaxation times decrease with the increasing irradiation dose. In contrast, T₁ relaxation times show no correlation with the irradiation dose.     

Synthesis of EDOT-containing organic dyes via one-pot,four-component Suzuki–Miyaura coupling and the evaluation of their photovoltaic properties

We have developed a one-pot, four-component Suzuki–Miyaura coupling for the synthesis of thiophene-based donor–π-bridge–acceptor (D–π–A) dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells. Two D–π–A dyes, 19 and 20, retaining 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) beside a cyanoacrylic acid moiety, and one D–π–A dye 21 without EDOT (reference compound) were rapidly synthesized in accordance with the developed procedure. The measurement of the absorption spectra and the electrochemical properties of synthesized dyes, and the photovoltaic properties of solar cells that were prepared using the synthesized dyes 19–21, revealed that the dyes retaining only one EDOT beside a cyanoacrylic acid moiety would exert a high J_sc.     

Bactericidal performance of photocatalytic titanium dioxide particle mixture under ultraviolet and fluorescent light: an in vitro study

When ultraviolet (UV) light comes into contact with titanium dioxide (TiO₂), a variety of free radicals are released to provide a potent oxidizing power. Few reports are available, however, evaluating the bactericidal effects of TiO₂ particle under UV light and fluorescent light (FL) in the same line of research for clinical applications. In the present study, we set out to evaluate the in vitro photocatalytic bactericidal effects on Staphylococcus aureus, which is one of the most common pathogens of infectious disease, in an aqueous system of TiO₂ particles irradiated by UV and FL. A TiO₂ particle mixture containing 0.019 mg/ml of TiO₂ was prepared. A bacterial solution was added dropwise to the mixture, and the resulting product was irradiated by UV or FL light. The colony‐forming units were counted and the bacterial survival rate was calculated. Control samples maintained a relatively high bacterial survival rate. In the TiO₂ mixture group, however, the bacterial survival rate decreased steadily, reaching 9.4% after 60 min of exposure to UV light and 10.9% after 60 min of FL irradiation. Distributing the TiO₂ particles in a water mixture produces highly efficient light absorption and enables greater and more frequent adhesion with bacteria, allowing a high degree of photocatalytic antibacterial action. Although the quantity was inferior to UV, our TiO₂ particles were able to show effective bactericidal activity even under FL. The TiO₂ particle mixture is expected to prove effective in preventing postoperative infection. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Detection of electron paramagnetic resonance absorption using frequency modulation

A frequency modulation (FM) method was developed to measure electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) absorption. The first-derivative spectrum of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) powder was measured with this FM method. Frequency modulation of up to 1.6 MHz (peak-to-peak) was achieved at a microwave carrier frequency of 1.1 GHz. This corresponds to a magnetic field modulation of 57microT (peak-to-peak) at 40.3 mT. By using a tunable microwave resonator and automatic control systems, we achieved a practical continuous-wave (CW) EPR spectrometer that incorporates the FM method. In the present experiments, the EPR signal intensity was proportional to the magnitude of frequency modulation. The background signal at the modulation frequency (1 kHz) for EPR detection was also proportional to the magnitude of frequency modulation. An automatic matching control (AMC) system reduced the amplitude of noise in microwave detection and improved the baseline stability. Distortion of the spectral lineshape was seen when the spectrometer settings were not appropriate, e.g., with a lack of the open-loop gain in automatic tuning control (ATC). FM is an alternative to field modulation when the side-effect of field modulation is detrimental for EPR detection. The present spectroscopic technique based on the FM scheme is useful for measuring the first derivative with respect to the microwave frequency in investigations of electron-spin-related phenomena.     

Nonequivalent spectra of unpaired electrons in field and frequency modulation

We report a difference in the spectral lineshapes of continuous-wave (CW) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy between field and frequency modulation. This finding addresses the long-standing question of the effect of modulation in EPR absorption. We compared the first-derivative EPR spectra at 1.1 GHz for lithium phthalocyanine crystals, which have a single narrow linewidth in the EPR absorption spectrum, using field and frequency modulation. The experimental findings suggest that unpaired electrons have different behaviors under perturbation due to field and frequency modulation.     

Enantioselective syntheses of aeruginosin 298-A and its analogues using a catalytic asymmetric phase-transfer reaction and epoxidation

We developed a versatile synthetic process for aeruginosin 298-A as well as several attractive analogues, in which all stereocenters were controlled by a catalytic asymmetric phase-transfer reaction and epoxidation. Furthermore, drastic counteranion effects in phase-transfer catalysis were observed for the first time, making it possible to three-dimensionally fine-tune the catalyst (ketal part, aromatic part, and counteranion).