Development of variable‐magnification X‐ray Bragg optics

A novel X‐ray Bragg optics is proposed for variable‐magnification of an X‐ray beam. This X‐ray Bragg optics is composed of two magnifiers in a crossed arrangement, and the magnification factor, M, is controlled through the azimuth angle of each magnifier. The basic properties of the X‐ray optics such as the magnification factor, image transformation matrix and intrinsic acceptance angle are described based on the dynamical theory of X‐ray diffraction. The feasibility of the variable‐magnification X‐ray Bragg optics was verified at the vertical‐wiggler beamline BL‐14B of the Photon Factory. For X‐ray Bragg magnifiers, Si(220) crystals with an asymmetric angle of 14° were used. The magnification factor was calculated to be tunable between 0.1 and 10.0 at a wavelength of 0.112 nm. At various magnification factors (M≥ 1.0), X‐ray images of a nylon mesh were observed with an air‐cooled X‐ray CCD camera. Image deformation caused by the optics could be corrected by using a 2 × 2 transformation matrix and bilinear interpolation method. Not only absorption‐contrast but also edge‐contrast due to Fresnel diffraction was observed in the magnified images.     

Approximating Solutions of Maximal Monotone Operators in Hilbert Spaces

Let H be a real Hilbert space and let T: H→2^H be a maximal monotone operator. In this paper, we first introduce two algorithms of approximating solutions of maximal monotone operators. One of them is to generate a strongly convergent sequence with limit vT⁻¹0. The other is to discuss the weak convergence of the proximal point algorithm. Next, using these results, we consider the problem of finding a minimizer of a convex function. Our methods are motivated by Halpern's iteration and Mann's iteration.     

Extremely large binding energy of biexcitons in an organic-inorganic quantum-well material (C4H9NH3)2PbBr4

We have confirmed biexciton formation in an organic-inorganic hybrid quantum-well material (C₄H₉NH₃)₂PbBr₄ by photoluminescence and two-photon absorption measurements. The biexciton has extremely large binding energy, 60 meV, which to our knowledge is the largest value ever reported for a semiconductor. By analyzing the spectrum of biexciton luminescence, the biexciton gas temperature was found to be much higher than the bath temperature due to a higher local temperature arising from the large biexciton binding energy.     

Dynamic uniqueness for stochastic chains with unbounded memory

We say that a probability kernel exhibits dynamic uniqueness (DU) if all the stochastic chains starting from a fixed past coincide on the future tail $\sigma$-algebra. Our first theorem is a set of properties that are pairwise equivalent to DU which allow us to understand how it compares to other more classical concepts. In particular, we prove that DU is equivalent to a weak-${?}^2$ summability condition on the kernel. As a corollary to this theorem, we prove that the Bramson–Kalikow and the long-range Ising models both exhibit DU if and only if their kernels are ${?}^2$ summable. Finally, if we weaken the condition for DU, asking for coincidence on the future $\sigma$-algebra for almost every pair of pasts, we obtain a condition that is equivalent to $\beta$-mixing (weak-Bernoullicity) of the compatible stationary chain. As a consequence, we show that a modification of the weak-${?}^2$ summability condition on the kernel is equivalent to the $\beta$-mixing of the compatible stationary chain.     

Vacuum ultraviolet-induced surface modification of cyclo-olefin polymer substrates for photochemical activation bonding

The surface of cyclo-olefin polymer (COP) was treated with vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) light at 172 nm wavelength to improve the wettability and adhesion properties. Through VUV treatment in air, the terminal groups of the COP surface were oxidized into oxygen functional groups, containing CO, CO, and COO components, making the COP surface hydrophilic. The extent of oxygenation was evaluated by XPS and FTIR-ATR spectra, and it was shown that the surface properties, hydrophilicity, and functionalization were dependent on both VUV irradiation distance and irradiation time, which have an effect on the concentration of oxygen functional groups. VUV-light treatment with a short irradiation distance was more effective in introducing oxygen functional groups.     

Certain algebraic surfaces with Eisenbud‐Harris general fibration of genus 4

We classify the algebraic surfaces with Eisenbud‐Harris general fibration of genus 4 over a rational curve or an elliptic curve whose slope attains the lower bound. The classification of our surfaces is strongly related to the result of the classification for certain relative quadric hypersurfaces in 3‐dimensional projective space bundles over a rational curve and an elliptic curve. We further prove some results about the canonical maps, the quadric hulls of the canonical images and the deformation for these surfaces.     

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy in Asia

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is an analytical detection technique based on atomic emission spectroscopy to measure the elemental composition. LIBS has been extensively studied and developed due to the non-contact, fast response, high sensitivity, real-time and multi-elemental detection features. The development and applications of LIBS technique in Asia are summarized and discussed in this review paper. The researchers in Asia work on different aspects of the LIBS study in fundamentals, data processing and modeling, applications and instrumentations. According to the current research status, the challenges, opportunities and further development of LIBS technique in Asia are also evaluated to promote LIBS research and its applications.     

High-speed wavelength-division multiplexing quantum key distribution system

A high-speed quantum key distribution system was developed with the wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) technique and dedicated key distillation hardware engines. Two interferometers for encoding and decoding are shared over eight wavelengths to reduce the system's size, cost, and control complexity. The key distillation engines can process a huge amount of data from the WDM channels by using a 1 Mbit block in real time. We demonstrated a three-channel WDM system that simultaneously uses avalanche photodiodes and superconducting single-photon detectors. We achieved 12 h continuous key generation with a secure key rate of 208 kilobits per second through a 45 km field fiber with 14.5 dB loss.     

M?ssbauer spectroscopic study on valence-detrapping and trapping of mixed-valence trinuclear iron(III, III, II) fluorine-substituted benzoate complexes

Magnetorheological (MR) fluids are new iron-based materials, whose applications include brakes, dampers, clutches, shock absorbers systems and polishing of optical surfaces (lens and mirrors). They are dependent on the size and shape of particles as the magnetic properties. Interested in the possibility of using iron-rich powders, commonly used in nondestructive testing, ranging in size from a few μm to about 200?μm and lower cost than those commercially used for MR fluids, a study of the structural and magnetic properties of iron-rich metallic particles by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and M?ssbauer spectroscopy (MS) at room temperature has been done. Powders, as received, were separated into particle sizes smaller than 20?μm (sample A) and in the range of 20–38?μm (sample B) because these are the sizes generally required for applications in MR fluids. The particles whose sizes exceed the above values were ground in a high energy planetary mill for 3?h, using different values of rotational speed/time: 200?rpm for one hour, a pause of 10?s, 140?rpm for one hour, pause 10?s and then 175?rpm during the last hour. These powders were sieved to obtain particles smaller than 20?μm (sample C). According XRD results, in all samples, only α-Fe (lattice parameter a = 2,867(2) ?) and Fe₂O₃ (lattice parameter a = 5,037(1) ? and c = 13,755(8) ?) were present. The M?ssbauer spectra were fitted with two sextets. The hyperfine parameters values allowed us to assign the highest relative area spectrum (sextet) corresponding to α-Fe and the second one to Fe₂O₃ in accord to the XRD results. Thus, the preparation method using mechanical milling for diminishing the size of the metallic particles allowed us to get particles with size and magnetic properties that could lead to potentially MR fluids applications.     

Beta-isocupreidine-catalyzed Baylis-Hillman reaction of chiral N-boc-alpha-amino aldehydes

[Structure: see text] Beta-isocupreidine (beta-ICD)-catalyzed Baylis-Hillman reaction of chiral N-Boc-alpha-amino aldehydes and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropyl acrylate (HFIPA) takes place without racemization and exhibits the match-mismatch relationship between the substrate and the catalyst. In the case of acyclic amino aldehydes, L-substrates show excellent syn selectivity and high reactivity in contrast to D-substrates. On the other hand, in the case of cyclic amino aldehydes, D-substrates rather than L-substrates show excellent anti selectivity and high reactivity.