Highly reliable strain-tuning of an Erbium-doped fiber laser for the interrogation of multiplexed Bragg grating sensors

The authors implemented a tunable linear cavity Erbium-doped fiber (EDF) laser for the interrogation of multiplexed fiber Bragg grating sensors (BGS). A high-strength single-pulse draw-tower fiber Bragg grating (FBG) was used as the mechanically tunable element enabling the rapid wavelength sweeping of the laser center wavelength. A simple algorithm to process the noisy acquired data and identify the peak of the BGS spectra was employed. For the first time, this type of configuration was used to reliably interrogate at least three fiber Bragg grating sensors with a standard wavelength spacing between the Bragg wavelengths of 3 nm, without risk of breaking the stretched fiber, using an FBG with a simple PZT driven mount as the tuning elements.     

Tempered relaxation with clustering patterns

This work is motivated by the relaxation data for materials which exhibit a change of the relationship between the fractional power-law exponents when different relaxation peaks in their dielectric susceptibility are observed. Within the proposed framework we derive a frequency-domain relaxation function fitting the whole range of the two-power-law dielectric spectroscopy data with independent low- and high-frequency fractional exponents γ and −α, respectively. We show that this effect results from a contribution of different processes. For high frequencies it is determined by random stops and movement of relaxing components, and the low-frequency slope is caused by clustering in their temporal changes.     

Solitons generated by self-organization in bismuth germanium oxide single crystals during the interaction with laser beam

We present here the experimental, theoretical, and numerical investigations of Kerr solitons generated by self-organization in black and yellow high quality bismuth germanium oxide (Bi₁₂GeO₂₀) single crystals. A picosecond laser beam of increasing power induces competing cubic and quintic nonlinearities. The numerical evolution of two-dimensional complex cubic-quintic nonlinear Schrödinger equation with measured values of nonlinearities shows the compensation of diffraction by competing cubic and quintic nonlinearities of opposite sign, i.e., the self-generation and stable propagation of solitons. Experiments as well as numerical simulations show higher nonlinearity in the black Bi₁₂GeO₂₀ than in the more transparent yellow one.     

Synthesis and multiparameter sensor properties of the crown‐containing thiophene derivatives

A novel ditopic receptor was constructed as a combination of bisthiophene with pyridinylvinyl and crown‐containing styryl fragments. In the receptor, the pyridine residue was able to coordinate Fe²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Mg²⁺ metal cations, whereas the oxocrown ether moiety bound with the alkaline earth metal (Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Ba²⁺) cations. ¹H NMR, optical, electrochemical, and ESI‐MS results provided conclusive evidence of a complex formation through both the coordination centers of the molecule. The obtained results showed that cation complexation induces optical and electrochemical changes, particularly for each binding center. This type of multiparameter sensor provides interesting perspectives for the future design of unique sensors, promising different analytical techniques. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Two-photon absorption of tetraphenylporphin free base

We study two-photon absorption (TPA) spectra for toluene solution of 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21H,23H-porphin (H₂TPP) in B and Q bands regions and find the maximum TPA cross-section values of 25 and 1-6 GM in laser wavelength ranges, 730-790 and 1100-1400 nm, correspondingly. In the 730-790 nm range the spectrum is attributed to parity allowed two-photon transition into g parity state, positioned nearby B state. Much lower TPA cross-section of ∼1 GM is measured for the transition into pure electronic Q state and it is due to the contribution of only those low-symmetry H₂TPP confomers, where mutual orientation of the porphyrin plane and the four phenyl rings lifts the center of inversion. The intermediate values of TPA cross-section of ∼6 GM are observed for the transition into vibronic Q states and are explained by TPA-allowed transition into vibronic states, which can occur even for totally centrosymmetrical molecules. Measurement of two-photon polarization ratio, Ω=σ_circ/σ_lin, shows that for parity allowed g→g transition Ω =1.05±0.05 and for transitions into electronic and vibronic Q-states, Ω=0.62±0.06 and 0.79±0.1 (depending on wavelength), respectively. Quantum-chemical calculations of both u and g parity excited energy levels of H₂TPP molecule are performed by CNDO/S method and the results are in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Applications of Terahertz Spectroscopy in the Field of Construction and Building Materials

Abstract: In last two decades, rapid development in the field of terahertz (THz) technology has opened new possibilities for creating innovative imaging and sensing systems. Although the applications of THz technology in different sectors constantly increase, the construction industry lags behind them. The aim of this article is to review the current applications of THz spectroscopy in research and industry related to construction and building materials, along with the key drawbacks of technology and recommendations for future use. The review concludes that THz spectroscopy and imaging have promising potential and provide many opportunities for applications in construction and building materials characterization.     

Option Pricing in Subdiffusive Bachelier Model

The earliest model of stock prices based on Brownian diffusion is the Bachelier model. In this paper we propose an extension of the Bachelier model, which reflects the subdiffusive nature of the underlying asset dynamics. The subdiffusive property is manifested by the random (infinitely divisible) periods of time, during which the asset price does not change. We introduce a subdiffusive arithmetic Brownian motion as a model of stock prices with such characteristics. The structure of this process agrees with two-stage scenario underlying the anomalous diffusion mechanism, in which trapping random events are superimposed on the Langevin dynamics. We find the corresponding fractional Fokker-Planck equation governing the probability density function of the introduced process. We construct the corresponding martingale measure and show that the model is incomplete. We derive the formulas for European put and call option prices. We describe explicit algorithms and present some Monte-Carlo simulations for the particular cases of α-stable and tempered α-stable distributions of waiting times.     

Recombination of hydrogen atoms on fine-grain graphite

The probability of recombination of hydrogen atoms on surfaces of fine-grain graphite EK98 was investigated as a function of surface roughness. The source of hydrogen atoms used in this experiment was weakly ionised plasma created with an inductively coupled radiofrequency generator at pressures from 30 Pa to 175 Pa in hydrogen. Hydrogen atom density was measured by means of fibre optic catalytic probes. The recombination coefficient of the graphite samples was determined by observing their impact on the spatial distribution of the atom density in a closed side-arm of the reactor. Smith's diffusion model was used to calculate the values of the recombination coefficient. The measured recombination coefficient was found to increase much faster than the measured effective surface. This discrepancy is explained by the fact that on a surface which is not perfectly flat, there is a finite probability for multiple collisions. Impinging atoms collide more than once with the surface before they are reflected into the surface, which results in a larger probability of recombination.     

Some approximation properties of Banach spaces and Banach lattices

The notion of the bounded approximation property = BAP (resp. the uniform approximation property = UAP) of a pair [Banach space, its subspace] is used to prove that if X is a ℒ _∞-space, Y a subspace with the BAP (resp. UAP), then the quotient X/Y has the BAP (resp. UAP). If Q: X → Z is a surjection, X is a ℒ ₁-space and Z is a ℒ _p -space (1 ≤ p ≤ ∞), then ker Q has the UAP. A complemented subspace of a weakly sequentially complete Banach lattice has the separable complementation property = SCP. A criterion for a space with GL-l.u.st. to have the SCP is given. Spaces which are quotients of weakly sequentially complete lattices and are uncomplemented in their second duals are studied. Examples are given of spaces with the SCP which have subspaces that fail the SCP. The results are applied to spaces of measures on a compact Abelian group orthogonal to a fixed Sidon set and to Sobolev spaces of functions of bounded variation on ℝ ⁿ .