Fragrance release profile from sonochemically prepared protein microsphere containers

Protein microspheres have been prepared by sonicating a mixture of pure fragrant oil (amyl acetate (AA)) with an aqueous protein (bovine serum albumin) solution. The prepared protein spheres are nano- to micrometer sized with an encapsulation efficiency of approx. 97% for the AA present on the surface and inside the BSA capsule. Containers were found stable for more than 6 months when stored sealed at 4 °C and 20 °C. For the release profile measurements, we used a simple, automated and direct method. We continuously weighed the encapsulated microspheres and measured the evaporation rates. The release profiles at 15 °C and 25 °C display two different evaporation rates. The higher rate is the sum of a few evaporation rates, including water molecules, while the slower rate is due to the evaporation of pure AA. The changes in the evaporation rates occur upon the collapse of the container. This event coincides with the full evaporation of water. For morphological characterization we dyed the AA with Nile red, and used SEM, ESEM, Cryo-SEM, light microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy measurements.     

Indeterministic Objects in the Category of Effect Algebras and the Passage to the Semiclassical Limit

We consider a category of effect algebras and formulate an abstract-hidden variables problem for an object of this category. A notion of indeterministic object is introduced as of an object which induces a Kochen–Specker-type contradiction. A sufficient condition for an object to be indeterministic is derived. An abstract algebraic point of view on a no-hidden variables example constructed by Mermin is given. The notion of a passage to the semiclassical limit is analyzed and refined.     

Luminescence channels of manganese-doped spinel

Two independent luminescence channels are observed from manganese-doped spinel Mn:MgAl₂O₄. The luminescence around 520 nm is assigned to transition from the lowest electronic excited state ⁴T₁ to the ground state ⁶A₁ of Mn²⁺ (3d)⁵ ion by analyzing the excitation spectrum and electron spin resonance measurement. The emission at 650 nm is triggered by the band edge excitation and is assigned similarly to the charge-transfer process associated with the manganese ion.     

Generalized Stäckel systems

We consider the generalized Stäckel systems, the broadest class of integrable Hamiltonian systems that admit separation of variables and possess separation relations affine in the Hamiltonians. For these systems we construct in a systematic fashion hierarchies of basic separable potentials. Moreover, we show how the equations of motion for the systems under study are related through appropriately chosen reciprocal transformations and how the respective constants of motion are related through generalized Stäckel transforms.     

Coherent transport of neutral atoms in spin-dependent optical lattice potentials

We demonstrate the controlled coherent transport and splitting of atomic wave packets in spin-dependent optical lattice potentials. Such experiments open intriguing possibilities for quantum state engineering of many body states. After first preparing localized atomic wave functions in an optical lattice through a Mott insulating phase, we place each atom in a superposition of two internal spin states. Then state selective optical potentials are used to split the wave function of a single atom and transport the corresponding wave packets in two opposite directions. Coherence between the wave packets of an atom delocalized over up to seven lattice sites is demonstrated.     

Broad-spectrum frequency comb generation and carrier-envelope offset frequency measurement by second-harmonic generation of a mode-locked fiber laser

A frequency comb spanning more than one octave has been achieved by injecting the second-harmonic generation (780 nm) of a mode-locked fiber laser (1.56 microm) into a photonic crystal fiber. We propose and realize a novel interferometric scheme for observing the carrier-envelope offset frequency of the frequency comb. Frequency noise has been observed on the measured carrier-envelope offset frequency, which has been confirmed to be generated in the photonic crystal fiber by comparing the measured beat frequencies between cw lasers and frequency combs before and after the photonic crystal fiber. The mode-locked fiber laser is considered to be an important candidate for the light source used in realizing a compact optical frequency measurement system including applications in the telecommunication bands.