Parametric generation of twin photons in vertical triple microcavities

We report the realization of a monolithic vertical-cavity, surface emitting micro-optical parametric conversion nanostructure, triply resonant with the parametric frequencies, allowing parametric oscillation with ultra-low pump power threshold. The photonic phase-space naturally provides triple resonance for the parametric frequencies, together with built-in cavity phase-matching for the pump wave at normal incidence. Parametric oscillation is observed in both the strong and weak exciton–photon coupling regime, allowing a high operating temperature. Signal and idler beams can be collected at 0° or at finite angles. The OPO threshold is low enough to envisage the realization of an all-semiconductor electrically-pumped micro-parametric oscillator. To cite this article: C. Diederichs et al., C. R. Physique 8 (2007).     

Polysaccharide Based Vaccines for The Prevention of Pneumococcal Infections

1. INTRODUCTION

Streptococcus pneumoniae remains an important cause of infections in this end of the 20th century and is responsible for invasive diseases - pneumonia, meningitis, bacteremia, septicemia - as well as for noninvasive diseases such as pharyngitis, conjunctivitis, otitis media.^1,2     

Electron transport through high-κ dielectric barriers: A non-equilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) study

We present a simulation study of the coherent transport of electrons through high permittivity (high-κ) dielectric barriers using the non-equilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) formalism. Calculation and useful formula are established for a one-dimensional grid using a finite-difference scheme and an effective-mass depending on the position along the grid. A numerical simulation code is used to investigate the tunneling properties and the transmission coefficient of different metal–insulator–metal structures with stacked dielectrics and to compare single- or two-layer high-κ dielectric stacks in terms of tunneling transmission coefficient and local density-of-states. We particularly highlight the influence of wave-function reflections against barrier discontinuity on the transmission coefficient, especially in two-layer high-κ dielectric stacks.     

Investigation of capacitance–voltage characteristics in Ge /high-κ MOS devices

We developed a one-dimensional numerical simulation code for the calculation of the gate voltage–capacitance characteristic of MOS structures including the self-consistently solving of the Schrödinger and Poisson equations for different alternative channel materials with high mobility such as Ge, and non-conventional gate dielectrics such as HfO₂ and Al₂O₃. Our simulation results are confronted to experimental data for various MOS structures with different semiconductors and dielectric stacks.     

Synthesis of rel-(3RS,3aSR,7aSR)-3-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-1-methylindolin-6-one,the Main Metabolite of the Analgesic Ro 15-8081: A Potent Amine-Uptake Inhibitor

The synthesis of the title compound 2 and its diastereoisomer 3 was accomplished using tricarbonyl[1-5-n-(4-methoxycyclohexa-2,4-dien-1-yl)]iron tetrafluoroborate ( 4 ) as a precursor to the cyclohexanone ring. The assignments of the relative configurations of 2 and 3 are based on the X-ray analysis of compound 3 . Both compounds 2 and 3 are potent inhibitors of neuronal noradrenaline uptake in rats with similar potencies in vitro as compared to amitriptyline and desipramine. Compounds 2 and 3 are less potent as serotonin-uptake inhibitors, very weak inhibitors of dopamine uptake, and virtually devoid of antinociceptive activity.     

Short and efficient access to imidazo[1,2-a]pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridine derivatives

Access to N-protected or N-free imidazo[1,2-a]pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridine derivatives as potential antiviral compounds was achieved in good yields from N-protected 7-amino-8-halo-2-methylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines by catalytic coupling of terminal acetylenes under mild conditions using [PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂] or [Cu(Phen)(PPh₃)₂]NO₃.     

Investigating the relationship between cell cycle stage and diosgenin-induced megakaryocytic differentiation of HEL cells using sedimentation field-flow fractionation

Differentiation therapy could be one strategy for stopping cancer cell proliferation. A plant steroid, diosgenin, is known to induce megakaryocytic differentiation in human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells. In recent studies, the use of sedimentation field-flow fractionation (SdFFF) allowed the preparation of subpopulations that may differ in regard to sensitivity to differentiation induction. The specific goal of this study was to determine the relationship between cell cycle stage and sensitivity to megakaryocytic differentiation induction of HEL cells. After first confirming the capacity of diosgenin to specifically select targets, hyperlayer SdFFF cell sorting was used to prepare fractions according to cell cycle position from crude HEL cells. The sensitivities of these fractions to diosgenin-induced differentiation were then tested. The coupling of SdFFF cell separation to imaging flow cytometry showed that G1-phase cells were more sensitive to differentiation induction than S/G2M-phase cells, confirming the relationship between cell status at the start of induction, the extent of the biological event, and the potential of SdFFF in cancer research.     

A DFT study of the reactivity of Cp2AnMe2 with pyridine N-oxide: Towards a predicted different reactivity of U/Pu and Np

A predictive reactivity of Cp₂An(IV)Me₂ (with An = uranium [U], neptunium [Np] and plutonium [Pu]) with pyridine N-oxide has been studied at the theoretical level. The predictive reaction, which consists in the formation of a formaldehyde complex, begins after the initial formation of a cyclometalated complex produced by a C-H activation of the pyridine N-oxide. A difference of reactivity between U/Pu and Np has been observed and has been attributed to the presence of a more covalent bond between Np and the carbene group in the transition state of formation of a transient carbene intermediate.     

Spectroscopic Properties and Laser Induced Fluorescence Determination of Some Endocrine Disrupting Compounds

This work presents spectroscopic properties of some Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (EDCs), frequently found in food and in natural water. Studied molecules belong to the groups of phenolic and phthalate EDCs. In a first part, we have examined their absorption and fluorescence properties. Fluorescence emission wavelengths are about 300 nm for phenolic compounds and 360 nm for phtalate compounds; main excitation wavelengths being comprised between 210 nm and 230 nm. Fluorescence lifetimes measured are short (about 4 ns) and the fluorescence quantum yield has been determined. In a second part, to avoid the time consuming solvent extraction step, an analytical application to evaluate the performance of a direct analysis by laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy of ECDs traces in tap water and in raw water is presented. Good detection limits have been obtained, i.e.: 0.35 μg.L⁻¹ of chlorophenol in tap water, which are always lower than the reported Predictive Non Efficient Concentration (PNEC).     

Optical properties of new 5-(4-phenylethynyl)-substituted-1,10-phenanthroline derivatives

The synthesis and optical properties of a novel family of 5-substituted-1,10-phenanthroline derivatives are reported herein. One carbon-carbon triple-bond function was introduced using a Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction. The effects on optical properties, of the substitution with electro-withdrawing or -donating substituents in the 5th position of the 1,10-phenanthroline are investigated. Experimental chemical structure-polarisability relationship is analyzed according to the Lippert-Mataga correlation and compared to a theoretical study carried out with DFT calculations. These compounds are promising candidates for a fine-tuning of the internal charge-transfers but also as potential nonlinear chromophores and ligands within multifunctional coordination complexes.