Finite size effects in stimulated laser pair production

We consider stimulated pair production employing strong-field QED in a high-intensity laser background. In an infinite plane wave, we show that light-cone quasi-momentum can only be transferred to the created pair as a multiple of the laser frequency, i.e. by a higher harmonic. This translates into discrete resonance conditions providing the support of the pair creation probability which becomes a delta-comb. These findings corroborate the usual interpretation of multi-photon production of pairs with an effective mass. In a pulse, the momentum transfer is continuous, leading to broadening of the resonances and sub-threshold behaviour. The peaks remain visible as long as the number of cycles per pulse exceeds unity. The resonance patterns in pulses are analogous to those of a diffraction process based on interference of the produced pairs. We finally comment on the dependence of the peak positions, and in turn the effective mass, on the pulse shape.     

3J(PCNH) in phosphorus substituted thioformamides as a configurational probe

Coupling between P and (N)? H has been observed in the ¹H{¹⁴N}NMR spectra of a series of phosphorus substituted thioformamides, R¹₂/P(X)C(S)NHR². For R² = H one of the two couplings constants ³J(PCNH) is much larger than the other. The larger constant is assumed to be ³J(PCNH) (trans) and the magnitude of ³J(PCNH) for several compounds with R² = Me or Ph is used to assign the configuration about the C(S)? N bond.     

Projection screen or video goggles as stimulus modality in functional magnetic resonance imaging

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) by using either a projection screen or video goggles as stimulus modality. A sequence of visual stimuli were presented to the same subject at different occasions. The sequence was optimized with a genetic algorithm. In five sessions the stimuli were presented using a projection screen viewed through a mirror in the head coil and in five sessions using video goggles. Failure to detect visual activation in the medial left hemisphere was observed in sessions using the projection screen as stimulus modality. Decreased thresholds for P values and cluster size resulted in activation outside the occipital lobe and did not significantly increase activated areas in this region. Results in this study indicate that presentation of fMRI tasks with visual routes is more reliable with direct input through video goggles than with the conventional use of projection screens. Failure to detect crucial visual areas has severe consequences for tumor surgery in the visual cortex. Inferior visual impression might also have negative consequences for cognitive tests with high demand on attention and perception.     

A microfluidic system enabling Raman measurements of the oxygenation cycle in single optically trapped red blood cells

Using a lab-on-a-chip approach we demonstrate the possibility of selecting a single cell with certain properties and following its dynamics after an environmental stimulation in real time using Raman spectroscopy. This is accomplished by combining a micro Raman set-up with optical tweezers and a microfluidic system. The latter gives full control over the media surrounding the cell, and it consists of a pattern of channels and reservoirs defined by electron beam lithography that is moulded into rubber silicon (PDMS). Different buffers can be transported through the channels using electro-osmotic flow, while the resonance Raman response of an optically trapped red blood cell (RBC) is simultaneously registered. This makes it possible to monitor the oxygenation cycle of the cell in real time and to investigate effects like photo-induced chemistry caused by the illumination. The experimental set-up has high potential for in vivo monitoring of cellular drug response using a variety of spectroscopic probes.     

Creating permanent 3D arrangements of isolated cells using holographic optical tweezers

We report the creation of permanent 3D configurations of cells, at predefined positions, within a gelatin matrix. The technique used holographic optical tweezers to manipulate individual E. coli within a solution comprising monomer precursors. The matrix was then set and after the laser beam was removed, we were able to demonstrate that the structures remained intact for many days. We were also able to demonstrate that, in the presence of appropriate nutrients, the E. coli survived within the gelatin matrix for several days. The technique could have a number of potential future applications, including the arrangement of a variety of different cell types in complex architectures, as motifs for promoting tissue differentiation and growth within the field of cell engineering.     

Selective synthesis of the C3v isomer of C60h18

[chemical structure: see text]. C60H18 has been produced by hydrogenation of C60 at 100 bar H2 pressure and 673 K for 10 h. We have investigated the crude material without any purification by use of 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and IR spectroscopy and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. We show that the crude material consists of 95% of the C3v isomer of C60H18.     

New nucleoside analogs from 2-amino-9-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)purine

Four novel derivatives of 2-amino-9-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)purine (1) were synthesised and fully characterised. When 1 was reacted with chloroacetaldehyde (a), 2-chloropropanal (b), bromomalonaldehyde (c) and a mixture of chloroacetaldehyde + malonaldehyde (d), 3-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-imidazo-[1,2a]purine (2), 3-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-5-methylimidazo-[1,2a]purine (3), 3-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-5-formylimidazo-[1,2a]purine (4) and 9-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-2-(3,5-diformyl-4-methyl-1,4-dihydro-1-pyridyl)purine (5) were formed, respectively. The products were isolated, purified by chromatography and characterised by MS, complete NMR assignment as well as fluorescence and UV spectroscopy. The yields of these reactions were moderate (14-20%). The fluorescence properties differed from those of the starting compound and the quantum yields were considerably lower.     

Optical tweezers applied to a microfluidic system

We will demonstrate how optical tweezers can be combined with a microfluidic system to create a versatile microlaboratory. Cells are moved between reservoirs filled with different media by means of optical tweezers. We show that the cells, on a timescale of a few seconds, can be moved from one reservoir to another without the media being dragged along with them. The system is demonstrated with an experiment where we expose E. coli bacteria to different fluorescent markers. We will also discuss how the system can be used as an advanced cell sorter. It can favorably be used to sort out a small fraction of cells from a large population, in particular when advanced microscopic techniques are required to distinguish various cells. Patterns of channels and reservoirs were generated in a computer and transferred to a mask using either a sophisticated electron beam technique or a standard laser printer. Lithographic methods were applied to create microchannels in rubber silicon (PDMS). Media were transported in the channels using electroosmotic flow. The optical system consisted of a combined confocal and epi-fluorescence microscope, dual optical tweezers and a laser scalpel.     

Long-time-storage mechanism for Tm:YAG in a magnetic field

We obtained a long-time-storage mechanism for spectral features in thulium ions doped into YAG by applying a magnetic field that splits the electronic ground state. We show experimentally that the storage time can be more than 30 s, which is 3 orders of magnitude longer than that of the metastable state that normally is used for information storage in this material. Level splitting and storage lifetimes for various magnetic field strengths of as much as 5 T were investigated. This storage mechanism will be relevant in the many coherent transient-based signal-processing schemes in which Tm:YAG is being used, and we demonstrate long-time storage in a basic data storage application.