Tunable optimal compression of ultrabroadband pulses by cross-phase modulation

We show how cross-phase modulation between two pulses, combined with optimal pulse shaping at the input of a dielectric medium, can be used to generate nearly single-cycle pulses that are tunable from the ultraviolet to the mid-infrared at the output of the medium, precompensating for dispersion to all orders.     

Resonant cars spectroscopy of s-tetrazine vapour

CARS experiments on s-tetrazine vapour show that the electronic resonance enhancement in the Q-branch is most effective for the lower J values. This suggests that the radiationless relaxation rate in the excited state increases with rotational quantum number. Delayed picosecond CARS experiments indicate that the rotation-vibration coupling for the 1008 cm^?1 ground-state vibrational mode is approximately 2 MHz.     

Methyl group tunneling rotation in the lowest nπ* state of toluquinone. An optically detected ENDOR,LAC and CR study

In this paper we report and discuss the effects of methyl group tunneling rotation on the methyl proton ENDOR, LAC and CR spectra in the lowest triplet state of toluquinone at 1.8 K. From a detailed analysis of the ENDOR spectra in the lowest rotational state (A) we obtain for the methyl protons the following isotropic hyperfine interaction constants: A₁ = A₂ = 34.4 MHz and A₃ = ?53.7 MHz. The tunneling frequency (3J) is calculated to be 2.9 GHz. The most likely equilibrium configuration of the torsional oscillator is found to be the one whereby the molecular plane is a mirror plane and the out-of-plane methyl protons point towards the closest oxygen atom. We also show that cross-relaxation between |A> and |E> states of translational equivalent toluquinone molecules is responsible for the observed sidebands in the level-anti-crossing spectra of toluquinone.     

Notes on ‘Hit-And-Run enables efficient weight generation for simulation-based multiple criteria decision analysis’

In our previous work published in this journal, we showed how the Hit-And-Run (HAR) procedure enables efficient sampling of criteria weights from a space formed by restricting a simplex with arbitrary linear inequality constraints. In this short communication, we note that the method for generating a basis of the sampling space can be generalized to also handle arbitrary linear equality constraints. This enables the application of HAR to sampling spaces that do not coincide with the simplex, thereby allowing the combined use of imprecise and precise preference statements. In addition, it has come to our attention that one of the methods we proposed for generating a starting point for the Markov chain was flawed. To correct this, we provide an alternative method that is guaranteed to produce a starting point that lies within the interior of the sampling space.     

Stark and zeeman effects on the lower electronic states of s-triazine

A detailed optical study of the lower electronic states of s-triazine in a pure crystal at 1.8°K is presented. Stark and Zeeman experiments on these states give no support to previous assignments. The experiments indicate that the lowest triplet state observed in s-triazine corresponds to either a polar A″₁ state or to an E″ state in which the orbital angular momentum is completely quenched. Optical measurements on a very weak triplet state absorption at 28930.7 cm^?1 in s-triazine are also reported. The premilinary assignment of this line as a crystal field induced Davydov component is shown not to be inconsistent with its Zeeman effect.     

Easy interpretation of optical two-dimensional correlation spectra

We demonstrate that the value of the underlying frequency-frequency correlation function can be retrieved from a two-dimensional optical correlation spectrum through a simple relationship. The proposed method yields both intuitive clues and a quantitative measure of the dynamics of the system. The technique is applied to studying the effects of temperature and phase changes on liquid-glass solvent dynamics.     

Self-energy-limited ion transport in subnanometer channels

The current-voltage characteristics of the alpha-Hemolysin protein pore during the passage of single-stranded DNA under varying ionic strength C are studied experimentally. We observe strong blockage of the current, weak superlinear growth of the current as a function of voltage, and a minimum of the current as a function of C. These observations are interpreted as the result of the ion electrostatic self-energy barrier originating from the large difference in the dielectric constants of water and the lipid bilayer. The dependence of DNA capture rate on C also agrees with our model.     

Study of the residual linewidth of the level-anti-crossing signal in p-benzoquinone

The linewidth of the level-anti-crossing (LAC) signal in p-benzoquinone has been examined using optical detection of magnetic resonance between states in the avoided crossing region. The results are used to separate the homogeneous (due to hyperfine coupling) from the inhomogeneous (due to disorder) contribution to the LAC linewidth.     

Diazanaphthalenes: A 13C NMR investigation on the site of protonation and pKa values

The pH dependence of the ¹³C chemical shifts (δ) of the diazanaphthalenes has been recorded. From this dependence the pK_a values have been determined using the Henderson-Hasselbach equation. The change in ¹³C chemical shifts under the influence of nitrogen protonation (Δδ) has been predicted using the Δδ values of quinoline and isoquinoline. The correlation between observed and expected Δδ values of the symmetric diazanaphthalenes is very good. Assuming these changes in chemical shifts to be of general validity, the site of protonation in the asymmetric diazanaphthalenes has been determined by comparison of the expected Δδ values for α- and β-nitrogen protonation with the observed ones. The site of protonation for 1,6- and 1,7-naphthyridine is the β-nitrogen atom, whereas for cinnoline both monoprotonated species are present in a significant amount.     

Picosecond photon echoes detected by optical mixing

Picosecond photon echoes are shown to be easily detected by optical mixing. The synchronized picosecond excitation and probe pulses are generated by amplifying pulses from two dye lasers, synchronously pumped by a mode-locked argonion laser. The technique is used to study optical dephasing in the organic mixed crystal of pentacene in p-terphenyl.