Generation of ten-cycle pulses from an ytterbium fiber laser with cubic phase compensation

We demonstrate the use of a prism-grating sequence to reduce third-order dispersion inside a mode-locked Yb fiber laser. This laser generates pulses as short as 33 fs with extremely clean temporal and spectral profiles. Nanojoule pulse energies are possible.     

Differential non-destructive image current detection in a fourier transform quadrupole ion trap

Dual-detector differential non-destructive Fourier transform detection in a quadrupole ion trap is shown to improve signal intensity and reduce noise compared with spectra recorded using a single detector. A larger area detector in each end-cap electrode is machined to fit its hyperbolic shape and so minimize field imperfections on the z-axis. Argon, acetophenone and bromobenzene spectra were recorded to allow a comparison between single- and dual-detector (differential) modes of detection and to demonstrate the improvement achieved with differential detection. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reactions of Charged Substrates. 6. The Methoxymethyl Carbenium Ion Problem. 1. A Semiempirical Study of the Kinetic and Thermodynamic Stabilities of Linear and Cyclic Oxo- and Thiocarbenium Ions Generated from Pyridinium and Dimethylanilinium Ions

AM1-calculated energy profiles for dissociation of (methoxymethyl)pyridinium and dimethylanilinium ion substrates show that the methoxymethyl carbenium ion is not sufficiently stable to exist as an intermediate on the reaction coordinate for this model reaction. [(Thiomethoxy)methyl]pyridinium ion, however, has a distinct transition state because of the stability of the resulting ion-neutral complex. The complete potential energy surfaces for water displacement on the methoxymethyl substrate with either pyridine or dimethylaniline as the leaving group show distinct transition states and very flat surfaces for the ion-neutral complexes in which interaction of the carbenium ion with both leaving group and nucleophile is stabilizing. Secondary systems studied, including linear methoxy and thiomethoxy substrates, 5- and 6-membered cyclic oxo and thio substrates, and ribosyl-, xylopyranosyl-, and glucopyranosylpyridinium ions yield ion-neutral complexes with sufficient intrinsic stability to exist as intermediates. Comparison with solution data, primarily activation entropy and Br?nsted coefficients, suggests that the sugar oxocarbenium ions, either as distinct, solvent-equilibrated intermediates or elements of ion-neutral complexes, are formed by unimolecular dissociation of the respective substrates in solution.     

Fibers from a low dielectric constant fluorinated polyimide: Solution spinning and morphology control

Control of the internal morphology of wet-spun fibers from a fluorinated polyimide has been achieved by varying the rate of polymer coagulation through adjustments in nonsolvent/solvent miscibility and precipitation strength of the coagulation bath. Filament internal morphologies ranged from very porous or sponge-like to fully solid. Intermediate structures included fibers containing a spongy core with a nonporous skin, sponge-like fibers containing large voids, and a relatively solid material containing randomly spaced small voids. The cross-sectional shape of the fiber is dependent upon the coagulation process as well as the volume contraction of the initial extrudate. Drawn fibers (3×) retained the original asspun cross-sectional shape and also lost porosity. Mechanical properties of poly(6FDA-4BDAF) fibers have an inverse relationship to filament porosity. Maximum modulus and break strength for drawn fibers is approximately 6 CPa and 200 MPa, respectively. Asspun mechanical properties were dependent upon the processing conditions and have moduli between 0.4–3.0 Gpa and break strengths of 10–160 MPa. A dielectric constant of 2.50 for nonporous films was measured over a frequency range between 1.0 MHz to 1.8 GHz, showing little dispersion. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Flash photolysis electron spin resonance and CIDEP studies of radicals derived from nitrogen heterocyclics. II. The photophysics and photochemistry of the methylpyrazines

Application of the CIDEP phenomenon is extended to the identification of the specific triplet energy levels which react to produce radicals in pyrazine and its methyl derivatives. Advantage is taken of the proximity of ³nπ and ³ππ states in which the opposite signs of the zero-field coupling constants cause triplet mechanism polarization of opposite phase in the derived radicals. The electronic natures of the radicals observed parallel those of the triplet states from which they are formed.     

Practical all-fiber source of high-power, 120-fs pulses at 1 micrometre

Amplification of femtosecond pulses at 1.03 micrometre in a standard Yb-doped single-mode fiber is reported. A pulse energy of 8 nJ and an average power of 400 mW are obtained, limited by available pump power. To our knowledge these are the highest pulse energy and average power obtained from an integrated, single-mode fiber amplifier. After dechirping, 120-fs, 6-nJ pulses are obtained. A practical fiber-based source with performance comparable with that of a bulk solid-state laser is thus demonstrated, and scaling to substantially higher powers will be possible.     

Propagation in air by field superposition of scattered light within a Fresnel fiber

Propagation of light at 1.5 microm with peak intensity in an air hole is achieved within an air-silica-structured Fresnel waveguide. Thus a simpler fiber design alternative to photonic crystal fibers is possible for high-peak-power propagation with reduced nonlinear interactions. Multiple foci are observed in the far field.     

Magnetic resonance imaging screening in women at genetic risk of breast cancer: imaging and analysis protocol for the UK multicentre study. UK MRI Breast Screening Study Advisory Group

The imaging and analysis protocol of the UK multicentre study of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a method of screening for breast cancer in women at genetic risk is described. The study will compare the sensitivity and specificity of contrast-enhanced MRI with two-view x-ray mammography. Approximately 500 women below the age of 50 at high genetic risk of breast cancer will be recruited per year for three years, with annual MRI and x-ray mammography continuing for up to 5 years. A symptomatic cohort will be measured in the first year to ensure consistent reporting between centres. The MRI examination comprises a high-sensitivity three-dimensional contrast-enhanced assessment, followed by a high-specificity contrast-enhanced study in equivocal cases. Multiparametric analysis will encompass morphological assessment, the kinetics of contrast agent uptake and determination of quantitative pharmacokinetic parameters. Retrospective analysis will identify the most specific indicators of malignancy. Sensitivity and specificity, together with diagnostic performance, diagnostic impact and therapeutic impact will be assessed with reference to pathology, follow-up and changes in diagnostic certainty and therapeutic decisions. Mammography, lesion localisation, pathology and cytology will be performed in accordance with the UK NHS Breast Screening Programme quality assurance standards. Similar standards of quality assurance will be applied for MR measurements and evaluation.