Single-detector polarization-sensitive optical frequency domain imaging using high-speed intra A-line polarization modulation

We demonstrate a novel high-speed polarization-sensitive optical frequency domain imaging system employing high-speed polarization modulation. Rapid and continuous polarization modulation of light prior to illumination of the sample is accomplished by shifting the frequency of one polarization eigenstate by an amount equal to one quarter of the digitization sampling frequency. This approach enables polarization-sensitive imaging with a single detection channel and overcomes artifacts that may arise from temporal variations of the birefringence in fiber-optic imaging probes and spatial variation of birefringence in the sample.     

Microstructure of Ni/YSZ cermets according to particle size of precursor powders and their anodic performances in SOFC

Four different Ni/YSZ cermets were prepared by combining two sets of NiO and YSZ powders of different size. The microstructural change evolved during the course of electrode adhesion and cell operation was monitored using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The anodic activity was compared by analyzing the ∝ impedance spectra of four Ni/YSZ cermet (H₂) / YSZ half cells at 1000 °C. Among the cermets, the one that prepared from the smaller NiO and larger YSZ powder showed the best anodic performances on aspects of the initial activity and long-term stability. This favorable performance is partly responsible to the presence of larger YSZ particles which provide a supporting matrix to suppress the microstructural change against Ni sintering and concomitant volume shrinkage, and partly to an easy formation of Ni channel for electronic conduction. Anodic performances of the other cermets were also discussed based on their microstructure.     

Structural studies of AgSbTe2 under pressure: Experimental and theoretical analyses

The crystal structure of AgSbTe₂ has been refined using first-principles calculations, from which the ordering of the cations, Ag and Sb, was confirmed. The spontaneous formation of two (D4 and L1₁) phases at ambient and elevated pressure was demonstrated theoretically. The compound was also prepared and its high-pressure structural deformation sequence, ranging from ambient to 50.9 GPa, was observed with synchrotron radiation at room temperature. The compound underwent a pressure-induced amorphization (PIA) at 24.6 GPa and then started recrystallizing at 49.2 GPa. The bulk modulus (B₀) and pressure derivative of the bulk modulus (B_p) were determined experimentally to be 56.3 ± 5.1 GPa and 4.3 ± 0.8, respectively. We suggest that large displacements of Te atoms to Ag vacancy positions are responsible for PIA and the recrystallization.     

Simultaneous Determination of Acetylsalicylic Acid and Caffeine in Pharmaceutical Formulation by First Derivative Synchronous Fluorimetric Method

A sensitive, rapid, and specific assay has been developed for the simultaneous determination of acetylsalicylic acid and caffeine in commercial tablets based on their natural fluorescence. The mixture of these drugs was resolved by first derivative synchronous fluorimetric technique using two scans. At Δλ=106 nm, using first derivative synchronous scanning, only acetylsalicylic acid yields a detectable signal at 316 nm (peak to zero method) which is unaffected by caffeine. At Δλ=30 nm, the signal of caffeine at 288 nm (peak to zero method) is not affected by acetylsalicylic acid. The range of application is between 0.021 and 41.62 μg ml⁻¹ (correlation coefficient, R=0.9995) for acetylsalicylic acid and between 0.4486 and 44.86 μg ml⁻¹ (correlation coefficient, R=0.99786) for caffeine. The recovery range of 98.40–102% for acetylsalicylic acid and 90–100.5% for caffeine from their synthetic mixture was reported. Overall recovery of both compounds about 97–99% for acetylsalicylic acid and 97–98% for caffeine was obtained from real sample analysis. The detection limits are 0.0013 μg ml⁻¹ and 0.0306 μg ml⁻¹ for acetylsalicylic acid and caffeine, respectively. The relative standard deviation (n=10) for 20 μg ml⁻¹ of acetylsalicylic acid is 2.75% and for 2.2 μg ml⁻¹of caffeine is 1.7%.     

Comparison of catalytic activities for photocatalytic and sonocatalytic degradation of methylene blue in present of anatase TiO2-CNT catalysts

Anatase TiO(2)-CNT catalysts with high specific surface areas were prepared by depositing TiO(2) particles on the surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using a modified sol-gel technique. These catalysts prepared with different amounts of CNTs were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, Fourier Transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of the anatase TiO(2)-CNT catalysts was assessed by examining the degradation of methylene blue (MB) from model aqueous solutions as a probe reaction under visible light and ultrasonic irradiation. The synergistic effect of the greater surface area and catalytic activities of the composite catalysts was examined in terms of the strong adsorption ability and interphase interaction by comparing the different amounts and roles of CNTs in the catalysts.     

Tunable nonlinear absorption of hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon

Nonlinear absorption (NLA) of hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) has been investigated through the open aperture Z-scan method for the photon energy of the incident irradiance slightly less than the bandgap of the sample. NLA responses have been observed to be highly sensitive to the wavelength and intensity of the incident irradiance as well as to the bandgap of the sample, indicating greatly tunable NLA of nc-Si:H. The band tail of nc-Si:H appears to play a crucial role in such NLA responses.     

Investigation of the effect of electron cyclotron heating on runaway generation in the KSTAR tokamak

Wave enhanced runaway generation is expected to play an important role in the conversion of plasma current into runaway current during major disruptions. The fast electrons created by electron cyclotron heating (ECH) were used to study this issue in KSTAR. It is found that the fast electrons driven by ECH can enhance runaway production in the flat top phase with high loop voltage. The runaway current in disruptions was not enhanced by the ECH produced fast electron population due to the strong magnetic fluctuations which inhibited the generation of runaway electrons. It is found that a complete loss of existing REs during thermal quench has occurred in KSTAR limiter configuration discharges.