Temporal compression of nanosecond laser pulses using coherent control

We present a study of the temporal compression of nanosecond laser pulses resulting from the coherent control peculiarities of the propagation dynamics in a regime of electromagnetically induced transparency. We describe the general theoretical framework and discuss the crucial conditions required in order to experimentally realize such a temporal compression scheme. A proof-of-concept experimental realization of a scheme of this type in a sample of hot sodium vapors is currently being implemented: we describe in detail the experimental setup designed for this purpose.     

On the effect of magnetic fields on alloys with isothermal kinetics of martensitic transformation

The effect of magnetic treatment on the isothermal martensitic transformation in the Fe-24% Ni-4% Mn alloy has been investigated. The martensitic transformation in a dc magnetic field at liquid-helium temperature has been analyzed.     

Direct observation of charge-carrier capture in an array of self-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dots

In this work, charge-carrier capture by an array of self-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dots was directly observed for the first time by capacitance recharge. It is proposed to process the obtained transient-capture data by a similar method to that used for emission, by the box-car method. The capture activation energies are determined and compared with the emission activation energies.     

Specific features of nanosystems based on natural isoferroplatinum

Nanostructuring of natural isoferroplatinum crystals is revealed by atomic-force microscopy for the first time. Typical scales of ～30, 50, and 100 nm are determined and the self-affine character of their relation is established using a wavelet analysis.     

Synthesis and characterization of polyaniline doped with organic acids

Spectroscopic [UV–visible and Fourier transform IR (FTIR)] and thermal properties of chemically synthesized polyanilines are found to be affected by varying the protonation media (acetic, citric, oxalic, and tartaric acid). The optical spectra show the presence of a greater fraction of fully oxidized insulating pernigraniline phase in polyaniline doped with acetic acid. In contrast, the selectivity in the formation of the conducting phase is higher in oxalic acid as a protonic acid media. The FTIR spectra of these polymers reveal a higher ratio of the relative intensities of the quinoid to benzenoid ring modes in acetic acid doped polyaniline. Scanning electron micrographs revealed a sponge‐like structure derived from the aggregation of the small granules in acetic acid and oxalic acid doped polyaniline. A three‐step decomposition pattern is observed in all the polymers, regardless of the protonic acid used for the doping. The second step loss related to the loss of dopant is found to be higher in the oxalic acid doped polymer. In accordance with these results the conductivity is also found to be higher in oxalic acid doped material. The temperature dependent conductivity measurements show the thermal activated behavior in all the polymers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2043–2049, 2004     

Surface modification of polystyrene with the bovine serum albumin-Tween 80 complex and a forecast of biocompatibility

The surface of polystyrene was modified with the bovine serum albumin-Tween 80 complex. The adsorption of the complex and the formation of films on the surface of polystyrene were studied using the piezoelectric weighing method. The state of the modified surface was evaluated by contact angle measurements. The stability of the modifying layer was determined based on the critical interfacial energy values of the surface equilibrated with water. A conclusion was drawn that the complex can be effectively used to enhance the biocompatibility of polymer materials.     

New Heat-Resistant Polyimidates Derived from Bisphenols and Mono- and Dicarboxylic Acid Imidoyl Chlorides

New polyimidates were prepared from bisphenols and mono- and dicarboxylic acid imidoyl chlorides. The structures of the polymers were determined, and their physicochemical, chemical, and thermal properties were studied. The possibility of preparing film and compression materials with good mechanical characteristics from these polymers was examined.     

Rheological and Electrical Properties of an Oligomeric Formulation as Influenced by Fractional Composition of Conducting Filler

The effect of bifractional composition of conducting filler on the electrical and rheological properties of oligomeric compound was studied.     

Relaxing local modes and the theory of low-frequency Raman scattering in glasses

Raman scattering in glasses is investigated theoretically. The experimental Raman spectra of glasses exhibit a low-frequency peak (at ～10 cm^?1) that, as a rule, is attributed to vibrational modes of nanometer-sized structural units (nanocrystallites). It is established that the elastic moduli of nanocrystallites must necessarily be dependent on their sizes due to the Laplace pressure effect. A theory of the low-frequency peak is constructed using a realistic size distribution function of nanocrystallites with allowance made for the Laplace pressure effect and the dissipation of vibrational energy. Within this theory, the shape of the low-frequency peak and its evolution with temperature can be analyzed quantitatively. The proposed approach offers a physical interpretation of the experimental data and provides insight into the relation of the characteristic nanocrystallite sizes to the elastic moduli and surface tension coefficients of materials.     

Models of elastic media with stress relaxation

The stress relaxation process is linked to the change with time of the metric stress tensor of the medium. Possible types of thermodynamically justified relaxation equations are discussed.