Generation of sub wavelength focal spot with large depth of focus generated by radially polarized beam

We investigate the focusing properties of a radially polarized Bessel Gaussian beam by a high numerical aperture (NA) lens based on vector diffraction theory. We observe that our proposed system generates a sub wavelength focal spot of 0.42λ having large uniform focal depth of 6.45λ. The authors expect such a long depth of focus have great potential for use in optical, biological, high-resolution and atmospheric sciences.     

A pseudo‐quadruple hydrogen‐bonding motif consisting of six N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds in trimethoprim formate

The title compound, trimethoprim (TMP) formate [systematic name: 2,4‐di­amino‐5‐(3,4,5‐tri­methoxy­benzyl)­pyrimidin‐1‐ium formate], C₁₄H₁₉N₄O₃⁺·CHO₂^?, reveals a pseudo‐quadruple hydrogen‐bonding motif consisting of six N—H?O hydrogen bonds involving two unpaired TMP cations and two formate anions which are symmetrically disposed. The hydrogen‐bonding motif is strikingly comparable with that observed in other TMP salts where the amino­pyrimidine moieties of the TMP cations are centrosymmetrically paired. These conserved hydrogen‐bonding motifs may serve as robust synthons in crystal engineering and design. The characteristic pseudo‐quadruple hydrogen‐bonding motif and other intermolecular hydrogen bonds operating in the crystal form a two‐dimensional supramolecular sheet structure.     

Water extract of onion catalyst: An economical green route for the synthesis of 2-substituted and 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazole derivatives with high selectivity

An efficient, environmental friendly and substrate controlled method of synthesis of 2-substituted benzimidazole derivatives 3 and 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazole derivatives 4 with high selectivity has been achieved from the reaction of o-phenylenediamine 1 and aldehydes 2 in the presence of water extract of onion and selecting suitable reaction medium. This method is widely applicable for variety of aldehydes such as aromatic/aliphatic/heterocyclic aldehydes and 1,2-diamines to afford 2-substituted benzimidazole derivatives 3 and 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazole derivatives 4 in good to excellent yields (up to 96%). The developed method of water extract of onion catalysis produced 2-substituted benzimidazoles 3 from aromatic aldehydes having electron-withdrawing groups, whereas aromatic aldehydes bearing electron donating groups selectively furnished 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazole 4 derivatives. The process described here has several advantages of cheap, low energy consumption, commercially available starting materials, operational simplicity and nontoxic catalyst. The use of water extract of onion makes this present methodology green and giving a useful contribution to the existing methods available for the preparation of benzimidazole derivatives. In addition, Hammett correlation of substituent constant (σ) vs percentage (%) yield has been established.     

The effects of ZnO coating on the photoluminescence properties of porous silicon for the advanced optoelectronic devices

In the present work we investigate, the role of zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films passivating layer deposited by rf magnetron sputtering at room temperature on low (18%) and high (80%) porosity porous silicon (PS). The micro-Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis have been carried out to understand the effect of ZnO films coating on PS. A systematic investigation from Raman spectroscopy suggests the formation of a good quality ZnO wurtzite structure on PS. The photoluminescence (PL) measurements on PS and ZnO coated PS shows a red, blue and UV emission bands at around ～1.8, ～2.78 and ～3.2 eV. An enhancement of all PL emission bands have been achieved after ZnO films deposition on high porosity PS.     

Effect of spherical aberration on tightly focused cylindrically polarized vortex beams

In this paper attention is given to the effects of primary spherical aberration on the cylindrical polarized vortex beam based on the vector diffraction theory. It is observed that by properly choosing the polarization angle and topological charge one can obtain many novel focal patterns suitable for optical tweezers, laser printing and material process. However, it is observed that the focusing objective with spherical aberration generates structural modification and positional shift of the generated focal structure.     

Plasticized polymer electrolyte membranes based on PEO/PVdF-HFP for use as an effective electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries

Plasticized polymer electrolytes were prepared using poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO)/poly(vinylidene fluoridehexafluoro propylene)(PVd F-HFP) with lithium perchlorate(Li Cl O4) and different plasticizers. XRD and FTIR spectroscopic techniques were used to characterize the structure and the complexation of plasticizer with the host polymer matrix. The role of interaction between polymer hosts and plasticizer on conductivity is discussed using the results of alternating current(a.c.) impedance studies. TG-DTA and SEM were used for thermal and physical characterizations. Maximum ionic conductivity(3.26 × 10~(-4) S·cm~(-1)) has been observed for ethylene carbonate(EC)-based polymer electrolytes. Electrochemical performance of the plasticized polymer electrolyte is evaluated in LiFePO_4/plasticized polymer electrolytes(PPEs)/Li coin cell. Good performance with low capacity fading on charge discharge cycling is demonstrated.     

Nonlinear vibrations of truncated conical shells considering multiple internal resonances

Nonlinear Dynamics - The geometrically nonlinear vibration response of truncated thin conical shells is studied for the first time considering the one-to-one internal resonance, a phenomenon...     

Base-mediated one-pot synthesis of 3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-4-substituted benzo[h]quinazoline-2(1H)-thione derivatives and evaluation of their antioxidant activity

One-pot three-component Beginelli-like reactions of a ketone 1, an aryl aldehyde 2, and thiourea 3 in the presence of sodium hydroxide are described. In this reaction, 3,4,5,6-tertrahydro-4-substituted quinazoline-2(1H)-thione derivatives 4a–h were obtained in good yields (73–85%). The compound 4a has been characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis. All the synthesized compounds 4a–h and 5a–b were screened for their in vitro antioxidant activity. Compounds 4c, 4e, and 4h have exhibited an excellent than the standard ascorbic acid. Compounds 4d, 4f, and 4g have also shown good activity. Remaining compounds show moderate antioxidant activity.     

Generation of multiple focal spot and focal hole of sub wavelength scale using phase modulated LG (1,1) beam

Based on the vector diffraction theory, the effect of phase modulation on the intensity distribution on tight focusing of cylindrically polarized Laguerre–Gaussian beam in the focal region of high NA lens is investigated theoretically. It is observed that a properly designed complex phase filter can generate multiple focal spot and focal hole segments useful for the manipulation of optical traps.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Two‐Photon Active Chromophores Based on Tetrathienoacene (TTA) and Dithienothiophene (DTT)

Three new donor–π–donor (D‐π‐D) tetrathienoacene (thieno[2′,3′:4,5]thieno[3,2‐b]thieno[2,3‐d]thiophene (TTA))‐cored chromophores, end‐functionalized with electron‐donating triphenylamine (TPA) groups, were developed and characterized for their two‐photon‐related properties by using both nano‐ and femtosecond laser pulses as the probing tools. TTA‐based chromophores exhibit stronger and more widely dispersed two‐photon absorption (2PA) than those of dithienothiophene (DTT)‐based congeners. As a consequence, the bithiophene‐conjugated TTA chromophore exhibits the highest maximum 2PA cross‐section value (up to 2500 GM) with good thermal stability, and thus, it is the best performing two‐photon chromophore among the studied model compounds. The bithiophene‐conjugated DTT analogue exhibits the second highest maximum two‐photon absorptivity of 1950 GM, which is nearly 7 times larger than that of previously reported DTT‐based chromophores.