Design and analysis of nano-deep corrugated waveguide grating-based dual-resonant filters in visible and infra-red regions

A theoretical analysis of nano-deep corrugated long-period waveguide gratings on a SU-8 polymer-based channel waveguide with NOA61 optical epoxy coated upper- and lower cladding is presented. The transmission spectra of the gratings show strong rejection bands both at visible (at wavelength region of 450?460 nm) and infra-red (at wavelength region of 1530?1540 nm) regions when a grating period of ?68 μm with optimized grating tooth height is considered. Phase-matching graphs are studied to find the relationship between resonance wavelength and grating period. These results show that the grating parameters significantly affect the characteristics of transmission spectra as well as the resonance wavelength of the grating. Long-period waveguide grating-based band pass filter made by use of same polymer materials are also designed and analyzed. These types of waveguide grating-based filters can widely be used for visible and infra-red wavelength sensing applications.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Biologically Active Lanthanum(III)–Catechin Complex and DNA Binding Spectroscopic Studies

A lanthanum(III) complex of catechin has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, UV-Vis spectra, infrared spectra, thermal analysis, and ¹H NMR. The complex behaves as a nonelectrolyte in methanol solvent. The spectral and thermal properties of the complex are examined. A thermogravimetric (TGA) study showed the hydrated nature of the complex. ¹H NMR spectra of the lanthanum and the catechin (CT) ligands measured in CD₃OD-d₄ also show metal ligand coordination. The lanthanum–catechin complex shows bright luminescence in methanol solution. The interaction of the complex with calf thymus DNA has been investigated by absorption and emission spectroscopic measurements. Experimental spectral results suggest CT–DNA binding with catechin complex via an intercalative mode.     

Synthesis and characterization of K2NiF4-type phases Ln0.5Sr1.5Mn0.5Fe0.5O4 (Ln = La, Nd, Gd, and Dy)

A systematic investigation of layered perovskite oxides with general formula Ln_0.5Sr_1.5Mn_0.5Fe_0.5O₄ (Ln?=?La, Nd, Gd, and Dy) has been undertaken mainly to understand their structural, magnetic, as well as electrical behavior. The materials were prepared by the ceramic method. X-ray data have been analyzed by using program Checkcell and the variations of various parameters are explained. It has been concluded that not only A-site cation radius, <r _A>, but also the size variance factor (σ ²) influence electrical and magnetic properties. A systematic study of electrical resistivity of all the four materials was undertaken as a function of temperature to understand the conduction mechanism. On analyzing the electrical resistivity data, it has been concluded that variable range hopping model is found to fit well. The magnetic studies suggest that the phases are antiferromagnetic and this behavior could arise from Mn⁴⁺–O–Mn⁴⁺, and Fe³⁺–O–Fe³⁺ superexchange interaction.     

Modelling of excited state absorption and upconversion in erbium germanosilicate continuous wave fibre lasers

The effects of upconversion and pump excited state absorption (ESA) on a three-manifold continuous wave (CW) laser are investigated by solving the laser and pump differential equations subject to two-point boundary conditions. This technique is applied to erbium germanosilicate fibre lasers in low-finesse cavities. First, the three-manifold laser problem in a low-finesse cavity is solved analytically, without ESA and upconversion. This shows that the finite value of the upper pump manifold decay rate causes the extracted power to saturate, and it also shows that pump threshold is strongly influenced by the cavity reflectivity. Next, upconversion and ESA are included. This leads to a study of the extracted power and pump threshold as functions of fibre length and outcoupling. This simulation is numerical and is successfully anchored to experiment.     

Empirical process approach to some two-sample problems based on ranked set samples

We study the asymptotic properties of both the horizontal and vertical shift functions based on independent ranked set samples drawn from continuous distributions. Several tests derived from these shift processes are developed. We show that by using balanced ranked set samples with bigger set sizes, one can decrease the width of the confidence band and hence increase the power of these tests. These theoretical findings are validated through small-scale simulation studies. An application of the proposed techniques to a cancer mortality data set is also provided. Part of the research was conducted while Kaushik Ghosh was visiting Statistical Research and Applications Branch of the National Cancer Institute on an Intergovernmental Personnel Assignment.     

Dielectric properties of Pb(Mg1/4Zn1/4Nb1/2)O11/4

Polycrystalline samples of Pb(Mg_1/4Zn_1/4Nb_1/2)O_11/4 have been synthesized by high temperature columbite precursor solid state reaction technique. Using X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique, compound formation in single phase cubic structure was observed and XRD analysis provided preliminary structural data. Detailed studies of dielectric properties of the compound reveal that this compound has high dielectric constant and diffuse phase transition in a wide range of temperatures around the Curie temperature. The charge deficiency of the compound presumably gets compensated in the high temperature columbite precursor process of sample preparation which is supported by single phasic form of the material.     

Theoretical expression for change of extraordinary refractive index in annealed proton exchanged LiNbO3 optical waveguides

A general expression for the change in extraordinary refractive index of the annealed proton exchanged LiNbO₃ waveguide has been deduced. The expression deduced explains the experimental results of decrease in change of extraordinary refractive index with annealing. The effect of annealing time has also been incorporated following Cao's model (Cao, Ramaswamy, Srivastava, J. Lightwave Technol. 10 (1992) 1302–1313). The concentration profile of protons in the annealed waveguide has been deduced theoretically, which is consistent with the previous results. The spontaneous polarization has been considered as the central mechanism for change in extraordinary refractive index due to proton exchange with annealing.     

Modified nodal point method for the measurement of the focal length of divergent lenses

The well-known nodal point method has been employed with some modification to measure the focal lengths of divergent lenses. In this modification, a telescope was used to locate precisely the nodal/principal point of the lens under test, and a travelling microscope was employed to locate precisely the focal point of the lens as well as to measure the focal distance. The accuracy of the measurement was found to be ± 0.5%, with the focal length of the order of about 10 cm.     

Crystal structure of 7,8-dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin.

The structure of 7,8-dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin was determined by an X-ray diffraction method. The compound crystallized in the triclinic space group P1, Z = 2, with a = 7.631(2), b = 9.456(5), c = 7.075(3)A, alpha = 103.13(3), beta = 91.84(3), gamma= 68.21(3) degrees, and V= 460.9(3)A3. The X-ray crystal structure was also compared with those of 5,7-dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin and 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin.     

Effect of annealing on the opto-electronic properties of Cu0.9In1.0Se2.0 films

The influence of annealing on the structure and opto-electronic properties of Cu_0.9In_1.0Se_2.0 films prepared by solution growth technique has been studied. The films annealed at 500–520°C in air, vacuum (10^?4 torr), In-vapour and Se-vapour show polycrystalline chalcopyrite structure with orientation perpendicular to the (220) plane. Films annealed in Se-vapour at 500°C for 30 min have maximum grain size (560 Å), minimum optical energy gap, maximum absorption coefficient, lowest resistivity, maximum photosensitivity and thus are suitable for photovoltaic applications. Annealing in In-vapour or in vacuum changesp-type CuInSe₂ inton-type which possibly arises due to the increase in Se vacancies.