Frequency resolution and amplitude accuracy of the coherent optical spectrum analyzer with a swept local oscillator

We present a model for coherent optical spectrum analysis that relates the key parameters of frequency resolution, power uncertainty, and sweep speed. The theoretical model is compared with experimental results obtained from spectral measurements of an external-cavity laser.     

Dipole orientational order at liquid/vapor surfaces

We present ellipsometric observations of the orientational order alpha(2) of highly polar molecules at the noncritical liquid/vapor surface of critical polar+nonpolar mixtures. The dipoles, which are repelled from the interface via interactions with their image dipoles, are preferentially oriented with their axes parallel to the surface and possess an orientational order which is well described by alpha(2) approximately -t(2beta)D+(z/xi), where t=[T-T(c)]/T(c) is the reduced temperature, beta=0.328 is a critical exponent, and D+ is a universal function of the dimensionless depth z/xi with surface correlation length xi.     

Propagation of nonparaxial beams with a modified Arnoldi method

We have developed a modified Arnoldi method that includes a complex square-root approximation, which excels at modeling the propagation of highly diverging beams in various media. Simulations of one transverse dimensional beam with an ultranarrow width and of cylindrical Gaussian beams with various divergence angles reveal the strength of this nonparaxial-beam propagation method.     

On Variance and Covariance for Bounded Linear Operators

In this paper we initiate a study of covariance and variance for two operators on a Hilbert space, proving that the c-v (covariance-variance) inequality holds, which is equivalent to the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality. As for applications of the c-v inequality we prove uniformly the Bernstein-type inequalities and equalities, and show the generalized Heinz-Kato-Furuta-type inequalities and equalities, from which a generalization and sharpening of Reid's inequality is obtained. We show that every operator can be expressed as a p-hyponormal-type, and a hyponormal-type operator. Finally, some new characterizations of the Furuta inequality are given. Received April 9, 2000, Revised July 20, 2000, Accepted August 8, 2000     

Electrochemical fluorescence switching properties of conjugated polymers composed of triphenylamine,fluorene, and cyclic urea moieties

The study of the electrochemical fluorescence switching properties of the conjugated copolymers containing fluorene, triphenylamine, and 1,3‐diphenylimidazolidin‐2‐one moieties is reported. The polymers show high fluorescence quantum yields, excellent thermal stability, and good solubility in polar organic solvents. While the polymer emits blue light under UV irradiation, the fluorescence intensity is quenched upon electrochemical oxidation. The fluorescent behavior can be reversibly switched between nonfluorescent (oxidized) state and strong fluorescence (neutral) state with a high contrast ratio (I_f/I_f0) of 16.3. The role of the electrochemical oxidation of the triphenylamine moieties is to generate the corresponding radical cations that lead to fluorescence quenching in the solid matrix. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Protein A-conjugated luminescent gold nanodots as a label-free assay for immunoglobulin G in plasma

We have employed protein A-modified gold nanodots (PA-Au NDs) as a luminescence sensor for the detection of human immunoglobulin G (hIgG) in homogeneous solutions. The luminescent PA-Au NDs were prepared simply by mixing protein A with the luminescent Au NDs (average diameter: ca. 1.8 nm). The specific interactions that occur between protein A and hIgG allowed us to use the PA-Au NDs to detect hIgG selectively. Under optimal conditions [10 nM PA-Au NDs (two protein A molecules per Au ND), 5.0 mM phosphate buffer solution, pH 7.4], the PA-Au ND probe detected hIgG with high sensitivity (limit of detection = 10 nM) and remarkable selectivity (>50-fold) over other proteins. In an assay that took advantage of the competition between protein G and the PA-Au NDs for IgG, we detected protein G at concentrations as low as 85 nM. This PA-Au ND probe allowed determination of the hIgG concentration in plasma samples without any need for sample pretreatment. Our results exhibited a good linear correlation (R(2)=0.97) with those obtained using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Our simple, sensitive, and selective approach appears to hold practical potential for use in the clinical diagnosis of immune diseases associated with changes in hIgG levels.     

Multimodal imaging probes based on Gd-DOTA conjugated quantum dot nanomicelles

Recently, multimodal nanoparticles integrating dual- or tri-imaging modalities into a single hybrid nanosystem have attracted plenty of attention in biomedical research. Here, we report the fabrication of two types of multimodal micelle-encapsulated nanoparticles, which were systematically characterized and thoroughly evaluated in terms of their imaging potential and biocompatibility. Optical and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging probes were integrated by conjugating DOTA-gadolinium (Gd) derivative to quantum dot based nanomicelles. Two amphiphilic block copolymer micelles, amine-terminated mPEG-phospholipid and amine-modified Pluronic F127, were chosen as the capping agents because of their excellent biocompatibility and ability to prevent opsonization and prolong circulation time in vivo. Owing to their different hydrophobic-hydrophilic structure, the micellar aggregates exhibited different sizes and protection of core QDs. This work revealed the differences between these nanomicelles in terms of the stability over a wide range of pH, along with their cytotoxicity and the capacity for chelating gadolinium, thus providing a useful guideline for tailor-making multimodal nanoparticles for specific biomedical applications.