Optimized free-form phase mask for extension of depth of field in wavefront-coded imaging

To achieve a further extension of the depth of field in wavefront-coded imaging by reducing the impact of focus error in the optical transfer function, we propose the use of a free-form phase mask (FPM) instead of a conventional cubic phase mask (CPM). We optimized the shape of the FPM using the simulated annealing algorithm and confirmed that the optimized FPM provides a much larger focal tolerance and better final images than the CPM in the noise-free case.     

Polymer waveguides from alicyclic methacrylate copolymer fabricated by deep-UV exposure

We have investigated the fabrication of waveguides from alicyclic methacrylate copolymer based on refractive-index modification by deep-UV exposure. By optimizing the UV-exposure process, we were able to obtain single-mode waveguides with a propagation loss of 0.8 dB/cm at 1550 nm, which is due only to material losses in this wavelength range. The loss obtained here is comparable with that of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) waveguides fabricated by deep-UV exposure. The fabricated waveguide is also single mode at 808 nm, and its propagation loss is 0.6 dB/cm. This alicyclic methacrylate copolymer is a promising material for the fabrication of polymer waveguides by use of deep-UV exposure.     

Comparative study of uranyl(VI) and -(V) carbonato complexes in an aqueous solution

Electrochemical, complexation, and electronic properties of uranyl(VI) and -(V) carbonato complexes in an aqueous Na2CO3 solution have been investigated to define the appropriate conditions for preparing pure uranyl(V) samples and to understand the difference in coordination character between UO22+ and UO2+. Cyclic voltammetry using three different working electrodes of platinum, gold, and glassy carbon has suggested that the electrochemical reaction of uranyl(VI) carbonate species proceeds quasi-reversibly. Electrolysis of UO22+ has been performed in Na2CO3 solutions of more than 0.8 M with a limited pH range of 11.7 < pH < 12.0 using a platinum mesh electrode. It produces a high purity of the uranyl(V) carbonate solution, which has been confirmed to be stable for at least 2 weeks in a sealed glass cuvette. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements revealed the structural arrangement of uranyl(VI) and -(V) tricarbonato complexes, [UO2(CO3)3]n- [n = 4 for uranyl(VI), 5 for uranyl(V)]. The bond distances of U-Oax, U-Oeq, U-C, and U-Odist are determined to be 1.81, 2.44, 2.92, and 4.17 A for the uranyl(VI) complex and 1.91, 2.50, 2.93, and 4.23 A for the uranyl(V) complex, respectively. The validity of the structural parameters obtained from EXAFS has been supported by quantum chemical calculations for the uranyl(VI) complex. The uranium LI- and LIII-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectra have been interpreted in terms of electron transitions and multiple-scattering features.     

Analysis of the thermal properties of a liquid 1-butanol polymer composed during a plasma-induced reaction

This paper investigates the mechanisms of thermosetting and simultaneous hydrogen desorption of liquid 1-butanol polymer composed during a plasma-induced reaction. A transparent liquid 1-butanol polymer consisting of partially dissociated 1-butanol, oxygen, and nitrogen gradually gains viscosity at less than 50 degrees C and transforms to a solid between 100 and 150 degrees C. This polymer also traps at least 0.225 mass % hydrogen during its composition and thermally desorbs the hydrogen between 26 and 150 degrees C. Electron probe microanalyses (EPMA) and FTIR analyses indicate that 11 wt % nitrogen fixed from the air is the principal component in the formation of stable 3-D bridge structures and the resultant thermosetting of the polymer. Thermal-desorption analysis and electrical resistivity measurements also support the theory that some hydrogen is electrically trapped as quasi-stable ions around negatively polarized OH and/or C=O bonds in the polymer, contributing to both electrical conductivity and the desorption of hydrogen.     

Comprehensive interpretation of a substitution effect on an order-disorder phase transition in A(1-x)MxW2O(8-y) (A = Zr, Hf; M = trivalent cations) and other ZrW2O8-based solid solutions

Hf(1-x)Lu(x)W(2)O(8-y) solid solutions up to x = 0.04, based on a negative thermal expansion material HfW(2)O(8), were synthesized by a solid state reaction method. X-ray diffraction experiments of these solid solutions from 90 to 560 K indicated thermal contraction with increasing temperature. Temperatures of order-disorder phase transition (T(trs)) associated with the orientation of WO(4) tetrahedra were determined from disappearance of a characteristic diffraction peak (310). The T(trs) of the solid solutions drastically decreased with increasing Lu content. Saturated order parameters (eta(s)) associated with the orientational order of the WO(4) pairs were estimated from the characteristic diffraction peak at sufficient low temperature. These behaviors of Hf(1-x)Lu(x)W(2)O(8-y) are consistent with those of Zr(1-x)M(x)W(2)O(8-y) (M = Sc, Y, In, Lu). The drastic suppression of T(trs) in Hf(1-x)Lu(x)W(2)O(8-y) can be interpreted in the framework of a model proposed for Zr(1-x)M(x)W(2)O(8-y), which states the existence of a local nanoregion including the WO(4) pairs having the frozen-in orientational disorder. To understand the substitution effect on the order-disorder phase transition comprehensively, classification based on the saturated order parameter eta(s) of the phase transition of AW(2)O(8) (A = Hf, Zr)-based solid solutions was carried out and discussed.     

Core‐stabilized polymeric micelle as potential drug carrier: increased solubilization of taxol

Poly(ethylene glycol‐b‐lactide) possessing a methoxy group at the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chain end and a polymerizable methacryloyl group at the poly(lactic acid) (PLA) chain end (MeO–PEG/PLA–methacryloyl) was prepared by an anionic ring‐opening polymerization of ethylene oxide and DL ‐lactide in tandem manner initiated with a potassium 2‐methoxyethanolate, followed by end‐capping with an excess of methacrylic anhydride. The molecular weight of the obtained polymer was controlled by the initial monomer/initiator ratio, which was confirmed by the combination of gel permeation chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses. The functionality of the methacryloyl–PLA end was almost quantitative. The MeO–PEG/PLA–methacryloyl (38/35; these numbers in parentheses denote the molecular weights of PEG and PLA segments divided by 100, respectively) formed a core–shell type spherical micelle in aqueous media obtained by a dialysis technique, the cumulant diameter of which was ca. 30 nm with very low polydispersity factor. The methacryloyl group adjacent to the PLA was polymerized in the PLA core of the micelle. The polymerization proceeded thermally with radical initiator and photochemically with photo‐initiator to produce core‐polymerized nanoparticles, which was found by spectroscopic and light‐scattering techniques. Taxol‐incorporated micelles were prepared to entrap Taxol into MeO–PEG/PLA–methyacryloyl block copolymer micelles by the oil/water emulsion method. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mesomorphic phase formation of poly (macromonomer)s of polystyrene macromonomers

The liquid crystalline phase formation of poly(macromonomer)s associated with the specific multibranched architecture of high branch density was investigated. The poly(macromonomer)s were prepared by radical chain polymerizations of ω‐methacryloyloxyethyl polystyrene macromonomers. It was confirmed that the mesomorphic phase formation depended on the branching architecture, where sufficient length of the branch chains as well as the backbone chain is crucial for the formation of the mesomorphic phase. Formation of the optically anisotropic mesophase also depended on the nature of solvent. The mesophase was observed in the cast films prepared from p‐xylene, toluene, tetrahydrofuran, carbon disulfide and chloroform but not observed for cyclohexane. The effects of the branched structure and the solvent nature were explained by repulsive interaction between the polystyrene branch chains of high branch density. The repulsive interaction increases the chain stiffness of the central backbone and also prevents the interpenetration of the polystyrene branches of different molecules in solution, which allow poly(macromonomer) molecules to arrange with the orientational order. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.