Multi-frequency harmonic arrays: initial experience with a novel transducer concept for nonlinear contrast imaging

Nonlinear contrast imaging modes such as second harmonic imaging (HI) and subharmonic imaging (SHI) are increasingly important for clinical applications. However, the performance of currently available transducers for HI and SHI is significantly constrained by their limited bandwidth. To bypass this constraint, a novel transducer concept termed multi-frequency harmonic transducer arrays (MFHA's) has been designed and a preliminary evaluation has been conducted. The MFHA may ultimately be used for broadband contrast enhanced HI and SHI with high dynamic range and consists of three multi-element piezo-composite sub-arrays (A-C) constructed so the center frequencies are 4f(A) = 2f(B) = f(C) (specifically 2.5/5.0/10.0 MHz and 1.75/3.5/7.0 MHz). In principle this enables SHI by transmitting on sub-array C receiving on B and, similarly, from B to A as well as HI by transmitting on A receiving on B and, likewise, from B to C. Initially transmit and receive pressure levels of the arrays were measured with the elements of each sub-array wired in parallel. Following contrast administration, preliminary in vitro HI and SHI signal-to-noise ratios of up to 40 dB were obtained. In conclusion, initial design and in vitro characterization of two MFHA's have been performed. They have an overall broad frequency bandwidth of at least two octaves. Due to the special design of the array assembly, the SNR for HI and SHI was comparable to that of regular B-mode and better than commercially available HI systems. However, further research on multi-element MFHA's is required before their potential for in vivo nonlinear contrast imaging can be assessed.     

Design and properties of binary axilens

A novel optical element, axilens, proposed by Davidson et al., for achieving extended focal length is introduced. We propose a method to design the binary axilens which has high diffraction efficiency. Using computer numerical simulation, we designed 4 axilenses each has different parameters. In this paper we present our results and make comparison with that in ref. [1]. The properties of binary axilens such as the focal depth, the lateral resolution and the intensity distribution along axis is discussed.     

HL—1装置汤姆逊散射测量空间两点电子温度

本文叙述用激光汤姆逊散射方法测量HL-1装置在不同放电条件下空间两点的电子温度。简要介绍了测量条件,空间两点测量的实验安排及数据获取系统等。对实验结果进行了初步分析。在适当改变等离子体边缘径向电场分布时,电子温度有明显增加。     

二次型复折射率介质中的光导现象

本文讨论了n(z,r)=n_0(z)+n_2(z)r~2/r_e~2型复折射率介质中的激光传输问题,给出了激光传输参数(光束半径和波阵面曲率)的演化公式。指出只要存在一定大小的n_(21),在传输过一段特征距离z_c之后,将出现完全光导(即自相似模的传播),而且自相似模是激光体系的特征模式。其传输参数只与n_2有关,而与激光初始参数无关。自相似模必定是高斯球面波,而不是高斯平面波。     

Efficient generation of a photon pair in a bulk periodically poled potassium titanyl phosphate

In this report, we demonstrate the efficient generation of collinearly propagating photon pairs in a bulk periodically poled potassium titanyl phosphate pumped by a cw laser. The detected coincidence counts are more than 7400/s with 3.58 mW pump power in a Hanbury-Brown-Twiss-type experiment. The estimated photon pair production rate is about 0.73 MHz/mW. This is very promising for some applications, such as quantum key distribution, proof of the Bell-inequality, preparation of single photon states in broadband wave packets, Franson-type interference and so on.     

锕系核集体运动的负宇称态

从锕系区40多个核的正负宇称态的实验数据,如激发能、J^π、电偶极跃迁等,得到一系列与核结构有关的物理量,如宇称劈裂能级差δE_I,正负宇称带的第一和第二类转动惯量J⁽¹⁾和J⁽²⁾及第一负宇称态的电偶极跃迁强度比等,以及它们与角动量I或转动角频率ω的动力学和核子数A的系统行为,从而为研究锕系核负宇称态的产生机制及动力学特点提供了信息.     

Ab initio calculations of accurate dissociation energy and analytic potential energy function for the second excited state B1∏ of 7LiH

The reasonable dissociation limit of the second excited singlet state B¹∏ of ⁷LiH molecule is obtained. The accurate dissociation energy and equilibrium geometry of the B¹\Pi state are calculated using a symmetry-adapted-cluster configuration--interaction method in full active space. The whole potential energy curve for the B¹∏ state is obtained over the internuclear distance ranging from about 0.10nm to 0.54nm, and has a least-square fit to the analytic Murrell--Sorbie function form. The vertical excitation energy is calculated from the ground state to the B¹∏ state and compared with previous theoretical results. The equilibrium internuclear distance obtained by geometry optimization is found to be quite different from that obtained by single-point energy scanning under the same calculation condition. Based on the analytic potential energy function, the harmonic frequency value of the B¹∏ state is estimated. A comparison of the theoretical calculations of dissociation energies, equilibrium interatomic distances and the analytic potential energy function with those obtained by previous theoretical results clearly shows that the present work is more comprehensive and in better agreement with experiments than previous theories, thus it is an improvement on previous theories.     

浅谈物理教学改革的几点认识

围绕物理课程改革，中国物理学会前两届教学委员会曾举办过一系列研讨会，主题是基础物理教学的现代化和物理教育与科学素质培养．后来，又举办过两次会议，说明物理教学的改革在一步步地深化．笔者通过参加有关会议和亲身体验，对新情况下的物理教学有了新的理解．下面仅就我近来想到的、听到的，和被问到的问题，谈一些个人看法．     

Total internal reflection–refraction beam expander

Beam expanders being used presently have complex structure and none is perfect. A novel beam expander is proposed first. The beam expander can magnify (or decrease) the diameter of incident laser beam according to the theory of total internal reflection–refraction (TIR-R) principle. The characteristic of the beam expander was studied by using ray-tracing method and computer simulation. The beam expander can propagate a parallel laser beam along the propagation axis and would not change the propagation direction of the beam. For a nonparallel beam the Lagrange invariant (the product of diameter and divergence angle) is not constant. This beam expander would be an effective device in some applications.