Amplifiers and Lasers in PCF Configurations

In this paper we will present an overview of the use of photonic crystal fibers as fiber amplifiers. We will describe the basic concepts of optical amplification, and how to do numerical modelling of such components. We will then identify advantages and disadvantages of amplifiers based on PCF technology compared to conventional fibers, and then go into greater detail on some of these specific applications, such as low pump power amplifiers, and high-power double-clad amplifiers and lasers.     

Microelectromagnet for magnetic manipulation in lab-on-a-chip systems

We demonstrate a simple scheme for fabrication of microelectromagnets consisting of planar spiral coils semi-encapsulated in soft magnetic yokes using conventional microfabrication techniques. The microelectromagnets are suitable for applications operating at frequencies below 250 kHz. Conventional fabrication schemes for planar microelectromagnets typically rely on five mask steps. We allow the current to flow in the soft magnetic yoke and thereby two mask steps are eliminated. We have characterized the electromagnets electrically, the results agree well with theory, and the implications arising from current flowing in the magnetic yoke are discussed. We have integrated the microelectromagnets with microfluidic channels, and demonstrated separation of commercially available magnetic beads from a fluid in a microfluidic system, i.e. a lab-on-a-chip system.     

Thermische Analyse eines chloridhaltigen basischen Cobaltcarbonates

The thermal decomposition of a chloride and water-containing basic cobalt carbonate was studied. As a first step, crystal water is lost without change of structure. The following decomposition steps overlap and proceed in different ways, depending on the atmosphere over the sample: under nitrogen, chloride volatilizes as HCl and CoCl₂; in air, oxidation occurs. CoO and Co₃O₄, respectively, are the final solid products at 700–800°.     

Aktivierung von CO2 an Übergangsmetallzentren: Zum Ablauf der CO2-Reduktion an Nickel(0)-Fragmenten

Activation of CO₂ at Transition Metal Centres: The Route of the CO₂ Reduction at Nikel(0) Moieties A competing reaction in the catalytic cyclooligomerization of hex-3-yne and CO₂ at the (TMED)Ni(0)-fragment (TMED = N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylendiamine) is the formation of carbon monoxide and (TMED)Ni(CO₃). So it is possible to explain the generation of II (TMED)Ni(diethylmalicacidanhydride) and III (a nickel trimer with two (TMED)Ni(CO₃) units). Both complexes are characterized by X-ray analysis. The reduction of CO₂ to CO most likely proceeds via an intermediate in which two molecules of carbon dioxide are coupled head-to-tail to form a metallacycle. An ab initio scf geometry optimization supports the existence of such an intermediate.     

Synthesis and screening of a molecularly imprinted polymer library targeted for penicillin G

A library of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) was synthesized by radical bulk polymerization using the beta-lactam antibiotic penicillin G as the template. Diversity of the library was obtained by combining various functionalized monomers and cross-linkers and by varying the stoichiometry and the concentration of the components in the prepolymerization mixtures. The library was screened for selectivity to penicillin G by a radioligand binding assay and was compared to a corresponding control library. The best MIP candidate, showing the highest selectivity for penicillin G, was prepared from methacrylic acid and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate as the functionalized monomer and cross-linker, respectively. Cross-reactivity studies with other beta-lactam antibiotics showed a low cross-reactivity of penicillin V (15%), ampicillin (16%), and amoxicillin (19%). Nafcillin and oxacillin showed less cross-reactivity (<1%). Cross-reaction with a cephalosporin antibiotic (cephapirin) and structurally nonrelated antibiotics (chloramphenicol, tetracycline, dapsone, and erythromycin) was less than 0.01%.