Growth and low-threshold laser oscillation of an epitaxially grown Nd:YAG waveguide

We report 1064-µm laser operation of an epitaxially grown Nd:YAG planar waveguide with thresholds as low as ~0.7 mW when high-reflectivity mirrors are used. The output is single mode and, when a 83% reflectivity output coupler is used. has a diode pumped slope efficiency of ~40% Output powers in excess of 60 mW have been obtained when pumping with a Rhodamine 6G dye laser

Upconversion assisted self-pulsing in a high-concentration erbium doped fiber laser

We report results on experimental and theoretical characterisation of self-pulsing in high concentration erbium doped fibre laser which is free from erbium clusters. Unlike previous models of self-pulsing accounting for pair-induced quenching (PIQ) on the clustered erbium ions, new model has been developed with accounting for statistical nature of the excitation migration and upconversion and resonance-like pumpto-signal intensity noise transfer. The obtained results are in a good agreement with the experimental data

Using a patient prompt list to raise concerns in oncology clinics does not necessarily lead to longer consultations

Head and neck oncology post-treatment consultations form a critical component of care in terms of support and surveillance. They occur frequently in the first few years and can place substantial demands on healthcare resources. However, they provide useful opportunities for patients to raise issues and receive tailored information and support. The aim of this paper was to assess whether completion of a 56-item patient prompt list (PCI - the Patient Concerns Inventory) immediately prior to the consultation significantly increased its duration. This was a pragmatic cluster preference randomised controlled trial of 288 patients with 15 consultant clusters from two sites “using” (n = 8) or “not using” (n = 7) the PCI. Consultation times were known for 283 patients (136 PCI, 147 non-PCI) who attended their first post-treatment trial consultation a median (IQR) of 103 (70-160) days after the end of treatment. Consultations lasted a median (IQR) of 10 (7-13) minutes (mean 11) in non-PCI patients and a median (IQR) of 11 (8-15) minutes (mean 12) in PCI patients (p = 0.07). After adjustment for patient clustering and significant case mix, the 95% confidence interval for the mean difference was between 1.45 minutes shorter with the PCI and 2.98 minutes longer (p = 0.50). There was significant variation in duration by consultant, tumour stage, treatment mode, overall quality of life (QoL), and distress (all p < 0.001). In those who completed the PCI, duration increased with the total number of items selected (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the inclusion of a prompt list to help facilitate conversation with patients did not make a substantial difference to consultation times

Wideband-tuneable, nanotube mode-locked, fibre laser

Ultrashort-pulse lasers with spectral tuning capability have widespread applications in fields such as spectroscopy, biomedical research and telecommunications1–3. Mode-locked fibre lasers are convenient and powerful sources of ultrashort pulses4, and the inclusion of a broadband saturable absorber as a passive optical switch inside the laser cavity may offer tuneability over a range of wavelengths5. Semiconductor saturable absorber mirrors are widely used in fibre lasers4–6, but their operating range is typically limited to a few tens of nanometres7,8, and their fabrication can be challenging in the 1.3–1.5 mm wavelength region used for optical communications9,10. Single-walled carbon nanotubes are excellent saturable absorbers because of their subpicosecond recovery time, low saturation intensity, polarization insensitivity, and mechanical and environmental robustness11–16. Here, we engineer a nanotube–polycarbonate film with a wide bandwidth (>300 nm) around 1.55 mm, and then use it to demonstrate a 2.4 ps Er31-doped fibre laser that is tuneable from 1,518 to 1,558 nm. In principle, different diameters and chiralities of nanotubes could be combined to enable compact, mode-locked fibre lasers that are tuneable over a much broader range of wavelengths than other systems

Direct Simulation of a Solidification Benchmark Experiment

International audienceA solidification benchmark experiment is simulated using a three-dimensional cellular automaton-finite element solidification model. The experiment consists of a rectangular cavity containing a Sn-3 wt pct Pb alloy. The alloy is first melted and then solidified in the cavity. A dense array of thermocouples permits monitoring of temperatures in the cavity and in the heat exchangers surrounding the cavity. After solidification, the grain structure is revealed by metallography. X-ray radiography and inductively coupled plasma spectrometry are also conducted to access a distribution map of Pb, or macrosegregation map. The solidification model consists of solutions for heat, solute mass, and momentum conservations using the finite element method. It is coupled with a description of the development of grain structure using the cellular automaton method. A careful and direct comparison with experimental results is possible thanks to boundary conditions deduced from the temperature measurements, as well as a careful choice of the values of the material properties for simulation. Results show that the temperature maps and the macrosegregation map can only be approached with a three-dimensional simulation that includes the description of the grain structure

Factorial structure of the A.M.D.P.: comparison with German language studies and originality of the French adaptation

Validated the results of a previous analysis of 337 Association for Methodology and Documentation in Psychiatry (AMDP)-V system Ss and 388 AMDP-IV system Ss with a sample of 493 Ss. The factorial structure of the French version of the AMDP has 10 psychopathological factors (AMDP-IV) and 3 somatic factors (AMDP-V) independent of the psychopathological factors. 23 rare or inestimable items were found, including neologisms, certain types of hallucinations, self-mutilations, sexual deviations, allergic reactions, tardive dyskinesias, hypersalivation, hypotonia, ataxia, and nystagmus. Minor modifications to the syndromic scale of the AMDP are proposed to standardize its factorial structure, to avoid misunderstandings, and to improve international comprehension of AMDP terminology.Sur un échantillon de 493 malades évalués à l'aide des échelles A.M.D.P. psychopathologique (A.M.D.P.-4) et somatique (A.M.D.P.-5), nous confirmions les conclusions d'une première analyse limitée à 3371388 patients. La structure factorielle de l' A.M.D.P. francophone comporte 10 facteurs psychopathologiques (dont 2 générés par les items francophones de réserve : anxiété, dramatisation) et 3 facteurs somatiques indépendants des facteurs psychopathologiques (dont 1 facteur de plaintes somatiques comparable au facteur hypocondrie des auteurs de langue allemande). Cette analyse nous conduit à apporter des modifications mineures à l'échelle syndromique de l' A.M.D.P., qui nous permet d'étalonner les notes factorielles grâce à l'évaluation quantitative globale des syndromes cliniques correspondants. Les intitulés de certains facteurs sont modifiés de manière à éviter des malentendus et à améliorer l'identité internationale de la terminologie A.M.D.P. En bref, la présente analyse démontre la double complémentarité entre les échelles psychopathologique et somatique d'une part, entre les versions germanophone et francophone d'autre part