Quantum spectroscopy of plasmonic nanostructures

We use frequency entangled photons, generated via spontaneous parametric down conversion, to measure the broadband spectral response of an array of gold nanoparticles exhibiting Fano-type plasmon resonance. Refractive index sensing of a liquid is performed by measuring the shift of the array resonance. This method is robust in excessively noisy conditions compared with conventional broadband transmission spectroscopy. Detection of a refractive index change is demonstrated with a noise level 70 times higher than the signal, which is shown to be inaccessible with the conventional transmission spectroscopy. Use of low photon fluxes makes this method suitable for measurements of photosensitive bio-samples and chemical substances.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure

Measurement of infrared optical constants with visible photons

We demonstrate a new scheme of infrared spectroscopy with visible light sources and detectors. The technique relies on the nonlinear interference of correlated photons, produced via spontaneous parametric down conversion in a nonlinear crystal. Visible and infrared photons are split into two paths and the infrared photons interact with the sample under study. The photons are reflected back to the crystal, resembling a conventional Michelson interferometer. Interference of the visible photons is observed and it is dependent on the phases of all three interacting photons: pump, visible and infrared. The transmission coefficient and the refractive index of the sample in the infrared range can be inferred from the interference pattern of visible photons. The method does not require the use of potentially expensive and inefficient infrared detectors and sources, it can be applied to a broad variety of samples, and it does not require a priori knowledge of sample properties in the visible range

Crosstalk calibration of multi-pixel photon counters using coherent states

We present a novel method of calibration of crosstalk probability for multi-pixel photon counters (MPPCs) based on the measurement of the normalized second-order intensity correlation function of coherent light. The method was tested for several MPPCs, and was shown to be advantageous over the traditional calibration method based on the measurements of the dark noise statistics. The method can be applied without the need of modification for different kinds of spatially resolved single photon detectors.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, 2 table

Measurement of two-mode squeezing with photon number resolving multi-pixel detectors

The measurement of the two-mode squeezed vacuum generated in an optical parametric amplifier (OPA) was performed with photon number resolving Multi-Pixel Photon Counters (MPPCs). Implementation of the MPPCs allows for the observation of noise reduction in a broad dynamic range of the OPA gain, which is inaccessible with standard single photon avalanche photodetectors.Comment: Accepted for Optics Letter

Nonlinear polarization dynamics in a weakly birefringent all-normal dispersion photonic crystal fiber : toward a practical coherent fiber supercontinuum laser

Dispersion-flattened dispersion-decreased all-normal dispersion (DFDD-ANDi) photonic crystal fibers have been identified as promising candidates for high-spectral-power coherent supercontinuum (SC) generation. However, the effects of the unintentional birefringence of the fibers on the SC generation have been ignored. This birefringence is widely present in nonlinear non-polarization maintaining fibers with a typical core size of 2 µm, presumably due to the structural symmetry breaks introduced in the fiber drawing process. We find that an intrinsic form-birefringence on the order of 10(−5) profoundly affects the SC generation in a DFDD-ANDi photonic crystal fiber. Conventional simulations based on the scalar generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equation (GNLSE) fail to reproduce the prominent observed features of the SC generation in a short piece (9-cm) of this fiber. However, these features can be qualitatively or semi-quantitatively understood by the coupled GNLSE that takes into account the form-birefringence. The nonlinear polarization effects induced by the birefringence significantly distort the otherwise simple spectrotemporal field of the SC pulses. We therefore propose the fabrication of polarization-maintaining DFDD-ANDi fibers to avoid these adverse effects in pursuing a practical coherent fiber SC laser

Standards of specialized diabetes care. Edited by Dedov I.I., Shestakova M.V., Mayorov A.Yu. 9th edition

Dear Colleagues! We are glad to present the 9th Edition (revised) of Standards of Diabetes Care. These evidence-based guidelines were designed to standardize and facilitate diabetes care in all regions of the Russian Federation. The Standards are updated on the regular basis to incorporate new data and relevant recommendations from national and international clinical societies, including World Health Organization Guidelines (WHO, 2011, 2013), International Diabetes Federation (IDF, 2011, 2012, 2013), American Diabetes Association (ADA, 2018, 2019), American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE, 2019), International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD, 2014, 2018) and Russian Association of Endocrinologists (RAE, 2011, 2012, 2015). Current edition of the “Standards” also integrates results of completed randomized clinical trials (ADVANCE, ACCORD, VADT, UKPDS, SAVOR, TECOS, LEADER, EXAMINE, ELIXA, SUSTAIN, DEVOTE, EMPA-REG OUTCOME, CANVAS, DECLARE, CARMELINA, REWIND, etc.), as well as findings from the national studies of diabetes mellitus (DM), conducted in close partnership with a number of Russian hospitals. Latest data indicates that prevalence of DM in the world increased during the last decade more than two-fold, reaching some 463 million patients by the end of 2019. According to the current estimation by the International Diabetes Federation, 578 million patients will be suffering from diabetes mellitus by by 2030 and 700 million by 2045. Like many other countries, Russian Federation experiences a sharp rise in the prevalence of DM. According to Russian Federal Diabetes Register, there are at least 4 584 575 patients with DM in this country by the end of 2018 (3,1% of population) with 92% (4 238 503) – Type 2 DM, 6% (256 202) – Type 1 DM and 2% (89 870) – other types of DM, including 8 006 women with gestational DM. However, these results underestimates real quantity of patients, because they consider only registered cases. Results of Russian epidemiological study (NATION) con- firmed that only 54% of Type 2 DM are diagnosed. So real number of patients with DM in Russia is 9 million patients (about 6% of population). This is a great long-term problem, because a lot of patients are not diagnosed, so they don’t receive any treatment ant have high risk of vascular complications. Severe consequences of the global pandemics of DM include its vascular complications: nephropathy, retinopathy, coronary, cerebral, coronary and peripheral vascular disease. These conditions are responsible for the majority of cases of diabetes-related disability and death. In сurrent edition of the “Standards”: New goals of glycemic control for the elderly, based on the presence of functional dependence, as well as for pregnant women, children and adolescents, are given. Added a snippet that describes the continuous glucose monitoring. Only low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level is used as a target for lipid metabolism. Proposes more stringent target levels of blood pressure. It also features updated guidelines on stratification of treatment in newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes: the excess of the initial level of HbA1c over the target level was used as a criterion. In the recommendations for the personalization of the choice of antidiabetic agents, it is taken into account that in certain clinical situations (the presence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors, chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease, obesity, the risk of hypoglycemia) certain classes of hypoglycemic agents (or individual drugs) have proven advantages. Recommendations for psychosocial support are added. The position of metabolic surgery as a method of treatment of DM with morbid obesity is updated. Recommendations for diagnostic and treatment of hypogonadism syndrome in men with DM are added. For the first time, evidence levels of confidence and credibility levels of recommendations for diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative and preventive interventions based on a systematic review of the literature are given in accordance with the recommendations of the Center for Healthcare Quality Assessment and Control of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. This text represents a consensus by the absolute majority of national experts, achieved through a number of fruitful discus- sions held at national meetings and forums. These guidelines are intended for endocrinologists, primary care physicians and other medical professionals involved in the treatment of DM. On behalf of the Working Grou