Pulse separation control for mode-locked far-infrared p-Ge lasers

Active mode locking of the far-infrared p-Ge laser giving a train of 200 ps pulses is achieved via gain modulation by applying an rf electric field together with an additional bias at one end of the crystal parallel to the Voigt-configured magnetic field. Harmonic mode locking yields a train of pulse pairs with variable time separation from zero to half the roundtrip period, where pulse separation is electrically controlled by the external bias to the rf field

Neutron transmutation doped far-infrared p-Ge laser

A far-infrared p-type germanium laser with active crystal prepared from ultra pure single-crystal Ge by neutron transmutation doping (NTD) is demonstrated. Calculations show that the high uniformity of Ga acceptor distribution achieved by NTD significantly improves average gain. The stronger ionized impurity scattering due to high compensation in NTD Ge is shown to have insignificant negative impact on the gain at the moderate doping concentrations sufficient for laser operation. Experimentally, this first NTD laser is found to have lower current-density lasing threshold than the best of a number of melt-doped laser crystals studied for comparison

A finite characterization of K -matrices in dimensions less than four

The class of real n × n matrices M , known as K -matrices, for which the linear complementarity problem w − Mz = q, w ≥ 0, z ≥ 0, w T z =0 has a solution whenever w − Mz =q, w ≥ 0, z ≥ 0 has a solution is characterized for dimensions n <4. The characterization is finite and ‘practical’. Several necessary conditions, sufficient conditions, and counterexamples pertaining to K -matrices are also given. A finite characterization of completely K -matrices ( K -matrices all of whose principal submatrices are also K -matrices) is proved for dimensions <4.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47913/1/10107_2005_Article_BF01589438.pd

Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometric detection of small Ca2+-induced conformational changes in the regulatory domain of human cardiac troponin C

AbstractTroponin C (TnC), a calcium-binding protein of the thin filament of muscle, plays a regulatory role in skeletal and cardiac muscle contraction. NMR reveals a small conformational change in the cardiac regulatory N-terminal domain of TnC (cNTnC) on binding of Ca2+ such that the total exposed hydrophobic surface area increases very slightly from 3090 ± 86 Å2 for apo-cNTnC to 3108 ± 71 Å2 for Ca2+-cNTnC. Here, we show that measurement of solvent accessibility for backbone amide protons by means of solution-phase hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange followed by pepsin digestion, high-performance liquid chromatography, and electrospray ionization high-field (9.4 T) Fourier transform Ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry is sufficiently sensitive to detect such small ligand binding-induced conformational changes of that protein. The extent of deuterium incorporation increases significantly on binding of Ca2+ for each of four proteolytic segments derived from pepsin digestion of the apo- and Ca2+-saturated forms of cNTnC. The present results demonstrate that H/D exchange monitored by mass spectrometry can be sufficiently sensitive to detect and identify even very small conformational changes in proteins, and should therefore be especially informative for proteins too large (or too insoluble or otherwise intractable) for NMR analysis

Intracavity Laser Absorption Spectroscopy Using Mid-Ir Quantum Cascade Laser

Intracavity Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (ICLAS) at IR wavelengths offers an opportunity for spectral sensing with sufficient sensitivity to detect vapors of low vapor pressure compounds such as explosives. Reported here are key enabling technologies for this approach, including multi-mode external-cavity quantum cascade lasers and a scanning Fabry-Perot spectrometer to analyze the laser mode spectrum in the presence of a molecular intracavity absorber. Reported also is the design of a compact integrated data acquisition and control system. Applications include military and commercial sensing for threat compounds, chemical gases, biological aerosols, drugs, and banned or invasive plants or animals, bio-medical breath analysis, and terrestrial or planetary atmosphere science. © 2011 SPIE

Infrared Intracavity Laser Absorption Spectrometer

A spectral sensing method with sufficient sensitivity to detect vapors of low vapor-pressure compounds such as explosives would have great promise for defense and security applications. An opportunity is Intracavity Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (ICLAS) at IR wavelengths. Our approach is based on multi-mode external-cavity quantum cascade lasers and a scanning Fabry-Perot spectrometer to analyze the laser mode spectrum in the presence of a narrow band intracavity absorber. This paper presents results of numerical solution of laser rate equations that support feasibility of kilometer effective active-cavity path lengths and sensitivity to concentrations of 10 ppb. This is comparable to the saturated vapor pressure of TNT. System design considerations and first experimental results are presented at 10 and 70 μm wavelengths. © 2010 Copyright SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering

Spectral Signatures Of Acetone Vapor From Ultraviolet To Millimeter Wavelengths

This paper presents comparative analysis of different wavelength ranges for the spectroscopic detection of acetone vapor. We collected and analyzed original absorption line spectra arising from electronic transitions in the ultraviolet, near-infrared vibrational overtones, mid-infrared fundamentals, THz torsional modes, and mm-wave rotational transitions. Peak absorption cross sections of prominent spectral features are determined. The relative merit of each spectral range for sensing is considered, taking into account the absorption strength, available technology, and possible interferences. © 2008 World Scientific Publishing Company

Spectral Signatures Of Acetone Vapor From Ultraviolet To Millimeter Wavelengths

This paper presents comparative analysis of different wavelength ranges for the spectroscopic detection of acetone vapor. We collected and analyzed original absorption line spectra arising from electronic transitions in the ultraviolet, near-infrared vibrational overtones, mid-infrared fundamentals, THz torsional modes, and mm-wave rotational transitions. Peak absorption cross sections of prominent spectral features are determined. The relative merit of each spectral range for sensing is considered, taking into account the absorption strength, available technology, and possible interferences

Evidence for self-mode-locking in p-Ge laser emission

Investigations of the dynamics of the far-infrared p-Ge laser emission reveal strong periodic soliton-like intensity spikes with less than 100 ps duration. We interpret these spikes as self-mode-locking of p-Ge laser modes. The effect becomes more pronounced when a GaAs/AlGaAs/InGaAs quantum well structure on a semi-insulating GaAs substrate is inserted into the laser cavity

Microscopic Processes in Relativistic Jets

Nonthermal radiation observed from astrophysical systems containing relativistic jets and shocks, e.g., gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), active galactic nuclei (AGNs), and Galactic microquasar systems usually have power-law emission spectra. Recent PIC simulations of relativistic electron-ion (electro-positron) jets injected into a stationary medium show that particle acceleration occurs within the downstream jet. In the collisionless relativistic shock particle acceleration is due to plasma waves and their associated instabilities (e.g., the Buneman instability, other two-streaming instability, and the Weibel (filamentation) instability) created in the shocks are responsible for particle (electron, positron, and ion) acceleration. The simulation results show that the Weibel instability is responsible for generating and amplifying highly nonuniform, small-scale magnetic fields. These magnetic fields contribute to the electron's transverse deflection behind the jet head. The 'jitter' radiation from deflected electrons has different properties than synchrotron radiation which is calculated in a uniform magnetic field. This jitter radiation may be important to understanding the complex time evolution and/or spectral structure in gamma-ray bursts, relativistic jets, and supernova remnants