96 research outputs found
Multiple wavelength Er-doped twincore fibre loop laser
Multiwavelength laser operation of an inhomogeneously broadened Er-doped twincore fibre loop laser is demonstrated. Equal output power, separation 0.5nm and linewidth <10kHz was confirmed for each mode in a 3 wavelength laser. Up to 8 wavelength operation has been observed, demonstrating that twincore EDFAs can provide channel equalisation in an 8-channel multi-amplifier optical network
Photonic crystals of coated metallic spheres
It is shown that simple face-centered-cubic (fcc) structures of both metallic
and coated metallic spheres are ideal candidates to achieve a tunable complete
photonic bandgap (CPBG) for optical wavelengths using currently available
experimental techniques. For coated microspheres with the coating width to
plasma wavelength ratio and the coating and host
refractive indices and , respectively, between 1 and 1.47, one can
always find a sphere radius such that the relative gap width (gap
width to the midgap frequency ratio) is larger than 5% and, in some cases,
can exceed 9%. Using different coatings and supporting liquids, the width
and midgap frequency of a CPBG can be tuned considerably.Comment: 14 pages, plain latex, 3 ps figures, to appear in Europhys. Lett. For
more info on this subject see
http://www.amolf.nl/research/photonic_materials_theory/moroz/moroz.htm
ERK2 alone drives inflammatory pain but cooperates with ERK1 in sensory neuron survival
Extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) are highly homologous yet distinct components of signal transduction pathways known to regulate cell survival and function. Recent evidence indicates an isoform-specific role for ERK2 in pain processing and peripheral sensitization. However, the function of ERK2 in primary sensory neurons has not been directly tested. To dissect the isoform-specific function of ERK2 in sensory neurons, we used mice with Cre-loxP-mediated deletion of ERK2 in Na(v)1.8(+) sensory neurons that are predominantly nociceptors. We find that ERK2, unlike ERK1, is required for peripheral sensitization and cold sensation. We also demonstrate that ERK2, but not ERK1, is required to preserve epidermal innervation in a subset of peptidergic neurons. Additionally, deletion of both ERK isoforms in Na(v)1.8(+) sensory neurons leads to neuron loss not observed with deletion of either isoform alone, demonstrating functional redundancy in the maintenance of sensory neuron survival. Thus, ERK1 and ERK2 exhibit both functionally distinct and redundant roles in sensory neurons. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT ERK1/2 signaling affects sensory neuron function and survival. However, it was not clear whether ERK isoform-specific roles exist in these processes postnatally. Previous work from our laboratory suggested either functional redundancy of ERK isoforms or a predominant role for ERK2 in pain; however, the tools to discriminate between these possibilities were not available at the time. In the present study, we use new genetic knock-out lines to demonstrate that ERK2 in sensory neurons is necessary for development of inflammatory pain and for postnatal maintenance of peptidergic epidermal innervation. Interestingly, postnatal loss of both ERK isoforms leads to a profound loss of sensory neurons. Therefore, ERK1 and ERK2 display both functionally distinct and redundant roles in sensory neurons
Multipurpose silicon photonics signal processor core
[EN] Integrated photonics changes the scaling laws of information and communication systems
offering architectural choices that combine photonics with electronics to optimize
performance, power, footprint, and cost. Application-specific photonic integrated circuits,
where particular circuits/chips are designed to optimally perform particular functionalities,
require a considerable number of design and fabrication iterations leading to long
development times. A different approach inspired by electronic Field Programmable Gate
Arrays is the programmable photonic processor, where a common hardware implemented
by a two-dimensional photonic waveguide mesh realizes different functionalities through
programming. Here, we report the demonstration of such reconfigurable waveguide mesh in
silicon. We demonstrate over 20 different functionalities with a simple seven hexagonal cell
structure, which can be applied to different fields including communications, chemical and
biomedical sensing, signal processing, multiprocessor networks, and quantum information
systems. Our work is an important step toward this paradigm.J.C. acknowledges funding from the ERC Advanced Grant ERC-ADG-2016-741415
UMWP-Chip, I.G. acknowledges the funding through the Spanish MINECO Ramon y
Cajal program. D.P. acknowledges financial support from the UPV through the FPI
predoctoral funding scheme. D.J.T. acknowledges funding from the Royal Society for his
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Understanding the retinal basis of vision across species
The vertebrate retina first evolved some 500 million years ago in ancestral marine chordates. Since then, the eyes of different species have been tuned to best support their unique visuoecological lifestyles. Visual specializations in eye designs, large-scale inhomogeneities across the retinal surface and local circuit motifs mean that all species' retinas are unique. Computational theories, such as the efficient coding hypothesis, have come a long way towards an explanation of the basic features of retinal organization and function; however, they cannot explain the full extent of retinal diversity within and across species. To build a truly general understanding of vertebrate vision and the retina's computational purpose, it is therefore important to more quantitatively relate different species' retinal functions to their specific natural environments and behavioural requirements. Ultimately, the goal of such efforts should be to build up to a more general theory of vision
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