Modeling nonlinear optical interactions of focused beams in bulk crystals and thin films: A phenomenological approach

Coherent nonlinear optical micro-spectroscopy is a frequently used tool in modern material science, as it is sensitive to many different local observables, which comprise, among others, crystal symmetry and vibrational properties. The richness in information, however, may come with challenges in data interpretation, as one has to disentangle the many different effects like multiple reflections, phase jumps at interfaces, or the influence of the Guoy-phase. In order to facilitate interpretation, the work presented here proposes an easy-to-use semi-analytical modeling ansatz, that bases upon known analytical solutions using Gaussian beams. Specifically, we apply this ansatz to compute nonlinear optical responses of (thin film) optical materials. We try to conserve the meaning of intuitive parameters like the Gouy-phase and the nonlinear coherent interaction length. In particular, the concept of coherence length is extended, which is a must when using focal beams. The model is subsequently applied to exemplary cases of second-harmonic and third-harmonic generation. We observe a very good agreement with experimental data and furthermore, despite the constraints and limits of the analytical ansatz, our model performs similarly well as when using more rigorous simulations. However, it outperforms the latter in terms of computational power, requiring more than three orders less computational time and less performant computer systems

Comparing Transmission- and Epi-BCARS: A Transnational Round Robin on Solid State Materials

Broadband coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (BCARS) is an advanced Raman spectroscopy method that combines the spectral sensitivity of spontaneous Raman scattering (SR) with the increased signal intensity of single-frequency coherent Raman techniques. These two features make BCARS particularly suitable for ultra-fast imaging of heterogeneous samples, as already shown in biomedicine. Recent studies demonstrated that BCARS also shows exceptional spectroscopic capabilities when inspecting crystalline materials like lithium niobate and lithium tantalate, and can be used for fast imaging of ferroelectric domain walls. These results strongly suggest the extension of BCARS towards new imaging applications like mapping defects, strain, or dopant levels, similar to standard SR imaging. Despite these advantages, BCARS suffers from a spurious and chemically unspecific non-resonant background (NRB) that distorts and shifts the Raman peaks. Post-processing numerical algorithms are then used to remove the NRB and to obtain spectra comparable to SR results. Here, we show the reproducibility of BCARS by conducting an internal Round Robin with two different BCARS experimental setups, comparing the results on different crystalline materials of increasing structural complexity: diamond, 6H-SiC, KDP, and KTP. First, we compare the detected and phase-retrieved signals, the setup-specific NRB-removal steps, and the mode assignment. Subsequently, we demonstrate the versatility of BCARS by showcasing how the selection of pump wavelength, pulse width, and detection geometry can be tailored to suit the specific objectives of the experiment. Finally, we compare and optimize measurement parameters for the high-speed, hyperspectral imaging of ferroelectric domain walls in lithium niobate.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figure

Property Optimization for TWIP Steels – Effect of Pre-deformation Temperature on Fatigue Properties

The current work investigates the impact of pre-deformation temperatures on the microstructure evolution and the subsequent cyclic stress-strain response of high-manganese steel showing twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) at room temperature (RT). Deformation at low temperatures increases the hardening rate at low to medium degrees of deformation through concurrent martensitic transformation. In contrast, high temperatures promote dislocation slip. Thus, employing pre-treatments at temperatures below and above RT leads to the evolution of considerably different microstructures. Low-cycle fatigue experiments revealed distinct differences for the pre-treated TWIP steels

Tricyanidoferrates(−IV) and ruthenates(−IV) with non‐innocent cyanido ligands

Exceptionally electron-rich, nearly trigonal-planar tricyanidometalate anions [Fe(CN)(3)](7-) and [Ru(CN)(3)](7-) were stabilized in LiSr3[Fe(CN)(3)] and AE(3.5)[M(CN)(3)] (AE=Sr, Ba; M=Fe, Ru). They are the first examples of group 8 elements with the oxidation state of -IV. Microcrystalline powders were obtained by a solid-state route, single crystals from alkali metal flux. While LiSr3[Fe(CN)(3)] crystallizes in P6(3)/m, the polar space group P6(3) with three-fold cell volume for AE(3.5)[M(CN)(3)] is confirmed by second harmonic generation. X-ray diffraction, IR and Raman spectroscopy reveal longer C-N distances (124-128 pm) and much lower stretching frequencies (1484-1634 cm(-1)) than in classical cyanidometalates. Weak C-N bonds in combination with strong M-C pi-bonding is a scheme also known for carbonylmetalates. Instead of the formal notation [Fe-IV(CN-)(3)](7-), quantum chemical calculations reveal non-innocent intermediate-valent CN1.67- ligands and a closed-shell d(10) configuration for Fe, that is, Fe2-

Characterization of human and rodent native and recombinant adenosine A2B receptors by radioligand binding studies

Adenosine A2B receptors of native human and rodent cell lines were investigated using [3H]PSB-298 [(8-{4-[2-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-2-oxoethoxy]phenyl}-1-propylxanthine] in radioligand binding studies. [3H]PSB-298 showed saturable and reversible binding. It exhibited a KD value of 60 ± 1 nM and limited capacity (Bmax = 3.511 fmol per milligram protein) at recombinant human adenosine A2B receptors expressed in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK-293). The addition of sodium chloride (100 mM) led to a threefold increase in the number of binding sites recognized by the radioligand. The curve of the agonist 5′-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) was shifted to the right in the presence of NaCl, while the curve of the antagonist PSB-298 was shifted to the left, indicating that PSB-298 may be an inverse agonist at A2B receptors. Adenosine A2B receptors were shown to be the major adenosine A2 receptor subtype on the mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma hybrid cell line NG108-15 cells. Binding studies at rat INS-1 cells (insulin secreting cell line) demonstrated that [3H]PSB-298 is a selective radioligand for adenosine A2B binding sites in this cell line

Tuning the Čerenkov second harmonic contrast from ferroelectric domain walls via anomalous dispersion

Second harmonic (SH) microscopy represents a powerful tool for the investigation of crystalline systems, such as ferroelectrics and their domain walls (DWs). Under the condition of normal dispersion, i.e., the refractive index at the SH wavelength is larger as compared to the refractive index at the fundamental wavelength, n(2ω) . n(ω), bulk crystals will generate no SH signal. Should the bulk, however, contain DWs, an appreciable SH signal will still be detectable at the location of DWs stemming from the Čerenkov mechanism. In this work, we demonstrate both how SH signals are generated in bulk media and how the Čerenkov mechanism can be inhibited by using anomalous dispersion, i.e., n(ω) . n(2ω). This allows us to quantitatively estimate the relative strength of the Čerenkov compared to other SH contrast mechanisms in DWs, such as the interference contrast. The results are in agreement with previous experiments based on the geometric separation of the signals. Due to the observed, strong Čerenkov contrast, such signal contributions may not be neglected in polarimetry studies of ferroelectric DWs in the future

CuO and Co3O4 Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterizations, and Raman Spectroscopy

Copper oxide and cobalt oxide (CuO, Co3O4) nanocrystals (NCs) have been successfully prepared in a short time using microwave irradiation without any postannealing treatment. Both kinds of nanocrystals (NCs) have been prepared using copper nitrate and cobalt nitrate as the starting materials and distilled water as the solvent. The resulted powders of nanocrystals (NCs) were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. The obtained results confirm the presence of the both of oxides nanopowders produced during chemical precipitation using microwave irradiation. A strong emission under UV excitation is obtained from the prepared CuO and Co3O4 nanoparticles. The results show that the nanoparticles have high dispersion and narrow size distribution. The line scans of atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of the nanocrystals (NCs) sprayed on GaAs substrates confirm the results of both X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, vibrational studies have been carried out using Raman spectroscopic technique. Specific Raman peaks have been observed in the CuO and Co3O4 nanostructures, and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the peaks indicates a small particle size of the nanocrystals