Determination of Kerr and two-photon absorption coefficients of ABI thin films

This material is based upon work supported by the ERDF 1.1.1.1 activity project Nr. 1.1.1.1/16/A/046 “Application assessment of novel organic materials by prototyping of photonic devices”In this paper we report the results of studied nonlinear optical properties of DMABI-Ph6 in form of solutions with chloroform as solvent and guest-host thin films with poly(methyl methacrylate) as host material. We implemented the Zscan method for studies of Kerr and two-photon absorption of selected material. During experimental measurements we used 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser with 30 ps pulse duration and 10 Hz repetition rate. From acquired values of Kerr coefficients we calculated values for real part of third-order susceptibility, as well as second-order hyperpolarizability. Acquired data for DMABI-Ph6 were compared with data for other ABI derivatives studied previously to describe how different donor and acceptor groups influence third-order nonlinear optical properties.CNRS,iCube,Investissements d'Avenir,Strasbourg the Europtimist,The Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE),Universit de Strasbourg; ERDF 1.1.1.1 activity project Nr. 1.1.1.1/16/A/046; Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia as the Center of Excellence has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017-TeamingPhase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART

Using energy to go downhill—a genoprotective role for ATPase activity in DNA topoisomerase II

Type II topoisomerases effect topological changes in DNA by cutting a single duplex, passing a second duplex through the break, and resealing the broken strand in an ATP-coupled reaction cycle. Curiously, most type II topoisomerases (topos II, IV and VI) catalyze DNA transformations that are energetically favorable, such as the removal of superhelical strain; why ATP is required for such reactions is unknown. Here, using human topoisomerase IIβ (hTOP2β) as a model, we show that the ATPase domains of the enzyme are not required for DNA strand passage, but that their loss elevates the enzyme's propensity for DNA damage. The unstructured C-terminal domains (CTDs) of hTOP2β strongly potentiate strand passage activity in ATPase-less enzymes, as do cleavage-prone mutations that confer hypersensitivity to the chemotherapeutic agent etoposide. The presence of either the CTD or the mutations lead ATPase-less enzymes to promote even greater levels of DNA cleavage in vitro, as well as in vivo. By contrast, aberrant cleavage phenotypes of these topo II variants is significantly repressed when the ATPase domains are present. Our findings are consistent with the proposal that type II topoisomerases acquired ATPase function to maintain high levels of catalytic activity while minimizing inappropriate DNA damage

Mach-Zehnder interferometer implementation for thermo-optical and Kerr effect study

Scientific Research Project for Students and Young Researchers Nr. SJZ/2016/10; National Research Program “Multifunctional Materials and Composites, Photonics and Nanotechnology” (IMIS2) project “Photonics and materials for photonics”.In this paper, we propose the Mach–Zehnder interferometric method for third-order nonlinear optical and thermo-optical studies. Both effects manifest themselves as refractive index dependence on the incident light intensity and are widely employed for multiple opto-optical and thermo-optical applications. With the implemented method, we have measured the Kerr and thermo-optical coefficients of chloroform under CW, ns and ps laser irradiance. The application of lasers with different light wavelengths, pulse duration and energy allowed us to distinguish the processes responsible for refractive index changes in the investigated solution. Presented setup was also used for demonstration of opto-optical switching. Results from Mach–Zehnder experiment were compared to Z-scan data obtained in our previous studies. Based on this, a quality comparison of both methods was assessed and advantages and disadvantages of each method were analyzed.Scientific Research Project for Students and Young Researchers Nr. SJZ/2016/10; National Research Program IMIS2; Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia as the Center of Excellence has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017-TeamingPhase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART

Integrated Backward Second-Harmonic Generation Through Optically Induced Quasi-Phase Matching

Quasi-phase-matching for efficient backward second-harmonic generation (BSHG) requires sub-$\rm\mu$m poling periods, a non-trivial fabrication feat. For the first time, we report integrated first-order quasi-phase-matched BSHG enabled by seeded all-optical poling. The self-organized grating inscription circumvents all fabrication challenges. We compare backward and forward processes and explain how grating period influences the conversion efficiency. These results showcase unique properties of the coherent photogalvanic effect and how it can bring new nonlinear functionalities to integrated photonics

All-Organic Waveguide Sensor for Volatile Solvent Sensing

This work was supported by ERDF 1.1.1.1 Activity Project Nr. 1.1.1.1/16/A/046 “Application assessment of novel organic materials by prototyping of photonic devices”. We acknowledge Igors MIHAILOVS for valuable discussions.An all-organic Mach-Zehnder waveguide device for volatile solvent sensing is presented. Optical waveguide devices offer a great potential for various applications in sensing and communications due to multiple advantageous properties such as immunity to electromagnetic interference, high efficiency, and low cost and size. One of the most promising areas for applications of photonic systems would be real-time monitoring of various hazardous organic vapor concentrations harmful to human being. The optical waveguide volatile solvent sensor presented here comprises a novel organic material applied as a cladding on an SU-8 waveguide core and can be used for sensing of different vapors such as isopropanol, acetone, and water. It is shown that the reason for the chemical sensing in device is the absorption of vapor into the waveguide cladding which in turn changes the waveguide effective refractive index. The presented waveguide device has small footprint and high sensitivity of the mentioned solvent vapor, particularly that of water. The preparation steps of the device as well as the sensing characteristics are presented and discussed.ERDF 1.1.1.1 Activity Project Nr. 1.1.1.1/16/A/046; Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia as the Center of Excellence has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017-TeamingPhase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART²https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs13320-019-0543-

All-organic electro-optic waveguide modulator comprising SU-8 and nonlinear optical polymer

Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (SJZ/2016/26); Ministry of Education and Science, Republic of Latvia (MultIfunctional Materials and composItes, photonicS and nanotechnology (IMIS2)). We acknowledge Dr. Anatolijs Sarakovskis at Institute of Solid State Physics for the XPS measurements.In this paper we describe the principles of operation as well as the fabrication and testing steps of an all-organic waveguide modulator. The modulator comprises an SU-8 core and an electro-optic host-guest polymer cladding. The polymer properties are tuned in order to achieve single mode operation. We used direct-write laser lithography in two steps for the preparation of the devices. The electro-optic coefficient of the polymer is estimated from observing the modulation of the device operated in push-pull mode.Latvijas Universitate, SJZ/2016/26; Ministry of Education and Science, Republic of Latvia IMIS2; Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia as the Center of Excellence has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017-TeamingPhase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART

Determination of Kerr and two-photon absorption coefficients of indandione derivatives

This material is based upon work supported by the ERDF 1.1.1.1 activity project Nr. 1.1.1.1/16/A/046 “Application assessment of novel organic materials by prototyping of photonic devices” as well as by National Research Program “Multifunctional Materials and Composites, Photonics and Nanotechnology” (IMIS2) project “Photonics and materials for photonics”.We studied nonlinear optical properties of two different aminobenziliden-1,3-indandione derivatives - DDMABI and DMABI-OH by employing the Z-scan method. Through this we described how different donor and acceptor groups influence third-order nonlinear optical properties such as Kerr effect and two-photon absorption. During experimental measurements we used 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser with 30 ps pulse duration and 10 Hz repetition rate. From acquired values of Kerr and two-photon absorption coefficients we calculated values for real and imaginary parts of third-order susceptibility, as well as second-order hyperpolarizability. Quantum chemical calculations were carried out for secondorder hyperpolarizability to study how well calculations correlate with experimental values. Acquired data for DDMABI and DMABI-OH were compared with data for other ABI derivatives studied previously.European Regional Development Fund 1.1.1.1 activity project Nr. 1.1.1.1/16/A/046; National Research Program IMIS2; Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia as the Center of Excellence has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017-TeamingPhase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART

Effects of an Unusual Poison Identify a Lifespan Role for Topoisomerase 2 in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

A progressive loss of genome maintenance has been implicated as both a cause and consequence of aging. Here we present evidence supporting the hypothesis that an age-associated decay in genome maintenance promotes aging in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) due to an inability to sense or repair DNA damage by topoisomerase 2 (yTop2). We describe the characterization of LS1, identified in a high throughput screen for small molecules that shorten the replicative lifespan of yeast. LS1 accelerates aging without affecting proliferative growth or viability. Genetic and biochemical criteria reveal LS1 to be a weak Top2 poison. Top2 poisons induce the accumulation of covalent Top2-linked DNA double strand breaks that, if left unrepaired, lead to genome instability and death. LS1 is toxic to cells deficient in homologous recombination, suggesting that the damage it induces is normally mitigated by genome maintenance systems. The essential roles of yTop2 in proliferating cells may come with a fitness trade-off in older cells that are less able to sense or repair yTop2-mediated DNA damage. Consistent with this idea, cells live longer when yTop2 expression levels are reduced. These results identify intrinsic yTop2-mediated DNA damage as a potentially manageable cause of aging

N-terminal and core-domain random mutations in human topoisomerase II α conferring bisdioxopiperazine resistance

AbstractRandom mutagenesis of human topoisomerase II α cDNA followed by functional expression in yeast cells lacking endogenous topoisomerase II activity in the presence of ICRF-187, identified five functional mutations conferring cellular bisdioxopiperazine resistance. The mutations L169F, G551S, P592L, D645N, and T996L confer >37, 37, 18, 14, and 19 fold resistance towards ICRF-187 in a 24 h clonogenic assay, respectively. Purified recombinant L169F protein is highly resistant towards catalytic inhibition by ICRF-187 in vitro while G551S, D645N, and T996L proteins are not. This demonstrates that cellular bisdioxopiperazine resistance can result from at least two classes of mutations in topoisomerase II; one class renders the protein non-responsive to bisdioxopiperazine compounds, while an other class does not appear to affect the catalytic sensitivity towards these drugs. In addition, our results indicate that different protein domains are involved in mediating the effect of bisdioxopiperazine compounds