New UXO Detector with Metal-discrimination Option

A forerunner in the field of metal detection, Vallon GmbH has recently developed the VMXC1—an unexploded-ordnance detector specifically designed to determine the presence of submunitions. The detector’ innovative metal-discrimination option allows for fewer false alarms during UXO clearance. Field results of the new detector are discussed below

Hybrid nanoantennas for directional emission enhancement

Plasmonic and dielectric nanoparticles offer complementary strengths regarding their use as optical antenna elements. While plasmonic nanoparticles are well-known to provide strong decay rate enhancement for localized emitters, all-dielectric nanoparticles can enable high directivity combined with low losses. Here, we suggest a hybrid metal-dielectric nanoantenna consisting of a gold nanorod and a silicon nanodisk, which combines all these advantages. Our numerical analysis reveals a giant enhancement of directional emission together with simultaneously high radiation efficiency (exceeding 70%). The suggested hybrid nanoantenna has a subwavelength footprint, and all parameters and materials are chosen to be compatible with fabrication by two-step electron-beam lithography.The authors acknowledge a support from the Australian Research Council

Current controversies in radiotherapy for breast cancer

Multimodal treatment approaches have substantially improved the outcome of breast cancer patients in the last decades. Radiotherapy is an integral component of multimodal treatment concepts used in curative and palliative intention in numerous clinical situations from precursor lesions such as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to advanced breast cancer. This review addresses current controversial topics in radiotherapy with special consideration of DCIS, accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) and regional nodal irradiation (RNI) and provides an update on the clinical practice guidelines of the Breast Cancer Expert Panel of the German Society of Radiation Oncology (DEGRO)

Nachwuchsmangel im baden-württembergischen Handwerk : Endbericht

Das baden-württembergische Handwerk erwartet einen zunehmenden Mangel an qualifiziertem Nachwuchs. Diese in Anbetracht der absehbaren demographischen Veränderungen bedrohliche Entwicklung war Anlass für eine Studie der Akademie für Technikfolgenabschätzung (TA-Akademie), die in enger Zusammenarbeit mit dem Baden-Württembergischen Handwerkstag (BWHT) und dem Wirtschaftsministerium in Baden-Württemberg erstellt wurde. Für diese Studie wurden rund 1100 Schüler aller Schularten in vier Bezirken Baden-Württembergs sowie landesweit 1100 Auszubildende des Handwerks befragt

Fluorescent Er2O3 doped lead silicate glass for optical amplifiers

A hot-pressing method is investigated for the fabrication of a planar optical waveguide amplifier. Therefore commercially available LaSFN15 produced by Schott is used as substrate and cladding material in combination with Er2O3 doped lead silicate glass as core material, synthesised by a hybrid sol-gel melting technique. The lead silicate glass is selected for its low melting temperature required for the waveguide processing. The core glass is adapted to the LaSFN15 with respect to the thermal expansion coefficient and the refractive index. The composition suited for the hot-pressing technology is evaluated to be 45 mole% PbO and 55 mole% SiO2. The influence of increasing Er2O3 content to these parameters is compensated by changing the molar ratio of PbO/SiO2. The optimal composition of the doped core glass is found out to be a glass containing around 3 wt.% Er2O3 because concentration quenching accurs above

Electrically tunable all-dielectric optical metasurfaces based on liquid crystals

We demonstrate electrical tuning of the spectral response of a Mie-resonant dielectric metasurface consisting of silicon nanodisks embedded into liquid crystals. We use the reorientation of nematic liquid crystals in a moderate applied electric field to alter the anisotropic permittivity tensor around the metasurface. By switching a control voltage “on” and “off,” we induce a large spectral shift of the metasurface resonances, resulting in an absolute transmission modulation of up to 75%. Our experimental demonstration of voltage control of dielectric metasurfaces paves the way for new types of electrically tunable metadevices, including dynamic displays and holograms