Waveguiding and nonlinear optical properties of three-dimensional waveguides in LiTaO<inf>3</inf> written by high-repetition rate ultrafast laser

We report the fabrication of waveguides in lithium tantalate using a 250 kHz high-repetition rate ultrafast laser at 771 nm and the characterization of the resulting laser induced structure with second harmonic microscopy. Waveguides operating at the 1.5 μm telecommunication wavelength were formed above and below the focal volume using pulse energies ranging from 100 to 1.6 J and translation speeds from 100 μms to 5 mms. The second harmonic microscopy reveals no degradation of the electro-optic coefficient in the guiding region above the focal volume. © 2008 American Institute of Physics

Does International Investment Help Poverty Reduction in China?

This study analyzes effects of international investment on poverty reduction in China by testing a growth model with provincial data. Economic growth is the single most important factor influencing poverty reduction. Inward foreign direct investment (FDI) seems central to achieving that goal because it is a key ingredient for successful growth in China. FDI might reduce poverty through promoting economic growth and diffusing growth widely. Results of cross-section and panel estimates suggest that FDI is indeed an important source of China's economic growth and therefore a powerful force for poverty reduction. The more poverty could be reduced through government-led programs and polices that improve poor provinces' investment environments the more FDI is attracted.

International Production Networks and Export Performance in Developing Countries: Evidence from China

Developing countries may expand their exports through participating in international production networks organized by multinational corporations. China appears to have been successful with this approach in the past two decades. Its exports rose from $9.8 billion in 1978 (ranked as thirty-second in the world) to$762 billion in 2005 (the third-largest in the world). In the same period, accumulated foreign direct investment (FDI) flows into China increased from zero to $602 billion, and exports by foreign-invested enterprises in 2005 comprised 57 percent of China's total exports. FDI promotes China's exports mainly through labor-intensive processes and component specialization within vertically integrated international industries. However, the challenge facing China is how to increase domestic value added and how to upgrade its industry in international production networks.