Observation of asymmetric spectrum broadening induced by silver nanoparticles in a heavy-metal oxide glass

We demonstrate experimentally and support by a theoretical analysis an effect of asymmetric spectrum broadening, which results from doping of silver nanoparticles into a heavy-glass matrix, 90(0.5WO3-0.3SbPO4-0.2PbO)-10AgCl. The strong dispersion of the effective nonlinear coefficient of the composite significantly influences the spectral broadening via the self-phase modulation, and leads to a blue upshift of the spectrum. Further extension of the spectrum towards shorter wavelengths is suppressed by a growing loss caused by the plasmon resonance in the silver particles. The red-edge spectral broadening is dominated by the stimulated Raman Scattering.Comment: Accepted for publishing epl13477; EPL Journal 201

Routes to multiphoton double ionization in combined extreme ultraviolet and infrared laser pulses

Xenon multiphoton double ionization pathways are studied in a reaction microscope using a pump-probe arrangement of extreme ultraviolet high harmonic and infrared laser radiation. The momentum of photoelectrons is recorded in coincidence with singly or doubly charged ions. Among all possible routes to multiphoton double ionization, sequential processes using ionic excited states as intermediate steps are clearly identified

Communication: XUV transient absorption spectroscopy of iodomethane and iodobenzene photodissociation

Time-resolved extreme ultraviolet (XUV) transient absorption spectroscopy of iodomethane and iodobenzene photodissociation at the iodine pre-N4,5 edge is presented, using femtosecond UV pump pulses and XUV probe pulses from high harmonic generation. For both molecules the molecular core-to-valence absorption lines fade immediately, within the pump-probe time-resolution. Absorption lines converging to the atomic iodine product emerge promptly in CH3I but are time-delayed in C6H5I. We attribute this delay to the initial π → σ* excitation in iodobenzene, which is distant from the iodine reporter atom. We measure a continuous shift in energy of the emerging atomic absorption lines in CH3I, attributed to relaxation of the excited valence shell. An independent particle model is used to rationalize the observed experimental findings

Reaching the nonlinear regime of Raman amplification of ultrashort laser pulses

The intensity of a subpicosecond laser pulse was amplified by a factor of up to 1000 using the Raman backscatter interaction in a 2 mm long gas jet plasma. The process of Raman amplification reached the nonlinear regime, with the intensity of the amplified pulse exceeding that of the pump pulse by more than an order of magnitude. Features unique to the nonlinear regime such as gain saturation, bandwidth broadening, and pulse shortening were observed. Simulation and theory are in qualitative agreement with the measurements.open695

Multiorder coherent Raman scattering of a quantum probe field

We study the multiorder coherent Raman scattering of a quantum probe field in a far-off-resonance medium with a prepared coherence. Under the conditions of negligible dispersion and limited bandwidth, we derive a Bessel-function solution for the sideband field operators. We analytically and numerically calculate various quantum statistical characteristics of the sideband fields. We show that the multiorder coherent Raman process can replicate the statistical properties of a single-mode quantum probe field into a broad comb of generated Raman sidebands. We also study the mixing and modulation of photon statistical properties in the case of two-mode input. We show that the prepared Raman coherence and the medium length can be used as control parameters to switch a sideband field from one type of photon statistics to another type, or from a non-squeezed state to a squeezed state and vice versa.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, to be published in Phys. Rev.

Disability quotas: past or future policy?

This article considers the issues associated with the use of quota systems for the employment of workers with a disability. It examines the use and experiences of such quotas in Italy, Russia and the United Kingdom. Italy has a long established quota for the employment of such workers, whilst the modern Russian system it is a more recent innovation. In contrast the UK abandoned its quotas in the 1990s. We draw on the experiences of the three countries to consider generally whether the use of quotas is either an acceptable means of encouraging employers to take on disabled workers, or is necessary to achieve this objective

Особенности распространения подповерхностных и поверхностных волн в объектах со слоистой структурой. Ч. 1. Влияние геометрических параметров объекта

Application of surface and subsurface waves for control of objects with a double-layer structure allows to extend possibilities of diagnostics of their physico-mechanical properties. The purpose of work was to determine conditions and offer recommendations providing measuring of ultrasonic velocity and amplitude of the former modes in protective layers and in basis of object at one-sided access to its surface.The analysis of an acoustic path of a measuring system in relation to ultrasonic evaluation of the objects having the restricted sizes and the protective coating according to velocity data of the surface and subsurface waves propagation is made. On the basis of representations of beam acoustics the dependences connecting a wavelength of the excited surface and subsurface modes, thickness and width of a controlled object, acoustic base of a sounding are defined. There are to provide a condition leveling of the influence of an acoustical noise created by the reflected and accompanying waves on parameters of acoustic signal with the given quantity of oscillations in an impulse.The principle opportunity is shown and conditions for determination of velocity of subsurface body waves in the base material which is under a protective coating layer are established. For these purposes on the basis of use of the block of ultrasonic probes the optimum scheme of a sounding is offered and the analytical expression for calculation of required velocity considering varying of thickness of a covering is received.The method of acoustical measuring realized by a direct and reverse sounding of the objects with small aperture and angle probes was analysed and formulas for determination of speed of subsurface wave under protective layer of the wedge form have been got. An ultrasonic device is suggested for the excitationreception of subsurface waves with different speed in objects (on 20–35 %) using for the acoustic concordance of environments of metallic sound duct as a wedge. Possibility of leveling of interference in a protective layer to control efects in basis of material by a volume wave by creation of supporting echo-signal of longitudinal wave of the set frequency and entered normally to the surface of object was studied.Применение поверхностных и подповерхностных волн для контроля изделий с двухслойной структурой позволяет расширить возможности диагностирования физико-механических свойств объектов. Цель работы состояла в установлении условий и выдаче рекомендаций, обеспечивающих измерение скорости и амплитуды упругих мод в защитном покрытии и в основе объекта при одностороннем доступе к его поверхности.На основе представлений лучевой акустики проанализирован акустический тракт и получены соотношения между геометрическими параметрами объектов, акустической базой прозвучивания, длиной волны упругих мод, количеством осцилляций в импульсе, необходимые для нивелирования акустического шума при акустических измерениях.Проведено сопоставление данных расчетной модели с опытными данными, предложенными для использования в качестве опорных для определения оптимальных условий измерения скорости упругих мод, амплитуды, спектра сигнала и др. Изучены условия устранения паразитного влияния вращающихся мод на измерения при осевом прозвучивании поверхностной волной цилиндрического объекта.Проанализирован способ измерений, реализуемый путем прямого и обратного прозвучивания объекта малоапертурными и наклонными преобразователями, и получены выражения для определения скорости подповерхностной волны под защитным покрытием в виде клина. Предложено ультразвуковое устройство для возбуждения-приема поверхностных волн с разной скоростью распространения в объектах (изменяющейся на 20–35 %), использующее для акустического согласования сред металлического звукопровода в виде клина. Изучена возможность нивелирования влияния интерференции в защитном слое на выявляемость дефектов в основе материала объемной волной путем создания опорного эхо-сигнала продольной волны заданной частоты и вводимой нормально к поверхности объекта

Test Results of Fuel Additive in the Boiler with Grate Firing of Coal

В настоящее время в отечественной теплоэнергетике отсутствует опыт применения топливных присадок для повышения эффективности топливоиспользования в угольных котлах. Однако за рубежом данное направление увеличения эффективности сжигания твердых топлив получило широкое распространение, что, в первую очередь, обусловлено поиском технологий «экологизации» использования «грязного» угля. В статье приводятся результаты промышленных испытаний комплексной топливной присадки катализирующего и модифицирующего действия на угольном котле КВ-р-11.63-115 в одной из котельных г. Новокузнецка Кемеровской области. По результатам испытаний зафиксировано повышение к.п.д. брутто котельного агрегата на 5,1 % (абс.) при соответствующем снижении расхода условного топлива на выработку единицы тепловой энергии. Применение присадки привело также к очистке экранных труб от слоя натрубных отложений и изменению структуры образующегося при сгорании угля шлака, который стал более однородным и без очагов агломерацииNow the domestic heat-and-power engineering has no experience of use of fuel additives to increase efficiency of fuel usage in coal boilers. However abroad this direction of increase in efficiency of combustion of solid fuels has been widely adopted, that, first of all, is caused by search of technologies for “ecologization” of use of “dirty” coal. The article contains the results of industrial tests of complex fuel additive of catalyzing and modifying action in the coal boiler KV-r-11.63-115 in one of the boiler houses in Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo region. The test results showed increase in gross efficiency of the boiler unit for 5,1 % (abs.) along with the corresponding decrease in consumption of coal fuel to produce one unit of heat energy. Application of the additive also led to cleaning of furnace tube from a layer of deposits and changing of structure of slag formed at combustion of coal which became more homogeneous and without agglomeration center

Africa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic : A review of the nature of the virus, impacts and implications for preparedness

Background: COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc in different countries across the world, claiming thousands of lives, increasing morbidity and disrupting lifestyles. The global scientific community is in urgent need of relevant evidence, to understand the challenges and knowledge gaps, as well as the opportunities to contain the spread of the virus. Considering the unique socio-economic, demographic, political, ecological and climatic contexts in Africa, the responses which may prove to be successful in other regions may not be appropriate on the continent. This paper aims to provide insight for scientists, policy makers and international agencies to contain the virus and to mitigate its impact at all levels. Methods: The Affiliates of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), came together to synthesize the current evidence, identify the challenges and opportunities to enhance the understanding of the disease. We assess the potential impact of this pandemic and the unique challenges of the disease on African nations. We examine the state of Africa’s preparedness and make recommendations for steps needed to win the war against this pandemic and combat potential resurgence. Results: We identified gaps and opportunities among cross-cutting issueswhich must be addressed or harnessed in this pandemic. Factors such as the nature of the virus and the opportunities for drug targeting, point of care diagnostics, health surveillance systems, food security, mental health, xenophobia and gender-based violence, shelter for the homeless, water and sanitation, telecommunications challenges, domestic regional coordination and financing. Conclusion: Based on our synthesis of the current evidence, while there are plans for preparedness in several African countries, there are significant limitations. A multi-sectoral efforts from the science, education, medical, technology, communication, business, and industry sectors, as well as local communities, must work collaboratively to assist countries in order to win this fight