Excitation with a focused, pulsed optical beam in scattering media: diffraction effects

To gain a better understanding of the spatiotemporal problems that are encountered in two-photon excitation fluorescence imaging through highly scattering media, we investigate how diffraction affects the three-dimensional intensity distribution of a focused, pulsed optical beam propagating inside a scattering medium. In practice, the full potential of the two-photon excitation fluorescence imaging is unrealized at long scattering depths, owing to the unwanted temporal and spatial broadening of the femtosecond excitation light pulse that reduces the energy density at the geometric focus while it increases the excitation energy density in the out-of-focus regions. To analyze the excitation intensity distribution, we modify the Monte Carlo-based photon-transport model to a semi-quantum-mechanical representation that combines the wave properties of light with the particle behavior of the propagating photons. In our model the propagating photon is represented by a plane wave with its propagation direction in the scattering medium determined by the Monte Carlo technique. The intensity distribution in the focal region is given by the square of the linear superposition of the various plane waves that arrive at different incident angles and optical path lengths. In the absence of scattering, the propagation model yields the intensity distribution that is predicted by the Huygens-Fresnel principle. We quantify the decrease of the energy density delivered at the geometric focus as a function of the optical depth to the mean-free-path ratio that yields the average number of scattering events that a photon encounters as it propagates toward the focus. Both isotropic and anisotropic scattering media are considered. Three values for the numerical aperture (NA) of the focusing lens are considered: NA = 0.25, 0.5, 0.75.     

Effect of additions of zinc stearate on the properties of sintered Nd-Fe-B magnets

Zinc stearate additions have been used to increase the remanence of sintered Nd-Fe-B magnets produced by the powder metallurgy without powder pressing. Zinc stearate acts as an internal lubricant, i.e., it decreases the friction forces between the particles and favors an increase in the degree of texture of the powders, which is induced by the magnetic field. It is shown that the density and the magnetic hysteresis characteristics of sintered magnets produced using additions of 0.15 wt % zinc stearate exceeds the corresponding values obtained for magnets produced without this addition at a filling density of powders in containers of more than 2.9 and 3.0 g/cm³ in dry and wet states, respectively. Using additions of zinc stearate in the amount of 0.15% with respect to the weight of the powder, magnets with a density of 7.55 g/cm³, B _r = 14.02 kG, H _c = 7.91 kOe, and (BH)_max = 46.1 MG Oe have been produced.     

Transition from the type-II broken-gap heterojunction to the staggered one in the GaInAsSb/InAs(GaSb) system

Conditions for the transition from the staggered heterojunction to the type-II broken-gap one were considered for isolated Ga_1?x In_xAs_ySb_1?y /InAs(GaSb) heterostructures in relation to the quaternary alloy composition. Energy-band diagrams of such heterojunctions were estimated and energy band offsets Δ at the heterointerface were determined. It was experimentally found that the type-II broken-gap heterojunction in the Ga_1?x In_xAs_ySb_1?y /p-InAs structure is observed in the entire range of composition parameters under study, 0.03 < x < 0.23, and becomes staggered in the range 0.3 < x < 1. In p-Ga_1?x In_xAs_ySb_1?y /p-GaSb heterostructures with the indium content 0.85 < x < 0.92 in the solid phase, the p-type conductivity is observed, which is indicative of the staggered heterojunction. At x > 0.92, the contribution of electrons of the semimetal channel at the heterointerface to the total conductivity was observed, as well as the transition from the staggered heterojunction to the type-II broken-gap one.     

Long-wavelength photodiodes based on <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-GaSb/<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-GaInAsSb/<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-AlGaAsSb heterostructures

Photodiodes sensitive in the wavelength ranges 1–2.5 μm and 1–4.8 μm at room temperature have been created on the basis of n-GaSb/n-GaInAsSb/p-AlGaAsSb double-junction heterostructures of two types. The broadband photosensitivity of the diode structures of both types is indicative of the complete separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs in the staggered n-p heterojunction (n-GaInAsSb/p-AlGaAsSb). The noise characteristics of photodetectors based on the proposed diode structures have been studied. Prospects of the use of these devices in thermophotovoltaic cells for low-temperature radiation sources are considered.     

Photovoltaic detector based on type II heterostructure with deep AlSb/InAsSb/AlSb quantum well in the active region for the midinfrared spectral range

Photodetectors for the spectral range 2–4 μm, based on an asymmetric type-II heterostructure p-InAs/AlSb/InAsSb/AlSb/(p, n)GaSb with a single deep quantum well (QW) or three deep QWs at the heterointerface, have been grown by metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy and analyzed. The transport, luminescent, photoelectric, current-voltage, and capacitance-voltage characteristics of these structures have been examined. A high-intensity positive and negative luminescence was observed in the spectral range 3–4 μm at high temperatures (300–400 K). The photosensitivity spectra were in the range 1.2–3.6 μm (T = 77 K). Large values of the quantum yield (η = 0.6−0.7), responsivity (S _λ = 0.9−1.4 A W^–1), and detectivity (D* _λ = 3.5 × 10¹¹ to 10¹⁰ cm Hz^1/2 W⁻¹) were obtained at T = 77–200 K. The small capacitance of the structures (C = 7.5 pF at V = −1 V and T = 300 K) enabled an estimate of the response time of the photodetector at τ = 75 ps, which corresponds to a bandwidth of about 6 GHz. Photodetectors of this kind are promising for heterodyne detection of the emission of quantum-cascade lasers and IR spectroscopy.     

Design and operation of pilot plant for CO2 capture from IGCC flue gases by combined cryogenic and hydrate method

This project is a trial conducted under contract with CO₂CRC, Australia of a new CO₂ capture technology that can be applied to integrated gasification combined cycle power plants and other industrial gasification facilities. The technology is based on combination of two low temperature processes, namely cryogenic condensation and the formation of hydrates, to remove CO₂ from the gas stream. The first stage of this technology is condensation at −55 °C where CO₂ concentration is expected to be reduced by up to 75 mol%. Remaining CO₂ is captured in the form of solid hydrate at about 1 °C reducing CO₂ concentration down to 7 mol% using hydrate promoters. This integrated cryogenic condensation and CO₂ hydrate capture technology hold promise for greater reduction of CO₂ emissions at lower cost and energy demand. Overall, the process produced gas with a hydrogen content better than 90 mol%. The concentrated CO₂ stream was produced with 95-97 mol% purity in liquid form at high pressure and is available for re-use or sequestration. The enhancement of carbon dioxide hydrate formation and separation in the presence of new hydrate promoter is also discussed. A laboratory scale flow system for the continuous production of condensed CO₂ and carbon dioxide hydrates is also described and operational details are identified.     

Photooxidation processes for an azo dye in aqueous media: modeling of degradation kinetic and ecological parameters evaluation

Three photooxidation processes, UV/H(2)O(2), UV/S(2)O(8)(2-) and UV/O(3) were applied to the treatment of model wastewater containing non-biodegradable organic pollutant, azo dye Acid Orange 7 (AO7). Dye degradation was monitored using UV/VIS and total organic carbon (TOC) analysis, determining decolorization, the degradation/formation of naphthalene and benzene structured AO7 by-products, and the mineralization of model wastewater. The water quality during the treatment was evaluated on the bases of ecological parameters: chemical (COD) and biochemical (BOD(5)) oxygen demand and toxicity on Vibrio fischeri determining the EC(50) value. The main goals of the study were to develop an appropriate mathematic model (MM) predicting the behavior of the systems under investigation, and to evaluate the toxicity and biodegradability of the model wastewater during treatments. MM developed showed a high accuracy in predicting the degradation of AO7 when considering the following observed parameters: decolorization, formation/degradation of by-products and mineralization. Good agreement of the data predicted and the empirically obtained was confirmed by calculated standard deviations. The biodegradability of model wastewater was significantly improved by three processes after mineralizing a half of the initially present organic content. The toxicity AO7 model wastewater was decreased as well. The differences in monitored ecological parameters during the treatment indicated the formation of different by-products of dye degradation regarding the oxidant type applied.     

Dynamic component chemiluminescent sensor for assessing circulating polymorphonuclear leukocyte activity of peritoneal dialysis patients

Recurrent bacterial peritonitis is a major complication in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, which is associated with polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) functional changes and can be assessed by a chemiluminescent (CL) reaction. We applied a new approach of a dynamic component chemiluminescence sensor for the assessment of functional states of PMNs in a luminol-amplified whole-blood system. This method is based on the evaluation of CL kinetic patterns of stimulated PMNs, while the parallel measurements of intracellular and extracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from the same sample can be conducted. Blood was drawn from diabetic and nondiabetic patients during follow-up, and during peritonitis. Healthy medical personnel served as the control group. Chemiluminescence curves were recorded and presented as a sum of three biological components. CL kinetic parameters were calculated, and functional states of PMNs were assessed. Data mining algorithms were used to build decision tree models that can distinguish between different clinical groups. The induced classification models were used afterward for differentiating and classifying new blind cases and demonstrated good correlation with medical diagnosis (84.6% predictive accuracy). In conclusion, this novel method shows a high predictive diagnostic value and may assist in detection of PD-associated clinical states.     

Analysis of the Genome of the Heavy Metal Resistant and Hydrocarbon-Degrading Rhizospheric Pseudomonas qingdaonensis ZCR6 Strain and Assessment of Its Plant-Growth-Promoting Traits

The Pseudomonas qingdaonensis ZCR6 strain, isolated from the rhizosphere of Zea mays growing in soil co-contaminated with hydrocarbons and heavy metals, was investigated for its plant growth promotion, hydrocarbon degradation, and heavy metal resistance. In vitro bioassays confirmed all of the abovementioned properties. ZCR6 was able to produce indole acetic acid (IAA), siderophores, and ammonia, solubilized Ca₃(PO₄)₂, and showed surface active properties and activity of cellulase and very high activity of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase (297 nmol α-ketobutyrate mg⁻¹ h⁻¹). The strain degraded petroleum hydrocarbons (76.52% of the initial hydrocarbon content was degraded) and was resistant to Cd, Zn, and Cu (minimal inhibitory concentrations reached 5, 15, and 10 mM metal, respectively). The genome of the ZCR6 strain consisted of 5,507,067 bp, and a total of 5055 genes were annotated, of which 4943 were protein-coding sequences. Annotation revealed the presence of genes associated with nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, sulfur metabolism, siderophore biosynthesis and uptake, synthesis of IAA, ethylene modulation, heavy metal resistance, exopolysaccharide biosynthesis, and organic compound degradation. Complete characteristics of the ZCR6 strain showed its potential multiway properties for enhancing the phytoremediation of co-contaminated soils. To our knowledge, this is the first analysis of the biotechnological potential of the species P. qingdaonensis.