CA : A Cancer Journal for Clinicians

A fast-Fourier-transform method of topography and interferometry is proposed. By computer processing of a noncontour type of fringe pattern, automatic discrimination is achieved between elevation and depression of the object or wave-front form, which has not been possible by the fringe-contour-generation techniques. The method has advantages over moire topography and conventional fringe-contour interferometry in both accuracy and sensitivity. Unlike fringe-scanning techniques, the method is easy to apply because it uses no moving components.

Fourier-transform method of fringe-pattern analysis for computer-based topography and interferometry

Upconversion refers to non-linear optical processes that convert two or more low-energy pump photons to a higher-energy output photon. After being recognized in the mid-1960s, upconversion has attracted significant research interest for its applications in optical devices such as infrared quantum counter detectors and compact solid-state lasers. Over the past decade, upconversion has become more prominent in biological sciences as the preparation of high-quality lanthanide-doped nanoparticles has become increasingly routine. Owing to their small physical dimensions and biocompatibility, upconversion nanoparticles can be easily coupled to proteins or other biological macromolecular systems and used in a variety of assay formats ranging from bio-detection to cancer therapy. In addition, intense visible emission from these nanoparticles under near-infrared excitation, which is less harmful to biological samples and has greater sample penetration depths than conventional ultraviolet excitation, enhances their prospects as luminescent stains in bio-imaging. In this article, we review recent developments in optical biolabeling and bio-imaging involving upconversion nanoparticles, simultaneously bringing to the forefront the desirable characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of these luminescent nanomaterials.

Upconversion nanoparticles in biological labeling, imaging, and therapy

The diffraction tomography theorem is adapted to one-dimensional length measurement. The resulting spectral interferometry technique is described and the first length measurements using this technique on a model eye and on a human eye in vivo are presented.

Measurement of intraocular distances by backscattering spectral interferometry

This critical review presents an overview of the various classes of oxide materials exhibiting fast oxide-ion or proton conductivity for use as solid electrolytes in clean energy applications such as solid oxide fuel cells. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between structural and mechanistic features of the crystalline materials and their ion conduction properties. After describing well-established classes such as fluorite- and perovskite-based oxides, new materials and structure-types are presented. These include a variety of molybdate, gallate, apatite silicate/germanate and niobate systems, many of which contain flexible structural networks, and exhibit different defect properties and transport mechanisms to the conventional materials. It is concluded that the rich chemistry of these important systems provides diverse possibilities for developing superior ionic conductors for use as solid electrolytes in fuel cells and related applications. In most cases, a greater atomic-level understanding of the structures, defects and conduction mechanisms is achieved through a combination of experimental and computational techniques (217 references).

Oxide-ion and proton conducting electrolyte materials for clean energy applications: structural and mechanistic features

Four modal methods of reconstructing a wavefront from its difference fronts based on Zernike polynomials in lateral shearing interferometry are currently available, namely the Rimmer-Wyant method, elliptical orthogonal transformation, numerical orthogonal transformation, and difference Zernike polynomial fitting. The present study compared these four methods by theoretical analysis and numerical experiments. The results show that the difference Zernike polynomial fitting method is superior to the three other methods due to its high accuracy, easy implementation, easy extension to any high order, and applicability to the reconstruction of a wavefront on an aperture of arbitrary shape. Thus, this method is recommended for use in lateral shearing interferometry for wavefront reconstruction.

Modal wavefront reconstruction based on Zernike polynomials for lateral shearing interferometry: comparisons of existing algorithms.

Two dielectric relaxation peaks associated with oxygen-ion diffusion in the oxide-ion conductors La2−xBixMo2O9 (x=0.05, 0.1, and 0.15) have been studied. It is found that the activation energies of the two peaks increase with increasing Bi-doping concentration, which results from the blocking effects of the lone-pair electrons of Bi3+ ions. From the different effects of Bi doping on the two peaks, the diffusion paths of oxygen ions corresponding to each peak are confirmed. Significantly, it is revealed that Bi doping could enhance the ionic conductivity of La2Mo2O9 at lower temperatures.

Dielectric relaxation studies of Bi-doping effects on the oxygen-ion diffusion in La2−xBixMo2O9 oxide-ion conductors

Weighted least-squares phase unwrapping algorithm based on derivative variance correlation map

Influence of potassium doping on the oxygen-ion diffusion and ionic conduction in the La2Mo2O9 oxide-ion conductors

A new method for measuring the birefringence dispersion in polarization-maintaining fibers (PMFs) with high sensitivity and accuracy is presented. The method employs white-light interferences between two orthogonally polarized modes of PMFs. The group birefringence of the fiber is calibrated first. Then the birefringence dispersion and its variation along different fiber sections are acquired by analyzing the broadening of interferograms at different fiber lengths. The main sources of error are investigated. Birefringence dispersions of two PANDA fibers at their operation wavelength are measured to be 0.011 ps/(km nm) and 0.018 ps/(km nm). A measurement repeatability of 0.001 ps/(km nm) is achieved.

Xiangzhao Wang

Papers

Modal wavefront reconstruction based on Zernike polynomials for lateral shearing interferometry: comparisons of existing algorithms.

Dielectric relaxation studies of Bi-doping effects on the oxygen-ion diffusion in La2−xBixMo2O9 oxide-ion conductors

Weighted least-squares phase unwrapping algorithm based on derivative variance correlation map

Influence of potassium doping on the oxygen-ion diffusion and ionic conduction in the La2Mo2O9 oxide-ion conductors

Characterization of birefringence dispersion in polarization-maintaining fibers by use of white-light interferometry.