Showing papers by "Technical University of Berlin published in 1997"

Single Molecule Detection Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS)

Abstract: By exploiting the extremely large effective cross sections ( ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}17}--{10}^{\ensuremath{-}16}{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}/\mathrm{molecule}$) available from surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), we achieved the first observation of single molecule Raman scattering. Measured spectra of a single crystal violet molecule in aqueous colloidal silver solution using one second collection time and about $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{5}\mathrm{W}/{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ nonresonant near-infrared excitation show a clear ``fingerprint'' of its Raman features between 700 and $1700{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. Spectra observed in a time sequence for an average of 0.6 dye molecule in the probed volume exhibited the expected Poisson distribution for actually measuring 0, 1, 2, or 3 molecules.

Wetting: Statics and dynamics

Abstract: Recent advancements in experimental studies of wetting phenomena have helped to bridge the gap between the progress made in theory and simulation over the past decade, and the experimental evidence or verification of the theoretical predictions. These developments include new measurements of the equilibrium thickness of precursor wetting films on solid and liquid substrates and at the liquid/gas interface, experimental studies of critical adsorption, as well as measurements of the dynamics of wetting and spreading and the nucleation of wetting layers in simple and complex systems. There have also been some recent results on dewetting of solid substrates by liquid films.

Experiments on drag-reducing surfaces and their optimization with an adjustable geometry

Abstract: Previous research has established that surfaces with tiny ribs (riblets) aligned in the streamwise direction can reduce the turbulent wall-shear stress below that of a smooth surface. Typical skin-friction reductions have been found to be about 5%. The results of the present investigation, however, demonstrate a considerable improvement over this value. This improvement is achieved by a systematic experimental optimization which has been guided by theoretical concepts.A key feature of our experiments is the utilization of an oil channel. Previous experiments in wind tunnels had to contend with very small riblet dimensions which typically had a lateral rib spacing of about 0.5 mm or less. By contrast, in our oil channel, the ribs can have a lateral spacing of between about 2 and 10 mm. This increased size of the surface structures enables test surfaces to be manufactured with conventional mechanical methods, and it also enables us to build test surfaces with adjustable geometry. In addition, the Berlin oil channel has a novel shear stress balance with an unprecedented accuracy of ±0.3%. This latter feature is a prerequisite for a systematic experimental optimization.In the present investigation, surfaces with longitudinal ribs and additional slits are studied. The experiments cover a fairly large range of parameters so that the drag reduction potential of a surface with ribs and/or slits is worked out conclusively. A large parameter range is made possible because of the adjustability of the surfaces as well as the automatic operation of the oil channel. In particular, the following tests were run:(i) Shear stress measurements with conventional riblet configurations, i.e. with triangular and semi-circular grooves, have been carried out. These measurements were necessary in order to establish the connection between our oil channel data and previous data from wind tunnels. As was previously established, we found a drag reduction of about 5%.(ii) An adjustable surface with longitudinal blade ribs and with slits was built and tested. Both groove depth and slit width could be varied separately and continuously during the experiment. It turned out, that slits in the surface did not contribute to the drag reduction. Nevertheless, these investigations show how perforated surfaces (e.g. for boundary-layer control) can be designed for minimal parasitic drag. On the other hand, with closed slits, an optimal groove depth for the rib surface could be determined, i.e. half of the lateral rib spacing. For this configuration, we found an 8.7% skin-friction reduction. By carefully eliminating deleterious effects (caused by little gaps, etc.), the skin-friction reduction could be improved to a record value of 9.9%.(iii) A quantitative comparison between theory and experiment was carried out. The theory is based on the assumption that riblets impede the fluctuating turbulent crossflow near the wall. In this way, momentum transfer and shear stress are reduced. The simplified theoretical model proposed by Luchini (1992) is supported by the present experiments.(iv) For technological applications of riblets, e.g. on long-range commercial aircraft, the above thin-blade ribs are not practical. Therefore, we have devised a surface that combines a significantly improved performance (8.2 %) with a geometry which exhibits better durability and enables previously developed manufacturing methods for plastic riblet film production to be used. Our riblet geometry exhibits trapezoidal grooves with wedge-like ribs. The flat floor of the trapezoidal grooves permits an undistorted visibility through the transparent riblet film which is essential for crack inspection on aircraft.

Olefin Metathesis in Organic Chemistry

Abstract: Transition metal catalyzed CC bond formations belong to the most important reactions in organic synthesis. One particularly interesting reaction is olefin metathesis, a metal-catalyzed exchange of alkylidene moieties between alkenes. Olefin metathesis can induce both cleavage and formation of CC double bonds. Special functional groups are not necessary. Although this reaction—which can be catalyzed by numerous transition metals—is used in industry, its potential in organic synthesis was not recognized for many years. The recent abrupt end to this Sleeping-Beauty slumber has several reasons. Novel catalysts can effect the conversion of highly fictionalized and sterically demanding olefins under mild reaction conditions and in high yields. Improved understanding of substrate–catalyst interaction has greatly contributed to the recent establishment of olefin metathesis as a synthetic method. In addition to the preparation of polymers with fine-tuned characteristics, the metathesis today also provides new routes to compounds of low molecular weight. The highly developed ring-closing metathesis has been proven to be key step in the synthesis of a growing number of natural products. At the same time interesting applications can be envisioned for newly developed variants of bimolecular metathesis. Improvements in the selective cross-metathesis of acyclic olefins as well as promising attempts to include alkynes as viable substrates provide for a vivid development of the metathesis chemistry.

Homogenization limits and Wigner transforms

Abstract: We present a theory for carrying out homogenization limits for quadratic functions (called “energy densities”) of solutions of initial value problems (IVPs) with anti-self-adjoint (spatial) pseudo-differential operators (PDOs). The approach is based on the introduction of phase space Wigner (matrix) measures that are calculated by solving kinetic equations involving the spectral properties of the PDO. The weak limits of the energy densities are then obtained by taking moments of the Wigner measure. The very general theory is illustrated by typical examples like (semi)classical limits of Schrodinger equations (with or without a periodic potential), the homogenization limit of the acoustic equation in a periodic medium, and the classical limit of the Dirac equation. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Three-phase four-wire shunt active filter control strategies

Abstract: This paper describes a three-phase four-wire shunt active power filter using a conventional three-leg converter, without the need of power supply at DC bus Two approaches have been developed to control the active filter Both control strategies consider harmonics and zero sequence components in the voltage and current simultaneously The first one provides constant power and the second one sinusoidal current to the source, even under unbalanced voltage conditions Simulation results from a complete model of shunt active filter are presented to validate and compare the control strategies

Scheduling to minimize average completion time: off-line and on-line approximation algorithms

Abstract: In this paper we introduce two general techniques for the design and analysis of approximation algorithms for NP-hard scheduling problems in which the objective is to minimize the weighted sum of the job completion times. For a variety of scheduling models, these techniques yield the first algorithms that are guaranteed to find schedules that have objective function value within a constant factor of the optimum. In the first approach, we use an optimal solution to a linear programming relaxation in order to guide a simple list-scheduling rule. Consequently, we also obtain results about the strength of the relaxation. Our second approach yields on-line algorithms for these problems: in this setting, we are scheduling jobs that continually arrive to be processed and, for each time t, we must construct the schedule until time t without any knowledge of the jobs that will arrive afterwards. Our on-line technique yields constant performance guarantees for a variety of scheduling environments, and in some cases essentially matches the performance of our off-line LP-based algorithms.

InGaAs-GaAs quantum-dot lasers

Abstract: Quantum-dot (QD) lasers provide superior lasing characteristics compared to quantum-well (QW) and QW wire lasers due to their delta like density of states. Record threshold current densities of 40 A/spl middot/cm/sup -2/ at 77 K and of 62 A/spl middot/cm/sup -2/ at 300 K are obtained while a characteristic temperature of 385 K is maintained up to 300 K. The internal quantum efficiency approaches values of /spl sim/80 %. Currently, operating QD lasers show broad-gain spectra with full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) up to /spl sim/50 meV, ultrahigh material gain of /spl sim/10/sup 5/ cm/sup -1/, differential gain of /spl sim/10/sup -13/ cm/sup 2/ and strong nonlinear gain effects with a gain compression coefficient of /spl sim/10/sup -16/ cm/sup 3/. The modulation bandwidth is limited by nonlinear gain effects but can be increased by careful choice of the energy difference between QD and barrier states. The linewidth enhancement factor is /spl sim/0.5. The InGaAs-GaAs QD emission can be tuned between 0.95 /spl mu/m and 1.37 /spl mu/m at 300 K.

Energy relaxation by multiphonon processes in InAs/GaAs quantum dots

Abstract: Carrier relaxation and recombination in self-organized InAs/GaAs quantum dots (QD's) is investigated by photoluminescence (PL), PL excitation (PLE), and time-resolved PL spectroscopy We demonstrate inelastic phonon scattering to be the dominant intradot carrier-relaxation mechanism Multiphonon processes involving up to four LO phonons from either the InAs QD's, the InAs wetting layer, or the GaAs barrier are resolved The observation of multiphonon resonances in the PLE spectra of the QD's is discussed in analogy to hot exciton relaxation in higher-dimensional semiconductor systems and proposed to be intricately bound to the inhomogeneity of the QD ensemble in conjunction with a competing nonradiative recombination channel observed for the excited hole states Carrier capture is found to be a cascade process with the initial capture into excited states taking less than a few picoseconds and the multiphonon (involving three LO phonons) relaxation time of the first excited hole state being 40 ps The |001〉 hole state presents a relaxation bottleneck that determines the ground-state population time after nonresonant excitation For the small self-organized InAs/GaAs QD's the intradot carrier relaxation is shown to be faster than radiative (g1 ns) and nonradiative (\ensuremath{\approx}100 ps) recombination explaining the absence of a ``phonon bottleneck'' effect in the PL spectra

Osmoregulation and glycerol metabolism in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract: Glycerol is the main compatible solute in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It is accumulated intracellularly when cells are exposed to decreased extracellular water activity. In general, increased intracellular accumulation of a solute may be caused by enhanced production, restricted dissimilation, increased retention by the plasma membrane and increased uptake from the medium. In this review, we evaluate current knowledge concerning mechanisms leading to the accumulation of glycerol in osmotically stressed cells of S. cerevisiae at the molecular and metabolic levels. An overview of glycerol metabolism in S. cerevisiae is provided.

Zone-boundary phonons in hexagonal and cubic GaN

Abstract: We present results of second-order Raman-scattering experiments on hexagonal and cubic GaN covering the acoustic and the optical overtone spectral region. Based on a comparison of the experimental scattering data with the calculated phonon-dispersion curves as well as the group-theoretically derived selection rules, we were able to assign the observed structures to particular phonon branches and determined the points in the Brillouin zone from which the scattering originates. Our measurements reveal the energies of acoustic zone-boundary phonons in hexagonal GaN.

Theory of random population for quantum dots

Abstract: Carrier capture and recombination in quantum dots are random processes. Conventional rate equation models do not take into account this property. Based on our theory of random population we predict recombination spectra, transients, and gain of quantum-dot ensembles. Even with infinitely fast interlevel energy relaxation excited levels become considerably populated. The impact of a slowdown of energy relaxation is modeled and criteria for a conclusive experimental observation of a finite interlevel-scattering time are given.

Structure, Stability, and Activity of Adsorbed Enzymes

Abstract: A proteolytic enzyme, α-chymotrypsin, and a lipolytic enzyme, cutinase, were adsorbed from aqueous solution onto a hydrophobic Teflon surface and a hydrophilic silica surface. We investigated the influence of adsorption on the structure, the structure thermal stability and the activity of these enzymes. Probing the protein structure by circular dichroism spectroscopy indicates that Teflon promotes the formation of helical structure in α-chymotrypsin, but the reverse effect is found with cutinase. The perturbed protein structures on Teflon are remarkably stable, showing no heat-induced structural transitions up to 100°C, as monitored by differential scanning calorimetry. Contact with the hydrophilic silica surface leads to a loss in the helix content of both proteins. Differential scanning calorimetry points to a heterogeneous population of adsorbed protein molecules with respect to their conformational states. The fraction of the native-like conformation in the adsorbed layer increases with increasing coverage of the silica surface by the proteins. The specific enzymatic activity in the adsorbed state qualitatively correlates with the fraction of proteins in the native-like conformation.

Antimycoplasma properties and application in cell culture of surfactin, a lipopeptide antibiotic from Bacillus subtilis.

Abstract: Surfactin, a cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic and biosurfactant produced by Bacillus subtilis, is well-known for its interactions with artificial and biomembrane systems (e.g., bacterial protoplasts or enveloped viruses). To assess the applicability of this antiviral and antibacterial drug, we determined the cytotoxicity of surfactin with a 50% cytotoxic concentration of 30 to 64 microM for a variety of human and animal cell lines in vitro. Concomitantly, we observed an improvement in proliferation rates and changes in the morphology of mycoplasma-contaminated mammalian cells after treatment with this drug. A single treatment over one passage led to complete removal of viable Mycoplasma hyorhinis cells from various adherent cell lines, and Mycoplasma orale was removed from nonadherent human T-lymphoid cell lines by double treatment. This effect was monitored by a DNA fluorescence test, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and two different PCR methods. Disintegration of the mycoplasma membranes as observed by electron microscopy indicated the mode of action of surfactin. Disintegration is obviously due to a physicochemical interaction of the membrane-active surfactant with the outer part of the lipid membrane bilayer, which causes permeability changes and at higher concentrations leads finally to disintegration of the mycoplasma membrane system by a detergent effect. The low cytotoxicity of surfactin for mammalian cells permits specific inactivation of mycoplasmas without significant deleterious effects on cell metabolism and the proliferation rate in cell culture. These results were used to develop a fast and simple method for complete and permanent inactivation of mycoplasmas in mammalian monolayer and suspension cell cultures.

Short Pulse X-Ray Laser at 32.6 nm Based on Transient Gain in Ne-like Titanium

Abstract: A novel two-step excitation scheme for an efficient table-top x-ray laser has been realized for the first time. A nanosecond pulse creates a plasma of neonlike ions of titanium, followed by a subpicosecond pulse which excites a nonstationary population inversion. With only a few joules of pump energy, a compact x-ray laser at 32.6 nm with a very high gain coefficient of $g\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}19{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ and a gain-length product of $gL\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}9.5$ was achieved.

Biodegradation of azo and phthalocyanine dyes by Trametes versicolor and Bjerkandera adusta

Abstract: Eighteen fungal strains, known for their ability to degrade lignocellulosic material or lignin derivatives, were screened for their potential to decolorize commercially used reactive textile dyes. Three azo dyes, Reactive Orange 96, Reactive Violet 5 and Reactive Black 5, and two phthalocyanine dyes, Reactive Blue 15 and Reactive Blue 38, were chosen as representatives of commercially used reactive dyes. From the 18 tested fungal strains only Bjerkandera adusta, Trametes versicolor and Phanerochaete chrysosporium were able to decolorize all the dyes tested. During degradation of the nickel-phthalocyanine complex, Reactive Blue 38, by B. adusta and T. versicolor respectively, the toxicity of this dye to Vibrio fischeri was significantly reduced. In the case of Reactive Violet 5, a far-reaching detoxification was achieved by treatment with B. adusta. Reactive Blue 38 and Reactive Violet 5 were decolorized by crude exoenzyme preparations from T. versicolor and B. adusta in a H2O2-dependent reaction. Specific activities of the exoenzyme preparations with the dyes were determined and compared to oxidation rates by commercial horseradish peroxidase.

Determination of Clofibric Acid and N-(Phenylsulfonyl)-Sarcosine in Sewage, River and Drinking Water

Abstract: Two polar compounds, the drug metabolite clofibric acid (2-(4)-chlorophenoxy-2-methyl propionic acid) and N-(phenylsulfonyl)-sarcosine, were detected as organic contaminants in groundwater samples from sewage farm areas near Berlin at maximum concentrations of 4 μg/l and 150 μg/l, respectively. Contaminations by these two compounds were also found in most of the drinking water samples collected from the 14 waterworks in the Berlin area. The maximum concentrations in drinking water samples were 270 ng/l for clofibric acid and 105 ng/l for N-(phenylsulfonyl)-sarcosine. The analytical results obtained correlate well with the percentage values of artificial groundwater enrichment and bank filtrate used by any particular water treatment plant in drinking water production. Thus, it can be assumed that both polar contaminants commonly leach into drinking water and are not eliminated by the drinking water treatment used by the Berlin waterworks. Positive findings in screening analyses of surface water sa...

Performance study of access control in wireless LANs—IEEE 802.11 DFWMAC and ETSI RES 10 Hiperlan

Abstract: Currently two projects are on their way to standardize physical layer and medium access control for wireless LANs—IEEE 802.11 and ETSI RES 10 Hiperlan. This paper presents an introduction to both projects focussing on the applied access schemes. Further we will present our simulation results, analyzing the performance of both access protocols depending on the number of stations and on the packet size, evaluating them regarding their capability to support QoS parameters, regarding the impact of hidden terminals and their range extension strategy.

Monazite–xenotime miscibility gap thermometry. I. An empirical calibration

Abstract: Rare earth element (REE) and yttrium concentrations of coexisting monazite and xenotime were determined from a suite of seven metapelites from the Variscan fold belt in NE Bavaria, Germany. The metapelites include a continuous prograde, mainly low-P (3–5 kbar) metamorphic profile from greenschist (c. 400 °C) to lower granulite facies conditions (c. 700 °C). The LREE (La–Sm) are incorporated preferentially in monoclinic monazite (REO9 polyhedron), whereas the HREE plus Y are concentrated in tetragonal xenotime (REO8 polyhedron). The major element concentrations of both phases in all rocks are very similar and do not depend on metamorphic grade. Monazite consists mainly of La, Ce and Nd (La0.20–0.23, Ce0.41–0.45, Nd0.15–0.18)PO4, all other elements are below 6 mol%. Likewise, xenotime consists mainly of YPO4 with some Dy and Gd solid solutions (Y0.76–0.80, Dy0.05–0.07, Gd0.04–0.06). In contrast, the minor HREE concentrations in monazite increase strongly with increasing metamorphic grade: Y, Dy and Gd increase by a factor of 3–5 from greenschist to granulite facies rocks. Monazite crystals often show zonation with cores low in HREE and rims high in HREE that is interpreted as growth zonation attained during prograde metamorphism. Similarly, Sm and Nd in xenotimes increase by a factor of 3–4 with increasing metamorphic grade. Prograde zonation in single crystals of xenotime was not observed. The XHREE+Y in monazite and XLREE in xenotime of the seven rocks define two limbs along the strongly asymmetric miscibility gap from c. 400 °C to 700 °C. The empirical calibration of the monazite miscibility gap limb coexisting with xenotime is appropriate for geothermometry. Due to its contents of U and Th, monazite has often been used for U–Pb age determination. The combination of our empirical thermometer on prograde zoned monazite along with possible age determination of zoned single crystals may provide information about prograde branches of temperature–time paths.

Four-wave mixing in semiconductor optical amplifiers for frequency conversion and fast optical switching

Abstract: Four-wave mixing (FWM) in semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) is an important tool for frequency conversion and fast optical switching in all-optical communication networks. We review the main applications of SOAs as nonlinear optical components. Concentrating on FWM, we define general parameters that are of relevance for signal processing applications. We show, how basic experiments and general simulation procedures can be used to determine optimum operating conditions for the intended applications. Besides a comprehensive investigation of FWM among continuous waves, we present new experimental results on FWM with picosecond optical pulses. A comparison of both reveals a different behavior and demonstrates that new optimization criteria and advanced theoretical models have to be applied for the case of short optical pulses. Moreover, we discuss the possibility to extract the dynamical SOA parameters from our experiments.

Isolation of new bacterial species from drinking water biofilms and proof of their in situ dominance with highly specific 16S rRNA probes.

Abstract: A polyphasic approach involving cultivation, direct viable counts, rRNA-based phylogenetic classification, and in situ probing was applied for the characterization of the dominant microbial population in a municipal drinking water distribution system. A total of 234 bacterial strains cultivated on R2A medium were screened for bacteria affiliated with the in situ dominating beta subclass of Proteobacteria. The isolates were grouped according to common features of their cell and colony morphologies, and eight representative strains were used for 16S rRNA sequencing and the development of a suite of strain-specific oligonucleotide probes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that all of the isolates were hitherto unknown bacteria. Three of them, strains B4, B6, and B8, formed a separate cluster of closely related organisms within the beta 1 subclass of Proteobacteria. In situ probing revealed that (i) 67 to 72% of total bacteria, corresponding to more than 80% of beta-subclass bacteria, could be encompassed with the strain-specific probes and (ii) the dominating bacterial species were culturable on R2A medium. Additionally, two-thirds of the autochthonous drinking water population could be shown to be in a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state by using a direct viable count approach. The comparison of isolation frequencies with the in situ abundances of the eight investigated strains revealed differences in their culturability, indicating variable ratios of culturable to VBNC cells among the strains. The further characterization of biofilms throughout the distribution network demonstrated strains B6 and B8 to be dominant bacterial strains in groundwater and distribution system biofilms. The other strains could be found at various frequencies in the different parts of the distribution system; several strains appeared exclusively in drinking water biofilms obtained from a house installation system.

Comparison of NRZ- and RZ-modulation format for 40-Gb/s TDM standard-fiber systems

Abstract: Nonreturn-to-zero (NRZ) and return-to-zero (RZ) signal transmission in dispersion-managed high-speed time-division multiplexed (TDM) systems operating at 1.55 /spl mu/m over the already installed standard-fiber network are compared by numerical simulations. It is shown that for upgrading the existing network to 40 Gb/s, the RZ-modulation format is superior compared to conventional NRZ-modulation. Standard fiber transmission distances of about 1200 km and 400 km are shown to be feasible within the RZ- and NRZ-format, respectively.

Raman- and infrared-active phonons in hexagonal YMnO 3 : Experiment and lattice-dynamical calculations

Abstract: Raman-scattering and far-infrared-transmission spectra of hexagonal ${\mathrm{YMnO}}_{3}$ (space group ${P6}_{3}cm)$ are reported and discussed. In the Raman spectra measured in several exact scattering configurations, lines of ${A}_{1}$ (at 148, 190, 257, $\ensuremath{\sim}300$, 433, 459, and 681 cm${}^{\ensuremath{-}1})$, ${E}_{1}$ (at 376, 408, and 632 cm${}^{\ensuremath{-}1})$, and ${E}_{2}$ (at 135, and $\ensuremath{\sim}215$ cm${}^{\ensuremath{-}1})$, symmetries have been observed. Maxima in the infrared absorption have been found at 211, 238, 265, 281, 308, 398, 428, 457, 491, 596, and 612 cm${}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. An assignment of the phonon lines to definite atomic vibrations has been made on the basis of their symmetries in close comparison with results of lattice-dynamical calculations for ${\mathrm{YMnO}}_{3}$ in its ferroelectric ${(P6}_{3}cm, Z=6)$ and high-temperature paraelectric ${(P6}_{3}/mmc, Z=2)$ phases.