Part II: An example of the use of the comsis software: simulation of an optical network which uses wavelength multiplexing,fsk modulation format and direct detection

This second article deals with using the Comsis software for a particular application. Simulation is used to determine the maximum channel density in presence of crosstalk. In a first part, the modelling of the system is described. The simulation parameters of different optical elements are given. The results show that in the case of channels modulated at 500 Mbitls using fsk modulation format, and a direct detection operation at 1,5 μm, a minimum spacing of 6 GHz can be obtained with a 2 dB penalty. Thus if only the bandwidth of the erbium doped fibre amplifier is taken into account, the maximum number of channels which can be used is 250. However if the fsr (free spectral range) of optical filter is taken into account, the maximun number of channels is limited to 30.     

Facteur de couplage phase-amplitude des diodes lasers avec absorbant saturable

The phase-amplitude coupling factor (α-factor) is one of the fundamental parameters of semiconductor lasers. We show that this factor can be evaluated by time-resolved spectroscopic measurements in pulsed regime. Experiments are carried out with injectionseeded single-mode GaAs lasers whose active stripe includes regions of saturable absorption made by ion implantation. We show that the measured pulse downchirp is proportional to pulse energy. The downchirp amplitude is found to approach four laser cavity intermode spacings at the highest energies. Correspondingly, the ±-values can be five times higher than those reported to date in litterature. High a-values are confirmed in pulse compression experiments. Several mechanisms are proposed to interprete these new results.     

Etude des ondes rampantes sur un corps convexe vérifiant une condition ďimpédance par une méthode de développement asymptotique

We study the creeping waves propagating on a convex object, whose surface impedance is Z. To this end, we seek, by using an asymptotic expansion method, a solution of Maxwell equations, propagating along a geode sic, and satisfying Silver-Müller radiation condition at infinity, and the impedance boundary condition at the surface of the body. By using a geodesic coordinate system suited to the problem, we obtain a closed form solution. The electric and magnetic fields are given in term of the components of these fields along the binormal to the geodesic. We show that two types of creeping waves exist: the electric (resp. magnetic) type, with a non zero binormal component of the electric (resp magnetic) field. They are uncoupled, except in the vicinity of Z = 1, where a rotation of the polarization, similar to Rytov’s law, is evidenced.     

Optomagnetic Nanoplatforms for In Situ Controlled Hyperthermia

Magnetic nanoparticles (M:NPs) are unique agents for in vivo thermal therapies due to their multimodal capacity for efficient heat generation under optical and/or magnetic excitation. Nevertheless, their transfer from laboratory to the clinic is hampered by the absence of thermal feedback and by the influence that external conditions (e.g., agglomeration and biological matrix interactions) have on their heating efficiency. Overcoming these limitations requires, first, the implementation of strategies providing thermal sensing to M:NPs in order to obtain in situ thermal feedback during thermal therapies. At the same time, M:NPs should be modified so that their heating efficiency will be maintained independently of the environment and the added capability for thermometry. In this work, optomagnetic hybrid nanostructures (OMHSs) that simultaneously satisfy these two conditions are presented. Polymeric encapsulation of M:NPs with neodymium‐doped nanoparticles results in a hybrid structure capable of subtissue thermal feedback while making the heating efficiency of M:NPs independent of the medium. The potential application of the OMHSs herein developed for fully controlled thermal therapies is demonstrated by an ex vivo endoscope‐assisted controlled intracoronary heating experiment.     

Hydrogen-bonded diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) pigments as organic semiconductors

Diketopyrrolopyrroles (DPPs) have recently gained attention as building-blocks for organic semiconducting polymers and small molecules, however the semiconducting properties of their hydrogen-bonded (H-bonded) pigment forms have not been explored. Herein we report on the performance of three archetypical H-bonded DPP pigments, which show ambipolar carrier mobilities in the range 0.01–0.06 cm²/V s in organic field-effect transistors. Their semiconducting properties are correlated with crystal structure, where an H-bonded crystal lattice supports close and relatively cofacial π–π stacking. To better understand transport in these systems, density functional theory calculations were carried out, indicating theoretical maximum ambipolar mobility values of ∼0.3 cm²/V s. Based on these experimental and theoretical results, H-bonded DPPs represent a viable alternative to more established DPP-containing polymers and small molecules where H-bonding is blocked by N-alkylation.     

Catalyst‐Free GaN Nanorods Synthesized by Selective Area Growth

GaN nanorod formation on Ga‐polar GaN by continuous mode metalorganic chemical vapor deposition selective area growth (MOCVD SAG) is achieved under a relatively Ga‐rich condition. The Ga‐rich condition, provided by applying a very low V/III ratio, alters the growth rates of various planes of the defined nanostructure by increasing relative growth rate of the semi‐polar tilted m‐plane {1–101} that usually is the slowest growing plane under continuous growth conditions. This increased growth rate relative to the non‐polar m‐plane {1–100} and even the c‐plane (0001), permits the formation of GaN nanorods with nonpolar sidewalls. In addition, a new growth mode, called the NH₃‐pulsed mode, is introduced, utilizing the advantages of both the continuous mode and the lower growth rate pulsed mode to form nanorods. Finally, nanorods grown under the different growth modes are compared and discussed.     

Chronic measurement of the stimulation selectivity of the flat interface nerve electrode

The flat interface nerve electrode (FINE) is an attempt to improve the stimulation selectivity of extraneural electrodes. By reshaping peripheral nerves into elliptical cylinders, central fibers are moved closer to the nerve-electrode interface, and additional surface area is created for contact placement. The goals of this study were to test the hypothesis that greater nerve reshaping leads to improved selectivity and to examine the chronic recruitment properties of the FINE. Three FINEs were developed to reshape peripheral nerves to different degrees. Four electrodes of each type were implanted on the sciatic nerves of 12 cats and tested for selectivity over at least three months. There was physiologic evidence of nerve injury in two cats with the tightest cuffs, but the other animals behaved normally. All cuff types were capable of selectively activating branches of the sciatic nerve, as well as groups of fibers within branches. The electrodes that moderately reshaped the nerves demonstrated the most selectivity. Both the selectivity measurements and the recruitment curve characteristics were stable throughout the implant period. From an electrophysiological standpoint, the FINE is a viable alternative for neuroprosthetic devices. A histological analysis of the nerves is under way to evaluate the safety of the FINE.     

Detection of Carbon Dioxide in Air Using Difference-Frequency Generation Based Infrared Spectrometer

Spectroscopic detection of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in ambient air was performed using a continuous-wave mid-infrared spectrometer based on difference-frequency generation in an AgGaS₂ crystal. Significant improvement in nonlinear optical frequency conversion efficiency was achieved by Gaussian beam optical design consideration. CO₂ concentration was determined from direct-absorption spectral measurement.     

Initialization of Sequential Circuits and its Application to ATPG

A general method for determining whether a certain design is initializable, and for generating its initialization sequence, is presented in this paper. This method is based on structural decomposition of the circuit, and can handle both logical (using X-value simulation) and functional initializability. The routines developed are then used for ATPG of sequential circuits. A pre-test sequence that initializes the good and as many of the faulty machines as possible is generated and used in conjunction with CRIS [5], a simulation based sequential ATPG program, to generate a test set for the circuit.     

A superconducting X-ray spectrometer with a tantalum absorber andlateral trapping

We report the development of Nb-Ta-Al-Al₂O₃-Al superconducting tunnel junction structures for high energy resolution and high efficiency X-ray detection. These devices utilize a Ta X-ray absorber with superconductor “bandgap engineered” quasiparticle trapping to improve charge collection. Experimental results at 0.3 K are presented, showing energy resolution of 102 eV full-width-half-maximum for 6 keV X-rays. Collected charge is in excess of 5×10⁶ electrons. The absorption efficiency is better than 35%. Devices thermally cycle with no change in characteristics