Tunable transform-limited pulse generation using self-injectionlocking of an FP laser

Wavelength-tunable, near transform-limited pulses have been generated using a Fabry-Perot laser diode coupled to a fiber loop containing a fiber Fabry-Perot resonator (FFPR) and a polarization controller. The ratio of transmitted to reflected light from the loop can be adjusted using the polarization controller. Single-mode operation of the gain-switched laser is achieved by self-injection locking, which is induced by light reflected from the fiber loop. The resulting output pulse has a time-bandwidth product of 0.4 and is tunable over about 15 nm by varying the tuning voltage of the FFPR     

An optical IM/FSK coding technique for the implementation of a label-controlled arrayed waveguide packet router

In this paper, we present a new concept of optical packet/burst switching suitable for generalized multiprotocol label switched (GMPLS)-based optical networks. In such networks, optical labeled switched paths are being established in a similar way as label-switched paths in MPLS. We use a wavelength label as well as an orthogonally modulated label, with respect to the payload modulation format, and which is encoded using either frequency-shift keying (FSK) or differential phase-shift keying (DPSK). Wavelength is used for switching in the node, whereas the orthogonal label defines the label-switched path. We present both simulation and experimental results to assess transmission performance of the proposed combined modulation scheme. In addition, we propose a suitable optical node architecture that can take advantage of this stacked label concept. Toward this, we use widely tunable wavelength converters to efficiently route IM/FSK (or IM/DPSK) optically labeled packets in an arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG)-based node structure. We present performance simulation results in terms of packet loss ratio and internal block probability. Internal blocking is an inherent problem of AWG optical routers, and a specific wavelength assignment algorithm has been developed to minimize it. Finally, the feasibility of IM/FSK transmission is experimentally demonstrated over an 88-km single-mode fiber span, and novel aspects of FSK generation and detection techniques are presented.     

Spectroscopic and Computational Investigations of Ligand Binding to IspH: Discovery of Non‐diphosphate Inhibitors

Isoprenoid biosynthesis is an important area for anti‐infective drug development. One isoprenoid target is (E)‐1‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐but‐2‐enyl 4‐diphosphate (HMBPP) reductase (IspH), which forms isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate from HMBPP in a 2H⁺/2e^? reduction. IspH contains a 4 Fe?4 S cluster, and in this work, we first investigated how small molecules bound to the cluster by using HYSCORE and NRVS spectroscopies. The results of these, as well as other structural and spectroscopic investigations, led to the conclusion that, in most cases, ligands bound to IspH 4 Fe?4 S clusters by η¹ coordination, forming tetrahedral geometries at the unique fourth Fe, ligand side chains preventing further ligand (e.g., H₂O, O₂) binding. Based on these ideas, we used in silico methods to find drug‐like inhibitors that might occupy the HMBPP substrate binding pocket and bind to Fe, leading to the discovery of a barbituric acid analogue with a K_i value of ≈500 nm against Pseudomonas aeruginosa IspH.     

Pilot-scale air toxics R&D assessment of creosote-treated and PCP-treated wood cofiring for pulverized coal utility boiler applications

This paper presents air toxics emissions test results from a pilot-scale cofiring study of pentachlorophenol- (PCP) and creosote-treated woods to provide data for pre-permitting requirements for utilities interested in biomass cofiring as a means of increasing renewable energy while reducing greenhouse gases and other emissions for pulverized coal-fired utility boilers. These PCP/creosote-treated wood cofiring tests included a comprehensive assessment of air toxics, including dioxins, furans, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals (Hg, Sb, As, Cd, Cr, Co, Pb, Ni and Se), formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds, HCl, and particulates. This pilot-scale testing measured ‘uncontrolled’ emissions from the combustor (upstream of flue gas cleanup devices) and showed that PCP/creosote-treated wood could be successfully cofired at 10% heat input without increases in air toxic emissions as compared to a baseline eastern bituminous coal. Air toxics emissions were typically very low, and often near or below detection limits, largely as a result of the good air/fuel mixing and high furnace temperatures associated with pulverized coal combustion. One expected result was an increase in uncontrolled HCl emissions as a result of the higher chlorine content in the treated woods, although even at 10% cofiring levels, HCl emissions were within the range of other US coals. This paper is presented to provide independent data that industry, environmental groups, and regulators may consider in evaluating the opportunities for treated wood cofiring test burns and commercialization in full-scale coal-fired boilers in an environmentally acceptable manner.     

THERMAL DISPERSION AND HEAT TRANSFER IN NONISOTHERMAL BUBBLE COLUMNS†

Local axial and radial temperatures were measured at steady-state conditions in a 0.078-m-I.D. bubble column heat exchanger. Nitrogen and water superficial velocity ranges were 0-0.6 m/s and 0-0.02 m/s, respectively. Average column pressures were 3.0, 5.1, and 7.1 atm. The axial temperature profile varied significantly with all conditions encountered. Radial temperature profiles were found to be nearly constant, indicating very good radial mixing.

An axial thermal dispersion heat transfer model, capable of representing nonisothermal systems, was employed to characterize the measured bubble column temperature profiles. Thermal dispersion was apparent from large temperature changes in the entrance of the bubble column. Heat transfer coefficients depended on the gas and liquid flow rates. However, the thermal dispersion coefficients depended on linear gas velocity and were a weak function of liquid flow rates. The thermal dispersion coefficients obtained in this study were found to be consistent with other investigations. In addition, they were compared to the mass dispersion coefficients obtained by other studies and found to be in good agreement     

Thermal transient measurement, modeling, and compensation of a widely tunable laser for an optically switched network

The continuous growth of telecommunications traffic has placed huge demands on the traditional networks. Bottlenecks are particularly evident at the routers, where optical to electrical conversion must take place to read the routing information. Using optical-only routing, the traffic flow would be much faster, and more streamlined. A key component in this optical router is the tunable laser. When the laser is switched at high speeds, red-shifted thermal effects, due to the heating effects of the applied currents, cause a drift in the frequency, in the opposite direction to the blue-shifted carrier effects. The thermal effects have been quantified theoretically and experimentally here. The impact of the thermal effects, both on the frequency switching and on the frequency-shift keying (FSK), has been investigated. Methods of compensating for the thermal effects have been developed and verified by simulation and by experiment.     

Two-Photon-Absorption-Based OSNR Monitor for NRZ-PSK Transmission Systems

A two-photon absorption microcavity-based technique for monitoring in-band optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) in nonreturn-to-zero phase-shift-keying systems is presented. Experiments using a 10-Gb/s differential phase-shift-keying system showed that accurate measurements ($pm$1 dB) were possible for OSNRs in excess of 20 dB.