Construction of superconducting bulk magnet magnetron sputtering apparatus for fabrication of highly reflective optical mirrors

We have developed the two-cathode magnetron sputtering apparatus equipped with superconducting permanent magnet to produce Mo/Si multi-layer films, which would potentially serve as a high-quality optical mirror at extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelength of 13.5 nm. The best deposition condition was searched by analyzing the structure of the inter-diffusion layer formed in the Mo/Si bi-layer film prepared under different deposition conditions. It was found that (1) Xe gas should be used as inert gas species, (2) its pressure is lower than 4 × 10⁻² Pa, (3) a throw distance is longer than 250 mm and (4) discharge voltage around 2 kV. By making full use of these data, we synthesized Mo/Si multi-layer films and analyzed the structure and its effect on the reflectivity. The highest EUV-reflectivity so far obtained is 67% in the normal incident condition.     

Cumulative waveform distortion in cascaded optical amplifierrepeaters for multigigabit IM/DD systems

An analysis was conducted of a cumulative pattern-dependent waveform distortion in cascaded semiconductor laser and Er³⁺-doped fiber amplifiers. At 2.5 Gb/s, cumulative waveform distortion limits the number of cascaded amplifiers to about 20 for the semiconductor amplifiers. The Er³⁺-doped fiber amplifier is relatively unaffected-over 100 stages can be cascaded. The Er³⁺ amplifier is seen to be the better choice for long-haul multigigabit systems     

Analysis of oscillation characteristics of separated-electrode DFBlaser diodes

The oscillation characteristics of separated-electrode distributed feedback (DFB) lasers are analyzed by a numerical approach. In the calculation, coupled-mode equations are used including the carrier-density nonuniformity along the laser axis, which is introduced by the spatial hole burning and/or the nonuniform current injection. When the center section of a DFB laser, with three equally separated electrodes, is more strongly pumped than the side sections, high performance is achieved: the mode stability is maintained in the high-power state, resulting in a narrow linewidth. This is because the spatial hole burning is compensated by the larger current injection into the center region. The wide tunable range is also obtained under this bias condition     

Analysis of linewidth of separated-electrode DFB laser diode

Presents a new linewidth formula for DFB lasers, which includes the spatial hole burning effect. The linewidth of DFB lasers with three separated electrodes is calculated in various bias conditions. The optimum bias condition is discussed to obtain a narrow linewidth.<>     

MicroRNAs in Salivary Exosome as Potential Biomarkers of Aging

The aim of this study was to examine whether salivary exosomal miRNAs could be identified as aging biomarkers. Fifteen young healthy volunteers (median age, 21.0 years) and 13 old individuals (median age, 66.0 years) were recruited. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected, salivary exosomes were isolated, and total RNA was extracted. In a microarray, 242 miRNAs were commonly detected in these two mixed samples. Based on the cut-off values of 2- or 0.5-fold changes (FC) and regulatory power for aging process, six candidate miRNAs (miR-24-3p, miR-371a-5p, miR-3175, miR-3162-5p, miR-671-5p, and miR-4667-5p) were selected. After comparing each total RNA obtained by the 15 young and 13 old individuals to validate the FC values using quantitative real-time PCR, miR-24-3p was identified as a novel candidate aging biomarker. This pilot study suggested that salivary exosomal miRNAs could be identified as candidate aging biomarkers. To confirm whether miR-24-3p in salivary exosomes are suitable biomarkers of aging, further validation research is required.