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Skin expansion is a well-established technique in plastic surgery, and recent studies have highlighted its potential in promoting hair regeneration. This study aimed to explore how the mechanical and optical properties of skin change during a prolonged stretching process. A hybrid method was developed to assess, in vivo, the effects of an 8-day skin stretching protocol—previously used in hair regeneration research—on the dorsal skin of mice. This method combined mechanical and optical measurement systems. Tensile stress–strain curves were generated using a spring-based setup, while optical properties such as scattering and birefringence were analyzed with a polarimetry imaging system that incorporated the Mueller matrix (MM) and Mueller matrix polar decomposition (MMPD) methods. The results showed that Young's modulus increased from approximately 5 kPa on day 1 to 60–100 kPa by days 6–8, indicating collagen fiber straightening and increased stiffness. Optical analysis revealed greater anisotropy in both scattering and birefringence, as reflected by changes in MM elements and MMPD results. These changes suggest skin adaptation and regeneration, particularly within the first 24 h of stretching. Interestingly, alterations in optical properties closely mirrored changes in mechanical properties, pointing to a coordinated process of structural remodeling and functional adaptation in the skin. These findings offer valuable insights into skin remodeling and adaptation, which could guide future tissue engineering strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interfacial local field is of critical importance in data analysis to deduce intrinsic surface responses from optical measurements of interfaces of condensed media but has not yet been well interrogated. We present here a simple approach to find local fields approximately at various interfaces of isotropic or nearly isotropic media. We divide a medium into atomic planes or molecular layers. It is found that the dipolar field contribution to the local field in a plane or layer from induced dipoles residing in planes beyond the nearest neighbor planes or layers is negligible; in many cases, the contribution is dominated by in-plane dipoles and the local field has a simple expression very much like that for an isotropic bulk. This finding allows us to calculate approximate local field variation at various interfaces. With the interfacial local field known, intrinsic surface response coefficients can be extracted from the optically measured surface responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Number density of plasma-generated atoms or molecules is an important parameter for both fundamental research and applications. It can be measured in a straightforward manner, using vacuum-ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy, which is mainly possible in laboratory conditions as it may require bulky equipment, such as lasers. By contrast, optical actinometry is an alternative approach that only uses spontaneous emission from the plasma. This technique relies on the so-called corona excitation and uses emission line ratios between the gases with unknown and known concentrations (called actinometer in the last case). As a result of using line ratios, the additional density calibration is not required if the excitation cross sections are known. This study discusses Ar-based actinometry in low-pressure (roughly < 1 kPa) plasma discharges with an emphasis on multiple line ratios. The work is particularly focused on the method's applicability, the choice of Ar cross sections, and potential error sources. The influence of the additional excitation mechanisms is analyzed based on both experiments and modeling. The optical transitions for F, O, H, N, and P atoms along with expressions for their number density are presented, not requiring high optical resolution for measurements. For the sake of method validation, it is shown that in low-pressure radiofrequency discharges, a nearly excellent agreement between the actinometry data and the calibrated measurements can be achieved by careful selection of optical transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polarization is one of the fundamental properties of light and has an important application value, involving multiple fields, such as imaging, display, quantum computing, and biosensing. The artificial metasurface can achieve comprehensive control of electromagnetic waves, such as amplitudes, phases, and polarization states. Compared to traditional optical devices, the metasurfaces have advantages, such as small size and diverse functions, meeting the needs of modern optical systems for ultra-lightweight, ultra-compact, and multifunctional optical components. Chiral media are widely presented in various macroscopic and microscopic systems in nature. Circular dichroism (CD) is commonly used to describe the difference in absorption rates of left-handed circularly polarized light and right-handed circularly polarized light in chiral media. However, the optical response of chiral media in nature is usually weak and mainly located in the ultraviolet band, which limits their detection sensitivity and practical application range. In this work, we proposed a chiral metasurface model with four rectangular holes with proper rotation. By rotating the rectangular or elliptical holes at a certain angle, the symmetry of the structure is disrupted, making it chiral. The proposed metasurface devices were fabricated, and the optical measurements were performed, which were in good agreement with the designs. The normalized CD values are around 0.01 at the near-infrared region. This work provides a complete procedure of the metasurface device and initials chiral-tunable flat meta-devices. It also has broad application prospects in fields, such as polarization imaging, life sciences, and drug chiral detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AlxGa1−xN epilayers are used as the basis of ultraviolet LEDs and detectors. The trap states produced by defects and impurities can play a key role in the device performance. In this work, conventional deep-level transient spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), and secondary ion mass spectrometry have been used to characterize a deep-level trap termed as E3 in dilute AlxGa1−xN (x < 0.063) epilayers grown by metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) on highly conductive ammono-GaN substrates. The AlxGa1−xN epilayers were doped with silicon to about 3 × 1016 cm−3. The electrical and the optical measurements were conducted on Ni/Au Schottky barrier diodes and virgin samples, respectively. First, we observed a general trend that the E3 (FeGa) electron trap concentration significantly changes along the wafers in AlxGa1−xN layers that is fully consistent with previously reported results for GaN materials grown by the MOVPE technique. Second, we report that the activation energies for electron emission for the E1 and E3 traps in dilute AlxGa1−xN exhibit linear variations with Al content. Moreover, low-temperature PL results show a proportional relation between the intensity of the line with its maximum at 1.299 eV and concentration of residual Fe impurity. Finally, we discuss how the presence of defects resulting from Fe contamination may result in degradation of AlxGa1−xN-based devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circular dichroism (CD) spectra for pseudo-two-dimensional chiral nanomaterials were systematically investigated and analyzed in relation to the rotational symmetry of the nanomaterials. Theoretically, an ideal two-dimensional chiral matter is CD inactive for light incident normal to the plane if it possesses threefold or higher rotational symmetry. If the matter has two- or onefold rotational symmetry, it should exhibit CD activity, and the CD signal measured from the back side of the matter is expected to be inverted from that measured from the front side. For pseudo-two-dimensional chiral gold nanostructures fabricated on glass substrates using electron beam lithography, matter with fourfold rotational symmetry is found to be CD active, even when special care is taken to ensure that the optical environments for the front and back sides of the sample are equivalent. In this case, the CD signal measured from the back side is found to be almost exactly the same as that measured from the front side. It is revealed that the observed chiro-optical behavior arises from three-dimensional chiral characteristics due to differences in the surface shape between the front and back sides of the structures. For matter that is two- or onefold rotationally symmetric, the CD signal measured from the back side is not coincident with that from the front side. For certain wavelength regions, the CD signals measured from the front side and back side are observed to be similar, while at other wavelengths, the inverted component of the CD signals is found to dominate. The observed CD spectral behavior for reciprocal optical measurement configurations is considered to be determined by a balance between the in-plane isotropic and anisotropic components of the chiral permittivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photonic spin–orbit (SO) coupling is an important physical mechanism leading to numerous interesting phenomena in the systems of microcavity photons and exciton-polaritons. We report the effect of SO coupling in a tunable open-access microcavity embedded with anisotropic active media. The SO coupling associated with the TE–TM splitting results in an emergent anisotropy, which further leads to fine energy splittings allowing clear observation of the full set of eigenstates, in sharp contrast with the isotropic situation which leads to the isotropic eigenstates of spin vortices. We show that the photonic potential can be engineered by playing with the relation between the emergent anisotropy and the cavity ellipticity. All the experimental results are well reproduced by the degenerate perturbation theory. Our results constitute a significant extension to the research field of microcavity spinoptronics, with potential applications in polarization control and optical property measurement of photonic devices and materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spectroscopic ellipsometry and some other optical metrology techniques, such as reflectometry and scatterometry, are model-based optical measurements and, therefore, require appropriate modeling to determine the geometric and material properties of substrates, thin films, and multilayer structures. Parametric sensitivity analysis (SA) provides essential assistance in the model-building process to quantify the relative importance of model parameters for model output and to identify those with high/little influence. SA can be performed in a variety of ways, and this article discusses an application of the Morris or elementary effect (EE) method, a screening type SA procedure, to spectroscopic ellipsometry modeling. The method is a global SA technique and uses a stepping of m parameters along certain so-called "trajectories" or sequences of points in parameter space, randomly constructed in order to maximally fill the volume of the m -dimensional parameter space. However, it was thought that the EE method relies greatly on a sampling strategy or a way of selecting "optimized trajectories" in the parameter space, i.e., a necessary number of trajectories chosen to be well spread over the space to properly cover the entire realistic ranges of all input factors. Here, we use two sampling methods for selecting trajectories with possibly different distributions and investigate their effects on the estimation of various sensitivity measures in spectroscopic ellipsometry data modeling. The SA results indicate that the performance of the sampling strategy should not be judged only by maximizing the trajectory spread but also include some additional convergence criteria for the sensitivity measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radio frequencies in high-frequency (HF) and very high-frequency (VHF) bands (3–300 MHz) are challenging for Rydberg atom-based detection schemes, as resonant detection requires exciting atoms to extremely high energy states. We demonstrate a method for detecting and measuring radio frequency carriers in these bands via a controlled Autler–Townes line splitting. Using a resonant 18 GHz field, the absorption signal from Townes–Merritt sidebands created by a relatively low-frequency, non-resonant field can be enhanced. Notably, this technique uses a measurement of optical frequency separation of an avoided crossing to determine the amplitude of a non-resonant field. This technique also provides frequency-selective measurements of electric fields in the hundreds of MHz range with resolution of order 10 MHz. To show this, we demonstrate amplitude-modulated signal transduction on a MHz-range carrier. We further demonstrate reception of multiple tones simultaneously, creating a Rydberg "spectrum analyzer." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum light is increasingly recognized as a promising resource for developing optical measurement techniques. Particular attention has been paid to enhancing the precision of the measurements beyond classical techniques by using nonclassical correlations between quantum entangled photons. Recent advances in the quantum optics technology have made it possible to manipulate spectral and temporal properties of entangled photons, and photon correlations can facilitate the extraction of matter information with relatively simple optical systems compared to conventional schemes. In these respects, the applications of entangled photons to time-resolved spectroscopy can open new avenues for unambiguously extracting information on dynamical processes in complex molecular and materials systems. Here, we propose time-resolved spectroscopy in which specific signal contributions are selectively enhanced by harnessing nonclassical correlations of entangled photons. The entanglement time characterizes the mutual delay between an entangled twin and determines the spectral distribution of photon correlations. The entanglement time plays a dual role as the knob for controlling the accessible time region of dynamical processes and the degrees of spectral selectivity. In this sense, the role of the entanglement time is substantially equivalent to the temporal width of the classical laser pulse. The results demonstrate that the application of quantum entangled photons to time-resolved spectroscopy leads to monitoring dynamical processes in complex molecular and materials systems by selectively extracting desired signal contributions from congested spectra. We anticipate that more elaborately engineered photon states would broaden the availability of quantum light spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments accessing extreme conditions at x-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) involve rapidly evolving conditions of temperature. Here, we report time-resolved, direct measurements of temperature using spectral streaked optical pyrometry of x-ray and optical laser-heated states at the High Energy Density instrument of the European XFEL. This collection of typical experiments, coupled with numerical models, outlines the reliability, precision, and meaning of time dependent temperature measurements using optical emission at XFEL sources. Dynamic temperatures above 1500 K are measured continuously from spectrally- and temporally-resolved thermal emission at 450–850 nm, with time resolution down to 10–100 ns for 1–200 μ s streak camera windows, using single shot and integrated modes. Targets include zero-pressure foils free-standing in air and in vacuo, and high-pressure samples compressed in diamond anvil cell multi-layer targets. Radiation sources used are 20-fs hard x-ray laser pulses at 17.8 keV, in single pulses or 2.26 MHz pulse trains of up to 30 pulses, and 250-ns infrared laser single pulses. A range of further possibilities for optical measurements of visible light in x-ray laser experiments using streak optical spectroscopy are also explored, including for the study of x-ray induced optical fluorescence, which often appears as background in thermal radiation measurements. We establish several scenarios where combined emissions from multiple sources are observed and discuss their interpretation. Challenges posed by using x-ray lasers as non-invasive probes of the sample state are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the first fabrication of phase‐shifted Bragg gratings utilizing chalcogenide hybrid inorganic/organic polymers (CHIPs) is presented based on poly(sulfur‐random‐(1,3‐isopropenylbenzene) to measure the thermo‐optic coefficient (TOC) of this new class of optical polymers. The unique properties of CHIPs, such as high index contrast and low optical losses, are leveraged to fabricate Bragg gratings that enable precise determination of the TOC and glass transition temperature (Tg) of these polymers. The optical measurement introduces a novel technique to measure the TOC and Tg of optical polymers which can be difficult to determine using traditional methods such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) after fabrication into photonic device constructs. The findings demonstrate that CHIPs exhibit low thermo‐optic (TO) effects, making them exceptionally well‐suited for the development of thermally stable photonic integrated circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore the influence of radio-mode feedback on the properties of the cool circumgalactic medium (CGM). To this end, we assemble a statistical sample of approximately 30,000 radio galaxies with background quasars by combining optical spectroscopic measurements of luminous red galaxies and quasars from the year 1 data set of the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument and radio sources from the LOw-Frequency ARray Two-metre Sky Survey (LoTSS) DR2 catalog and the Very Large Array Sky Survey (VLASS) quick-look catalog. Galaxies with similar optical properties but with no radio counterparts in LoTSS and VLASS are selected as the control group. We measure the cool CGM properties of radio galaxies and their control samples traced by Mg ii absorption lines, including covering fraction, rest equivalent width, and gas kinematics. Our results show no significant difference in the properties of gas around radio galaxies and their control sample, indicating that the operating radio-mode feedback of massive galaxies does not produce detectable effects on the properties of the cool CGM. Finally, we show that the CGM of radio galaxies contains a nonnegligible amount of cool gas with approximately 1010 M ⊙. This abundance can place a stringent constraint on the radio-mode feedback models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current‐induced magnetization switching via spin‐orbit torque (SOT) holds great potential for applications in high‐speed and energy‐efficient magnetic memory and logic devices. In the extensively studied heavy metal/ferromagnet (HM/FM) SOT heterostructures, the thickness of the FM layer is typically restricted to a few nanometers or less due to the rapid spin dephasing, making it challenging to implement thermally stable memory cells with high density. In this study, it is demonstrated that this thickness constraint can be significantly alleviated by utilizing an oxide ferromagnet La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (LSMO). Through electrical transport and magnetic optical measurements, it is found that the SOT can switch the magnetization in Pt/LSMO heterostructures even at an LSMO thickness of 35 nm, which is one order of magnitude larger than that for metallic FMs, such as CoFeB. Furthermore, based on the FM thickness dependence of the switching current and the domain switching type revealed by magnetic optical Kerr effect imaging (MOKE), a possible picture is proposed to describe the SOT switching in Pt/LSMO, which highlights the critical role of the domain wall propagation in the vertical direction. The work provides valuable insights into the behavior of SOT switching in ultra‐thick FM films, offering new possibilities for their practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A technique for estimating the velocity of radio meteors is proposed. The presented method is based on the analysis of the phase of the Fourier spectra of complex amplitudes of signals reflected from meteor trails. The method is very fast compared to the Fresnel transform method, works at low signal-to-noise ratios and is automatic. Approaches for increasing the signal-to-noise ratio and criteria for rejecting the obtained estimates are proposed. An error of 1–10% was achieved, depending on the signal-to-noise ratio (from −5 dB) and the velocity of the meteor. Comparison of meteoroid velocities from Kazan Federal University meteor radar measurements with optical observations showed good agreement of estimates with a slight underestimation of 2–8%, presumably due to the neglect of deceleration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• UV-microbursts were measured by a highly sensitive photometer in auroral zone. • UV-microbursts are observed as series of pulses with complex time structure. • The relativistic electron microbursts origin of UV emission is considered. In this paper we present data on the UV-microburst (300–400 nm flashes with a duration less than 1 s) measurements in the auroral zone. Measurements were performed during the period 09.2021–04.2022 by the highly sensitive imaging photometer installed at the Verkhnetulomsky observatory of the Polar Geophysical Institute. It is shown that microbursts are grouped in a series with a duration from 10 s to 10 min. They were observed in relatively quiet geomagnetic conditions (K P < 3) at the southern boundary of the auroral oval in the evening magnetic local time (MLT) sector. UV-microbursts are observed in different observational conditions (clouds, transparent clouds and clear sky) and spatially represent various patterns: uniform diffuse illumination, local spots. Joint analyses of the optical measurements and satellite data on charged particle fluxes demonstrates that an auroral oval, characterized by a plasma, is placed to the north of the observatory. At the same time increased flux of electrons with energy more than 100 keV is observed at the same L-shell and MLT sector. The possible origin of the UV-microbursts is a precipitation of energetic electrons from a poleward boundary of the outer radiation belt in a form of relativistic electron microbursts is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the effect of precursor concentration for WO 3 deposition by AACVD method was investigated. At the outset, H 2 WO 4 was synthesized as the precursor for the deposition process. In the next step, H 2 WO 4 solutions used in the AACVD process, with concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, and 1 M, were evaluated using a static wettability test. CV test revealed that at a concentration of 0.5 M, a higher number of charge carriers were involved in the redox process. CA and EIS tests were also employed to measure the impact of concentration on the electrochemical properties of the coated samples. Based on these findings, the concentration of 0.5 M was identified as optimal. Subsequently, Triton X-100 was added to the solution as a surfactant, and the deposition process was carried out. All the aforementioned tests were also conducted on the 0.5 M + Triton sample. Microstructural studies showed that the addition of Triton X-100 to the 0.5 M solution significantly improved the uniformity of the deposited tungsten oxide films. Based on optical measurements, the 0.5 M + Triton sample exhibited the optimal optical modulation (55.66 %), and coloration efficiency (40.37 cm2C-1) at the wavelength of 633 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Y 2 O 3 : 5%Yb3+, 0.5%Tm3+, z%Ho3+ (z = 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0) upconversion luminescent materials were synthesized by CO 2 laser zone melting method. The upconversion luminescence (UCL) spectra of the samples were recorded with the excitation of 980 nm laser, and the energy transfer processes among doped rare earth (RE) ions were analyzed. The introduction of Ho3+ ions into Y 2 O 3 : 5%Yb3+, 0.5%Tm3+ gave the samples four distinct UCL bands, including blue, green, red, and infrared emission bands. The temperature sensing characteristics based on the fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) of non-thermally coupled levels (NTCLs) of Tm3+ and Ho3+ ions were studied, and the derived maximum relative sensitivity (S R) reached impressive value of 0.0138 K-1 (298 K). Compared to the materials doped with single emission center of either Tm3+ or Ho3+ ions, the luminescent material co-doped with both Tm3+ and Ho3+ ions exhibited higher sensitivity while maintaining a wide temperature measurement range. The research results indicate that Y 2 O 3 : Yb3+, Tm3+, Ho3+ upconversion phosphor promises broad application prospects in optical temperature measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3D Optical temperature sensors are highly valuable in various fields such as industry, medicine, and aerospace, as they allow for real-time detection of temperature distribution on surfaces. However, existing temperature sensor materials face challenges in achieving accurate detection across a wide range of temperatures from low to high. To overcome these issues, Cs 2 Zn 1-x Eu x Br 4 perovskite B 2 O 3 –BaF 2 -Ga 2 O 3 (BBG) borate glass was prepared for non-contact 3D optical temperature sensing. Cs 2 Zn 1-x Eu x Br 4 perovskite B 2 O 3 –BaF 2 -Ga 2 O 3 (BBG) borate glass improves the stability, thus expanding the temperature measurement range. Utilizing the fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) method, based on the 613 nm (Eu3+: 5D 0 →7F 2) and 592 nm (Eu3+: 5D 0 →7F 1) emission bands, a FIR benchmark database was constructed for the entire temperature range from 10 K to 640 K. Temperature calculation equations related to FIR were derived, with a maximal relative sensitivity of 0.08 % K−1 at 180 K. The method for measuring the surface temperature of 3D curved aircraft is based on the rare earth perovskite borate glass. The temperature measured with this method is close to the thermal imaging temperature and has a good temperature measuring effect. The temperature measurement range is wider and more advantageous than previously reported ranges. These results indicate that Cs 2 Zn 1-x Eu x Br 4 -BBG perovskite borate glass temperature sensors have broad application prospects in many applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents in situ, high-resolution optical measurements of particle size distributions (PSD) within sediment plumes generated by a pre-prototype deep seabed nodule collector vehicle operating in the abyssal Pacific Ocean. These measurements were obtained using a cutting-edge instrument, the LISST-RTSSV sensor. The data collected in situ reveal marked differences compared to previously reported laboratory-based, ex situ measurements. The grain size and other key particle shape characteristics are found to be dependent on multiple factors, including the collector vehicle maneuvers, the time elapsed following sediment discharge, and the complex hydrodynamic processes that generate the sediment in suspension. Significantly, the PSD from a highly complex succession of straight-line maneuvers converges to that of the canonical case of a simple straight-line driving maneuver within a timescale of ten minutes. Our results underscore the importance of parameterizing sediment plume transport models based on well-informed, comprehensive PSDs of detrained suspended sediment measured in situ at adequate timescales and in regions no longer strongly influenced by active and complex hydrodynamic processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous modeling studies have not properly explained the measured mass absorption cross section (MAC) at 550 nm, the linear backscattering depolarization ratio (LDR) at 355 and 532 nm, and the scattering matrix of soot at 532 nm. In this work, we attempt to use a black carbon (BC) model with an intrinsic organic carbon (OC) coating to explain the large MAC, large LDR, and measured scattering matrix. Our results show that the bare fractal BC model is not able to explain MAC, LDR, and scattering matrix simultaneously and that the modeling values do not cover the measurement range. This study shows that the modeled LDR and scattering matrix can cover the measurement range if we constrain the MAC of the BC in the measurement range by the intrinsic OC coating when we consider the effects of monomer radius, monomer number, and monomer overlap simultaneously. Therefore, intrinsic OC coating can be a significant source of uncertainty in the optical properties of fresh soot. Plain Language Summary: Since soot is the most important absorbing particle in the atmosphere, an accurate calculation of the optical properties of soot is of great importance for climate assessment and remote sensing. However, some of the observed optical properties of soot are difficult to explain with current models. In this study, a black carbon (BC) model with an intrinsic organic carbon (OC) coating is used to explain these difficult‐to‐explain optical properties. The results show that the simulated mass absorption cross section (MAC), linear backscattering depolarization ratio (LDR), and scattering matrix are difficult to explain when only the influence of BC is considered, although the effects of monomer size, monomer number, and monomer overlap are taken into account. Range of observation. However, after accounting for the intrinsic OC coating, the model is able to account for the range of realistic optical observations. Therefore, the intrinsic OC coating may be responsible for some optical properties that are difficult to explain with the current models. Key Points: The model of pure black carbon (BC) has difficulty explaining some optical observations of sootWe have proposed a soot model consisting of a BC core and an intrinsic organic carbon (OC) shellThe intrinsic OC coating may be a cause of some unexplained optical properties in current models [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical investigations of nanometer distances between proteins, their subunits, or other biomolecules have been the exclusive prerogative of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy for decades. In this work, we show that MINFLUX fluorescence nanoscopy measures intramolecular distances down to 1 nanometer—and in planar projections down to 1 angstrom—directly, linearly, and with angstrom precision. Our method was validated by quantifying well-characterized 1- to 10-nanometer distances in polypeptides and proteins. Moreover, we visualized the orientations of immunoglobulin subunits, applied the method in human cells, and revealed specific configurations of a histidine kinase PAS domain dimer. Our results open the door for examining proximities and interactions by direct position measurements at the intramacromolecular scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have constructed the phase diagrams in water of two commercial additives for coatings consisting of polyether‐modified polydimethylsiloxanes. These aqueous systems form a liquid crystal mesophase (LC) at copolymer concentrations higher than 60 wt%. At low copolymer concentrations, this LC coexists with a diluted aqueous phase. Small angle x‐ray scattering (SAXS) measurements and polarized optical microscope observations indicate that the structure of the mesophase is lamellar, with an interlayer spacing that increases linearly with the concentration of water in the system. The lamellar liquid crystals display temperature‐dependent viscoelastic behavior, with the copolymer with longer spacing showing a much lower elastic modulus. Since one of the copolymer has terminal acryl groups, its lamellar phase can be crosslinked to produce gelled liquid crystals. Other cross‐linked self‐assembled structures, such as bicontinuous microemulsions, are envisaged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The negatively charged nitrogen vacancy (NV) center in diamond is an optically accessible material defect with a unique combination of spin and optical properties that has attracted interest in quantum-information sciences and as a design candidate for nanoscale quantum sensors. Here, we present time-resolved nonlinear optical spectroscopy measurements, conducted with ultrabroadband laser pulses, that reveal strong modulation of the excited-state by the longitudinal optical (LO) phonon of the diamond lattice. The LO phonon and its overtones geometrically distort neighboring NV centers, driving long lived (3.5 ps) excited state relaxation of coupled NV centers after the initial excitation and ultrafast (<150 fs) decay of the Jahn–Teller distortion. These observations elevate the LO phonon to an important tuning mode of the Jahn–Teller conical intersection and help resolve previous spectroscopy experiments that noted longer-lived excited-state dynamics. Vibrational relaxation dynamics associated with NV centers in diamond has been intensively studied, but with contrasting reports. Here, using ultrabroadband transition absorption and 2D electronic spectroscopy, the authors reveal longitudinal-optical-phonon driven excited-state relaxation of coupled NV centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Replacing the endocentric lenses in traditional Phase-Measuring Deflectometry (PMD) with bi-telecentric lenses can reduce the number of parameters to be optimized during the calibration process, which can effectively increase both measurement precision and efficiency. Consequently, the low distortion characteristics of bi-telecentric PMD contribute to improved measurement accuracy. However, the calibration of the extrinsic parameters of bi-telecentric lenses requires the help of a micro-positioning stage. Using a micro-positioning stage for the calibration of external parameters can result in an excessively cumbersome and time-consuming calibration process. Thus, this study proposes a holistic and flexible calibration solution for which only one flat mirror in three poses is needed. In order to obtain accurate measurement results, the calibration residuals are utilized to construct the inverse distortion map through bicubic Hermite interpolation in order to obtain accurate anchor positioning result. The calibrated stereo bi-telecentric PMD can achieve 3.5 μm (Peak-to-Valley value) accuracy within 100 mm (Width) × 100 mm (Height) × 200 mm (Depth) domain for various surfaces. This allows the obtaining of reliable measurement results without restricting the placement of the surface under test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their advantageous characteristics, shape memory alloys (SMAs) are prominent representatives in smart materials. They can be used in application fields such as soft robotics, biomimetics, and medicine. Within this work, a fiber–elastomer composite with integrated SMA wire is developed and investigated. Bending and torsion occur when the SMA is activated because of the anisotropic structure of the textile. The metrological challenge in characterizing actuators that perform both bending and torsion lies in the large active deformation of the composite and the associated difficulties in fully imaging and analyzing this with optical measurement methods. In this work, a multi-sensor camera system with up to four pairs of cameras connected in parallel is used. The structure to be characterized is recorded from all sides to evaluate the movement in three-dimensional space. The energy input and the time required for an even deflection of the actuator are investigated experimentally. Here, the activation parameters for the practical energy input required for long life with good deflection, i.e., good efficiency, were analyzed. Different parameters and times are considered to minimize the energy input and, thus, to prevent possible overheating and damage to the wire. Thermography is used to evaluate the heating of the SMA wire at different actuation times over a defined time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study identifies the characteristics of water regions with negative normalized water-leaving radiance ( n L w (λ) ) values in the satellite observations of the Second-generation Global Imager (SGLI) sensor aboard the Global Change Observation Mission–Climate (GCOM-C) satellite. SGLI Level-2 data, along with atmospheric and in-water optical properties measured by the sun photometers in the AErosol RObotic NETwork-Ocean Color (AERONET-OC) from 26 sites globally, are utilized in this study. The focus is particularly on Tokyo Bay and the Ariake Sea, semi-enclosed water regions in Japan where previous research has pointed out the occurrence of negative n L w (λ) values due to atmospheric correction with SGLI. The study examines the temporal changes in atmospheric and in-water optical properties in these two regions, and identifies the characteristics of regions prone to negative n L w (λ) values due to atmospheric correction by comparing the optical properties of these regions with those of 24 other AERONET-OC sites. The time series results of n L w (λ) and the single-scattering albedo ( ω (λ) ) obtained by the sun photometers at the two sites in Tokyo Bay and Ariake Sea, along with SGLI n L w (λ) , indicate the occurrence of negative values in SGLI n L w (λ) in blue band regions, which are mainly attributed to the inflow of absorptive aerosols. However, these negative values are not entirely explained by ω (λ) at 443 nm alone. Additionally, a comparison of in situ n L w (λ) measurements in Tokyo Bay and the Ariake Sea with n L w (λ) values obtained from 24 other AERONET-OC sites, as well as the inherent optical properties (IOPs) estimated through the Quasi-Analytical Algorithm version 5 (QAA_v5), identified five sites—Gulf of Riga, Long Island Sound, Lake Vanern, the Tokyo Bay, and Ariake Sea—as regions where negative n L w (λ) values are more likely to occur. These regions also tend to have lower n L w (λ)   values at shorter wavelengths. Furthermore, relatively high light absorption by phytoplankton and colored dissolved organic matter, plus non-algal particles, was confirmed in these regions. This occurs because atmospheric correction processing excessively subtracts aerosol light scattering due to the influence of aerosol absorption, increasing the probability of the occurrence of negative n L w (λ) values. Based on the analysis of atmospheric and in-water optical measurements derived from AERONET-OC in this study, it was found that negative n L w (λ)   values due to atmospheric correction are more likely to occur in water regions characterized by both the presence of absorptive aerosols in the atmosphere and high light absorption by in-water substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electron beam techniques have been used to analyze the impact of substrate choice and growth parameters on the compositional and optical properties of tin gallium oxide [(SnxGa1−x)2O3] thin films grown by plasma‐assisted molecular beam epitaxy. Sn incorporation and film quality are found to be highly dependent on growth temperature and substrate material (silicon, sapphire, and bulk Ga2O3) with alloy concentrations varying up to an x value of 0.11. Room temperature cathodoluminescence spectra show the Sn alloying suppressing UV (3.3–3.0 eV), enhancing blue (2.8–2.4 eV), and generating green (2.4–2.0 eV) emission, indicative of the introduction of a high density of gallium vacancies (VGa) and subsequent VGa–Sn complexes. This behavior was further analyzed by mapping composition and luminescence across a cross section. Compared to Ga2O3, the spectral bands show a clear redshift due to bandgap reduction, confirmed by optical transmission measurements. The results show promise that the bandgap of gallium oxide can successfully be reduced through Sn alloying and used for bandgap engineering within UV optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Hyperkalemia is a common life-threatening condition causing severe electrophysiologic derangements and arrhythmias. The beneficial effects of calcium (Ca2+) treatment for hyperkalemia have been attributed to "membrane stabilization," by restoration of resting membrane potential (RMP). However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Our objective was to investigate the mechanisms underlying adverse electrophysiologic effects of hyperkalemia and the therapeutic effects of Ca2+ treatment. DESIGN: Controlled experimental trial. SETTING: Laboratory investigation. SUBJECTS: Canine myocytes and tissue preparations. INTERVENTIONS AND MEASUREMENTS: Optical action potentials and volume averaged electrocardiograms were recorded from the transmural wall of ventricular wedge preparations (n = 7) at baseline (4 mM potassium), hyperkalemia (8-12 mM), and hyperkalemia + Ca2+ (3.6 mM). Isolated myocytes were studied during hyperkalemia (8 mM) and after Ca2+ treatment (6 mM) to determine cellular RMP. MAIN RESULTS: Hyperkalemia markedly slowed conduction velocity (CV, by 67% +/- 7%; p < 0.001) and homogeneously shortened action potential duration (APD, by 20% +/- 10%; p < 0.002). In all preparations, this resulted in QRS widening and the "sine wave" pattern observed in severe hyperkalemia. Ca2+ treatment restored CV (increase by 44% +/- 18%; p < 0.02), resulting in narrowing of the QRS and normalization of the electrocardiogram, but did not restore APD. RMP was significantly elevated by hyperkalemia; however, it was not restored with Ca2+ treatment suggesting a mechanism unrelated to "membrane stabilization." In addition, the effect of Ca2+ was attenuated during L-type Ca2+ channel blockade, suggesting a mechanism related to Ca2+-dependent (rather than normally sodium-dependent) conduction. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that Ca2+ treatment for hyperkalemia restores conduction through Ca2+-dependent propagation, rather than restoration of membrane potential or "membrane stabilization." Our findings provide a mechanistic rationale for Ca2+ treatment when hyperkalemia produces abnormalities of conduction (i.e. QRS prolongation). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of SnCl2 dopant concentration on the properties of Sn-doped polyaniline (PANI) as a hole transport layer (HTL) for perovskite solar cells (PSC) was investigated. PANI films were synthesized by potentiostatic electropolymerization at 1 V vs. Ag/AgCl in sulfuric acid containing 0.1 M of aniline. The study analyzed various processes, including anodic charge transfer, diffusion, crosslinking, and coordination of SnCl2. Results showed that SnCl2 doping decreased the branching of PANI chains and enhanced the thermal properties of PANI. The Raman spectrum confirmed crosslinking behavior due to the incorporation of Sn. Thermogravimetric analysis, derivative thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry supported SnCl2 coordination to the PANI backbone. Optical measurements revealed a decrease in transmittance and reflectance and a substantial decrease in the band gap as the concentration of SnCl2 increased. Mechanism of PANI growth and different early stage reactions are thoroughly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for highly sensitive methods of pathogen detection drives the development of new diagnostic assays. While nucleic acid amplification methods such as PCR are very sensitive and remain widely used, they may be limited in complex sample matrices due to the presence of polymerase inhibitors. On the other hand, the direct detection of nucleic acids by DNA hybridization assays is simple but typically less sensitive. This work combines a branched DNA (bDNA) hybridization assay with upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP) labels to enhance the sensitivity of DNA detection. The anti‐Stokes emission of UCNP labels enables measurements without optical background interference. The bDNA assay relies on a series of oligonucleotide probes creating a branched structure with several binding sites for biotinylated amplification probes and streptavidin‐conjugated UCNPs. Several configurations of the bDNA assay are investigated to achieve the highest signal amplification and the lowest background signal. The optimal configuration of bDNA assay yields a limit of detection (LOD) of 5.9 × 104 cfu mL−1 for the target DNA of the bacteriophage M13. The upconversion‐linked bDNA assay is easily adaptable to other target DNAs by adjusting the oligonucleotide probes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

d-Phenylalanine (d-Phe) is a small chiral organic molecule that is both an important pharmaceutical intermediate and used as a calibrator for quantifying amino acids in liquid chromatography-circular dichroism. We have developed a process for a national certified reference material (CRM) for d-Phe following ISO 17034:2016. The identity of d-Phe was confirmed using mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared, and ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy. The absolute optical conformation was also determined using circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and optical rotation measurements. Impurities were identified via liquid chromatography (LC) with a UV–Vis detector and a charged aerosol detector (CAD) and LC–MS. Both mass balance and quantitative NMR were employed for value assessment, and the associated uncertainty was evaluated. The certified purity was determined to be 0.995 ± 0.003 g/g, a validation that was confirmed by CD using l-Phe CRM as a calibrator. Twenty milligrams of raw material was packed in sealed brown glass tubes for storage, and no inhomogeneity was observed. Stability tests revealed that the d-Phe CRM remained stable at −20 °C for at least 26 months, at 4 °C for at least 14 days, and at 25 °C and 60 °C for at least 7 days. The d-Phe CRM can be used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of d-Phe quantitation in the pharmaceutical field and also as a calibrator to ensure traceability to the International System of Units (SI) for l-Phe quantitation and protein purity analysis using LC-CD methods. The approach outlined in this paper also has potential for use in the development of other chiral CRMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite solar cells have reached an impressive certified efficiency of 26.1%, with a considerable fraction of the remaining losses attributed to carrier recombination at perovskite interfaces. This work demonstrates how time‐resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy (TRPL) can be utilized to locate and quantify remaining recombination losses in perovskite solar cells, analogous to methods established to improve silicon solar cell passivation and contact layers. It is shown how TRPL analysis can be extended to determine the bulk and surface lifetimes, surface recombination velocity, the recombination parameter, J0, and the implied open‐circuit voltage (iVoc) of any perovskite device configuration. This framework is used to compare 18 carrier‐selective and passivating contacts commonly used or emerging for perovskite photovoltaics. Furthermore, the iVoc values calculated from the TRPL‐based framework are directly compared to those calculated from photoluminescence quantum yields and the measured solar cell Voc. This simple technique serves as a practical guide for screening and selecting multifunctional, passivating perovskite contact layers. As with silicon solar cells, most of the material and interface analysis can be done without fabricating full devices or measuring efficiency. These purely optical measurements are even preferable when studying bulk and interfacial passivation approaches, since they remove complicating effects from poor carrier extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study focused on investigating the photoluminescence behavior of pure strontium phosphate glasses with a composition of 62.5% P2O5 and 37.5% SrO. Then it was extended to investigate the effects of adding rare earth elements (Pr3+, Sm3+, Eu3+, Dy3+) and the crystallization process on improving luminescent properties of the parent glass. Various spectroscopic measurements, including XRD, SEM & EDAX, and FTIR, were conducted to examine the relationship between structural changes and their impact on luminescent performance. The optical measurements showed a characteristic enhancement resulting from the addition of RE3+-dopants and the crystallization process. The crystallization of glasses yielded a single phase from Sr(PO3)2 with an extended emission peak at 671 nm and heightened intensity compared to the glassy sample. The development of efficient and stable luminescent glasses via crystallization and dopant type can lead to advancements in applications such as glowing devices, optical detectors, and photonics innovations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate assessments have largely overlooked the radiative effect of anthropogenic coarse particulate matter (PMcoarse, with an aerodynamic diameter between 2.5 and 10 µm) in China. Despite its similar mass concentration to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), anthropogenic sources of PMcoarse in China have been much less studied and typically underrepresented in models. Here, we present a new model simulation for PMcoarse in China that incorporates various anthropogenic sources. The model successfully captures the magnitude and distribution of observed PMcoarse and recently available aerosol optical depth measurements at near-infrared wavelengths, which are substantially underestimated if anthropogenic PMcoarse is not included. We find that anthropogenic PMcoarse exerts a cooling effect of -0.11 Wm−2 (-0.03 to -0.42 Wm−2) in China by aerosol–radiation interaction, capable of completely offsetting the warming effect from black carbon by 2060 under Dynamic Projection model for Emissions in China (DPEC) 1.1 scenario. We conclude that the radiative effect due to anthropogenic PMcoarse will likely dampen the warming penalty caused by the emission reduction of other aerosols in China and should be incorporated into climate models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores a new approach to improving satellite measurements of cloud optical thickness and droplet size by considering the radiative impacts of horizontal heterogeneity in boundary-layer cumulus clouds. In contrast to the usual bottom-up approach that retrieves cloud properties for individual pixels and subsequently compiles large-scale statistics, the proposed top-down approach first determines the effect of 3D heterogeneity on large-scale cloud statistics and then distributes the overall effects to individual pixels. The potential of this approach is explored by applying a regression-based scheme to a simulated dataset containing over 3000 scenes generated through large eddy simulations. The results show that the new approach can greatly reduce the errors in widely used bispectral retrievals that assume horizontal homogeneity. Errors in large-scale mean values and cloud variability are typically reduced by factors of two to four for 1 km resolution retrievals—and the reductions remain significant even for a 4 km resolution. The calculations also reveal that over vegetation heterogeneity-caused droplet size retrieval biases are often opposite to the biases found over oceans. Ultimately, the proposed approach shows potential for improving the accuracy of both old and new satellite datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A polarimeter, fundamental for characterizing the polarization state of light, is critical for advancing optical measurement techniques by delivering precise polarization information. A compact and portable polarimeter holds particular importance in applications like remote sensing and medical diagnosis. However, existing methods for developing a compact polarimeter are difficult to achieve full Stokes vector detection for broadband operation, and the noise immunity is also very weak. These defects significantly constrain the versatility of polarimeters across diverse application scenarios. Herein, a metadevice with dual-layer subwavelength grating structure for full Stokes vector detection has been proposed, capable of simultaneously achieving broadband detection and noise suppression. The intensity of the four elliptical polarization states of the incident light can be captured by four regions on this metadevice, enabling the computation of the full polarization state information via Mueller matrix inversion. Additionally, a set of optimized retardance at 0.73 π and orientation angles at 43°, 80°, 111°, and 146° is provided to effectively suppress the noise. The results indicate that the recovery error remains below 5% across the 450–650 nm spectral range, showcasing a 1.5-fold enhancement in noise suppression capability compared to conventional structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The measurement and control of mechanical resonators are critical for cavity magnomechanics, which has emerged as an important frontier for hybrid quantum systems based on magnonics. Traditional microwave-based measurements require handling high-frequency signals and cannot achieve field distribution detection. Here, we demonstrate a method for optically measuring and manipulating a ferromagnetic mechanical resonator. This technique allows for direct observation of the response and field distribution of mechanical oscillations during magnomechanically induced transparency/absorption processes, confirming that the mechanical mode S 1 , 2 is coupled with the magnon. The optical measurement not only serves to validate the magnomechanical coupling theory but also reduces the necessity for high-frequency measurements. Furthermore, we utilize the instantaneously measured results to implement feedback control of the self-oscillating mechanical resonator to overcome the dynamical back-action limit, achieving a threefold enhancement of phonon lasing amplitude. This feedback control lays the foundation for the study of quantum cavity magnomechanics, such as the feedback cooling of a magnomechanical resonator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The KYb(MoO 4) 2 : Er3+, Y3+ phosphors were synthesized by high temperature solid state reaction method. By further doping Y3+ ions, the near-infrared (NIR, 804 nm, 4I 9/2 → 4I 15/2) luminescence of KYb(MoO 4) 2 : 0.1 % Er3+ phosphor is greatly enhanced. Based on the upconversion luminescence (UCL) spectra, the optimal doping concentration of Y3+ ions were 7.5 %. Its near-infrared UCL intensity is about 26.9 times that of undoped Y3+ ions. Through a series of characterization methods, we find that the enhancement of NIR upconversion emission is due to the generation of defect bands. It plays a crucial role in facilitating the transfer of energy from green light level (2H 11/2 , 4S 3/2) to red light level (4F 9/2) and near-infrared level. To explain the luminescence mechanism, the power dependence, UV-VI-NIR absorption spectra, excitation spectra at 804 nm and emission spectra at 380 nm were studied. In addition, the 804 nm single near-infrared UCL intensity of KYb (MoO 4) 2 : Er3+, Y3+ shows a linear variation with temperature in the temperature range of 298 K–673 K. The maximum sensitivity is 0.13 % K−1. This study provides a new method and theoretical support for the application of near-infrared UCL in optical temperature measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, with the growing demand for non-contact and real-time optical temperature measurements, it has become imperative to develop new luminescent thermometry materials as well as novel temperature detection schemes with higher sensitivity. In this work, a series of Sr1-xB4O7:xTm2+ (x = 0.001-0.01) polycrystalline powder samples were prepared using a high temperature solid state reaction under ambient atmospheric conditions. The emission spectra and the luminescence decay curves of the red emission corresponding to the 4f125d → 4f13 (²F7/2) transition of Tm2+ were recorded at intervals of 10 K from 280 K to 380 K. Both the emission intensity and the fluorescence lifetime exhibited remarkable temperature correlation in the studied temperature range, which reached the best relative temperature sensitivities of 3.55% K-1 and 3.86% K-1 at 363 K and 346 K, respectively. Furthermore, taking into account the highly sensitive variation of the fluorescence lifetime of Tm2+ in the SrB4O7 matrix as the temperature increased near room temperature, a time-resolved temperature measurement scheme was performed to realize real-time temperature field imaging. By utilizing the intensified charge coupled device (ICCD) camera with a time gate to acquire the integral intensity of distinct time intervals and calibrate the relationship between the ratio and the temperature, the experimental results demonstrated that this temperature measurement scheme can achieve a maximum relative sensitivity of 9.39% K-1 at 313 K, which significantly surpasses the relative sensitivity of the other two conventional temperature measurement schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to their exceptional mechanical, electronic, and phononic transport properties, compositionally complex alloys, including high-entropy alloys, represent an important class of materials. However, the interplay between chemical disorder and electronic correlations, and its influence on electronic structure-derived properties, remains largely unexplored. This is addressed for the archetypal CrMnFeCoNi alloy using resonant and valence band photoemission spectroscopy, electrical resistivity, and optical conductivity measurements, complemented by linear response calculations based on density functional theory. Utilizing dynamical mean-field theory, correlation signatures and damping in the spectra are identified, highlighting the significance of many-body effects, particularly in states distant from the Fermi edge. Electronic transport remains dominated by disorder and potentially short-range order, especially at low temperatures, while visible-spectrum optical conductivity and high-temperature transport are influenced by short quasiparticle lifetimes. These findings improve our understanding of element-specific electronic correlations in compositionally complex alloys and facilitate the development of advanced materials with tailored electronic properties. Compositionally complex alloys have attracted significant attention recently, but the role of electronic correlations in these materials is unknown. Redka et al. study the CrMnFeCoNi alloy using a combination of experimental and theoretical techniques, revealing strong correlation effects far from the Fermi edge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significance: Motion artifacts in the signals recorded during optical fiber-based measurements can lead to misinterpretation of data. In this work, we address this problem during in-vivo rodent experiments and develop a motion artifacts correction (MAC) algorithm for single-fiber system (SFS) hemodynamics measurements from the brains of rodents. Aim: (i) To distinguish the effect of motion artifacts in the SFS signals. (ii) Develop a MAC algorithm by combining information from the experiments and simulations and validate it. Approach: Monte-Carlo (MC) simulations were performed across 450 to 790 nm to identify wavelengths where the reflectance is least sensitive to blood absorptionbased changes. This wavelength region is then used to develop a quantitative metric to measure motion artifacts, termed the dissimilarity metric (DM). We used MC simulations to mimic artifacts seen during experiments. Further, we developed a mathematical model describing light intensity at various optical interfaces. Finally, an MAC algorithm was formulated and validated using simulation and experimental data. Results: We found that the 670 to 680 nm wavelength region is relatively less sensitive to blood absorption. The standard deviation of DM (sDM) can measure the relative magnitude of motion artifacts in the SFS signals. The artifacts cause rapid shifts in the reflectance data that can be modeled as transmission changes in the optical lightpath. The changes observed during the experiment were found to be in agreement to those obtained from MC simulations. The mathematical model developed to model transmission changes to represent motion artifacts was extended to an MAC algorithm. TheMAC algorithmwas validated using simulations and experimental data. Conclusions: We distinguished motion artifacts from SFS signals during in vivo hemodynamic monitoring experiments. From simulation and experimental data, we showed that motion artifacts can be modeled as transmission changes. The developed MAC algorithm was shown to minimize artifactual variations in both simulation and experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) shortens with age and may be related to multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective: We hypothesize that chronologically young people with MS (pwMS) with short LTL behave similarly to older MS subjects. Methods: Prospective 2-year study including two cohorts of young (18–35 years) and elderly (⩾50 years) pwMS with similar disease duration. Physical and cognitive evaluation, 3 T brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) measurement by optical coherence tomography were performed. LTL was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay. Results: Around 105 patients were included, 57 young and 48 elderly. LTL was shorter in older patients (0.61 versus 0.57, p = 0.0081) and in males (female, 0.60; male, 0.59; p = 0.01335). For every 10-year increase in age, LTL was 0.02 U shorter. In elderly, LTL correlated with disease duration (p = 0.05), smoking (p = 0.03), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS; p = 0.004), 9HPT (p = 0.00007), high-efficacy therapies (p = 0.001), brain lesion volume (BLV) (p = 0.011), and number of T2 lesions (p = 0.01). In young patients, LTL did not correlate with clinical or radiological variables. For every 0.1 U shorter LTL, gray matter volume decreased 1.75 cm3 and white matter volume 1.78 cm3. Conclusion: LTL correlated with disability and BLV in elderly. Besides LTL shortening, other variables should be considered as mechanisms of neurodegeneration that might be involved in aging pwMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a solid-state technique under low temperature conditions, Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped Bi2Mo2O9 phosphors with different concentrations were prepared, exhibiting excellent green up-conversion luminescence property. A thorough investigation was conducted on the phase structure, optical transition, up-conversion luminescence, and down-shifting luminescence properties of the prepared samples. Bi2Mo2O9: Er3+/Yb3+ phosphors excited at 381, 980, and 1550 nm showed strong green fluorescence together with very faint red emission. The mechanism of up-conversion luminescence and its capacity for temperature sensing were examined under the excitation of various wavelengths. Under 980 nm excitation, the maximal relative and absolute sensitivities were determined to be 1.107%K− 1 and 0.756%K− 1 at 303 K and 513 K, respectively. Furthermore, the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters of Er3+ in Bi2Mo2O9: Er3+/Yb3+ phosphors were calculated using the diffuse reflectance spectra and fluorescence lifetime of Er3+. In addition, material was combined with polyacrylic acid to make an anti-counterfeiting pattern. The results indicate that Bi2Mo2O9: Er3+/Yb3+ phosphor is an excellent green phosphor with optical temperature measurement function, and it also has certain applications in the field of anti-counterfeiting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indium selenide (InSe) is a novel narrow bandgap (1. 3 eV) layered semiconductor with excellent plasticity and electrical properties, and has broad application prospects in new electronic and optoelectronic devices. Undoped and aluminum doped InSe crystals were grown by Bridgman method. The chemical composition and surface morphology of the prepared materials were characterized using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This study founds that aluminum doping can regulate the plasticity and optoelectronic properties of InSe crystals. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that the crystal has a hexagonal structure, and Raman spectroscopy characterization confirms that the crystal structure is ε-InSe. Nanoindentation measurements indicate that as the aluminum doping content increases, the hardness and modulus of InSe crystal decrease, while the plasticity of the material increases. Hall effect measurement and optical absorption spectrum results indicate that aluminum doping can increase the carrier concentration and bandgap width. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faced with measurement conditions such as high-temperature forging, strict prohibition of surface contamination, and toxic environments, using the projection point of an optical target projector (referred to as an "optical projector") as a photogrammetric target has become a necessary method of high-precision industrial photogrammetry. In connection with the current industrial demand, we have analyzed the principles of optical projectors and introduced their optical characteristics and advantages in the field of industrial photogrammetry. On this basis, a series of tests such as brightness, roundness, and so on were conducted to determine the basic properties of the optical projector. A set of performance test methods including inner coincidence accuracy and outer coincidence accuracy were proposed; the tests included industrial photogrammetry system measurement repeatability, surface measurement precision, and a comparison test with laser tracker. The test conditions used optical projection points as the photogrammetry targets. The test results showed that the coordinate measurement repeatability of the industrial photogrammetry system is 0.010 mm, and the surface measurement precision is 0.007 mm under the condition of a single optical projector station, with little difference between the results under the condition of pasting retro-reflective targets. In the process of the comparison test with laser tracker, the image quality of the black measurement object obtained is obviously inferior to other surfaces, so the analysis of the point projector is greatly affected by the color of the measured object and other conditions, which provides a reference for the measurement object and application range of the industrial photogrammetric system based on optical targets. The results demonstrate the applicability and reliability of using the optical projection point of an optical projector as target points for photogrammetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive manufacturing (AM) techniques are among the fastest-growing technologies for producing even the most geometrically complex models. Unfortunately, the lack of development of metrology guidelines for these methods, related to dimensional and geometry accuracy and surface roughness, significantly limits the commercialization of finished products manufactured using these methods. This paper aims to evaluate the macro- and micro-geometry of models manufactured using the PolyJet method from three types of photopolymer resins: Digital ABS Plus, RGD 720, and Vero Clear. For this purpose, test parts were designed and then manufactured on an Object 350 Connex3 3D printer. The Atos II Triple Scan optical system and the InfiniteFocusG4 microscope were used to evaluate macro- and micro-geometry, respectively. For both systems, measurement procedures were developed to obtain statistical results for evaluating geometric accuracy and surface roughness parameters. In the case of macro-geometry, for Digital ABS Plus and Vero Clear materials, 50% of the central deviations (between first quartile Q1 and third quartile Q3) lie within the range (−0.06, 0.03 mm) and for RGD 720 material within the range (−0.08, 0.01 mm). For micro-geometry, the arithmetic mean height (Sa) values for the Digital ABS Plus and Vero Clear samples were approximately 1.6 and 2.0 µm, respectively, while for RGD 720, it was 15.9 µm. The total roughness height expressed by reduced peak height (Spk) + core height (Sk) + reduced dale depth (Svk) for the Digital ABS Plus and Vero Clear samples was approximately 9.1 and 10.5 µm, respectively, while for the RGD 720, it was 101.9 µm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The simplicity of the so-called triangle method allows estimates of evapotranspiration and soil water content to be made without ancillary data external to the image and with just a few simple algebraic calculations. Drawing on many examples in the literature showing that the pixel distribution in temperature/fractional vegetation cover (NDVI) space closely resembles a right triangle, this paper shows that adoption of a right triangle shape further simplifies the triangle model. Moreover, it allows one to mostly avoid the problem of sparse or low-resolution data. A time dimension can be included showing that trajectories inside the triangle can provide additional information on root zone soil water content. After discussing some of the ambiguities in the triangle method, and the advantageous properties of the right triangle, a proposal is made to illuminate the relationship between thermal/optical measurements and root zone water content within the right triangle framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emulsification processes are often found in the process industry and their evaluation is crucial for product quality and safety. Numerous methods exist to analyze critical quality attributes (CQA) such as the droplet sizes and droplet size distribution (DSD) of an emulsification process. During the emulsification process, the optical process accessibility may be limited due to high disperse phase content of liquid-liquid systems. To overcome this challenge, a modular, optical measurement flow cell is presented to widen the application window of optical methods in emulsification processes. In this contribution, the channel geometry is subject of optimization to modify the flow characteristics and produce high optical quality. In terms of rapid prototyping, an iterative optimization procedure via SLA-3D printing was used to increase operability. The results demonstrated that the flow cell resulting from the optimization procedure provides a broad observation window for droplet detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among methacrylic acid-based gel dosimeters, the MAGAT hydrogel stands out for its tissue equivalence, making it a promising candidate for clinical applications. The incorporation of methylene blue (MB) or zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) into MAGAT hydrogel aims to improve its formulation, enhance dose absorption and facilitate detailed 3D dose verification. The optimization of MB and ZnO NPs has not yet been investigated with polymer gel before. We studied MAGAT hydrogel dosimeters with varying MB concentrations (0.001, 0.002, 0.003, 0.01, 0.02, and 0.03% w/w) and ZnO NPs concentrations (0.03–0.07% w/w), using a double-beam spectrophotometer for optical measurements. Our findings identified the optimal MB concentration in the MAGAT + MB formulation at 0.001% w/w, achieving a sensitivity of 0.0285 a.u./Gy and an accuracy of 0.9995. For the MAGAT + MB + ZnO NPs formulation, the optimal ZnO NPs concentration was 0.07% w/w, with a sensitivity of 0.03106 a.u./Gy and an accuracy of 0.9945. The absorbance peaks for both optimum formulations of (MAGAT + MB) and (MAGAT + MB + ZnO NPs) were observed at a wavelength of 665 and 668 nm, respectively. These advancements promise to reduce monitor units, ensure precise dose delivery, shorten treatment times, and minimize treatment errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]