Absorption Bands Research Articles

Lightweight Fe-doped MnO2@C hollow nanocubes for ultra-broadband microwave absorption

The rational structural design and compositional merits as well as the synergistic coupling effect can break the properties of single material and broaden the microwave absorption band. Herein, the unique lightweight Fe-doped MnO2@C hollow nanocubes are rationally designed and successfully synthesized via a scalable wet chemical process and polydopamine coating followed by high-temperature calcination. By virtue of the unique structure and compositional merits, the as-obtained Fe-doped MnO2@C hollow nanocubes (Fe–MnO2@C-HNBs) displayed notable microwave absorption performance (MAP), simultaneously achieving ultra-broad absorption bandwidth and strong absorption characteristics at a low thickness of 2.3 mm (the reflection loss of −41.02 dB and the effective absorption bandwidth of 5.86 GHz). Surprisingly, the effective absorption bandwidth (RL < −10 dB) could reach up to 8.08 GHz and the minimum reflection loss (RLmin) was −38.20 dB at the thickness of 2.7 mm. The results further confirmed that the excellent microwave attenuation ability of the as-prepared Fe–MnO2@C-HNBs composites benefitted from the special “air@core-shell” structure and multiple heterointerfaces as well as multi-component recombination. These results demonstrated that the as-obtained Fe–MnO2@C-HNBs composites could be attractive candidates for broadband microwave absorption materials.

ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ВОЗМОЖНОСТИ ИЗМЕРЕНИЯ ГЛИКИРОВАННОГО ГЕМОГЛОБИНА МЕТОДОМ СКАНИРУЮЩЕЙ ПРОТОЧНОЙ ЦИТОМЕТРИИ

The article explores the possibility of measuring glycated hemoglobin in single erythrocytes using scanning flow cytometry. Calculations of the intensity of scattered radiation from an erythrocyte in a wide angular range (light scattering indicatrix) were carried out for wavelengths at the maximum of the absorption band of glycated hemoglobin. The maximum sensitivity for the concentration of glycated hemoglobin was set at a wavelength of 415 nm. As a result, it is possible to reliably separate the concentrations of glycated hemoglobin in donors and patients with diagnosed diabetes with a difference in HbA1c concentrations of more than 5% on the existing practical implementation of a scanning flow cytometer, which includes lasers: 405 nm (30 mW, Radius, Coherent Inc., Santa Clara, USA) and 660 nm (LM–660–20–S, 40 mW). A theoretical calculation for a wavelength of 415 nm showed that a noticeable difference in the value of the scattering intensity (more than 10%) is observed only in the case of a difference in the concentrations of glycated hemoglobin of at least 3%. Thus, if a laser with a wavelength of 415 nm is installed on the existing practical implementation of the device, then the determination of glycated hemoglobin will become possible with an accuracy of no more than 3%.

Theoretical prediction of broadband ambient light optogenetic vision restoration with ChRmine and its mutants

Vision restoration is one of the most promising applications of optogenetics. However, it is limited due to the poor-sensitivity, slow-kinetics and narrow band absorption spectra of opsins. Here, a detailed theoretical study of retinal ganglion neurons (RGNs) expressed with ChRmine, ReaChR, CoChR, CatCh and their mutants, with near monochromatic LEDs, and broadband sunlight, halogen lamp, RGB LED light, and pure white light sources has been presented. All the opsins exhibit improved light sensitivity and larger photocurrent on illuminating with broadband light sources compared to narrow band LEDs. ChRmine allows firing at ambient sunlight (1.5 nW/mm2) and pure white light (1.2 nW/mm2), which is lowest among the opsins considered. The broadband activation spectrum of ChRmine and its mutants is also useful to restore color sensitivity. Although ChRmine exhibits slower turn-off kinetics with broadband light, high-fidelity spikes can be evoked upto 50 Hz. This limit extends upto 80 Hz with the improved hsChRmine mutant although it requires double the irradiance compared to ChRmine. The present study shows that ChRmine and its mutants allow activation of RGNs with ambient light which is useful for goggle-free white light optogenetic retinal prostheses with improved quality of restored vision.

Optical properties of nanocomposites based on polypropylene modified by nanoparticles of oxide compounds

The optical properties in UV, visible and near IR spectral regions for nanocomposites based on polypropylene modified by nanoparticles of oxide compounds ZrO2, Al2O3, SiO2, MgO, TiO2, ZnO were studied. A shift of the main optical absorption edge to the short-wave region upon modification by dielectric nanoparticles (MgO, ZrO2, and Al2O3) was established. The absorption edge shifts to the long-wave region upon the introduction of semiconductor nanoparticles (ZnO, TiO2) and amorphous SiO2 particles. In all spectra, the absorption bands at 1200, 1400, and 1720 nm characterized by overtone vibrations of CH, CH2, and CH3 molecular groups were recorded. OH groups make a certain contribution to the bands at 1400 and 1720 nm. The dependence of the intensity of these absorption bands on the type and concentration of nanoparticles used in the modification of polypropylene was analyzed. X-ray diffraction analysis of the studied nanocomposites was carried out, the formation of β-PP was registered upon modification by Al2O3 nanoparticles. Photoluminescence spectra of nanocomposites were studied. It was found that the introduction of nanoparticles (except SiO2) does not lead to the formation of new luminescence bands in PP.

Radiometric Calibration of the Near-Infrared Bands of GF-5-02/DPC for Water Vapor Retrieval

The GaoFen (GF)-5-02 satellite is one of the new generations of hyperspectral observation satellites launched by China in 2021. The directional polarimetric camera (DPC) is an optical sensor onboard the GF-5-02 satellite. The precipitable water vapor (PWV) is a key detection parameter of DPC. However, the existing PWV data developed using DPC data have significant errors due to the lack of the timely calibration of the two bands (865, 910 nm) of DPC used for PWV retrieval. In order to acquire DPC PWV data with smaller errors, a calibration method is developed for these two bands. The method consists of two parts: (1) calibrate the 865 nm band of the DPC using the cross-calibration method, (2) calibrate the 910 nm band of the DPC according to the calibrated 865 nm band of the DPC. This method effectively addresses the issue of the absence of a calibration method for the water vapor absorption band (910 nm) of the DPC. Regardless of whether AERONET PWV data or SuomiNET PWV data are used as the reference data, the accuracy of the DPC PWV data developed using calibrated DPC data is significantly superior to that of the DPC PWV data retrieved using data before recalibration. This means that the calibration method for the NIR bands of the DPC can effectively enhance the quality of DPC PWV data.

Intramolecular singlet fission: Quantum dynamical simulations including the effect of the laser field.

In the previous work [Reddy et al., J. Chem. Phys. 151, 044307 (2019)], we have analyzed the dynamics of the intramolecular singlet fission process in a series of prototypical pentacene-based dimers, where the pentacene monomers are covalently bonded to a phenylene linker in ortho, meta, and para positions. The results obtained were qualitatively consistent with the experimental data available, showing an ultrafast population of the multiexcitonic state that mainly takes place via a mediated (superexchange-like) mechanism involving charge transfer and doubly excited states. Our results also highlighted the instrumental role of molecular vibrations in the process as a sizable population of the multiexcitonic state could only be obtained through vibronic coupling. Here, we extend these studies and investigate the effect of the laser field on the dynamics of intramolecular singlet fission by explicitly including the coupling to the laser field in our model. In this manner, and by selectively tuning the laser field to the different low-lying absorption bands of the systems investigated, we analyze the wavelength dependence of the intramolecular singlet fission process. In addition, we have also analyzed how the nature of the initially photoexcited electronic state (either localized or delocalized) affects its dynamics. Altogether, our results provide new insights into the design of intramolecular singlet fission-active molecules.

Polarization-insensitive graphene-based band-notched frequency selective absorber at terahertz

This paper introduces a new polarization-insensitive graphene-based frequency selective absorber (FSA) with a reflective notch designed for terahertz applications. The proposed structure features two absorption bands on either side of a central reflection band. The design composes a lossy frequency selective surface (FSS), a bandstop FSS with a metal backing, and an air spacer between. A wideband absorber structure is developed in the first step, leveraging graphene as an absorbent material in the lossy layer to achieve wideband absorptive characteristics. Subsequently, a reflection band is introduced by integrating a bandstop, lossless FSS layer into the absorber structure. The overall structure demonstrates two distinct absorption bands, characterized by absorptivity exceeding 80% within the frequency ranges of 0.30 to 0.57 and 0.67 to 0.90 THz. Simultaneously, a reflection notch is achieved at 0.60 THz. Extensive simulations assessed the performance of the designed FSA. The proposed structure exhibits stability under oblique incidence up to 40 deg and allows tunable absorption specifications by adjusting the chemical potential of graphene. It is noteworthy that the FSA reflector offers advantages such as eliminating the need for complicated, high-cost 3-D structures and welding of the lumped resistors.

Far-red emitting Li2TiO3: Cr3+ phosphor: Synthesis, luminescence properties and potential applications

The Cr[Formula: see text]-activated phosphor can emit far-red light under the excitation of an external light source, mainly due to the transition of the outermost electrons of Cr[Formula: see text] from the 2E level to the 4A2 level in a strong crystal field environment. A novel far-red Li2TiO3: Cr[Formula: see text] phosphor was prepared by the solid-state method. Under the excitation of 356[Formula: see text]nm, the Li2TiO3: Cr[Formula: see text] phosphors emit intense far-red light in 600–850[Formula: see text]nm with a central wavelength of 732[Formula: see text]nm. The emission band of all samples was matched with the absorption bands of phytochrome P[Formula: see text]. The experimental data and theoretical calculation confirmed that Cr[Formula: see text] is surrounded by a strong crystal field environment. The effect of Cr[Formula: see text] doping concentration on the luminescence intensity was analyzed. These research works demonstrate that far-red Li2TiO3: Cr[Formula: see text] phosphors have potential applications in plant growth lights.

Excited Charge Separation in a π-Interacting Phenothiazine-Zinc Porphyrin-Fullerene Donor-Acceptor Conjugate.

We have designed, synthesized, and characterized a donor-acceptor triad, SPS-PPY-C60, that consists of a π-interacting phenothiazine-linked porphyrin as a donor and sensitizer and fullerene as an acceptor to seek charge separation upon photoexcitation. The optical absorption spectrum revealed red-shifted Soret and Q-bands of porphyrin due to charge transfer-type interactions involving the two ethynyl bridges carrying electron-rich and electron-poor substituents. The redox properties suggested that the phenothiazine-porphyrin part of the molecule is easier to oxidize and the fullerene part is easier to reduce. DFT calculations supported the redox properties wherein the electron density of the highest molecular orbital (HOMO) was distributed over the donor phenothiazine-porphyrin entity while the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) was distributed over the fullerene acceptor. TD-DFT studies suggested the involvement of both the S2 and S1 states in the charge transfer process. The steady-state emission spectrum, when excited either at porphyrin Soret or visible band absorption maxima, revealed quenched emission both in nonpolar and polar solvents, suggesting the occurrence of excited state events. Finally, femtosecond transient absorption spectral studies were performed to witness the charge separation by utilizing solvents of different polarities. The transient data was further analyzed by GloTarAn by fitting the data with appropriate models to describe photochemical events. From this, the average lifetime of the charge-separated state calculated was found to be 169 ps in benzonitrile, 319 ps in dichlorobenzene, 1.7 ns in toluene for Soret band excitation, and ∼320 ps for Q-band excitation in benzonitrile.

A global observing‐system simulation experiment for the EPS–Sterna microwave constellation

AbstractA constellation of microwave sounders named the EUMETSAT Polar System–Sterna (EPS–Sterna) is under study at the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), with the aim of complementing the backbone orbits of the global observing system in low Earth orbit. The satellites of this constellation would be similar to the Arctic Weather Satellite (AWS), which is being developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). The microwave sounder on board AWS is equipped with temperature sounding channels around the 50‐GHz oxygen absorption band, water‐vapour sounding channels around the 183‐ and 325‐GHz absorption bands, and also window channels at 89 and 165 GHz. An observing‐system simulation experiment (OSSE) has been conducted at the Centre National de Recherches Météorologiques (CNRM) to evaluate the impact of this constellation on numerical weather prediction (NWP) at the global scale with the Action de Recherche Petite Echelle Grande Echelle (ARPEGE) model. Two periods ranging from August–October 2021 and December 2021–February 2022 have been chosen to compute the nature run and to run 4D‐Var data assimilation experiments. As validation of the OSSE framework, the impact of a Metop‐B denial experiment in the OSSE is compared with the impact of a Metop‐B denial with real observations. This comparison shows that the Metop‐B denial impacts are very similar in the OSSE and with real observations, with the OSSE slightly overestimating the impact. Then, the impacts of various scenarios for the EPS–Sterna constellation are assessed by computing forecast errors, fractions skill scores, and moist global energy norms, and comparing these with the results of a baseline experiment without the EPS–Sterna constellation. Significant and positive improvements of the forecasts are found up to 96 h, for every variable tested, with an impact increasing with the number of satellites.

Polarized spectroscopic properties of Tm3+/Ho3+:YPO4 single crystal: A potential gain medium for tunable and ultrafast pulse laser at 2.0 μm

YPO4 crystals co-doped with Tm3+ and Ho3+ ions (Tm3+/Ho3+:YPO4) have been prepared using the high temperature solution method. The crystal structure, electronic band and polarized spectroscopy were characterized. It has intense and broad absorption bands around 800 nm with a full width at half maximum of 14.31 nm and 22.95 nm for π- and σ-polarizations, respectively. Based on Judd-Ofelt theory, relevant parameters about the radiative properties were systematically analyzed. The broad emission bands of Tm3+ and Ho3+ from 1600 to 2300 nm allow wide tunability of laser oscillation. The energy transfer efficiency from Tm3+: 3F4 to Ho3+: 5I7 level in YPO4 crystal was calculated to be 54.59 %. The results show that Tm3+/Ho3+:YPO4 is expected to be applied in tunable and ultrafast pulse laser at 2.0 μm.

Martian column CO2 and pressure measurement with spaceborne differential absorption lidar at 1.96 µm

Abstract. By utilizing progress in millijoule-level pulsed fiber lasers operating in the 1.96 µm spectral range, we introduce a concept utilizing a spaceborne differential absorption barometric lidar designed to operate within the 1.96 µm CO2 absorption band for remote sensing of Martian atmospheric properties. Our focus is on the online wavelength situated in the trough region of two absorption lines, selected due to its insensitivity to laser frequency variations, thus mitigating the necessity for stringent laser frequency stability. Our investigation revolves around a compact lidar configuration, featuring reduced telescope dimensions and lower laser pulse energies. These adjustments are geared towards minimizing costs for potential forthcoming Mars missions. The core measurement objectives encompass the determination of column CO2 absorption optical depth, columnar CO2 abundance, surface atmospheric pressure, and vertical distributions of dust and cloud layers. Through the amalgamation of surface pressure data with atmospheric temperature insights garnered from sounders and utilizing the barometric formula, the prospect of deducing atmospheric pressure profiles becomes feasible. Simulation studies validate the viability of our approach. Notably, the precision of Martian surface pressure measurements is projected to surpass 1 Pa when the aerial dust optical depth is projected to be under 0.7, a typical airborne dust scenario on Mars, considering a horizontal averaging span of 10 km.

Slow Photonic Effect Inducing Improved H2 Generation in Photonic Films with Chiral Nematic Structure

AbstractIntegrating photonic crystals (PCs) into the design of a photocatalyst can significantly enhance its light‐harvesting capability. PCs can manipulate the propagation of light uniquely within a material and reduce its group velocity, thereby enhancing the absorption factor for photocatalysts. However, the slow photon effect in photoactive films with chiral nematic structures has not been reported yet, especially at the blue edge of the photonic bandgap. This work proposes a straightforward one‐pot method to fabricate various photonic films with chiral nematic, namely g‐C3N4/SiO2, TiO2/SiO2, and g‐C3N4/TiO2/SiO2. The sol‐gel biotemplating formulation using cellulose nanocrystals successfully leads to the elaboration of films exhibiting variable iridescent colors with photonic bandgap from UV to visible range. The tunable wavelength of the Bragg peak reflection offers the opportunity to access a region with a slow photonic effect, which directly impacts the light‐harvesting properties of the photoactive material. It is demonstrated that the H2 generation is significantly enhanced when the blue edge of the photonic bandgap position overlapped with the absorbance band of the photocatalyst. These results offer the opportunity to design photonic materials with chiral nematic structure and optimize the photocatalytic performance for energy application.

Multi-objective-Global-Optimization-Approach Predicted Quasi-Layered Ternary TiOS Crystals with Promising Photocatalytic Properties

Abstract Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has attracted considerable research attentions for its promising applications in solar cells and photocatalytic devices. However, the intrinsic challenge lies in the relatively low energy conversion efficiency of TiO2, primarily attributed to the substantial band gaps (exceeding 3.0 eV) associated with its rutile and anatase phases. Leveraging multi-objective global optimization, we have identified two quasi-layered ternary Ti-O-S crystals, composed of titanium, oxygen and sulfur. The calculations of formation energy, phonon dispersions, and thermal stability confirm the chemical, dynamical and thermal stability of these newly discovered phases. Employing the state-of-art hybrid density functional approach and many-body perturbation theory (quasiparticle GW approach and Bethe-Salpeter equation), we calculate the optical properties of both the TiOS phases. Significantly, both phases show favorable photocatalytic characteristics, featuring band gaps suitable for visible optical absorption and appropriate band alignments with water for effective charge carrier separation. Therefore, ternary compound TiOS hold the potential for achieving high-efficiency photochemical conversion, showing our multi-objective global optimization provides a new approach for novel environmental and energy materials design with multicomponent compounds.

Brilliant quantum dots’ photoluminescence from a dual-resonance plasmonic grating

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have recently caused a stir as a promising and powerful lighting material applied in real-time fluorescence detection, display, and imaging. Photonic nanostructures are well suited for enhancing photoluminescence (PL) due to their ability to tailor the electromagnetic field, which raises both radiative and nonradiative decay rate of QDs nearby. However, several proposed structures with a complicated manufacturing process or low PL enhancement hinder their application and commercialization. Here, we present two kinds of dual-resonance gratings to effectively improve PL enhancement and propose a facile fabrication method based on holographic lithography. A maximum of 220-fold PL enhancement from CdSe/CdS/ZnS QDs are realized on 1D Al-coated photoresist (PR) gratings, where dual resonance bands are excited to simultaneously overlap the absorption and emission bands of QDs, much larger than those of some reported structures. Giant PL enhancement realized by cost-effective method further suggests the potential of better developing the nanostructure to QD-based optical and optoelectronic devices.

Near-infrared imaging of heat transfer behavior between gadolinium and fluid during magnetization/demagnetization process of magnetocaloric effect

This paper reports on the application of a near-infrared (NIR) imaging system for visualizing heat transfer dynamics from a bulk gadolinium (Gd) sample to the surrounding water during the magnetization/demagnetization process of the magnetocaloric effect (MCE). The suggested approach relied on the spectral variation in water absorption band at 1150 nm wavelength within the NIR spectrum. An experimental setup integrated a telecentric uniform-illumination system, a halogen lamp, and an NIR camera to enable real-time monitoring of a single magnetization and demagnetization cycle induced by an external magnetic field, which was generated by a permanent-magnet-based magnetic circuit. Two-dimensional absorbance images captured during this cycle clearly depicted the thermal energy generated by the MCE in water. Furthermore, an analysis of the thermal boundary layer and the quantification of heat transfer from Gd to water provided insights into the dynamics over time. These results indicated the potential of our NIR imaging techniques in optimizing thermal–fluid interactions within MCE systems, thereby improving the design and efficiency of magnetic refrigeration systems.

Luminescence of Tm3+, Yb3+ Co-doped CaLaAlO4/LaAlO3 Mixed Phase Phosphor for Solid-state Lighting Application

CaLaAlO4/LaAlO3: 0.5%Tm3+, xYb3+ upconversion phosphors were prepared via the combustion method. The Tm3+ dopant concentration was constant (Tm=0.5mol%), while the concentration of Yb3+ co-dopant was varied (Yb = 1 – 10 mol%). The X-ray diffraction studies indicated a mixture of phases (tetragonal and hexagonal of CaLaAlO4 and LaAlO3 respectively). The optical absorption spectra of the upconversion phosphors have two absorption bands centered at 253 nm, and another band at 440 nm. The band at 253 nm is ascribed to the charge transfer band (CTB) between the ligand (O2-) and Yb3+ ions, while the broad band located at 440 nm was related to defect states in the lattice. The energy bandgap and refractive index of the optimized phosphor were 4.73 eV and 1.76 respectively. The upconversion emission peaks centered at 478 nm (1G4 → 3H6), 654 nm (1G4 → 3F4), and 801 nm (3H4 → 3H6) are associated to the electronic transitions of Tm3+ ions. As the Yb concentration increases, the colour emission is tuned from bluish white to blue light. The CCT and CIE coordinate of (0.2419, 0.2463) showed that the phosphor doped with 10 mol% of Yb3+ produces a bluish-white and its colour purity was 80%. Thus, the strong bluish-white light emission produced by the CaLaAlO4/LaAlO3: 0.5%Tm3+, xYb3+ phosphors could be used for solid-state lighting (SSL) or in multicolour displays.

Enhanced ultraviolet aging resistance of epoxy resins through surface enrichment achieved by fluorinated graphene oxide@CeO2

Fluorinated graphene oxide@CeO2 (FGO@CeO2) was synthesized using an in-situ growth method and incorporated as a filler into epoxy resins to improve their UV aging resistance. On UV irradiation, it facilitated the surface enrichment of the modified epoxy resin (MEP), forming a UV-blocking layer. Incorporating FGO@CeO2 induced n→π* electronic transitions within the MEP and lowered the electronic excitation threshold, expanding the UV spectral absorption band and enhancing the UV absorption intensity. A 785% increase in the UV absorption capacity was achieved in the MEP compared with that in the pristine epoxy resin. After 300 h of UV exposure, the photothermal temperature rise in the MEP was 13.67 ± 2 °C higher than that in pure epoxy resin.

Catechin detection in tea samples based on catechin-induced conformational changes in papain

Catechin, the major ingredient in tea that affects its taste, varies based on the tea variety, climate, and extraction techniques. Although several techniques have been developed to determine catechin levels, an easy-to-use method is still lacking. Herein, the catechin levels were determined using papain for the first time. After incubating papain with catechin, the precipitate was discarded, and the remaining catechin-enzyme complex in the supernatant was determined by UV–visible absorption spectroscopy. Upon catechin binding papain’s main absorption band (at 280 nm) was altered, reflecting conformation changes in their aromatic amino acids. It was supported by the kinetic measurements determined with N-α-benzoyl-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BAPNA) as a substrate. Complex formation between catechin and papain markedly affects the enzyme activity, resulting in the diminishes of the yellow-colored product observed at 410 nm in a concentration-dependent manner. Under the optimum conditions, the analytical curve was linear in the concentration range 0.10 – 0.80 mg/mL (r2 = 0.9893) with a detection limit of 0.44 mg/mL. This developed biosensor demonstrated long-term stability (90 days) and reproducibility with a relative standard deviation below 10%. This usefulness of papain’s conformation changes was further demonstrated in the analysis of tea infusion samples, and the recoveries are in the acceptable range (79.1–81.2%).

Capture of volatile iodine by aromatic amines solutions

Abstract The presence of an excessive amount of iodine, especially radioactive iodine, is dangerous to the environment. Amine solutions are the most common and technically mature class of chemical sorption used for the capture of the pollutants. The iodine vapor diffusion and release capabilities of the aromatic amine solutions have been investigated. The iodine diffusion and release experiments were examined by UV-visible spectroscopy. Many electronic spectrophotometric studies have been reported in the coordination chemistry field on complexes. Generally, these complexes were obtained by using different electron donors with various organic or metallic electron acceptors in polar and non-polar solvents. The absorption spectra of the donor, acceptors, and the resulted complexes were carried out in methanol in the region of 200–600 nm. The correlation between the spectral characteristics of molecular complexes of iodine with various aromatic amines and the ionization potentials of the donor molecules is discussed. The concentrations of the diffused iodine and the formed complex were calculated using mathematical models and calibration curves. The values of the formation constant (k AD), molar extinction coefficient (ε AD), and absorption band energy of complexes were estimated. The ionization potential of the donor I D was calculated from the complex band energies. The kinetic of the above association and reverse reactions was studied, and some kinetic parameters have been estimated.