Redox-Switching in a Viologen-type Adlayer: An Electrochemical Shell-Isolated Nanoparticle Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Study on Au(111)-(1 x 1) Single Crystal Electrodes

We reported the first application of in situ shell-isolated nanoparticle enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS) to an interfacial redox reaction under electrochemical conditions. We construct gap-mode sandwich structures composed of a thiol-terminated HS-6V6H viologen adlayer immobilized on a single crystal Au(111)-(1x1) electrode and covered by Au(60 nm)@SlO(2) core shell nanoparticles acting as plasmonic antennas. We observed high-quality, potential-dependent Raman spectra of the three viologen species V(2+),V(+center dot) and V(0) on a well-defined Au(111) substrate surface and could map their potential-dependent evolution. Comparison with experiments on powder samples revealed an enhancement factor of the nonresonant Raman modes of similar to 3 x 10(5), and up to 9 x 10(7) for the resonance modes. The study illustrates the unique capability of SHINERS and its potential in the entire field of electrochemical surface science to explore structures and reaction pathways on well-defined substrate surfaces, such as single crystals, for molecular, (electro-)- catalytic, bioelectrochemical systems up to fundamental double layer studies at electrified solid/liquid interfaces.

Intracavity Generation of Radially Polarized CO2 Laser Beams Based on a Simple Binary Dielectric Diffraction Grating

We present experimental results on the intracavity generation of radially polarized light by incorporation of a polarization-selective mirror in a CO2 -laser resonator. The selectivity is achieved with a simple binary dielectric diffraction grating etched in the backsurface of the mirror substrate. Very high polarization selectivity was achieved, and good agreement of simulation and experimental results is shown. The overall radial polarization purity of the generated laser beam was found to be higher than 90% .

A twin spiral planar antenna for UWB medical radars

A planar-spiral antenna to be used in an ultrawideband (UWB) radar system for heart activity monitoring is presented. The antenna, named “twin,” is constituted by two spiral dipoles in a compact structure. The reflection coefficient at the feed point of the dipoles is lower than −8 dB over the 3–12 GHz band, while the two-dipoles coupling is about −20 dB. The radiated beam is perpendicular to the plane of the spiral, so the antenna is wearable and it may be an optimal radiator for a medical UWB radar for heart rate detection. The designed antenna has been also used to check some hypotheses about the UWB radar heart activity detection mechanism. The radiation impedance variation, caused by the thorax vibrations associated with heart activity, seems to be the most likely explanation of the UWB radar operation.

Antenna Simulations and Measurements of Focal Plane Array Facet Reflectors

We present a conceptual prototype model of a focal plane array unit for the STEAMR instrument, highlighting the challenges presented by the required high relative beam proximity of the instrument and focus on how edge-diffraction effects contribute to the array's performance. The analysis was carried out as a comparative process using both PO & PTD and MoM techniques. We first highlight general differences between these computational techniques, with the discussion focusing on diffractive edge effects for near-field imaging reflectors with high truncation. We then present the results of in-depth modeling analyses of the STEAMR focal plane array followed by near-field antenna measurements of a breadboard model of the array. The results of these near-field measurements agree well with both simulation techniques although MoM shows slightly higher complex beam coupling to the measurements than PO & PTD.

Low Mass Calibration Target for MM-Wave Remote Sensing Instruments

The reliability of millimeter and sub-millimeter wave radiometer measurements is dependent on the accuracy of the loads they employ as calibration targets. In the recent past on-board calibration loads have been developed for a variety of satellite remote sensing instruments. Unfortunately some of these have suffered from calibration inaccuracies which had poor thermal performance of the calibration target as the root cause. Stringent performance parameters of the calibration target such as low reflectivity, high temperature uniformity, low mass and low power consumption combined with low volumetric requirements remain a challenge for the space instrument developer. In this paper we present a novel multi-layer absorber concept for a calibration load which offers an excellent compromise between very good radiometric performance and temperature uniformity and the mass and volumetric constraints required by space-borne calibration targets.

Coherent control of terahertz meta-materials

We present coherent control of a THz meta-material. Specifically, we show in detail the time and frequency dependent response of a single and a double split ring resonator upon excitation with a shaped THz field. Through far- and near-field measurements, we confirm the coherence transfer from the tailored THz field to the system and back to the radiated field and we demonstrate selective excitation of a designated system resonance with a suitably shaped THz pulse.