The effect of bulk light absorption on running photorefractive holograms

The influence of bulk light absorption on running photorefractive holograms is investigated. By solving the coupled wave equations we prove that the beam intensities, but not the beam phases, can be calculated by averaging the coupling constant over the crystal thickness. We show the importance of the effect by calculating the dielectric relaxation time at the crystal front, and from that the quantum efficiency from a feedback-controlled experiment with a 2.05 mm thick BTO crystal.We propose to simulate the effect of bulk light absorption by a rude estimate of the average dielectric relaxation time which is related in a simple way to the dielectric relaxation time at the crystal front, in doing so an error of less than 10% is introduced.

Flow cell within an LED: a proposal for an optical absorption detector

Droplets formed at the tip of a tube under the same conditions possess extreme uniformity of form, volume and weight. These properties of liquid drop formation have been known for a long time and consequently many applications for the drop have been found in instrumentation and chemical analysis methods. In the present paper, we report on the analytical use of a dynamic LED-based flow-through optical absorption detector with optical path length controlled by continuous dropping of a solution. This arrangement consists of a flow cell built within a high-intensity red LED (lambda (max)=630 nm). The feasibility of the detector is demonstrated by colorimetric determination of methylene blue, and ammonium by Berthelot's reaction, in a flow-injection system. For ammonium, the reaction forms a blue dye (indophenol) with a maximum absorption at 630-650 nm. The detection limit, considered as 3 times the signal of the blank, is better than 125 mu g l(-1). The small flow cell represents a good combination of optical path length, low volume and fast washout. This detector can be used advantageously in automated methods and can represent a solution to problems of optical detection involving gas bubbles and precipitation of particles in turbidimetric applications.

Evaluation and application of bismuth as an internal standard for the determination of lead in wines by simultaneous electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A method for the direct determination of Pb in wines by simultaneous multi-element atomic absorption spectrometry (SIMAAS) using a transversely heated graphite atomizer, Zeeman-effect background corrector and internal standardization is proposed. Bismuth was used as an internal standard and Pd(NO3)(2) plus Mg(NO3)(2) as chemical modifier,to stabilize both the analyte and the internal standard. The implementation of two pyrolysis steps avoided any build-up of carbonaceous residues on the graphite platform. All diluted samples (1 + 1 v/v) in 0.2% v/v HNO3 and reference solutions (5.0-50 mug l(-1) Ph in 0.2% v/v HNO3) were spiked with 25 mug l(-1) Bi. For a 20 mul aliquot dispensed into the graphite tube, a good correlation (r = 0.9997) was obtained between the ratio of the analyte signal to the internal standard signal and the analyte concentration of the reference solutions. The electrothermal behaviour of Pb and Bi in red, white and rose wines were compared. In addition, absorbance variations due to changes in experimental conditions, such as atomizer temperature, integration time, injected sample volume, radiation beam intensity, graphite tube surface, dilution and sample composition, were minimized by using Bi as internal standard. Relative standard deviations of measurements based on integrated absorbance varied from 0.1 to 3.4% and from 0.5 to 7.3% (n = 12) with and without internal standard correction, respectively. Good recoveries (91-104%) for Pb spikes were obtained. The characteristic mass was 45 pg Pb and the limit of detection based on integrated absorbance was 0.9 mug l(-1) Pb. Internal standardization increased the lifetime of the tube by 25%. Direct determinations of Pb in wines with and without internal standardization approaches were in agreement at the 95% confidence level. The repeatability and the tube lifetime were improved when using Bi as internal standard. The improvement in accuracy using an internal standard was only observed when the analytical results were affected by errors.

Silver as internal standard for simultaneous determination of Cd and Pb in whole blood by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The use of internal standardization for simultaneous atomic absorption spectrometry (SIMAAS) was investigated for Cd and Pb determination in whole blood. The comparison of thermochemical and physicochemical parameters allowed the selection of Ag, Bi, and Tl as internal standard candidates. Correlation graphs, plotted from the normalized absorbance signals (n = 20) of internal standard (axis y) versus analyte ( axis x), precision and accuracy were used to select Ag as the most appropriate internal standard. Blood samples were diluted (1 + 9) with 0.11% (m/v) Triton X-100 + 1.1% (v/v) HNO3 + 0.28% (m/v) NH4H2PO4 + 10 mug L-1 Ag+. Pyrolysis and atomization temperatures for the optimized heating program were 550 and 1700 degreesC, respectively. Characteristic masses based on integrated absorbance were 1.68 +/- 0.01 pg for Cd and 30.3 +/- 0.1 pg for Pb. The detection limits (DL) were 0.095 +/- 0.001 mug L-1 and 0.86 +/- 0.01 mug L-1 for Cd and Pb, respectively. The mean RSD for all determinations was the same for Cd (13 +/- 9%) with or without Ag as internal standard ( IS). on the other hand, the use of Ag as IS improved the RSD for Pb from 3.6 +/- 4.0% to 2.2 +/- 2.0%. An effective contribution of the internal standard Ag was verified in the recoveries of spiked samples (0.5 mug L-1 Cd2+ and 5.0 mug L-1 Pb2+). The mean recoveries were 81 +/- 8% and 91 +/- 4% for Cd, and 80 +/- 11% and 93 +/- 6% for Pb without and with IS correction, respectively. This is the first application of IS for a simultaneous determination by SIMAAS.

Ultrastructural evidences of the occurrence of digestion and absorption of organic solutes in bees ileum (Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides - Hymenoptera, Apidae)

The ultrastructural aspects of the ileum of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides, a stingless bee whose workers obtain their protein requirements from pollen, present morphological evidences of digestion and absorption. These evidences are represented by special relationships between food particles and the bacterial nora present and between their assemblage and the ileum wall, mainly in the ileum three anterior fourths. The apical features of the epithelium also are indicative of organic material absorption.

Tungsten permanent chemical modifier with co-injection of Pd(NO3)(2)+Mg(NO3)(2) for direct determination of Pb in vinegar by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A tungsten carbide coating on the integrated platform of a transversely heated graphite atomizer (THGA((R))) used together with Pd(NO3)(2) + Mg(NO3)(2) as modifier is proposed for the direct determination of lead in vinegar by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The optimized heating program (temperature, ramp time, hold time) of atomizer involved drying stage (110 degrees C, 5 s, 30 s; 130 degrees C, 5 s, 30 s), pyrolysis stage (1000 degrees C, 15 s, 30 s), atomization stage (1800 degrees C, 0 s, 5 s) and clean-out stage (2450 degrees C, I s, 3 s). For 10 mu L of vinegar delivered into the atomizer and calibration using working standard solutions (2.5-20.0 mu g L-1 Pb) in 0.2% (v/v) HNO3, analytical curve with good linear correlation (r = 0.9992) was established. The characteristic mass was 40 pg Pb and the lifetime of the tube was around 730 firings. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.4 mu g L-1 and the relative standard deviations (n = 12) were typically <8% for a sample containing 25 pg L-1 Pb. Accuracy of the proposed method was checked after direct analysis of 23 vinegar samples. A paired t-test showed that results were in agreement at 95% confidence level with those obtained for acid-digested vinegar samples. The Pb levels varied from 2.8 to 32.4 pg L-1. Accuracy was also checked by means of addition/recovery tests and recovered values varied from 90% to 110%. Additionally, two certified reference materials were analyzed and results were in agreement with certified values at a 95% confidence level. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of modifiers on thermal behaviour of Se in acid digestates and slurries of vegetables by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

The influence of sample preparation strategy of vegetables on the electrothermal behaviour of Se without and with chemical modifiers such as Pd(NO3)(2), Pd(NO3)(2) + Mg(NO3)(2), Pd(NO3)(2) + Cd(NO3)(2), pre-reduced Pd, Mg(NO3)(2), and Ni(NO3)(2) was investigated. Acid digestates and slurries of vegetables (0.1% m/v in 1% m/v HNO3 + 0.005% v/v of Triton X-100) were used to prepare reference solutions or slurries. For 10 mul of each modifier tested, pyrolysis and atomization temperatures were evaluated using pyrolysis and atomization curves, respectively. Best conditions, such as thermal stability, signal profile, repeatability and sensitivity were attained using Pd(NO3)(2) as chemical modifier. The following heating program (temperature, ramp/hold time) of the graphite tube of the Varian SpectrAA-800Z atomic absorption spectrometer was used: dry step (85 degreesC, 5/0 s; 95 degreesC, 40/0 s; 120 degreesC, 10/.5 s); pyrolysis step (1400 degreesC, 10/3s); atomization step (2200 degreesC, 1/2 s); clean step (2600 degreesC, 2/0 s). This pyrolysis temperature is 800 degreesC higher than when measuring without any modifier. For 20 muL sample volume and 10 mug Pd(NO3)(2), analytical curves in the 3.0-30 mug Se 1(-1) range were obtained. The method was applied for Se determination in acid digestates and slurries of 10 vegetable samples and one standard reference material (rice flower) and results were in agreement at 95% confidence level. Recoveries varied from 89 to 95% for spiked samples. The lifetime of the graphite tube was ca. 250 firings and the relative standard deviations (n = 12) for a typical acid digestate and slurry containing 20 mug Se 1(-1) were 3.8% and 8.3%, respectively. The limits of detection were 2.0 mug Se 1(-1) and 0.6 mug Se 1(-1) Se for digestates and slurries, respectively. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Grain boundary electric characterization of Zn7Sb2O12 semiconducting ceramic: A negative temperature coefficient thermistor

The electrical properties of the grain boundary region of electroceramic sensor temperature based on inverse spinel Zn7Sb2O12 were investigated at high temperature. The zinc antimoniate was synthesized by a chemical route based on the modified Pechini method. The electric properties of Zn7Sb2O12 were investigated by impedance spectroscopy in the frequency range from 5 Hz to 13 MHz and from 250 up to 600 degreesC. The grain boundary conductivity follows the Arrhenius law, with two linear branches of different slopes. These branches exhibit activation energies with very similar values; the low-temperature (less than or equal to350 degreesC) and high-temperature (greater than or equal to400 degreesC) regions are equal to 1.15 and 1.16 eV, respectively. Dissimilar behavior is observed on the relaxation time (tau) curve as a function of temperature, where a single slope is identified. The negative temperature coefficient parameters and nature of the polarization phenomenon of the grain boundary are discussed. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.

Antimony orthophosphate glasses with large nonlinear refractive indices, low two-photon absorption coefficients, and ultrafast response

Antimony glasses based on the composition Sb2O3-SbPO4 were prepared and characterized. The samples present high refractive index, good transmission from 380 to 2000 nm, and high thermal stability. The nonlinear refractive index, n(2), of the samples was studied using the optical Kerr shutter technique at 800 nm. The third-order correlation signals between pump and probe pulses indicate ultrafast response (<100 fs) for all compositions. Enhancement of n(2) was observed by adding lead oxide to the Sb2O3-SbPO4 composition. Large values of n(2)approximate to10(-14) cm(2)/W and negligible two-photon absorption coefficients (smaller than 0.01 cm/GW) were determined for all samples. The glass compositions studied present appropriate figure-of-merit for all-optical switching applications. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics.