Controllable Synthesis of Au NRs and Its Flexible SERS Optical Fiber Probe with High Sensitivity

The surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS) optical fiber probes were successfully prepared by self-assembling on polyelectrolyte multilayers. Gold nanorods(Au NRs) were used as SERS enhancement material to give excellent biological affinity and stability to the SERS optical fiber probes. Au NRs were synthesized by seed growth method. The synergistic effect between AgNO_(3) and surfactant was investigated, and the highest yield was found when AgNO_(3) was 500 uL. Meanwhile, different SERS optical fiber probes were obtained by selecting silane coupling agent, polyelectrolyte multilayer and graphene oxide(GO) to treat quartz fiber. It was found that the SERS optical fiber probes obtained by the self-assembled on polyelectrolyte multilayers method performed better than those by other methods. In addition, Mapping was combined with finite element simulation to analyze the electromagnetic field distribution at the fiber end face.The electromagnetic field distribution of Au NRs was investigated, the difference of electromagnetic field intensity around the Au NRs with different arrangements was compared, the strongest signal was obtained when the Au NRs were head-to-head. Finally, sensitivity of the optimized SERS optical fiber probes could reach 10^(-9)mol/L, with excellent stability and repeatability.

Au@Ag Core-shell Nanorods Self-assembled on Polyelectrolyte Multilayers for Ultra-High Sensitivity SERS Fiber Probes

We demonstrated a chemical process in the fabrication of a SERS fiber probe with an ultrahigh sensitivity.The synthesis was carried out by preparing Au@Ag core-shell nanorods (Au@Ag-NRs) selfassembled on polyelectrolyte (PE) multilayers,for which Au@Ag-NRs were controlled by adjusting the silver layer thickness.The effect of silver layer thickness of Au@Ag-NRs on the SERS performance of the fiber probe was investigated.The SERS fiber probe shows the best performance when the silver layer thickness is controlled at 8.57 nm.Under the condition of optimizing silver layer thickness,the fiber probe exhibits ultra-high sensitivity (i e,10^(-10) M crystalline violet,CV),good reproducibility (i e,RSD of 3.5%) and stability.Besides,electromagnetic field distribution of the SERS fiber probe was also investigated.The strongest enhancement is found within the core of fiber,whereas a weakened electromagnetic field exists in the fiber cladding layer.The SERS fiber probe can be a good candidate in ultra-trace detection for biomedical and environmental areas.

Plasma Uniformity in a Dual Frequency Capacitively Coupled Plasma Reactor Measured by Optical Emission Spectroscopy

Local measurement of plasma radial uniformity was performed in a dual frequency capacitively coupled argon plasma （DF-CCP） reactor using an optical probe. The optical probe collects the light emission from a small separate volume in plasma, thus enabling to diagnose the plasma uniformity for different experimental parameters. Both the gas pressure and the low- frequency （LF） power have apparent effects on the radial uniformity of argon plasma. With the increase in either pressure or LF power, the emission profiles changed from a bell-shaped to a double-peak distribution. The influence of a fused-silica ring around the electrodes on the plasma uniformity was also studied using the optical probe. Possible reasons that result in nonuniform plasmas in our experiments are discussed.

Void fraction measurement and calculation model of vertical upward co-current air-water slug flow

The focus of this paper is on the measurement and calculation model of void fraction for the vertical upward co-current air-water slug flow in a circular tube of 15 mm inner diameter. High-speed photography and optical probes were utilized, with water superficial velocity ranging from 0.089 to 0.65 m·s^(-1)and gas superficial velocity ranging from 0.049 to 0.65 m·s^(-1). A new void fraction model based on the local parameters was proposed, disposing the slug flow as a combination of Taylor bubbles and liquid slugs. In the Taylor bubble region, correction factors of liquid film thickness Cδand nose shape CZ*were proposed to calculate aTB. In the liquid slug region, the radial void fraction distribution profiles were obtained to calculate aLS, by employing the image processing technique based on supervised machine learning. Results showed that the void fraction proportion in Taylor bubbles occupied crucial contribution to the overall void fraction. Multiple types of void fraction predictive correlations were assessed using the present data. The performance of the Schmidt model was optimal, while some models for slug flow performed not outstanding. Additionally, a predictive correlation was correlated between the central local void fraction and the cross-sectional averaged void fraction, as a straightforward form of the void fraction calculation model. The predictive correlation showed a good agreement with the present experimental data, as well as the data of Olerni et al., indicating that the new model was effective and applicable under the slug flow conditions.

A flat-based plasmonic fiber probe for nanoimaging

The difficulty of obtaining high-intensity localized light spots for optical probes leads to their lack of good applications in nanoimaging.Here we demonstrate a Fabry–Pérot resonance flat-based plasmonic fiber probe(FPFP).The simulation results show that the probe can obtain a nanofocusing spot at the tip with the radially polarized mode.The Fabry–Pérot interference structure is used to control the plasmon propagation on the surface of the probe,it effectively improves the local spot intensity at the tip.Furthermore,the experimental results verify that the FPFP(tip curvature radius is 20 nm)prepared by chemical etching method can obtain a nanofocusing spot at the tip.The nanoimaging of the gold slit structure demonstrates the nanoimaging capability of the FPFP,the 36.9 nm slit width is clearly identified by the FPFP.

Novel Hybrid SiO2/ZnS Coated CdTe/CdS Quantum Dots and Their Bioapplications

Novel CdTe/CdS quantum dots(QDs)coated with a hybrid of SiO_2 and ZnS were fabricated through a simple two-step approach.The hybrid SiO_2/ZnS coated CdTe/CdS quantum dots was characterized by transmission electron microscopy(TEM),UV and fluorescence spectrometer.Results indicated that the core-shell structure gave the QDs outstanding photoluminescence properties,includinganarrowphotoluminescencespectrum,high photoluminescence(PL)quantum yield and long emission lifetime(average PL lifetime of increased from 26.4 ns to 49.1 ns).Cellular studies showed the QDs had good cytocompatibility with Hela cells as determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide(MTT)assay after coating SiO_2/ZnS,and also proved the feasibility of using the hybrid SiO_2/ZnS coated QDs as optical probes for in vitro cell imaging.The synthesis method of QDs is highly promising for the production of robust and functional optical probes for bio-imaging and sensing applications.

Microball lens integrated fiber probe for optical frequency domain imaging

An integrated microball lens fiber catheter probe is demonstrated, which has better lateral resolution and longer working distance than a corresponding bare fiber probe with diverging beam for Fourier domain optical coherence tomography （FDOCT）. Simulation results are shown to gain the effect of the distance between the mieroball lens and the bare fiber to the focusing plane and beam width. The freedom of modifying the working distance and lateral resolution is shown. This is achieved by changing the gap distance between the single-mode fiber and the microball lens within the packaged surgical needle catheter without using an additional beam expander having a fixed length. The probe successfully acquired crosssectional images of ocular tissues from an animal sample with the proposed miniaturized imaging probe.

Diagnosis of a low pressure capacitively coupled argon plasma by using a simple collisional-radiative model

This paper proposes a simple collisional-radiative model to characterise capacitively coupled argon plasmas driven by conventional radio frequency in combination with optical emission spectroscopy and Langmuir probe measurements. Two major processes are considered in this model, electron-impact excitation and the spontaneous radiative decay. The diffusion loss term, which is found to be important for the two metastable states （4s[3/2]2, 4s＇[1/2]0）, is also taken into account. Behaviours of representative metastable and radiative states are discussed. Two emission lines （located at 696.5 nm and 750.4 nm） are selected and intensities are measured to obtain populated densities of the corresponding radiative states in the argon plasma. The calculated results agree well with that measured by Langmuir probe, indicating that the current model combined with optical emission spectroscopy is a candidate tool for electron density and temperature measurement in radio frequency capacitively coupled discharges.

Parametric amplification as a single-shot time-resolved off-harmonic probe for laser–matter interactions

An optical probing of laser–plasma interactions can provide time-resolved measurements of plasma density;however,single-shot and multi-frame probing capabilities generally rely on complex setups with limited flexibility.We have demonstrated a new method for temporal resolution of the rapid dynamics(∼170 fs)of plasma evolution within a single laser shot based on the generation of several consecutive probe pulses from a single beta barium borate-based optical parametric amplifier using a fraction of the driver pulse with the possibility to adjust the central wavelengths and delays of particular pulses by optical delay lines.The flexibility and scalability of the proposed experimental technique are presented and discussed.

Study on Cyclometalated Palladium-azo Complexes as Colorimetric Probes for Hazardous Gas in Water

A synthesized cyclometalated palladium-azo complex was explored as a multifunctional probe for visual detection of SO2, H2S and NH3 in water. In acidic aqueous environment, the sensing solution underwent a sharp color change from poor violet to deep blue when titrated with Na2SO3 standard solution. But the color changed from poor violet to bright yellow when titrated with Na2S standard solution. In basic environment, the sensing solution rapidly changed to magenta when titrated by NH4Cl-NH3 standard buffer solution at high concentration. However, the color of sensing solution changed to blue when titrated by NH4Cl-NH3 standard buffer solution at low concentration although the pH was kept constant during the titration. Different species of these hazardous gases at environmentally relevant concentration levels were differentiated by independent optical signal outputs, and the interference from other inorganic ions commonly existing in water was very small.

High resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio imaging with nearfield high-order optical signals

The properties of near-field optics have always been the focus of nano-measurement technology.The 11th order effective nearfield optical signal with an incident laser wavelength of 1,550 nm is obtained using a platinum-coated optical probe(Pt–Si probe).The experimental results show that the local electric field intensity of the Pt–Si probe is nearly 30 times higher than that of silicon probe(Si probe).Therefore,the highest 7th order near-field optical imaging results are obtained with the Pt–Si probe.Further,near-field optical imaging is performed on samples such as gold grids and carbon nanotubes using the Pt–Si probe.The measurement results show that the high-order signal has the characteristics of less background,higher signal-to-noise ratio,and resolution up to 5.7 nm.

Optically probing molecular shuttling motion of[2]rotaxane by a conformation-adaptive fluorophore

A bistable[2]rotaxane with a conformation-adaptive macrocycle bearing a 9,14-diphenyl-9,14-dihydrodibenzo[a,c]phenazine(DPAC)unit was synthesized,which could be utilized to optical probe the molecular shuttling motion of the functionalized rotaxane system.The UV-vis,^(1) H NMR and PL spectroscopic data clearly demonstrated that the DPAC ring was interlocked onto the thread and the fluorescence intensity of the DPAC unit in the macrocycle was effectively regulated by the location change of the macrocycle along the thread under acid/base stimulation,which was attributed to the modulation of the intramolecular photo-induced electron transfer between the DPAC unit and the methyltriazole(MTA)unit.This bistable rotaxane system containing a conformation-adaptive fluorophore unit in the macrocycle moiety opens an alternative way to design functional bistable mechanically interlocked molecules.

Experimental characterization and CFD simulation of gas maldistribution in turbulent fluidization of Group A particles

The study presented hereby investigates experimentally and with CFD simulations the gas distribution effect on the hydrodynamic of a Geldart Group A turbulent fluidized bed. Experiments were carried out on a cold flow fluidized bed column with an even and uneven gas distribution. Local solid volume fraction profiles were measured using optical probes at different bed heights and along two radial directions. Optical probe measurements allow catching a clear hydrodynamic difference between both even and uneven gas distributions. These results were then used to assess CFD simulations with the code Barracuda^(TM) (MP-PIC approach). It is noteworthy that the choice of drag correlation and boundary conditions strongly influences the agreement between the experimental and CFD results. Once the correct parameters are chosen, CFD simulations captured the effect of gas distribution changes.

Powder transport behavior in RH degasser with powder injection through up snorkel: a transient numerical model

A transient numerical model was established to predict the dispersion,distribution,and circulation behavior of the powder injected through the up snorkel in a Ruhrstahl–Heraeus(RH)degasser.The effects of the powder diameter,the lifting gas flow rate,and the powder injection rate on the powder transport were investigated.Local powder concentration was measured by a cold model.The results showed that the predicted powder concentration agreed well with the measured.The powder injection process is divided into three periods,named dispersion period,aggregation and circulation period,and dynamically stable period according to the powder transport behavior.The powder diameter has a great effect on the particle dispersion.When the particles size changes from 30 to 500μm,the powder dispersion characteristic index changes from 0.110 to 0.741,and the ladle top zone powder mass ratio changes from 0.118 to 0.685.The powder circulation mass flow rate increases to 101.0 kg min^(-1)(150μm)and then decreases to 46.6 kg min^(-1)(500μm).Powders with a diameter of more than 220μm can change the steel flow mode in the RH degasser.Increasing the lifting gas flow could slightly improve the powder dispersion.Variation in the powder injection rate has almost no effect on the powder dispersion.

Local solids flow structure in a countercurrent liquid-upward and solids-downward fluidized bed(CCLSFB)system

The local solids holdup and local particle velocity in a Countercurrent Liquid-upward and Solids-downward Fluidized Bed(CCLSFB)were investigated in details using optical fiber probes with two different models in a Plexiglas column of 1.5 m in height and 7.0 cm in inner diameter.A new flow regime map including fluidized bed,transition,and flooding regimes was established.The axial solids holdup distribution is almost uniform at low liquid velocity and/or solids flowrate and becomes less uniform with higher solids holdup at the top of the column after the operating liquid velocity is reaching the flooding velocity.The radial solids holdup profile is also nearly flat with a slightly lower solids holdup in the near-wall region at low liquid velocity and solids flowrate but becomes nonuniform as the operating liquid velocity approaches the flooding velocity.Two equations were also proposed to correlate radial local solids holdups.The descending particle velocity in CCLSFB increases with the decrease of the liquid velocity and the increase of the solids flowrate.A generally uniform particle velocity distribution was found in the axial direction,as well as in the radial direction except for a small decrease near the wall.These results on the local solids flow structure would provide basic information and theoretical supports for the design and industrial application of CCLSFB.

Erbium photoluminescence response related to nanoscale heterogeneities in sol-gel silicates

Sol-gel glassy films of the SiO2-TiO2-PO2.5-ErO2.5 system containing nanocrystallites of ErPO4, were obtained through suitable heat treatments. Variations in the shape and intensity of the Er3＋ photoluminescent signal around 1500 nm were linked to the nature of the host environment of the active ions; the specific features of the photoluminescent emission spectrum of the erbium 4113/2 metastable level were interpreted in terms of structural changes in the glassy films. The photoluminescent spectrum was found to be sensitive to the order （crystalline） or disorder （amorphous） of the Er3＋ ions neighbour within the glassy matrix. An amorphous envi- ronment led to a broadening of Er3＋ PL emission band while a crystalline one was responsible for a drastic photoluminescent band- width narrowing. The presence of nanoscale heterogeneities caused a drastic photoluminescence intensity decrease. Changes in the shape of the decay curve of fluorescence lifetime were found also structurally dependent on volumetric defects, occurrence of phase separation and Er3＋-Er3＋ clustering effects as well.

Characteristics of Axial and Radial Development of Solids Holdup in a Countercurrent Fluidized Bed Particle Solar Receiver

A novel particle solar receiver(PSR)with gas-solids countercurrent fluidized bed(CCFB)was proposed.The cold-mold prototype was set up to investigate the gas-solids flow structure by using optical fiber probes.The local solids holdup distribution,its evolution with various operating conditions and the fluctuations of the local flow structures were investigated experimentally.The results show that the novel CCFB can achieve much higher solids holdup(~9%)compared to the traditional downer ones(~l%).The solid particles are mainly distributed in the near-wall region and the particles are more difficult to get a fully developed state in the near-wall region.The excellent gas-solids mixing and contacting demonstrated by the standard deviation and intermittency index means a better wall-to-bed heat transfer process.The distribution of the solid particles in the CCFB transport tube is revealed,which can provide a significant reference for the structure design of the hot-mold PSR.Moreover,the research can fill in the research gap in the gas-solids counterflow field.

Experimental investigation of cluster properties in dense gas-solid fluidized beds of different diameters

The local solid flow structure of a bubbling fluidized bed of sand particles was investigated m three different columns to characterize the properties of clusters. The experiments were performed using a reflective optical fiber probe. The variations in size, velocity, and void fraction of the clusters due to changes in the superficial gas velocity, particle size, and radial positions were studied. The results indicate that the velocity of the clusters remained unchanged while their size increased as the column diameter increased. In addition, the radial profile of the clusters＇ velocity did not depend on the radial position. The results indicate that larger particles form larger clusters, which move slower.

ANALYSIS OF THE CHAOTIC DYNAMICS OF A HIGH-FLUX CFB RISER USING SOLIDS CONCENTRATION MEASUREMENTS

A high-flux circulating fluidized bed （CFB） riser （0.076-m I.D. and 10-m high） was operated in a wide range of operating conditions to study its chaotic dynamics, using FCC catalyst particles （dp= 67μm, ρp = 1500 kg·m^-3）. Local solids concentration fluctuations measured using a reflective-type fiber optic probe were processed to determine chaotic invariants （Kolmogorov entropy and correlation dimension）, Radial and axial profiles of the chaotic invariants at different operating conditions show that the core region exhibits higher values of the chaotic invariants than the wall region. Both invariants vary strongly with local mean solids concentration. The transition section of the riser exhibits more complex dynamics while the bottom and top sections exhibit a more uniform macroscopic and less-complex microscopic flow structure. Increasing gas velocity leads to more complex and less predictable solids concentration fluctuations, while increasing solids flux generally lowers complexity and increases predictability. Very high solids flux, however, was observed to increase the entropy.

Hydrodynamic Behavior of Three-Phase Airlift Loop Slurry Reactor

A novel fiber optic probe system and a set of commercial ultrasonic Doppler velocimeters have been used to study the hydrodynamic behavior of a three phase airlift loop (TPAL) slurry reactor. Experiments have been carried out in a loop reactor with 100 mm inner diameter and 2.5 m height, in which air, tap water and silica gel particles are used as the gas, liquid and solid phase, respectively. The radial profile of gas holdup, bubble size, bubble rising velocity, liquid circulating velocity, and the influence of the main operating conditions such as superficial gas velocity and solids concentration have been studied experimentally in the TPAL slurry reactor. The experimental results show that the bubble characteristics are different in various flow regimes and the radial profiles of some hydrodynamic parameters in the TPAL slurry reactor are more uniform than those in traditional three phase reactors. The distribution of the bubble size and bubble rising velocity can be described by a lognormal function. The influence of superficial gas velocity on the hydrodynamic parameters is more remarkable than that of the solids concentration.