Plasmonic silicon quantum dots extend photodetection into mid-infrared range

Nowadays the development of Internet of Things(IoT)and defense technologies imperatively needs high-performance photodetectors that can work in a broadband wavelength range,in particular,covering the mid-infrared(MIR)region[1].This generates great interest in the incorporation of a series of novel optoelectronic materials and structures into the photodetectors.Graphene and colloidal quantum dots(QDs)are key players among novel materials used to fabricate high-performance photodetectors[2–4].By taking advantage of the high mobility of

Mid-infrared lightly Er^(3+)-doped CaF_(2)laser under acousto–optical modulation

A 1.7-at.%Er:CaF_(2)crystal was synthesized by temperature gradient method.The Er:CaF_(2)crystal was applied in acousto-optically Q-switched laser at mid-infrared region for the first time.Using a Te O_(2)-based crystal as Q-switcher,we obtained a laser diode(LD)end-pumped Er:CaF_(2)laser with the highest single pulse energy up to 0.49 mJ and maximum peak power of 0.56 kW under 6.34-W absorbed pump power.The implication of these results is that the low-doped Er:CaF_(2)crystal exhibits promising optical properties in solid-state lasers.

A Comparison of CNN and PLSR for Glucose Monitoring Using Mid-Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy

With the development of mid-infrared (MIR) photoelectric devices, mid-infrared spectroscopy has become one of the important methods for non-invasive detection of blood glucose. The mid-infrared region (4000 - 400 cm-1) has the well-known fingerprint region (1200 - 800 cm-1) of glucose, which has clearer characteristic absorption peaks and better specificity. There is a lot of molecular information about glucose in the MIR. The non-invasive detection of blood glucose by mid-infrared spectroscopy needs to achieve certain accuracy, and the quantitative model is an important factor affecting the accuracy of glucose detection. In this paper, the samples of imitation solution containing only glucose and the samples of imitation mixed solution are taken as the research objects, and the mid-infrared spectral data of the samples are collected. The full spectrum partial least squares Regression (PLSR) model, SNV + Ctr-PLSR model, MSC + Ctr-PLSR model, and convolutional neural networks (CNN) model of 3000 - 900 cm-1 band were constructed. Full spectrum PLS model and CNN model of 1200 - 900 cm-1 band were constructed. The experimental results show that the optimal model of the two bands is CNN, then the correlation coefficient of prediction set (Rp) of 3000 - 900 cm-1 band is 0.95, and the root mean square error of pre-diction set (RMSEP) value is 22.10. The Rp of 1200 - 900 cm-1 band is 0.95, and the RMSEP value is 22.54. The research results show that CNN is a promising method, which has higher accuracy than PLSR, and is especially suitable for modeling human complex environment. In addition, the study provides a theoretical and practical basis for CNN in feature selection and model interpretation.

Rapid Detection of Accelerants in Fire Debris Using a Field Portable Mid-Infrared Quantum Cascade Laser Based Analyzer

Arson presents a challenging crime scene for fire investigators worldwide. Key to the investigation of suspected arson cases is the analysis of fire debris for the presence of accelerants or ignitable liquids. This study has investigated the application and method development of vapor phase mid-Infrared (mid-IR) spectroscopy using a field portable quantum cascade laser (QCL) based system for the detection and identification of accelerant residues such as gasoline, diesel, and ethanol in fire debris. A searchable spectral library of various ignitable fluids and fuel components measured in the vapor phase was constructed that allowed for real-time identification of accelerants present in samples using software developed in-house. Measurement of vapors collected from paper material that had been doused with an accelerant followed by controlled burning and then extinguished with water showed that positive identification could be achieved for gasoline, diesel, and ethanol. This vapor phase mid-IR QCL method is rapid, easy to use, and has the sensitivity and discrimination capability that make it well suited for non-destructive crime scene sample analysis. Sampling and measurement can be performed in minutes with this 7.5 kg instrument. This vibrational spectroscopic method required no time-consuming sample pretreatment or complicated solvent extraction procedure. The results of this initial feasibility study demonstrate that this portable fire debris analyzer would greatly benefit arson investigators performing analysis on-site.

Species’ geographical range, environmental range and traits lead to specimen collection preference of dominant plant species of grasslands in Northern China

Many different factors,such as species traits,socio-economic factors,geographical and environmental factors,can lead to specimen collection preference.This study aims to determine whether grassland specimen collection in China is preferred by species traits(i.e.,plant height,flowering and fruiting period),environmental range(i.e.,the temperature and precipitation range)and geographical range(i.e.,distribution range and altitudinal range).Ordinary least squares models and phylogenetic generalized linear mixed models were used to analyze the relationships between specimen number and the explanatory variables.Random Forest models were then used to find the most parsimonious multivariate model.The results showed that interannual variation in specimen number between 1900 and 2020 was considerable.Specimen number of these species in southeast China was notably lower than that in northwest China.Environmental range and geographical range of species had significant positive correlations with specimen number.In addition,there were relatively weak but significant associations between specimen number and species trait(i.e.,plant height and flowering and fruiting period).Random Forest models indicated that distribution range was the most important variable,followed by flowering and fruiting period,and altitudinal range.These findings suggest that future floristic surveys should pay more attention to species with small geographical range,narrow environmental range,short plant height,and short flowering and fruiting period.The correction of specimen collection preference will also make the results of species distribution model,species evolution and other works based on specimen data more accurate.

LFM Radar Source Passive Localization Algorithm Based on Range Migration

Traditional single-satellite passive localization algorithms are influenced by frequency and angle measurement accuracies,resulting in error estimation of emitter position on the order of kilometers.Subsequently,a single-satellite localization algorithm based on passive synthetic aper-ture(PSA)was introduced,enabling high-precision positioning.However,its estimation of azimuth and range distance is considerably affected by the residual frequency offset(RFO)of uncoopera-tive system transceivers.Furthermore,it requires data containing a satellite flying over the radia-tion source for RFO search.After estimating the RFO,an accurate estimation of azimuth and range distance can be carried out,which is difficult to achieve in practical situations.An LFM radar source passive localization algorithm based on range migration is proposed to address the dif-ficulty in estimating frequency offset.The algorithm first provides a rough estimate of the pulse repetition time(PRT).It processes intercepted signals through range compression,range interpola-tion,and polynomial fitting to obtain range migration observations.Subsequently,it uses the changing information of range migration and an accurate PRT to formulate a system of nonlinear equations,obtaining the emitter position and a more accurate PRT through a two-step localization algorithm.Frequency offset only induces a fixed offset in range migration,which does not affect the changing information.This algorithm can also achieve high-precision localization in squint scenar-ios.Finally,the effectiveness of this algorithm is verified through simulations.

The interaction between temperature and precipitation on the potential distribution range of Betula ermanii in the alpine treeline ecotone on the Changbai Mountain

Alpine treeline ecotones are highly sensitive to climate warming.The low temperature-determined alpine treeline is expected to shift upwards in response to global warming.However,little is known about how temperature interacts with other important factors to influence the distribution range of tree species within and beyond the alpine treeline ecotone.Hence,we used a GF-2 satellite image,along with bioclimatic and topographic variables,to develop an ensemble suitable habitat model based on the species distribution modeling algorithms in Biomod2.We investigated the distribution of suitable habitats for B.ermanii under three climate change scenarios(i.e.,low(SSP126),moderate(SSP370)and extreme(SSP585)future emission trajectories)between two consecutive time periods(i.e.,current-2055,and 2055-2085).By 2055,the potential distribution range of B.ermanii will expand under all three climate scenarios.The medium and high suitable areas will decline under SSP370 and SSP585scenarios from 2055 to 2085.Moreover,under the three climate scenarios,the uppermost altitudes of low suitable habitat will rise to 2,329 m a.s.l.,while the altitudes of medium and high suitable habitats will fall to 2,201 and2,051 m a.s.l.by 2085,respectively.Warming promotes the expansion of B.ermanii distribution range in Changbai Mountain,and this expansion will be modified by precipitation as climate warming continues.This interaction between temperature and precipitation plays a significant role in shaping the potential distribution range of B.ermanii in the alpine treeline ecotone.This study reveals the link between environmental factors,habitat distribution,and species distribution in the alpine treeline ecotone,providing valuable insights into the impacts of climate change on high-elevation vegetation,and contributing to mountain biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

Hybrid pedestrian positioning system using wearable inertial sensors and ultrasonic ranging

Pedestrian positioning system(PPS)using wearable inertial sensors has wide applications towards various emerging fields such as smart healthcare,emergency rescue,soldier positioning,etc.The performance of traditional PPS is limited by the cumulative error of inertial sensors,complex motion modes of pedestrians,and the low robustness of the multi-sensor collaboration structure.This paper presents a hybrid pedestrian positioning system using the combination of wearable inertial sensors and ultrasonic ranging(H-PPS).A robust two nodes integration structure is developed to adaptively combine the motion data acquired from the single waist-mounted and foot-mounted node,and enhanced by a novel ellipsoid constraint model.In addition,a deep-learning-based walking speed estimator is proposed by considering all the motion features provided by different nodes,which effectively reduces the cumulative error originating from inertial sensors.Finally,a comprehensive data and model dual-driven model is presented to effectively combine the motion data provided by different sensor nodes and walking speed estimator,and multi-level constraints are extracted to further improve the performance of the overall system.Experimental results indicate that the proposed H-PPS significantly improves the performance of the single PPS and outperforms existing algorithms in accuracy index under complex indoor scenarios.

A Residual Frequency Offset Estimation Method Based on Range Migration Fitting

Recently,researchers have proposed an emitter localization method based on passive synthetic aperture.However,the unknown residual frequency offset(RFO)between the transmit-ter and the receiver causes the received Doppler signal to shift,which affects the localization accu-racy.To solve this issue,this paper proposes a RFO estimation method based on range migration fitting.Due to the high frequency modulation slope of the linear frequency modulation(LFM)-mod-ulation radar signal,it is not affected by RFO in range compression.Therefore,the azimuth time can be estimated by fitting the peak value position of the pulse compression in range direction.Then,the matched filters are designed under different RFOs.When the zero-Doppler time obtained by the matched filters is consistent with the estimated azimuth time,the given RFO is the real RFO between the transceivers.The simulation results show that the estimation error of azimuth distance does not exceed 20 m when the received signal duration is not less than 3 s,the pulse repe-tition frequency(PRF)of the transmitter radar signal is not less than 1 kHz,the range detection is not larger than 1000 km,and the signal noise ratio(SNR)is not less than-5 dB.

Comparison of Microwave Imaging Algorithms for Short-Range Scenarios

Three dimensional(3-D)imaging algorithms with irregular planar multiple-input-multiple-output(MIMO)arrays are discussed and compared with each other.Based on the same MIMO array,a modified back projection algorithm(MBPA)is accordingly proposed and four imaging algorithms are used for comparison,back-projection method(BP),back-projection one in time domain(BP-TD),modified back-projection one and fast Fourier transform(FFT)-based MIMO range migration algorithm(FFT-based MIMO RMA).All of the algorithms have been implemented in practical application scenarios by use of the proposed imaging system.Back to the practical applications,MIMO array-based imaging system with wide-bandwidth properties provides an efficient tool to detect objects hidden behind a wall.An MIMO imaging radar system,composed of a vector network analyzer(VNA),a set of switches,and an array of Vivaldi antennas,have been designed,fabricated,and tested.Then,these algorithms have been applied to measured data collected in different scenarios constituted by five metallic spheres in the absence and in the presence of a wall between the antennas and the targets in simulation and pliers in free space for experimental test.Finally,the focusing properties and time consumption of the above algorithms are compared.

Spatial-temporal distribution and geochemistry of highly evolved Mesozoic granites in Great Xing’an Range,NE China:Discriminant criteria and geological significance

Highly evolved granite is an important sign of the mature continent crust and closely associated with deposits of rare metals.In this work,the authors undertake systematically zircon U-Pb ages and whole rock elemental data for highly evolved granitic intrusions from the Great Xing’an Range(GXR),NE China,to elucidate their discriminant criteria,spatial-temporal distribution,differentiation and geodynamic mecha-nism.Geochemical data of these highly evolved granites suggest that high w(SiO_(2))(>70%)and differentiation index(DI>88)could be quantified indicators,while strong Eu depletion,high TE_(1,3),lowΣREE and low Zr/Hf,Nb/Ta,K/Rb could only be qualitative indicators.Zircon U-Pb ages suggest that the highly evolved gran-ites in the GXR were mainly formed in Late Mesozoic,which can be divided into two major stages:Late Ju-rassic-early Early Cretaceous(162-136 Ma,peak at 138 Ma),and late Early Cretaceous(136-106 Ma,peak at 126 Ma).The highly evolved granites are mainly distributed in the central-southern GXR,and display a weakly trend of getting younger from northwest to southeast,meanwhile indicating the metallogenic potential of rare metals within the central GXR.The spatial-temporal distribution,combined with regional geological data,indicates the highly evolved Mesozoic granites in the GXR were emplaced in an extensional environ-ment,of which the Late Jurassic-early Early Cretaceous extension was related to the closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean and roll-back of the Paleo-Pacific Plate,while the late Early Cretaceous extension was mainly related to the roll-back of the Paleo-Pacific Plate.

Glacial Cover Assessment from 1993 to 2021 Using Normalized Difference Snow Index with Landsat Imagery in the Colorado Front Range, USA

Cirque glaciers found on the Colorado Front Range, USA are sensitive to climate change and are important for water supply and the delivery of water downstream. These glaciers are shrinking at a rapid rate in response to the global climate change, and thus it is important to track and analyze them. One of the ways to monitor these glaciers is by using multispectral satellite imagery (Landsat imagery). In this article, the feasibility of tracking glacial area via Landsat satellites has been discussed and the trend of 13 glaciers in the Colorado Front Range Region has been analyzed from 1993 to 2021. In this period, the total glacial area across 13 glaciers in the Colorado Front Range Region has decreased by 63.6%, and a significant correlation (p-value p < 0.05) found with the annual global average temperature indicates that the retraction of glaciers is likely a response to the global warming.

Scale effect removal and range migration correction for hypersonic target coherent detection

The detection of hypersonic targets usually confronts range migration(RM)issue before coherent integration(CI).The traditional methods aiming at correcting RM to obtain CI mainly considers the narrow-band radar condition.However,with the increasing requirement of far-range detection,the time bandwidth product,which is corresponding to radar’s mean power,should be promoted in actual application.Thus,the echo signal generates the scale effect(SE)at large time bandwidth product situation,influencing the intra and inter pulse integration performance.To eliminate SE and correct RM,this paper proposes an effective algorithm,i.e.,scaled location rotation transform(ScLRT).The ScLRT can remove SE to obtain the matching pulse compression(PC)as well as correct RM to complete CI via the location rotation transform,being implemented by seeking the actual rotation angle.Compared to the traditional coherent detection algorithms,Sc LRT can address the SE problem to achieve better detection/estimation capabilities.At last,this paper gives several simulations to assess the viability of ScLRT.

Extending the solid solution range of sodium ferric pyrophosphate:Off‐stoichiometric Na_(3)Fe(2.5)(P_(2)O_(7))_(2)as a novel cathode for sodium‐ion batteries

Iron‐based pyrophosphates are attractive cathodes for sodium‐ion batteries due to their large framework,cost‐effectiveness,and high energy density.However,the understanding of the crystal structure is scarce and only a limited candidates have been reported so far.In this work,we found for the first time that a continuous solid solution,Na_(4−α)Fe_(2+α)_(2)(P_(2)O_(7))_(2)(0≤α≤1,could be obtained by mutual substitution of cations at center‐symmetric Na3 and Na4 sites while keeping the crystal building blocks of anionic P_(2)O_(7) unchanged.In particular,a novel off‐stoichiometric Na_(3)Fe(2.5)(P_(2)O_(7))_(2)is thus proposed,and its structure,energy storage mechanism,and electrochemical performance are extensively investigated to unveil the structure–function relationship.The as‐prepared off‐stoichiometric electrode delivers appealing performance with a reversible discharge capacity of 83 mAh g^(−1),a working voltage of 2.9 V(vs.Na^(+)/Na),the retention of 89.2%of the initial capacity after 500 cycles,and enhanced rate capability of 51 mAh g^(−1)at a current density of 1600 mA g^(−1).This research shows that sodium ferric pyrophosphate could form extended solid solution composition and promising phase is concealed in the range of Na_(4−α)Fe_(2+α)_(2)(P_(2)O_(7))_(2),offering more chances for exploration of new cathode materials for the construction of high‐performance SIBs.

纪念世界第一本RANGE AND PASTURE MANAGEMENT(《草原与放牧地管理学》)教材出版100周年

1923年,美国第一本,也是世界第一本草原管理学方面的教材——RANGE AND PASTURE MANAGEMENT(《草原与放牧地管理学》)出版。本文通过对该书的作者、内容(前言、正文和索引)、对美国草原管理学教育和教材的重要影响、对我国草原管理学同类教材建设的意义进行介绍和论述,以纪念该书出版100周年。

Wideband mid-infrared thermal emitter based on stacked nanocavity metasurfaces

Efficient thermal radiation in the mid-infrared(M-IR)region is of supreme importance for many applications including thermal imaging and sensing,thermal infrared light sources,infrared spectroscopy,emissivity coatings,and camouflage.The ability to control light makes metasurfaces an attractive platform for infrared applications.Recently,different metamaterials have been proposed to achieve high thermal radiation.To date,broadening the radiation bandwidth of a metasurface emitter(meta-emitter)has become a key goal to enable extensive applications.We experimentally demonstrate a broadband M-IR thermal emitter using stacked nanocavity metasurface consisting of two pairs of circular-shaped dielectric(Si;N;)–metal(Au)stacks.A high thermal radiation can be obtained by engineering the geometry of nanocavity metasurfaces.Such a meta-emitter provides wideband and broad angular absorptance of both p-and s-polarized light,offering a wideband thermal radiation with an average emissivity of more than 80%in the M-IR atmospheric window of 8–14μm.The experimental illustration together with the theoretical framework establishes a basis for designing broadband thermal emitters,which,as anticipated,will initiate a promising avenue to M-IR sources.

Continuous-wave mid-infrared intracavity singly resonant optical parametric oscillator based on periodically poled lithium niobate

This paper reports a continuous-wave （CW） mid-infrared intracavity singly resonant optical parametric oscillator based on periodically poled lithium niobate （PPLN） pumped by a diode-end-pumped CW Nd：YVO4 laser. Considering the thermal lens effects, it adopted an optical ballast lens and the near-concentric cavity for better operation. At the PPLN＇s grating period of 28.5 μm and the temperature of 140℃, the maximum idler output power of 155 mW at 3.86 μm has been achieved when the 808 nm pump power is 8.5 W, leading to an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 1.82%.

A novel 2-μm pulsed fiber laser based on a supercontinuum source and its application to mid-infrared supercontinuum generation

A new method to achieve 2-μm pulsed fiber lasers based on a supercontinuum （SC） is demonstrated. The incident pump light is a pulsed SC which contains a pump light and a signal light at the same time. The initial signal of the seed laser is provided by the incident pump light and amplified in the cavity. Based on this, we obtain a 2-μm pulsed laser with pulse repetition rate of 50 kHz and pulse width of 2 ns from the Tm-doped fiber laser. This 2-μm pulsed laser is amplified by two stages of fiber amplifiers, then the amplified laser is used for mid-infrared （mid-IR） SC generation in a 10-m length of ZrF4-BaF2-LaF3-AIF3-NaF （ZBLAN） fiber. An all-fiber-integrated mid-IR SC with spectrum ranging from 1.8 ~tm to 4.3 μm is achieved. The maximal average output power of the mid-IR SC from the ZBLAN fiber is 1.24 W （average output power beyond 2.5 μm is 340 mW）, corresponding to an output efficiency of 6.6% with respect to the 790-nm pump power.

Up-conversion detection of mid-infrared light carrying orbital angular momentum

Frequency up-conversion is an effective method of mid-infrared(MIR) detection by converting long-wavelength photons to the visible domain, where efficient detectors are readily available. Here, we generate MIR light carrying orbital angular momentum(OAM) from a difference frequency generation process and perform up-conversion on it via sum frequency conversion in a bulk quasi-phase-matching crystal. The maximum quantum conversion efficiencies from MIR to visible are 34.0%, 10.4%, and 3.5% for light with topological charges of 0, 1, and 2, respectively, achieved by utilizing an optimized strong pump light. We also verify the OAM conservation with a specially designed interferometer, and the results agree well with the numerical simulations. Our study opens up the possibilities for generating, manipulating, and detecting MIR light that carries OAM, and will have great potential for optical communications and remote sensing in the MIR regime.

Theoretical study and optimization of a high power mid-infrared erbium-doped ZBLAN fibre laser

Based on the rate equations describing the erbium-doped fluoride glass （ZBLAN） fibre lasers with different pumping configurations being taken into account, this paper presents theoretical calculations related to the dynamic population density and the operation performance of a high power mid-infrared all-fibre erbium-doped ZBLAN fibre laser. It shows that the ground-state absorption, excited-state absorption and energy-transfer-upconversion processes co-exist and produce a population balance, causing the laser to operate stably at a continuous wave state. A good agreement between the theoretical results and recent experimental measurement is obtained. Furthermore, the laser structure parameters including fibre length, reflectance of output fibre Bragg grating and pumping configurations are quantitatively optimised to achieve the best performance. The results show, as expected, that the slope efficiency of the fibre laser can be improved significantly through optimisation, which then provides an important guide for the design of high-performance mid-infrared erbium-doped ZBLAN fibre lasers.