Photonic chip-based low-noise microwave oscillator.

Numerous modern technologies are reliant on the low-phase noise and exquisite timing stability of microwave signals. Substantial progress has been made in the field of microwave photonics, whereby low-noise microwave signals are generated by the down-conversion of ultrastable optical references using a frequency comb1-3. Such systems, however, are constructed with bulk or fibre optics and are difficult to further reduce in size and power consumption. In this work we address this challenge by leveraging advances in integrated photonics to demonstrate low-noise microwave generation via two-point optical frequency division4,5. Narrow-linewidth self-injection-locked integrated lasers6,7 are stabilized to a miniature Fabry-Pérot cavity8, and the frequency gap between the lasers is divided with an efficient dark soliton frequency comb9. The stabilized output of the microcomb is photodetected to produce a microwave signal at 20 GHz with phase noise of -96 dBc Hz-1 at 100 Hz offset frequency that decreases to -135 dBc Hz-1 at 10 kHz offset-values that are unprecedented for an integrated photonic system. All photonic components can be heterogeneously integrated on a single chip, providing a significant advance for the application of photonics to high-precision navigation, communication and timing systems.

Large-scale pattern transfer based on non-through-hole AAO self-supporting membranes.

Fabricating large-scale nanoarrays is a significant and challenging work in the field of nanometer devices. Anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane is considered as a promising mask due to its inherent advantages such as low-cost and tunable pore diameter. However, there are few reports on the use of non-through-hole large-area AAO membrane as a mask. Due to its higher mechanical strength, non-through-hole AAO membrane has the advantage of self-supporting for large-area fabrication. Herein, we present a robust approach to transferring nanopattern to substrates with high fidelity by using the non-through-hole AAO membrane as an etching mask. A novel two-step inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching method is adopted. The morphological evolution of the AAO during ICP etching is systematically investigated. The aspect ratio of the AAO can be quantitatively controlled by adjusting etching time. The AAO nanopore arrays with an area of 7.1 cm2 are successfully transferred to gallium nitride wafer to enhance photoluminescence. The luminous intensity of the nano-array LED with a pore diameter of 400 nm and a depth of 150 nm is improved by 3.4 times compared with the LED without the nano-array. This method extends the opportunities for AAO mask to serve as generic templates for novel applications that are previously impractical due to the difficulty of large-scale nano-pattern transfer.

Highly Phosphatized Magnetic Catalyst with Electron Transfer Induced by Quaternary Synergy for Efficient Dehydrogenation of Ammonia Borane.

Exploitation of high-efficiency and low-cost catalysts for dehydrogenation of the ideal hydrogen storage material (ammonia borane) can effectively promote the development of hydrogen economy. Here, we report an efficient and economical non-noble-metal magnetic catalyst (Ni0.23Co0.19P0.58@NHPC900) with nanoparticles uniformly distributed on MOF-derived (metal-organic framework) nitrogen-doped hierarchical porous carbon (NHPC900) by a one-step in situ synthesis method. The catalyst has achieved a superior initial total turnover frequency (TOF) of 125.2 molH2·molcat-1·min-1. Based on isotopic analyses and ion effects, we further obtain an unprecedentedly higher TOF of 282.4 molH2·molcat-1·min-1, the highest among non-noble-metal heterogeneous systems. Through experiments and theoretical studies, we confirm that the highly doped phosphorus component leads to a C-P-Ni-Co quaternary synergy in the catalyst. Then, the induced strong electron transfer and increased partial charge can reduce the reaction energy barrier, strengthen the adsorption of ammonia borane, and ultimately result in superior catalytic performance. The proposed mechanisms and strategies are helpful to develop non-noble-metal catalysts for practical applications of hydrogen energy systems in the future.

[Effect of serum starvation and culture to confluence on cell cycle synchronization and mineralization of human dental pulp cells].

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of serum starvation and culture to confluence on cell cycle synchronization and mineralization of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs). METHODS: HDPCs were cultured to 80% and 100% confluence respectively, and then cultured for 24, 48 and 72 hours by culture medium containing 0.5% fetal bovine serum(FBS). Cell cycle of hDPCs were identified by flow cytometry. Then hDPCs cultured by serum starvation for 48h after culturing to 100% confluence were used as the experimental group, and hDPCs cultured to 80% confluence were used as the control group. The expression of alkaline phosphatase(ALP), collagen type Ⅰ(COL-Ⅰ) and osteocalcin(OCN) was detected at gene level; activity of ALPase was detected at protein level. SPSS 13.0 software was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: When hDPCs were cultured by serum starvation for 48h after culturing to 100% confluence, cells at G0/G1 stage were more than culture to 100% confluence and serum starvation group (P＜0.05). At the genetic level, the expression of COL-Ⅰand OC in the experimental group was not statistically different from that of the control group, but can promote the expression of ALP(P＜0.05), and stimulate the secretion of hDPCs at protein level at the same time (P＜0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Culture to confluence combined serum starvation can synchronize more hDPCs at G0/G1 stage and promote mineralization of hDPCs.