High-Speed THz Time-of-Flight Imaging with Reflective Optics.

In this study, we develop a 3D THz time-of-flight (TOF) imaging technique by using reflective optics to preserve the high-frequency components from a THz antenna. We use an Fe:InGaAs/InAlAs emitter containing relatively high-frequency components. THz-TOF imaging with asynchronous optical sampling (ASOPS) enables the rapid scanning of 100 Hz/scan with a time delay span of 100 ps. We characterize the transverse resolution using knife edge tests for a focal length of 5; the Rayleigh resolution has been measured at 1.0 mm at the focal plane. Conversely, the longitudinal resolution is determined by the temporal pulse width, confirmed with various gap structures enclosed by a quartz substrate. The phase analysis reveals that reflected waves from the top interface exhibit a phase shift when the gap is filled by high-indexed materials such as water but shows in-phase behavior when it is filled with air and low-indexed material. Our imaging tool was effective for inspecting the packaged chip with high lateral and longitudinal resolution. Importantly, the phase information in 2D and 3D images is shown to be a powerful tool in identifying the defect-in particular, delamination in the chip-which tends to be detrimental to the packaged chip's stability.

High-Speed Imaging of Second-Harmonic Generation in MoS2 Bilayer under Femtosecond Laser Ablation.

We report an in situ characterization of transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayers and twisted bilayers using a high-speed second-harmonic generation (SHG) imaging technique. High-frequency laser modulation and galvano scanning in the SHG imaging enabled a rapid identification of the crystallinity in the TMD, including the orientation and homogeneity with a speed of 1 frame/s. For a twisted bilayer MoS2, we studied the SHG peak intensity and angles as a function of the twist angle under a strong interlayer coupling. In addition, rapid SHG imaging can be used to visualize laser-induced ablation of monolayer and bilayer MoS2 in situ under illumination by a strong femtosecond laser. Importantly, we observed a characteristic threshold behavior; the ablation process occurred for a very short time duration once the preheating condition was reached. We investigated the laser thinning of the bilayer MoS2 with different twist angles. When the twist angle was 0°, the SHG decreased by approximately one-fourth of the initial intensity when one layer was removed. Conversely, when the twist angle was approximately 60° (the SHG intensity was suppressed), the SHG increased abruptly close to that of the nearby monolayer when one layer was removed. Precise layer-by-layer control was possible because of the unique threshold behavior of the laser-induced ablation.

Microwave assisted synthesis of bridgehead alkenes.

A new, concise method to synthesize triene precursors for the type 2 intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction has been developed. Microwave irradiation of the trienes provides a convenient method for the synthesis of bridgehead alkenes. Higher yields, shorter reaction times, and lower reaction temperatures provide a general and efficient route to this interesting class of molecules.

Synthetic polymer nanoparticles with antibody-like affinity for a hydrophilic peptide.

Synthetic polymer nanoparticles with antibody-like affinity for a hydrophilic peptide have been prepared by inverse microemulsion polymerization. Peptide affinity was achieved in part by incorporating the target (imprint) peptide in the polymerization reaction mixture. Incorporation of the imprint peptide assists in the creation of complementary binding sites in the resulting polymer nanoparticle (NP). To orient the imprint peptide at the interface of the water and oil domains during polymerization, the peptide target was coupled with fatty acid chains of varying length. The peptide--NP binding affinities (ca. 90-900 nM) were quantitatively evaluated by a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The optimal chain length was established that created high affinity peptide binding sites on the surface of the nanoparticles. This method can be used for the preparation of nanosized synthetic polymers with antibody-like affinity for hydrophilic peptides and proteins ("plastic antibodies").

New Architectures in Hydrogen Bond Catalysis.

New achiral sulfamide, phosphoric triamide, and thiophosphoric triamide compounds have been synthesized. Their activity as hydrogen bond catalysts for the Friedel-Crafts and Baylis-Hillman reactions compares favorably with that of a known and active thiourea catalyst. The new compounds were also studied by X-ray crystallography and their solid state structures are described.