Dispersion control for temporal contrast optimization.

We investigate the temporal contrast of the Light Wave Synthesizer 20 (LWS-20): a powerful, few-cycle source based on the optical parametric synthesizer principle. Saturation effects in the RF amplifier driving the acousto-optic programmable dispersive filter (AOPDF) were found to degrade the coherent contrast for non-monotonic group delay corrections. We subsequently present a new dispersion scheme and design a novel transmission grism-based stretcher optimized for LWS-20. The resulting temporal contrast of the amplified, compressed output pulses is improved by 2-4 orders of magnitude compared to the former design.

Hiding behind the "perfect" mask: a phenomenological study of Filipino university students' lived experiences of perfectionism.

PURPOSE: Perfectionism is a relevant construct among university students. Researchers have emphasized its significance and even suggested it as an "amplifier of risk" to youth mental health given its association with negative outcomes. The study aims to understand perfectionism and how it is experienced among Filipino perfectionist students from the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD). METHODS: The study employed in-depth phenomenological interviews to gather narratives reflecting the experiences and reflections shared by 10 perfectionist students from UPD. Thematic analysis was used to construct relevant themes about living with perfectionism. RESULTS: Perfectionist students exhibited high standards and behaviours and cognitions associated with rigidity and obsessiveness in many contexts in their lives. The family, pre-college (elementary and high school), and college contexts are significant in their development as perfectionists. Students also struggled with its constant negotiations and trade-offs because of its double-edged nature and the push and pull of their personal and others' standards. Narratives also indicate a relationship between their motivations as perfectionists, their strategies to manage it, and their expected mental health outcomes. CONCLUSION: Living with perfectionism among Filipino perfectionist students can be described as developmental, dialectical, and directed. Implications relevant to understanding Filipino perfectionism are outlined in the study.