The traction force produced by biological cells has been visualized as distortions in flexible substrata. We have utilized quantitative phase microscopy by digital holography (DH-QPM) to study the wrinkling of a silicone rubber film by motile fibroblasts. Surface deformation and the cellular traction force have been measured from phase profiles in a direct and straightforward manner. DH-QPM is ...

The maize opaque2 (o2) mutant has a high nutritional value but it develops a chalky endosperm that limits its practical use. Genetic selection for o2 modifiers can convert the normally chalky endosperm of the mutant into a hard, vitreous phenotype, yielding what is known as quality protein maize (QPM). Previous studies have shown that enhanced expression of 27-kDa γ-zein in QPM is essential for...

Supercontinuum generation (SCG) is most efficient when the solitons can be excited directly at the pump laser wavelength. Quadratic nonlinear waveguides may induce an effective negative Kerr nonlinearity, so temporal solitons can be directly generated in the normal (positive) dispersion regime overlapping with common ultrafast laser wavelengths. There is no need for waveguide dispersion enginee...

We analyze quasi-phase-matched (QPM) conversion efficiency of the five possible types of periodic two-dimensional nonlinear structures: Hexagonal, square, rectangular, centered-rectangular, and oblique. The frequency conversion efficiency, as a function of the two-dimensional quasi-phase-matching order, is determined for the general case. Furthermore, it is demonstrated for two basic feasible m...

We have theoretically demonstrated type II broadband second-harmonic generation (SHG) based on a quasi-phase-matching (QPM) configuration in periodically poled KTP (PPKTP). The wavelength dependence of QPM grating periods at different temperatures of 5 degrees C, 25 degrees C, and 45 degrees C is calculated with the crystal length of 1 cm. We find a very wide bandwidth, as large as 42.6 nm, of ...

We experimentally demonstrate quasi-phase-matched (QPM) four-wave-mixing (FWM) in silicon (Si) nanowire waveguides with sinusoidally modulated width. We perform discrete wavelength conversion over 250 nm, and observe 12 dB conversion efficiency (CE) enhancement for targeted wavelengths more than 100 nm away from the edge of the 3-dB conversion bandwidth. The QPM process in Si nanowires is rigor...

High harmonic generation (HHG) is a central driver of the rapidly growing field of ultrafast science. We present a novel quasiphase-matching (QPM) concept with a dual-gas multijet target leading, for the first time, to remarkable phase control between multiple HHG sources (>2) within the Rayleigh range. The alternating jet structure with driving and matching zones shows perfect coherent buildup...

content in maize alone can add an estimated annual gross value of $360 million per year and can go up to Development and adoption of quality protein maize (Zea mays $480 million per year if protein also is increased (JohnL.) (QPM) would increase the nutritional value of food and feed son et al., 2001). maize products. Breeding programs at the International Center for The CIMMYT has developed QP...

Essential amino acids like lysine and tryptophan are deficient in corn meal because of the abundance of zein storage proteins that lack these amino acids. A natural mutant, opaque 2 (o2) causes reduction of zeins, an increase of nonzein proteins, and as a consequence, a doubling of lysine levels. However, o2's soft inferior kernels precluded its commercial use. Breeders subsequently overcame ke...

A method to control spin angular momentum (SAM), based on mutual effects of a electro-optic effect and a quasi-phase-matched (QPM) technique in QPM material, is proposed. By controlling the external electric field or operating wavelength, the transfer between left- and right-handed circularly polarized photons is achieved, thus the total SAM is manipulated. The external electric field needed in...