Nonlinear propagation effects in antiresonant high-index inclusion photonic crystal fibers.

We experimentally and numerically investigate femtosecond-pulse propagation in a microstructured optical fiber consisting of a silica core surrounded by airholes that are filled with a high-index fluid. This fiber combines the resonant properties of hollow-core bandgap fibers and the high nonlinearity of index-guiding waveguides. A range of nonlinear optical effects can be observed, including soliton propagation, dispersive wave generation, and a Raman self-frequency shift.

Cigarette smoking, air pollution, and immunity: a model system.

BALB/c mice were exposed to fresh cigarette smoke, a mixture of SO(2) (5 ppm) and CO (50 ppm), or both for periods up to 18 weeks. After varying exposure times, animals were intratracheally inoculated with 10(8) sheep erythrocytes and sacrificed 7 days later, during which time the various exposure regimes were continued. Plaque-forming-cell responses were measured in spleens and a pool of the cervical and mediastinal lymph nodes, together with serum hemagglutinating and hemolytic responses, and compared with those of age-matched control animals.