Estimation of peak Raman gain coefficients for Barium-Bismuth-Tellurite glasses from spontaneous Raman cross-section experiments.

In this paper we explore the TeO(2)-Bi(2)O(3)-BaO glass family with varied TeO(2) concentration for Raman gain applications, and we report, for the first time, the peak Raman gain coefficients of glasses within this glass family extrapolated from non-resonant absolute Raman cross-section measurements at 785 nm. Estimated Raman gain coefficients show peak values of up to 40 times higher than silica for the main TeO(2) bands. Other optical properties, including index dispersion from the visible to the long wave Infrared (LWIR) are also summarized in this paper.

Diameter-dependent optical constants of gold mesoparticles electrodeposited on aluminum films containing copper.

Electrodeposition of gold mesoparticles on anodized and chemically etched aluminum/copper films deposited on silicon wafers proceeds by instantaneous nucleation and with no diffusion limitations. Both of these phenomena favor the formation of relatively monodispersed gold particles. Under the reported electrodeposition conditions, the relative standard deviation of the particle diameter is 25%.

Needs of disabled children and their families.

In the new NHS those who provide services for disabled children need to measure and demonstrate their effectiveness, but there are no easily available outcome measures for use by child development centres and teams. The development of an alternative approach, using a series of statements of good practice, is described. Parents of children with cerebral palsy were asked to participate in semistructured interviews, to ascertain the value and relevance of these quality statements.

Respite care on a children's ward.

In March 1984 a short term respite care facility for handicapped children was opened in a children's ward catering primarily for acute medical and surgical problems. The facility was based on a four bedded room designed so that if beds became short in the main ward it could revert immediately to the care of acutely sick children. Three nurses were appointed specifically to staff the facility, the nursing budget for the rest of the ward being reduced proportionately.