2022 Optical Interference Coatings Conference: Manufacturing Problem Contest [Invited].

Participants in the 2022 Manufacturing Problem Contest were challenged to fabricate an optical filter with a specified stepped transmittance spanning three orders of magnitude from 400 to 1100 nm. The problem required that contestants be versed in the design, deposition, and measurement of optical filters to achieve good results. Nine samples from five institutions were submitted with total thicknesses between 5.

Pyroelectric detector-based method for low uncertainty spectral irradiance and radiance responsivity calibrations in the infrared using tunable lasers.

The standard uncertainty of detector-based radiance and irradiance responsivity calibrations in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) traditionally has been limited to around 1% or higher by the poor spatial uniformity of detectors used to transfer the scale from radiant power. Pyroelectric detectors offer a solution that avoids the spatial uniformity uncertainty but also introduces additional complications due to alternating current (AC) measurement techniques. Herein, a new, to the best of our knowledge, method for low uncertainty irradiance responsivity calibrations in the SWIR is presented.

Bidirectional reflectance capabilities of the NIST Robotic Optical Scattering Instrument.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Robotic Optical Scattering Instrument (ROSI) serves as the national reference instrument for specular and diffuse bidirectional reflectance measurements in the ultraviolet to short-wave infrared wavelength regions. This paper gives a comprehensive overview of the design, operation, and capabilities of ROSI. We describe measurement methods for diffuse and specular reflectance, identify and quantify the elements of the uncertainty budget, and validate the reflectance scale through comparison with NIST's previous reference instrument, the Spectral Tri-function Automated Reference Reflectometer.

Abbreviations for dyes, stains and fluorescent probes used in biology and medicine in the 21st century. A bright future or the last gasp?

I summarize here the history of the use of abbreviations, mostly in subject areas related to dyes, stains and fluorescent probes used in biology and medicine. The dozen most popular abbreviations in these fields are identified and their salient characteristics noted. The pros and cons of each abbreviation are discussed with relevant citations.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions About Medicolegal Education: A Survey of OB/GYN Residents.

Introduction: Medicolegal concerns affect the career decisions of obstetrics/gynecology (OB/GYN) residents; however, their exposure to medicolegal education during residency training is virtually unknown.

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of medicolegal concepts among OB/GYN residents.

Methods: All residents in an accredited residency training program in OB/GYN in the United States during the 2017-2018 academic year were invited to complete an anonymous online survey.

Quirks of dye nomenclature. 16. Dyes, and a pigment, named after places.

Many dyes produced during the 19 century were named after locations. Manufacturers proliferated the number of synonyms used and in time, the original names were forgotten. Therefore, in the headings below, the original names are followed by the current name(s) in parentheses.

Strategies to Improve Annual Diabetic Foot Screening Compliance at a Family Clinic.

Quality Improvement Success Stories are published by the American Diabetes Association in collaboration with the American College of Physicians and the National Diabetes Education Program. This series is intended to highlight best practices and strategies from programs and clinics that have successfully improved the quality of care for people with diabetes or related conditions. Each article in the series is reviewed and follows a standard format developed by the editors of .

Hematoxylin in the 21 century.

Hematoxylin continues to be a popular substance in the 21st century. I present here some recent developments including the use and misuse of the terms, hematoxylin and hemalum, in biological staining. The medical use of hematoxylin and its application as a dye for hair or textiles continues to be of interest.

Quirks of dye nomenclature. 15. Geranine - a simple name, with a less than straight forward identity.

Geranines were manufactured initially as textile dyes; they were made by coupling diazotized aromatic amines with sulfonated 1-naphthols. Most commonly encountered was geranine G, which for more than fifty years was thought to be derived from 1-naphthol monosulfonic acid, but later was considered to be derived from a 1-naphthol disulfonic acid. Currently, geranine G is thought to be a mixture of two isomers derived from 1-naphthol disulfonic acids.

2019 Topical Meeting on Optical Interference Coatings: Manufacturing Problem Contest [invited].

For the seventh Manufacturing Problem Contest, participants were challenged to fabricate an optical filter with transmittance specified for -polarization at two incident angles: 10° and 50° from 400 nm to 1100 nm. The problem required that contestants be equally versed in the design, deposition, and measurement of optical filters in order to achieve good results. Eight teams from five different countries participated in the contest using various deposition techniques.

Quirks of dye nomenclature. 14. Madder: queen of red dyes.

The long history of madder as a source of red dyes and pigments is presented. The variety of plant sources and the range of anthraquinone components discovered over a long period are addressed. Topics such as analysis, industrial uses, biological staining, red bone staining in live animals and toxicity are outlined briefly.

Quirks of dye nomenclature. 13. Biebrich scarlet.

Biebrich scarlet was the first commercial bis-azo dye when it appeared on the market in 1879 in Biebrich on Rhine, Germany. The dye's early history is recounted here with details of the manufacturing process. The possibility that the dye exists in a keto form rather than an enol form is discussed.

Quirks of dye nomenclature. 12. Victoria's rainbow.

The identities of 18 dyes whose names begin with "Victoria" are described using their chemical structures, names and numerical identifiers. All are synthetic dyes originally synthesized in Germany during the late 19 century as colorants for textiles. Brief manufacturing details are included.

Exposure study on UV-induced degradation of PTFE and ceramic optical diffusers.

We report on a study of the ultraviolet (UV)-induced degradation on optical grade polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and ceramic diffuser samples. Long-term UV exposure may significantly alter the reflectance and lead to an error in the calibration of optical instruments. A large integrating sphere was used to irradiate the samples for 334.

Comparison of Bidirectional Transmittance Distribution Function (BTDF) Measurements on Fused Silica and Sintered Polytetrafluoroethylene Diffusers.

Accurate determination of the bidirectional transmittance distribution function (BTDF) of transmissive diffusers is critical for the on-orbit spectral radiance calibration of several satellite-based, Earth remote sensing instruments. This study presents the results of the comparison of BTDF measurements by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Diffuser Calibration Laboratory and the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Spectral Tri-function Automated Reference Reflectometer facility on two transmissive diffusers: HOD-500, a synthetic fused silica sample manufactured by Hereaus Quarzglas and Spectralon-250, a sintered polytetrafluoroethylene sample manufactured by Labsphere, Incorporated. BTDF measurements were acquired at seven wavelengths from 290 nm to 740 nm, at incident elevation angles of 0° and 30°, and at scatter elevation angles from 1° to 15°.

Quirks of dye nomenclature. 11. Safranine and its relatives.

Safranine was one of the earliest coal tar dyes following mauveine. By the end of the 19th century, many alkylated derivatives of safranine had been made. The history, identity, names, manufacture, analysis, toxicity, textile dyeing, and biological staining applications, plus some nonstaining uses of safranine, phenosafranine, methylene violet, amethyst violet, azocarmine, and Magdala red are described here.

The red insect dyes: carminic, kermesic and laccaic acids and their derivatives.

Three groups of insect dyes are described: three cochineal dyes, the kermes dye and the lac dye. The major color components are carminic acid, kermesic acid and laccaic acids, respectively. These dyes are red anthraquinone derivatives.

Quirks of dye nomenclature. 10. Eosin Y and its close relatives.

The long history of eosin Y, eosin B and the methyl and ethyl eosins is recounted as well as their synthesis, the variety of their molecular species and some of the myriad applications of these dyes. Chromatographic techniques are described that reveal the purity or lack of it in commercial samples. Toxicological studies are discussed that suggest that the eosins are virtually non toxic, but efforts to remove them from the environment imply that there may be some risk.

Correction of an adding-doubling inversion algorithm for the measurement of the optical parameters of turbid media.

We present broadband measurements of the optical properties of tissue-mimicking solid phantoms using a single integrating sphere to measure the hemispherical reflectance and transmittance under a direct illumination at the normal incident angle. These measurements are traceable to reflectance and transmittance scales. An inversion routine using the output of the adding-doubling algorithm restricted to the reflectance and transmittance under a direct illumination was developed to produce the optical parameters of the sample along with an uncertainty budget at each wavelength.

ESTABLISHING BRDF CALIBRATION CAPABILITIES THROUGH SHORTWAVE INFRARED.

Satellite instruments operating in the reflective solar wavelength region require accurate and precise determination of the Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Functions (BRDFs) of the laboratory and flight diffusers used in their pre-flight and on-orbit calibrations. This paper advances that initial work and presents a comparison of spectral Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) and Directional Hemispherical Reflectance (DHR) of Spectralon, a common material for laboratory and on-orbit flight diffusers. A new measurement setup for BRDF measurements from 900 nm to 2500 nm located at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is described.

Algorithm for rapid determination of optical scattering parameters.

Preliminary experiments at the NIST Spectral Tri-function Automated Reference Reflectometer (STARR) facility have been conducted with the goal of providing the diffuse optical properties of a solid reference standard with optical properties similar to human skin. Here, we describe an algorithm for determining the best-fit parameters and the statistical uncertainty associated with the measurement. The objective function is determined from the profile log likelihood, including both experimental and Monte Carlo uncertainties.

Quirks of dye nomenclature. 9. Fluorescein.

Adolf Baeyer announced the discovery of fluorescein in 1871 and named it after its most striking property, i.e., fluorescence.

Temporal patterns of Deepwater Horizon impacts on the benthic infauna of the northern Gulf of Mexico continental slope.

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill occurred in spring and summer 2010 in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Research cruises in 2010 (approximately 2-3 months after the well had been capped), 2011, and 2014 were conducted to determine the initial and subsequent effects of the oil spill on deep-sea soft-bottom infauna. A total of 34 stations were sampled from two zones: 20 stations in the "impact" zone versus 14 stations in the "non-impact" zone.

Quirks of dye nomenclature. 8. Methylene blue, azure and violet.

Methylene blue was synthesized in 1877 and soon found application in medicine, staining for microscopy and as an industrial dye and pigment. An enormous literature has accumulated since its introduction. Early on, it was known that methylene blue could be degraded easily by demethylation; consequently, the purity of commercial samples often was low.