Impact of nonlinearity including bleaching in MUTC photodetectors on RF-modulated electro-optic frequency combs.

We use the drift-diffusion equations to calculate the responsivity of a modified uni-traveling carrier (MUTC) photodetector (PD) with a frequency comb input that is generated by a series of short optical pulses. We first use experimental results for the responsivity of the MUTC PD to obtain an empirical model of bleaching in pulsed mode. We incorporate our empirical bleaching model into a drift-diffusion model to calculate the impact of nonlinearity in an MUTC PD on RF-modulated electro-optic frequency combs.

Cross-cultural representations of conjoined twins.

Conjoined twinning is a rare birth defect estimated to occur in about 1 in 50,000 to 100,000 births. The mechanism of conjoined twinning is not proven. Different forms of conjoined twinning are observed with the thoracopagus form being the most common.

Calculation of the impulse response and phase noise of a high-current photodetector using the drift-diffusion equations.

We describe a procedure to calculate the impulse response and phase noise of high-current photodetectors using the drift-diffusion equations while avoiding computationally expensive Monte Carlo simulations. We apply this procedure to a modified uni-traveling-carrier (MUTC) photodetector. In our approach, we first use the full drift-diffusion equations to calculate the steady-state photodetector parameters.

Frequency dependent harmonic powers in a modified uni-traveling carrier photodetector.

We use a drift-diffusion model to study frequency dependent harmonic powers in a modified uni-traveling carrier (MUTC) phododetector. The model includes external loading, incomplete ionization, the Franz-Keldysh effect, and history-dependent impact ionization. In three-tone measurements, the bias voltage at which a null occurs (bias null) in the second-order intermodulation distortion (IMD2) is different for the sum frequency and difference frequency.

Characteristics and performance of offset phase locked single frequency heterodyned laser systems.

We demonstrate and characterize the performance of two heterodyned optical phase locked loop (PLL) laser systems for use in characterizing photodetector RF frequency response and nonlinearities. Descriptions of PLL circuit parameters for Nd:YAG non-planar ring oscillator lasers at 1064 nm and 1319 nm, and Er ion fiber lasers from 1530 nm to 1565 nm are presented. Both laser systems have piezoelectric transducer wavelength control over the PLL voltage controlled oscillator circuit.

Impact of the Coulomb interaction on the Franz-Keldysh effect in high-current photodetectors.

The Franz-Keldysh effect has been recognized as the largest contributor to oscillations in the responsivity of high-current photodetectors as a function of the applied bias or the incident light wavelength and to device nonlinearity. Prior work only considered the effect of the electric field without considering the Coulomb interaction. We show that it is not possible to obtain agreement with experiments at all optical wavelengths without including this effect in the effective mass equation.

Simulation of a partially depleted absorber (PDA) photodetector.

We use a 2D drift-diffusion model to study the nonlinear response of a partially depleted absorber (PDA) phododetector. The model includes external loading, incomplete ionization, the Franz-Keldysh effect, and history-dependent impact ionization. It also takes into account heat flow in the device.

Analysis of magnitude and relative phase of photodiode IMD2 using amplitude matched MZM-distortion cancellation technique.

We present a detailed look at using Mach-Zehnder modulator generated distortion for identifying the magnitude and relative sign of photodiode generated second order intermodulation distortion (IMD2). Previous discussions introduced the concept for characterizing a test device. Analysis is expanded to IMD2 as a function of voltage, photocurrent and frequency.

Suppression of even-order photodiode distortions via predistortion linearization with a bias-shifted Mach-Zehnder modulator.

A new technique to cancel photodiode-induced even-order distortion in microwave photonic links is demonstrated. A single Mach-Zehnder modulator, biased slightly away from the quadrature point, is shown to suppress photodiode second-order intermodulation distortion in excess of 40 dB without affecting the fundamental power. The technique is theoretically described with supporting experimental results.

Cancellation of photodiode-induced second harmonic distortion using single side band modulation from a dual parallel Mach-Zehnder.

We have theoretically and experimentally investigated using a dual parallel Mach-Zehnder modulator (DP-MZM) in an RF photonic link to cancel the second harmonic distortion due to the photodiode. Biasing the DP-MZM for single sideband modulation, the second harmonic generated by the DP-MZM can be set out of phase with the second harmonic generated at the photodiode. We measure the output intercept point of the second harmonic distortion of the link to be 55.

Comparison of photodiode nonlinearity measurement systems.

Photodiode nonlinearity measurements using one-, two- and three-tone measurement systems are compared with each other, to investigate the comparison accuracy between setups. The mathematical relationship between each setup is analyzed, and data on multiple devices are compared to find under which conditions the measurements are comparable. It is shown that the three measurement systems can be used interchangeably only when the distortion adheres to the expected mathematical slopes.

Measurement of intermodulation distortion in high-linearity photodiodes.

Accurately characterizing third order intermodulation distortion (IMD3) in high-linearity photodiodes is challenging. Two measurement techniques are evaluated-a standard two-tone measurement and a more complicated three-tone measurement technique to measure IMD3. A model of the measurement system is developed and used to analyze the limitations of the two techniques in determining the distortion of highly linear photodiodes.

Investigation of electrooptic modulator disruption by microwave-induced transients.

This paper presents a detailed investigation of the physical mechanisms underlying the disruption of a lithium niobate electrooptic modulator by RF pulses. It is shown that short-term modulator disruption is a direct consequence of resistive heating within the metal conductor of the coplanar waveguide electrode, which leads to a thermo-optic optical phase shift in the waveguides of the modulator. Resistive heating is also shown to contribute to permanent modulator damage at higher RF power.

Even-order harmonic cancellation for off-quadrature biased Mach-Zehnder modulator with improved RF metrics using dual wavelength inputs and dual outputs.

We present a technique using a dual-output Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) with two wavelength inputs, one operating at low-bias and the other operating at high-bias, in order to cancel unwanted even-order harmonics in analog optical links. By using a dual-output MZM, this technique allows for two suppressed optical carriers to be transmitted to the receiver. Combined with optical amplification and balanced differential detection, the RF power of the fundamental is increased by 2 dB while the even-order harmonic is reduced by 47 dB, simultaneously.

The changing face of febrile neutropenia-from monotherapy to moulds to mucositis. Why monotherapy?

This is an account of the history of the early days of monotherapy of infections in neutropenic patients with haematological malignancies. A chance encounter with Ben de Pauw led to his introduction to clinical drug development research, introduced him to Peter Donnelly who was studying ceftazidime at the Hammersmith Hospital in London and led to a series of collaborative studies at the start of a distinguished research career. This paper is dedicated to Ben de Pauw and also to the memory of my mentor, Roy Foord, who had the vision to go against his initial cautious instinct and allow me to convince him of the merits of these studies when combinations including aminoglycosides were standard.

Challenges in developing new antibacterial drugs.

Regulatory guidelines for clinical development of antibacterial drugs have a major impact on decisions regarding research, influencing the degree to which novel targets are pursued, the choice of lead compounds, the spectrum of activity, as well as the dose. It is disconcerting that as pharmaceutical firms abandon antibacterial research and development, and expertise is lost from clinical, regulatory and commercial functions, biotechnology firms focus on easier, Gram-positive targets, which require limited clinical development, and expect pharmaceutical firms that have retreated from antibacterials to in-license compounds with restricted uses. Guidelines and incentives are needed to encourage development of agents targeted against the growing problem of Gram-negative bacterial resistance, as broad-spectrum drugs face even greater hurdles.

Demonstrating ecological receptor health at contaminated sites with wild rodent sperm parameters.

Consistently at Superfund and other contaminated terrestrial sites, ecological receptors have been chemically exposed for multiple decades by the time risk assessments are conducted. Given that numerous generations of the receptors have lived through the contaminated site condition by the present day, a paradigm shift from risk assessment, where the potential for health effects are forecasted, to a direct, health status assessment scheme for the site-exposed receptor, would seem to be most appropriate. We applied the only such existing direct health status assessment method, Rodent Sperm Analysis (RSA), with small rodents trapped at contaminated sites and at matched noncontaminated reference locations.