High-repetition-rate high-power femtosecond ArF laser source.

170-fs, 0.8-microJ optical pulses at 193 nm generated by frequency quadrupling of high-power Ti:sapphire laser pulses are amplified in an ArF gain module. Double-pass amplification at a 400-Hz repetition rate resulted in 290-mW average power with pulse durations of ~ 300 fs.

Effects of menstrual cycle on creativity.

Seventeen healthy women (21-31 years) not taking oral contraceptives were tested at three phases of the menstrual cycle distinctly differing in hormonal patterns (menses, preovulatory phase, and midluteal phase). Phase detection was assured by determination of blood hormone concentrations. Another 17 women taking oral contraceptives (combined preparation of estrogen and progestin) served as age-matched controls, and were tested during menses and during phases corresponding to preovulatory and midluteal phase.