Abstract
An integrated optical refractometer based on multimode interference, with sensitivity enhancement due to sub-micrometer axial features, is demonstrated with experimental sensitivity as high as 3200 nm/RIU and resolution limits on the order of 5 ppm. © OSA/CLEO 2011.

Abstract
High strength, first order Bragg Grating Waveguides are inscribed in the core and cladding of optical fibers using oil immersion femtosecond direct laser-writing. A laser-induced birefringence of 2.05×10-4 was inferred from polarization split Bragg resonances. ©OSA/ CLEO 2011.

Abstract
The Bruggeman effective medium is used to study the transition to hyperbolic dispersion of visible light in thin-film metal-dielectric composite metamaterial of varying mixing proportion. This transition is experimentally demonstrated by the detection of the swap between the refracted birefringence components in fabricated composites of silver nanowires embedded in anodic aluminium oxide. Three refraction regimes are observed in a single composite using excitation radiation on both sides of the transition.

Abstract
The sol-gel method was employed to obtain poly(oxyethylene) (POE)/siloxane hybrids (di-ureasils) doped with erbium triflate (Er(CF3SO3)(3)). The host hybrid matrix employed is composed of a siliceous framework to which short POE chains are covalently bonded through urea linkages (-NH(C(=O)NH-). Xerogels with infinity > n >= 5 (where n, salt composition, is the molar ratio of OCH2CH2 moieties per Er3+ ion) were analyzed. Samples with n >= 20 are amorphous. Those with n > 20 are thermally stable up to about 325 degrees C. In the di-ureasils proposed, the Er3+ ions are active at room temperature (RT). Concentration effects on the quenching of the 1.53 mm emission intensity (excited at 488 nm) are negligible.

Abstract

Abstract
Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is a dangerous toxin found in environmental waters, quantified by high performance liquid chromatography and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Quick, low cost and on-site analysis is thus required to ensure human safety and wide screening programs. This work proposes label-free potentiometric sensors made of solid-contact electrodes coated with a surface imprinted polymer on the surface of Multi-Walled Carbon NanoTubes (CNTs) incorporated in a polyvinyl chloride membrane. The imprinting effect was checked by using non-imprinted materials. The MC-LR sensitive sensors were evaluated, characterized and applied successfully in spiked environmental waters. The presented method offered the advantages of low cost, portability, easy operation and suitability for adaptation to flow methods. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd....Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of the Symposium Cracoviense Sp. z.o.o.