We demonstrated a miniature and in situ ~13-layer graphene nanomechanical resonator by utilizing a simple optical fiber Fabry-Perot (F-P) interferometric excitation and detection scheme. The graphene film was transferred onto the endface of a ferrule with a 125-μm inner diameter. In contrast to the pre-tension induced in membrane that increased quality (Q) factor to ~18.5 from ~3.23 at room tem...

The conventional wisdom is that optical fiber is dielectric, and thus does not radiate RF emissions. In practice, optical fiber cable connectors have non-negligible amounts of conductive material, for example a ferrule, spring, and crimp ring. As data rates have increased beyond 1 gigabit/second (Gbps), equipment with supposedly “RF tight” enclosures exhibited high levels of RF emissions, faili...

A self-compensating fiber optic flow sensor system based on the principle of broadband white-light interferometers and cantilever beam bending is described. The fiber optic sensor system uses two fiber ferrule sensors that are bonded on either side of a cantilever beam to measure the flow rate by monitoring the air-gap changes caused by the bending of the cantilever beam. Cross sensitivity of t...

We present a Casimir force setup based on an all-optical ferrule-top sensor. We demonstrate that the instrument can be used to measure the gradient of the Casimir force between a gold-coated sphere and a gold-coated plate with results that are comparable to those achieved by similar atomic force microscope experiments. Thanks to the monolithic design of the force sensor (which does not require ...

PURPOSE The Ad Hoc Committee on Research in Fixed Prosthodontics established by the Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics publishes a yearly comprehensive literature review on a selected topic. The subject for this year is foundation restorations. METHODS Literature of various in vitro and in vivo investigations that included technical and clinical articles was reviewed to provide clinical guidelin...

Introduction Identifying the canals and negotiating them to be able to instrument and obturate the tooth is necessary to clinical success. But restoration of the endodontically treated tooth is critical to long-term success. It does not matter if we can complete the endodontic portion of treatment if the tooth cannot be restored. With this in mind, we need to look at the restoration phase from ...

Restorative procedures are accompanied by a reduction of tooth stability, a decrease of fracture resistance, and an increase in deflection of weakened cusps. The choice between a direct or an indirect restorative technique, mainly in posterior areas, is a challenge, and involves biomechanical, anatomical, functional, esthetic, and financial considerations. In this article, the pros and cons of ...