Abstract: A method for characterizing terahertz radiation using spectral domain interferometry, comprising overlapping a pump beam and a terahertz beam in a detecting crystal; obtaining two probe pulses by propagating the probe beam into a polarization maintaining single-mode optical fiber after the detecting crystal; and measuring a change in the optical path difference between the two probe pulses. The system comprises a detection crystal, where a terahertz pulse and a probe beam are made to overlap; a polarization-maintaining optical fiber propagating the probe beam after the detection crystal and outputting two probe pulses; and a spectrometer where the two probe pulses interfere.

Abstract: Apparatus, method and data processing for increasing the depth range and signal to noise ratio (SNR) in Fourier domain low coherence interferometry (FD LCI) and in Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FD OCT) using a 2 dimensional (2D) detector array is provided. The depth range and the noise of the FD LCI and FD OCT depend on the number of pixels in the detector that are used for imaging. As the depth range is proportional and the noise is inversely proportional to the number of pixels, the use of increased number of pixels of a 2D detector array increases the depth range and the signal to noise ratio (SNR) many fold.

Abstract: This invention relates to isolated polynucleotides encoding BRITTLE STALK 2-like (Bk2L) family polypeptides. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of a Bk2L polypeptide, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the Bk2L polypeptide in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying maize plants that have increased cell wall digestibility. The methods use molecular markers to identify and select plants with increased cell wall digestibility or to identify and counter-select plants with decreased cell wall digestibility. Maize plants generated by the methods of the invention are also a feature of the invention.