High-spin structure of N\simeq Z nuclei around the A = 72 region

High-spin states have been studied in ⁷²Kr and ⁷²Br using the ⁴⁰Ca + ⁴⁰Ca and ³⁶Ar + ⁴⁰Ca reactions at 164 and 145 MeV, respectively. The properties and configurations of the high-spin bands observed have been interpreted using unpaired cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky (CNS), and for ⁷²Kr, paired cranked relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov (CRHB) calculations. In ⁷²Kr a new band has been identified that has the properties expected for the doubly aligned S-band configuration. In ⁷²Br the previously known bands have been extended to higher spin. This has lead to a re-interpretation of the configurations.Received: 31 October 2002, Published online: 24 February 2004PACS: 21.10.Re Collective levels - 23.20.Lv transitions and level energies - 27.50. + e      

Optical cavity coupled surface plasmon resonance sensing for enhanced sensitivity

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensing system based on the optical cavity enhanced detection tech-nique is experimentally demonstrated. A fiber-optic laser cavity is built with a SPR sensor inside. By measuring the laser output power when the cavity is biased near the threshold point, the sensitivity, defined as the dependence of the output optical intensity on the sample variations, can be increased by about one order of magnitude compared to that of the SPR sensor alone under the intensity interrogation scheme. This could facilitate ultra-high sensitivity SPR biosensing applications. Further system miniaturization is possible by using integrated optical components and waveguide SPR sensors.     

Electrochemical codeposition of nickel oxide and polyaniline

Nickel oxide (NiO_x) and polyaniline (PAni) were electrocodeposited from NiSO₄ and aniline through cyclic voltammetric scans to afford PAni–NiO_x composite film at controlled pH environment. The electrochemical activities of the film were investigated by cyclic voltammetry in 0.1 M NaOH and 0.1 M H₂SO₄, respectively. Typical redox couples of PAni in 0.1 M H₂SO₄ appeared at approximately 0.2 and 0.4 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE); Ni(II)/Ni(III) redox couple was observed at approximately 0.4 V vs. SCE in 0.1 M NaOH. The morphologies and elemental components of the films were inspected by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray diffraction. The stability of nickel oxide in the films was found to be enhanced against acidic environments. Electrochemical catalytic behavior of NiO_x within the composite film was conserved and demonstrated by catalytic oxidation of methanol and ethanol.     

The increasing importance of carbon nanotubes and nanostructured conducting polymers in biosensors

The growing need for analytical devices requiring smaller sample volumes, decreased power consumption and improved performance have been driving forces behind the rapid growth in nanomaterials research. Due to their dimensions, nanostructured materials display unique properties not traditionally observed in bulk materials. Characteristics such as increased surface area along with enhanced electrical/optical properties make them suitable for numerous applications such as nanoelectronics, photovoltaics and chemical/biological sensing. In this review we examine the potential that exists to use nanostructured materials for biosensor devices. By incorporating nanomaterials, it is possible to achieve enhanced sensitivity, improved response time and smaller size. Here we report some of the success that has been achieved in this area. Many nanoparticle and nanofibre geometries are particularly relevant, but in this paper we specifically focus on organic nanostructures, reviewing conducting polymer nanostructures and carbon nanotubes.     

Trapped electron mode turbulence driven intrinsic rotation in Tokamak plasmas

Progress from global gyrokinetic simulations in understanding the origin of intrinsic rotation in toroidal plasmas is reported. The turbulence-driven intrinsic torque associated with nonlinear residual stress generation due to zonal flow shear induced asymmetry in the parallel wave number spectrum is shown to scale close to linearly with plasma gradients and the inverse of the plasma current, qualitatively reproducing experimental empirical scalings of intrinsic rotation. The origin of current scaling is found to be enhanced k(∥) symmetry breaking induced by the increased radial variation of the safety factor as the current decreases. The intrinsic torque is proportional to the pressure gradient because both turbulence intensity and zonal flow shear, which are two key ingredients for driving residual stress, increase with turbulence drive, which is R/L(T(e)) and R/L(n(e)) for the trapped electron mode.     

Rotation reversal bifurcation and energy confinement saturation in tokamak Ohmic L-mode plasmas

Direction reversals of intrinsic toroidal rotation have been observed in diverted Alcator C-Mod Ohmic L-mode plasmas following electron density ramps. For low density discharges, the core rotation is directed cocurrent, and reverses to countercurrent following an increase in the density above a certain threshold. Such reversals occur together with a decrease in density fluctuations with 2 cm(-1)≤k(θ)≤11 cm(-1) and frequencies above 70 kHz. There is a strong correlation between the reversal density and the density at which the Ohmic L-mode energy confinement changes from the linear to the saturated regime.     

A new light emitting diode-light emitting diode portable carbon dioxide gas sensor based on an interchangeable membrane system for industrial applications

A new system for CO₂ measurement (0–100%) based on a paired emitter–detector diode arrangement as a colorimetric detection system is described. Two different configurations were tested: configuration 1 (an opposite side configuration) where a secondary inner-filter effect accounts for CO₂ sensitivity. This configuration involves the absorption of the phosphorescence emitted from a CO₂-insensitive luminophore by an acid–base indicator and configuration 2 wherein the membrane containing the luminophore is removed, simplifying the sensing membrane that now only contains the acid–base indicator. In addition, two different instrumental configurations have been studied, using a paired emitter–detector diode system, consisting of two LEDs wherein one is used as the light source (emitter) and the other is used in reverse bias mode as the light detector. The first configuration uses a green LED as emitter and a red LED as detector, whereas in the second case two identical red LEDs are used as emitter and detector. The system was characterised in terms of sensitivity, dynamic response, reproducibility, stability and temperature influence. We found that configuration 2 presented a better CO₂ response in terms of sensitivity.