Long term performance evaluation of the TACTIC imaging telescope using ∼400 h Crab Nebula observation during 2003–2010

The TeV atmospheric Cherenkov telescope with imaging camera (TACTIC) γ-ray telescope has been in operation at Mt. Abu, India since 2001 to study TeV γ-ray emission from celestial sources. During the last 10 years, apart from consistently detecting a steady signal from the Crab Nebula above ～1.2 TeV energy, at a sensitivity level of ～5.0 σ in ～25 h, the telescope has also detected flaring activity from Mrk 421 and Mrk 501 on several occasions. Although we used Crab Nebula data partially, in some of the reported results, primarily for testing the validity of the full data analysis chain, the main aim of this work is to study the long term performance of the TACTIC telescope by using consolidated data collected between 2003 and 2010. The total on-source data, comprising ～402 h, yields an excess of ～(3742±192) γ-ray events with a statistical significance of ～19.9 σ. The off-source data, comprising ～107 h of observation, is found to be consistent with a no-emission hypothesis, as expected. The resulting γ-ray rate for the on-source data is determined to be ～(9.31±0.48) h ^?1. A power law fit (dΦ/dE=f ₀ E ^?Γ ) with f ₀ ～ (2.66±0.29) × 10^?11 cm^?2 s^?1 TeV^?1 and Γ ～ 2.56±0.10 is found to provide reasonable fit to the inferred differential spectrum within statistical uncertainties. The spectrum matches reasonably well with that obtained by other groups. A brief summary of the improvements in the various subsystems of the telescope carried out recently, which has resulted in a substantial improvement in its detection sensitivity (viz., ～5 σ in an observation period of ～13 h as compared to ～25 h earlier) are also presented in this paper. Encouraged by the detection of strong γ-ray signals from Mrk 501 and Mrk 421 on several occasions, there is considerable scope for the TACTIC telescope to monitor similar TeV γ-ray emission activity from other active galactic nuclei on a long-term basis.     

Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Potassium Hydro(benzoyl)(phthalyl)borate and Its Cobalt(II), Nickel(II), and Copper(II) Complexes

A new organoborate ligand, hydro(benzoyl)(phthalyl)borate has been synthesized as its potassium salt (KL) and treatment of KL with one equivalent of MCl2•6H2O gave complexes ML(H2O)x•Cl [x＝2, M＝Co(II), Ni(II); x＝1, M＝Cu(II)]. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, 1H NMR, ESI MS, UV-Vis techniques, conductivity and magnetic data measurements. Spectroscopic results suggest a square planar geometry in the Cu(II) complex, while the Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes possess an octahedral geometry. Antibacterial activities (in vitro) of the ligand and its metal complexes were studied against two Gram positive (B. subtillis and B. magterium) and two Gram negative bacteria (E. Coli and S. boydi) at a single concentration (75 μg/mL) by using the Disc diffusion method. Antifungal activities (in vitro) were also checked for the compounds by using the same method against Candida albicans 10261, Penicillium sp. and Asperjillius niger., at a single concentration (50 μg/mL). The results showed that all the metal complexes, specially the nickel(II) complex, have higher antibacterial and antifungal activities than the corresponding potassium salt.     

Chemical composition,and antibacterial and antioxidant activities of essential oils from Laggera tomentosa Sch. Bip. ex Oliv. et Hiern (Asteraceae)

Laggera tomentosa Sch. Bip. ex Oliv. et Hiern (Asteraceae), an endemic Ethiopian medicinal plant, is traditionally used to treat various ailments. Previously, the chemical constituents of the essential oil (EO) of its leaves and inflorescence were documented. However, no data about the chemical compositions of other parts of the EOs of the plant have been reported to date. Moreover, there are no previous biological activity reports on any parts of the EOs of this plant. Thus, in this study, the EOs were isolated from the stem bark and roots of this plant by hydrodistillation and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify their components. In addition, antibacterial potentials of the oils were evaluated using the disc diffusion and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide methods were also employed to assess their antioxidant properties. Oxygenated monoterpenes (71.82% and 77.51%), of which 2,5-dimethoxy- p -cymene (57.28% and 64.76%) and thymol methyl ether (9.51% and 8.93%) were identified as major components in the EOs of stem bark and roots of L. tomentosa and the oils, were the most potent in the DPPH (IC50, 0.33 ± 1.10 and 0.39 ± 0.97 mg/mL) assay, respectively. Moreover, the EOs demonstrated appreciable activity towards the gram+ ( S. aureus and B. cereus ) bacteria. Among these oils, the oil of the stem bark showed the greatest activity to the gram+ (MIC = 0.625 mg/mL) bacteria. Therefore, the overall results suggested that the EOs of L. tomentosa may be a promising prospect for pharmaceutical, food, and other industrial applications.     

Performances of different metals in optical fibre-based surface plasmon resonance sensor

The capability of various metals used in optical fibre-based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensing is studied theoretically. Four metals, gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu) and aluminium (Al) are considered for the present study. The performance of the optical fibre-based SPR sensor with four different metals is obtained numerically and compared in detail. The performance of optical fibre-based SPR sensor has been analysed in terms of sensitivity, signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio and quality parameter. It is found that the performance of optical fibre-based SPR sensor with Au metal is better than that of the other three metals. The sensitivity of the optical fibre-based SPR sensor with 50 nm thick and 10 mm long Au metal film of exposed sensing region is 2.373 μm/RIU with good linearity, SNR is 0.724 and quality parameter is 48.281 RIU^− 1. The thickness of the metal film and the length of the exposed sensing region of the optical fibre-based SPR sensor for each metal are also optimized.     

New perspective in the use of soft rotor formula for K = 2 γ-band

The use of soft rotor formula (SRF) for the level energies of K?=?2 γ-band for the shape transitional even Z even N nuclei in the medium mass region is illustrated. With proper treatment, we obtained positive values of the moment of inertia and softness parameter, as opposed to negative values reported in literature. The moments of inertia of the γ-band are almost equal to the ground state band values. The systematic dependence of the softness parameter on energy ratio R _4/2 is studied. The effect of the odd–even spin staggering on these parameters is studied in detail. In deformed nuclei, the same parameters for odd and even spin members yield fair energy values.     

Oxidation of crotyl alcohol by N-chloro-4-methylbenzene sulphonamide in acidic medium and in alkaline media in the presence of os(VIII) catalyst-a kinetic pathway

The kinetic pathway of oxidation of crotyl alcohol by sodium salt of N -chloro-4-methylbenzene sulphonamide (chloramine-T) in acidic and alkaline medium has been studied. The speciation of chloramine-T has been made to suggest a proper and reasonable reaction mechanism. The thermodynamic quantities such as activation energy and activation entropy are evaluated in acidic as well as in catalysed alkaline medium. An anticipated reaction mechanism has been suggested.     

Thermal birefringence-compensated linear intracavity frequency doubled Nd:YAG rod laser with 73 ns pulse duration and 160 W green output power

In a thermally birefringence-compensated linear cavity configuration, ～160 W of average green power by intracavity frequency doubling of AO Q-switched Nd:YAG/LBO-based laser is demonstrated. The corresponding optical to optical conversion efficiency is estimated to be ～ 12.7%. The pulse repetition rate is 20 kHz with the individual pulse duration of 73 ns. The beam quality parameter is measured to be 18.     

Efficient yellow beam generation by intracavity sum frequency mixing in DPSS Nd:YVO4 laser

We present our studies on dual wavelength operation using a single Nd:YVO₄ crystal and its intracavity sum frequency generation by considering the influence of the thermal lensing effect on the performance of the laser. A KTP crystal cut for type-II phase matching was used for intracavity sum frequency generation in the cavity at an appropriate location for efficient and stable yellow output power. More than 550 mW of stable CW yellow-orange beam at 593.5 nm with beam quality parameter (M ²) ～4. 3 was obtained. The total pump to yellow beam conversion efficiency was estimated to be 3.83%.     

Infrared differential absorption lidar for stand-off detection of chemical agents

A compact trolley-mounted pulsed transverse electric atmospheric pressure (TEA) carbon dioxide laser-based differential absorption lidar (DIAL) system capable of stand-off detection of chemical clouds in aerosol and vapour form upto about 200 m range in the atmosphere has been developed and assembled at Laser Science and Technology Centre (LASTEC), Delhi. The system was tested successfully with diethyl ether (DEE) (a toxic industrial chemical (TIC)) and differential absorption signals at $\lambda _{\text {on}}$ (strong absorption, 9R16) and $\lambda _{\text {off}}$ (weak absorption, 10R26) wavelengths were recorded for stand-off distances upto $\sim $ 100 m (open air ground path). This paper discusses the technical details of trolley-mounted CO₂ DIAL system and the data generated during the test and evaluation of this sensor using DEE aerosols.