Preparative isolation of (+)-beta-eudesmol fromAmyris balsamifera

Summary Optically pure (+)-beta-eudesmol is a possible starting material for the synthesis of several termite defense compounds. A two step procedure for the isolation of gram quantities of (+)-beta-eudesmol from commercially availableAmyris balsamifera oil (syn. West Indian sandalwood oil), containing 8% beta-eudesmol, was developed. Step one consisted of an efficient vacuum distillation of the total oil. Step two was a medium pressure LC separation with an AgNO₃ impregnated silica gel stationary phase. Several other separation procedures failed due to the presence of many closely related sesquiterpene alcohols (75% of the oil).     

Measurement of low hysteretic losses in CVD prepared Nb3Ge

Very low hysteretic losses have been measured in CVD prepared Nb₃Ge. An apparent correlation between second phase content and low losses has been found as well as a reduction in hysteretic loss by appropriate surface treatment.     

Semiconductor lasers and fiber lasers for fiber-optic telecommunications

Be performance characteristics of semiconductor lasers for fiber telecommunication systems will be reviewed. Modulation speed, intensity noise, singlefrequency line width, and tunability are addressed. In addition, recent results concerning the same characteristics in single-frequency, tunable, fiber lasers are reviewed and compared with the semiconductor laser.     

Specific heat of single phase Nb3Ge

For the first time, the specific heat of single phase, stoichiometric, high transition temperature (21.8 K) A-15 Nb₃Ge has been measured. From the data between 4 and 29 K, the linear term coefficient, γ, of the specific heat is found to be 30.3±1. mJ/mole-K² and the Debye temperature, ?_D, is 302±2 K. The bulk energy gap parameter, 2Δ/kT_c, is found to be 4.2±0.2, in agreement with tunneling measurements.     

Comment on the interpretation of dynamic derivative thermogravimetric curves

A comparison is made of dynamic thermograms and their derivative curves, and the significance of the various features of these curves is discussed. The designation of peak temperatures on derivative curves as decomposition temperatures is shown to be wrong. An illustration is given of the value of a derivative thermogram in disclosing the existence of successive overlapping reactions that might escape detection on an integral thermogram.     

Ultralow emittance, multi-MeV proton beams from a laser virtual-cathode plasma accelerator

The laminarity of high-current multi-MeV proton beams produced by irradiating thin metallic foils with ultraintense lasers has been measured. For proton energies >10 MeV, the transverse and longitudinal emittance are, respectively, <0.004 mm mrad and <10(-4) eV s, i.e., at least 100-fold and may be as much as 10(4)-fold better than conventional accelerator beams. The fast acceleration being electrostatic from an initially cold surface, only collisions with the accelerating fast electrons appear to limit the beam laminarity. The ion beam source size is measured to be <15 microm (FWHM) for proton energies >10 MeV.     

High current densities at 20T in long (20m) tapes of CVD-prepared Nb3Ge

Critical current densities J_c as a function of magnetic field have been measured on tapes of chemically vapor deposited (CVD) Nb₃Ge that are up to 20m long. Values of J_c exceed 5 × 10⁴ A/cm² at 20T. Such high critical current densities are encouraging for use of this material in producing a 20T superconducting magnet.     

Investigations into beam monitors at the AEg ̄ IS experiment

Detailed diagnostic of antiproton beams at low energies is required for essentially all experiments at the Antiproton Decelerator (AD), but will be particularly important for the future Extra Low ENergy Antiproton ring (ELENA) and its keV beam lines to the different experiments. Many monitors have been successfully developed and operated at the AD, but in particular beam profile monitoring remains a challenge. A dedicated beam instrumentation and detector test stand has recently been setup at the AE \(\bar {g}\) IS experiment (Antimatter Experiment: Gravity, Interferometry, Spectroscopy). Located behind the actual experiment, it allows for parasitic use of the antiproton beam at different energies for testing and calibration. With the aim to explore and validate different candidate technologies for future low energy beam lines, as well as the downstream antihydrogen detector in AE \(\bar {g}\) IS, measurements have been carried out using Silicon strip and pixel detectors, a purpose-built secondary emission monitor and emulsions. Here, results from measurements and characterization of the different detector types with regard to their future use at the AD complex are presented.